My apologies for not having updated this in sometime. We had company through the holidays and prior to that celebrated our 3oth wedding anniversary. Also, I ran out of decorating ideas to talk about. Instead, I have taken more time for my writing. I had planned to attend the Mt. Herman Christian Writer's Conference in April this year, but found out that the person I wanted to room with was not going until next year.
I was at first disappointed but it has worked out for the good. I am working on two books and decided that I could take this year to make them more worthy. My Gifts for the Road book, about Jesus, Joseph and Mary’s trip to Egypt has been with various agents over the past year and I have had rejections…except for the agency that I removed it from. They were a do nothing agency. In the mean time, I decided to re-read the story and make some significant changes. I restarted the beginning of the book with a little more action, and I think it reads better. I also found a couple of errors that were missed in the beginning of sending the book out. I also changed the ending and improved on it.
My other book, which I wrote 10 years ago, but never really polished, I have completely re-written. I changed the time frame from 1798 England to 1931 California and had a great time doing it. I also needed to make the story twice as long – it was more of a novella. Hence, I have added a great deal to it. It is one of my favorite stories, and now I have a year to really polish it. ‘
I understand that attending a writer’s conference is almost a sure in to getting an agent’s attention, and that is the only reason I am planning to go….UNLESS…an agent accepts one of them before that. I do plan to send the Gifts for the Road book out to more agents. You never know, after all it is in God’s hands and he is in charge. That’s all for now..
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Monday, September 27, 2010
Small apartments & homes
Small Living Spaces
A friend of mine moved into a beautiful new two bedroom apartment recently. She wanted me to see it and asked how I could make it work for her. The living room is the size of a postage stamp; there’s a small eating area off the kitchen, but no large dining area. Additionally, there is no place to lounge, or generally be a slob, watch TV and put your face into a bowl of popcorn.
My friend likes things to be elegant and yet simple, but she needed to have a place for guests or family to sleep as well as where she could lounge without fear of someone coming to the door. I suggested for her living room, where people enter and see all, that she put two matching love seats in the middle of the room facing each other. We did this and put a long sofa table behind one of the love seats (both of them in a floral print so they won’t show spills and stains). On the sofa table we put a lamp, a green plant (philodendron) that doesn’t require a lot of sun, some coasters and a figurine from Ross’s. The figurine was of a porcelain girl with a basket of flowers on her arm: Ross has great accessories and they are usually a bargain.
We put a small oval (you don’t want sharp corners in small rooms) coffee table in between the love seats; and on the table we placed an artificial flower arrangement along with a decorative candle. We put a floor lamp in the corner by the sliding doors that led to the patio. Floor lamps give off great light when needed. Next to the lamp we put a 6’ tall artificial plant. A small table with a drawer, where she could drop her keys, went by the door (found this at the Salvation Army for $30.00). The love-seats we bought at a consignment store, two perfect ones about 5 ½’ long. The room is 14 x 12 feet.
Just a side note: leather sofas are really good for high traffic areas, so if you are not into floral, try a dark leather sofa, especially for a one bedroom place where the living room is the only place to lounge. Notice we did not put a TV in the living room, my friend doesn’t like to watch it when she has company so we put one in her bedroom and a small one in the 2nd bedroom. The love seats are small enough and if she has to set up a card table for extra dinner guests, she can move the love seats towards the wall or sliding door.
One wall in the living room allowed for a single bookcase, so we filled that up with books and some of her treasures she wanted displayed. In the dining area we used a round table. Round tables can seat a lot of people, and there are no sharp corners. We picked up a large picture from Salvations Army (they have great pictures sometimes) to hang in the dining area; the picture was of a waterfall with lots of foliage on either side. The high counter in the kitchen that separated it from the living room we kept cleared off except for one plant and a decorative candle.
In the master bedroom, she used an armoire, like those in hotel rooms, to put a TV in. This bedroom is large and also has space for a desk. In went her desk of dark wood with a matching file cabinet. Now she has a nice small office space under her bedroom window. In the 2nd bedroom, we bought a trundle bed from Craig’s List. It serves as a sofa when closed and two twin beds when opened. We lined the wall opposite the trundle bed with bookcases, including a shelf for the small TV and lots of other things that needed a shelf. Voila
I think the point of a small apartment or home like this is to keep down on the clutter. Practice regularly giving away to the Good Will or whom-ever, or throw out things you don’t use or need. They add to a home that reeks of disorder and muddle. Clean out paper and things on a weekly basis. I keep a large trash basket lined with 33 gallon garbage bag under the kitchen sink. Once a week before trash pick-up, I go through the house and empty everything into one bag. Of course, I keep the recyclables separate. If you have to live in a small space, don’t forget to pick up after yourself.
