mh11180's Profile

@REALLY? - I am going over to B&N to check that one out NOW! I bought "Throw Out Fifty Things" and I found that the best thing I threw out in that exercise was the book itself. I jokingly call Real Simple magazine "Real Shame" because it just gives me an enormous sense of guilt and embarrassment just because I happen to not have a super-low tolerance for things out of their assigned spaces. I think there's hope for me, but the shame tactics might just make me stick my head in the sand until A&E decides to film a Hoarders episode at my house!

Can someone please recommend which of these books (or any others) are best for the - confession here - lifelong completely un-organized person? I feel like every time I pick up an organizing guide, it's written by someone who's never been messy a day in their life. I'd love to see it from the perspective of someone who used to be like me and now has figured out how to reform their habits. I'm not a hoarder, I'm not psychologically damaged (Peter Walsh seems to make me think I have some sort of disease), I just have a much higher threshold for "OMG I need to clean this up" in my house. I don't NOTICE the clutter until it's WAY out of hand, and by then the cleanup will be an all-day event.

I don't know if I'd refrain from buying things that I couldn't afford to lose (I'd still buy, just insure them), but I get what you are saying. 45 days after I moved into my first home, it was robbed. All electronics, my computer, all of my jewelry - including irreplaceable sentimental items like my marathon finisher's medal and a fake set of pearls given to my grandmother by Jackie Kennedy - gone. After the dog came back (he had been scared off by the burglars), I was downright angry for a good couple of weeks. Then one morning while in the shower, I realized I just had to let it go. Stuff doesn't define me or even my taste. I never understood it until I did it, but Oprah is right - when you let go, you give a gift to yourself. The peace of having let it go is what is now irreplaceable to me.

Wine.
OK, for me, but whatever.

#1 is drawn back (albeit probably unintentionally) and isn't allowed to fall free.
#4 is used for drapery.
#9 is used for bedding (on pillows).

I personally think as long as it's done in a manner to glorify (rather than disrespect) the flag, I'm ok with it, but... I guess I'd just be sure to err on the side of caution because I wouldn't want to elicit any sort of upset from a veteran or Blue Star mother or other loved one of a fallen soldier. But again...to each his own. Just wanted to note it. Maybe a star/stripe motif (rather than an exact flag) might be a more appropriate choice in cases where flag etiquette may be broached.

yes, I agree - would run more efficiently, and I considered this. I opt for the greener and more efficient option 99% of the time, and I delayed this for a long time hoping I'd just grow to love the fan. Never did. Hated walking in my master bedroom because of it. I DID, however, attempt to offset it. I bought a thermostat with a timer (the AC is now all but off when I leave for work), I donated the fan and all its parts for re-use, I installed energy-efficient curtains on the windows (this helps more than ANYthing), and I told my roommate that if she wants to install a fan, I'll pay for it (the one I removed is too large for her room). Given the light fixture I replaced it with runs one CFL bulb vs the four that were needed in the ceiling fan, I'm at peace with the decision to remove it.

I live in the south and just took down the ceiling fan that came with my bedroom last night. I tried for SO LONG to use the "it's more energy-efficient than the A/C" excuse, but it's just too. darn. ugly. And this was a REALLY nice fan.
Down went the ceiling fan, up went a modern light fixture that FINALLY tied the room together. That being said, hey, if you love them, more power to you. If you want a really nice one, go to the Charlotte ReStore, because this fan is gettin' DUMPED.

My kitchen was identical when I moved in other than the counters - not kidding, even the pulls and appliances are the same. I struggled with the same things. I painted a sagey-mint green (Behr's Zen), changed out the pulls to handles on the cabinets and semi-circular on the drawers. Made a huge difference. Eventually I'm going to put in a backsplash, but I've been debating making the cabinets white instead. I have a neutral granite with a large "pattern" to it (looks like chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream) and it works as it doesn't show ANY dirt. Biggest difference came when I installed lighting though - less than $200 altogether at Ikea, including the overhead light fixture, just had to install myself.

Three words: Potential Fire Hazard.

I love that AT has delved into this topic. I think everyone in this world should live alone at least for a year. It's amazing what you find out about yourself...like that maybe you weren't so perfect after all. I figured out that I actually DID drink the milk that fast - I apologize to my former roommate for accusing her of taking it! You also get to fine-tune your own internal clock, watch Oprah when it's 2 am, listen to embarrassing music at full blast, walk around naked, come in drunk without having to be quiet....oh the list can go on. I seriously have a theory that couples who have lived on their own, by themselves, will stay married longer. I have no scientific evidence, but I'm convinced of it!

That being said, I agree with the previous posters, and might want to tack on my own:
1. Being Sick sucks when you live alone. As already mentioned, it sucks. But look at it as a way to be with yourself for a couple days and embrace the flaws. Don't freak out if the snot rags get left on the coffee table, just take care of yourself. I agree with the chicken soup, wish I'd have thought of that.
2. ALWAYS have someone to check on you regardless of health or illness. I'm paranoid that I'll get kidnapped on a Friday, and no one will know until Monday when I don't show up at work. Just have someone who looks to make sure you've logged onto Facebook, who checks in with you, etc. Your mother will thank you.
3. I agree - Invite people over to combat the "cooking for one" problem. You NEED interaction, and it's easy to fall into isolation.
4. That being said, there's a THOUSAND good cookbooks for cooking for one. I have several.
5. Get to know your landlord and neighbors. You never know when you might need them. I had a neighbor see a man at my front door for a weird amount of time, then she called me to see if I was ok - I wasn't expecting anyone and didn't hear anyone at the door, so she immediately called the police. If I hadn't had known her, she'd have thought he was just a friend of mine. And the proverbial cup of sugar lent to a neighbor really does go a long way.
6. I agree with the previous posters - get a pet. When I went through a very bad breakup, I lived by myself. I didn't want to get out of bed for months at a time, but my faithful beagle had to pee, on schedule, every day, so I had to get moving. If it weren't for him, I hate to think how far I'd have sunk. Humans need interaction, but thankfully, a dog or a cat will do in a pinch!