Surviving Winter in a Small Town

So this winter has been off the charts crazy here in small town Montana.  One week we are in the single digits and below zero, the next week we have 40 degree temps with 60+ mph winds.  That's what we are facing here today in Fairfield, MT.  The air temperature is warm, but we can't go outside and enjoy it or we'll get blown away in the wind.

This winter has been especially hard because I have a now 17 month old to try and keep entertained daily.  I often find myself praying that he takes a long afternoon nap, so I can brainstorm ideas of how to keep him entertained in the evenings when my husband is busy at church with meetings, Confirmation or Bible study.  I've figured it out so far and way too much tv and netflix streaming is involved, but it's worked.  I started reading Preston the first Harry Potter book, mostly for my own entertainment, but he's actually starting to pay attention when I'm reading too which is fun to see.

As far as outside the home activities:  Preston goes over to the office with day most days in the morning so he has a larger space to play and run around.  I continue to take him to MOPS the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, except if the weather is really really bad.  I belong to a book club which meets monthly that I love and participate in an evening Bible study which I also love.  The rest of the month, I find things to do as I long for spring and warmer weather to come.

For my own entertainment during this craptastical winter, I am reading a lot, brainstorming ideas for my creative space that I'm making for myself down in the basement, once the new carpet is put in, watching movies, and working on getting physically and emotionally healthier.  I've taken up crocheting again while Preston is napping and I marathon episodes of Ugly Betty on netflix.  Yup, I'm surviving, but I'll tell you this:  I am so looking forward to the warmer part of spring, a nice warm summer and a lovely autumn.  F*&% this winter!  We'll all make it through, just like every year and be grateful for warmer weather when it comes.