Talkin Waukesha Real Estate Weblog

I’m talking about whether or not the Groundhog will see his shadow! Maybe we don’t get all excited about it here in Wisconsin, but in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, they close down for a week of festivities which climax early in the morning of February 2.

Groundhog Day (which dates back to the 1700’s or earlier) was originally known as Candlemas Day. It is the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Traditionally on Candlemas Day, people would bring out their candles, have them blessed, and place them in their windows. Here is an Old English Song:

“If Candlemas be fair and bright,

Winter has another flight.

If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,

Winter will not come again.”

The Americans made their own version: “If the sun shines on Groundhog Day; Half the fuel and half the hay.”

You’re probably wondering what this has to do with houses. Not all that much, except I’m trying to think of things that will make the winter shorter. It’s that “halfway between” season of the year when things seem blah. So I have some suggestions that may parallel the Punxsutawney festivities – right in your own home. These are cheap, easy and fast activities that can push you right through to the Spring Equinox!

1). Clean. If you can still find pine needles from the Christmas tree (or Heaven forbid, you tree is still up), get out the Lysol and go to town. There is nothing better than floors, walls, sinks, and woodwork that gleam back at you!

2). Rearrange your furniture. Walk into the most used room of the house and pretend you’re moving in for the first time. Where would you put things if the room was empty? This is a great time to get rid of those TV trays that no one ever uses.

3). Change up the Lighting. Add a lamp, put up a mirror or put in brighter light bulbs to lessen the gloom.

4). Buy some house plants. They are really quite inexpensive, they add softness and color to a room and they improve the indoor air quality (maybe?). Heck, if you end up killing them because you don’t have a green thumb, it’s no worse than spilling a glass of good wine.

5). Paint. Think of all the things you could paint! Start with the obvious….. walls. Then stretch your imagination. When was the last time your ceilings were painted? How about painting that furniture you someday intended to refinish? Paint your kitchen or bathroom cabinets. Color is fun. Be bold (but NOT messy)!

6). Organize. A little Rubbermaid goes a long way!

7). Pitch. If you don’t need it, want it or use it at this time in history – give it to someone who WILL. Don’t save things for someday. Then it just becomes “stuff” and it can choke you. An uncluttered house feels so good!

Sometimes our home environment impacts our actions and attitudes more than anything else; especially this time of year. I hope next Monday is a cloudy day.

When you are depressed due to the weather it is hard to get motivated to do anything. Is there an end in sight?

Comment by Leslie January 29, 2009 @ 6:57 am

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