Moving on up

I've always enjoyed this tune from an era of pride and hope that blossomed in the 1970s.  

Moving on up!

It's not like we're enjoying a long-overdue respect or a nouveau riche lifestyle and relocating to a deluxe apartment in the sky.  It's more like we are planning to move and that I agreed to tackle my "discomfort with heights". 

That's right.  I don't like high places.  I rarely go out onto our balcony.  When I do, I hold the railing tightly if I look over the sides.   Also, we recently discovered a wasp's nest nearby! 


For our next habitation, one of the young folk convinced me to consider an apartment with a nicer (higher) view in addition to living in a well-managed, affordable and secure building.  Okay, okay!

It has only been two years since the last move yet once again I am reviewing the top 10 tips for downsizing.  I like to plan well in advance, especially when it comes to clearing out the clutter, the things we accumulate throughout our lives.

It's curious and daunting what objects - or animals - make their way into your home, demanding your time, money and space.  

I love planning projects, making task lists and logistical checklists.  I like getting creative with floor plans, taking measurements, cutting out scaled-down, two-dimensional paper shapes of furniture and placing them in various arrangements. The kids thought I was being obsessive last time but it sure helped when we moved into le petit apartement and made everything fit into place.

My evil plan of pushing one or two birds out of the nest last time didn't work. One wasn't quite ready and another ended up moving back in.  So here we are again, still in our cozy, crowded apartment of four humans and two cats.  

Benefits of moving often:

1. You get to review your collection of people, animals and things;
2. You can offload extra furniture and kitchen supplies to your grown children for when they move out.  When they move out...;
3. You discover interesting things at the back of the fridge, cupboard, pantry; 
4. You finally locate that article of clothing, important document or much-loved book that went missing!
5. You get to move into a new home with a fresh coat of paint;
6. You plan ahead for a positive change in your life and a change of scenery. This sure helps one get through a long, dark winter!

It's not like you're losing connection to a community by pulling up roots.  With the positive influences of technology, email and social networking, you can still keep in touch with old neighbours and friends.  Well, maybe not the annoying old bigot next door... 

Links of interest:

• Apartment Therapy:  http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ 
• Smart space-saving solutions for a small apartment:  https://www.ikeafamilylive.com/en/home-story/space-saving-solutions-40#photo-142 
• Top 10 tips for downsizing:  http://www.styleathome.com/homes/real-estate/top-10-tips-for-downsizing/a/308
• Moving Out! A Young Adult's Guide to Living on Your Own:  http://www.amazon.com/Moving-Young-Adults-Guide-Living/dp/1897508956   
• Do you have others to offer?  Please copy and paste in the comments box below. 

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You may also want to visit the blog for The Year of the Rabbit, a novel about fate, family and forgiveness.  
 
Thanks for dropping by.

T

Oh! The irony! Technology and Writing

Am I creating, consuming or just wasting time?

The following was a test of composing and publishing a blog post using an iPad Mini, Safari and Chrome.  It proved to be a royal pain in the ASCII. 

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I would like to get in more creative writing these days.  Seems that most of what I have been writing lately is about electronic distractions and how they are keeping me away from writing.

I have managed to conquer the clutter and placement of objects in my living space.  I need to prioritize the things that are taking over my precious time.  I'm sure other writers and hopeful authors will agree.

See this social media bashing post in another blog:  

http://shewrite63.wordpress.com/2013/02/17/cant-avoid-being-social/

  

To balance out the space and time theme, I am typing  on my nifty, trendy iPad Mini.  It is small compared to a MacBook or desktop computer.  it is handy for reading news, blog posts,Tweets and books.  Unfortunately, its features hinder my content creation activities!   I am keeping this blog entry short because I am struggling with the on-screen keyboard.  Where in sanity's name are the arrow keys on this thing?  Give me a qwerty keyboard any day! 

Thanks for visiting and reading this wee post - if it ever gets published.  Safari kept choking on the preview.  I had to download Chrome from the App Store to continue.  Ack.  Technology. 

T

Mission Accomplished: Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Smaller Home.

I am relieved to say that I have satisfied one of the goals I set over a year ago. 

My family is settling in to our new, smaller place.  We are being creative with placing items according to need and... aesthetics.  I aim to continue to provide my children with a happy, healthy home now that the dark, emotional clutter is far behind us.  One little bird is spreading its wings, getting ready to leave the nest.  The others will need more encouragement...

Home is what you make it.  

Home is where the heart is.  

