Try these winter activities

By Staff
Michelle Blaylock, Mom’s Corner
It’s winter. OK, since we’re all freezing this week every time we open a door maybe that’s not a news flash. I’ve talked to several people recently that have a serious case of “winter blahs.” It seems like after the excitement of Christmas, it’s hard to go back to a normal routine. Some people just look at winter as a time to wait out.
I prefer to look at winter a little differently. When we lived in northern Indiana — 10 miles from the Michigan state line— we had snow on the ground several months out of the year. In fact, the first year we lived there the first snow fell before Halloween. Our last snow fell in mid-March. I thought I was going to go crazy!
I had lived in southeast Missouri my entire life. In my mind snow was supposed to melt! You might get more, but you were supposed to see the grass (even if it was brown) in-between the snow falls. Obviously, I had some adjustments to make. I decided I could look at winter as a prison or an opportunity. I chose opportunity.
Although winter is much shorter and, in my mind, more pleasant here in Alabama. Sometimes I still have to remind myself not to think of winter as a time of being trapped in the house, but to think of it as a opportunity to accomplish something. Here’s some ideas to pass the winter.
1. How about sorting all those pictures you have stored? This is a great time to put together scrapbooks for other family members out of extra pictures you’re not sure what to do with but don’t want to throw away. Scrapbooking has become incredibly popular and there are many stores that specialize in it and some even offer classes with super creative ideas for using those pictures!
2. How about taking a class to learn a new hobby or just learn something you’ve always wanted to know about?
3. Are you wanting to do a yard sale in spring? If you start now you can carefully label everything making it more appealing and easier for shoppers.
4. How about painting the inside of your house? I know many people wait till spring for this, but I prefer to do it in winter. By the time spring comes I want to get out of the house!
5. Are you feeling lonely? I guarantee you someone else is, too.
Check with your church, hospitals or other associations that work with the homebound and see who isn’t able to get out. Take them some lunch. You’ll both feel better.
6. Are you the one who can’t get out? How about writing a letter of encouragement to a foreign missionary? You’ll both be blessed.
7. Do you have a skill to share? Talk to the civic center about teaching a class.
8. OK grandmas and grandpas out there, I have something for you to do. Write short stories about things that happened to you growing up. All children like to hear stories, and they’re even more interesting if it’s about someone they love. Some of my favorite memories are those of my grandparents and parents telling me about things that happened to them when they were young.
9. Grandparents, how about a family history? Just things like your grandparents’ names and what you know about where your family came from is important to your grandchildren.
10. How about volunteering? I know The Caring Place needs volunteers on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I’m sure there are many, many more places that could use your time as well.
If you’re constantly feeling depressed or sad, see your doctor and make sure there isn’t a medical problem that needs to be treated. If it’s just a case of the “winter blahs” then my suggestion is to get busy. Time passes faster when your having fun. Enjoy your winter!
Do you have a tip or a question for Mom’s Corner? Please e-mail it to: moms-corner@juno.com