GAIL WHITE On some dreary days, a good grump is unavoidable

I am having one of those days.
It is one of those days when I just don't feel right.
I am melancholy, irritated, unfocused and just plain disturbed.
It seems I awoke feeling this way.
The minute I got out of bed I became irritated. The floor seemed especially hard.
There was chaos in the kitchen as I was making breakfast. Everyone seemed to be in my way.
I was annoyed by the children's breakfast banter.
Really, it was a morning like most others. I was simply processing it differently.
Morning muddle: As I got dressed for work, nothing looked good. Nothing felt right.
Traffic seemed especially heavy and slow.
I thought I would snap out of my mood when I got to work.
I sat down at my desk and turned on my computer. There were no words coming to my head.
I felt insulted by the blank screen staring at me.
I read a press release. It made me sad.
I made a phone call. It made me mad.
Maybe I went to bed too late last night. Maybe I shouldn't have watched the news this morning.
Maybe I should have had another cup of coffee before work. Maybe I shouldn't have had any.
Maybe I need to go out to lunch ... do some shopping ... have a party...
Mixed moods: Why is it that on some days, for no apparent reason, life feels carefree, fun and adventurous?
I cherish those light-of-heart days. I laugh at silly things, hum through my work and just generally feel like doing cartwheels.
Other days, for no apparent reason, my heart is heavy, my load seems overbearing and I just generally feel like crawling into bed.
I have heard many men's opinions of these kind of days. Sorry guys. It isn't that. Men have these kind of days, too.
Every woman in America can attest to it.
Some days you just feel like being a grump.
I don't feel like smiling. I don't feel like laughing. I have no desire to listen to funny stories. I absolutely will not put up with any antics.
Some might suggest counseling for this condition. If it happened to me frequently, I would.
As it is, I have come to terms with these days. I know that I simply will not be happy this day. I have even come to enjoy a good grump.
I tell the family I'm grumpy, and I try to avoid contact with all other humans.
It's best that way.
An apology: Once, on one of my grump days, I was at the grocery store. As I picked up my bag to leave, the sweet, kind, friendly cashier said, "Have a nice day!"
I turned to her and scowled, "No. I've had a week of nice days. I'm going to be a grump today."
My apologies to her wherever she may be!
There is nothing more annoying than having a grump day when someone else is having a light-of-heart day.
My son was having a grump day last week. I was having a light-of-heart day.
I came bouncing in the room announcing dinner.
He scowled.
I responded, "Are you constipated, or was it something that I said?"
I thought it was hysterical. He went stomping off to his room.
Your room is the best place to be on a grump day.
Coordinating mood: Things really get harried around a house when mom and dad are on opposite grump/light days.
The happiness of one feeds the disturbed state of the other in a way that only love can.
I would be willing to bet that if it could be researched and documented, more divorces have been spawned by grump/light days than any other cause.
There's nothing worse than the love of your life being so rude as to be in a good mood when you are so obviously not.
That reminds me. I better call Pat. If he sounds cheery, one of us better work late tonight.
gwhite@vindy.com