High 5

Top 5 things about spring I missed during the winter:1. The sun! Winter is not only cold, but it's also cloudy, windy, wet and dreary. To top it off, there's not much sunlight hitting us from up top. Many people need sunlight to be a happy person. I'm one of those people. If there's no sun, it's just a bit tougher to put that smile on.

2. Flowers and leaves. Gosh, it's been awhile since I have seen a green leaf on a tree or a pink flower grace a garden. I cannot wait until buds start popping and we get some colors other than gray, brown, white and more gray swirled in nature's palette.

3. Short sleeves. Coats can be a fashion statement, but man, are they are a pain to keep up with. When you wear a coat, you risk forgetting it. If you're one of those who think, "I'll just keep wearing my coat so I don't have to keep track of it," minutes later you're sweating bullets. If you're one of those who think, "I just won't wear a coat because then I won't have to keep track of it," minutes later you're shivering. With spring comes warmth, and a coat won't be necessary.

4. The outdoors. With the array of winter weather that has thoughtfully visited and revisited the region this winter, my husband and I have caught up on TV shows, movies, Facebook -- and being lazy. I will be able to take my 4-pound pooch for a walk without his trembling like a leaf. Even being able to drive with the windows down is a big step after this winter. I can feel the wind and warmth now.

5. A tan. No sun = no sun-kissed skin = pale. It's time to shed that winter skin, slather on some sunscreen and soak up some rays -- preferably by a body of water.