Take a moment to think ahead and imagine.   Pretend it is mid-October, and autumn is well underway…the weather is cooler, kids are back in school, Halloween in approaching… You realize summer is long gone and winter is around the corner…

 What do you wish you had fit in during the summer?  Were there activities you wish you had done?  Was there a book you meant to read, but forgot?  Were there outside chores you could have taken care of? Summer clothes you wish you had worn while the weather was nice?

See what you come up with when you imagine yourself ”looking back” at summer and realize you still have time.  Fit in in!  Make it happen!  Put in on!  Do what you can while you have the chance so you can feel satisfied when you reminisce about your summer.  It’s not too late yet!

Once the pieces of furniture are in place, rather than immediately putting decorative pieces back where they were, I think it is smart to first spend some time in the space with the absence of those things and decide if they still fit and feel right.

We can outgrow our appreciation for certain things over time and our tastes can change. For instance, I now have a pile of treasures (pictures, knick-knacks, inspirational quotes, etc.) that I put aside when I installed my new desk and repositioned the furniture in my office. I used to love these things and they were selected and positioned to add a positive feel to my space and to help create great Feng Shui flow. Now, I see them piled across the room from me, and realize that some of them feel more like “clutter” than beautiful additions to my space. They fit my space before – but not anymore.

I think we can numb out to our environment, but our environment and the stuff in it is still affecting us. By taking a fresh look at the specific things we are surrounded by, we can make sure their influence is positive.
I guess I will be booking a charity pick-up for these former treasures and keep my eyes open for something that fits the new feel in my office. Then again, maybe this new, more spacious feeling is kinda nice…

Finding the perfect desk was a challenge. I guess I was lucky that I took my time, because I figured out along the way exactly what I needed in a workspace.

Here was my wish list:

• Maximum surface area – I like to pile projects separately
• A view out the window – for light, concentration, and curiosity
• Not facing into the light while at the computer
• Not having my back to the door = Feng Shui wisdom
• Access to my whiteboard - easy to write on
• No bars or legs in the way of my leg comfort
• A matching supply table within rolling distance – for quick grabs
• No built in wall or overhanging cupboards – for light and flow
• No sharp edges or legs = Feng Shui wisdom
• Easy access to technology

I shopped around at length and finally found the ideal desk. What a difference it makes to sit at a desk that fits. And to have more space than I need is a treat – even though I am sure I will soon spread out to fit it! The ripple effect of the move will last a few more days as I go through the old files I unearthed from the filing cabinet I needed to move… Then we’ll do a final clean and a Feng Shui tweak here and there and voila – a new beginning.

What kind of desk met my list of requirements? IKEA. I used the downloadable IKEA Home Planner software to create a floor plan of my office and “try on” different desks and tables. The software also created a shopping list for the many required pieces and parts. Great service all-round and I sure am enjoying the results. Hey, maybe this new desk will help me write this blog more often!! Stay tuned…

http://www2.oprah.com/index.jhtml

The one in/one out rule is a good guide.  It works with most purchases and can help make shopping decisions smarter.  For example, before you buy that gorgeous sweater that tempts you, decide which sweater you will be replacing (i.e. donating). If none comes to mind, you don’t buy the sweater. Otherwise, one sweater comes in to your closet and one departs… If your son has a birthday and gets 7 new toys, he gives away 7 toys… Any purchase or new arrival is balanced by an equivalent donation.  

As special occasions approach - like birthdays or Christmas -   you may want to adjust it to the one in/15 out rule!  You can even donate in advance of the occasion in anticipation of the good stuff to come.  It’s a great reminder to appreciate and a valuable opportunity for kids (and the rest of us) to share. 

I had a perfectly fine dishwasher left over from our renovation so I posted a brief description through freecycle.org  Within minutes I received emails from several people and had a new owner for the dishwasher.  It could not have been easier and it was free!

As I glanced through the other postings, I saw a wide variety of items available, so it could be a great place for collectors, new homeowners and crafty people to visit. 

However, I must CAUTION those of you who can’t resist a bargain and who find your home already overflowing with “treasures”… The pricetag of FREE might be too tempting for you.  So stay away from the site and have a friend post your giveaway items for you!

Lately I have been spending my spare time packing away stuff- one layer at a time - as we prepare to gut the kitchen. With each boxful of stuff I remove, I am noticing how much I prefer the space with more space!

Although I thought I preferred having a variety of coffee cups, so I could match just the right cup with my mood, I am really enjoying the simplicity of having just one cup. I always know where it is and I like the extra space on the cupboard shelf. Removing a bulletin board really cleaned up the space, and I have yet to miss the information I thought was so crucial. I won’t even mention how much we are enjoying the absence of the small stereo that used to live on a far corner of our counter…

Our kitchen is actually quite open and was not very cluttered, but I was still reminded of how numb we can get to the layers of stuff that builds up over time.

So instead of waiting for a reno to further enjoy your kitchen – perhaps skimming off a layer of stuff can freshen up your kitchen!