I've decided that the people in Canada deserve their excellent and uncomplicated health system. It's the least they can expect for having to put up with those long awful winters up there. I've always lived in the South where the winters are traditionally short and mild--until this year.
I can't remember ever looking forward to the end of winter like I do this year. I've never happily anticipated Alabama's hot and humid summers. But I think the Winter of 2009-10 has cured me of my aversion to summer.
I want warmth, green, flowers, real produce grown on an Alabama farm. I'd like to go outside without first bundling every inch of my body and having to walk around looking like Randy in "A Christmas Story." I want to drink iced tea sitting on the balcony at the beach.
As you can probably infer, I'm having a down day today. I have something like a sinus infection--pain in my face and ear--and I don't even want to think about lifting or moving anything today.
Yesterday, I worked on my office bookcases for a couple of hours. There are lots of books that have been on those shelves for years, never removed, never read. They're on their way out. But while one book by itself, no matter how large, isn't unmanageable, it's amazing how heavy humpty-zillion books can be together. And that weight is cumulative. Even though I never lift more than two or three books at a time, each group gets heavier and heavier. Now all the books from one book case are lying in the floor, waiting for me to box them and get them downstairs. The other bookscase is like, "When are you going to empty me?"
Well, not today, I don't think. I'm just too blah today to face that stupid office one more time. I've been working on it for weeks and weeks now. And although I can see progress, I can't quite imagine the end.
Nicole wrote about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) on her blog recently. I think that's part of my problem these days. Maybe the spring breezes (and we will have spring again, I'm sure of that--someday) will blow away part of what ails me and give me enthusiasm for this house project I find myself in the midst of. I sure hope so. Because right now, I'm contemplating the potential joys of an efficiency apartment.
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On 02/25/2010, Lisa said ...
I'm sorry your feeling bad, I hope you feel better real soon!!
On 02/25/2010, Joanne said ...
So sorry you feel bad. Let the office go for a while and work on something else when you feel like it.
On 02/25/2010, Pat said ...
It has been a long, hard winter. Against any judgement at all, yesterday I bought used books at the library all the while thinking where on earth will I put them? But I, too, need to discard some of mine. Like one author's complete set of works, have read, listened to on book tapes, probably never read again... Planning to make a contribution back to that same library used books room. Do hope you feel better soon. We have this day, just a day at a time. It will be spring soon! I'm so looking forward to it, too!
On 02/25/2010, Ruth Landon said ...
Spring IS coming Susan. We have had a pretty easy winter this year in my part of Canada. We've had more snow this week than the rest of the Winter put together. We will have to wait until Late April or early May to see the tulips flowering.
Hope you feel better soon., those books will still be there waiting for you. You wouldn't have room to sw in an effeciency apartment!
Cheers Ruth
On 02/25/2010, Barbara Anne said ...
Amen sistah! I hear you on all accounts and couldn't agree more. Immediate hugs!
The office project will be more enjoyable when you can open the window while you work and listen to either music or a book on tape/DVD.
Please enlist help from family or a neighbor in getting the book boxes down stairs and remember - the best book boxes are liquor boxes because the boxes are small and very sturdy. As you've noted, books are heavy. Even Baptists go to liquor stores for these boxes but, of course, they hope they won't be seen!!
Do you have a CD of jazzy music that you love? I recommend putting that music on, taking a sinus medicine, putting your face and nose over a pot of steaming water for about 15 min., and having some soup. You'll feel better soon.
More hugs!
On 02/25/2010, Ruth Landon said ...
sw should read sew
Ruth
On 02/25/2010, Nicoel said ...
New jammies. That is the answer.
I meant to thank you for the adorable hand made bookmark you sent in the mail! I am using it right this second. I just finished a book called A Reliable Wife that I think you might like. I will stick it in the mail to you today!
On 02/25/2010, Beverly said ...
Hang in there. I just know spring will be here soon. It snowed here this morning.
You are making awesome progress.
I am just back to work this week. It had been so long since I felt like visiting, and I really missed everyone.
On 02/25/2010, KAI said ...
