Winter Blues
February 7th, 2008
It’s nearly eleven a.m. on this incredibly frigid day in the middle of this incredibly frigid week. I’m sitting on the couch in the living room, feet up on the coffee table (coffee within reach), laptop on my lap. Bad Dog Neezy is sprawled out on the love seat snoring across the room. The Atlantis Space Shuttle launch is being broadcast live on Fox News. My feet are really cold.
I turned off the alarm this morning and went back to sleep, so Bren was late for school. Neither of us really cared. We’re in the midst of a deep freeze here in the Interior, so I wasn’t surprised when I drove past the school marquee and the temp flashed minus forty-three degrees. Acutally, I was surprised—I thought it was colder. I left the truck idling in the parking lot while I signed Bren in at school, then swung around to get a picture of the marquee. I’m glad it only took me five minutes to get home. There’s just no keeping warm in the car at these temps.
Now at home, I have a million things I could be doing. There’s always housework, I owe about fifty people an email (including my aunt and uncle in Iraq), there’s food morphing into who-knows-what in the fridge, and my gray roots are in desperate need of coloring. I have cooking club today with the kids and have yet to look up a pancake recipe (did you know it’s National Pancake Week?). Like a high school kid shedding all responsibility, all I want to do is curl up in bed with my book to read and sleep all day long. I have entertained in my mind a dozen lies I could tell to my boss on the phone when I call in sick, but the responsible adult in me will do what’s right and I will go to work. Up until now, I have needed to blog. Now there’s one thing I can cross of my mental to-do list.
And this, friends and family, is why I haven’t been blogging. This is how things have been for the past month, and lets face it, no one likes to hear other people whine, especially when life is good. It’s just been a very blah month that I’m quite sure it can be chalked up to being in the middle of a long, dark winter. A lot of people are afflicted with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) during winters up here. Why I think I’m immune to such things, I have no clue.
Despite my mental gloom, my spirit is alive and well. The Lord never fails to shine His light into my soul when I turn to His word, searching for assurance of His love and care, just as I turn my face to the winter sky every day, hoping for the time I will feel warmth on my skin. Bren and I are attending a women’s bible study together on Tuesday nights at the base chapel, and it has been such a blessing to us. I’m thrilled Bren chose to go with me even though it takes up a chunk of homework time. She is going through difficult times herself and is in constant need of words of encouragement and hope for the future.
This month we had to say goodbye to our Good Dog Buddy. He had arthritis in is hind legs and this cold was just too much for him. It got to the point where it was getting very difficult for him to get up from a laying position, and going up and down the stairs in the backyard took so much effort. It was a difficult decision to put him down because mentally he was still a happy boy and full of spunk. Although our lives are much easier without him, I miss loving on him.
I suffered another big loss when my best friend, Kim, moved away at the end of the year. It was a sudden move, so it really didn’t sink in for awhile that she was really gone, but now I miss her terribly. It had been many years since I had had a best friend outside my family. We still keep in contact almost daily, but that can’t replace sitting with her and talking about being parents of teenage girls, crying over frustrations, and hugging each other for comfort.
Well, it’s almost noon. Watching McCain’s speech (his first since Romney suspended his campaign) and getting up for more coffee has sucked up some of my blogging time, and now I must go do what I have to do. I pray that you are all doing well. I hope to do some blog reading this weekend to catch up with my online friends. I’m sorry for neglecting you.
In His Grip,
Donna
February 7th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I am glad to see you at least be honest. Procrastination on anyone does not look good. There are so many things I love about winter, I look at it as an opprotunity to get ready for Spring. Everything outside sleepy and still, but I think I would enjoy it better if I was not working.
283bFebruary 7th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
PraisGod for your honesty and transparency. I was preparing just this afternoon to write you an email and say, “hi, what’s up?” I will look forward to catching up more on your schedule. I’m often online, especially during the day. Plus, I have Qs for you on that book site thing.
February 7th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Sob. I miss you, too, Donna. True friends you can be completely honest with come along very infrequently. But I’m determined I won’t whine about what I’ve lost, just be thankful for all the great memories we have (and somehow even the many far-from-great memories leave a very warm spot in my heart).
Summer’s coming…
I love you.
Love, Kim
February 8th, 2008 at 5:22 am
What a joy to find you blogging again. I have missed you a lot.
Hugs to you all.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:08 am
stay warm
sori about your dog
February 8th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Donna:
I can’t wait for it to warm up again also…it has been -50 here at our house for the week. Try to stay warm. Will be praying for Bren.
February 8th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
I knew if I kept clicking on that blog icon on my desktop one day there would be a new entry!! I totally understand all your reasons and it’s okay. We’re just glad you’re not a popsicle yet.
So sorry to hear about Buddy dog. My dog, tho only 9 years old, seems to get very lame in this cold weather, too.
You all are in our thoughts & prayers often.
:-)
February 8th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
I’m glad you posted again! I love hearing about how things are going for you guys.
I’m so sorry to hear about Buddy :(, it’s always tough losing a pet. And I’m sorry to hear about your friend moving away, I know all about that, too. I guess everyone in the military does.
I’ll be praying for you all, I love you guys!
March 1st, 2008 at 9:11 pm
something looks different….maybe she has unthawed!
March 2nd, 2008 at 3:44 am
She’s out of hibernation! Yea! I’ve missed you, Donna!
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Sorry about your dog, I’d be the same if my pet passed away. btw when does spring show it’s face where you live Donna?