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

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.

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

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?

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:

Ready for the crowds? Ask how the facility plans to deal with the influx of new members. Will they place limits on their cardiovascular machines?

Tour the gym at the time of day you plan to work out. Is it a peak time? Will you have to wait to use cardio machines and equipment you’ll need or get into to fitness class you want?

Ask about a free day pass or even trial memberships. Take advantage of these to find out if the gym offers what you’re looking for and is a place you’ll feel comfortable.

Do they offer complimentary personal training sessions for new members? This is the case for many gyms and it’s a perk you shouldn’t let go unused either. It’s a good way to get acquainted with the gym and get advice on your personal routine.

Does the gym have what you’re looking for? Take a look at the weight machines, cardio machines, aerobics room and the schedule for group fitness classes. The more a gym has to offer, the more likely you’ll be happy as your routine changes and grows to include more variety.

Ask about staffing levels and their qualifications. How many trainers are on staff, and how many are on duty at any given time? Are they certified, professionally trained, etc.?

Make it a family affair. Many gyms offer childcare, as well as fitness activities that are good for your children. They also offer family membership packages if you have older children.

Hours of operation. The goal is to find a gym that fits your schedule so working out is easier for you, and you’ll have few excuses for skipping.

Confirm the costs and what they include. Most gyms require a one-time signup/joining fee, and then charge a monthly membership fee. Find out what is included in these fees. Are there extra fees for group fitness classes? Does it cover parking?

Security. Are lockers available with secure locking devices? Do they offer lockers you can rent for a monthly fee?

If a home gym is right for you, consider these 8 questions before setting your plans in motion:

What is my current level of fitness? If you haven’t worked out since high school, say so. Now is not the time to exaggerate your fitness level.

How much space do I have? Dumbbells take up little more than a corner, but treadmills can require several feet of space.

How much time do I have to work out each day? That will help determine which equipment to buy because some pieces work faster than others.

What do I enjoy doing? Look for something that will be fun and challenging. That way, you’ll want to keep coming back to it over time.

What injuries do I have? Many people suffer from knee, back and joint problems, and those can restrict which pieces of equipment you should buy. Talk to your doctor about possible restrictions before purchasing anything.

What have I used in the past that has worked? If you were in great shape in high school or college and really enjoyed your workouts, consider sticking with a similar routine.

How much money am I going to spend? Most specialty fitness dealers offer financing and layaway. High-quality equipment will last longer, break less and be easier to use.

How many people will be using the equipment? Maybe your spouse and kids want to join in; maybe it will just be you. Regardless, take each participant into consideration before deciding on equipment.

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.

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

Ahh...

It's a sense of relief when all the holiday chores are done. Not that I am done, mind you. I'm going to have a house full of people tomorrow. I have tablecloths to iron, a table to set, food to cook, a house to clean and a year-old Boxer puppy at my heals the whole time.

But my sister and I did finish the cookies. She baked 6 kinds and I baked twelve. From the bottom left going clockwise, they are:
chocolate peanut butter chip
toffee bars
chocolate logs
cut-outs
almond crescents
cherry winks
cherry bars
prune cups
molasses bars
white chocolate cranberry bars
lime thumb print
butterballs
white chocolate chip bars
peanut butter blossoms
magic bars
raspberry chocolate chip bars
Brazilian coffee cookies
egg nog spritz.

Whew!

Merry Christmas!

But how many of you have taken part in the Slovak meatless Christmas Eve feast?

My husband's sister married a wonderful man of Slovak descent, and because of Rege and his family, we've been able to take part in many such special meals at their home in North Huntingdon, Pa., outside of Pittsburgh.

The Slovak words for Christmas Eve are “bountiful eve” and the bounty of this evening lies in the wide range of festive dishes. The traditional meal for Christmas Eve is meatless in the Slovak Republic.

The meal begins with the “oplatky” or unleavened wafers imprinted with scenes of the holy birth. Coming from the Latin, “oblata” (offering), these wafers are common to Slavs living in the Tatra Mountains. The “oplatky” are eaten with honey (to be good and healthy as the bees are) and reminded the family of the unleavened bread of the Passover supper of the Israelites. The Sabols, (Rege's family) also use maple syrup -- which is a little touch of New England in Pittsburgh!

Following the “oplatky”, a soup of tart quality, usually made of sauerkraut brine and dried mushrooms, continues the exodus theme of recalling the bitterness of slavery; life without Christ. The Sabols often serve mushroom soup with the more traditional brine.

Pieroghies are my favorite part of the Christmas Eve supper. They are dough pockets, pastry filled with fillings of sweet cabbage, sauerkraut, lekvar, (prune butter) or potatoes and cheese and boiled.

The family also serves haluski, which is twisted noodles of dough mixed in with sauerkraut.

For dessert, we always have lots of Christmas cookies, and wine is also served with the meal.

And I even learned how to say Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year by looking up these traditions on the Internet:

“Vesele Vianoce a Stastlivy Novy Rok.”

In addition to the Cool Decade ornament I purchase each year, I'll get an ornament that will remind me of my dog. For Holly's and my first Christmas together, I picked up this ornament. Cute, huh? The gold heart tag attached to the dog's collar has the year engraved. Each year that I decorate my tree, I hang ornaments that remind my of my other three dogs from years past. Each ornament tells a story.

I love collecting Hallmark ornaments. This ornament is obviously for this year's Cool Decade. I must have well over 120 Hallmark ornaments!