In my novel, The Year of the Rabbit young Sera loses her family home due to sad circumstances beyond her control.  She finds a new home at the Red Hare Restaurant which is owned and managed by the Young family. 

Take me away from it all

More like... take it all away from me (as in, things I willingly want to part with...) 

Our recent move to a smaller abode has proven to be an exercise in making choices and efficiently managing our living space.  The whole family has learned to have some forethought before making acquisitions.  I encouraged the young people to take a look at The Story of Stuff video.  My goal over a year ago was to downsize our material possessions and I am happy to say that we have almost met that objective.  I was so happy that the treadmill and encyclopedias found new homes :o)

We have just a few more days to clear out and clean up the old place. It was a happy, clean and bright home for seven years.  It provided us with plenty of space indoors and out.  Now we need a home that is secure and affordable.  Soon the offspring will spread their wings and leave the nest.  Some may need a little nudging ;o) Hence the plan to move to an even smaller place in two years!

Thanks for dropping by to read my blog.  It has been a challenge to find time for posting my deep blonde thoughts during this uprooting and being "off the grid" for five days.  Stay tuned for updates related to Father's Day, finding the perfect man :o) and blog references to my recently released novel "The Year of the Rabbit".  Don't be afraid to follow the rabbit.  I won't lead you down a dark hole but into the lives of small town folk in the 1970s.  Just imagine!  No Internet, no computers and no cell phones.  Ah, simpler times...

T

Cute Tiny Houses

I caught this in one of my tech rss feeds a few weeks ago.  

"Started by Jay Shafer, who began living in a 75-square-foot house in 1997, Tumbleweed Tiny Houses specializes in designing homes that are both functional and highly efficient. Sized between 65 and 837 square feet, the homes are meant to be affordable while emphasizing the need for organization and minimalism."  

Read more: http://news.cnet.com/2300-11386_3-10005492.html

I really like how he made space for the necessities like the tiny wardrobe closet, the pots on kitchen walls and even the composting toilets.

"While many of the Tiny Houses are actually "tiny" and are geared toward single people, some are meant for couples, or even families. But all are meant to be very space efficient."

I could see these being good for newlyweds (for snuggling) or empty nesters (for less places to lose things) but they don't seem very practical for families.  

Where would one put all of her books?  Or wine? 

Visit Tumbleweed Houses
http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/

Floods of human emotion

As I watch TV or read about current world events, it seems trivial to blog about my downsizing and de-cluttering project when I see people who have suddenly lost everything they own due to flooding in Pakistan. 

They have lost their homes, livelihoods, farmland and sentimental possessions.  They have even lost family and friends.  I cannot bear to watch the news.  The visuals are disturbing especially those of children needing the basics of life. 

Even with apprehension, wondering if the money, food, shelter and medical aid will reach those who really need it, I have been compelled to donate what I could muster up. 

Sitting in the comfort of my own home - humble as it may seem - I cannot turn away from this huge humanitarian challenge - and opportunity.  In five or ten years, I would want to hear stories from survivors - especially children -  that they were not abandoned by the seemingly "Evil West".  I would want to hear young men and women, educated with compassion and reason speak respectfully about their ability to overcome with the help of their fellow "man". 


CBC.ca Pakistan donation deadline nears
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/09/09/toronto-pakistan-flood-donations.html

Proliferation of Personal Care Products

When you share two bathrooms with three young people, you're going to see an increased variety of toiletries / personal care products.  It's a challenging task, organizing bottles and containers on limited counter space or assigning them to baskets and boxes.  One person has been asked to keep her items in her room.

We use many different kinds of shampoos, conditioners, soaps, deodorants, etc..   Of course, if certain people (a-hem) would just agree to get a hair cut, they wouldn't need all those special conditioners and de-tanglers.  Nice try Mom...

Then there are those sample packs of lotions or shampoos included in magazines or  wrapped in with other products.  I haven't even used some that have been stashed for years.  I assume that they have either degraded or fermented by now. 

In addition to the growing clutter, another concern I have is the safety of ingredients contained in personal care products.  I don't know enough about them.  I can't even pronounce half of the words!   I just participated in David Suzuki Foundation’s very first survey of toxic ingredients in the personal care products used by Canadians.  Two products I pulled from our bathroom had two or three of the ingredients listed as harmful chemicals.  I couldn't even read the tiny text for ingredients on the other three items. 

I encourage family and friends to take ten minutes to do the survey before the end of June and to write to the Health Minister as recommended by the DSF.

