A Rustic Home

Recently, I was watching David Mamet’s film “State and Main.” One of my favorite lines occurs after the screenwriter Joe discovers that he has been tricked by Ann and that he indeed did not perjure himself. Ann smiles, “I thought you needed to get it out of your system.”

At the beginning of every year, we are bombarded with the concept of resolutions many of which are about losing weight. Weight-loss advertisers go into heavy rotation this time of year. And, most consumers are all too happy to play along. Looking at the statistics from the last week of December – web traffic at weight loss sites soar – visits to the Jenny Craig site were up 40%, Nutrisystem up 130%. Also of note is SparkPeople, who have gone free, jumped a massive 148%.

And, if you are like most of us, by the third week of January any visions of the new and improved you have fallen by the wayside. So you ate the box of donuts, so you missed going to the gym, again – maybe “you needed to get it out of your system.”

If you’ve pledged to be healthier this year, it’s not too late. So, you hit a few bumps in the road or maybe a Krispy Kreme or two – it’s ok. Becoming healthier is about making sustainable changes. Improving the way you eat, exercising more and loving the body you are in.

The underlying premise of “State and Main” is the concept of a “second chance.” For many, a second chance is a chance to make the same mistake twice. For others, it’s a chance to change courses.

Now’s your second chance to be a healthier you, what are you going to do with it?

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Feeling a little down? You’re not alone. According to MSNBC.com, a British psychologist has determined this is the most depressing time of the year. He has derived a calculation that determined January 24th is the worst of the worst.

The model is: [W + (D-d)] x TQ/M x NA

The equation is broken down into seven variables: (W) weather, (D) debt, (d) monthly salary, (T) time since Christmas, (Q) time since failed quit attempt, (M) low motivational levels and (NA) the need to take action.

In my mind, the January Effect is a combination of broken resolutions and a post-holiday letdown.

Ok, so we understand the depressing effect of January 24th. Let’s explore the factors:

Post Holiday – For many of us, holidays are a tough time. Parties, dinners, holiday treats – and the result? Expanding waistlines. We also got to spend quality time with your family. Nice to see mom can still push all our buttons. And, now the Visa bills are showing up. Great!

Resolutions – if you’re like most folks, your resolutions have already been broken. Ugh! Personally, I had planned to get so much done during a traditionally quiet period between Christmas and New Year’s. Guess what? It didn’t happen. I had such high hopes, but it isn't going as planned.

Ok, so we’ve identified why this time of the year is tough – now, what? First of all, realize you are not alone. It’s a tough time of the year!! Secondly, the magic about a new year is you have a fresh slate. You can’t change what happened in 2007, at least not without a little revisionist history. So look forward.

What do you want to accomplish in 2008? Are these goals realistic? What are the plans to achieve them? What changes need to implemented? Struggling? Maybe consider a personal coach or support group. Get outside your routine. Talk to others, and listen to what they have to say. Talk to your friends and ask them what they like about you. You’ll be surprised. You can build on your strengths and work on the challenges.

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If you live in a cold climate, then January is a tough month.  Your yard is either buried in snow or just a bleak minmalist landscape.  And spring seems so far away.

Need a little pick me up? Check local garden centers and newspapers for info on your regional flower shows. Most are held in midwinter. Flower shows help chase away the winter doldrums and provide inspiration.

And if you brave enough to venture out -

 

 

 

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Bring the rich hues and wide-ranging textures found in nature into your home! Everything from Big Sky Cabin Candles to the whimsical Bearfoots tealights to a wicked leather pillar - you’re bound to find something that's just right.

Each candle is hand poured to order and made with the highest quality ingredients.

Also available in the following scents: Apple Blossom, Blackberry Sage, Basil Sage Mint, Cappuccino Brule, Cedar, Cherry Tobacco, Country Roads, Gardenia, Ginger Fig, Harvest, Indian Summer, Lavender, Lilac, Lily of the Valley, Lime Cilantro, Mango-Papaya, Pear Berry, Pineapple Cilantro, Pomegranate, Pumpkin Spice, Spiced Cranberry, Sweet Grass and Vanilla Fields

 

Shop Today 

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by Peggy Hughes

PHA – Affordable, Sophisticated Home Decorating & Staging, Moving & Relocation and
Organizing Services.

 

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During the winter, I like to scale back the maintenance of the garden.  I live in California with year round growth and maintenance.  But many of the fruit trees have gone bare, and I don’t do any planting from November through March.  I’ve pruned the roses, so pretty much its weed control and dreaming of warmer days.

It is also the time when I can plan for the next growing season.  Out come the gardening books, the seed catalogs and old Sunset magazines.  It’s the time to dream.  And with numerous online garden design programs the process has never been easier.

The National Gardening Association recommends GrowVeg.com.

"One of the latest is geared towards vegetable gardeners.  GrowVeg.com is an England-based garden design tool that helps you plan your vegetable and fruit gardens. Using animated vegetables and fruits, the program helps you map out your garden and select, place, and rotate crops. Vegetables are color-coded by family, making it easier to plan crop rotation. The program can even remember past designs and warn you about planting the same family of vegetables in the same spot two years in a row."

How cool is that?

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The Best of Intentions

Life has been a bit chaotic as of late - a nasty bout with the flu, conflicting projects, the holidays and life in general – and somewhere along the way December became a blur. Oh dear reader, I had intended to offer you so much. There was the posting about 2007 in review – didn’t quite get there. There was last month’s newsletters – ugh, just didn’t happen. There were the New Year's Eve words of inspiration - uh, well - yea you get the point.

I did however get to spend some quality time in front of the TV. That should be enough to convince anyone to get out of the house. But, in my Nyquil induced stupor I watched lots of Southpark and Golden Girls (don’t ask). And, as the year wore down – I was struck by the number of times I was reminded it was time to begin “making your New Year’s resolutions.”

And these resolutions were often tied to something I could buy. Oh lucky me! There were “miracle” cures to help me lose those unwanted pounds. My favorite is the one that cautions you to only use it if you need to lose 20 or more pounds – because it’s that strong. Oh pleeeze - I think I threw the remote at that one. In addition, there were treadmills, dumbbells, Bowflexes, and countless other gadgets reminiscent of Suzanne Somers’ Thigh Master. Who buys this stuff?

Is it any wonder that people give up on resolutions shortly after they make them? How many of us have a myriad of products collecting dust in the basement. Oh admit it; you have ‘em! Remember, the stationary cycle with the knob the increased tension? Or was it the Abdominizer? Hey at least that one makes a great sled for the kids!

As I lay in bed coughing my brains out, I pledged 2008 would be a new year and a new me. I will eat better. Dust of the gym membership card. Even get up early and take the dog for a run. Ah, the best of intentions . . .

Yesterday, I managed to eat at both Roundtable Pizza and In and Out Burger. Not exactly off to a good start. Well, at least there is plenty of room for improvement. Yes, it’s a rocky start, but I haven’t given up. I do have a resolution: I give my self permission to Live Life Fully.

Rather than offer my simplistic take on 2008, I defer to a greater mind to guide you - Unitarian Minister William Ellery Channing said it best when he wrote:

To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy not rich, to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds and babes and sages, with open heart, to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never--in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common.

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