Slow & steady, says the ultimate Tortoise, Kai! It WILL get accomplished, Susan! You KNOW I understand your physical ups & downs! But you are way too hard on your sweet lil' self! Try to think of it this way: Instead of seeing all that has to be done as a daunting task, look at it as a chance to EVENTUALLY have everything exactly as YOU want it. CELEBRATE yourself each time you WORK on it - not each time you FINISH something - by quilting or reading or watching a movie or just cuddling with Sophie! Then go back and ADMIRE what you DID do! Tell yourself, "LOOK at this nice stack of books! Doesn't that empty shelf look better now?" I hope you will accept help, I wish you would say the word & I'd hop on a Trailways and help you myself! Truth is, I'm currently psyching myself for the onslaught of Spring - for ME, the most DREADED time of the year. So I'll try to send it to YOU there in Alabama & I will try and convince my daughter in Wisconsin to send ME some more WINTER! It will all work out!
On 02/25/2010, Debra Spincic said ...
If you move those books to the basement, you will have to move them back upstairs when you clean the basement. Can you make a decision about them now that would avoid moving them to the basement? Like moving them out of the house?
I hear ya on the SAD. This has been a rough winter here too-- I can usually look out my window and see some green; but, not this year. Even the palm trees are brown and drooping. I hope we have not lost them; otherwise, it is going to be an expensive spring of new landscaping. That will not make me a happy camper. So, chin up! You are not alone.
On 02/25/2010, Carol said ...
Oh Susan feel better!
On 02/25/2010, Joan said ...
Take care Susan when you start moving those books.Better still get others to help you.
This has been a long winter here in England. Coldest for over 30 years but it isn't just the cold , it's the dull skies. Come back sun please.
On 02/25/2010, Barb P. said ...
I've been reading your blog since I started with Thelma's cupcakesndaisies just a couple of weeks ago. I'm completely new to this blogging thing, but love it! I've been following your happenings with caring thoughts and prayers for you. I recommend a day trip with a couple of girlfriends. I went today with 2 girlfriends to a quilt shop, a nice gift shop and on to lunch. What a spirit lifter a friend & quilt fabric shopping can be. Felt much better after our day of laughs and shopping. We've had an unusually cold and snowy winter here in Illinois also.
The books can wait, but if it were me, I'd move them out of the house and never look back for them. You'll be a happier person with less clutter. That's what I'm currently doing to my house. Declutter! Good luck in your search for spring. I think we all need a little sunshine in our lives especially this time of the year.
On 02/25/2010, Jean K. said ...
Hi Susan I too suffer from SAD and of course I just have to be from Canada. For a lot of Canadians SAD is just part of the winter game. I am fortunate to live on the prairies, so we do get sun and now that we have sun from about 8 in the morning till about 6 at night, it feels like heaven even if it is still cold and we won't see bare grass let alone flowers for a very long time. I have learned to break every task down into small segments, so your segment this time is that you got the books out of the case. The next segment might be to look for someone to help, then the next segment would be to box them up and so on. It took me quite a while to learn this trick, but it works on almost everything from quilting to washing windows. I also put all the segments into a list and that way when they are all done and checked off, then I know that one larger task is done and I can look back and be amazed at how much I got done. Love your writing, it is so down to earth. You have been through a rough year so please give yourself some slack! Hugs from Winnipeg
On 02/25/2010, Donna said ...
Susan,
I have been so depressed too! I know we have had a long cold winter here in AL but I know losing our loved ones has played a HUGE roll in our lives. I think about you everyday and I hope you begin to feel better soon. I hope Spring arrives here soon. I know how you feel :(
Blessings,
Donna
On 02/26/2010, Sandy said ...
I guess we all suffer from SAD. I never looked at it like that, I was that way when we lived in Alaska but never thought about SAD living down south. Maybe that's the reason I'm repainting the rooms of our house. It's taken three weeks to paint a small dining room (part of the time we had a virus)but last night I was elated just adding my "treasures" to the new shelves. But like you, I have had to learn to pace myself (that comes with age) and when it gets finished, it will be finished. It's taken alot of years to learn not to be so hard on myself,, something we all need to learn. Good luck with your projects, take it slow and it WILL get done in the end. Hope you feel better soon...Spring is coming, sooner or later......LOL
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