Home Is Where The Haggis Is

If you are like me you are itching for warmer weather, the ability to slip on some sandals and be on your merry way; not trudging through snow with biting wind nipping at your skin, slipping on ice with your hair blowing wildly all over your face-and this is just the little jaunt to the mailbox!  On the bright side, at least I am not writing the same line over and over again like poor Jack so things could always be worse.

For this post, I am offering up some ideas to make it through the rest of winter.  Whether you have kids to entertain or not, hopefully you can find at least one new thing to try.  By all means feel free to toss in your two cents as well.

Things to do:

1. Sign up for free workshops for adults or kids at Home Depot or $2 craft classes for kids at Michael’s.  The cake decorating and other classes for adults are around $25 and up.  Or try cooking classes, a public speaking course or a self-improvement class.  My friend Megan and I did this a lot in high school when we became bored or were looking to meet Mr Right Now.

2. Plan your summer vacation.  A girl can dream, can’t she?

3. Watch the Winter Olympics in February.

4. Make or buy your children’s Valentines to pass out at school.  While you’re at it, make reservations for dinner or plan a few romantic gestures for your significant other.  Good deeds improve your mood and never go unnoticed.

5. Speaking of good deeds.  Perform some random acts of kindness.  Volunteer at church, a soup kitchen or help someone out who deserves a break.

6. Have a spa day where you spend all day in PJs and do manis and pedis, deep condition your hair, exfoliate and lather lotion all over dry skin.

7. Plan an Oscar party.  (extra credit-try to watch most of the movies nominated)

8. Burn off some steam and/or energy.  Hit the gym or take the kiddos to an indoor trampoline.  It will get your endorphins pumping.  Chocolate and wine  do the same thing so you can do that too.

9. Read some new books.  For adults there’s The Goldfinch that is now number one on the bestseller’s list.  For kids, try some humorous books such as these.

10. Go to the movies.  Our local theater has offered deep discounts on Tuesdays and even free movies if you have a rewards card through them.

11. Try out some new foods that you’ve never tasted before or new recipes you’ve been meaning to try.  I am referring to you Pinterest junkies!  🙂

12. Go bowling.

13. Try a new beverage.  Yes, I am talking alcoholic beverages.  It’s an excuse to invite some friends over to sample new wines, mixed drinks or whatever floats your boat.  For kids, use some sparkling water and add it to different flavored juices.  Toss in some raisins and perform a science experiment on how the carbonation makes them “dance.”

14. Suck it up and head outside if it’s 30 degrees or above.  Make a snowman, an igloo, go sledding, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating or the zoo.

15. Go shopping.  Personally, I found IKEA is extremely kid-friendly when I was there recently.  Kids eat free on Tuesdays, they have a reserved play area, low toilets and sinks, and gives you an excuse to grab some inexpensive things to spruce up or organize your space.

16. I found this list of things to do in Chicago on Pinterest, but I’m sure there are unique things to do wherever you live.

Whatever you do, don’t end up like Jack.  Hang in there, 52 days left until spring.