call me rj

They had been well prepared for this kind of weather, but that didn’t make the notion of losing power and turning into popsicles any less scary. Despite the heat on high and keeping the house warm and toasty, Emmy still felt like she had just been drenched in a pile of freezing snow. She’d bundled herself underneath more blankets than she’d realized they even owned, but of course saved plenty of room for RJ to join her. The dogs seemed just fine as they nestled in their beds in front of the fire, but she still couldn’t seem to keep warm. Another spell of darkness had taken them over, this one longer than the last. She could see the faint glow of a flashlight as her husband ventured down the hall.

“I’m under Blanket Mountain over here,” she called back with a light laugh, only her eyes and the top of her head peeking up from said warmth on the living room couch. “There’s room for two!”

All things considered they’d been able to deal as well as possible with the weather conditions and everything that had been thrown at them, including the odd power outage. So while some might have panicked at suddenly being plunged into darkness, RJ was confident they had everything in place to get through however long this might last. Calling out to Emmy, her response put a smile on his face as he turned in the direction her voice was coming from. Using his flashlight to carefully make his way over to the living room, he switched it off once he was in the warm glow of the fireplace at the front of the room. “I was hoping you might say that,” he joked as he spotted his wife’s eyes peeking out and glancing at him. The smile spread wider as he moved over to slip under the heavy blankets covering Emmy, snuggling up with her and letting his legs tangle with her own in close quarters underneath the layers. “You’re right, Blanket Mountain is pretty cozy, babe.” RJ dotted his wife’s lips with a quick kiss. “I wonder how long we can just stay like this.”

It really is. Plus Jamie and Claire also tend to think they’re getting a walk so if I don’t hear Sadie, I do hear the two of them. I just wish that snow wasn’t such a tempting thing for her to play in. 

I hope that we are. If this lasts much longer, I don’t think I’ll be able to pay the bakery’s rent for the month. 

Ah so then there’s multiple early-warning systems in place at least, that’s a plus too. I think it comes down to the color, it’s so bright and clean looking outside, it’s too much to resist.

Fingers crossed for you man, I know as soon as we get out of this Emmy and I may just end up being your first customers. Home cooked meals are great but it really makes you appreciate some freshly baked treats.

Me too, they definitely aren’t afraid to try out new cookies and see what’s gonna sell. But yess, as soon as I get them, I’ll let you know :D Yeah! I was surprised when he first told me, but yep! No chocolate for him. That’s so true though! I feel like unless you’re someone who doesn’t like peanut butter and doesn’t have an allergy (which sounds nuts to me, no pun intended), then it’s kind of hard to imagine not liking he peanut butter sandwich cookies. Shortbreads aren’t exciting but they still taste really good, so if he’s undecided, I’ll probably get both lol!

Thank you so much, RJ! You seriously rock. Aww lol! Well I have tons of faith in you. How have you been lately, especially with this weather?

And that’s pretty amazing of them when the best sellers have been around for ages and is really all they need to sell. But they keep trying new things. Awesome, please do! And wow, I just can’t even imagine. Hah, that’s a good one... but you’re right, I can’t fathom just not enjoying peanut butter like that either. It’s an essential. That’s smart, and you’re right. They aren’t showy, but they’re a good option anyway.

Anytime, Amber! I’m happy to. And thank you, I’ll do my best then. I’ve been good, we’ve been able to stay happy and warm at least, that’s really all that can be done anyways. What about you though? Have you been able to manage okay?

Ha! Right?

I’m doing pretty well, all things considered. Snow has me stuck at work. How are you?

I’d say so! And that’s great man, I’m glad to hear you’re safe. Although stuck at work isn’t exactly the best situation, but probably one of the safest places to be right? It’s been an adjustment of course, but things haven’t been bad here at home.

Two trips outside after we got dumped on with most of the snow. I noticed by the third time that she was deliberately getting close to me before shaking her fur out, so I’ve started making her wait on one side of the door and not letting her in until she gets that done outside.

Two’s not so bad then, the first could have been an accident or a fluke. So there’s been progress then?

Already a week into the stay at home orders and the snowfall, RJ and Emmy had managed to keep themselves busy and distracted from the situations going on outside of their home. Now with issues with the power flickering on and off though, it was becoming more imperative to find a way to stay warm should they lose heat and power altogether. Luckily they also happened to have flashlights and candles handy for such an emergency, and now as the house was finally plunged into darkness entirely, RJ grabbed the nearest flashlight he could and began to move through the house in search of his wife.

“Emmy! Hey Em, where are you?”

If nothing else, this storm has taught me that I need to brush up on my cooking skills. Or perhaps, expand them. I thought we stocked up well, but I’m starting to run out of things to put together. I guess it’s time to get creative… or survive off mac ‘n’ cheese. How’s everyone else doing?

I think you’re being a little too hard on yourself there, Em. We’ve done pretty well, and by the way I love mac n’ cheese. I think we can still get creative though with a few things before we really need to start worrying.

