What does one think of when one hears the words spring break? Trips away? Sunny weather and flip-flops?

What is it like in reality? It's a week crammed with visits with friends, reading books for pleasure, watching movies, eating junk food, going to work as usual, writing a letter, drinking coffee, snowy weather keeping you indoors, and...spring cleaning.

There's something about taking a room, turning it upside down, sorting through everything, and putting it all back together sparkly-clean that makes me feel better. Even though it's tiring, I feel a sense of accomplishment, happy to check off one more thing off my to-do list. Rockin' out to Katharine McPhee, chatting with a tag-along little sister, creating little changes to my bedroom's appearance, getting rid of things, LOTS of things!, and imagining what you're going to do new to the wall.

And sorting through your personal belongings, it holds a sense of magic. The journal of 7-year-old Sam, the dozens upon dozens of letters from old friends, your old stuffed toy animals, the beautiful books, the movies, and the old scrapbooks...the memories.

So no, while it's not sunny outside, my room smells and looks shiny and bright inside. How's your spring break going?