I just posted that in another thread, but it's true. My husband and son are both home because of the icy death. We've already done puzzles, played computer games and put together the train set. I'm about ready to kill myself. It's cold, drafty, dark, I'm bored and can't go outside for fear of frostbite. What to do inside for days on end in the grip of a prairie winter? And, ummm, remember, my kid is home.

-- Anonymous, December 15, 2000

Answers

Can you bake cookies with your son? Or a cake or something? It makes the house smell good, it gets nice and warm in the kitchen, and then you get to eat whatever you made.

-- Anonymous, December 15, 2000

yeah and put on 40 lbs all at the same time. yipppeee

-- Anonymous, December 15, 2000

Twister?

When I'm stuck inside, if I don't go into a cleaning frenzy, I like to paint or draw. You could all do portraits of one another in crayon or marker? I work on my scrapbook a lot during the winter, too, maybe pull out old pictures and have a good laugh?

-- Anonymous, December 15, 2000

Cleaning frenzy, huh? We're just the opposite. Too many of us inside at once and we become pigs. Stepping over puzzles, trains, books, you name it. I'd bake, but the kitchen is still a disaster from breakfast.....vicious, vicious cycle. We did go out for about 1/2 hour because we were all really tired of one another, but it's damn cold. -50 with the wind chill. I came in when I lost the feeling in my knee caps. I did, however, return the neighbour's wimpering dog, who left their yard and couldn't get back.

Why do I live here?

-- Anonymous, December 15, 2000

Yeah, I know what you mean deb. Last winter it rained once for about two hours here at the beach in SoCal. I was miserable too. Couldn't get out of the house. I couldn't find my one pair of long pants and my only sweatshirt was in the laundry. And man was it cold. It was down to 58*f and the wind was really blowing. I'd say 10 mph at least! I was about ready to go stir crazy from being cooped up inside. deb! Why do you live there?! James

-- Anonymous, December 16, 2000

Am I the only one who immediately thinks Daytime Television?!! Then again I've never had to entertain a child. I can mess with my own mind by the likes of bad situation comedy reruns and come out okay at the other end.

-- Anonymous, December 16, 2000

Dear James,

Die.

love, and a pox on you.

deb.

Oh, we've watched a lot of 'Treehouse' in the past 24 hours, trust me and the occasional talk show. Hey, there's a scrappy little chickadee in my cherry tree. Go, scrappy chickadee! Go! Man, I'm wimpier than a 4 ounce bird.

I asked Mirth why we live here and he said, "This is where I work and Casey goes to school. Chuh." Dammit! More logic.

-- Anonymous, December 16, 2000

During last winter's ice storm, we were without heat and power for three days. It was about 40 degrees in the house. We set up our tent in the living room just so we could huddle for warmth. My daughter was fabulous throughout the whole thing, somehow she thought it was an adventure. I sent my husband out for "survival necessities" (batteries, firewood, etc.), and he returned with four AAA batteries and a pack of Slim Jims. So, don't ever count on my husband to save the day. If we ever are in a plane crash in the Andes, he gets to be the Blue Plate Special.

We did tell a lot of stories, though. That was very entertaining, especially when my little girl has to make one up.

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2000

deer ijames- what debby said

i love the snow

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2000

deb, It's coming back! Get out while you can! It's 76*f here today and the waves are excellent. All the folks are walking the boardwalk in shorts and shirts. It's a little cold at night here though. I think it got down to 55*f last night. Come out and visit. James

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2000

dont do it dbby!!!!hes a old prevert!!!

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2000

Pervert, huh? I will gladly sacrifice what's left of my (dubiously) virtuous nature for 70 odd degrees and the ocean. I'll be honest, I can be bought, but there better be little drinks with umbrellas in them.

I swear to God, James, there were ice crystals in my developer last night.

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2000

Now that is cold deb! And I thought it got cold in my darkroom when it hit 50* last year. Whew! Developement times have got to be loooong! Like I say, it's nice and warm here. Send me your black and white and I'll soup it for you. Send me a snail address and I'll send you a print of the what the boardwalk looked like today. You can hang it on the wall and maybe it will help thaw you and hubby out. James

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

Development times are like, 'Pack a lunch'. I'll e-mail you, James, maybe we can trade prints.

And I forgot to say, Holy smokes, Mary Ellen. AAA batteries and Slim Jims? You've got quitethe little boy-scout there, don't cha? :) 'Blue Plate Special', hee!

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000