I know, right? I feel like there’s not gonna be any in-between for this cookie. My ordering got delayed though because of this stupid blizzard but I will definitely report back ASAP! For science. Lol! Oooo the Samoas are good too! The caramel and coconut just…yes. So good. Truth be told I’m not sure what his favorites are and I should probably find out before cookie season’s over. But he’s allergic to chocolate and the ones that don’t have chocolate on them are those, the toast-yays, shortbreads, and the peanut butter sandwich ones.

…I’m realizing that I know waaay too much about Girl Scout cookies LOL! But I will definitely let you know after these babies are born because I know I won’t always be able to rely just on yoga, skating and dog walking like I usually do for my main forms of exercise.

Oh there’s really not, but I admire that they’ll swing for the fences like this in the hopes that it’s good. Aw no, really? I guess that makes sense though, but please do! Oh yes... so so good! Really, allergic to chocolate? The poor guy! That’s awful, although you can’t really go wrong with shortbreads or peanut butter. Or peanut butter shortbreads.

Hey that’s alright, somebody’s got to! And great then, I pledge we’ll figure out a system that works for you. Trust me... and remember, if I fail then Emmy will have my head for it. ;)

It’s adorable, but luckily she is not that great at getting her snow gear on by herself, so it’s pretty obvious when she’s trying to sneak out. But exactly. Plus then she’d probably sneak out to the backyard which is somewhat safer. 

Power has been a little spotty but not too bad, but enough that I don’t want Sadie being outside too long just because if we lose it for good, I dont’ want her to come inside and not be able to warm up. I’m also worried a little about the pipes, but they seem to be alright for now. 

Then that’s good at least, kind of an early-warning system for you too, and lots of chance to get in the way. That’s true too, definitely more control for you there.

Oh sure, that’s a good point and not a position you really want to be in at all. I think it’s for the best, at least until we know we’re out of the woods for real. That’s good, knock on wood then. I’m hoping we’ve seen the worst of it already.

Funny as it is to watch Misty prance around in the snow like a deer, before and after she goes to the bathroom, I’ve recently learned that soon, she’s gonna be done and will end up shaking all the snow off of her fur. And usually on me.

The real question is, how long did it take you to learn?

Trust me, you already have. But I have faith that you will only further amp up that. Can every day be Valentine’s Day? ;)

You’re giving me chills.

In a word... yes. ;)

And vice versa, babe.

So Sadie has decided that she is Anna and she has to go find Elsa to make the snow stop. Which would be really cute if she didn’t keep bundling up and trying to sneak out the front door. I think that I might need to go make a snow castle in the backyard or something so that I don’t have to worry about her trying to go stop the snow storm outside. 

Even though I’d rather she not go outside at all just in case we end up losing power and I don’t want her to get stuck being cold. 

How’s everyone else handling things?

Aw man, that’s adorable even still. Best to keep a close enough eye on her but at least she’s trying to do good, though? A snow castle would probably be a great idea too, something she can see from the window?

It hasn’t been too bad here thankfully, the power’s stayed on if nothing else. Knock on wood, so far so good. Are things otherwise okay for you?

Bingo! Lol. But YESSS! Sorry but there’s some new cookie called Toast-yay that’s supposed to taste like French toast and I think it’s a gluten free one, which, gluten doesn’t bother me but I still wanna try it to see what it tastes like. And then my usual orders of Thin Mints, S’mores and Lemonades lol. I’ll probably order 2 boxes of Lemonades this year though, for Miguel. Also I am definitely gonna have to get some appointments in with you after the twins are born, to help me get back in shape!

LOL, but you’re right! And is there? That could be good, or it could be like sand. Let me know how they are though, you know... for science. Those are all great choices too, I’m with you on the Thin Mints and the Samoas are a guilty pleasure too. Are those his favorites? Oh hey, no problem at all if you want to, just let me know and I’m happy to help!

Yeah, I think it taught them a valuable lesson. Like… not setting things on fire.

I mean, that’s a pretty valuable lesson.

This is true. I have to admit I wasn’t ever much a fan of Valentine’s Day until you came around. Now it’s much more fun! You know I am too, handsome. I think you may have to remind me. In person. ;)

When do you not? Kidding! Though I totally do. 

Oh no? I’m going to do everything I can to make it your favorite holiday now then, babe. Yes I do, and oh that’s a job that I can certainly handle. ;)

Right? It’s terrible and great all at the same time. I am definitely in trouble if and when my sweet tooth comes back. Plus they have some newer cookies that I don’t remember being there last year.

I think that’s what they call a catch-22. It’s so good it’s horrible. Oh don’t tell me that... there’s new stuff? Looks like I’m going to be upping my workouts this month.

Would you believe that the guys were in their twenties and high off their asses?

Now that you mention it, I would 100% believe that too.

Kids today.