Snowshoeing

Tim and I went to a nature center today and participated in their "Try Snowshoeing" clinic. It was lots of fun! This was something we both had never done before. We are now thinking of looking for some snowshoes so that we can have our own hiking adventures. I look like I have a big chest becaue I had tissues, a camera, sunglasses, etc. stuffed into my coat!

Candy toothpaste?

My first program session was last night and it was sort of a flop. I say sort of because the one guy who did show up talked to us for an hour and had some interesting insights. However, he didn't have any grandchildren. He was there to listen to the material so he could report back to his work and maybe help out the population that he works with. He works for Vincent House, which is a division of Catholic Charities that works with the Latino population. Unfortunately, we have a big language barrier between us and that population. We've decided that maybe we could work with the Spanish Action League to help translate my materials and maybe they could host a program for him. Not having any grandparents show up leads to no data. So, I was not thrilled. I had three other people signed up for the program but they didn't show. We've decided we need to try some different recruiting techniques for the April program. I am scheduled to run the second part of the program next Monday, but I don't know if I should bother because it's not likely that anyone will show up. Ugh. It's really frustrating because I've been working on this for months. It's also frustrating because according to the 2000 Census, 42.2% of grandparents in Onondaga County who live with grandchildren under the age of 18 are primary caregivers to those children. So, I know that these grandparents are out there. How do I reach them is the question?

On an unrelated note, Tim and I have been using the Crest Cinnamon toothpaste and I'm not sure I like it. It feels like I'm brushing my teeth with smushed up cinnamon hearts! It just seems wrong to be brushing your teeth with something that tastes like candy.

Delayed News

Ok, I thought I would finally post our pics of the big snowstorm, even though it is old news. Here is how our backyard looked as we started to shovel it midway through the storm. I'm taking a break to snap the photos. Tim demonstrates how tired he is.

I also have a new haircut and color. I decided to cut it off after Christmas.

We bought a new kitty toy last weekend, specifically for Phoebe because she loves to hide in anything that has an opening and is on the ground. So, while she was playing we took some photos of the other two rascals. Tim and Jingles. A cute pic of Maddie.

In other news, it's Valentine's Day! We are going out to Outback with a gift certificate that we received from Tim's mom for Christmas. School is going well. My groups started and my first program meeting is next Monday! I can't believe how time is flying by. Tim's working on job hunting. We're starting to think about collecting boxes for the move and what we could pack up now and not miss. Oh! We found a mouse today in one of our kitchen drawers. We had some old mouse traps in a drawer and the cats kept going over to that corner of the kitchen so Tim opened the drawer and there it was in the trap. It's one of those humane traps that doesn't kill them it just catches them. So, Tim threw it outside in the neighbors yard :) I haven't thought about those traps in almost a year. I guess the peanut butter that was in it still smelled yummy to the mouse!