A friend of mine moved into a beautiful new two bedroom apartment recently. She wanted me to see it and asked how I could make it work for her. The living room is the size of a postage stamp; there’s a small eating area off the kitchen, but no large dining area. Additionally, there is no place to lounge, or generally be a slob, watch TV and put your face into a bowl of popcorn.
My friend likes things to be elegant and yet simple, but she needed to have a place for guests or family to sleep as well as where she could lounge without fear of someone coming to the door. I suggested for her living room, where people enter and see all, that she put two matching love seats in the middle of the room facing each other. We did this and put a long sofa table behind one of the love seats (both of them in a floral print so they won’t show spills and stains). On the sofa table we put a lamp, a green plant (philodendron) that doesn’t require a lot of sun, some coasters and a figurine from Ross’s. The figurine was of a porcelain girl with a basket of flowers on her arm: Ross has great accessories and they are usually a bargain.
We put a small oval (you don’t want sharp corners in small rooms) coffee table in between the love seats; and on the table we placed an artificial flower arrangement along with a decorative candle. We put a floor lamp in the corner by the sliding doors that led to the patio. Floor lamps give off great light when needed. Next to the lamp we put a 6’ tall artificial plant. A small table with a drawer, where she could drop her keys, went by the door (found this at the Salvation Army for $30.00). The love-seats we bought at a consignment store, two perfect ones about 5 ½’ long. The room is 14 x 12 feet.
Just a side note: leather sofas are really good for high traffic areas, so if you are not into floral, try a dark leather sofa, especially for a one bedroom place where the living room is the only place to lounge. Notice we did not put a TV in the living room, my friend doesn’t like to watch it when she has company so we put one in her bedroom and a small one in the 2nd bedroom. The love seats are small enough and if she has to set up a card table for extra dinner guests, she can move the love seats towards the wall or sliding door.
One wall in the living room allowed for a single bookcase, so we filled that up with books and some of her treasures she wanted displayed. In the dining area we used a round table. Round tables can seat a lot of people, and there are no sharp corners. We picked up a large picture from Salvations Army (they have great pictures sometimes) to hang in the dining area; the picture was of a waterfall with lots of foliage on either side. The high counter in the kitchen that separated it from the living room we kept cleared off except for one plant and a decorative candle.
In the master bedroom, she used an armoire, like those in hotel rooms, to put a TV in. This bedroom is large and also has space for a desk. In went her desk of dark wood with a matching file cabinet. Now she has a nice small office space under her bedroom window. In the 2nd bedroom, we bought a trundle bed from Craig’s List. It serves as a sofa when closed and two twin beds when opened. We lined the wall opposite the trundle bed with bookcases, including a shelf for the small TV and lots of other things that needed a shelf. Voila
I think the point of a small apartment or home like this is to keep down on the clutter. Practice regularly giving away to the Good Will or whom-ever, or throw out things you don’t use or need. They add to a home that reeks of disorder and muddle. Clean out paper and things on a weekly basis. I keep a large trash basket lined with 33 gallon garbage bag under the kitchen sink. Once a week before trash pick-up, I go through the house and empty everything into one bag. Of course, I keep the recyclables separate. If you have to live in a small space, don’t forget to pick up after yourself.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Writing
Other Things -
Today I am going to write about WRITING.
For some this may drive you crazy to read about how I work on my books, but for me it is only a short putt. Sometimes I have three books being edited, all open on my desk at the same time. How do I keep things straight, you ask? It’s simple, for each story I keep a list of the characters in the footer. Below is an example of a story I am working on. My books always have lots of characters.
SAMPLE FOOTER OF FICTION CHARACTERS: Sarah of Bethany & her serving girl Anna,& manservant, Gaddi. Crippled Rebecca & Jonathan from Cana, her servants Jochebed and Samson, Bleeding Ruth from Bethsaida, The other prostitute Hannah from Korazin, Zipporah from Sychar in Samaria, and friends in Arimathia. Martha, husband Andrew, Son of Alpheus, son of Zebedee, John, Judas Iscariot, Matthew, Bartholomew, Peter, Philip, Simon, Thaddeus, Thomas Tamar & Ephraim of Nain, Joseph of Arimathia, his wife Dara, Galilee, Nathan of Magdala Mary M’s fiancé, Zilpah,her serving maid., Bezai & mom Hephzibah; Jonas MM head serving man. Cuza, MM servant left to watch the house, Jada, MM servant & Tirzah Jada’s true love., Kishi the old man
IT'S A JUMBLED MESS, I KNOW, BUT I CAN KEEP THE CHARACTERS STRAIGHT.
Why you ask, do I like to work on more than one story at a time? It is because after I write, create a portion of the story, I have to let it sit for a day or two before I go back to it. Often there are many, many rewrites. In the meantime, while I let a story sit or maybe I am just bored with it, I work on another story for awhile.
