Sharon Short, Author
  • Home
  • About
    • Behind the Scenes FAQ
  • Books (as Sharon)
    • My One Square Inch of Alaska
    • Josie Toadfern Stain-Busting Mysteries
    • Sanity Check
    • Patricia Delaney eGumshoe Mysteries
  • Books (as Jess)
  • Stories & Essays
  • For Writers
  • Contact

A Mom's Snow Days Diary

1/8/2015

2 Comments

 
Picture
NOTE: This piece originally ran as a Sanity Check column in the Dayton Daily News several years ago. Given the snow and -6 F temperature in my area, I thought it was worth a re-run!

Snow Day One.


Dear Diary,

What a delightful day with the children! School was cancelled due to a snow day—well, really, a bitter cold day, with a wind chill temperature of negative 20. Brrrr!

I made scrambled eggs and cinnamon toast for breakfast; a rare treat on weekday mornings, since we’re usually so rushed.

One of the benefits of self-employment is getting to take a snow day with my darling progeny! So, after breakfast, we all cuddled up in front of a blazing fire in the family room fireplace, read books, and played many games of Yahtzee, Uno, and Backgammon. Then we had hot chocolate. Even the cats and dog curled up at our feet. So cozy!

I’m so glad I took the day off to share with my beautiful offspring, as I’m sure tomorrow it will be warm enough for school to resume.

Snow Day Two.

Dear Diary,

What a surprise! A second day of school cancelled, again due to cold weather.

Warmed up left-over scrambled eggs and cinnamon toast for the children. They complained that the food was rubbery, but I patiently pointed out that elsewhere are plenty of children who would love a warm breakfast, however rubbery.

One can only take off so many days, even if self-employed, so I tried to work. Notice the word “tried.” With one kid watching TV, and the other listening to the radio, it was difficult to concentrate.

So I suggested the kids play Yahtzee and Backgammon and Uno again, just the two of them, while mom worked. Well, I tried to work—but I had to stop a few times to interpret rules.

No fire in the fireplace today… although I did light a candle and say a prayer.

The cats and dog are hiding.

Ah well. It’s supposed to warm up tomorrow.

Snow Day Three.

Dear Diary,

Yeah, it’s another !#$% snow day. This time because it really did snow.

Told the little rug rats they could scrounge up their own blasted breakfast; what’m I—their personal chef?

So they arm wrestled for the last piece of leftover cinnamon toast, and the dog came out of hiding to eat the last of the rubbery eggs. Haven’t seen cats.

Suggested to spouse that perhaps the kids should go see where daddy works. I guess he didn’t hear me through his ear muffs, since he didn’t respond… but he did look panicked as he ran out the door.

Thought I might have a few moments peace when the urchins got out Yahtzee, Uno and Backgammon on their own. But no. Who knew there were combat variations of these games?

Am considering applying for jobs that would force me to work outside my home office. Perhaps in Hawaii.

Heard a rumor we might get more snow flurries.

So instead of lighting fire or candles, I’m lighting a heat lamp and running all over town with it. Plus, I’m buying out the grocery’s salt supply and sprinkling it on the roads myself.

Not A Snow Day.

Dear Diary,

It warmed up to a balmy 20-some degrees above zero! School is in session!

The peace and quiet is astounding. I can get back to work.

Except… I think instead I might go see a counselor.

Because, truth be told, I miss my darling progeny and am counting the days until spring break…


2 Comments

Giveaway of "ALASKA" now through Jan. 5!

1/2/2015

2 Comments

 
The ever gracious Beth Hoffman, author of "Saving CeeCee Honeycutt" and "Looking For Me," is graciously hosting a giveaway of two copies of my novel, "My One Square Inch of Alaska" on her Facebook  Author page now through Jan. 5! Just visit her Facebook Author page by clicking here; like and follow (if you haven't already) and leave a comment on the giveaway post.

To whet your appetite, you can read the first chapter of "My One Square Inch of Alaska" on my website by clicking here.

Good luck and spread the word!
2 Comments

    Categories

    All
    Books I Love
    Creativity
    Cross Training For Writers
    Literary Life
    Movies
    My One Square Inch Of Alaska
    Pie
    Recipe
    Sanity Check
    Screenwriting
    Waxing Philosophical

    Sharon Short...

    ...is  a novelist, columnist, workshop director, instructor, and a pie enthusiast. As such, she blogs about the literary life, life in general, and pie. Definitely, pie.

    As Jess Montgomery, she writes historical mysteries.

    Archives

    January 2018
    August 2017
    June 2016
    May 2016
    August 2015
    June 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    December 2012

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
Photo used under Creative Commons from GabboT