~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
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I'll be honest with you — January isn't my best month. Every year towards the end of January I wake up tired with that tiredness that seems like a revelation in the tiredness annals. I just don't care anymore. I'm too cold, too tired, too numb to move or clean or cook or anything. It could be depression except that I'm too tired to figure it out. And too cold.
I'm proud of myself for remembering that I feel this way every January. I try to be a bit patient with myself, take my Vitamin D, and do a bit more than I want to, which ends up being truly just the most minuscule amount of effort that it barely registers as being alive. I can make cookies, pretty much. And eat them.
Today's post will demonstrate the importance of recording the very very teensy little bit you did in January, lest people think you expired altogether. {pretty, happy, funny, real} as a documentation of the few embers of life left. By this post, you will know I am breathing.
However, as you know, I never complain. So, onward.
{pretty}
Deirdre sent me pictures of darling Finnabee wearing the hat I made her for Christmas. It's the same hat I have made before — very quick and easy, and so cute, especially on an adorable model like this one! (I didn't make it in January, for the record.) I want you to note that her orange gown was worn by Deirdre — and I think some of the older kids as well — when she was a baby! I think it is! I forgot to ask Deirdre when she sent these pictures. But also, note the sunshine. It was too cold for Deirdre to take the baby out for pictures, but that sunshine sure is wonderful!
{happy}
It felt good (well, it felt good afterwards) to drag my sorry self around, folding laundry, straightening up my kitchen towels (and retiring some of them), and in general trying not to succumb to vapors on the sofa. With cookies.
Most of all, I was super duper proud of myself for conquering the sad old tired old dried out fire-hazard of a Christmas tree. (I did not do this alone. Bridget helped and so did the Chief. They are good.)
This is a happy picture of a living room with the Christmas tree gone. Even though, let's remember, the Feast of the Presentation is Sunday — Candlemas. We will keep Christmas in our hearts but not, perhaps, in our living rooms, lest a conflagration occur.
{real}
It's not all in my head. The other night, it just seemed really, really cold. Even in the den, which when you shut the door is like an oven.
I went in there and thought in that vague, subconscious way, “not an oven in here. Hm.”
Later, as I sat wrapped in approximately all the quilts, the thought bubbled up from my subconscious to what was left of my conscious. “It's cold.” “The furnace isn't working.” “NOOOOOOO….”
Sure enough. And you know what goes through your mind. KA-CHING. $$$$$. ???? <shiver shiver shiver>
But the trusty oil guy came (I overheard the Chief saying, “Sure, we have wood stoves, we should be fine…” and I hauled myself out from under my quilts and was very firmly assuring him that no, it was not going to be fine, please tell him to come! Even though it was late.) He was very cheerful and best of all, the problem was just the thermostat! Hooray!!!
But now it looks like this, where the old one used to be:
And we all know how fast that is going to get attended to, what with it being January and all.
{funny}
When Bridget decides it might be time to go for a walk with Roxie, she sometimes consults me about it. Often, Roxie is sound asleep way far away in the house — upstairs probably. Yet, that dog hears what she's saying… and apparates.
Bridget will say, “Mom, should I t-a-k-e the d-o-g for a w-a-l-k?” And BOOM. Roxie is there.
She will say, “Is this a good time for an alk-way?” BOOM.
She will just think about going for a you-know-what and this is the look she gets:
We are going OUT. You know the pitch of the word,
Probing the tone of thought as it comes through fog
And reaches by devious means (half-smelt, half-heard)
The four-legged brain of a walk-ecstatic dog.
~ From “Dog” by Saki — not so much a poem as a scientific observation.
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Kathy@9peas says
Just left a long comment and then hit the wrong button…I hate that, but I’m too cold to type the whole thing out again via my phone. The hat, Finnabee, the furnace…I loved this P,H,F,R.
Mrs. B. says
Very tasty recipe in your PHFR, Kathy – thank you for sharing! I guess it can even become a good quiche filling, too, in case of no puff pastry at hand.
Kerith Gaines says
I was counting down the days til spring, but somehow lost count after only a few days. I believe we are in the mid 40’s. I typically loathe the warmer months (having moved to SC from AZ) but this year, my pregnant bones are aching for some sunshine & warmth.
The hat is adorable!!
Lisa Rose says
Oh this made my day! It is so cold in this old house anywhere but right next to the wood stove that it is hard to really get anything done (except bake – I hear you on that! ). Fortunately, I don’t get that tiredness in this weather, that’s me all over when it’s hot & humid out; makes me dread the dog days of summer when just dragging a salad together for dinner feels monumental. I’ll take winter , even if it does mean wearing a hat indoors and so many layers I look like a marshmallow. Marshmallows…think I’ll make some cocoa to go with those cookies…
PS I’ve been trying to learn to knit. I call it “catch and release knitting” because I just keep trying to knit the same bit of yarn over and over with nothing to show for it at the end. Your little hat is gorgeous..
