The groundhog didn't see his shadow... but after the past few years, what does an early spring even mean around here? That we'll stop having blizzards in April? Flowers might bloom before May? The optimist in me (who totally wants to believe) wants to hope that this year we'll have spring in March. The realist in me that had to walk the dog during that last polar vortex thinks we'll have another white Easter this year.
It's already been a long winter. December was one long cold and ear infection for Matt. We had the sniffles the entire month of January. And in the beginning of February, Matt had his tonsils and adenoids out, ear tubes put in. Oliver had the same thing done when he was 4 and once we were over the surgery recovery aspect, it was LIFE CHANGING and made such a difference to his health. But the actual surgery and recovery is rough. It's fast, it's outpatient and minor compared to other surgeries... but it's still a two week recovery at home. They hurt and it hurts to watch them suffer. And to add to the madness, a few days after the surgery, Oliver came home from school with the flu. The flu-flu, the fever-coughing-runny nose-nausea-muscle aches-general malaise kind of flu. It was rough to say the least. Survival definitely required kombucha cocktails for mom and dad.
To deal with all this, we are combating the winter blues with a few elements of hygge and embracing cozy - fairy lights in glass containers on timers, lighting a candle (in a safe location away from children), making tea, snuggling under blankets together on our new couch. Lots of blanket snuggling (or in Matt's case, dog snuggling). Even the kids are into the idea of embracing cozy - they like to turn on the Netflix fireplace and watch cartoons on their iPads on the big couch. I get to read a book on my kindle (GASP! Time for mom!).
Then to help with my garden withdrawal, I'm hoarding a big stack of seed catalogs and adding blooms to our indoor greenery, indulging in flowers - my Christmas amaryllis bloomed twice more, I bought a primrose for $1 at the grocery store, an occasional bouquet of discount flowers from Whole Foods if nothing else is blooming (seriously they have sales like a dozen daffodils for $1). I've coaxed additional blooms out of the geranium I'm overwintering, but I killed the snapdragons and the hyacinth. It happens - some plants overwinter better than others.
Other things to help survive the winter: Amazon and Target delivery subscriptions so all the essentials magically arrive before we run out. Kindle books. Free grocery delivery. Adult coloring books to color alongside the kiddos. Curated music playlists without ads. Craft cocktails. Homemade lemon rosemary bread in the dutch oven. Soup. Door dash for our favorite Thai place that doesn't deliver. OKeefe's healthy hands cream. Aquaphore. Humidifiers running 24-7. The lotion tissues. Local raw honey. Turmeric tea. Kombucha + vitamins for an immunity boost. Slippers for the cold floors. A puppy that likes to snuggle. French yogurt that comes in terracotta cups that make perfect vases for spring flowers. Consuming ridiculous amounts of citrus.
I will also fully admit to jumping on the Marie Kondo on Netflix bandwagon. Each episode is awesomely motivating to go organize something. In a tiny house with kids there's always something that needs an overhaul, an hour with Marie has me itching to hit up the next spot. I'm also working on our basement, but it's a monster... I'm slowly getting through it a little piece at a time - which with little kids is really the only way to get things done anyway.
Hopefully the kids can stay healthy enough that I can get through the mess by spring (whenever it finally gets here).
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