You call that a Regatta???

What the hell.... we knew it was going to be challenging, just not quite this challenging.  It was supposed to be cold and breezy... not freezing and 30mph winds, with the Occoquan white-capping.  But, never say we aren't game to get our Regatta on!  So, at 8am we headed out, braving the winds, whitecaps and freezing temps.  Set up at the point and all huddled together in an attempt to keep at least reasonable warm before it was time to row.   I was more nervous last night, what was I going to tell the boys for their pre-race sendoff, what was I going to say after the race... blah,blah, blah.

Fortunately or unfortunately I didn't have to worry about either.  They got about 8 races down the course before a 4 flipped and they called the whole thing off.  It was the best decision, we could never have sent our novices out in that!!  It was bad enough that we didn't even row the boats back to the boathouse.  We sent rowers back with their parents or ferried them back in our launches.  We'll head back and pick the boats up on Monday.  Came home and napped (really is was a short course in death) for 2 hours and still can't seem to get rid of my tired.

My sweet freshman, trying to keep warm and still having "4 Funs."  Just wait until they actually get to row!

How many Funs is Zack having? 2? or is that just his "gang sign?"

When we got out of our launches on the way back we were freezing!  Literally!  All the water and spray on our jackets, faces, and bodies was frozen.  We were covered in ice, we cracked as we stepped out.  How many different ways can you say miserably cold!???

What the hell Mother Nature....

4 snow days and 3 2-hour delays later, we are all pretty shell shocked.

We are not used to this shit.  Seriously 3 degrees!!  That doesn't take into account the wind chill.  We've had lots of wind, temps at -17 with the wind.  Yuck!

The best way to spend the snow/cold day!  Even the Naked Gnome (courtesy of Gp Bud) needed to come in and warm up!

My husband is just plain crazy!

John headed out today for one last chance at hunting.  He got one deer this year, but otherwise has been skunked.  The deer just haven't been coming his way.  He's helped quite a few friends get deer, but the "elusive big one" has escaped him.  But, this family eats venison jerky at a prodigious pace, so he felt compelled to head out one more time...

Even though the temperature was 7...freaking.SEVEN.DEGREES!  Our high today was only supposed to be 28, so there wasn't even much hope that it would warm up.  But he persevered....

And brought 2 more home!  A medium doe and a smallish doe!  Hurray!  He dropped those babies off at the butcher, we'll get burger and lots of meat to make jerky!  Mama is a happy camper and I think he can relax and stay warm!

Not a Chance

It's 10 freaking degrees outside (not counting the wind)
I'm on Day 3 of my juice fast - it hasn't been bad, but I do get pretty hungry and I'm feeling a little draggy, can't tell if it's the fast, allergies or the winter crud everyone has
and
another 2 hour delay for school today!

Gold's Gym - you didn't stand a chance in hell today!  I'll make up the miles somewhere else.
But, I promise I'll try and keep our date tomorrow!

I say It's Cold, he says Whatever....

Why o' why does my teenage son refuse to wear a coat, hat or gloves when it's freaking 18 degrees outside?  I've tried everything, nagging, begging, "there are freezing kids in Minnesota who would kill for a nice warm coat.  All I get is a tolerant "my mom's an idiot" smile and "will she just give it up" head shake!  You can't tell me he's not cold walking to the bus stop and then STANDING at the bus stop WAITING for the bus....  For heaven's sake, I'm sitting IN the house and I have an undershirt, hoodie and fleece jacket on!