Getting Rid of Clutter
Here's a great video for getting rid of clutter. Youtube.com is a super resource for helping anyone start to declutter any room or office.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
25 School Days To Go To Retirement Day!
25 School Days To Go Until Retirement Day!
September 25, 2013
This is how I think I look when I am teaching my gifted classes!
Photo Credit: Unknown, from www.Pinterest.com
Only 25 more days of school for this teacher! I have to say that I am vacillating between leaping for joy and trips down memory lane each morning. Am I sad? Definitely not. Am I worn out and used up with so many years of teaching? Definitely not.
Do you see a sad teacher here? Nope! Not me!
Photo Credit: www.teachermum.com
What I have become is reflective and contemplative. The days are flying by, and I am busying myself each evening by filling boxes with school supplies to take to my school. Those supplies may be used by the teacher who will soon replace me. I hope to have a clean house, cleared of all traces of school supplies and equipment. I will always have my memories of school, of course.
This is what I'm doing in the evening now: boxing up extra school supplies to take to school.
Photo Credit: www.livingwaterborger.blogspot.com
My days following retirement are already scheduled with dental appointments (root canal and new crown), clearing the overgrown butterfly garden in my front yard, and having the air conditioner repaired in my very old car. These activities are in no way enjoyable, but I will finally have the time and motivation for getting them done.
Hope I get all those butterfly bushes and weeds under control soon after retirement!
Photo Credit: www.gardeningtipsforall.wordpress.com
There is a trip in my near future, to my friend in another state, where I may take an extended vacation while I remap my future life. In addition, I hope to finish redoing my guest bath, my kitchen floor, and painting the entire inside of my home.
Well, my little vacation may look like this...or not!
Photo Credit: www.thedigeratilife.com
Very soon, but not soon enough for me, I will be launching my professional home organizing business, Simplify Your Lifestyle, and that business will be a big part of the future I have been seeking.
Photo Credit: www.busybeeorganizingplus.com
While none of these activities sound like the "fun" I have been researching all year, they are the things that must be done BEFORE I can take off for parts unknown. Thank you very much for sticking with my blog all year while I worked through the "scariest year of my life."
.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Miss America 2014 Is Indian! Congratulations!
Miss America 2014 is Indian! Congratulations!
September 16, 2013
Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri
"Miss America contestant, Miss New York Nina Davuluri performs a traditional Indian dance during the 2014 Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey, September 15, 2013. Davuluri, 24, won the 2014 Miss America pageant on Sunday, giving the prize to Miss New York for the second year in a row. "
Congratulations to our new Miss America 2014, Nina Davuluri, from New York. She is the first Indian-American to win the national pageant and will represent all of us for the next year as the reigning Miss America.
Her performance was a traditional Indian dance.
Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri
( instagram.com/missnewyorkmao / September 15, 2013 )
"Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri competes as Miss New York during the preliminary rounds of competition."
Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri
( LUCAS JACKSON, REUTERS / September 16, 2013 )
"Miss America contestant, Miss New York Nina Davuluri reacts as she is chosen as winner of the 2014 Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey, September 15, 2013. Davuluri, 24, won the 2014 Miss America Pageant on Sunday, giving the prize to Miss New York for the second year in a row."
Congratulations, Nina Davuluri!
Saturday, September 14, 2013
SW Florida Eagles_Ozzie And Harriet Are Home 9-9-13
SW Florida Eagles_Ozzie And Harriet Are Home September 14, 2013
Harriet, the female eagle, is on the left and Ozzie, the male eagle, is on the right.
Taken by Vicki, wskrsnwings, today at dusk in Fort Myers, Florida
Photo Credit: screen shot from wskrsnwings' video
"Nesting Season will begin soon and Ozzie and Harriet have returned to check their home. They both look and sound healthy. Thank you Dick Pritchett Real Estate for maintaining such a suitable tree and environment for our Bald Eagle Family."
Southwest Florida Eagle Cam Foundation: http://www.southwestfloridaeaglecam.com/
Welcome home, Mom and Dad!
Here You Go: Another Huge Gator Caught in Florida!
Here You Go: Another Huge Gator Caught In Florida!
September 14, 2013
I don't know if PETA defends the rights of alligators in Florida, but I totally support gator hunters! Thank you for all you do for us.
Thirty-three More School Days Until Retirement!
Thirty-three More School Days Until Retirement!
September 14, 2013
This is how all the birds will line up in my front yard to get their seed when I retire, ha-ha!
"No cutting in line!"
Photo Credit: www.speedbump.com
This machine, called "the purple monster," is what made our copies, way back in 1973.
Photo Credit: www.cafepress.com
This is what I want when I retire: A big loving dog, a farm, and a smile every day!
You are all invited to my retirement party on November 1, 2013, in Orlando, Florida!
Photo Credit: http://rlv.zcache.ca/teachers_retirement_party_invitations-rbace0f07e13e4f6281a485fde4096933_8dnm8_8byvr_512.jpg
Yes, all of these will be true...but I will miss teaching forever.
Photo Credit: www.zazzle.com
Am I counting down the days? Absolutely. Am I becoming sad about leaving the children and all of the staff at my school, Arbor Ridge K-8 School? Absolutely.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
This is probably the alligator I saw this spring!
This is probably the alligator I saw this spring!
September 12, 2013
Last spring, I went to my favorite park on the Little Econ River and described seeing a gigantic alligator swimming slowly on the other side of the river.
