January, new month, new year, new start! My kind of deal with one exception, the weather. After living in the Midwest my entire life, it’s reasonable to assume I’ve made peace with winter. I haven’t. But one of my annual resolutions is to maintain a positive attitude and quit grumbling about what does or doesn’t fall from the sky. Some years I do better with these character-building resolves than others. This year, I’ve picked up the pace. Like it or hate it, winter is the price we pay for the perks we enjoy such as lower cost of living, less traffic, and a greater sense of grassroots and familiarity in our neighborhoods. Healthy eating, healthy living are repeat resolutions. Having made some strides in the fight against fat, I hope to continue seeing less of me. It’s a slow process and exercise is never going to be my pastime of choice, but 45 to 60 minutes of time each day is a small price for improved health.

And then there’s organization, another January 1st resolution repeat.Yes, considerable progress is ongoing, but I’ve yet to master the less is more philosophy. Just before Christmas, I detail my “after the holidays plan” to my husband. He’s heard the story before, which might account for his glazed expression. Instead of encouraging me in my search for Organizational Nirvana, he tells me I have more papers in my possession than some small businesses. I am annoyed.

I remind him how I’ve shared the best years of my life with him, and so what if they came with a paper trail. It’s kept us from getting bored. Every day’s an adventure of remembering, “Now where did I put that?” Or “Have you seen?” followed by multiple choices. This year will be different. If I depart this earth suddenly, I don’t want to be embarrassed at my mess left behind nor do I wish to burden my loved ones with my stuff. They’ll just snicker and speculate about why I kept certain things. But if it’s organized, read neatly filed and labeled, they’ll be intrigued and exceedingly busy trying to determine the importance of my papers.

Contrary to the advice of the organizational gurus who say purge, then purchase, I’ve already secured storage tubs, file folders, filing cabinets, fancy folders, paper clips, rubber bands, and etc. I am good to go!

So when my friends and neighbors, who did not resolve to remain positive no matter how high the snow drifts, are suffering from cabin fever and the like, I will be busy categorizing, and reducing the stacks of paper, much to the surprise and pleasure of hubby dear and our children three.

If my life expectancy takes a fast turn for the worse, I’ll be prepared. If life continues as planned, I’ll be organized and able to produce documentation for the simplest query. The challenge is getting started and staying focused. I’m easily distracted, which might explain why I’m confronted with this paper back up in the first place.

Downsizing is my challenge and goal for ‘08. Fewer papers, less of me, cleaned off horizontal surfaces, and hopefully less winter weather. The last one is not within my realm of authority but the first three I can accomplish. To a Happy, Tidy New Year!

Troop 11 Boy Scouts had their annual Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner with a Court of Honor. All Scouts present were recognized with either a Merit Badge and/or Rank Advancement. The troop was asked again this year to set the luminaries for the Residents Association Christmas Party but due to inclement weather they were not able to do so. Andrew and Thomas Gestrine are the two newest members to the troop. The Troop thanks all who purchased Christmas wreaths or holiday butter breads from them. Cub Scout Pack 11 2nd year Webelos rebuilt the Cub Scout Christmas float that has been a West Peoria tradition for many years. The float was destroyed during the December 1, 2006 snow storm when the township building collapsed on it. Thank you to the following boys and their adult leaders: Jim Hoerdeman, Joseph Zilkowski, Nate Taylor, Michael Garayalde, Frank Drew, Merritt Stott, Mathew Mooty, Tyler Mayer, Ryan Casey, Michael Shanahan, Mr. Jeff Hoerdeman and Mr. Bruce Zilkowski. Thanks to the West Peoria Fire Department for escorting the float again this year. I am sure that many of you enjoyed having the float travel your neighborhoods. I know that when I hear it, I turn on my porch light to let the scouts know that I enjoy their tradition.

NEW at Franciscan Recreation Complex: Winter Walkers! Come walk in a heated gym this January, February and March. Walkers are welcome Monday through Friday, 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. This is a free service!

