N-Ice

For my kids, it's been a winter filled with more snow days, more than I can ever remember. If a school district believes there would be any danger transporting kids to or from school due to inclement weather they cancel or delay the day. My district has logged in so many days that the spring break calendar and graduations dates are sure to be affected.

When my kids were little they would come to work with me on a snow day because jocks don't get the luxury of weather delays. I felt quite fortunate to do this as many others who must go to work scramble for child care. It was a good chance to freshen up some drops and to be super relatable on the air. Finding time to play outside would always happen after work, as would watching old family movies, board games and cleaning out a closet. This year we've run out of closets to clean and as far as gaming goes... lets just say Colonel Mustard and Miss Scarlet have been having way too much fun.

A clobbering of snow on the weekend meant an instant day of sledding. Now that they are old enough to stay home snow days have changed into an opportunity for my teens to sleep in. I must admit I have mixed feeling that they get to wake at noon while I'm slippin' and sliding on the highway, but I digress.

The storms of this winter have made another thing very apparent. An "ice" day is much different from a "snow" day, with the latter being much more fun. Snow days have area golf courses filled with kids sailing downhill on all different contraptions then returning home to cups of hot chocolate (Swiss Miss instant) while there winter wear takes a tumble in the dryer. Ice days are more dangerous and involve lots of comments like 'I'm bored." After a few weeks of the same deal of shoveling out my car and making sure my kids have something to do while I'm at work, I'm starting to get a little bored myself.

She buzz words

• Rubber
• Salt
• Blush
• Dryer sheet

Right now she could be working and listening at a

• Laundromat
• Hotel front desk
• Deli counter
• Barber shop

Right now she could be

• Painting her bedroom
• Filing her nails
• Arranging flowers
• Changing crib sheets

She special days in Feburary

• Indianapolis 500
• Valentine's Day
• Presidents' Day (Washington & Lincoln's birthdays)
• Mardi Gras

February is...

• Black History Month www.History.com
• American Heart Month www.AmericanHeart.org

She questions...

• Remove a Band-Aid off fast or slow?
• How did she choose her baby's name?
• Is she a secret smoker?

She vignette

Here is a true story of one woman's search to purchase a car. After researching models, asks if she's waiting for her husband. At the second dealership, she is greeted immediately and the salesman asks if she or her husband would like some coffee. At the third dealership, a saleswoman approaches her and asks, "How can I help you today?" The next day, she and her husband go car shopping together. The first dealership has a salesman who greets them warmly, and asks the husband what he's looking for. She politely answers the salesman and his next question is "what color?" At the second car dealership, the exact same scenario plays out, with the color question the first one asked of the woman. At the third dealership, the salesman immediately assumes that she can't drive a stick shift (she can) and, after hearing her request, asks her "what color" and the husband if he is going to be financing her car. She is now shopping for a car online.

She's prepared

The National Taxpayer Advocate finds that Americans spend 6.1 billion hours a year on tax prep. She can cut down on the amount of time spent on her 2011 if she follows these seven tips:

• Create a system for organizing tax documents as they arrive.
• Review all tax documents as they arrive.
• Make sure you know all the 2010 tax changes
• that could impact taxes.
• Decide whether you're going to hire a pro.
• Get tax forms now.
• Start gathering your tax information now.
• Start early.

She Food

The website, www.SeriousEats.com lists these 2011 restaurants trends:

• Great meat; recognizing butchers
• Microbreweries
• Less 'artisan' this and that more flavorful food that speaks for itself.
• More diversity in meats and fish
• Strong basic bar presence
• Drink pairing suggestions beyond wine
• Improved cheese programs
• Smaller menus
• Name recognition only if it really matters

• Get more She Prep at www.ShePrep.com