Good News From Mary Jan.5, 2009

Keep Heat from Going Through the Roof

As it turns out, the cost to heat our homes this winter won't be as high as originally predicted, which is only somewhat comforting. Soaring costs will still send our heating bills through the roof. Learn these easy ways to keep your heating costs down, and you'll be warm and snug until spring.

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The Most Important Resolution You Can Make

My uncle always makes a big deal about making a list of New Year's resolutions, although a month or two later he forgets all about them. Now he's bugging me to make a list. Why should I bother? It'll just make me feel guilty when I fail to keep them.

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Keep away from 'calorie bombs'

As you start the new year resolved to lose weight, keep in mind that grocery store aisles are filled with nutritional landmines that could sabotage your best efforts.

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It's Time to Drop The Consumer Label

One of my New Year's resolutions is to stop referring to myself as a consumer.

The idea for the resolution actually came from reader Tom Krohn, who suggested that it's not just the country's spending habits that need to change for the better, but the language we use to describe who we are.

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A Close-Up Of The Milky Way Reveals New Insights

A new high-resolution panorama shows the center of our Milky Way galaxy — and is the sharpest infrared picture that scientists have ever made of our galaxy's core, a mysterious region that surrounds a supermassive black hole.

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Monday, January 5, 2009 Post from Margaret

Fungus Gnats - A Pest of New Seedlings and Cuttings

“Fungus gnats are tiny mosquito-like insects, about 1/8 inch in length. You will generally first notice them darting about new seedlings.

Being so small, they can enter your home or greenhouse through the slightest of openings. More often they come in as eggs, either in the soil of plants that have been outside for the summer or in damp bags of potting soil.”

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Home Sweet “Heart Home”

“Fewer Americans are relocating these days, which has its upside.

The Pew Research Center has released a new survey report: “American Mobility: Who Moves? Who Stays Put? Where’s Home?” The report spotted an interesting trend: Only 13 percent of the population changed residences in 2006 and 2007, the lowest figure since the 1940s.”

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Creating Quality Time With Your Kids

“This morning I glanced at my schedule for the coming weekend. Four baseball games and two birthday parties dominate the landscape, along with a list of household chores and errands longer than any one man should have to face. And these are supposed to be my days off!

The Bible says that children are a reward from the Lord, and blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them (Psalm 127:4-5a). I have certainly found that to be true. But I’ve also found that the fuller my quiver gets (I’ve got five beautiful arrows), the harder it is to find the time to give each child the attention they need and deserve.”

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Three New Year's Resolutions … to Keep

“The year is at an end, so it's time to reflect and reminisce about 2008.”

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Clear the Clutter and “Stuff” in Your Life!

“Still not ready to make your later-life move? If so, there is still lots you can do in preparation for the day you are ready to move on from your current home.”

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Shot of the Day for January 5, 2009

Misty Tree

By Flickr Member Jim Barter

Posts for Sunday, Jan. 4 by Mary Beth

Take a moment to breathe deeply, then jump into the Good News for today!

Obama leaves Chicago, arrives in D.C.

"Like many Americans, Barack Obama spent today getting things organized so he could head back to work after an extended holiday vacation.

But the president-elect's departure from Chicago's Midway Airport for a flight to Andrews Air Force Base brought with it some emotion, as he left behind an empty home and the city most associated with his historic political rise."

Read more about the President-elect's journey here.

10 steps to a better family budget: Chart your family's finances

"2009 marks an ideal time to take hold of your finances and create a family budget that gives you fiscal peace and a clear list of spending and saving goals for the months ahead."

Check out the steps to taking control of your finances.

A Devotion from the Road of Life

"My mother has become something of an escape artist, in spite of our best efforts. She has fallen several times while trying to get out of bed during the night. My sister and I have tried any number of ways to keep her safe."

Click the title to read The Escape Artist, a devotion, one of a series. To read earlier entries in the series, click here.

Young library scofflaws may work off fines – by reading

A creative solution comes from Yolo County, CA librarians. Click here to read about it.

Twilight of the color photo?

"One hundred years ago, one of Paris's richest men had a quixotic dream. Returning from a personal trip to China and Japan, the banker Albert Kahn decided to build a huge visual archive of the planet. Kahn believed that mutual misunderstanding was the source of world conflict, so in 1909, he began funding scores of photographers as they set out across five continents."

Read more about this ambitious project and its impact here.

Here's hoping your day is a good news day!

Shot of the Day January 4, 2009

Make a Splash

Copyright All rights reserved by some_odd_girl

Stories Mary Beth found on Jan. 3

Let's start with a good news story where YOU can be a part of the good news!

World Vision Calls for AIDS caregiver supplies

More than 65,000 caregivers worldwide volunteer their time with World Vision to help those who have AIDS. Critical supplies they depend on to prolong lives and relieve suffering are running low. Learn how you can help meet the need in five easy steps.

Jolting Your Faith Awake: 'A Faith and Culture Devotional'

The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things.” I trust that many of us are committing to make the spiritual disciplines of prayer and time in the Word a priority for 2009.

Read more about what Chuck Colson has to say on the subject of a spiritual training resource.

Restored Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts to reopen in one week

Hurricane Katrina closed the doors but two of New Orleans' flagship arts groups -- the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Orleans Ballet Association -- will celebrate the reopening of the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts a week from tonight, on Jan. 10, by fillings its stage with superstars from the world of dance and music.

Read more about renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman and the other artists who will help in the celebration.

Have you seen Elvis?

We are coming up on the birth anniversary of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll. You'll be seeing television specials and magazine articles and likely hearing Elvis music on the radio. But if you want to know how they celebrate at Graceland, click here.

Next year's model?

Think your baby should be on a magazine cover? So does everyone else. Check out the baby modeling scene here.

Will Smith voted top moneymaking star of 2008 in Quigley annual poll of exhibitors

No name on the marquee was more pleasing to theater owners in 2008 than Will Smith, according to a survey of movie exhibitors. Smith, star of "Hancock" and "Seven Pounds," was voted the star who generated the most box office revenue for theaters in an annual survey by Quigley Publishing Co.

Since 1932, the Quigley poll has sought the top ten names in marquee value each year. Read more about its star-studded history right here.

Have a blessed day filled with good news!

Good News From Margaret 01/03/09

Some Forecasters See a Fast Economic Recovery

"Economics as the dismal science? Not in some quarters.

In the midst of the deepest recession in the experience of most Americans, many professional forecasters are optimistically heading into the new year declaring that the worst may soon be over."

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7 Ways to Save in 2009

"Reducing monthly expenses and saving more money is the must-make resolution for 2009."

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Women Warned: Eat Less or Weigh More

"Women who don't try to eat less more than double their risk of substantial weight gain in middle age, a three-year study shows.
If you're a 40-something woman, it doesn't matter whether you're thin or overweight -- odds are, you'll gain weight over time if you don't make an effort to cut back on what you eat."

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