Here's an excerpt on Ostara (one of my new favorite holidays because it signifies a beginning to the end of all this snow!!!)

"Ostara: Celebrated between March 20 and 22, Ostara (or spring equinox) is one of the two times of the year when night and day are of equal duration; it is a holiday of balance. Ostara is a time to rebirth our new selves, clear away the clutter in our minds, and wipe the slate clean in our lives. See life in nonextreme terms - neither too terrible nor too fantastic. In nature, flowers are blooming and the world is abuzz with new life. Ostara rejoices in the beauty of our unique selves and in playing with impish delight. Find balance, plant individual expression, believe in abundance and fertility, face fears, cry and allow for all emotions. This sabat represents dawn on the Wheel of the Year..."

I'm very excited that Spring is on its way, but I'm also trying not to get TOO excited because winter is still pelting us with snow and icy winds. I took a walk this evening, and it was pleasant enough, being that it was 0 degrees outside, but with the wind it was a lot colder, and as I was walking along looking at people's trees and gardens, etc all covered in snow, and the warm glow of the lights in their houses shining out into the cold blue night-time air, it seemed a whole lot more like we were about to hit December. (Shiver). I'm so ready for Spring.

I can feel that I am getting restless too - I spend countless hours a day doing mind-numbing tasks at work, and between times am sneaking to read gardening articles, look at lawn care stuff, dream up projects for decorating our rooms inside, drooling at the new spring and summer fashions, and today spent quite a bit of time looking at the activities this rollerblading club in Ottawa offers (I signed up - can't wait!)

So I am trying to remind myself that winter's not done yet, and I'm forcing myself to try to relax and enjoy the cozy down-time we have right now because it won't be long before we're working on a million things at once around here. I have big plans to redo a couple rooms that have been bothering me in the house, and Luc and I both want to tackle the lawns and stain the deck and fences (not to mention adding a section of fence, you know, just incase I ever get a DOG).

We definitely have our work cut out for us, but I'm soooo looking forward to it. The downside is that I have been hearing that we're in for an abnormally cool spring and summer. I hate cold summers. We had one three summers ago, I remember, there were few days that I could take a walk at lunch and not have to bring a jacket because the wind was so cold, and out on the river we couldn't swim it was so cold.

So here's hoping it's warmer than they say... (Fingers crossed).

Anyway, until it's warm outside, I have a ton of stuff to get through inside - like Mom's site (yes, I still plan to redo it!!), some sewing projects if I ever get off my arse and into a fabric store, and lots of cleaning because every closet and drawer in this house is jam-packed with junk. For the first time ever I feel like I need to 'purge' the house of unnecessary things. This is not at all common for me, I normally hoard things like there's no tomorrow (Luc can attest to that), but for some reason, I can feel the junk behind those cupboard doors (I"m going crazy, yes) and it bothers me, so I have to clean it out!

Anyway, my spirits are slowly lifting because, as my excerpt eludes to, I see this as a new beginning in the year, where things start fresh and life kind of picks up. There's a lot to look forward to - from a painting course I found that takes place at different outdoor locations around Ottawa, to our yard projects, to rollerblading and BBQing on our back deck with our (hopefully) new BBQ. :) I think this is going to be a fun summer, regardless of the temperature as we had another couple of friends just move into an apartment near our neighbourhood, so summer dinner parties on the deck, here we come! :)