I write historical fiction, and my stories never have sex scenes or foul language in them. Here are four stories I am working on right now; they are on average 75,000 words. One story is about a young woman in 1931 California, another is about a young business woman in 1902 New York City. A third story is about a family in 1839 England, and a 4th is about the women who followed Jesus during his earthly ministry.
I have one book that is with an agent right now; you can read about that one on my website www.priscillamcdaniel.com .
I haven’t heard back from the agent whether or not she is interested. It takes about 60 to 90 days to hear from an agent once you have sent your material to them. All fiction sent out has to be completed with between 70 to 100 thousand words, which makes up a book of about 300 to 400 pages.
How does one get started on a book? Sit down and start writing#$%^^&**. Make an outline if you need to; sometimes it gives you direction and helps you gather your thoughts. However, the important thing is to START. Write that first sentence, don’t worry about research until you need to know something. The outline comes in handy, when after you have written a few pages, you are stuck. You don’t have to follow the outline, remembering that many stories take on a life of their own, so only use the outline as a guideline.
If you have any questions, please email me at priscillasflair@gmail.
Today I am going to write about WRITING.
For some this may drive you crazy to read about how I work on my books, but for me it is only a short putt. Sometimes I have three books being edited, all open on my desk at the same time. How do I keep things straight, you ask? It’s simple, for each story I keep a list of the characters in the footer. Below is an example of a story I am working on. My books always have lots of characters.
SAMPLE FOOTER OF FICTION CHARACTERS: Sarah of Bethany & her serving girl Anna,& manservant, Gaddi. Crippled Rebecca & Jonathan from Cana, her servants Jochebed and Samson, Bleeding Ruth from Bethsaida, The other prostitute Hannah from Korazin, Zipporah from Sychar in Samaria, and friends in Arimathia. Martha, husband Andrew, Son of Alpheus, son of Zebedee, John, Judas Iscariot, Matthew, Bartholomew, Peter, Philip, Simon, Thaddeus, Thomas Tamar & Ephraim of Nain, Joseph of Arimathia, his wife Dara, Galilee, Nathan of Magdala Mary M’s fiancé, Zilpah,her serving maid., Bezai & mom Hephzibah; Jonas MM head serving man. Cuza, MM servant left to watch the house, Jada, MM servant & Tirzah Jada’s true love., Kishi the old man
IT'S A JUMBLED MESS, I KNOW, BUT I CAN KEEP THE CHARACTERS STRAIGHT.
Why you ask, do I like to work on more than one story at a time? It is because after I write, create a portion of the story, I have to let it sit for a day or two before I go back to it. Often there are many, many rewrites. In the meantime, while I let a story sit or maybe I am just bored with it, I work on another story for awhile.
I write historical fiction, and my stories never have sex scenes or foul language in them. Here are four stories I am working on right now; they are on average 75,000 words. One story is about a young woman in 1931 California, another is about a young business woman in 1902 New York City. A third story is about a family in 1839 England, and a 4th is about the women who followed Jesus during his earthly ministry.
I have one book that is with an agent right now; you can read about that one on my website www.priscillamcdaniel.com .
I haven’t heard back from the agent whether or not she is interested. It takes about 60 to 90 days to hear from an agent once you have sent your material to them. All fiction sent out has to be completed with between 70 to 100 thousand words, which makes up a book of about 300 to 400 pages.
How does one get started on a book? Sit down and start writing#$%^^&**. Make an outline if you need to; sometimes it gives you direction and helps you gather your thoughts. However, the important thing is to START. Write that first sentence, don’t worry about research until you need to know something. The outline comes in handy, when after you have written a few pages, you are stuck. You don’t have to follow the outline, remembering that many stories take on a life of their own, so only use the outline as a guideline.
If you have any questions, please email me at priscillasflair@gmail.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Table setting for company
Setting a Great Table for Company
When it comes to setting the dinner table for company, I am in my glory. I love to have a theme, and often I purchase dishes, table favors and decorations from the $1.00 Store or the $.99 Store. I have found amazing and exciting things from both. I am very fortunate to have inherited beautiful sterling flatware (service for 12) and Lenox dishes (service for 12). They are truly exquisite but not appropriate for all occasions.
I once, no that should be several times, purchased dinner plates from the stores mentioned above. We often entertain members from our Sunday school class, the old folks that is, just like my husband and me. Usually we have anywhere from 2 to 10 people, but on holidays with family we can have more. It is fun for me to decide not only the menu, but how I want to set the table. I have numerous table cloths and napkins in a variety of colors, so I start with that, but starting is just that, my first choice is not always my last. Try different things out several days before your company is due.