Mrs. B. says
“Catch & release knitting” is a truly funny expression! That would likely be my style, too, if I ever tried knitting – I have such un-talented hands for things like that!
Hope says
Gorgeous hat! Inspires me to want to try my hand at knitting. Glad I’m not the only one who feels that way about January. I’m not sad so I wouldn’t say it is depression. Such a relief when we get a gloriously sunny day and mildly warm and then I feel like accomplishing something!
Leane says
Thank you for all your funny and informative posts! I enjoy reading them!
Anitra says
I know how you feel, Leila! Especially since we have birthdays in the middle of January – once we get past those (yes, including my own), I am just worn out and ready for spring. Even worse this year since I’m 5 months pregnant… I am just SO. TIRED. all the time! At least I’m starting to get the energy back to actually cook for my family – a big improvement from the last few months.
Claire says
You did it again. Made me laugh out loud several times. You are a treasure, brilliant and hilarius!
Mrs. B. says
This January I’ve had a baby – so there’s that for my own accomplishments. It’s my first cold-weather baby, so all I do is sleep and nurse, never even dreaming of going out or doing more than that. It’s a cold, cold January… Knowing more or less where Deirdre lives, that sunshine is probably a -10F wind chill kind of sunshine – or worse! So it’s good to see her baby surrounded by warm colors!
Because of the baby and of the January blues, we’ve been slow at putting Christmas decorations away this year. The tree went out yesterday – the living room looks so severe now, but somehow it holds the promise of spring. By the way, Leila, do you remember when you said that accidents like major spills are often the spur you need to deep clean something? Well, every year taking the tree out is what makes me deep clean our living room – needles everywhere!!
I wish the Church restored the old calendar for the Novus Ordo Mass, too – it’s unfair to have such long Lent after such a short Christmas cycle 😉
April L says
It’s March that’s the worst for me. January is cold and dreary, but I expect it to be. February, still cold, but there’s all the chocolate (plus it’s our anniversary). March? By the time March rolls around, I am sick of the cold and the wet and the gray, and cannot tolerate another minute of it. And March is cruel! March gives me a warm-ish sunny day here and there, and just when I think we might finally be done with winter, it comes right back.
I hate March.
Cecilia says
Just Love your dog. The fire looks so warm. Sadly every house we end up buying has had a gas fireplace which we never use. One day we will have the house with our wood burning place. The baby is just so squeezable! Have a Blessed day!
Diane says
The only thing prettier than that hat is Finnabee herself.
January is the time-of-in-between. All the fuss of the holidays is over (officially, now that the tree is down), but it is much too soon to start the planning and prep work for spring – the garden plans, starting seeds indoors, figuring out if any outdoor stuff needs replacing. All that can wait until February (or March here in Wisconsin, where winter likes to dance with spring, all turn and turn about until winter finally lets spring lead for good).
Think of it as a dormancy period – not much going on, but resources being marshaled for later.
At least that’s what I tell myself while binging on PBS shows and double chocolate brownies.
Susan says
What is is about January that can be so difficult to “get through?” My mind reels through the list of virtues, an attempt at cheerfulness, at finding a thimble full of motivation to do something more constructive than homeschool and put food on the table. I find myself pining for Spring and laboriously marking the days off the the calendar until I can turn it to a more merciful February….only 28 days of cold and dark. You are right, though, we must be patient with ourselves, but I’m comforted to know I’m not the only one who feels this way!
Margo, Thrift at Home says
I can terribly down in January, too. I force myself to sew, which helps. I walk the kids to school and sun on my face, the fresh (COLD, ugh) air, and the exercise does me good, too.
I think you should find a poem you love that mentions heat or winter or some other funny aspect of heating and print it out on pretty paper and stick it right next to your new thermostat on that ugly spot. That’s what I would do. Maybe 10 years later you will remember to take it off and patch the spot. Ha.
Anastasia says
I love this post. Thank you for sharing your doldrums, even if you never complain. Also, you have AWESOME readers and commenters. You all are wonderful. I feel like a wallflower just hoping to be a little part of this warm friendly party in the “cold” (for this Californian read “dry”) of January.
