This time of year

It's February, and thank goodness it is a short month.  There is something about this time of year that is just simply tough.  I suspect that is has to do with the fact that right now, it is single digits outside with even colder windchills.  I am so grateful for the large windows in our home that let in fabulous amounts of light and the sun is shining brightly, but it's just cold...no two ways about it.

I'm finding myself so easily frustrated these days.  I am frustrated by Thomas's school, where they are taking money out of his lunch account on days that he isn't purchasing anything.  I've begun tracking it daily and I'm beginning to wonder how much we've lost this year.  It's to the point that Andrew is beginning to think we are victims of fraud by the lunch ladies.  I hate to admit that he could be correct...after all, how many neurotic moms are out there checking lunch balances daily?

Speaking of fraud, our credit card account was hacked for the second month in a row.  It is so frustrating!  I'm good about checking things and keeping tabs on things so I catch it quickly, but it's getting ridiculous.

My volunteer job is another source of aggravation in that the bank lost a deposit in November and still hasn't fixed it.  They completely admit they've screwed up and that they will fix it, but they can't get it taken care of in a timely manner.  I'm trying to be nice but obviously I'm losing my patience.  In addition, in spite of my repeated requests to have some brief meetings so that we can take care of things nothing is getting accomplished.

I'm equally frustrated by the fact that Catherine joined an extra curricular history club at school, and suddenly I am the one that has loads of work to do...not because she isn't capable or isn't doing it, but because the advisor lacks communication skills and now the parents are having to scramble to make registrations happen...and of course it's another expense.  I've sent a few emails to Robert's scout leader asking some questions I need to know before he goes to merit badge college this weekend, and I'm not hearing back.  I hate to nag, but at some point I need to know!

I suspect Andrew is equally frustrated because he seems to have gone deaf.  It's not that he can't hear, it is that he seems to be choosing not to hear.  His "tuning out" of the family has reached epic proportions.

That's enough complaining for today.  I really do want this blog to be a happy place, but right now it's just a bit tough.  The good news is that it will be warmer this weekend and I have an amazing family that I get to share each day with...and for that I am very grateful!