Taxes

:(

'nough said.

Limit

It was a new experience to go shopping last week and find the above sign. I'm not used to being "limited" in any way when grocery shopping, aside from periodic reasonable limits on crazy ridiculous sale prices.

I'm also not used to buying the last regular sized bag of unbleached enriched white flour off the shelf.

The bread, milk, and egg shelves looked as if a blizzard was about to reign down on the region (out here in PA, it's a real thing that people panic before large snow storms, and stores literally run out of bread, milk, and eggs).

Amidst the grocery store pandemonium following the State's announcement to close all K-12 schools for the next couple weeks (which in-turn led to the cancellation of nearly every social event small or large for at least the same period), I stopped to select a little bouquet of daffodils. 

I was the only person in the flower department, although the store was the busiest I've ever experienced.

Somehow buying a mini bouquet in addition to my cart full of flour, oil, pasta, fresh and frozen veggies, cereal, bread, and yoghurt (I confess I put an extra quart in the cart since milk wasn't an option...) felt like a holistically healthy decision.

{and... buying a box of chocolate peanut butter ice cream also seemed like a very wise move :) }

climb inside

I LOVE Microsoft lockscreen photos from around the world.

My favorites are scenery photos (I always provide "not a fan" feedback for photos of city traffic, modern architecture, animals, large groups of people, etc.).

Some of the scenery shots are absolutely stunning, incredible, and amazing:

I want to climb into that jumbo-tron

and be in those places.

I'm reminded of the time Joel Skyped home when our oldest niece was little...

and she asked her dad to help her climb into the screen.

If only we could.

sunshine in February!

On Monday, the sun came out and brightened our world!

I sat outside in my sweatshirt and sunglasses trying to soak in every little ray of available sunny vitamins. 

The sun has again departed and we remain with the standard gray of February.

January wrap

To complete my month of sickness, in my state of weakened immunity, I managed to collect another cruddy virus that left me on the sofa for a solid week...

I'm thankful for sick days and a job that's flexible to allow me to work from home, er, the sofa, when needed.

I'm considering quarantining myself for the rest of the winter until all the yucky bugs are past and my immune system is renewed!

fresh

There's nothing like the beauty of fresh snow!

Little Guys

Last month when I was home for Christmas we had an unseasonably warm day. 

Betsy and I sat outside and chatted while Abel played bat and ball and Cyrus took a nap. Then we took the boys out for a spin in their double stroller. 

#GoodTimes.