February is for many things, and BBR has a dumpster for February messes.

This is the time of year when homeowners start getting restless. The winter is feeling too long and any break in the weather is a motivating factor to break free from the cabin fever. Home improvement projects slated for spring might get started sooner when the sun shines and the mercury rises above 45 degrees. Order a rental dumpster before you start tearing out or cleaning out. This means the mess goes directly from the jobsite to the box to the landfill.

Special days to celebrate this February

Valentine’s Day – Celebrated on February 14th, this day is named after Saint Valentine, a Catholic priest who lived in Rome in the 3rd century. If you need a Valentine’s gift idea, click on this link.

Presidents’ Day – This holiday is also known as Washington’s Birthday, this is a federal holiday that falls on Monday, February 17, 2025. This date is also Random Acts of Kindness Day. See below for a list of suggestions to show kindness to others, spreading good vibes throughout your community.

National Freedom Day – Celebrated on February 1st, 1865, this day commemorates the signing of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which outlawed slavery in the United States. 

Groundhog Day – A popular holiday celebrated on February 2nd. This year, the large rodent predicted six more weeks of winter. However, people wanting an early spring should take comfort in knowing the furry hibernators are only 40 percent accurate.

Take care of your heart and show kindness this month and beyond

American Heart Month is a great time to start taking care of the most important organ in your body. The best changes to make include exercise – 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week — and eating healthy foods. Best exercises include brisk walking, running, cycling, swimming and jumping rope. The best foods to include in your diet are fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads and pastas, lean meats and fish, nuts, seeds, low-fat dairy products like milk and yogurt.

While you’re getting physically healthier, you can celebrate others with random acts of kinds. Some ideas of spreading goodwill in your community (February 17th is Random Acts of Kindness Day) include:

• Give a compliment or hold a door open for a stranger
• Buy a meal for someone in need
• Write a note of appreciation to a neighbor, co-worker or civil servant
• Donate blood
• Volunteer at a local soup kitchen, pet shelter or other charity.

If you need other suggestions, click here for 100 random acts of kindness ideas.