February. Ugh.

February is possibly my least-favorite month. Mostly because I'm a big Grinch. But I have my reasons (whether or not they are valid could be debated).

1. It's gross in Michigan in February. It's either (a) bitter cold and disgusting or (b) barely above freezing and disgusting. There's rarely any truly gorgeous snow anymore and no chance of a real thaw. Just slush. Awesome.

2. Valentine's Day. My husband and I don't really celebrate because (here we go with the letters again) (a) I do think it's a little bit of a commercial "buy flowers and candy and expensive dinners" holiday and (b) because my birthday is only four days later. So it takes away from the "excitement" of my birthday a little. Which leads to reason number 3...

3. My birthday. I haven't really been a big fan of the birthday since my cat died on my birthday when I was in 8th grade. That was followed by the year after, when all I could think about was my cat dying the year before, and then the surprise 16th birthday party that I hated (sorry, mom). Plus, my options for birthday celebrations are all indoors because of Reasons to Hate February #1. And I was always jealous of my August-born sister who got to do fun outdoorsy things for her birthday.

4. February is the last month of basketball season for my husband, the coach. Which means, excluding the holidays, I haven't seen him on a Monday through Friday night since November. I can handle a few months of missing him, eating dinner by myself, etc., but by February I'm about ready for him to be home a little more. Well, home a little more when I am also home.

So. There's your big ball of sunshine for February 1. Let's just be thankful it's the shortest month and move on, shall we?