I can’t seem to throw these Valentine’s Day flowers out. This is the 3rd time they’ve made an appearance on the blog. Each time I reach for the flowers with the intentions of tossing them, I stop because I think they are still beautiful. I almost prefer them this way, faded and a little shriveled. It’s been 2 weeks. I think I’ll keep documenting their decay.

1:13 am and it’s officially March. I’ve gone back to late nights and doing nothing but working. I’m a bit amused by it all since this was the year that I was going to try and kick client work to the curb, but instead I am freelancing for one the biggest ad agencies working on a commercial brand. Can you say, IRONY? But I get to work with my friend Nichole, who is my total parallel universe twin. This little bit of happenstance just takes the cake.

I’ve never seen more collective sighs about the ending of a month than last month. I certainly feel a weight being thrown off, a fresh start. I’m ready and feeling like a recovery is around the corner. Other than the 2 weeks in between my bouts of bronchitis, I’ve been sick so far every day this year. Aside from 2 trips to the doctor, I haven’t left the house in 7 days. I’ve lost 6 pounds this week. I’ve done nothing but stare at this computer for 4 days straight. Wouldn’t you have cabin fever too?

We’re starting to book weddings for spring and even some summer weddings as well. This was a winter February wedding that took place this week. I wasn’t sure about the gold ribbon at first (a client request), but I think they came out looking classy if I do say so myself.

Even though Mark is back, the business is slow to ramp back up. For one, the oven at the restaurant broke so that is setting us back with wholesale orders as well as the Brooklyn Flea (we had to cancel on today, among other reasons to do with Mark being out of town). Let’s hope the oven got fixed today as this week has been a financial loss for us. Thank god I am working even if I’m feeling overworked. At least Mark has had lots of free time to spend with the kids this weekend. Sledding, birthday parties, a trip to the aquarium. I’ve been stuck inside.

They say that this is the snowiest February on record in NYC history. Something about almost 40 inches falling this month alone. I think that’s enough snow now, don’t you? And please no snow storms in March (or god forbid, April. Yes, it’s happened). Then we’ll really get pissed off.

From the sounds of it, this week was a shitty week for a lot of people. I don’t know what’s going on in the universe, but I think we’re all due for some good luck all around. Maybe as we shut the door on February this weekend, we can leave all the bad stuff behind as we head into March. Oh, did you know that were in the middle of a blizzard again today? Snow day, and the schools are closed as of this morning which leaves working parents all over the city scrambling to make arrangements.

But things are feeling a bit more normal around here. For one, Mark is back! He decided to leave early to dodge the snowstorm and we’re all glad he did because the snow is killer. His dad seems to have stabilized somewhat, though he has a long way to go and will be in the hospital for quite a while so we’re all glad to have him back. We need him here. I’m still not in great shape and I’d taken on freelance work this week with killer deadlines because we really need the money. So for now, chasing the non-corporate dream is put on hold. You gotta do what you gotta do to put food on the table, buy medicine and pay for co-pays at the doctor’s office, take your kid to ballet classes and buy presents for all the birthday parties coming up (soooo many birthdays).

And yes, the bob and bangs are back. No more Shaun Cassidy hair for little C.

In the middle of this weird week we met the girls’ first cousin. My brother, his new wife and baby were in town from California to meet with our side of the family for the first time. The girls love babies and aside from the fact that they looked absolutely HUGE next to him and decidedly un-babyish (um, yeah, Claudine is still my “baby”), you soon forget what it’s like to have a baby again in the house. The intent stares, the gurgling, the flailing arms, the frequent naps, the smiles that can light up a room, but most of all, the non talking. Good lord, I had forgotten that babies and little toddlers can’t speak in words. Our house is full of chatter from the girls all day long and aside from the occasional cry, I had forgotten how quiet babies can be. Yes, it was nice to have a baby in the house again.

It’s quiet now. I am thankful that Tuesdays are one of the the days that our babysitter comes in. I’m thankful for our neighbors for walking Mia to school this morning so I didn’t have to haul both kids out in the rain. Thanks to all who voiced concerns and emailed. Mark made it safe and sound up there and is with his sister and uncle. Not surprisingly, it’s hard going through hospital red tape to get any kind of answers, but there might be some small signs of hope. Even so, his dad has a long way to go even if he comes out of this and the unknown of what is happening now or the near future is daunting.

I slept for a good 9 hours with the help of codeine-laced cough syrup and I’m feeling a bit better though the rib injury will probably take some time to heal - that is the thing that is most bothersome right now. I did go to the doctor yesterday and I’m going on another round of antibiotics so hopefully the coughing will cease sometime soon and make it tolerable.

I woke up to sounds of the girls fighting over something. That is not new, but they went to sleep last night without any fuss and worked on some drawings the first thing this morning. Believe it or not, it is now hard to tell Mia and Claudine’s drawings apart. What I am observing is that little Claudine is copying Mia’s drawing style and her people have evolved again. She is also drawing other objects like flowers, birthday cakes, butterflies and cats. The first 2 drawings are Claudine’s (and the figures with the funny feet are actually mermaids. See? They have fish tails and the second girl is on a swing surrounded by flowers). The last drawing is Mia’s. She is reading and writing up a storm now, putting signs all over the house…

A big thank you for all your thoughts and well wishes. It makes a difference.

These are some photos from our weekend, which was actually quite nice with a few outings and milder, sunny weather. It almost felt spring-like. Almost. Things haven’t really changed in Mark’s dad’s condition, which is to say that it isn’t very good news. Mark decided to push up his trip a few days and he’s leaving in an hour. The weather does not look good and there is snow in the forecast starting tonight and all week upstate, and if you know anything about me you know that I’m very uncomfortable with cars in general, especially driving in bad weather. It’s going to be an uneasy week.

The girls have not been away from Mark, ever. They’re quite attached to him since he’s around a lot and they’re both feeling stress from his departure. We’re not sure when he’ll be back. I’m not well either. I have bronchitis again after having finished my round of antibiotics 2 weeks ago and I’ve got a very painful cough-related injury in the ribs now. Weird. The girls say that they are going to “take care of me”. I just hope we have a peaceful few days.

[update: omg, you guys, this sharp pain is getting worse. It hurts to move and breathe. so much stuff going on. I better get super good karma bonus points for this.]

Mark’s dad is in the hospital. He is on life support in critical condition. He is currently not conscious. Mark and his sister will travel to be with him in the next few days. Please keep him in your thoughts.