The $1.00 Store and the other one can have ugly plates and things, but once in awhile, if you look or hit them at the right time you can find things that no one would ever believe where you got them. One day I was at the $1.00 Store and I had a basket full of goodies, but on the way to the register (I don’t know how I missed them) I saw a fabulous set of red and white dishes, bowls, and coffee cups. I instantly fell in love with them, because red is one of my favorite colors, and quickly emptied my cart. I proceeded to fill it back up with a complete service for 6 of the red and white dishes.
Another time, I planned dinner for 10 and, again, I wasn’t going to use my Lenox service, so I went to the $.99 Cent Store and just happened to see 12 marvelous, large, 11 inch, tan colored, dinner plates. They looked like expensive stone wear. I snapped them up in a minute, and proceeded to make my dinner theme into one from the Holy Land. I made the river Jordon down the center of the table using $1.00 Store rocks and stones, small ferns, and light green, orange and tan candles. I put the candles on a plate made to hold them, and I had short, little vases, $1 each from Wal-Mart. To each vase, I added a single orange flower from a $3.00 bouquet I bought at the grocery store. I
One year, we hosted a dinner, and I bought from the $1.00 Store, adorable cats that stood about 4 inches high. They were dressed in various colors, black and white stripe, pink, hats, feathers and purple or light green outfits. There was a place to put a name card, so for the women I used the cats to indicate where everyone should sit. I used a simple place card for the men. The whole theme was, of course cats. The celadon green, table cloth held a creamy white satin runner, and I filled out the rest of the décor with a bouquet of roses and candles. I have lots of beautiful candle holders that hold tapers (tall, slender candles) and for this theme I used purple tapers.
Well, you get the picture. To make a fun table, use your imagination and shop cheap. One time I bought 12 plates that looked like they came from Macy’s but were from the $1.00 Store. I went to Wal-Mart (my favorite store) and bought 12 glass salad plates for $1.00 each. I use them with the above dishes that have a dainty rim of colorful flowers around the white plate. FYI the $1.00 Store always has cheap, some times ugly, figurines displayed in the front of the store and on shelves elsewhere. If you need ideas for a theme, or you need favors, look these items over and pick out the best ones (check the faces to make sure they are done well, some are sloppy). These stores are a great plact to get ideas for how to set your table.
PS People love to hear my stories of where I found my dishes and the fact that I am not too proud to tell them of my great purchases.
When it comes to setting the dinner table for company, I am in my glory. I love to have a theme, and often I purchase dishes, table favors and decorations from the $1.00 Store or the $.99 Store. I have found amazing and exciting things from both. I am very fortunate to have inherited beautiful sterling flatware (service for 12) and Lenox dishes (service for 12). They are truly exquisite but not appropriate for all occasions.
I once, no that should be several times, purchased dinner plates from the stores mentioned above. We often entertain members from our Sunday school class, the old folks that is, just like my husband and me. Usually we have anywhere from 2 to 10 people, but on holidays with family we can have more. It is fun for me to decide not only the menu, but how I want to set the table. I have numerous table cloths and napkins in a variety of colors, so I start with that, but starting is just that, my first choice is not always my last. Try different things out several days before your company is due.
The $1.00 Store and the other one can have ugly plates and things, but once in awhile, if you look or hit them at the right time you can find things that no one would ever believe where you got them. One day I was at the $1.00 Store and I had a basket full of goodies, but on the way to the register (I don’t know how I missed them) I saw a fabulous set of red and white dishes, bowls, and coffee cups. I instantly fell in love with them, because red is one of my favorite colors, and quickly emptied my cart. I proceeded to fill it back up with a complete service for 6 of the red and white dishes.
Another time, I planned dinner for 10 and, again, I wasn’t going to use my Lenox service, so I went to the $.99 Cent Store and just happened to see 12 marvelous, large, 11 inch, tan colored, dinner plates. They looked like expensive stone wear. I snapped them up in a minute, and proceeded to make my dinner theme into one from the Holy Land. I made the river Jordon down the center of the table using $1.00 Store rocks and stones, small ferns, and light green, orange and tan candles. I put the candles on a plate made to hold them, and I had short, little vases, $1 each from Wal-Mart. To each vase, I added a single orange flower from a $3.00 bouquet I bought at the grocery store. I
One year, we hosted a dinner, and I bought from the $1.00 Store, adorable cats that stood about 4 inches high. They were dressed in various colors, black and white stripe, pink, hats, feathers and purple or light green outfits. There was a place to put a name card, so for the women I used the cats to indicate where everyone should sit. I used a simple place card for the men. The whole theme was, of course cats. The celadon green, table cloth held a creamy white satin runner, and I filled out the rest of the décor with a bouquet of roses and candles. I have lots of beautiful candle holders that hold tapers (tall, slender candles) and for this theme I used purple tapers.
