the day after

With larger families (is eleven of us large?) and seasonal fluctuations, you have to be prepared for a disruption. You can only hope it wont be a major one and that everyone will come out fine at the end of the day. We're heading for a disruption.

I've lived in Wisconsin for 46 years and I do not ever remember having a blizzard in November. Recent Christmases have been on the warm side. Snow has been rare in December and not at all a threat in November. And yet he we are. They are predicting a major snow event for tomorrow. A winter storm warning has been issued and the forecasters are assuring us that this one will come, with 100% certainty (though the debate continues as to how much snow. Minimum -- half a foot. Maximum -- much more.

I texted my younger girl not to come up from Chicago tomorrow. (She would have come to the same decision on her own, but I saved her the burden of telling me about it.)

This is a major disappointment for all of us, but I have to think, the cousins are feeling it most of all. I hear tears were shed. And of course, plans needed to be adjusted. Tree trimming together, followed by Muppets Christmas Carol watching, with pizza in hand tomorrow? Wont happen. Brunch, that traditional brunch that I always make before they return to Chicago? Nope. The meeting of the dogs and their next of kin down in the windy city? Not this month. It's all such a bummer, but I at least have the deep satisfaction of knowing that all my babes will be in a safe place. That's a wonderful feeling, believe me. Not to worry about your loved ones is everything!

Of course, Henry is oblivious to all this background noise. He is up, ready to hit the great outdoors at the lovely hour of... 6. 

Yes, it's cold outside. 20F/-7C, but they say it feels much colder. They needn't spend time convincing me. Henry needs his sweater.

My pooch has an upset tummy -- what a surprise! I don't even know what he ate last night. There were things for him to snack on everywhere, and I was not totally innocent in indulging him. A shrimp was consumed. A chewy that promised the presence of turkey with cranberries. I noticed he picked up a chunk of dropped corn muffin. I probably did not notice a whole lot more that he found by going from one person to the next and looking up with his pleading eyes. 

Well, we will be mindful about foods today. A regular breakfast, for me, for him.

Henry does have a sentimental attachment to his toy turkey. Me, I look over at him and admire how large he really is!

I FaceTime with my two Chicago grandgirls.

We were all to go to Clasen's Bakery together. This is a firm holiday tradition: taking pictures of kids in the large gingerbread house. Since my own girls were little. Baked goods placed, sometimes surreptitiously, into the shopping cart, some selected by kids, some by adults. Always a large supply of hearts moons and stars purchased for the winter weeks ahead. The Chicago family asked if I could do some Clasen's shopping for them, so that they could decorate their tree next week with those chocolate covered gingerbread cookies on hand. Of course I will! I drop off Henry at my daughter's and head out to Clasen's.

(terribly empty)

My next needed stop is at the pet store. Henry would probably benefit from some bland chicken and rice food for a while (so the internet tells me). The two big kids beg to go along, so we make an outing of it: Henry, who has a hard time resisting all those bones and treats in the store, and the two kids who are endlessly amused by his antics, and of course me, paying for it all, because -- did I mention this? -- taking care of a dog is not cheap. 

Henry does a lot of resting afterwards, though I do think he needs to stretch a bit, so I take him to the Edge's dog play area. This is a wonderful spot for a dog who loves to throw himself a ball.

We were supposed to join my daughter and her family for an outing to the Christmas tree farm, but in the end I opted out. It's a bit of a drive, and the place is bound to be extremely busy. Since I'm not buying a tree, Henry and I would only be a tag along. Perhaps a disruptive presence at that, since Henry and Goose are not likely to stay calm once they find each other. Still, Henry needs a solid run today. Patti Klein, here we come!

 

 

 

You might say the day reads as being rather anti-climatic.  Added to Henry's upset tummy, I have a slight cold. The air outside feels polar. I spend much of the day on the couch with pooch resting at my side. And of course there is the disappointment of not having the younger family here for our own special post-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving.

And yet, I have that holiday buzz -- from the one that is now history and the one that's ahead of us. And I have the music. And two plants arrived that are to replace the flowers at my breakfast table. (Winter grocery store flowers are rarely stunning, or inexpensive.)  I think I'll light a spruce scented candle tonight. Happily, I'm stocked on these cookies.

And I do love snow. Especially when my car gets to wait out the storm in the garage and someone else will be clearing the driveway. There are pieces of leftover turkey in the fridge. And I'm smack in the middle of the last book in the Thursday Murder Club series. Not much to groan about, is there?

with so much love...