Posted on 02/12/2010 12:48:26 PM PST by inflorida
WASHINGTON—The most powerful people in Washington, D.C., this week were demanding another juice box and a Sesame Street video.
The one-two snow punch that crippled the nation's capital did more than bring the federal government to a halt: It brought hundreds of hard-charging, workaholic parents to their knees, imprisoning them inside their homes with eager children and a dwindling list of activities to keep them entertained.
By day five, Tammy Wincup of Georgetown had given up on getting her three kids, ages 5, 4 and 2, dressed. Work conference calls were being conducted from the relative quiet of the toilet seat. Ms. Wincup had long since relinquished her home office to her children, who turned it into a fort.
"It was good fun and bonding until today," said Ms. Wincup, an education consultant. "And they just closed school for another day."
Across the Washington, D.C. area, parents were grasping for ways to fill the days as two powerful snowstorms cancelled schools, closed day-care centers and shuttered many businesses. On Thursday—day seven for some parents with a three-day weekend ahead and more snow in the offing—nerves were beginning to fray.
"I am about ready to eat my children," said one mom, who declined to be named.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
It’s called having fun with your children and building memories. Doubt if most of them have a clue as to how to do either or the importance of both. And I am sure that some of the children will be more than happy when Mommy goes back to work.
The DC/MD/VA area, I would not live there mainly due to the reason that it is very hardcore work to live mentality. A few years ago when I worked for a DoD company, they were insistent that I move to the DC area, of course for the same amount of money. If I left Colorado, I rather go to the West Coast. At least there, you can go anyplace to eat and they don’t care how you dress and they like the outdoors much better.
“I suppose that if your main source of information was the media, you might think that we eastern folk are “wimperdills”. Just keep in mind that these stories are hand-picked to show the worst case scenarios because bad news gets viewers. If they just showed what normally happens, folks shovel out and get on with life, nobody would watch. In the case of this set of snowstorms, southern towns and cities without appropriate snow removal gear got hammered.
I’d love to hear you sourdoughs chat about living through a 98 degree day with 100% humidity and no airconditioning. :)”
Your points are well taken, Ol’ Sox. I should have prefaced my comments by saying that I didn’t mean to imply that 100% of those folks are wimperdills. I’m sure there are tough ones in every corner of the U.S., but like you say, the media only shows us the drama stories. And it was those stories I based my comments on.
The Interior of Alaska experiences temps into the 80’s and 90’s but thankfully we don’t have to suffer with high humidity. If we did, you betcha we’d be sharing our sweaty tales of woe with each other.
heh heh, nope.
Okay, knew it was too easy.
A handle like “ArmadilloCrossing” would be a better cover for her.
“A handle like “ArmadilloCrossing” would be a better cover for her.”
Or perhaps, “Pitbull Princess”?
In Real Life, I refrain from guffawing when people complain about how awful school closures are for them, but deep inside, I’m roaring with laughter (and feeling a little bit bad about it).
However, more than one of my friends has observed that I’m sounding more like Anoreth, now that she’s not here to be my evil alter ego, so it’s only a matter of time before I throw caution to the winds and offend just about everyone. Then you’ll have to come visit me for the free wine.
Or you could come visit me for the homebrewed beer. I was just in K-mart last night and they have tents that are actually cottages, with windows and closets even. As soon as I saw them, I said, “That’s what I need to have Tax-chick & co. come visit!”
It sounds like we need one to get some of the kids outside for the summer!
Got snow?
Our Jake went out and frisked in the snow a bit. Silly kitteh.
Cannibalism: just another lifestyle. Nothing to see here. :-)
Maryland "Freak State" PING!
@inflorida: you're lucky you is where you is.
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