Aunt Lynda's Profile

These are the questions I find most helpful to ask myself before making any purchase:

1) Will this simplify or complicate my life? (From Organizer Hellen Buttigieg.) Also great for making decisions about activities, time commitments, relationships, etc. If the answer is "complicate," that isn't an automatic no, it just means I have to decide how willing I am to take it on and devote energy to it.
2) Do I already have something that performs this task?
3) Is this for my fantasy or real life?
4) Am I willing to maintain this? Whatever I obtain, I choose to maintain (from Organizer Carrie Carlson), and I'm more interested in living my life than caring for objects.

I'm currently working with an organizer, moving back into our home after a year-long renovation. NOTHING is coming back that isn't absolutely needed or loved and wanted. Just yesterday we worked in the kitchen, and many of the principles mentioned here were ones I followed in my decision making process.

Pre-renovation our refrigerator was a photo/postcard/kid art gallery, maintained with clever magnets. I decided I could live without what had become a glob of visual clutter, and now confine the display to one side, where I post one piece of artwork, the current Giants or 49ers schedule, and perhaps a recent birth or wedding announcement.

We're fortunate to have appliance garages/cupboards where our coffee-making supplies (grinder, beans, filters), and less-frequently used appliances (mini Cuisinart, hand mixer, Aero Press) are stored out of sight. There are 12 feet of windows over the sinks and counters, and I have less than 5 items on the windowsill.

All of this makes for an extremely clean, restful look, with plenty of room to cook up a storm, which is something I especially enjoy when our young nieces and nephews visit. It's terrific not having to move things out of the way before we can get started, or worry about items being damaged by accidental contact with beginning cooks. It also makes clean up a breeze.

Jane's Wall Collection tree freakin' *rocks*!!! We're getting a real tree, but I love this so much I'm thinking of where I can also have a wall tree.

In years past when we didn't have room for a live tree, I bought a wreath and decorated it with tiny ornaments. We liked it so much I sometimes still do that.

At first glance I took #3, Speak Kindly, to mean don't badmouth your home. Which isn't a bad idea either.

I've loved our home from the day we moved in over 24 years ago, and often say it loves having company. However, after 30 years in the unforgiving elements of the Santa Cruz Mountains, it came time for new siding. The original cedar shakes were waaaay past their prime.

Just before the renovation began I brought my 4 year-old niece to the house, and when she got out of the car she exclaimed, "Aunt Lynda, your house looks so happy!"

She obviously saw beyond the weather-beaten, sagging shingles to the spirit of our home, which further reinforces my belief in tending to the emotional and spiritual well-being of my home.

Dee-licious!! I'll be keeping an eye out for them. The vases manage to look soothing with just the right touch of lively, thanks to the clever combo of form and color. Hooray for Edward Robinson.

Did this last year in preparation for a remodel. Instead of just tossing or donating to Goodwill, we found places that could REALLY use things. InnVision, or the like (for formerly homeless folks setting up housekeeping again) takes those still-useable kitchen items, linens, even partial bottles of shampoo and cleaning supplies. Picture frames, calendars, candles, etc. that aren't our style all add a touch of home to a place when someone's starting from scratch.

Of our many cats over the years, quirks they've acquired, and lengths we've gone to accommodate them, include:

- waking us up so we can lift the covers and allow them access to our feet
- turning faucets on to a dribble so they can have a morning and evening drink from the sink
- wadding up grocery receipts for Gracie, because those were her favorite toy
- rinsing Odwalla tops for Spot; see above
- laying clothes we've worn spread out on the bed for them when we go away, even just for a weekend
- laying an item warm from the dryer on the bed for them; a utility towel or "around the house T-shirt"
- toys they've all loved are a ping pong ball in an empty bathtub; the aforementioned Cat Dancer; and Hot Cats catnip links http://www.fullcircleherb.com/

And in case it's not already obvious, our sweet fur family is worth every single adjustment!