Well, you get the picture. To make a fun table, use your imagination and shop cheap. One time I bought 12 plates that looked like they came from Macy’s but were from the $1.00 Store. I went to Wal-Mart (my favorite store) and bought 12 glass salad plates for $1.00 each. I use them with the above dishes that have a dainty rim of colorful flowers around the white plate. FYI the $1.00 Store always has cheap, some times ugly, figurines displayed in the front of the store and on shelves elsewhere. If you need ideas for a theme, or you need favors, look these items over and pick out the best ones (check the faces to make sure they are done well, some are sloppy). These stores are a great plact to get ideas for how to set your table.
PS People love to hear my stories of where I found my dishes and the fact that I am not too proud to tell them of my great purchases.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Clutter in the CLOSET
Now that you know how finicky I am about clutter, you can imagine my next subject – CLOSETS stuffed with unworn, unnecessary, worn out or out grown clothes. So where do you start?
Plan to take at least half a day to do this and be prepared to work hard. First take everything out of your closet(s)and put it all on a bed, then separate the blouses, tops, pants, shorts, skirts, dress slacks, casual slacks, sweaters, jackets, and suits into piles. Put spring and summer clothes in a separate closet from fall and winter. Or separate them in the closet. Check for clothes that are out of style, maybe they shrunk and are too small now. They have lost their luster and just don’t look good anymore; even expensive clothes over the years can be worth getting rid of. For your summer shorts and cotton tops, see if they will fit into a drawer or on a shelf in the closet, rather than hanging them up; cotton tops don’t need a hanger.
I might suggest that if you have a Costco membership or an organizer store close by that you pick up matching hangers. Costco has black and burgundy hangers – 50 to a box – that are felt; they are great for clothes that fall off the hanger and they help keep your closet looking neat. For suits you can buy at Target, or similar store, hangers that have a skirt/pant hanger that attaches to the Jacket hanger.
I bought two boxes of black hangers from Costco, which is plenty for one person, and I love clothes, and I have a big closet. Now that you have all your clothes stacked in piles on the bed and have put them together by style, pick up each article of clothing and determine if you have worn it out, or worn it recently, or did you out grow it. Anything in these categories should go to the homeless. Have 33 gallon baggies handy for giveaways.
There is no point in over stashing your closet with clothes that don’t fit. If you are fat, you should still want to look your best, so purchase new clothes that fit you and feel good about yourself. There are a lot of overweight women who are well groomed and look very nice, despite their heaviness. So do it. I know it hurts, but trust me, you will feel beautiful, especially if you have only clothes that fit, a new hairdo and good makeup. FYI, anyone who sells makeup will give you a free makeover.
Side note – confession…..Not too long ago when I helped out Rose, see my blog entitled Charity Affair, I found myself intrigued by the clothing at the Salvation Army. One day I went in there looking for something for her apartment and all the store’s clothes were on sale for $1.00 each. Believe it or not, I purchased 5 jackets – a red wool, a brown velvet, a red velvet, and a turquoise linen and a red linen jacket. Wow, my friends who sometimes look through thrift stores were so jealous. These jackets look great, so don’t be proud. I took the jackets home and ran them through the self dry cleaning, Dryel, that you put in the dryer. It was cheaper than taking them to the cleaners. So don’t have to worry about the money to replace some of your things.
Now, back to the bed, by going through your clothes, you will be amazed at how many things you forgot you had and how many things will go together that you never dreamed of. Believe it or not, you may find that you don’t need to buy any new clothes because you have been able to match up a number of items.
Go through your casual and dress slacks, skirts, suits, dresses, and blouses. Give away what doesn’t fit, what is old and more importantly, WHAT YOU HAVEN’T WORN IN OVER A YEAR.
Watch for colors also. If the color doesn’t make you happy, even though you like the outfit, give it away. Colors are important and you will naturally feel and look good in what is best for you. People will often compliment you when you have on a color that is good for you. So loose that ugly outfit, sweater, dress, blouse or suit, that whenever you wear it, you wish you had stayed home. You will find the color that is best for you is the color of the majority of your clothes. Good Luck, have a friend help you if you can't do this alone.
Plan to take at least half a day to do this and be prepared to work hard. First take everything out of your closet(s)and put it all on a bed, then separate the blouses, tops, pants, shorts, skirts, dress slacks, casual slacks, sweaters, jackets, and suits into piles. Put spring and summer clothes in a separate closet from fall and winter. Or separate them in the closet. Check for clothes that are out of style, maybe they shrunk and are too small now. They have lost their luster and just don’t look good anymore; even expensive clothes over the years can be worth getting rid of. For your summer shorts and cotton tops, see if they will fit into a drawer or on a shelf in the closet, rather than hanging them up; cotton tops don’t need a hanger.
