Advent begins with a good snow day.

Woke up this morning to more snow. Deep, white, crisp, snowy everything.  But first things first; today is December 1st and so to opening the first door of the advent calendars.  We have two, a traditional Santa one with pictures behind the doors (a goose today – if your interested) and something more contemporary, a Playmobil advent calendar.  Each day brings a horse related item until by the 24th you have your own Playmobil stables. Something to aspire too and but am struggling to find the Christmas connection.  At 6 am we had tense negotiations concerning how many doors you open each day.  Such is my lack of authority, the whole ‘discussion’ was settled by a phone call to a friend’s son who is 7  who, in the eyes of  a nearly 3 year old, knows EVERYTHING.  The 7 year old  informed Little Noo that he’d had “thousands” of advent calendars and “you only open one door everyday”. Let’s see how we get on in the morning, but you know who I will be quoting at 6 am.

After my moaning yesterday, work closed today with no loss of annual leave ( I did do a little dance, just a little one).  This was the scene outside at 11 am.

The snow was crisp and deep and it wasn’t that cold. Little Noo laid on his front and literally swam in it. I laid on my back and made perfect angel wings.  We sledged on nearby roads with friends.  We laughed and played and it continued to snow and do you know what - nobody cared.  

More is forecast tonight and at the moment I’m thrilled to bits, but lets see what the morning brings; advent stables, door negotiations, more snow. Everything to play for at 6 am. Bring it on.

Work snow balance

Apologies to anyone without snow.  Or anyone bored to death of the people banging on as if it’s the end of the world, rather than a few inches of snow. If that’s you, stop here.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind snow, to look at and to play in, it’s the travelling and the driving I’m not so keen on. 

It’s snowed on an off since the weekend here. Last night it snowed some more and today travelling was achievable but slow. I got to work without  problem.  More snow was predicted. I know this as the city council sent me a high priority email enclosing a weather forecast. I decided to share it with everyone in the building just in case anyone was unsure about the weather.  Actually, I was hoping senior management would read it and sent us home until the weekend.  As predicted, it hasn’t stopped since we got home this evening.  So this is the dilemma; Work policy is make it in or use Annual Leave. I’ve a toddler his illnesses has eaten into my Annual Leave.  I’ve used up my 2 days parental leave, and what I have left between now and the end of March has to meet my needs for a break, getting things done and possible further illness that Noo may have. I have 5 days annual leave left, and yes, I am only taking the statutory holiday at Christmas (woe is me).  Helpfully, it was suggested I could take unpaid leave. “Have you seen my bank statement?” I wanted to scream.   My partner, Dear Mr Noo walks to work everyday, so they expect him; rain, snow or shine.
Whereas I drive, and do the childminder drop off/pick up. The childminder we use is in the opposite direction from work and home. Accessible, by car or on foot.  Ever tried shoving a Mcclaren through snow or persuading a toddler to walk a mile and a half? I did carry him during snow earlier in the year. I was so exhausted by 8.30 am and nowhere near the office and I felt like weeping. If I can get a bus that’s fine, otherwise it’s 3 and a half mile walk. Today I tentatively drove.  The forecast for tomorrow is awful and already I am dreading the whole scenario, of struggling through awful conditions just to get to work. I feel stuck between a snowy place and no annual leave.  What would you do?