Cute nicknames aside, Washington DCs winter is no longer fun anymore. The government has ground to a halt, kids have been home for almost a week and people are beginning to get just a little bit stir crazy.

Even the snowmen look a little sad (compared to the proud 13-foot one shown here).

As one neighbor put it, while digging out his driveway for the second time in four days: “This weekend, it was a novelty. Now it’s not fun anymore.”

Maybe that’s why, in our Alexandria neighborhood, the businesses that are open today are going gangbusters.

The coffee shops are full, restaurants are opening and people are walking around, looking for something to do.

I predict that the sheer frustration of being cooped up will cause Washington DC to recover a little faster this time.

How many days can you stay inside without going insane? Tell me your tales below!