Yep it does happen Mike, and your right the prolonged, less than ideal weather conditions certainly don't help. That's one of the reasons for the observatory, so I can make the most of those brief interludes of clear skies without having to spend half an hour setting up and another half pulling down when the clouds move in after just finishing the polar alignment.
Having other hobbies helps to me keep enthusiastic about my astronomy. My main one of bush regen helps keep me outside and in touch with the environment anyway. It also helps to keep my mind active and engaged so that when the conditions are right I don't have to get over that initial mental inertial. The enthusiasm is there ready to go.......usually.
Plus I have too many astronomy books to read to give up the hobby just yet anyway. I find just researching astronomy projects in anticipation of future clear skies keep me engaged as well. Mind you I now have enough projects lined up to keep me well and truely engaged for the next 3 life times.
Planetary imaging? What's that? I can't remember the last planetary or lunar image I've taken. The odd comet is about it. There are too many other things going on.
But the one thing above all else that helps to keep me right on up there is the fantastic astronomy community I'm apart of. Not just IIS which is an enormous part, but my friends in the local area that I'm associated with through the Mapleton Observatory (conducting classes and outreach nights does wonders to keep the enthusiasm up). Plus there is the monthly social/viewing get togethers at Ron's where people come from up to 2 hours drive away just for the get together.
When I first started on this hobby, I was all alone but the initial passion was enough, despite the disappointment. Now the friends, community and project planning keeps me well and truely engaged.
Maybe we need to have a 12 step program to help keep us enthused when times are getting tough.