I might suggest that if you have a Costco membership or an organizer store close by that you pick up matching hangers. Costco has black and burgundy hangers – 50 to a box – that are felt; they are great for clothes that fall off the hanger and they help keep your closet looking neat. For suits you can buy at Target, or similar store, hangers that have a skirt/pant hanger that attaches to the Jacket hanger.
I bought two boxes of black hangers from Costco, which is plenty for one person, and I love clothes, and I have a big closet. Now that you have all your clothes stacked in piles on the bed and have put them together by style, pick up each article of clothing and determine if you have worn it out, or worn it recently, or did you out grow it. Anything in these categories should go to the homeless. Have 33 gallon baggies handy for giveaways.
There is no point in over stashing your closet with clothes that don’t fit. If you are fat, you should still want to look your best, so purchase new clothes that fit you and feel good about yourself. There are a lot of overweight women who are well groomed and look very nice, despite their heaviness. So do it. I know it hurts, but trust me, you will feel beautiful, especially if you have only clothes that fit, a new hairdo and good makeup. FYI, anyone who sells makeup will give you a free makeover.
Side note – confession…..Not too long ago when I helped out Rose, see my blog entitled Charity Affair, I found myself intrigued by the clothing at the Salvation Army. One day I went in there looking for something for her apartment and all the store’s clothes were on sale for $1.00 each. Believe it or not, I purchased 5 jackets – a red wool, a brown velvet, a red velvet, and a turquoise linen and a red linen jacket. Wow, my friends who sometimes look through thrift stores were so jealous. These jackets look great, so don’t be proud. I took the jackets home and ran them through the self dry cleaning, Dryel, that you put in the dryer. It was cheaper than taking them to the cleaners. So don’t have to worry about the money to replace some of your things.
Now, back to the bed, by going through your clothes, you will be amazed at how many things you forgot you had and how many things will go together that you never dreamed of. Believe it or not, you may find that you don’t need to buy any new clothes because you have been able to match up a number of items.
Go through your casual and dress slacks, skirts, suits, dresses, and blouses. Give away what doesn’t fit, what is old and more importantly, WHAT YOU HAVEN’T WORN IN OVER A YEAR.
Watch for colors also. If the color doesn’t make you happy, even though you like the outfit, give it away. Colors are important and you will naturally feel and look good in what is best for you. People will often compliment you when you have on a color that is good for you. So loose that ugly outfit, sweater, dress, blouse or suit, that whenever you wear it, you wish you had stayed home. You will find the color that is best for you is the color of the majority of your clothes. Good Luck, have a friend help you if you can't do this alone.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Cleaning out clutter and unread papers
Are you a saver? Is your dining room table stacked with papers and books you want to be sure you can find, or read, in the next century? Are the corners of your rooms piled high with newspapers, boxes and miscellaneous stuff you swore in OTT ONE that you were going to give away, clean out, or burn. Heavens no – never burn, never toss, and always keep. If you ran out of corners, did you use your chairs, sofas and the bare floor on which to put things?
Are you so lost that you have no way to figure out how or where to start? Well the best place to start is 1 pile at a time. Set a goal and a time line. Here is a little story that might give you a picture of what I am talking about. Once, thinking I had enough decorating and retail experience, I accepted a job as a manager of a small home furnishings store. It was only one story and not really large at all, but it had isle after of isle of nick-knacks on shelves stacked close to the ceiling. The open floor space had furniture and other large accessories that would not fit on the shelves.
My second day on the job, we received a shipment of goods – 3 pallets of boxed goodies. I am talking small goodies; most of the boxes were packed with smaller boxes. I had never seen anything like it. And we had to put it all away before the weekend, the busy time when we had lots of customers and could not have them tripping over pallets. My big question to my assistant and other staff was, “How do we do this?” The answer, “ONE BOX AT A TIME.” It worked much to my surprise and after two days the boxes were empties and removed.
Are you overwhelmed? Are you having company? What will you do with all the STUFF? Or are you of the mind set that you just won’t have any company, and then you won’t have to think about getting rid of your “Corner-Treasures”, your “Cherished-Paper-Piles”, and we won’t even discuss yet your closets. NO, NO, don’t shove your STUFF into any closet.
The best way to start is to find or buy a year supply of size 33 or larger garbage bags with ties, but any bag will do. Call a friend with a big car, load it up and take loads to the Good Will, the dump, the trash, recycle. Find someone or some place – there are too many needy people in this world who would love some of your STUFF, but not your papers – toss them.
One important thing to remember, is that your things, especially papers, articles, books etc, can be replaced, and then if you haven’t read them, are you going too? Very doubtful. Start in the corner, and if you don’t get rid of something, sit in the corner and think about how to do it. Pray for help!! Ask yourself why you keep things – who made you do it?
