Projo Holidays Blog

I've been reading some of the survey responses from our many out-of-state visitors to projo.com.

I do have to say, if you're missing today's weather here in Rhode Island, you're not missing anything.

Cold, damp, dark.

But inside, we've still got the white lights on the tree and in the windows, some football on the TV, black beans soaking on the stove for cooking later today and ...

Lots of paper collecting on the hearth by the woodstove, as I go through my annual ritual of cleaning out pocketbook and bags today.

Boy, does it build up.

But the task helps me clear my head, as well as the stuff I tote around each day, and makes me feel refreshed for the new year.

Also on the to-do list for today:

Compress any two baskets of stuff into one.

Put away the Christmas gifts.

And leave all the clothes and dishes washed by end of day.

For more tips on staying organized, see what the professionals have to say at hgtv.com

And, oh, yes, start moving that paper trail to an online folder -- you may not save less, but at last it won't eat up desk, floor and wall space :)

Happy new year to all,

Andrea Panciera,
editor, projo.com

South Portland, ME – The new year has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. But resolutions aren’t just about humans -- pets are getting in on the action, too.

TRIPSwithPETS.com polled its visitors to find out what their New Year’s pet resolutions are. Here are the top 10:

10. No more table scraps: Our four-legged friends won’t be happy about this one! No more people food from the table or placed in the pet bowl, and no more plate licking either.

9. Keeping nails trimmed: Trimming pet nails properly can be a real challenge, but 2008 could be a year of fewer toe nails clicking on floors.

8. Disaster preparedness: It doesn't matter what part of the country you live in., we can all be affected by disasters. Putting together a pet disaster plan and survival kit should be a priority for 2008.

7. Brushing teeth: It’s recommended that you clean your pet’s teeth at least once a week, but not many pet parents do this. This helps a pet maintain healthy gums and therefore a healthy mouth.

6. Healthy treats: Treat your pets to more natural and organic snacks, instead of the processed ones.

5. Sit, stay, down: Pet obedience and training ranks high in the top pet resolutions for the year. A well-behaved pet is also a less stressed pet.

4. Car safety: Pet parents plan to better secure their pets when traveling by car in 2008 by using a pet car seat, pet safety belt, travel carrier, or pet barrier.

3. More road trips: Whether it’s a trip to Grandma’s house, a visit to the pet store, or a vacation to Hilton Head – pet parents are resolving to do more of them.

2. More bonding activities: Pet parents have vowed to include their pets in shopping trips, dinners at pet friendly restaurants, and activities at other pet friendly places.

1. More exercise: Whether it’s walks, runs, fetch or hikes, getting Fido and Fluffy moving is the top New Year’s pet resolution.

While New Year's Day is the big holiday on many calendars this coming week, there are several religious observances as well.

For Catholics, this Sunday is the feast of the Holy Family, commemorating the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and their flight into Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod.

On Monday, Zoroastrians -- whose numbers are few worldwide but whose religion pre-dates Christianity by hundreds of years -- will begin their five-day seasonal festival, Maidyarem Gahambar.

On Tuesday, Orthodox Christians celebrate St. Basil’s Day and the Naming of Jesus Christ,
commemorating how on the eighth day after Jesus’ birth, his mother Mary, in keeping with Jewish law, brought him to the temple to be circumcised and given the name of Jesus.

Anglicans refer to the feast as the Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and Catholics celebrate it as the feast of Mary, Mother of God.

-- Journal reports

Since Christmas has ended, the song What are you doing New Year's Eve? plays over and over in my head. It got me to thinking...

Years ago, my extended family would get together every New Year's Eve. Each family would take a turn to host the party. The gatherings would sometimes go all night. It was intended for the adults with card-playing, Guy Lombardo records in the background and food. Lots of food. it was the Italian side of my family. The kids would have fun, too. Some of us would play board games in small groups and some would join in the card games or start a young-player's version of poker.