Lucy says
My best recommendation for January cold is heat lamps. I have 2 – 250W (130V) and the combined 500W after an hour of basking (the bright light is very nice too) will warm me thoroughly in a way blankets simply don’t, long enough to then get ready for bed in a cold room without shivering. 🙂
Claire Michelle says
Yay, Auntie Leila! You can make it! Glad to read you are taking Vit D. Please forgive a concerned ” niece” for asking whether you have had your thyroid checked.
Claire Michelle says
I live in Northern Indiana, so I understand someone about cold! but there is no sluggish, bone-deep cold like you feel with untreated hypothyroid.
Kate says
I’m feeling pretty “blah” myself this month and I live in CA (in the mountains, not on the sunny, warm coast). It has been so, so very dry here. This time of year in CA everything should be greening up and the wild grasses growing on the hillsides. It’s so ugly brown. Fire season is going to be dreadful! Our bishops have asked everyone to pray for rain and it’s even mentioned in the Sunday mass intentions. I wish you people east of the Mississippi could send some precipitation this way. You are being excessively greedy this year, I’d say. Maybe if you stand on the tallest hill, facing west with your arms directed towards us and wish REALLY hard and thought nice thoughts about Jerry Brown?
sarah marie says
That hat is just too sweet, and the perfect remedy for any pride I may have felt in recently finishing knitting myself an {oh-so-simple beginner’s} scarf.
I can empathize with all your feelings of January dreariness, and doing a post on my small accomplishments despite the cold weather was just the thing! We’re in Massachusetts too, and I’m six+ months pregnant with a busy toddler to keep up with, and ohhhh the cold. I do look forward to warmer days ahead, when we can get out of the house more easily!
Lindsey says
This is EXACTLY how I feel about January, even though I live in Texas so I have no excuse. So glad it’s almost over for another year!
Aubri says
I used to be a January hater too, but I think it’s growing on me. Thought I’d share an excerpt from a new favorite book I just read my babies:
“And what could be warmer than a sunny summer’s day?”
“Winter,” said Rabbit. “I like it better when it’s warm in winter.”
“Ha!” Badger laughed. “How can it ever be warm in winter?”
“Wait and see.” said Rabbit.
Badger watched Rabbit set up the checkerboard. She took a sip of the soup Rabbit had made for her. She snuggled deep in the nightie Rabbit had given her. Then she looked out the window at the falling snow.
“You know Rabbit,” said Badger, “being here with you makes me feel…” Badger stopped.
“Feel what?” said Rabbit.
Badger smiled. “Warm,” she said. “Warm in winter.”
From Warm In Winter by Erica Silverman.
I don’t think there is anything so warm as the warm you can be in winter…WHEN YOUR FURNACE WORKS! 🙂
Catie H says
This post is so [i]real[/i]. Thank you. I needed it this late January day when it is colddd and the sun is setting at 4:45.
<3, Catie
briana says
I call it going to ground. I do it every year, and it’s hard to even post on the blog. It is sheer force of will that gets anything done this time of year.
I have been wearing three layers of clothes since…I forget when they went on. 24 degrees out feels like a heat wave.
I SO know what you mean.
Taking extra D is good, true, and I do, but still. Quilts and food, that’s about it.
I think all children’s extra curricula activities should be cancelled January and February. No one wants to go out at 9 pm and pick anyone up from anything. 🙁
I should have been a groundhog. Or Ratty. Or a Hobbit.
CarlynB says
Briana, I think I should have been a Badger.
I have a dear friend spending the year in Russia who just informed us that it was -22 degrees, with 30mph sustained winds, where she is living with her family. I am officially NOT complaining about our unusually cold winter here (in Mississippi) anymore.
Mrs. Pickles says
Ahahaha! Auntie Leila, you are in fine form today.
Our dog (a Labrador retriever mixed with something that had a beard) used to get Very Interested when we said the magic word “time.” He learned fairly quickly that “time” was often followed by the even more magical and fascinating words “go” and “walk.” Sometimes to be mean we would ask him if it were Time to Go for a Bath. And then he would give us a hurt look.
Ellie says
Thanks for being honest about the January struggles! I feel so lethargic.. I’m glad someone else only wants to make cookies and eat them on the sofa. Have a sore throat and headache and trying to pretend I don’t. Baby no. 2 due any day now and I’m worried I won’t have the energy for labour. 🙁
Woman of the House says
Loved Finnabee’s hat! So adorable. The baby is pretty sweet, too. 😉
So sorry about your furnace. I hope it’s working now and you are staying warm and cheerful. 🙂 February is the hardest month for me, but I have a little plan to stay cheered up. I hope it works. 🙂
Elisa says
Leila, would you share how you managed this in the past when you had to take care of little children at home? I do feel the same way and it’s even harder when you HAVE to keep the usual schedule, nurse, etc… Congratulations for the book!