Upcoming "You Are Not Your Stuff" Events!

Living a Clutter-Free Lifestyle --- October 26, November 2, November 9, Senior Action, Greenville, SC (Orchard Park)

Planning for the Holiday Season --- November 16, Senior Action, Greenville, SC (Orchard Park)

NO PLACE LIKE HOME!

10 STEPS TO A STRESS FREE HOME

1. Create a Happy Zone

2. Make Your Bed Every Day

3. Wake up in the Light

4. Know How You Feel

5. Embrace an Evening Ritual

6. Grow Something

7. Set a Timer

8. Clear a Landing Strip

9. Unplug

10. Calm with Color

LIVING IN CHAOS!

LIVING IN CHAOS means . . . .

C --Can't

H --Have

A --Anyone

O --Over

S --Syndrome

You CAN'T ORGANIZE CLUTTER!

You can only get rid of it!

Decluttering is not a ONE-TIME task.

It goes on all throughout the year. . .

DECLUTTER TOOLS

* A TIMER to keep you focused

* A GIVE AWAY box

* A PUT AWAY box

* A THROW AWAY box

* Colored markers and pens

* Heavy duty tape

* Label maker and labels

* Inventory List

*A water bottle to keep you hydrated

* Fun Music

l. Work in 15 minute segments - set the timer

2. Work clockwise around the room

3. Set up three boxes (Give, Put, Throw Away)

4. Have a seasonal box for decorations

5. Label and Inventory everything you keep

6. Move all Give and Throw things to the garage.

7. Get rid of things ASAP!

8. Smile! You are doing Good work!

LIVING IN CHAOS!

Dish Towel Memories!

I remember meeting my future in-laws in their home in Orangeburg. They had no daughters and they were delighted when their oldest son, Phil, brought me to lunch. Sitting at the kitchen table, I felt comfortable and happy to be there. As I looked around, I noticed a linen dish towel calendar hanging on the wall. 1967 was the year printed on the towel along with the 12 months. It was the first "dish towel" memory for me. (20 years later) my Mother-in-law gave me that dish towel along with others she had saved throughout the years.)

In 1976, we (Phil and I had married and had a daughter, Anne) decided to spend our summer vacation week at Garden City Beach with three other families. As soon as we got to the beach house the four "mothers" planned the grocery list and headed for the store. While buying food and supplies, we decided to buy four dishtowels to use during the week. We had fun cooking, eating, and playing on the beach for the week. The last morning before going home was hectic with packing, cleaning and loading the car. As we walked out the door, we each took one of the dish towels with us to use during the year.

As a Textile major in graduate school, I spent several years looking at, studying, testing , and feeling textiles from all over the world. I think that is the reason that I can't go anywhere without looking at fabric and textiles and enjoying their design, beauty, and function. When Phil and I went to Paris, we had to take time to find the perfect "Jacquard Francais" dish towel with the Eiffel Tower woven into the design. Oh and it had to be red to match my kitchen!

And the memories continue . . .I'm using my dish towel from Multnomah Falls that I got while visiting Anne in Portland, OR. I bought one for her, too. We can share the memory of the wonderful day we had there.

So. . . memories are everywhere, even in a dish towel! Now I know that even when the dish towel wears out, I still have the memory. Just the thought of a dish towel makes me smile!

"The Simply Positive Home"

In my mini class that I call "the Simply Positive Home," I encourage participants to get excited about creating a Sacred or Happy Place for themselves within their homes. The process begins with "Making All A's in Clutter

Clearing".

l. A=Awaken to the fact that your life and surroundings MUST change to create a happy space that enhances your life and health.

2. A=Awareness of HOW the clutter is affecting your life and the willingness to make a major change.

3. A= Assessment of where to start, what is the most important project to undertake, what tools and expertise is necessary, and who can help. Assessing is the list of Who, What, When and Where, supplies, timeline, costs, etc.

4. A=ACTION! Begin to action quickly with small steps in 15 minute intervals. ACTION is the key to this whole process. Work with goals that can be accomplished in a short period of time. Keep your energy up and drink water. Use a timer help keep sessions brief.

5. A=Appreciation is Gratitude. Always take time to appreciate all that you have done, each step. Look back and admire the work that you have completed. Praise, praise, praise yourself for Good work!

Basically, you repeat this process over and over, gradually building the size of the project. You will gain momentum and get very excited about the process and the results! You Can Do It!

Make All A's in Clutter Clearing!

What is clutter?

The word "clutter" derives from the middle english word -'clotter' which means to coagulate -or clot. That is about as stuck as you can get. Visualize clutter as lots of Clots in your home! Ooh!

Clutter is stuck energy.

Clutter accumulates when energy stagnates, and likewise, energy stagnates when clutter accumulates. So the clutter begins as a symptom of what is happening with YOU in your life and then becomes part of the problem itself because the more of it you have, the more stagnant energy it attracts to itself. AND this can happen fast or slowly.

Where are you on the Clutter Scale?

Zero (0) clutter (everything in order)--- to--- (10) Hoarding!

Clutter is stuck energy of the Past! Live in the Now!

KNOW NOW!

You Are Not Your Stuff!

Welcome to my class in clutter clearing and creating a new life! Monday, January 11 at the Woodlands @ Furman University, I will begin teaching a new class about clearing clutter and organizing your home and your life. Each week I will post the class goals, projects, and celebrations! Yes, I believe in celebrating all the great things that we do --big and small.

As a former Home Economist, teacher, and Realtor, I have spent thousands of hours in people's homes observing how we (I include myself and my family) live, sleep, eat, clean, cook, entertain, amuse, and survive in our homes. Sometimes I have been delighted and amazed at the joy, energy and happiness that homes reflect about the occupants. But, most of the time I am overwhelmed by the shear amount of "Stuff" that we own, store, clean, ignore, neglect, and continue to acquire.

Our homes are a true reflection of our lives. Stuff is weighing us "Down"!

Our goal in "You are not your stuff!" is to create an awareness of how stuff is defining YOU and how you live your life. Freeing yourself of unwanted and unneeded things will change your life.

I know this to be true. I have seen it happen many times and I have experienced it in my own life. Lighten your load, energize your home, and enjoy freedom from 10,000 things!

You create your own reality! So let's have fun! YFF (Your friend Fran)

At Home in South Carolina

We moved to our new home in Greenville, SC on June 20, 2008. After 24 months, we are finally settling into our new lifestyle in the Carolinas. Everything about Greenville has changed since we left in 1985! It is a whole new world here. People from everywhere have discovered this special place.