A friend of the family gave my Mom the first one back in 1974. It was a Betsey Clark ornament. I referred to Betsey Clark's artwork of little waifs as the "onionhead kids". I was mesmerized by this ornament. I never saw anything like it. I think because it was new and different, it caught my attention. Back in the 70's there were lots of tacky ornaments. I remember my mother buying the plastic balls that were covered with some kind of "string" that stuck to my fingers. Each year when we'd hang them on the tree, they got worse because the material would pull away from the form. I still have them and can't part with them. Another year, my Godmother gave our family a set of six gingerbread soldiers to hang from the tree. I was so little, I thought they were real cookies! I took a bite into one of them to quickly find out they were styrofoam. I still have that ornament, too. When I hang it up, I have to laugh. You can still see my teeth marks.

I actually have three sets of ornaments; one set is from my parents and when we kids were growing up. Along the way, I added several more ornaments from my travels around the world. The second set is all Hallmark ornaments that I started collecting when I was in my late teens. Actually, that also makes up set three. The third set of ornaments are the Hallmark ornaments that are too heavy to be hung on a real tree, so I put those on the fake tree. Yes. I put up two trees! I put up a fake tree right after Thanksgiving because I can't wait to get a real tree.

Upload a photo of your favorite ornament and share its history.

Maybe it's because these are the days of the debit card, or maybe folks are just a little too harried to pull out their cash, but lately, those bell ringers seem a little more lonely to me than usual.

But that little bit of change helps the organization serve nearly 5 million people at Christmas and 35 million people throughout the year.

Yesterday I walked by the one stationed in front of Providence City Hall. I made small talk with the bell-ringer, and promised to donate some change on my way back from my errands. He seemed very cold, and joked with me that he'd like to wear the scarf that was around my neck. Sorry, no scarf, but I did throw a buck in the kettle.

If you're feeling guilty about passing by these donation points, there's any easy, debit-ready way to still give. Go to the Salvation Army's Web site, and make a donation directly. They also have a way you "host" your own virtual red kettle. It's a fairly high tech way to do some old-fashioned good.

The Providence Journal continues to publish requests from local charities for holiday giving. In addition to the full list of charities on our Web site, we've added a few more you may want to help out this season, or throughout the year:

GENERAL

VIPS (Volunteers In Providence Schools)

The organization provides after-school tutoring and enrichment classes to hungry teenagers who attend Providence public schools. There are 25 or so high school students who come each day to theTechnology & Learning Center every afternoon for three hours after school to get homework help and tutoring. The organizationreally needs gift cards from area grocery stores or donations that will help us feed these hungry and eager-to-learn teenage students. For more information, call Theresa Seddon at VIPS, at (401) 274-3240.

ANIMALS

Animals Depend On People Too (A.D.O.P.T.)

The group that helps homeless pets at the Cranston Animal Shelter and throughout the state, is in need of monetary donations. A.D.O.P.T. also helps families throughout the state with financial help for sick or injured pets, spays and neuters and other problems. Call Linda Monahan at (401)-826-0320 .

The Hope For Animals Sanctuary

The cat shelter is in need of cash donations as well as litter, toys, cat food, cat toys, and soft blankets for beds. The sanctuary is also looking for foster homes for some of its special needs cats. Volunteers are always needed. For more information please contact Ann at (401) 966-4129. The web site is www.hopeforcatssanctuary.com

To be included in either the newspaper or online list, send your charity's information, including a name and contact number to pjnews@projo.com. Put Holiday Giving in the subject field.

I was always quiet, shy and a loner. Wait. I still am. But there was something about Joan that clicked. We really got along! We had the same odd sense of humor. We understood each other without even having to talk. And we went through a lot together. I think we hit it off right away because we both lost our mothers at around the same time. I think we helped each other through it.

Anyway, after getting her note, it brought me back to old times. I remember one time when we traveled to down town Providence after school during Christmas. We stopped at the Outlet to visit Santa Claus. No, we weren't young children. I think we were about 17. We even had out picture taken!

Then I started thinking about the Outlet. Do you remember it? There are no department stores quite like it. My Mom used to take me into the basement to visit Santa Claus. Then after, she'd pay a quarter so I could get a grab bag. The grab bags were in two huge clown heads; one side was for boys and one side for girls. I remember being scared stiff to stick my hand in the clown's mouth for fear that someone would pull me through on the other side! But if I didn't, then no toy. One time, I stuck my whole head in to make sure nobody was on the other side. I even remember being a little rebellious one year and getting a toy from boy's side. I can't remember what it was but really, a toy is a toy.

It's funny how one little card can trigger so many memories. Take the time to send out cards and give someone a precious gift.

You have to understand, with each recipe, I have to try the dough AND the cookie to make sure it came out perfectly. It may not sound like such a tough job but when you make three to four different types of cookies a day, it gets sickening. And I get sugar rushes.

Sunday I started my cookie baking. I made chocolate logs dipped in white chocolate, cut-out cookies and peanut butter blossoms. Monday, I made magic bars, raspberry chocolate bars and pecan toffee bars.

Today, day three, I'm all cookied out. The sad part is, I have ANOTHER day of baking! I know I'll get through it once I get started. Besides, today I'm making MY favorite: my great-Aunt Josie's recipe for butter balls! Yummmmm! I'll also be making lime thumb prints and egg nog spritz. If I still have the energy, I'll add one more cookie recipe.

Oh! Did I mention I made 120 vanilla marshmallows and 120 chocolate marshmallows? Insane, aren't I?