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. 

- - - - 

Did you find this blog entry funny, interesting or inspiring? (See the reaction check boxes below).  You can also subscribe to / follow this blog via email notification.  See the little sign-up box on the right hand side of this page. 

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

On birthdays, aging and that "joie de vivre"

My birthday is coming up.   I hesitate to announce it since I don't like too much attention.

Considering my chronological age, I can confidently state that I still possess my original teeth, joints, fingernails, breasts and hair.  

I am though having difficulty discerning the difference between what is a hot flash and what is a reaction to recent weeks trapped in an unbearably sticky summer.


On the one hand, my front teeth seem too big, and my breasts seem too small. Heard this since adolescence...

On the other hand, the joints are relatively flexible and the hair is still a healthy, natural blonde mane sans des produits cosmétiques. 

On neither hand are bangles, rings, fake nails or polish.    

I wonder how women can function with fingernails longer than an eighth of an inch?  Is that hygienic or safe?  Is it even functional?  I'd be afraid of hurting myself or scratching a male companion.  Oh, right.  It's coming back to me...

And the colour - how the heck do you ensure the nail colour doesn't clash with your outfit choice each day?  I suppose one could make exceptions as an Olympic athlete - as long as it goes with the bronze, silver or gold! 

Who has the time or expendable income to frequently apply toxic substances and artificial colours.  Then there's the stuff you need to remove the polish a few weeks later. It is a rare occasion that I will apply a thin, clear layer after a quick trim and filing.  At least once it starts chipping, it's not as noticeable as with "cherry red" or "goth black".  The whole thing seems like a waste of resources and time - time I could spend reading or napping!

Speaking of artificial colour jobs: In the past two weeks five people have complimented or challenged the legitimacy of my natural blondness.  Why should it be so surprising that I don't colour or bleach my hair?  The only reality-altering liquid that comes out of a bottle in my petit apartment is wine and sometimes that just makes me giddy, sentimental or more apt to converse en Français.

Yep. Being a natural blonde has been a blessing and a curse for many years.  Poor me.  It has also been an assumed invitation for family and friends to send me copious emails containing dumb blonde jokes. Sigh.

Without seeming too vain, I hope that similar to my dear old Dad's, my hair will gradually change to platinum then morph into a mature silver-gray by the time I reach retirement age.  I also hope to inherit his folksy disposition, keep my mind and hands skillfully busy and continue to maintain a sense of awe.  

According to Psychology Today, if you want to know your true age, don't look at the calendar.  Don't do it!  Put it away.  (I have the same advice for bathroom scales.)   The article states there's a difference between your biological and psychological age.  I don't mind growing old, as long as happens gracefully.  Sometimes I just don't want to grow up. 

Again, I hesitate to announce MY UP-COMING BIRTHDAY  since family and friends may feel compelled to cover the cake with forty-some candles.  Considering that could be a fire hazard during our drought-like conditions, I advise them to use only one candle.  Tell them to make sure the CAKE contains CHOCOLATE.  A bottle of wine is optional.

- - - 

Goodness!  How I have rambled on.  Is that a sign of aging or an inane urge to share my deep blonde thoughts?  

Thanks for dropping by.  If you liked this blog entry, you can sample wine excerpts from my novel, The Year of the Rabbit.  

(Au sujet du Français, j'ai besoin de quelque gens qui peuvent m'aider traduire le roman en Français (gratuit) durant 2013 et peut être 2014.  C'est fou - ou un bon idée?)


T

Transitions and wardrobe malfunctions

This deep blonde entry is for those who are also going through transitions, either personally or professionally. 

In addition to Middle Age, the following are a few more books I have been reading lately, addressing personal, artistic and professional transitions. 

While out and about town a few weeks ago, I visited a branch of the Ottawa Public Library I hadn't been to before.  Although they didn't have the exact books I was looking for, I picked up a few that were related. 

Transitions - Prayers and Declarations for a Changing Life by Julia Cameron

http://www.amazon.ca/Transitions-Julia-Cameron/dp/0874779952

"Julia Cameron shares beautiful prayers of empowerment followed by potent declarations and reflections on the nature of change and coping."

