Of course it would end up being the coldest winter in decades (maybe ever) during the first winter that we return home. Welcome home, Leah.... I know how much you love to be cooped up indoors and how much you love the cold! I seriously have never experienced as much snow and cold as the past month and a half has brought us. Survival in this weather isn't questioned, thankfully, but maintaining your mental health in such an environment has presented a challenge that I want to report on. Here is how I have survived the winter of 2014 thus far.
1. Workout DVD that I actually get sweaty and feel like someone kicked my butt.
2. Always running or walking the dog every day it is above 20 degrees.
3. Shoveling the sidewalk whenever I beat my husband to it.
4. Sitting in the sun whenever possible as it shines through the window.
5. Marathon-ing some suspense TV series on Netflix.
6. Running at the indoor track at Blackstock at Depauw University when I can't run outside.
7. Eating healthy and hydrating with tons of hot tea and water.
8. Getting out of the house at least once a day, even if it is just to go walk around Wal-Mart or Kroger.
9. Washing my hands a lot, and using sanitizer wipes when we do go to the store.
10. Going to church every Sunday, sometimes for two services.
11. Enjoying the time that I have been given with my toddler and husband.
12. Getting out of the house to meet friends for lunch to have a break from the toddler and husband.
13. Organizing the house, our budget, and planning for the spring.
14. Volunteering at the high school when I can as a basketball coach.
15. Not spending too much time on the internet.
16. Visiting with family.
17. Baking and then giving the baked stuff away to avoid the weight gain.
There isn't a mall to visit next door. I don't have money to burn in Avon or Plainfield. I haven't invested in snowshoes or X-country skis yet. There isn't a fitness center that offers daycare here. The children's museum is in Indy, but my son is not quite old enough to go there yet. The library has storytime and MOPS meetings happen, but that interferes with my work schedule.
This may not be as interesting as a place during a winter like this as it would be in Avon or Carmel, but we make due. So far, so good!