The Code Enforcement Office would like to remind residents they are responsible for cleaning and maintaining their alleyways and disposing of all garbage and debris. The Code Enforcement Officer will send out violations and fines to all who fail to comply with city ordinances in a timely fashion. Most fines start at $50.00; legal action will be taken against violators who fail to pay the fine.

With winter here, the City would like to remind all residents in the case of snow storms, the snow removal policy is CURB-TO-CURB PLOWING, as there is a need to clear streets so that Fire & Rescue vehicles can travel safely, and for the availability of on-street parking. Priorities are to ensure that Swords hill and the main thoroughfares in the community are cleared for emergency vehicles. Emergency snow routes in West Peoria are: Heading, Rohmann, Ayres, Callender, and Waverly Avenues. As those routes are cleared, the City will focus attention on clearing secondary routes and side streets. Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding. When a snow fall is imminent, you can help the City by parking your vehicles in your garage or driveway, and by shoveling the sidewalks in front of your residence. Please assist by shoveling out fire hydrants wherever you may see them.

The City of West Peoria has an interest in pursuing a beautiful, clean and safe community. Community leaders continually strive to make West Peoria a better place to live and hope this is a goal shared by all community members. Thus, an initiative to improve the quality of life for residents has begun by focusing on one target area at a time. The code enforcement officer, community police officer and animal control specialist will be inspecting your neighborhood in the future. This team will survey the neighborhood, provide resources, issue violations if they deem necessary, and will be available to answer any questions. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact West Peoria City Hall at 309.674.1993.

The Jamboree Race is back and we want YOU! In order to give the race a running start, volunteers are needed to help coordinate and organize the event. If you would like to be a part of next year’s success, please contact Krystiana Bronny at 309.674-1993.

The City of West Peoria and the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation are working together to create an exercise program for West Peoria residents. This program will use gentle activities to help increase joint flexibility and range of motion, to maintain muscle strength, and to reduce pain and fatigue. The Arthritis Foundation will provide training for anybody interested in leading this exercise program. For those interested in helping initiate this program, leading the exercise classes or becoming a participant, please contact Krystiana Bronny at West Peoria City Hall 674-1993 or Heidi Koll at the Arthritis Foundation 682-6600.

You can help make a difference in your community! West Peoria’s Americorps VISTA, Krystiana Bronny, is starting a volunteer program to assist the elderly, disabled or otherwise incapacitated. This program would help the elderly and disabled with outdoor tasks they may find difficult or impossible. Volunteers will be needed on a minimal basis to perform services such as raking leaves or shoveling driveways. If you would like assistance from this program or to volunteer for this program, please call Krystiana Bronny at (309).674.1993. Your minimal commitment can have a huge impact.

The West Peoria Neighborhood Watch will next meet on January 17, 2008 at 6:00 and in City Hall. The first meeting of 2008 for the West Peoria Residents Association will follow at 6:30. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

2008 dues remain $10/individual and $18/families for the West Peoria Garden Club. If you are interested in joining please mail a check to Pat Sharp, 609 N Swords Ave, West Peoria, IL 61604. Plans for 2008 include building containers, learning about raised bed gardening and touring local gardens.

The West Peoria Lions Club has a recycling program for a variety of different items that are greatly needed and include everything from used glasses, hearing aids, keys, ink cartridges, and cell phones.If you would like to donate any of these items to the West Peoria Lions Club, please contact Lion Jim at 673-6207.

I wish all of West Peoria a safe, healthy, successful and fun 2008. Let us continue working together for the betterment of our community.

