snow day!

call it global warming; call it el nino; whatever the reason for this strange weather we're experiencing, you can call it a snow day in the southeast. being unaccustomed to such practices, we find ourselves with little to do when an inch of the white stuff dusts over our lawns. there's enough coverage to keep the kids out of school, but not enough to take them sledding. it's only noon and you're sanity is questionable at best with this disruption to your daily routine. so we've thought of ten things you can do on a snow day:

10. get ready for tomorrow's oscar nominations by falling for a washed-up country and western singer in crazy heart--now playing at the manor theater!

9. spice up your hot chocolate:

3 tablespoons instant hot chocolate mix

1 tablespoon chocolate syrup

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

pinch chili powder

1/4 cup milk

3/4 cup boiling water

method: in large mug, mix hot chocolate mix, chocolate syrup, cinnamon and chili powder. pour in milk; add boiling water and stir.

8. call your mother

7. watch something on your dvr that you've been avoiding (like shirley mcclain's portrayal of coco chanel...the lifetime version).

6. prepare your taxes (april 15th is coming!)

5. go shopping! the stores are open...the roads are slushy...

4. google yourself

3. google someone you're dating

2. download songs from grammy performers on itunes: lady gaga and elton john, taylor swift and stevie nicks, beyonce, pink, t-pain, jamie foxx, dave matthews band, doug e. fresh, bon jovi, eminem, black eyed peas, green day, lady antebellum, the zac brown band...and more!

1. you tube "the channing show," where a closet door falls on a little girl (no harm done).