2007 January

Jan 22, 2007

Feeling down today?

If you are feeling a bit down in the dumps today, you apparently have good reason to.

Researchers in England, citing unpaid holiday bills, rotten weather and people’s realization that they likely won’t live up to their New Year’s resolutions, say Jan. 22 is the unhappiest day of 2007.

Cliff Arnall, a Cardiff University psychologist, devised the depressing formula.

His equation takes into account six factors: weather, debt, time since Christmas, time since failing our New Year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling a need to take action.

Taken together, they calculate to equal “Blue Monday.”

- Taken from this article at FoxNews.com

I have to admit, January and February are often a bit bluesy for me. I don’t particularly mind snow (well, other than having to drive in it), but where we live, January and February often mean “maybe snow, but most definitely gray skies for the foreseeable future.” Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but it does seem that a blanket of clouds moves in some time after Christmas and doesn’t leave until April or so. Gray skies do very little to contribute to my overall level of happiness.

I also feel rather slug-like during these months. Very little motivation, and an overwhelming desire to consume carbohydrates and stay huddled under a blanket with a mug of coffee all day. Housework seems like a humongous task, exercise — what’s that?, and even running errands is something I have to psych myself up for. So I’m glad to see I’m not the only one – other people suffer from “low motivational levels” this time of year, too.

But I’m pleased to report that today I’m feeling just fine, thank you very much. I managed to hit a just-right combination of sugar and creamer in my morning coffee, L. slept in until 7:15 (well, after waking up at 3:30 and 5:40 for 45 minutes each time, but we won’t count that), I had some pleasant time with both Chad and C. before they headed off to work and school, and the cat has not puked yet today. That’s always good.

So if – as the researchers surmise – today is the most “down day” of the year, and things can only get better, then I think I’m in pretty good shape for 2007.

So Happy Blue Monday, everyone. I hope you’re not falling in line with the researchers’ theories, and that you have a terrific day.

Filed Under: Etc. 25 Comments

Jan 22, 2007

Changes coming at Faith Lifts

written by katrina · Leave a Comment

Just wanted to let you know that Faith Lifts will be undergoing a bit of a format change in the coming weeks. You’ll still find inspiring, encouraging, and touching devotionals, but you’ll also find new topical sections and new contributors. Faith Lifts is also looking for additional contributors, so if you’ve got something to share, think about submitting to Faith Lifts. You can find all the info you need over there – just click on the graphic below to learn more.

Filed Under: Bloggy Stuff Leave a Comment

Jan 19, 2007

But that line is just so tempting

written by katrina · 30 Comments

The expectation had been clearly defined.

“Okay, here is what you are allowed to do. And here is what you are not allowed to do. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

That proverbial line in the sand had been drawn. A boundary. A guideline. A rule. You may go this far and no farther. You know the right thing to do — stay on this side of the line and reap the rewards of obedience and self-control.

But as soon as the line had been drawn, she felt pulled — almost dragged – right up to it. Surely it wouldn’t hurt to push just one little toe over that line, would it? No one would even notice. And it’s not like it would hurt anyone. C’mon, it was just a silly old line. It could have been drawn anywhere. And it was just a toe. It wasn’t like she was going to jump over the thing.

Sounds a little like a 3-year-old’s struggle with boundaries, doesn’t it? But instead, it’s a 30-something’s struggle with a personal challenge.

My struggle.

A mere five days ago, I made a decision. I would not buy a single book until March. As of March 1st, all bets are off, but between now and then, I have committed to not spending any money on books.

Ugh.

I mean, it’s a reasonable commitment. If I lined up the books that I own but have not yet read, they’d surely circle the ~~globe~~ house once or twice. I don’t technically need any books. And even if I read nonstop between now and March 1st and somehow managed to finish all the books in our house, there’s this little thing called….oh yeah, the library. I hear they have books I haven’t read yet, too.

So it’s established: I don’t need any more books. Right now.

But as soon as I made this little promise to myself (after which, I foolishly told two people about it so they could “hold me accountable” – what was I thinking?), the temptations started their attack. It seems that every magazine, every website, and many blogs are pointing me toward fabulous new books that I simply must have on my shelves. Or while at Barnes & Noble (I promise, I only went in to get a coffee), I see this terrific book on presidents that C. would just love. Educational, yet silly and entertaining at the same time. Or I just happen to stumble across Amazon.com and they have recommended the perfect parenting book for me – one that I need right now to teach me how to handle current events in our family.

Surely it wouldn’t hurt to buy just one little book. I mean, what if I searched all pockets, vehicles, and items of furniture for loose change and bought a book with that? It’s not like I’d be spending “real” money on a book – that money wasn’t going to be used anyway. It would be like a free book. Right?

Okay, wrong.

Five days down. I haven’t bought any books. This really shouldn’t be a big deal. After all, I’ve gone many days – weeks, even – without buying a book in the past. Quite often, actually. But somehow the very act of saying I won’t buy books until March makes the temptation that much stronger.

I think I know how three-year-olds feel when someone says, “Whatever you do, don’t touch that button.” Hmm… just one little touch won’t hurt. Right?

Filed Under: Books/Reading, Etc. 30 Comments

Jan 18, 2007

Hidden Treasure Awards

written by katrina · 7 Comments

Remember when you first found the blogosphere? It felt kind of overwhelming in the beginning, didn’t it? So many blogs to read, so many great posts! Where do I start? How do I find enough time to read all these terrific blogs? How can I arrange to hire a personal chef so I can spend more hours blogging and reading blogs??

But time goes on, and we settle into a routine. We have the 5 or 10 or 57 blogs that we read on a regular basis, and we’re happy with them. But there’s that niggling feeling inside — somewhere out in Blogville, there are still wonderful blogs waiting to be discovered. There are posts that will touch our hearts, make us laugh until we choke on our coffee, or make us say, “Oh yes, I’ve been there too, friend.” But it seems there aren’t enough hours in the day for one person to find all those gems.

Introducing the First Annual Hidden Treasure Blog Awards, hosted by Jules over at Everyday Mommy. The purpose of the Hidden Treasure Awards is to find those excellent blogs and posts that may be off the beaten path, and to introduce them to others. Click the graphic below, or click here, to read the full description and rules. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing the treasures that others have unearthed, those blogs that may now be undiscovered but which are well worth finding.

Filed Under: Bloggy Stuff 7 Comments

Jan 17, 2007

WFMW: Trimming Candle Wicks in Jar Candles

written by katrina · 16 Comments

If you are a fan of jar candles, as I am, you’ve probably heard that you should keep your wicks trimmed to around 1/4″ in order to keep your candle from smoking and producing soot, and to keep it burning evenly. Now, the rest of the world probably discovered this trick long before I did, but just in case…

For years, I would faithfully get out my little scissors and trim the wicks. As the candle burned down farther and farther, it became harder and harder to maneuver my scissors down inside the jar and position them so that I could trim the wicks.

Finally I figured it out. Now I use nail clippers to trim the wicks. They slip right down inside any jar candle and clip off the wicks cleanly and neatly. Ta-da! Longer-lasting and cleaner-burning candles.