I am almost ashamed to admit that I’ve had another “incident.” On Sunday, December 9, I fell on the ice left by that terrific ice storm, which most people had enough sense not to go out in. But not yours truly. I went out to walk Kaja, my dog, and was okay as long as I walked on the snow-covered grass, but eventually I had to go across the street. I was almost to the other side when down I went - first the tailbone- then the back and shoulders - and last my head, which felt like it bounced off the asphalt like a basketball. I don’t think I blacked out, but I stayed down a few minutes and Kaja continued to run around trying to ferret out a squirrel or rabbit. I eventually staggered home holding on to tombstones. Thank Goodness for those dead people who provided me with places to hold on to.I finally got home and called my son, Jason who went to the hospital emergency room with me. I hurt so badly that I was sure I had broken something. But after x-rays of my back and shoulders and a cat scan, I learned that I had a concussion but no broken bones. I had a headache for over a week, and my tailbone still hurts like the devil every time I take a step. I received instructions as I left the hospital instructing me to rest a lot and take it easy because the healing would last at least a week - longer if I was older. Guess what - I’m older, and it’s taking a long time to heal. My son has been very helpful and concerned, and called me one day just this week and asked how I felt, and I told him I felt like I had been dragged through a knothole. He laughed and laughed and said he’d never heard that expression but thought it very descriptive.

If and when I write my autobiography, I certainly have lots of medical incidents to include. Actually I feel very lucky because it turned out that I had no serious injury, and in thinking about it, I realize how truly lucky I was. I had a warm home to go home to, insurance so that I could afford to go to the hospital and a loving son who was there and was most helpful. As I mention many times I am lucky to be here in this country with the freedoms I have, and if I’m dumb enough to go out on ice, I can still ask for help.

Christmas is fast approaching and although it is not one of my favorite holidays because of the people missing in my life, I have learned to treat it in such a way that it doesn’t get me down. I dwell much more on the good memories from my sons, grandson and husband. I shop on an ongoing basis, so I don’t have last minute shopping. I set limits on money, time and stress, so that I can usually handle things pretty well. I like to bake, and I do some of that. I like to buy gifts, and I do some of that. I like to be with family and I do some of that. ‘The some of that’ is what keeps me sane. I try to not go overboard and get crazy with spending, baking or shopping. I think I finally have it down to a manageable level, but it has not been easy to set those limits, and I do think that age has much to do with it. Many things that used to seem vital just lessen in importance as we grow older. I like to think I’ve reached the wise woman stage of life.

Although I am fairly busy with water exercise classes and a part-time job with Home Instead Senior Care, I try to pace myself and enjoy the exercise and the opportunity to spend time with wonderful, older people. I spent some hours this afternoon with a senior at a Nursing Home, and she really helps me appreciate life and our past individual experiences. She is not able to read or get around very well anymore, but is so positive and gracious. I come home from her room feeling so good, because she is happy where she is, likes doing the things she can do, loves watching the birds outside her window, and enjoys my reading to her. She truly makes me feel guilty if I complain about anything. I love being with her and she makes my holiday season even brighter.

I did get to spend a block of time reading this month while I was in bed the first couple days after my fall. I finally got the last Harry Potter book read. It was titled Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I had pretty well kept up with my grandson, Kaid, in reading Rowling’s series, but somehow got behind on the last one. It was a monster - over 700 pages- and it took me those two days to read it. I have enjoyed all of these books, because as I said I truly think it is some of the best fantasy written for kids since Chronicles of Narnia. And for those who think there’s something sinister or evil in her books. I would say. “Lighten Up and don’t take yourself so seriously.”

I read a couple light novels to pass the time, but I don’t remember as much about them as a really in-depth look at something, someone or a relationship .The first one was Temperature Rising about a exotic, Pacific Island romance by Sandra Brown. The other was a book by the author who wrote Traveling Pants, Terry Brasheare, and was called The Last Summer of You and Me. actually was a well written story about growing up, and moving in to adult life. A good read. I’ve just gotten started on a book by Colleen McCullough who wrote The Thorn Birds. Titled Morgan’s Run it is a little slower reading because it’s a historical novel of English life around the time of The Revolution.

HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!

BE KIND TO YOURSELF!!

From most any angle, the good outweighed the bad way back when celluloid was our early form of plastics. Shucks! I can imagine it must have been a whole lot easier for parents to raise their ‘younguns’ back then. Inquisitive little eyes didn’t watch dirty dancing and disgusting bedroom scenes on T.V. There was no T.V. neither were little peepers exposed to smut while thumbing through magazines at the corner drugstore. No smut and very few magazines.