This book is the perfect size for reading while riding or waiting for a city bus.  In previous years, I have also read and attempted the 12 week program from Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way.  I really got a lot of benefit from the morning pages exercise. 

"The Artist’s Way is the seminal book on the subject of creativity. An international bestseller, millions of readers have found it to be an invaluable guide to living the artist’s life."

Selected quotes from Transitions:

• It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end.  - Ursula K. Le Guin

• To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it. - Mother Teresa

• People need joy, quite as much as clothing.  Some of them need it far more. - Margaret Collier Graham

That last quote goes out to the other middle aged lady I encountered, running errands today in the 30 C plus heat.   Sweetheart, the next time you head out on a breezy, hot day in a light sun dress, please remember to wear panties.  Parking lot up-drafts can be embarrassing - for everyone!  I don't feel so silly now for wearing my big, floppy sun hat.

The next book is one that was interesting yet a little to tiring to read all the way through.  Yes, I skipped a few pages, looking for gems and interesting bits.

Light in the Dark Ages: The Friendship of Francis and Clare of Assisi by Jon M. Sweeney

http://www.amazon.com/Light-Dark-Ages-Friendship-Francis/dp/B002UXS33G

 
"The Middle Ages were not so very dark, as the old textbooks say. As you will discover in this intriguing portrait of the first Franciscans, we live in dark ages whenever we become preoccupied with power. In this popular history, Jon Sweeney reveals the timeless temptations that come with being human---greed, competition, ego, and selfishness---as well as the many ways that Francis and Clare of Assisi inspired change and brought light into darkness."
 

This book is also the perfect size for reading while riding or waiting for a bus. I wonder if Francis was a disenchanted youth and had daddy issues.  Perhaps his spiritual life in nature could be compared to the 1960's hippie commune movement.   Kudos to him for helping the lepers when not many others would.  I cannot understand his marriage to lady poverty and dislike for owning books - even religious ones.  He did not like to own things. 

I'm sure some of my family and friends thought my downsizing efforts a few years ago were a little extreme with my new-found minimalist desires.  I consider Francis' rule for not owning more than one garment a little severe and ... would be unhygienic by today's standards.  Maybe that lady in the parking lot had her other set of underwear in the laundry?  

Francis believed in only cooking enough food for the current day and saving none for the next.  He lived in the moment.  He obviously didn't have a family to cook for, to pack and freeze casseroles and containers for meals throughout the week.

Seriously, people need to work to survive and support their families using as many economical tactics and time management techniques as possible.  You have to be efficient and penny-wise to make it in this modern world.  In addition to volunteering, I see gainful employment as an important part of contributing to society.

My heart goes out to folks at RIM and the federal government who have recently learned that their jobs may be cut.  On that related note, the last book I will mention is called Promote Yourself, book focused on self marketing by Anita Caputo of the Big Picture Institute.  

Anita is also a public speaker and co-author of Learn to Bounce, a book that came out shortly after she and hundreds of others were laid off from Nortel.  I saw her speak at a professional development seminar a couple of weeks ago and was so impressed and inspired that I purchased a copy of Promote Yourself.  It's "a practical guide to marketing yourself without being too pushy or too shy!".  Being content and sufficiently challenged in my present employment, I mainly wanted to garner tips for promoting my nom de plume, Florence T Lyon. 

Thanks for reading this far.  I hope I spaced out my thoughts and paragraphs enough for a pleasant experience.  

I like reading.  I like reading paper books.  I'm sure you do too.  Do you also like to read books on your Sony, Kindle, iPad, Kobo or other electronic devices?  As a reward for your patience, permit me to offer you a discounted eBook copy of my novel, The Year of the Rabbit.  Drop by before July 31st though.

Thanks for visiting.  Relevant comments are welcome.  Please +1, like and share and remember:  Semper ubi sub ubi. 

T

Travelling Light

For the third time in a less than a month, I will be travelling and sleeping in a different bed.  

This is not typical of a home body dealing with residual anxieties from PTSD.  It's a gradual process. I'm taking small steps to prepare myself for a future trip across Canada and eventually... parts of the Mediterranean and North Africa. 

