It's only mid-January and already I am exhausted from the winter! Can it really be that we have about eight more weeks left of this? Honestly, this January has been the worst; cold, snow, people having all kinds of viruses and colds!

When the weather is like this, everything goes on hold. My Mother attends the Marge Crispin Social Daycare on Pond Street, and they had to cancel one day because the door locks got so frozen that the staff (bless them) couldn't get in. They all showed up for work on a terrible day and then Mother Nature threw them another curve ball!

I dislike it when things can't go off as planned for organizations, businesses, schools, doctors visits and clubs. It's hard enough for people to come together given everybody's frantic schedules and then to be pre-empted by the weather.

The other day, I needed to return something to the mall, so I went on yet another snowy, slushy terrible trip. I couldn't believe how empty the place was. It almost echoed! The store staffs were all there, seemingly in good moods, just chatting with each other and restocking shelves leisurely. It's sad, because enough of these bad weather days can make-or-break businesses! Sure, the hardware stores are doing a clipping business, as are the oil delivery companies, but we need to consider the economy as a whole.

In January, the vacancies that result bring to mind other real vacancies that have occurred. I notice that Marcus and Company has vacated its space at 920 Washington St. We probably all noticed the big "50% OFF EVERYTHING" that was on the window all through December. As soon as I saw that I thought, "Oh no, that means they're going out..." I hope they have just changed locations, but if they did go out due to the economy and lack of community support, then that is a real shame.

I also notice that McGrath Studios has vacated its Elm Street space. Perhaps having entered into the digital age of photography, they can now do all business through their website. Still, it's disturbing to see even more vacancies in Braintree.

On the plus side, I've seen some new businesses open recently. The Mane Connection hair salon has just opened up on the corner of Elm and Washington. Also, a new cat grooming salon and "hotel," Feline Fancy Hotel and Spa (my review of it will be in next week's column) has come on the scene, over at 89 Pearl St. Her opening day was on Jan. 17.

If you peruse the coupon section of publications like The Braintree Advertiser, you'll also notice some great deals in town. Both Glow Salon and The Snippery have awesome deals (the Snippery has a $45 price for new customers for single-process color, cut and blow-dry!). The Good Energy Holistic Wellness Yoga Studio is offering a "Creative Being Circle" on Jan. 21 from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. with a cost of "donations welcome" listed. These small businesses are really reaching out to our community and await your response!

So if you attend yoga or get your hair done outside of Braintree, you might want to consider visiting a local establishment! Have you eaten at all the Braintree restaurants? Try some. Challenge yourself to visit five new establishments this weekend! You may just: 

1. Save money

2. Enhance your wellness 

3. Make new friends

4. Get out of a rut! (visit our Braintree Patch directory for some ideas)

In the bleakness of midwinter, when the surrounding landscape makes you want to roll up in a ball and hide, or write bad, sad poetry; why not make the effort to learn about your community and try some new local venues for service offerings, food or entertainment? You don't have to venture far from home to add something new to your life!