Grandparents were never tempted over telephone bills and long distant calls. They showed no concern about the possibility the phone would be tied up when most needed. They didn’t have that bothersome ringing device.

Are you always yelling at your family to turn out the lights when they leave a room? How nice it was when no one had electric bills. During my grandmother’s wonder years her family used coal oil lamps. When those lamps were cleaned and the wicks trimmed, man! You could easily see across the other side of the room with no trouble at all.

No one ever paid for water - they had their own water supply. There was no plugged up drains or septic tanks to pump. Grandma didn’t have to clean bathtub rings, shower stalls or shower curtains. No bowl cleaner or spray deodorant was ever use in the old outhouse. Not once did the bathroom fixtures get cleaned because there was no bathroom. Baths were taken in the creeks on in a washtub on the kitchen floor.

On washdays women didn’t have to sort their clothes according to various fabrics. The only fabric to be washed was “cotton.” No boxes of different brands of wash soap to choose from and the laundress used only one wash water temperature - hot. Simple? you ‘betcha.’

When the clothes on the line were blowing in the wind, those in charge didn’t have to “time” them to prevent wrinkling. They were all taken down at the same time and were sweet smelling without perfumed static sheets stinkin’ up the place.

Most of all I guess, is that parents didn’t have to worry about their kids getting into dope or alcohol. No one ever heard the names of all the junk kids ingest nowadays. These concoctions didn’t cause bodily harm or leave many transvestites sprawled on a county road with needle marks in their arms. Just think, in time some innocent person is gonna go back lookin’ up his or her roots and find one of these nuts that grew on their family tree.

People back then didn’t seem to die off young like they do now. Maybe it was due to the way they lived and ate. Back near Bear Wallow, Kentucky, where I came from, no one combed grey hair until they were about 60 years of age or so. As far as I know, experts never took time to investigate the phenomenon of their longevity.

We did eat a lot of side meat, turnip greens, cornpone fried up in ‘coon grease and stuff like that. I reckon that could have ‘counted’ for the way people flourished like they did.

On top of this, people weren’t crowded into a “sardine can” atmosphere, swapping each other’s germs. Today they bunch up in malls, over-crowed theaters, over-packed stores and squashed all hunkered - over at some rock concert. At these places they are floundering in used, untreated air discarded by the American consumer.

We had no such problems during my upbringing.’ What wonderful years to remember. Outside of life’s necessities, parents had little to worry about. Their kids were home at night and in bed by nine.

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a dream, but today, - today is very real. I try to live life to its fullest, knowing there is only so many tomorrows. But unlike the animals, I guess man has never learned that the sole purpose of life is to enjoy it.

We have all been inundated with the “stuff:” candies, cookies, fruitcake, eggnog and all those holiday opportunities to enjoy those culinary delights. The problem lies in that January 1 rounds the corner and our clothing appears to have shrunk over the holiday season. Then, enter the “diet season.” The resolution decisions to be more nutrition-focused, lose weight or to exercise abound in “water cooler conversations.” Then, what often happens is that “good intentions go awry,” resulting in frustration and additional caloric intake.

But, there is some good news. There is a light at the end of the weight control tunnel. Jananne Finck, Nutrition and Wellness Educator with University of Illinois Extension, provides some important thoughts as one makes those New Year’s resolutions.

Many weight loss programs and diets are found in magazines, newspaper and books. Diets are promoted through radio, television and even the Internet. But Jananne Finck, suggests caution when planning to start a new weight loss program or diet.

Fad diets that ignore the principles of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines may result in short term weight loss, but may do so at the risk of your health. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consuming a variety of nutrient-rich foods and beverages from the basic foods groups and meeting calorie needs by balancing food intake with activity.