The first time was a complimentary two-night stay in a local hotel.  It was a lovely experience, sleeping in a king sized bed with six pillows.  SIX pillows! I was swimming in pillows and stretching my boundaries after the past eleven months of sleeping in a twin bed - at times shared with a cat waiting for breakfast.  The twin bed was a brilliant idea, the result of downsizing from a queen prior to our move last year.  

The hotel was a short walk to the workplace where I arrived early and somewhat refreshed on the following mornings. Let's just say that the second night was more restful than the first.  The stay was good practice with packing a bag, making healthy takeout dinner choices and leaving my young people to tend to their own needs and those of the resident felines. 

The second experience was a two-day trip out of town to visit family.  Of course, I took the train and once again made priorities with my packing list.  The two gift bottles of wine on the way there added a lot of weight.  I brought a different, artistically altered bottle back with me, wrapped with care in bubble paper and cushioned by bags of dirty laundry.  The double bed was perfectly padded for two excellent, cool nights of slumber.  Except for what I think was my stomach's reaction to too much cilantro, it was a lovely visit.  

This next trip will be a little farther away, for professional development purposes and with a slightly longer train ride.  That's okay.  I have a lot of reading to catch up with; one book related to inner journeys and another related to a professional goal. 

This packing list will be different, including comfortable outfits that look professional; shoes that won't hurt my feet while touring vendor exhibits and networking with people.  What about sandals?  Should I pack a pair in case I want to get outside for a stroll, air out my toes and appreciate that recent pedicure?  Vanity alert. 

I recall a previous trip and movie with tips offered by George Clooney's character Ryan Bingham, a corporate axeman and business travel author.  His preferred method was by passenger jet.  Hence the movie's title of Up in the Air.  

Besides my gaga appreciation of George Clooney's acting abilities, I liked the title of the fictitious book "What's in Your Backpack?".  It reminds me to reconsider the material and emotional baggage that I let weigh me down.  

Some times there are things, stressors and people that you have to leave behind as you continue your life journey.

Links for packing tips:

• Canada By Train - The Complete VIA Rail Travel Guide http://www.wayoftherail.com/catalog/canada-by-train/
• Virtual Tourist
  http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/Canada/Packing_Lists-Canada-TG-C-1.html 
• Trip Advisor - Business Travel Forum http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowTopic-g1-i12407-k4440624-Any_Packing_Tips-Business_Travel.html

I am tickled pink that you have read this far.  If you like my writing style, trains, wine and romance, you may enjoy reading The Year of the Rabbit, a novel about fate, family and forgiveness.  Get your Mom a copy of the Ebook for 99 cents.  Offer ends midnight on Sunday. 

T

Satisfying a desire

If you have followed my deep blonde thoughts for the past couple of years, you will be aware of my efforts to downsize my family's home, my attempt at living a more minimalist lifestyle after moving to a small apartment. You may also recall my 2010 post about coveting furniture.

Last weekend, I succumbed to the siren call of that desk (or his cousin) while passing by an English Butler outlet.  I saw the object of my desire. It was signalling to me from inside the store.  "Remember me?" he whispered, "Come closer.  Play with my pull-out writing surface.  You know you want to play with my drawers."

I paused in front of it.  I stroked the dark wooden surface, opened the drawers and pulled at the knobs with visions of getting this beauty into my bedroom. All I had for a writing surface in my tiny room was a folding table which had recently disappeared, being borrowed by a resident budding artist. 

This was not an impulse purchase, dear readers.  It was more of ... an obsessive love affair.  

I had been coveting this desk for years, every time I'd walk by that store.  If it wasn't near the front, I'd find myself craning my neck to see if it was somewhere at a side wall, hidden by the frivolous ornaments, candles and tapestry. 


Once the sales clerk confirmed that they could deliver, I was at the precipice to purchase.  My justification?  I had recently come into some coin plus needed a private place to write in my journal, to store stationery and books that were cluttering my tiny bedroom. 


My other justification was that due to the other procurement demands and errands of the day, I did not have time to study the PMBoK - something I tried to do on a weekly basis after escaping our crowded apartment for a visit to the local library.  Other than the dining table, there was no other decent place for studying.

So there it sits, waiting for me to organize my books, stationery and files into its mouth and belly.  I'll save that  activity for tonight - in-between loads of laundry.  I lead such an exciting life... 

