dear january ...

Over the years, I've always enjoyed the time we've spent together ... your slow-paced days have nourished me with the time I need to slow down, take a breath, and collect myself ... I can always count on you as a time to clean up and get organized after the holiday chaos, a time to reflect on the year that's passed, and a time to make resolutions and goals for the year to come. But this year's been a little different - actually it's been a lot different.  What happened to my slow-paced days of reflection?  Or my New Year's resolutions for that matter?  How is it that your days have all slipped right through my fingers?  Was it the fact that we haven't yet had a full 5-day school week?  I admit, momentum's been hard to gather with all of these snow days messing with my calendar.  And while we're on the subject of snow, dear January ... I think you could have gone a bit more lightly on this fragile little Floridian soul.  Just sayin'.  I mean, please, it's only January 31st and we're already 18.5 inches above the average for an entire season?! The Shaq-o-meter doesn't lie  ...

Listen, January, I've been a brave soldier these last 16+ years in New England and I always try my best to just casually roll with those winter punches you dole out.  In fact, I was here for that all-time record 102.8-inch season in '95-'96 and I was very pleasant about it.  But back then I was a newlywed with a full time teaching job and no children of my own ... snow days had a whole different meaning for me - like sleeping in and quiet time to myself, for starters.  Heck, we didn't even need to shovel - that was the landlord's responsibility.  But this time around, dear January, I think the excessive snow days are really pushing me to my limit.  My back is sore, my children are stir-crazy, and my thoughts and plans can't get any traction with all these interruptions.  If you're feeling any sympathy at all, dear January, could you please just do me one favor?  Would you mind talking to February about her opening plans?