Steamed Crabs

It is snowing, gray and cold. Again. Still. Winter is not my friend, and I want it to go away. So as I sit watching the snow fall, Caillou audible in the background, I imagine sitting at a picnic table, newspaper spread in front of me, an ice cold beer off to my right, a pile of six or so steaming hot crabs at my left. The sun is a bit too warm on my shoulders, the kids making a bit too much noise in the yard, and it is heaven on earth.

I was supposed to be at work today, but got cancelled again. My unit is experiencing a period of very low patient census, and everyone I work with is feeling the pinch. Last year, I would get cancelled about once a month. Lately, I am getting cancelled once a week. The days off are like a gift; I love the extra time with Kaya . . . my paycheck is getting a little skinny, though.

We've been making some summer plans. So far, we're going to our niece's Bat Mitzvah, and spending a week at the beach. I may get to go along on some of Bruce's business trips, as well. I am itching to get out of Baltimore, out of the cold, even to get outside. It is hard to keep from dreaming of being on vacation, sweating while reading a good book on the beach, my iPod playing a summer mix, cool water lapping at my feet. Or of pushing Kaya's stroller through the Maryland Zoo, or carrying her on my shoulders at the Towson Town Festival, or taking Sasha to Patterson Park. Oh, and the farmer's market on Sunday mornings. Grilling out in the back yard. Groan.

p.s. I finished ripping ALL of my cd's. Never in a million years will it all fit onto my iPod nano. Oh bother. I got a fantastic down jacket on clearance, a pair of duck boots, and iTunes is my new best friend. Online shopping is way too easy for the underemployed.