We all have gotten attached to something that makes us sentimental.  That's fine when it's just a few things. When we become attached to an unmanageable amount of stuff, it's time to make some difficult choices to move it out of our space-I call redistribution of wealth.  If you have too many items that you have inherited from dearly departed and well loved family members, sorting these things out can be painful and emotional.  It can help if you have someone there to talk you through the sorting process. It maybe a suggestion to offer other family members some of these items to share your memories. A new generation to appreciate, use and cherish a family's history. This can be an opportunity to strengthen family ties by passing on a memory of someone dearly loved and missed.

Here's something my son did in the kitchen: sprayed the inside of a pantry door with blackboard paint. When we needed to add something to the shopping list, no one said: "where's the list!"  or "I thought you knew we needed ice cream."  Sheets of cork glued to the interior of a pantry door makes a great message center too. I have an entire hollow core door covered in cork board in my craft room for all my ideas and inspirations. It's like a Vision Board. It's light weight so it can be moved around easily. 

A great idea for those dark cabinets: install a push button battery operated light.

One only needs two tools in life:  WD-40 to make things go, and duct tape to make them stop.  ~G.M. Weilacher

From the book: The Art of Growing Up by Veronique Vienne == " As we grow older, there seems to be more and more work to do. Let this be an incentive to anticipate success. Nurture in yourself what Jane Austen described as 'that sanguine expectation of happiness which is happiness itself.'  Enjoy the endeavor, and good fortune will come as a result".

In light of the recent and ongoing tragedies in Japan, it is important to review steps we would take as individuals and community members to prepare our earthquake disaster supply kits.  Many of us have procrastinated in pulling these supplies together. Please take the time to do this. It can be a family project or even a neighborhood project. Below I have listed some basic items to get you started. These are things around the house that you can easily gather in one spot. The American Red Cross and FEMA are  good sources of information and I encourage you to go to their website for earthquake preparedness. Things you need to get started: 1. a large sturdy plastic container with a lid. 2. save used plastic bleach bottles to store drinking water. I little bit of bleach that is left in the bleach bottle will keep your water sterile. 3. a working flash light with extra batteries. 4. canned/dried food and something to cook on(camp stove) - don't forget a manual can opener. 5. shelter: you may have to live outside. Consider buying a tent. 6. basic tools: shovel, hammer, crescent wrench(to turn off the gas line if necessary)  7. First Aid Kit-this is a good family project. 8. Extra clothing and shoes. 9. Blankets. 10. cash money.  Take the first step and get your sturdy bin and watch how quickly you can fill it up. There are more complete lists available online and I encourage you to check them out.  Thanks for visiting.

Happy New Year! If you are like me, I don't make New Year's Resolutions anymore. It's just too depressing when I fall off the wagon. What I do now is make a list of things I would like to see happen within the year. No pressure-just some goals to work on. No use beating myself up. My goal for this year is to help more people in any way I can. A few weeks ago, I came across an elderly man who had fallen near the street as I was driving by. A family came by walking their dog and we all helped him find his way to his son's house nearby. He was so happy, he gave me a little kiss and a hug. So  let me help you with all the stuff you need to sort out. My Free Offer still stands and you don't have to give me a kiss or a hug. Just a chance to help you.

Because you know that: You must live your life in the manner that you would like your children to live theirs. That extraordinary people are most often ordinary people with extraordinary determination. That many important battles in life have to be fought more than once to be won. That you must train yourself not to see the world only through your eyes. That nothing is as stressful as trying to be a different person from who you are. That a pessimist is someone who complains about the noise when opportunity knocks. And that a simple "Thank You" goes a long way! 

With Halloween just a few days away, it's time to start thinking about Thanksgiving and family gatherings. If you need to make some room in your home for family and guests, let me help you tackle your clutter and make an inviting place for them to visit. For the months of November and December, I am offering 1 hour free of charge to assist you with what you need to organize. Enjoy this Holiday Season more with a clutter free space.  It's a free chance to try my service and with this economy- FREE IS GOOD!

No matter how far you have gone on a wrong road, turn back. Turkish proverb