I can't remember celebrating New Year's Eve in such a way since then. My family and I are usually too worried about driving from house to house for fear of drunk drivers being on the road. Sad, but true. So I sit in front of the television with a bottle of champagne and countdown to the New Year. (I've even shared a sip of the champagne with a my dogs in the past. None of them ever passed it up!) Many cable channels have marathon shows playing; could be the Three Stooges, The Twilight Zone or back-to-back Bond movies. I'm hoping to catch up on some of the new DVDs I've purchased.

So, what are YOU doing New Year's Eve? Have a Happy, healthy and SAFE New Year!

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve
When the bells all ring and the horns all blow
And the couples we know are fondly kissing.
Will I be with you or will I be among the missing?

Maybe it's much too early in the game
Ooh, but I thought I'd ask you just the same
What are you doing New Year's
New Year's eve?

Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight
When it's exactly twelve o'clock that night
Welcoming in the New Year
New Year's eve

Maybe I'm crazy to suppose
I'd ever be the one you chose
Out of a thousand invitations
You received

Ooh, but in case I stand one little chance
Here comes the jackpot question in advance:
What are you doing New Year's
New Year's Eve?

Getting in shape is among the top 10 New Year’s resolutions for most people. But, for many, it’s one of the hardest resolutions to keep.

According to a nationwide Angie’s List poll, 70 percent typically work out. Of those respondents 34 percent work out at a major gym chain.

“Usually, the trip to the gym is the first thing to go when our schedules get tight,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List. “But as competition for members grows, fitness centers are taking steps like offering child care and a greater variety of fitness classes to make working out more appealing and convenient.”

Finding time to make it to the gym is difficult for many people. By adding a home gym you can cut out the car ride and bring the gym to you. In fact, 20 percent of respondents in an Angie’s List poll say they’re getting fit in the comfort of their own homes.

“One of the biggest challenges to getting in shape is sticking with the commitment to a regular routine,” said Hicks. “For some, designating space in their home makes it easier to stick with the commitment because they can workout when they want and customize their space to meet their own needs.”

Here are Angie’s List’s 11 tips to help you find the right gym for your fitness goals:

>> Continue reading: Resolution alert: Work in finding the right place to work out

Don't throw out your old Christmas tree -- have it recycled.

Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation says "once you are done with your dried-up, needle-dropping, fragrance-free Christmas tree," you can give your Christmas tree will have a second life.

RIRRC will chip all trees it receives from municipal collections and use the material as mulch or in its composting operations. "If buried in the Central Landfill, the trees would waste valuable space better saved for non-organic material." says the landfill agency.

On average, 250,000 Rhode Islanders purchase cut Christmas trees each year to decorate their homes. Last year, RIRRC accepted 313 tons of Christmas trees. For the cities and towns, the diverted waste saved them thousands of dollars in disposal fees since the trees are tipped for free rather than at $32 per ton.

To prepare the tree for collection, remove all decorations, especially tinsel. Do not put the tree in a plastic bag.

Collection schedules vary depending on where you live. For more information about disposing Christmas trees, call your local department of public works or RIRRC at (401) 942-1430 x778.

I'm sitting here at home, with a cup of coffee, enjoying the peace of our property nestled in the woods of Richmond.

It's a lovely, sunny morning, with just enough chill -- 38 degrees according to my window thermometer -- to remind one that it's winter.

(It's also keeping those Italian Christmas Eve leftovers in the coolers and big pot sitting on the back step at the right temp. It was my turn to host last night, and everyone said my baccala (salt cod) in tomato sauce was the best I had made yet. Thank you, Nana, for all the lessons over the years.)

It's also quiet in my house, with no little tykes up since 5 a.m. yearning for their gifts from Santa.

For Bob and me, it's a time of reflection, to sit back and look at the pretty Fraser fir -- drooping a bit, I must admit -- full of the ornaments my mother and aunt have given me.

For us newsies, it's also a welcome break from the craziness of the world. For no matter what your beliefs, it seems as if Christmas Day is the one time of the year when news takes a holiday, too. Especially bad news.

We like that. Let's keep it that way. As long as we can.

Happy holidays to you all.

Andrea Panciera,
editor, projo.com