It's already the end of January with 11 months to go.  It seems the older I get, the faster time flies. 
​     I didn't make a resolution this year, but I saw one idea I loved from a friend back home in Ohio.  Her name is Amy and she's wicked smart.  She runs races, travels the world, lives life to the fullest, all while enjoying a visit to our ridiculously amazing ice cream shop, Graeter's. 
​     Amy posted this picture, giving nod to her friend, Abby who gave her the idea...  

   You may have heard of the concept before, but how great is this?  To take experiences and write them down, putting them in one place, creating a year of memories to review and reminisce. 
​   It doesn't have to be fancy.  Notebook paper in a cup would do, or in my case...sticky notes in my pocket book...the point is, to write good times down with the date, allowing you to smile as you think back on them at the end of your year.
​   Thank you for posting this idea, Amy.  I pray you always have a full jar.  I look forward to remembering the good in this crazy thing called life...and I hope one day, one of my sticky notes will be lucky enough to read how I was able to share a bowl of Graeter's ice cream with you! XO 

    Today was the third day  of having no school.  I smiled when somebody said, "Snowdays  are God's little way of telling teachers, He Loves them".
​    We ended up getting more ice than snow, but the kids didn't seem to  mind. 
​    They were able to spend time outside with their friends, allowing for a much needed break from the  hustle and bustle of life.
​    It's been nice to have to slow down for awhile...even if it will  only  last for just a minute or so... 

      There's something about being a northerner living in the south when it comes to the chance of snow.  If you're new to this area, let me fill you in on a few tips.
      First off, even before the first flake falls, your eyes will widen when you drive on any road as the crazed look of people pass you by down white streaks paved in brine.
    Grocery store parking lots will buzz with the energy of  ten thousand bees while cars hurriedly push and shove for one hint of an empty spot.
   Shopping carts (or as they're called down here, 'buggys') become more precious than jewels while consumers search frantically in spite of themselves.
    And the shopping...Lord help us...the shopping.  You will literally see the whites of peoples knuckles as they take corners on no more than two wheels for that coveted gallon of  dairy gold. 
      I started a new job this year.  I literally didn't think I could love it anymore than I did before today, but believe it or not, it actually got better.
    As a speech therapist, I've worked in the medical field for years now.  Snow, hurricanes, holidays...these things didn't matter  when it came to seeing patients.  They were there waiting for you, so you needed to make sure they were taken care of.
    This year though?  I took a job in the school system. I've not only had days off for holidays, today I had to stop myself from crying just a little bit when they announced  there'd be an early release today due to inclement weather.  
    Inclement weather.
    Coming from Ohio, I remember standing at the bus stop in the fourth grade for 30 minutes in snow up to my hips with our inclement weather - and we're getting out of school early for a chance of snow?  Did I mention it was in the 40's and hadn't even flurried yet?
        You're going to love this place.
         So, here we are and if you're like us, it's nighttime, we're in our pajamas which are inside out and backwards and we're doing snow dances in hopes of getting the white stuff.
     It started raining a little, but there's still no sign of anything else.  As crazy as people in the south might think it is, I miss the winter.  I miss snow covered trees and sledding down hills -  sparkly snowmen and solidly built forts - and I hope our kids will get to enjoy a piece of that magic, if only for one day.
     I hope you can agree, as wild as it is to be a northerner in the south during that rarity of a snowfall, it certainly is something to behold. 
     And one last thing...as long as you stay off the roads and out of Harris Teeter no matter what happens, you're going to be just fine.  I promise.