That time of the year

There is definitely something about this time of year that makes me overwhelmingly cranky. It's cold. It's windy. It's overcast. And the warmer, sunny days merely lull one into thinking winter might be nearly over only to get a whammy of cold weather the next day. Even yesterday's snow day did nothing to lift my spirits. I'm tired of it being cold and having to wear my coat and bulky layers. I'm tired of my job and the isolation I often feel because I'm a department of one. I'm tired of working to find books that support the curriculum only to have teachers tell me that they'll just have their classes use Google. I'm tired of trying to show teachers how to use library resources only to have them tell me that they don't want to learn and they'll just use Google. I'm tired of being a "go-to" person for extracurricular things and not being compensated for not saying no. I'm tired of not being able to say no. I'm tired of feeling like I'm left out of the proverbial loop all the time. (But as a total aside in this rant, I looked up "proverbial" on answers.com and in Dutch, the word is spreekwoordelijk. That makes me feel a little better.) I'm tired of Paul working so many hours and being so stressed. I'm tired of his self-centered coworkers who are adding to the stress by threatening to quit in the middle of projects. I'm tired of feeling like I can't do anything to help him. I'm tired of my life being on hold because he is under such stress and works so many hours. I'm tired of always looking on the bright side of things.

I know that I'm so blessed and fortunate in so many ways in my life--house, car, health, husband, friends, etc., etc.--and I'm not discounting any of that. I simply need to wallow for a while and I could probably use a good cry as well. A good long cry that has no real purpose but cleanses the soul even if it does leave me snubbing at the end.

And another day off would be good, as well:

moar funny pictures

Coincidence? Irony? I'm not sure but it's something.

Yesterday, I was complaining about not wanting to be at school and wanting to take a day off and wouldn't it be nice to just not be at work for a day, etc., etc.

This morning, I awoke to a white view out my window and a two-hour delay for school.  Not quite a day off but two extra hours of lazing about the house would suffice.  Because I'd bathed last night, I'd already slept in an extra thirty minutes.  I wandered downstairs around 7:00, happily still in pajamas and slippers to feed the "Paul's Big Boy," this morning's nickname for a cat who was whinging about needing food, and to fix myself a bowl of cereal.

Midway through my bowl of cereal, the announcement was made that school would be cancelled for the day.  Huh.  One would think I'd be happy about that cancellation but I'm actually not too thrilled with it.

Reasons I'm unhappy about today's snow day:

1)  Our school calendar is now one day longer in May.

2)  Paul will probably stay home since I'm staying home so I don't get a day to myself.

3)  There's no reason for a snow day since it is supposed to be 40 degrees today.

4)  Two-hour delays don't have to be made up.  Snow days do.

5)  I think I'm residually cranky from yesterday.

In the meantime, the cat and I are fighting for position in front of the fireplace and I'm debating if I actually should change from my pajamas today.  Perhaps there is a small bonus to not having school today.