Being positive about the negatives

BRRR!

We woke up this morning to temps around negative nineteen- with windchill factors even lower!

So... here is what to do on a day when temps are in the negatives.

1. Do not leave the house. (Hooray for home school!!)

2. Dress in layers. Continually remind the two year old she must leave her socks and slippers- ON her feet.

3. Go downstairs to put a loaf of bread in the bread machine. When the screen flashes C-O-L at you, that means the machine is too cold to run. Relocate the machine upstairs to the kitchen counter... let it warm up, then start the bread.

4. Read school lessons under a blanket, snuggled up on the couch.

5. Make a fun and different snack. Try one involving the cereal that no one will eat plain. Coat it well with peanut butter, chocolate, and powdered sugar. Enjoy munching it with the kids and just having great conversation with them.

6. Spend a little bit of time researching new gardening techniques. Did you know that you can germinate seeds outdoors in the winter?? I'd better get started on this!

7. That list of visual aids that I have been meaning to make for school- it can get done today! Print, copy, cut, paste, done! Why did I wait so long to do that? Thank you, Lord, for the joy you have given me to home school our children.

7. Keep moving. Sitting still makes your hands and nose cold. Might as well do some much needed organizing-- these home school piles need to be sorted!

8. Jump in jubilation when a fun package arrives in the mail! Thanks, Mom!

9. Make a yummy supper- every one warms up to home-made french fries.

10. Drink tea and reflect on God's outstanding goodness. I need to spend some time thanking Him in my journal tonight- for answered prayer... my wonderful family... and the warmth He has blessed me with in my home and in my heart.