don't ask me in february...

As the title says... don't ask me in February if I want to leave New England because the answer will always be a resounding YES! It is dark, it is bleak, it is frigid, and usually involves some bone chilling combination of rain, ice, and/or snow. Don't get me wrong I like snow, I like to cozy up under a blanket and drink hot chocolate, but after Christmas it looses it's charm. Winter in New England is like a bad houseguest that way overstays its welcome. I also find it interesting that schools in New England have 2 spring breaks one in Febraury and one in April (neither of those times are even remotely warm!) so your options are 1 spend a fortune trying to get out of town with every other seasonal affective disorder crazed family or enjoy a week of crazy cooped up kids- usually the later prevails. (to make matters worse smart daddy-o and I spent feb break in puerto rico last year, which left us feeling quite disenchanted with our home state. Now as feb break rolls around I'd give anything for warm sunshine!

The other day as I pushed my cart loaded with groceries and my boys out of the warm grocery store into the 7 degree weather I thought about what a better mood I'd be in right then if I was in California, Florida, Arizona- (okay basically anywhere) and I could saunter out of hte store- take my time unloading the bags and strapping in my kids. Instead I lift the rear latch throw the bags in as quickly as possible and harangue my kids- "faster, faster!! strap in!! its freezing!!!"

I know it is a case of the grass is always greener- when we lived in California the lack of true seasons made me a bit crazy- although wearing cute sandals all year long did not. This is probably why I have been painting and eating like a fiend- trying escape the february doldrums!

But truth be told-- the grass IS always greener (basically anywhere on the planet) than in New England in February.

(Yes that is my back yard the other week!)

of bottoms, bollywood and barns

You may remember the comical story of my disintegrated swimsuit bottoms . I have survived these two months with only half a swimsuit (thanks to the fact that i live in new england where even in the summer probably rarely gets hot enought to allow full usage of a swimsuit) but excitingly enough smart daddy-o and I are going to puerto rico for a week-- which does require a swimsuit- both pieces -- our trip is only 3 1/2 weeks away- which I was diligently attempting honey kalaria's bollywood workout (smart baby started grabbing my legs just as i was getting the bhangra hands down really well) so I bagged the workout and took smart baby to visit the cows (yes it's 7 degrees outside-with a negative windchill but when you are desperate and realize every waking moment the you stay in your house a new mess is created by your child you will brave even the bitterest wind) and while visiting our favorite dairy cows-we returned home with 17$ worth of pastries, and spinach and broccoli calzones. Good thing I bought a new skirted bottom instead of french cut...

** brief note on the bollywood workout- I have to give it 2 thumbs up- although a little cheesy in some parts,a decent slightly complicated workout (especially all those crazy hands), I figure it is good practice so I can land my breakout role in a bollywood flick.