The 49 Hour Weekend

Today is my favorite day of the year. Today, I feel like my battery is re-charged, my oil is changed and I am ready for a loooooong road trip. I feel like doing all of the little projects I've been putting off around the house, organizing my closets and cleaning my blinds (you know stuff that you normally need 10 cups of coffee, an empty house and a variety of 80's tunes to get you motivated).

The cause for all this is simple.

It is the end of daylight savings time.

It is the only day of the year when you GAIN a whole hour.

To me, this means I can stay up extra late, and sleep in an hour later than I usually would, without guilt. To me, this means that the sun won't be shining in my bedroom window at 6am (when I've finally gotten some quality sleep time in), that it will be dark when I tell my kids to go to bed, that a balance has been restored to the earth's clock after 6 months of too much light.

I know, I sound like a vamipre or some other nocturnal creature. Truth is, I love the night. I am more productive at night, I feel better at night, I like staying up after my family has gone to bed and have a little "me" time. I know that being a nightowl isn't the best trait to have with kids that need to be ready for school and out the door by 8:55, 5 days a week. I know that as they get older, they will need to be at school much, much earlier. I know that I am lucky that our school is the last to start in our district, some of my friends have to get up significantly earlier than I. I know that I am the minority, with so many people suffering from seasonal anxiety disorder at this time of year, and for that I'm sorry. But somebody has to like the fall and winter months!

There is so much about this time of year to love. The crunch of leaves under foot as you walk, the crispness in the air as you breathe deeply, the vibrant colors of the leaves shedding their foliage. And the holidays, who can complain about a holiday each month?

It is only during this time of year that I feel I have so many opportunities to spend time with family and friends. There is so much "gathering" going on, so many chances to tell the important people in your life how much they matter to you, and the presents - aaaah, the presents. While holiday gift-buying can be stressful, I like to think of it as a personal expression of gratitude for each person receiving something from me, whether it be my neighbor, the kids' busdriver, or my husband. I love giving gifts, making homemade goodies and sharing them with those I love. I love the togetherness of the season, I love being forced to remain indoors due to inclement weather, surrounded by the people who matter most.

So for me, this day, this day that strikes fear and dread in the hearts of so many, is merely kick-off to the months to come. This day is the day that I look forward to most, not because I get an extra hour of sleep, but because it's the beginning of something special.