Wednesday

Whoever said Angels don't exist, never lived in my world.

The pain above my right eye, right side of my head and nostril made it very difficult for me to move this morning. I felt as though someone during the night hit me with a sledge hammer. Had I drank myself silly last night this might be appropriate, but no, I was a good girl and had half a glass of red wine and some pasta for dinner. I was not in a good mood and thus was very grumpy with everyone, until, I came out of the shower and found little pink and white wings attached to both Lilly and Zelda.

The cat was so good natured, she seemed not to have a care in the world and was some how oblivious to Zeldas playful devilish antics. She just lay there. Zelda could have dressed her up as Santa with white beard and hat and she probably would not have moved. Did she too have a headache? I rushed to get the camera and took many shots of my two hams, I mean Angels. What a perfect way to start the day.

Again we had trouble getting Zelda ready for school, but this time it was due to cold feet. Zelda was to perform in her school winter play. She was playing an Angel of all things. I think this morning was some kind of warm up only it did not work at getting rid of her stage fright. She had a good talk with her daddy, and he made her feel more comfortable by relating his own fears about performing in public when he played in the band. This made her feel better and brought on giggles and smiles.

The performance was wonderful. It was a bit too religious for my liking, but I guess it's hard to do a play about Christmas without Jesus. After the performance she and I went with our friends to a cafe for hot chocolate to celebrate. We then went home and lit the Hanuka candles. Zelda was able to recite the whole prayer and lit the candles all on her own. She opened her final present...the "big one" and was very happy to have been given something she mentioned she wanted a while back in the book shop; a pop up fairy princess castle book. Tomorrow I am seeing 3 houses, but I rather feel like moving into her pop up house instead! It's perfect.

Time check- 7:27pm. Zelda and her daddy and Lilly are in bed snuggling. Dinner is prepped downstairs and the fire is roaring in the living room. I am grateful for the angels in my life.

Tuesday

It was a warm day, only -1 degree, and I felt the difference when I awoke this morning. I stripped off my socks and bathrobe during the night because I was obviously too hot! I vaguely remember little furry paws walking behind my head in the early hours of the morning and found Lilly sleeping soundly at the bottom of the bed at 6am.

Coffee made, BBC radio updating me on the Wikki Leaks, again and Zelda still asleep at 7am. I jumped into the shower and rinsed quickly as we were late already! When I had finished, Zelda was in our bed snuggling the cat and her daddy. I dressed, opened up the blinds and stood in shock...it had snowed again during the night! How could it??? We had Pink skies at night and I know snow is not the shepherds delight. I had been tricked, but I was happy as it all looked so pretty and white and clean again.

The morning was a struggle for us to get Zelda dressed, fed and out the door in time to make it to school before the bell rang. The arrival of the cat mixed with the past week of no school and lazy mornings has set us back light years. We are in dire need of a new strategy, one that involves us all getting ready earlier and still staying happy and sane.

The walk into town was magical. The River had frozen! The cathedral and castle had puff of snow on them again and all the pathways and walkways were bright white. It was like walking into a Dickens story.


After my coffee with my husband at the university, I went into town to mail packages, book property visits and search for a ballerina Barbie. I wound up with Christmas chocolates, Turkish delight, dates, strawberries, lettuce and Kohlrabi. The last item making me incredibly happy as I haven't seen this veggie in over 10 years. It used to be one of my favorites.  Peel, slice and serve with salt on the side for dipping. It is like a big green radish, but crisp and juicy like an apple. Sadly, or perhaps happily, no Barbie to be found in Durham. That's what you get when you live in a University town.

I came home by bus with my many packages. It was noon by the time I got home. I ate my favorite snack....almonds, cashews and dark chocolate covered raisins. I am addicted to this combo. In fact as I type, I am eating them again.

2:30pm and it was back into town to pick up Zelda from school. I was a bit uncomfortable as I was wearing my puffy Nutria fur jacket. Earlier in the morning, as my friend "petted" me, she said, "be careful, someone might shoot you!", Nice!! its rat after all. who would get upset over that. As I walked I prepared my comeback should someo one confront me. Luckily, I and my coat came to no harm. I was warm and snugly. I will wear it again tomorrow.

Normal evening routine...tele, snuggling, candles, present, dinner, bath, book and bed. Hubby is at work preparing his lecture for tomorrow. I am thinking about my perfect day.

Monday

Monsters, how do you tell your child that they really don't exist even when they are right there in her head? It is especially hard at 2:30am and again at 4:30am when they have reappeared to convince a child that it's perfectly ok to go back to bed, ALONE.

6am, I am bleary eyed from sharing night monsters with Zelda for the last week. She on the other hand, has walked into the bedroom, more chipper than I have seen her in days.  She shines with happiness, giggles with joy, is the essence of giddiness. Did my early a.m. session break her monster madness? Or it is youth, something I am starting to lack, thus getting up and out of bed this morning was extremely hard, but I did it. Not only did I do it, but I did it in -9 degree weather.

