Here is a list of my favorite places to go for writing inspiration. Forget a cabin on a lake. There are no people there! All of these places will provide you with the best people-watching opportunities you can imagine. I am certain there are any more inspiring public places than these:

1. Driver’s license bureau
2. Auto tag agency
3. Bus stop or riding bus
4. Train station or riding train
5. Grocery store
6. Post office
7. Airport
8. Dollar store
9. Hospital Emergency Room
10. Doctor’s office waiting room

Millions of adults are going back to work tomorrow after a nice long break, and millions of kids are going back to school as well. Hopefully after the rest (assuming you did rest) you are looking forward to (okay maybe not) returning to your normal routine.  Think of it as a new start. It’s a new year, and you have a new view of the world and perhaps, somef resh new ideas.

If you are not too excited about getting back to reality, think about the positive -

• Hectic holiday schedules are over
• No more shopping and wrapping
• No more heavy eating
• No more entertaining for a while
• More time for immediate family members

And if none of this helps, just start planning and dreaming about your summer vacation!

Want to feel renewed and energized in the new year? Take down all your holiday decorations and put them away! It is so inspiring to just get rid of the cutter and clean up all the dust bunnies that collect during December. I love to put up the decorations and lights, but I equally enjoy taking them down after the new year. If I find any broken ornaments or lights that no longer work, I get rid of them if they cant be fixed.

What is the deal with pine needles? This is the first year I had a real tree. Wow, what a mess with the sap and the needles. ur tree was not dying at at all either. My daughter and I had a hard time lifting the trunk out of the tree stand. We did not want to spill the water. When we finally succeeded, we walked the tree out the front door and all the way around the house to the back alley so we would not drag the needles through the house. I am grateful for wood floors, and cannot even imagine having pine needles stuck in carpeting. I don’t think it would be possible to get those needles out of a deep rug.  Despite that mess, the live tree was beautiful.

Now I say having no tree is beautiful as well.

Happy cleaning.

Is it really 2009 already? What a great feeling it is that we can celebrate the new year and relish in the hopes of good things to come. Here is my list of things you can do to celebrate the New Year, while concentrating on what is important:

1. Spend more quality time with your spouse/kids/pets/family.
2. Pick up a new hobby or spend more time on the one you love most.
3. Get rid of some of the clutter in your home. (closets, toys, knickknacks, etc,) And Do Not replace it with more stuff!
4. Take advantage of many of the programs at your local library, both for you and your kids. And remember to thank yor librarians for all they do!
5. Replace the photos in frames in your house with more current shots.
6. Exercise with your kids.
7. Write an old fashioned letter to a friend far away. Add some photos. Mail it with nail mail.
8. Exchange some good books with a friend. Encourage your kids to do the same.
9. Thank someone who has done something special for you in 2008.
10. Clean up the files on your computer and delete stuff you no longer need.
11. Talk with your family about all the fun stuff and good times you had in 2008.
12. Listen to music more often.
13. Clean out your pantry and freezer.
14. Start a dream diary by writing down your dreams every morning.
15. Practice meditation, and encourage your kids to do the same.
16. Try a new hairstyle/cut.
17. Put new artwork and photos in your office, and rearrange the furniture.
18. Plan a fabulous summer garden now.
19. Watch less TV.
20. Celebrate the little things all year long.

Have a Happy New Year All Year Long!