The wallet-sized shopper's guide they offer on the site lists a "dirty dozen" chemicals to avoid when shopping for cosmetics. The DSF encourages Canadians to use it to check the ingredient list on personal care products before making a purchase.  That's fine, dandy and handy BUT if only I could read the tiny print on some of those labels!  It's almost as bad as some food products.  That's another story for another day...

Go well...

 

Resisting those yard sales

'tis the season for buying other people's cast-offs

While I was out and about town this past week, I saw yard sale / garage sale notices on many a telephone pole.  Yep, it's that time of year when families and neighbours get together to sell items they have cleaned out from the nooks and crannies in their own homes.

I have been through this before and even participated in community yard sales.  It was a lot of work!  One lesson we learned was NOT to schedule ours on the same weekend as the Great Glebe Garage Sale.

What I like about some of the community events is the growing commitment to donate proceeds to various charitable organizations. Of course, there's also the much appreciated social aspect.

Since I am avoiding the temptation to bring more items into my home, I will not partake in yard sale or garage sale activities.  As I sift through my own material possessions and prepare for a move next year, I will put aside those items not wanted on the journey.  I have already tagged a few items I plan to offer first to family and friends. 


Since I want to avoid frustration, wasted time and energy, I prefer to contact directly some of the Ottawa area charities that will come to your home and pick up items.  How easy is that?  Some of them will even give you a charitable donation tax receipt. 

Hoarding and Mini Storage Trends

While I was watching Law and Order on a U.S. station the other night, an advertisement came on for mini storage units to alleviate consumer citizens from their overcrowded drawers, closets and garages.  This confirmed the recent news that there is a trend in American citizens who rent these units to pack away their excess "stuff".  I am assUmIng the same applies to Canadians as well.

I can understand the need for short-term storage when you move to a smaller house or apartment -  or plan to travel for an extended period of time (you lucky buggers).   Another need would be to keep extra furniture and appliances that your offspring may need - once they move out on their own ;-^  Once they move out on their own...

With the exception of heirlooms and archives, I do not wish to get to the point of having to store "stuff" that neither my family nor I will need in the near future.  Thankfully, I didn't buy into the Beanie Baby craze or other collectibles such as "commemorative plates" or "ethnic dolls".  If anyone has actually benefited financially from these, I'd really like to hear about it! 

So, I continue my de-cluttering project by focussing on the bathroom cupboards and counters.

Related articles and links:

Time Magazine
Hoarding: How Collecting Stuff Can Destroy Your Life
By Kayla Webley Monday, Apr. 26, 2010
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1984444,00.html

The Story of Stuff  (fun, informative!)
http://www.storyofstuff.com/

City of Ottawa Spring Give Away Weekend - Saturday June 5 and Sunday June 6 2010
http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/recycling_garbage/giveaway/
"One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. "  If you're nosy enough, it will be interesting to see what the neighbours are clearing out :-)


Go peacefully - and on a clear path :-)

Coveting furniture

Okay, I admit to coveting a writer's desk I saw at English Butler last week. I remember casting my eyes upon it a couple of years ago. It is oh-so-nice, so pretty, compact and organized.

I know this goes against my goals to downsize the house contents. The justification is that it would take up less space than the one currently in my bedroom.



Downside?

1. Will it help me have more time for writing?
2. Will it help me be a better writer?
3. Who will pay for this?
4. Where will the cats sit to look out the window? >^..^<
   

Decisions, decisions...

Too many things ... on the go

In addition to cluttering our lives with material "things", possessions, collections, one can tend to take on too many hobbies, commitments and obligations.



Although I was interrupted by a snotty winter cold and had to stay home last week, I was able to get caught up on some volunteer activities requiring keen analytical ;-^ and organizational skills. Some projects though seemed to spin off into other little projects.


Things I need to remember:

• Learn when to to say "no"
• Take small bites

I was not yet able to start on my "downsizing" project. On a positive note, within that vortex of activities, I was able to get the first 8 chapters of my pretentious novel printed to 8 1/2 x 11 manuscripts for an editor and a reader. I am so nervous. Over the next few months, I aim to have the final 4 chapters typed up and ready.



Next, perform the contents inventory of my bedroom and log the downsizing progress. Hmmm, just in time for thinking about a new spring wardrobe. Uh-oh!

Sorting, collecting and hoarding

During a family gathering over the holidays, some of us were discussing the problems of living with someone who hoards and how it hampers our efforts to simplify our lives and physical space. When it comes down to fire hazards due to piles of magazines and newspapers in your basement, that's when you really have to speak up. It can become physically and emotionally draining to live in a cramped, cluttered home - especially when your requests are discarded as nagging and selfish. How ironic! So glad I'm not living THAT nightmare anymore.


