Spring?

I love February! It's not just because I get mushy cards from my kids and if I'm lucky a romantic surprise from my husband either. Its because I consider this month the biggest "teaser" month of the calendar. By "teaser" I mean, one day its -10 degrees and the next day its 40. You might ask, "Why then would she love this?" Well I haven't quite figured that out either. I think its because it reminds me of being home in Nebraska. If you've ever lived closer to the center of the US you know that when the temperature reaches above freezing, you consider that a sign that spring is on the way.

I have lived in Kansas, and I consider that just to far south. All it does there in the winter is spread a nice layer of ice on everything and the whole place shuts down. And if you talk about North Dakota, all I think about is that they should really be part of Canada. In Nebraska you just get nailed with every weather system that is working its way across the US from all directions. That's why they say if you hate the weather there, just wait a day and it will change (sometimes its just a matter of hours) Compared to Nebraska, the winters since Ive lived here have been a breeze. My winter coat only comes out on rare occasions because if its not blistering cold with a wind chill in the negative numbers my sweatshirt is more than sufficient.

When February rolls around, I go into "Nebraska mode" and I'm already pulling out shorts to see if they are going to still fit from last year. That spring-cleaning itch starts and I try to remember what plants will start peeking through the ground first. The snow that's on the ground doesn't bother me much because I know that when it melts its going to leave everything nice and green underneath.

I suppose it seems odd to think that winter is at its end in February, but really what else do you have to look forward to this month? The sun comes out and it feels like heaven. The promise of spring is just around the corner. I don't have to wait until Groundhog day to become excited.

If you have kids, you re already signing them up for spring sports and trying to figure out carpool schedules. If you're going somewhere for spring break your plans are already made or you're checking fares to some sunny destination. If your not going somewhere, that tanning bed is looking like a good alternative.

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is now over and your social life seems to be just a little less hectic. The kids become stir crazy and a trip to the mailbox is the only time you end up leaving your house if you can help it. Slushy boots and wet gloves litter your entryway and wet dog prints cover your carpet (maybe that's just me) Who wouldn't want this season over with?

So...Ill think of February as spring, just because it makes me feel better to think that winter is almost over. Ill imagine that when I wake up all the snow will be gone, and Ill pray that shorts from last summer will still fit. Ill imagine sitting on my neighbors back patio at 9:00am drinking coffee instead of talking to her on the phone because neither of us wants to venture outside. Ill just stay in denial. I know there is probably going to be a few more snowflakes that fall before March rolls in. If I'm lucky I wont notice because Ill be to busy trying to find shorts that fit in my closet.