Today was a special day, our cat Lilly was joining us in England after being separated from the entire family since August. We were all looking forward to her arrival. I had plans for Lilly. She was going to learn to sleep in Zeldas room on her bed with her. This way Zelda would not be sleeping alone anymore. Ok, it isn't a sister or brother, but it is the closest thing she will ever get to one.

Step 1. close all bedroom doors except Zeldas.
Step 2.  Place fluffy quilt at bottom of Zeldas bed
Step 3. Introduce Lilly to the bed
Step 4. Give Lilly packet of CATNIP on Zeldas bed while Zelda is in it reading.
Step 5. Leave Lilly alone to zone out on bed without petting her.
Step 6. Leave a sleeping Zelda and Lilly in bed together.

Mission Accomplished...Now I only hope Lilly doesn't scare Zelda in the night.

We were expecting Lilly around noon. The phone rang and it was the courier, she was fuming mad and some how completely unaware that she had been driving in snow since she arrived in Durham. The rest of the day was spent helping this woman get out of the snow and ice mess she got herself stuck in. Well her GPS actually, as it said to go past the street where we actually live. Our street was ok to drive on, the one she was on, was not. I recruited flyer delivery men, neighbors, my husband and passer byes to push and give their piece of mind on what to do. In the end, the garage was called out to pull her free. I won't say more, as it still leaves me in disbelief her statement on the phone " Why didn't someone tell me there was snow?"

Yesterday I prepared my mothers recipe for Stuffed Cabbage. It is never a good idea to eat it the day you make it as it is infinitely better the next day or even a day after that. I can smell the sweet and tangy aroma drifting up the stairs to the room I am in. I can't wait to eat it. The perfect cold weather meal, stuffed cabbage and a glass of good red wine.

One last thing,  this evening around 4pm was picture perfect. The sky glowed hot pink in thick streaks like bacon. White fluffy borders and powder blue background. The saying Pink sky in morning, shepherds  warning, Pink sky at night shepherds delight means it will be a beautiful day tomorrow. I can't wait to see what the day brings.

The Weekend

Saturday was the first day snow had not fallen. It was minus something degrees and bloody cold. We had a viewing for a house at 1:45, a birthday party to take Zelda and her friend to for 1pm and the driveway nor the car had been cleaned. Super mom to the rescue! Single handedly I put sausages in the oven and then went outside to shovel and scrape. Mid way through, I popped my head into the kitchen, turned the sausages and returned to my work outside. Zelda was inside watching CBBees, had already eaten her breakfast, wrapped the gift, made a card  and was dressed and ready to go to the party.

Everything went accordingly. We picked up the friend, we got to the party a bit late, but no problem. We then left and went straight to the viewing. What a disappointment. It was like something out of Stepford Wives, but worse, as it looked like a stepford ghetto. I looked as fast as I could and said good by to the realtor. It was worth seeing as we now know it is a definite no no place to live. I honestly would not live there if you gave me the property.

Evening routines followed as usual.

Sunday was sunny, warmer and a perfectly beautiful day. We were setting out early to go into town to see the Victorian style Holiday Fayre held on the green in front of the cathedral. Zelda rode ponies, petted the baby cows, lamb, goats and reindeer! I watched a cooking demo given by Dave from Master Chef. Afterwards, Zelda held a 14 year old snowy owl. It was amazing. She had no fear and the owl was ever so gentle. Later on we went into the cathedral to participate in a Carol service and then had snacks in the cloister cafe.

We walked home and Zelda immediately mentioned lighting the Hanuka candles. We lit them together this time and she even said the prayer with me! She was very proud that she had learned it by hearing me repeat it the past nights. Present number 5 was opened and it was a success. Bath, book and bed followed.

In the evening, a powerful feeling of unity came over me. I loved how Zelda was able to go from carol services in the cathedral to lighting Hanuka candles and saying a Hebrew prayer, all  in the span of a few hours.

The weekend was full. The weekend was busy. The weekend was all about being parents. It was perfect.

Friday

Got up, got out of bed, washed my face, put a hat on my head. Drank a coffee, ate some toast, brushed my teeth, put on my coat. Kissed my angel and my guy, went out the door and caught the 64. Well actually I took the 20, and it was wrong, but didn't matter I walked the rest  through the storm. Minus eleven, felt like less, bought my ticket for Newcastle, but the trains were a mess. Turned around, went back to town, had a coffee and settled down.  All of this took two hours, then bought some presents and went back to the "Jermyn Towers". Made a bagel, washed the clothes, did some research and kept blowing my nose. At two-thirty went back to town, picked up Zelda and then turned around. In the falling snow, we walked along, its magic helped us ,so it was not forlorn. Over ice, through the slush, up the hill with out a rush. Warm and snugly in the house, on the couch we messed about. Lit the candles, opened gifts, baked potato and fish sticks. Brushed the teeth, final pee, into the bed, for a read. Angel breath, lights out, together were curled, til sleep unfurls. Slowly I creep, I hate to leave, but she alone, she must sleep. Here I sit and reflect, my day was absolutely purrrfect.