Are you so lost that you have no way to figure out how or where to start? Well the best place to start is 1 pile at a time. Set a goal and a time line. Here is a little story that might give you a picture of what I am talking about. Once, thinking I had enough decorating and retail experience, I accepted a job as a manager of a small home furnishings store. It was only one story and not really large at all, but it had isle after of isle of nick-knacks on shelves stacked close to the ceiling. The open floor space had furniture and other large accessories that would not fit on the shelves.
My second day on the job, we received a shipment of goods – 3 pallets of boxed goodies. I am talking small goodies; most of the boxes were packed with smaller boxes. I had never seen anything like it. And we had to put it all away before the weekend, the busy time when we had lots of customers and could not have them tripping over pallets. My big question to my assistant and other staff was, “How do we do this?” The answer, “ONE BOX AT A TIME.” It worked much to my surprise and after two days the boxes were empties and removed.
Are you overwhelmed? Are you having company? What will you do with all the STUFF? Or are you of the mind set that you just won’t have any company, and then you won’t have to think about getting rid of your “Corner-Treasures”, your “Cherished-Paper-Piles”, and we won’t even discuss yet your closets. NO, NO, don’t shove your STUFF into any closet.
The best way to start is to find or buy a year supply of size 33 or larger garbage bags with ties, but any bag will do. Call a friend with a big car, load it up and take loads to the Good Will, the dump, the trash, recycle. Find someone or some place – there are too many needy people in this world who would love some of your STUFF, but not your papers – toss them.
One important thing to remember, is that your things, especially papers, articles, books etc, can be replaced, and then if you haven’t read them, are you going too? Very doubtful. Start in the corner, and if you don’t get rid of something, sit in the corner and think about how to do it. Pray for help!! Ask yourself why you keep things – who made you do it?
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Throw away, clean out, read or don't read
Getting rid of - Stuff, papers, cluttered closets, old make-up and anything else you haven't read or used in a year or a week.
I have a dear sister who is a saver and that is putting it nicely. She loves to save baggies, empty jars papers she swears she needs to read (even if they are a year old), food from her last dining out experience be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, clothes even a destitute person wouldn’t wear. I love my sister dearly and I have tried to reform her, but it is a fruitless task.
So what is my point? How did I get to be so perfect? I am not, but I have moved many, many times in my long life. I learned early on that it is silly to hang on to things and pay to move them when you can always replace an item if need be. In fact, I have moved so many times I will try and list them for you, but let me preface this list with the particulars; keep in mind that I am the daughter of an Air Force Officer, I was the wife of a Shell Oil Company executive, and my 2nd husband of 30 years and I have moved more than too many times. In addition to moving from one state to another, we more often than not moved from one house to another in the same vicinity. My my father liked real estate, he bought and sold and sometimes rented out the houses he owned.
So here are the places: born in 1-Spokane WA, moved to 2-Colorado Springs, CO, then went to 3-Biloxi Mississippi, then 4-Montgomery Alabama, then to 5-Clinton, Maryland, and then to 6-Alexandria, VA, where Daddy was stationed at the Pentagon. From there we moved to 7-Denver, CO, 8-Aurora Colorado, then to 9-Oakland, CA and 10-Hayward, CA. In 4th grade we sailed to 11-Tokyo, Japan (Washington Heights) and remained there for almost 3 years. We returned to 12-Aurora, CO for 4 years and lived in 3 different houses (that makes 15 moves).
From Aurora we moved to 16-Madison, Wisconsin to finish my junior and senior high-school years and two years of college. (Lived in 2 different homes) (that makes 17 moves) Then Daddy retired and returned to 18-Fremont, California; my mother was born in Santa Barbara, CA and Daddy was raised in Berkley, CA.
I married 1st my husband from Southern California and we moved to an apartment and then into a house in 20-Hemet, CA (that’s 2 moves). Our daughter was born there, and then we moved to 21-Redlands, CA where our son was born. When he was 18 months old we moved to 22-Fremont, CA and from there my husband was transferred with Shell Oil Company to 23-Chicago, (Long Grove), Illinois and then transferred to 24-Houston, Texas. He left Shell Oil Company after 4 years and we moved to 25-Memphis, Tennessee where he went to work for Federal Express – they were only 10 years old at the time.
