Fireplace Safety

Baby-it's cold here in Louisville this morning!  Negative 9 degrees with 35 mile an hour winds and 5 inches of new snow.  Here are some tips to keep you safe and warm if you use a fireplace to help heat your home.

• Have your chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned annually by a CERTIFIED Chimney specialist.  This is vital to prevent the buildup of creosote which can cause fires.
• Keep your roof clear of leaves, pin needles and branches which hang near the chimney, flue or vents.
• Cover the chimney with a mesh screen spark arrester to prevent wayward sparks from 
• Stack firewood at least 30 feet away from your home to prevent bug infestation
• Keep the hearth free of decorations, newspapers and flammable materials in the event of a wayward spark
•  ALWAYS use a metal screen
• NEVER use flammable liquids to start a fire
• Don't be tempted to burn cardboard boxes and trash in your fireplace or wood stove
• Never leave a burning fire unattended.  Extinguish a fire before leaving your home or going to bed
• Soak hot ashes in water and place them in a metal container to transport
• Have working Smoke alarms which you test when you change your clocks twice a year
• Have a working fire extinguisher in your home

Now, enjoy a cold winter day in front of your home fireplace.

Resolution Fatigue?

If you are like MOST Americans you've given up keeping your New Years Resolutions!  But you can resolve to start anew month, day or hour!  No need to WAIT until January 1

Here are a few hints to get you back on track if you Resolutions are to DIET, LOSE weight or EXERCISE more

1)  GO meatless one day a week, DO a Sugar free day or give up snack foods one day a week.  It's easier to go without toady if you know you can indulge a little tomorrow

2)  Get the idea of the PERFECT PLATE in your mind.  Use a visual if that helps.-25% lean protein (beige), 25% whole grains (yellow) and 50% vegetables and fruits (green or red).  And  9 inch plate is ideal for cutting back on portions.

3)  Start with the right breakfast.  I keep a box of granola in my desk and use warm water when I forget to bring my yogurt.  I check off Breakfast on my daily to do list

4)  I also check off my vitamins, calcium and other supplements.

5)  Ditto on my water intake.  I feel better when I am properly hydrated.  Men require about 16 cups of fluid a day while women require about 11 cups of fluid (your fluid intake can be liquids other than water.  You'll know you're properly hydrated when your URINE is almost colorless and you are urinating every 90-120 minutes.

6)  Move-walk around your building once a day, wear a pedometer to get 10,000 steps a day, take a b risk walk when you are feeling stressed,  Walk the dog, take an exercise class or sign up to do a fun run.

Get ahead of the Game

I have good intentions but often fail to get birthday and anniversary cards in the mail BEFORE the special event.  I always have a stash of cards on hand because I create cards as a hobby so I don't have a good excuse except that the day to day to do lists prevents me from executing this important task.   This year I am taking a different approach:

1)  I will buy all the birthday cards I need for the coming year this week
2)  I'll review my "Birthday calendar" for the upcoming month the last week of this month
3)  Pull cards from my existing STASH
4)  Address envelopes
5)  Add the date the card needs to be mailed in the area where I place the stamp
6)  Seal the envelope UNLESS I need to write a personal note closer to the mailing date
7)  Place the cards with the bills to be mailed (yes, we still mail several bills)
8)  Put cards in mailbox on Sunday
Viola!  No missed birthdays or anniversaries!  Less Stress

For card making ideas, check out my creative blog

http://whimsiewear.blogspot.com/

The year of less

This year I am going to do more with less!  

This means using up what I have, finishing projects instead of acquiring stuff to make something else and giving away those items which I no longer use.  I admit I am a bit of a hoarder-I keep broken potter and STUFF because I may be able to use it in a craft project.  I "collect" cardboard boxes because they are good to store stuff in and I also keep flat cardboard because I can use them as paint protectors.  I buy stuff when it  is on sale to use as gift or for Christmas shoe-boxes, etc so I have drawers FULL of items.  It isn't saving money if I never use it!  I have drawers of fabric, yarn, craft supplies and beads.

This is going to be HARD!

What do you have in your closets, drawers and under the bed?

What are your plans for these items in 2014?

This year I resolve to

1)  Make decorative seasonal pillow cases out of my fabric stash

2)  Finish my googly eye picture frame

3)  Use up most of my yarn before buying more--

I want to learn to knit or crochet hats, washcloths and a pumpkin 

(I bought an adorable pumpkin knitting project in November and I MUST make before it turns warm)

4)  I will use up some beads and make earrings for a November craft show and make 20 sets to donate

5)  I will begin making my GIFTS in January (not sure what I should make yet--your ideas are welcome!

Please leave your comments and get started!