Sure, we each may have tendencies to "collect" things like books, photographs, figurines, etc. It helps to define a bit more about us. I like to discover what family members or friends "collect" as it reveals a little more about character and interests. When it extends to too many categories and clutter, that's when a person would want to step back and take a fresh look. You can even hire people to do this for you!


I know that during my purging project, I will have to be selective with the "things" I have collected and prioritize which ones to keep or give away. My books will have to be exempt from this project. It's just a matter of getting more shelf space and reorganizing by subject - again. Hello, IKEA.


On a humorous note, one family member at the gathering quipped that the acronym for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: should really be "CDO", organized alphabetically.



Definition: "Obsessive-compulsive disorder: A psychiatric disorder characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions, such as cleaning, checking, counting, or hoarding. "



Links about Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD):

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive%E2%80%93compulsive_disorder
• http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4610

Emotional Clutter

Before we try to identify and solve the problems with the world, we need to focus within ourselves. A variation of that advice was quoted a couple of times on an OMNI-TV documentary last night called "Searching for Buddha".

As I reclined with a full stomach, sipping nog contentedly in front of our television and watching "Oliver!" I came upon this show while channel surfing to the viewing guide . I commenced watching it and would jump back to the movie during commercials. Talk about the inability to focus on one thing at a time! I think we call that multi-tasking in these days of varied distractions.

As part of my spiritual journey, I have been reading and collecting books on various belief systems. I am not willing to return to the religion assigned to me upon birth nor subscribe to any one line of teaching but am open to learn from words and actions of others who serve as unobtrusive guides. It's indeed a wonderful journey rich with new acquaintances and respected rituals.

Years ago, after being a survivor of domestic violence and dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, I found solace and serenity in the teachings of Buddhism. I also embraced journal writing as an outlet. I really wanted a life of simplicity and calm after escaping with my children from a home cluttered with material things, disordered behavior and frequent, angry tirades.

It has been six years and although we have accomplished simplicity and calm after moving to a brighter, happier home, I feel like we have once again accumulated too many material burdens.

My de-cluttering project will mainly address the material possessions. I am still addressing emotional clutter from our previous life. Since then, I have met many women and men who have gone through or who are still experiencing similar domestic discord that I had to live through. The best I can tell them is to seek communication, counselling and if that doesn't work, to ... escape to some safe haven if that is possible.


References:

• Searching for Buddha
  http://www.omnitv.ca/ontario/tv/docs/episodes/buddha/
• Survivor of Domestic Abuse
  http://web.ncf.ca/co848/tat/domestic_abuse.html
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  http://www.cmha.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid=3-94-97
  
• United Way - Strengthening Individuals and Families in Times of Need and Crisis
  http://www.unitedwayottawa.ca/English/What%20we%20do/index-c.php

It's Christmas morning and there are no presents under our tree

Don't feel bad for us. I planned this intentionally.

I wanted to address the wastefulness of the commercialized season and the clutter it brings to our lives.

In younger years when my children received or exchanged a few Christmas gifts, we would not always use wrapping paper. We put them in the reusable gift bags that you can buy at any dollar store along with sheets of reusable tissue paper. Some of these came from family and friends in previous years.

This year is a different one because I did not get pricey gifts for them. First of all, as a single parent, I cannot afford it. Second, I don't like venturing into crowded malls (or places period). I didn't even venture online to spend plastic.

I'm sure the words "Grinch" or "Scrooge" bounced around in their heads when I informed them weeks ago that we would not be getting presents this year. Instead, we would be redirecting funds to the young parents of a new member of our extended family as well as a few of our chosen charities. They seemed receptive to the idea, especially now that they are no longer "children". They seemed to accept and embrace the warm feeling of giving.

My growing children will still receive stocking stuffers of the chocolate kind and a bit of pocket money. They will also be able to share in a few feasts and celebrations with more family. Unfortunately, the older ones will have to work on boxing day as they are servants to retail, helping shoppers find bargains that fit or ... return unwanted gifts.

My first post

Who would know that I'd be at a loss for words. This is my first post of deep blonde thoughts, reflections on life, life styles and experiences.

To begin in 2010, my focus will be on de-cluttering my life, identifying things and habits that are not conducive to a peaceful, healthy and environmentally conscious existence. I plan to log my progress, ask for help and hopefully offer some useful advice.