Spring....Finally Here

This was one of the longest winters ever! Im sure I've said this in the past, but this one really felt extended. I know. Sometimes I feel like it's the only thing I have to say, but with nothing to take our minds off being cooped up in the house, there is really  no other way to feel about it (in my opinion). I hate to be that person that complains about the season/weather but I am that person who is highly sensitive to these things. The weather, sunlight exposure, and seasons affect my mood, motivation, and my overall frame of mind, more than the average person. I tend to get depressed during the winter months, and quiet frankly, I dont think I can take many more of these 6 month long stretch of feeling down, depressed, and not being interested in doing much more than nothing. I am so much more productive, present, pleasant, and happy during sunny warm days. Even cloudy warm days, as long as it's not freezing or snowing. I got a comment on one of my previous posts from someone I highly respect that made me feel a bit better about this issue. She stated she had to move away from the North East because her seasonal depression was ruining her life. This truly made me feel so much better about what I go through every winter. I thought it was a character flaw for the longest time and now I know this is the direct result of my environment.  The worst part of these long winters in watching the kids, especially Damien, sit in the house with nothing to do. I can't help but feel responsible for this and I am at a lost of activities (that don't cost money) for them to do. With Amar'e we can draw, play, pretend, jump, run etc. But with Damien......maybe a board game? Cards?  So to pass the time he plays his Xbox. This kills me because I know if it were warmer and sunny he would be outside shooting hoops and playing with the neighborhood kids. I feel helpless to change this situation. As it gets nicer out he is outside more and playing basketball and other outdoor activities. This brings a smile to my face. The temperature was pretty reasonable lately and we all ventured outside to play, check out the garden area, and look around the house. It almost felt like rediscovering our surroundings all over again.

I couldn't help but throw this one in the mix because of it's cuteness.

Has spring arrived where you are?

Anxiously Awaiting Warmer Weather….Spring.

The other day I found myself cruising weather websites and browsing the ones that had the best temp averages for the month of March. What I found out is that by the end of March we should have temps in the 40's. The one thing I am dying to do is tear the plastic off the windows and open them wide. I am so antsy to purge and sping clean everything!  This winter was/is challenging for me and the family (I know I keep saying this). We are in such life transition right now it is hard to find that solid ground to stand firmly on. Like I've said before, I feel like I am living life on hold….."one day this, one day that". I need to find the will to live each day for what it is, a day living a precious human life. I have to stop feeling so down about things, and start to see the slight beauty of everything around me. After all, some don’t even get the privilege to live life, to breathe the sweet air, to see the beautiful blue sky…….but I do, and it is a great privilege. I mustn't wish it away.

It's hard not to feel secluded in such a distant place in which we reside. Someone recently told me that seasonal depression is so prevalent in an area like this because for six months out of the year, we don’t really get sunlight because we don’t go outside. It's hard to go out when the fringed air sweeps the warm air right out of your lungs, and freezes little tiny fingers so fast. The  other day we broke. You know it's bad when the (almost) two year old gets up from a nap, because the sun came out and started shining in her little face, and says '"side" (outside). How do you say no when she leads you over to her boots and says "on"? I couldn't get around it, I couldn't tell her no…..so outside we went. It was wonderful to see Amar'e jumping in the puddles and splashing and playing about. It made me so hungry for outside weather. At this point it won't take much for me to consider it outside weather….no precipitation, and it should be warmer than 38 degrees. That's it, that's all I ask.  I have pictures of Andrew and I last April racking leaves and prepping our garden. March is Friday (also my birthday), and that means it will not be much longer! We can't wait and I am counting down the days. So many things to look forward to this coming spring, summer, and fall. So many wonderful things to do during that time.

I wonder what the effects being stuck inside have on an eleven year old. I know he has perfected the art of annoying his mother and sister. If there is an award for this, he should, without a doubt, win it! I know he feels pent up too. I try to encourage him to go outside, but he shows no interest and obviously I don’t blame him.  I don’t know if this is my fault because I don’t go out when it's cold and/snowy? This is how I was raised. I did indeed go out with the kids to go sledding when I was a kid but for no reason other than that…but I don’t think there is a place for the kids to do that where we live. I never see anyone out when I am coming and going.  

 We must do more then exist, we must live....

P.S.One thing I am looking forward to participating in is the Mama Earth Project for the month of March . This will consist of a daily photo prompt for the month of March. This will take care of two goals of mine...working on my photography and blog more. I truly look forward to it.