Blizzard Warning in Effect...

Do your run to the store for milk and bread?

Refill the Karosene heater?

Fill the tank with gas?

If you’re in the Hodgen household, yes, you’ve done all items listed above. But, it’s not enough. To truly ward off the “chilled to the bone” feeling that accompanies the worst snow storm in 30 years…

you must throw on your bathing suit and jump into the hot tub.

A bubbly 102 degrees is just right. Does a body good. Defrosts the toes. Follow this up with some whole wheat pizza and a DVD and you’ve got the prefect cure for a winter storm.
School dismissed early today and cancelled tomorrow. My greatest fears realized…we’re entering the Shining…

But they didn't have a hot tub, so maybe we'll survive. Maybe...

Deadline

When there's a deadline hanging over my head, it overshadows all frivolous/free time (if such a thing still exists). Always been this way.

Can't play...gotta paper.

Can't relax with a paperback...giving a talk on Sunday.

This is why I didn't have kids until after undergrad AND why I have yet to attend grad school.

Sorry Adam. Can't feed you....gotta study.

It just wouldn't be a good thing now. But later. Definitely later.

But for today I have a deadline. One I brought upon myself a few weeks ago when I purchased a Groupon deal from Blurb.

You see my new Iowa friends all have these cute, organized hardback books of their blogs. Year by year. A "family history" per say.

Me, yes I have a sporadic blog but no published, tangible documentation composed of my thoughts and photos. Sounded like a good idea at the time.

Which brings be to today. The deal expires shortly and my book, it ain't done.

Not even close.

Well, not even close to my standard. Which, who is this book really about satisfying?

Me.

Sure I hope that one day, many years down the road when I'm pushin' up daisy, Shannon will pick up this book and remember how she drove her mother crazy with her model poses photo after photo after photo...and smile...and think of me...and shed a tear...and name her next daughter after me...

...so that's what's keepin' me going for now.

But for you I have these super stupendous, fabulous, gorgeous photo's that my insanely talented sister took over Christmas break. Enjoy for now.

Rosemary's Babies

Catching up on vitamin D down at Rosemary Beach on 30A.

Today I really was going to get into the ocean until I caught this fellow just off shore.

Kill joy.

That is a 10 pound jellyfish, I swear. It took me three trips hauling it out of the ocean.

I wish Adam was willing to keep these on because I would have bought them instantly.

More from the gulf later.

The Hunt

...is ON!

It all started with the fear being put into me during the cold snap a few weeks ago.

by the way, it may be 60 degrees now, but I'm still chilled to the bone.

Am I the only one experiencing phantom cold syndrome?

I was bundled up, out and about one night, throwing obscenities like frick and shnikes as I ran from my car to the grocery store, when I saw a reader board flashed 13 degrees and was instantly grateful that my little angels were bundled up, snug and warm in their beds.

But then it hit me...

I'd been checking the weather, in Iowa, everyday.

Iowa high 5, low -13.

Ah crap (please excuse my potty language)! Seriously. I was freezing my buns off and it didn't even reach 13 degrees in Iowa today... not even midday, when the sun was blazing overhead.

I was going to die.

Which leads me to today...another day on the hunt.

I stalk the internet in search of winter clearance sales in hopes that I might purchase some parka with enough down to keep my little angels warm in Antarctica. But a parka alone won't ensure their survival.

No way.

They need gloves, hats, and mittens. Oh my.

Oh my indeed. It adds up fast, even on clearance.

But it IS a commandment to feed and CLOTH our children. And it has been said that "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." My shopping is nothing more than me fulfilling my divine role as a mother.

Will you remind Steve of that as he pays the credit card bill? Thanks.The fruits of my labors.

NOTHING cuter than a toddler in snow overalls. NOTHING! Adam's new logger's cap ALSO served Shannon on silly hat day at school.

Multi tasking. I'm trained as a nurse...it's what we do.

Happy New Year

Just to let you know, we're alive an kickin'. A 14 day cold swept through the Hodgen household and drained our energy reserves. To cope, we immersed ourselves in the overindulgence that always accompanies the holidays.

It's Beginning to look a lot like...

Iowa

Heard of the blizzard tearing through the Midwest?

Here's Alabama's portion of their winter wonderland. 1/2 inch, maybe 3/4ths? What ever the precipitation, it was cause to run out, grab a loaf of bread and milk, then toss the kids in their "winter gear", aka a fleece zip up, and play in the snow until it melted into a soggy, muddy mess(30 minutes later).It was good practice though.

