Double Brrrrrr!!!!!

WELL. I'm about done with January, how 'bout you?

We did embrace our inner winter wilderness this weekend and went ice fishing and skating. There is a nicely groomed ice skating area at the lakeside beach we swam at all summer. This is only 1/4 mile from our house. How lucky is it that the box of skates from Mom's house just happens to have a pair that fits everyone? (phew!) Scott set up the ice fishing area about 50 yards away from the rink, and the girls scuffled back and forth between the rink and the fish holes. We didn't catch anything but cold and bruises, but it was nice to get out in the sun and fresh air. Coal loves being outside, so I ran him around the lake chasing whatever birds are still hanging around.

Ice fishing is, of course, not so much about the fish as it is about the camaraderie found around on the ice. The idea is, you set up all the equipment, and then you wander around and make friends with everyone else set up around on the ice. There is a lot of funny banter flying around. Of course, when everyone is bundled up, it is difficult to tell what kind of company you are in. Probably most women and children stay at home, so the chatter was slightly wild until the gentlemen (cough) across from us realized they were in mixed company. They easily switched gears and had fun with me and the girls. They were very kind to offer advice--including the tip that the port-a-potty on the left had a heated seat..... (hahahahahahahahaha) We found out that after lunch--about 1pm--is when the moms come out with all the kids. Unfortunately, we were just leaving about that time.... oh well! Live and learn.

The other very exciting news, and I should probably save this for a separate entry, but.... Alannah got the part of Mrs. Potts in the school play Beauty and the Beast! This is VERY exciting as Mrs. Potts is one of the lead roles. She will have a lot of speaking and singing parts. For anyone not familiar with the Broadway version of this Disney classic, Mrs. Potts is the castle caretaker--kind of the "mother-of-all" character in the play who comforts and guides the cast through all their necessary transformations. Rehearsals begin tonight--the performances are the last weekend in March. (woah! Ambitious schedule coming up!)

Today I broke down and bought an exercise DVD. Sigh. I hate exercising. But I like how I feel and how I look when I keep up with it. So..... here we go......