Keeping it light this weekend:

More studies on happiness: Find out what your Facebook photo says about you and your friends here.

Favorite headline of the week: “Not Tonight, Honey, I’ve Got the Internet”.

Upload a photo of your Christmas tree to World Christmas Tree: for each picture uploaded they’ll raise enough to save a square foot of rainforest through the World Land Trust. And then check out other trees throughout the world! via Non-Toxic Kids.

Probably only of interest to Phillies fans: FCC received 26 complaints about Chase Utley dropping the F- bomb during the World Series victory parade. Really? Only 26? I’m surprised. Even my husband, who loooooves Chase Utley (asking me nearly every game if I don’t think “that Chase Utley is a handsome devil”), booed self-righteously when that happened.

I mean, c’mon. Kids all over the freaking place who’ve been waiting for hours to see you. Chase’s excuse?

“I tell all kids not to use that word. If they’re 29 and they win the World Series, I think they can say that. But I definitely would say to all the kids out there, ‘Kids, it’s a bad word. Don’t say it. And I’m dead serious.’ “

Anyway, the FCC is taking the heat on this one because they didn’t have a delay set up to keep the word off the air, but what about all the kids in the stadium? Booooooo. Chase Utley, grow up. Show some class. Cursing is the descriptive language of the uneducated and the unimaginative.

A mother explores the motivation behind her passionate Twilight addiction: Yes, I read them too. And I hated myself even as I was doing it.

Some schools are dropping their “gifted” programs: Not the programs themselves, but the elitist labelling. As a formerly “gifted” kid, I say amen to that. The less labels the better. Maybe this will lead to more emphasis on motivation, effort, and achievement? You know, the qualities that are useful in life?

Snoring burns calories: Ahhh, this is why my husband and I are the same weight. (Also, I am ALL MUSCLE.)

I like this idea: To avoid an American depression, every citizen is offered a 30 year mortgage at 1.5%. Not going to happen, but a girl can dream.

Walrus rocks out on the saxophone: (email subscribers please click through to view, it’s totally worth it):

CheapHealthyGood offers up a comprehensive list of 37 food charities, from global to national to local.

Please, please, please, if you haven’t already, consider making a donation this holiday.

Off to festivities!

Have a good weekend! Be merry!!

Lots of interesting studies to read about this week!

First, I learned that happy people watch less TV (via the Abundance Blog at Marelisa Online).

Then, I learned via Eco Child’s Play that a significant link has been demonstrated between media exposure and childhood obesity; tobacco, alcohol, and drug use; low academic achievement; and sexual behavior. (Full report here.)

Studies show that children who play, and especially play outside, laugh more; up to 20 times more!

Studies also show that happiness is contagious, traveling through three degrees of separation and lasting up to a year!

So, no excuses! Science has spoken!

Everybody turn off your TV. Grab those kids. Go outside; play, laugh.

It will make you happier, which will make your spouse happier, which will make your kids happier! Isn’t that what we all want during the holidays, a house full of happy people?

A reminder: If you shop, shop local.

Remember, now more than ever, you vote with your dollar! Who do you support? Who deserves to be left standing when we find ourselves on the other side of this financial mess?

Not freaking Walmart, that’s for sure.

Check out this great list of Best Christmas Gifts for a Blogger.

Only thing missing, I think, is an awesome desk chair that doesn’t make your butt go numb. Maybe this one:

Fellow bloggers, what other bloggy gifts are on your wish list?

Finally, a bit of beautiful inspiration, via the Huffington Post:

I am away this weekend so I have scheduled some gift idea posts; next week I’ll be offering up homemade and handmade projects.

Have a great Saturday and Sunday and go outside!