I thought about naming this post

I-O-Whatta?

Wondering why?

Steve has accepted a residency in Davenport, Iowa and as of June we'll officially be Midwesterners.

My first thought was..."uh, where IS Iowa?"

Isn't it that state I missed every test in the 4th grade when they either asked us to name all 50 states OR handed us a map and told us to fill it in. BOTH times = no idea! We are trilled with the opportunities that await us there, but at the same time there are moments like these when my heart feels heavy. Wonderful friends and family that will no longer be a short jaunt away. More like a grueling 14 hour track away, through snow and ice, uphill both ways.

My girls...

who welcomed me to Alabama with open arms when I had a 5 day old baby and forced me to exercise. I've love every minute...and will cry as I reread this post next winter in my down parka huddled next to a wood burning stove while you frolic at the park in your windbreakers.
But life's an adventure and I voluntarily signed up for the ride.

I had to include this picture. It shows my true colors. Or at least how I feel about dogs. There I said it. You always had an inkling though, didn't you?

When Lindsey Comes to Town

The sun shines brighter.
Almost blinding.
And life is a little better.
And she's so sweet with your kids that you nearly forgive her for stealing both recessive genes and getting the blue eyes that were meant for you (meaning Me, Melissa).

...I said nearly forgive. And I'm pretty sure the doctrine includes something about...AND forgetting as well, which will never happen, so I'm not too focused on the forgiving part for that reason alone.

Anyways, you feel inspired to...

Get gussied up.

Even if she is my sister, I can't let her see the way I really live.

Thanks to Laura for turning our kitchen into a hair salon and for being patient with me while I attempted to learn how to cut Shannon's hair.
Oh, and thanks for fixing Shannon's hair after I butchered it.

(note the look of concern on Shannon's face) (and the ugly look of concentration on mine)

All's well that ends well. Shannon likes her hair.
Whew.
I would have never heard the end of that one.

Moving on

...create an army of turkey cupcakes for Shannon's birthday at school.

(note Shannon's and Lindsey's new hair styles)

...Feel a little more free

like Adam here, who decided to sleep commando and leave a puddle on his bed for me to clean.

...get a shrink for your daughter after she hyperventilates/cries for 2 hours straight after Lindsey leaves.

Or just call Lindsey plan the next time she can come down. It's much cheaper and more fun!

Sweet Home Alabama

It took a little over a month, but I think we've finally settled into our new rental home. While I still have a longing to own our own home, that time will come. For now we are basking in our additional square footage!

I'll admit the first few weeks were a little challenging. After almost a month in Memphis, I drove home with the kids on a Sunday, only to turn around Monday and start the move. Progress was slow due to a certain 10 month old who was feeling a little off balance, understandably. He had just mastered sitting up and was beginning to explore the world of crawling, then BAM! he's back in Birmingham. Ah, home at last...my own crib. Finally. Then BAM! New walls, new house, no Shannon to pick up my pacifier after I chuck it from my crib in a fit of rage! Only constant is Mom. I'll find comfort in being near her 18 hours a day, be it in her arms, standing by her side and holding onto or legs, or planted between her feet regardless of her task (this made cooking very scary). I am happy to report that, after sticking to a schedule for the first time in months (although it has meant sacrifice to Shannon and my social lives) Adam is a well balanced, happy boy who can play by himself for short increments and now naps longer because mom isn't swooping into his room every time he wakes up crying in fear that he will wake up his sister (they used to share a room).

I'd like to think I'm the kinda girl where money can't buy happiness. But, for a few extra bucks a month, we've added an additional bedroom for Shannon to spread her Polly pockets out and I don't have to worry about Adam ingesting Cinderella's bridal shoes, a garage to fill with junk, and a bigger backyard with my dream herb garden. In short, it was totally worth the countless trips around the block (we moved a total of .6 miles from our 1st Birmingham residence) with the cars filled with laundry baskets of whatever we could stuff into them.

Live is good.

Should I be worried?

I was typing in "cakelove" into google (my newest Everest is baking cakes from scratch) when the history showed "can I take a rottweiler to Ireland?"

Uh, Steve, do you need to tell me something?

(I've told Steve he can get a rottweiler when I'm dead. His latest school project involved creating a fake person. Steve drew up a 67 year old widower with a rottweiler named Heinrich who was looking to retire in Ireland.)

I think there is such a thing as planning TOO far ahead.