Thursday

It feels like Ground Hog Day to me! No school again for Zelda, home stay for me. Window shades up, hold breath, stop. Inhale again and there was a  new addition to my snowy menagerie...long thin sparkly crystal icicles were hanging all in a row from the windows! First thought to mind was, I wonder how many people get killed by them in the winter time. Must keep Zelda far away.

My icicles were magical. I felt like a trapped princess in a castle made of ice, honestly I did, but like all fairy tales, mine had to end and I had to get up, get out of bed, take off my many layers and shower and  go do the emergency shopping. Our groceries that were ordered and to be delivered last night never came. TESCOS had cancelled all deliveries and to reschedule meant waiting another god knows how long.

In my pink waterproofs, pink fleece scarf, turquoise ski gloves, wellies and purple cashmere hat, given to me by a good friend, I was ready to face the heavy falling snow flakes that just started to come down as I started to leave the house. I took the bus into town and went to TESCOS. You would think the war was on again, there wasn't a stitch of fresh bread to found. The rotisserie was not working and the shelves were half empty. I stocked up on veggies, fruit, cheese, pasta, coffee, salmon, tea and mince. I filled three bags worth of groceries and then headed back to the bus and home. It was quite exciting to be shopping under these conditions. As I walked around I tried to figure out how I could feed us all for weeks on end with just the few ingredients I had collected. Stuffed cabbage came to mind, omelet, mac and cheese and soup.

With the snow still falling, Zelda and I went out into the garden to knock off the snow from the tables and chairs, to rearrange the furniture and to sled down our small hill. When we had tired of the back we went around to the front and cleaned off the car with our dust pans and brooms.  I felt really hip....I now knew what men feel like when they are outside washing their vehicle.

Another trip to another market closer by followed. I again filled up a couple of bags of goodies, butter, cake, chips, juice, yogurt and bagels. Home again, and this time it was snowing little balls again. I really think someone up there is a bit skitzo.

Zelda and I watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. played some games, watched some TV, and then we lit the candles, opened present number two and she ate her dinner. The day seemed to fly by.

Tomorrow, I will be going to the BALTIC- yea, our gig is on as the school is open. Zelda will hopefully be going to school, and if not staying with a friend for the day. The cat will not be arriving this weekend. She is in Surrey England and will get here as soon as the snow clears. She is happy and eating well. Everything has worked out perfectly.

Time check: 6:50, Zelda having a bath with daddy and I am having a moment by my self, thinking about how rich I am and I don't mean dollars and cents!

Wednesday

It's decided, I will start antibiotics this morning. With this weather, it is a must in order to keep healthy! Yep, still more snow. Every morning when I lift the blinds, I just draw my breath in and it stays there. I have not seen so much snow come down for so long a period in my entire life. It is truly amazing. Perfect little Styrofoam shaped beads of white fall from the sky continuously.

School was on, Yippee, I did not think I could take another day of children's television. I was CBeeBeeed out. It was time for me to join the adult population and venture into Newcastle for my third day of work at the BALTIC. I was looking forward to going. I took my antibiotic, my neurophin meltlits and my joint drink. I was armed and prepared to face the storm.

 I ran out the door, saw the bus coming and ran all the way to the bus stop in my clunky hiking boots. Thank goodness for slush. The bus could barely move so I made it before he did to the stop. Lucky day I thought! Next I walked to the train station from where I got off the bus. A 10 minute hike up hill on slippery unshoveled steps proved challenging, but fun. Bought my ticket and caught the train that was almost an hour late with five minutes to spare. Again, lucky me! I even met a mom of one of Zeldas friends from school on the platform, so the ride in was enjoyable and full of new chatter.

Arrival in Newcastle on time. I had over 30 minutes to get to the BALTIC. All of a sudden my mind went blank and I had a white out. I wound up in the opposite direction from where I had to go. Everything looked different to me covered in snow. As I walked I thought to myself, I do not recognize where I am, but maybe its just the snow. I stopped to ask for directions. I had to go all the way back to the station and retrace my steps. I saw where I went wrong.  Was it the snow, was it the medicine, was it me? I had no time to think about it. I raced onwards and got to the BALTIC not on time, but early! Perfect timing, if not a perfect mind.

The workshop ended early due to the school closing at noon because of the snow storm. I was back in Durham by 1:30. I did some shopping for Hanuka, met up with my husband and daughter and we all went home to have cup of hot chocolate, light the Hanuka candles and open the first of eight presents.

Dinner, bath then books and bed. I am reading Zelda Charlotte's Web. She is really enjoying it. I love reading her a real story which gets spread out over time. The anticipation in her is wonderful to see. She was put to sleep by daddy while I waited for our grocery delivery.

Time check: 8:55....chicken pie in the oven, hubby working downstairs in front of the fire, still no groceries. so much for stocking up! All I know is that everything has gone exactly as it should. Perfectly.