Schmaltzy Post Warning.

Winter is gasping and wheezing, clawing at us with its bare craggy branches. We are expecting actual warmth tomorrow and for most of the week. Spring beckons like a young lover, whispering and teasing us towards with its young lustful sweetness.

I have wanted to make things cozy for my household. It’s been a rough six weeks. Three different ailments hit all of us. As one of us healed, another succumbed with the same or a new ache, pain, or distress.  In some ways, cozy is easy when the LIttles are sick. Extra pillows, special blankets, extra tv, a cool cloth on the forehead, a promise that they’ll be better soon enough. But the extra cooing does not quickly ease upset tummies or noses so stuffed and chests so congested that sleeping is impossible for a week. Nor does Mama do a great job after six weeks of not sleeping and one terrible week of her own stomach flu.  But the bodies healed, and I stole a few naps on the couch while wearing most comfortable (and, by the nature of the beast, ugliest) sweats.

All routines went out the door, all hands were one deck, but we’re finally seeing Kenny Loggins in our review mirror as we exit the Danger Zone.  I need to start up the writing routine…once Spring Break ends. Cue: No Writing Time Frustration Fugue.  (I’m going to see if I can sneak some writing in during the daytime this week. Let’s hope it’s not a screed against Spring Break.)

On the plus side, as we wound down the weeks of sickness and eased into Spring Break, I’ve been able to earn some balabusta points.

I was able to use some “comfort time” knitting. I needed something to distract *me* from the millionth viewing of Little Einsteins.

And now I’m working on something much springier:

And of course, there’s always the siren call of timeless joys.