Thank you for reading this far.  If you like my writing style, you may also enjoy reading "The Year of the Rabbit - a novel about Fate, Family and Forgiveness".  

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

A sense of order with sorting, packing and moving

As I step up efforts to downsize our material baggage, I am facing a dilemma of what to do with the copious books residing in our home.  They seem quite comfortable and content in the living room bookcases and in a couple of bedrooms.  Unfortunately, we may not be able to fit all of them in the smaller abode.  Some of them have not even been cracked open yet!

I will have to be selective with which ones can reside in the new bookcase arrangement, which ones will go into storage and which ones will have to find a new home.  It's a difficult decision. 

As I sort through the books of different subjects and attempt to maintain a logical order, I think about the library work term in Muskoka many years ago.  

As I sort out my little corner of the world, I acknowledge that the challenges I face are insignificant compared to recent tragedies and losses experienced by our fellow citizens.  My thoughts and prayers go out to them.

Pet Peeves and Conciliations

Finally!  A day of rest.  

This week of vacation was peppered with family roller-coaster rides (of the emotional kind), many appointments and meetings.  

The felines of the house >^..^< went for their medical checkups and shots.  >^..^<  I advised the animal hospital staff to keep it to the minimum and no, I can't afford to have their friggin' teeth cleaned. 

They're not even "my" cats (well, who owns a cat, anyway?).  One was adopted from the animal shelter five years ago as a birthday present for one of my own offspring.   The other was gladly received from another family's home (one with loud, overly affectionate children) and as I thought at the time, would be a good companion for cat #1. Cat #1 established her position as Alpha cat.

Cat #2 needs special, expensive food so as to prevent urinary tract problems.  Cat #1 likes eating the food too.  No harm in that for her but that means I have to purchase this food twice as often as needed.  Give the cat another canary, as my dear old Dad used to say...

One consolation through these stre$$ful visits, was the courteous, caring transportation service provided by Ottawa Pet Cab.  Thank you :-)


People should think of these things before getting a new pet (especially one for a child and the parents end up caring for it...)  As I go through our downsizing project, I ponder the costs and benefits of our furry family members.  When we choose a new location, I will likely be tempted to move "pet friendly" from the "nice to have" to "must have" checklist category. I'm soft-hearted, that way.

On the subject of pets - especially in the approaching year of the rabbit next month, please, please resist impulses to purchase a pet bunny.  They require more care than you may think. 


Thanks for reading.  Have a peaceful, caring day.

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/

One less chair

Well, we will have one less chair to move with us next summer. 

Youngest sprout applied too much force to the swivel office / computer chair's five feet while straddling it backwards the other day, waiting for colour printouts so he could personalize his locker for the new school year.  (I nearly freaked when he told me how many pages he was printing!)

Due to the plastic structure of the bottom, it would have been very difficult to repair. Instead of putting the broken chair in the trash pile last night, he decided he wanted to dissemble it and learn about the hydraulics mechanism.  I suppose we can put a positive spin on this loss as becoming a learning experience. 

As part of my down-sizing project, I am resisting any new furniture purchases.  Meanwhile, those of us who need to sit at the computer for long periods have the choice to do so on a hard, wooden dining chair with or without a cushion.  Some of us have plenty of built-in support ;-^  Another positive spin would be the opportunity to get up more often to stretch and move around.

There's often a plus side...

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

Top 10 tips for downsizing

I found this while sipping the first cup of coffee and skimming news sites this morning (okay, MSN has news and celebrity gossip...)

"Cut out the unnecessary before you move to a smaller home."

Good tips.  I chuckled though when they suggested to start three months before your move.  I guess that's good advice if it's just you and your own baggage. 

Details at: 

http://yourmoney.ca/real_estate/top_10_tips_for_downsizing/0c91c32c  which eventually leads to the source article at http://www.styleathome.com/homes/real-estate/top-10-tips-for-downsizing/a/308

I am giving our household more than twelve months due to other commitments and projects on the go.  One young person has one more year of university (insert glowing pride :-) here).  The others are still working out their paths. 

I find it interesting as we go through the seasons, identifying things that we don't use (umm, treadmill, de-humidifier anyone?) and things we likely won't use or need after our move (snow shovels, gardening shovels, rakes, buckets, etc.).