Spring Fever 2009

Mother Nature is such a tease!  At the beginning of the week I was sitting here all bundled up in fleece pants, a long sleeved shirt, a hoodie and thick, fluffy socks battling the chill of single digit temperatures with the heat cranked up.  Today I sit here in shorts and a tee shirt with the heat shut off and the doors and windows opened enjoying the 60+ degree weather.

These little taunts from Mother Nature add to the plague that hits most of us this time of year…Spring Fever.  It’s that time of year when cold temperatures dampen our spirits and snowfall is no longer beautiful and magical…it’s downright irritating.  It’s that time of year when the temptation to put the bags of rock salt and snow shovels in the basement is huge, but I know that would only lead to several trips back down to the basement when Mother Nature doles out a couple more minor snow storms.

Over the years I’ve perfected my ability to get through Mother Nature’s indecisive weather patterns for the months of March and April.  Years ago I remember spending hours outside digging up the ground and planting my Spring and Summer flowers when Mother Nature gave us several days of 70 degree weather in March.  I also remember looking out the window almost in tears a week later when we had a cold front move on through that dumped over a foot of snow.  I’ve since learned that planting anything outside before the month of May is not a wise idea and usually ends up being a waste of time and money.

To get through the bout of Spring fever (that has already hit me) I try to conquer several projects around the house that give me, when finished, a sense of accomplishment and renewal.  Part of that includes putting away the many Fall and Winter scented candles that I have scattered around the house.  For some reason the smell of my apple and brown sugar candles don’t smell as nice as they did back in October.  I’m craving the smell of Spring and fresh air and that isn’t something that any candle can give me.  I take advantage of days that are in the 50′s.  The heat gets turned off and the windows and doors are opened.  There is something rejuvenating and motivating about the smell of fresh Spring air.

I definitely tackle the Spring cleaning and organize  each room of my house.  My most recent project was organizing my office area.  I purchased inexpensive storage units for my wall and folders to put my papers in.  After a few hours, everything was put into place and I was able to get rid of the bulky shelves I had beside my desk.  It now looks fresh, new, organized and it gives me a sense of renewal.  Isn’t that what Spring is all about?

This is normally the time when I get rid of anything that we haven’t used in a couple of years…out with the old and in with the new.  I’m a firm believer that if you haven’t used it or worn it in 2 years (there are a few exceptions of course) then you probably don’t need it.  These items are normally given away to family and friends or donated to charity.  I also make changes to the rooms in my house.  I sometimes move furniture around or I’ll take the items and pictures I have hanging on my walls down and change them around a bit.

The last thing I do is purchase my seeds and bulbs online.  DealTaker has a lot of great stores that sell everything and anything that you need for your flower and vegetable gardens.  I always start my planting indoors and by the time May hits, I have a ton of beautiful plants and flowers to replant outside.

Although I am well aware that we will probably get another snow storm or two before the warm weather is permanently here, I am comforted by the fact that winter will be over very soon and with each passing day I am one day closer to putting the winter stuff downstairs and putting the winter clothes away for the year.  I will enjoy the sporadic warm weather that we have and continue to perfect my means and ways of getting through Spring Fever.

I’d love to hear some ways that you get through Spring Fever!