2014 Storming In

My first post of the new year finds Scarlett sleeping soundly in her bed, arms tight around Arnie and a frog whose pieces zip together; Charlie at the Blazers game (they rock so much this year); and me, packing for a trip tomorrow that will take me to Tampa, 73 degrees, followed immediately by Chicago, averaging I think 7 degrees.  They are meeting me in Chicago in a few days, after my work trip to Florida.  It seems unlikely to me that all our flights to all these cities will arrive with enough time to not miss some kind of connection.  I fly through Detroit, 'nuff said.

There's a big storm.  When isn't there, in the Midwest? 

Hopefully I will blog again from Chicago, with the family nearby. 

• Today Scarlett told me that she is writing "a whole book of animals dying!"  She said it will have a good beginning and end.  Her favorite part of a book we read tonight is where the goldfish dies.  
• She also got a sweet princess outfit (thanks Auntie Lauren) and wore the plastic high heels ALL DAY.  We ran errands, she wore the heels.  Some friends stopped by, she wore the heels.  She wore them walking around the house.  She has officially worn heels for a longer duration of time than I have in my entire life.
• Today is my dad's birthday.  I said to his voicemail, I hope you're doing something fun.  Scarlett asked, what if he isn't?  "What if he is getting eaten by an animal?"  
• I talked to him later, he wasn't. He was fine.