Fad diets can usually be recognized by promises made by promoters. Beware if:

• Miraculous, fast results are promised.
• No time or effort is said to be required.
• Claims that calories don’t count are made.
• Eating a variety of foods is not stressed.
• Claims are made that diets either high or low in certain nutrients have special reducing powers.
• Certain foods have special powers to cause selective weight loss (for example, hips and thighs)

How you go about managing your weight has a lot to do with your long-term success. Unless your health is seriously at risk due to complications from being overweight or obese, gradual weight loss should be your rule-and your goal.

Bottom line, according to information from University of Missouri Extension, you have to use/burn 3500 calories to lose a pound of fat. Fast weight loss (more than one to two pounds per week) reflects water-not fat-loss. Best bet is to eat well and enjoy exercise daily.

Note, before beginning ANY weight loss program, talk with your physician first.

For more information about weight loss and weight management, visit the Partnership for Healthy Weight Management website at: www.consumer.gov/weightloss.

Here is a recipe that offers a healthy but tasty soup option to prepare this winter.:

Split Pea Soup

• 2 cups split peas
• 2 quarts water
• 1 cup sliced celery
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup diced potato
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp crushed oregano
• 1/2 tsp crushed basil
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 1 hour or until split peas are cooked. Remove bay leaf before serving. Makes about 8 servings.

Nutrient Analysis Per Serving: 204 calories, 13 grams protein, 38 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fat, 0 cholesterol, 247 milligrams sodium.

If you have other nutrition questions, call Marjorie LaFont, Nutrition and Wellness Educator, at the Peoria County Extension Office. The number is 685-3140 or
www.extension.uiuc.edu/peoria.

The following is the schedule for the Methodist Medical Center Mobile Mammography Van for the month of January 2008.

Unless otherwise listed, the van will be in these locations from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Methodist now features all digital mammography equipment providing improved, faster and more comfortable exams.

• January 4 -Methodist Atrium Building, 900 Main Street
• January 7- Methodist Medical Group at Chillicothe, 525 Sweetbriar
• January 12- Wal-Mart, 3315 N. University, Peoria (Saturday)
• January 17- Methodist at Mt. Hawley-Women’s Health, 7725 N. Knoxville
• January 26- Kroger Towne Center, 201 Main St., East Peoria (Saturday)

There is no need for a doctor’s order for a screening mammogram if you’re 40 or over.

Call for an appointment at 671-8282

The following are community health-screening opportunities from Methodist Medical Center during the month of January 2008.

PSA Screening for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for men. Screening consists of a blood draw and is recommended for men over the age of 40.

• Thursday, January 24, 2008
• Methodist at Southwest Jefferson-8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Cost is $25.00
• Appointments are required. Call 672-5904.

Free Cholesterol/blood pressure and spirometry screening

Screening takes approximately 30 minutes and includes total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and fasting blood glucose. Cholesterol screenings are done on a first come first serve basis.

• Saturday, January 5, 2008-Methodist Atrium 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.-900 Main St.
• Friday, January 11, 2008-Methodist at Morton-9: 00 a.m. to noon-1909 Morton Ave.
• Monday, January 14, 2008-Methodist at Metamora-8: 30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.-901 Walnut
• Thursday, January 24, 2008-Methodist at SW Jefferson 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.-2127 SW Jefferson.
• 12-hour fast preferred.

Ankle Brachial Index Screening

Screening takes about 30 minutes and is for peripheral arterial disease in the lower extremities. An abnormal result may indicate a risk for peripheral arterial disease and an increased risk of coronary artery disease. Screenings are done on first come, first serve basis.

• January 2- Methodist at Lacon-9: 00 a.m. to noon-1112 E Fifth
• January 29-Methodist Atrium Building-8: 00 a.m. to Noon-900 Main Street.

Stroke Screening

Screening takes approximately 30 minutes and includes stroke risk assessment, blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, and carotid vascular screening. Fasting is preferred. Cost is $40 per person. Appointments are required. Call 672-5904.

• January 16-Methodist at Farmington-9: 00 a.m. to noon-158 E. Fulton