Recently, three gator hunters caught a gator weighing over 700 pounds in the Econ River. I'm almost sure it's the same one I saw on that beautiful spring afternoon. The title of my post was "See Ya' Later Alligator!"
Try to imagine how these hunters got that creature into their boat! Just one big reason that many Floridians DO NOT swim in our rivers...
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Simplifying Your Lifestyle--How To Get Help
How to Get Help Simplifying Your Home
in Orlando
September 8, 2013
After retirement, I'm going full speed ahead into helping others deal with the "too much clutter" problem. Here is what I wrote on another blog to explain what I will be doing.
You have too much stuff to enjoy your lifestyle--Need help? Simplify Your Lifestyle is only an email away, and we can rescue you from the chaos you now call home.
We do it all, or we do just what you need for now. If you simply need gentle encouragement to get started on your own, we also offer one-time or ongoing coaching.
Also offered is virtual organization: You send photos of the area that needs the most help, and we analyze and offer strategies to get the simple lifestyle back into your home.
Your deep dark secrets will be safe with us. We've been there before ourselves.
In addition, the energizing of your home through the use of Feng Shui principles for furniture and accessories placement might be your preference.
We gently lead you through the chaos into that simple, peaceful, and welcoming home you deserve.
Use the contact form below to send us your problem, your Orlando location, your email, and your phone number. We serve the Orlando-Winter Park area within 25 miles of zip code 32803. Hourly rates are reasonable, available on request, and are based on your specific needs.
The only organizational service we don't provide is house cleaning, but we can provide names of those who do provide this service.
We will contact you within 24 hours of receiving your request for help and information.
So here is the link to my future career: www.simplifyyourlifestyle.wordpress.com
Thank you, dear readers, for staying with me all year as I examined, researched, and agonized over what to do the day after I retire. This may be the goal I was searching for all of these months.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Ask Yourself These Ten Questions To Help You Simplify Your Lifestyle
You Have Too Many Things...Need Help?
September 6, 2013
When you are faced with too much unused, never needed, messy, and stress-causing clutter, ask yourself these ten questions. I hope this helps you make some decisions to simplify your lifestyle. Print out the list and put a copy in every room of your home, to remind you how you can bring some peace into your home or office.
I found the list on Pinterest this morning, and it is simply amazing to me. How easy! My kitchen is where I'm going to start first this weekend. Happy weekend to everyone...
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Best Songs Ever From Best Movies Ever
Best Songs Ever From Best Movies Ever
September 5, 2013
Cher sings "The Shoop Shoop Song" (It's In His Kiss)
Video Credit: www.youtube.com
From "Mermaids"
"You Don't Own Me" by Bette Middler, Diane Keaton, and Goldie Hawn
Video Credit: www.youtube.com
From "First Wives Club"
"Baby Mine" by Bette Midler, added to Walt Disney's "Dumbo" footage
Video Credit: Walt Disney Company and www.youtube.com
I truly hope that you enjoyed these favorite songs of mine. Great music from great movies!
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Do You Miss Those Great Old Love Songs?
Do You Miss Those Great Old Love Songs?
September 4, 2013
Barbara Small sings "My Boy Lollipop"
Video Credit: www.Youtube.com
The Dixie Cups sing "Going To The Chapel" live!
Video Credit: www.youtube.com
The Big Bopper sings "Chantilly Lace" on the Dick Clark show!
Video Credit: www.youtube.com
The Troggs sing "Wild Thing" live!
Video Credit: www.youtube.com
Dionne Warwick sings "Walk On By" live on tv!
Video Credit: www.youtube.com
Neil Sedaka sings the slow version of "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do!
Video Credit: www.youtube.com
Tonight is a perfect night for remembering all of your teenage lost loves...and this music will comfort you, I hope. Sweet dreams!
Monday, September 2, 2013
How To Simplify Without Buying Anything
How To Simplify Without Buying Anything
September 2, 2013
BEFORE I simplified my own linen closet!
Photo Credit: Del Hylton
Today, as it was a national holiday, Labor Day, I spent my day doing some much-needed clutter busting. The goal was to go through at least 3 or 4 half-empty boxes of school papers and supplies and throw most of it away. Mission accomplished.
This afternoon, the boxes were empty and I was peaceful with the newly found space in the spare bedroom. The idea of continuing with my project led me to my linen closet, which is very small and very sad to look inside, as you can see.
Keeping in mind that this might help others with their sad closets as well, I set to "simplifying" my own space. It is depressing having to dig through nail polish, light bulbs, bandaids, and other necessities, just to find a bar of soap!
So, I took a "before" photo, gathered some containers I already had in my kitchen (which I never use anyway), and started. The entire project took less than 30 minutes, and I took "after" photos to share with you here. Total cost: $0.00!
The hair dryer that had mysteriously disappeared, causing me to purchase another one, appeared behind the clutter on one shelf. So, actually the cost of my clutter was the price of the new hair dryer: $15.00!
AFTER I simplified my own linen closet.
Photo Credit: Del Hylton
See the two hair dryers I have now?
Photo Credit: Del Hylton
Look at that bottom shelf: light bulbs and a first aid kit!
Photo Credit: Del Hylton
So, if I am going into retirement with limited income, I will definitely save money by keeping all of my possessions simple and in clear view, won't I?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)