{Virtual Coffee}

Hello Tuesday. Hello February. If it wasn't for Riley's birthday February would be another wite-out month on my calendar. But it's no secret that winter and me just don't see eye-to-eye. Those three little guys are from a special edition of Kinder eggs. I know my American friends can't get their hands on them but Riley loves them and I think they are kind of cute. They are gearing me up for Easter.

If we were meeting for coffee today I would tell you we are just coming out of a pH crisis with our aquarium. We had another casualty last week *sigh* which led me to buying a water testing kit which led me to find our pH was wonky and our ammonia 4 times what it should be. A few emergency 25% water replacements later it is almost corrected but we are not adding any new life until I know it is completely stabilized.

If we were meeting for coffee today I would tell you how we have now achieved that certain mid-winter shade of pale.

I had a peek at Riley's neck the other day and realized just how long it has been since any of our skin has seen the light of day. Oh, I know. But I miss the feeling of shorts and short sleeves and bare feet. I miss feeling the wind and the sun and even the rain on my arms. I want to cry "uncle!" and be done with it.

On Sunday I took Riley cross country skiing for the first time. I used to ski quite a bit before he was born and we almost didn't make it out on Sunday because it was so cold. But we decided to go anyway and I remembered how much I loved being outside and shushing along the trails. It was especially sweet for me because we strapped Riley's rentals on his feet and he took off; I had a hard time keeping up with him. It is so amazing to see him excel at something as sports aren't really his strong point. He loves playing all kinds of things but if I'm honest with you, he's pretty uncoordinated. Except on skis which is kind of scary.

If we were meeting for coffee today I would tell you that I am needing my reading glasses more and more. Even cooking has become a challenge. This is what I saw on Sunday night.

I knew I had some fine spinach manicotti but I didn't know how long to cook it or at what temperature without these puppies

It's turning into a bit of a drag, soon you are going to see me with my readers on a chain around my neck like a caricature of little old lady. That's what turning 50 did to me. That and having E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G dry out. Yeah, everything. And while I had you laughing at me I would segue into a bit of a rant about having to buy an extra writing book for Riley to get him through the school year. Apparently the $73 I paid in August for books only covers ONE little writing book. If students practice more than what fits in one book, the parents must fork out again. And it's not the $1.19 that sticks in my craw it's the principal.

If we were meeting for coffee today we would talk about the One World One Heart brouhaha going on. I know the idea behind it is wonderful, getting bloggers to discover each other and to make connections but I can't help but feel it has turned into more of a race or a competition to win something than a time and a place to meet fellow kindred souls. Maybe it's just me feeling kind of jaded. I did make a few things to offer up for the event and since it is purported to be the last one, I will probably jump in and join.

Oh now look at the time! I wonder how that storm is progressing. We are expecting our dump to come tomorrow but I have to say that I sympathize with the dumpees. I still wouldn't mind having a snow day.

If you want another cuppa, I invite you to go and see Amy at Lucky Number 13. She always has a pot on the boil.