He left FedX after 2 years and went into business for himself and we moved to -South Pasadena, CA 2 houses that makes 27-moves). He not only found a new occupation but a new wife. I bought myself a 28-a home and remained in So. Pasadena for a total of twelve years and met my current husband, Ed. A dear man, indeed. We bought a new 29-condo and a moving company and when that went sour, we moved 30 into an apartment. From the apartment we moved to 31-Glendale, CA, stayed for 3 months and Ed got transferred to Santa Barbara, we moved to Ventura and lived in 3 different homes there (that makes 34 moves), and then we bought a condo in 35-Oxnard, CA, and after 18 months we moved into a 36-rental home. After being in Ventura County for 12 years, we moved to 37-Sacramento, CA (Orangevale) to be near our daughter and grandchildren. Then we purchased our own beautiful home in 39-Rancho Cordova, CA (Sacramento) and have lived here for 8 years. Very happy.
Sub-total? moves 39 – I might have missed a move. At any rate, I have always wanted to total that information up and there you have it. That is one reason I hate clutter. Not only that, most of it is useless. If I don’t clean off my desk at least once a week, it becomes a paper factory. I always have a waste can next to me to get rid of things. I figure if it is that important, I can always get my hands on what I need, somewhere-somehow.
I clean out my cupboards at least once a year, and I do my closet in the spring and the winter. If I haven’t worn it in one or two years it goes to the Good Will, there are always people who need what I am not using.
I have a dear sister who is a saver and that is putting it nicely. She loves to save baggies, empty jars papers she swears she needs to read (even if they are a year old), food from her last dining out experience be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, clothes even a destitute person wouldn’t wear. I love my sister dearly and I have tried to reform her, but it is a fruitless task.
So what is my point? How did I get to be so perfect? I am not, but I have moved many, many times in my long life. I learned early on that it is silly to hang on to things and pay to move them when you can always replace an item if need be. In fact, I have moved so many times I will try and list them for you, but let me preface this list with the particulars; keep in mind that I am the daughter of an Air Force Officer, I was the wife of a Shell Oil Company executive, and my 2nd husband of 30 years and I have moved more than too many times. In addition to moving from one state to another, we more often than not moved from one house to another in the same vicinity. My my father liked real estate, he bought and sold and sometimes rented out the houses he owned.
So here are the places: born in 1-Spokane WA, moved to 2-Colorado Springs, CO, then went to 3-Biloxi Mississippi, then 4-Montgomery Alabama, then to 5-Clinton, Maryland, and then to 6-Alexandria, VA, where Daddy was stationed at the Pentagon. From there we moved to 7-Denver, CO, 8-Aurora Colorado, then to 9-Oakland, CA and 10-Hayward, CA. In 4th grade we sailed to 11-Tokyo, Japan (Washington Heights) and remained there for almost 3 years. We returned to 12-Aurora, CO for 4 years and lived in 3 different houses (that makes 15 moves).
From Aurora we moved to 16-Madison, Wisconsin to finish my junior and senior high-school years and two years of college. (Lived in 2 different homes) (that makes 17 moves) Then Daddy retired and returned to 18-Fremont, California; my mother was born in Santa Barbara, CA and Daddy was raised in Berkley, CA.
I married 1st my husband from Southern California and we moved to an apartment and then into a house in 20-Hemet, CA (that’s 2 moves). Our daughter was born there, and then we moved to 21-Redlands, CA where our son was born. When he was 18 months old we moved to 22-Fremont, CA and from there my husband was transferred with Shell Oil Company to 23-Chicago, (Long Grove), Illinois and then transferred to 24-Houston, Texas. He left Shell Oil Company after 4 years and we moved to 25-Memphis, Tennessee where he went to work for Federal Express – they were only 10 years old at the time.
He left FedX after 2 years and went into business for himself and we moved to -South Pasadena, CA 2 houses that makes 27-moves). He not only found a new occupation but a new wife. I bought myself a 28-a home and remained in So. Pasadena for a total of twelve years and met my current husband, Ed. A dear man, indeed. We bought a new 29-condo and a moving company and when that went sour, we moved 30 into an apartment. From the apartment we moved to 31-Glendale, CA, stayed for 3 months and Ed got transferred to Santa Barbara, we moved to Ventura and lived in 3 different homes there (that makes 34 moves), and then we bought a condo in 35-Oxnard, CA, and after 18 months we moved into a 36-rental home. After being in Ventura County for 12 years, we moved to 37-Sacramento, CA (Orangevale) to be near our daughter and grandchildren. Then we purchased our own beautiful home in 39-Rancho Cordova, CA (Sacramento) and have lived here for 8 years. Very happy.
Sub-total? moves 39 – I might have missed a move. At any rate, I have always wanted to total that information up and there you have it. That is one reason I hate clutter. Not only that, most of it is useless. If I don’t clean off my desk at least once a week, it becomes a paper factory. I always have a waste can next to me to get rid of things. I figure if it is that important, I can always get my hands on what I need, somewhere-somehow.
I clean out my cupboards at least once a year, and I do my closet in the spring and the winter. If I haven’t worn it in one or two years it goes to the Good Will, there are always people who need what I am not using.
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