Cold Front

So it occurred to me that I really have no idea what to expect in terms of a Houston winter. I mean really, will it be frigid like it was in Levelland? Will it be so wet and frozen and gross like in Denison? I gotta admit, I'm a bit nervous about it. Don't have any good reasons for being nervous.... just am.

When the cold front (it's approximately 66 right now outside) blew in, I really started to think. I've been talking with my students about how temperature affects the right of reaction. My favorite example is a high school football game. I always talk about how kids act at the first football game of the year (in August, when it's hot!). They tell me they run around, talk to all their friends, etc. Then, I ask them to describe how they would behave at the last football game of the year (pretend they make the playoffs). I even tell them about the last football game of my freshman year in high school. We made it to the Bi-District playoffs and had our last game at the Dick Bivins stadium in Amarillo. It was sooooo cold, I had icicles hanging off my piccolo. Now, I don't really think that was a football game (I think it was a marching contest) and I don't really think it was my freshman (I didn't play piccolo that year). But, regardless... it makes for a more interesting story. I've always had a flair for the dramatic. Anyway. At the last football game, nobody was running around. We all huddled under blankets... and the poor twirlers almost got frostbite. It was crazy.

The point of this story is to point out the similarities though, in how changing the temperature affected the behaviors of the students (i.e. particles in a reaction). When it's hot... particles bump into each other more frequently, therefore reacting more readily. I happen to think it's a pretty darn good analogy. But this is not a teaching blog.

When it's cold, my brain does not work as well. Because we are less active (there's my teaching example again), we sit around and just watch football or movies. These are some of the best family times. I love these times. I don't need my brain to work as well because watching tv does not require that much cognition.

When it's cold, I find it harder to get out of bed in the morning. Going to work is hard enough (although it really helps that I don't have to be at school until 8:00 am). But going to work in the cold is absolutely the pits.

When it's cold, I have a harder time thinking of things to cook. Everybody wants comfort food and quite frankly... those are some of the hardest meals to cook. I am a fan of soups and stews, etc. But those things get old quickly.

When it's cold, I worry about my dogs. Right now, they spend most of their time outside (mostly because Rodney doesn't want them in the house :( ). I don't want them to be uncomfortable because of the weather.

When it's cold, I think it should be Christmas time. And, we will have to wait till December for that.

When it's cold, I can't think of anything to wear. Winter time clothes are just not as cute as summer time clothes (capris/flip flops).

When it's cold, I tend to eat more and exercise less... and we all know what that leads to.

There are plenty more, but I think you all get the point. Cold weather is not my friend. I like fall weather, where the mornings are chilly but by afternoon the air is gentle. Winter though, when the morning air bites your face and the afternoons are no better... I am not a fan.

In other news, Hannah's birthday is this Wednesday. This adds a whole new layer of sadness to my winter-is-rapidly-approaching-and-I-don't-know-what-to-expect blues. My baby girl will be 4. She's a person now. Not a baby. She's got her own opinions, strong ones at that, and she's growing a fine set of attitudes about the way she likes things done. I know every mother says this, but I cannot believe how quickly this time has flown by.

In her short time on Earth, she has seen a lot. She's been to Disneyworld, she's moved, she's lost a grandparent and a great grandparent, she's changed our families forever, and she has wrapped the world around her finger. Quite an accomplishment for somebody who weighs less than 30 pounds. I love her to pieces. But, I will do a birthday tribute later. This was just a foreshadowing. :)

We are still loving Kingwood and all of our new adventures. The house is wonderful, beautiful. We continue to be blessed beyond measure.