2011 can go straight to …

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I just got home from a busy 12 hour shift. A busy one in which the alarm bells and whistles of patient calls, IV machines, cardiac monitors will be in my new years dreams tonight, I’m sure. Straight into the hot tub with a glass of wine went I after disrobing from the grimy germy uniform.

As I sat in the soupy lather, listening to Dan Mangan on the outdoor speakers,  I contemplated the year from beginning to end.

My new year started in Toronto, where I witnessed the scene after the first stabbing of the year. It was a balmy evening, just like this one, and it took us 2 hours to get home by packed streetcar to the Beaches. The streetcar crowd was singing ‘Build me up, Buttercup’ and ‘Hey Jude’ at the top of our lungs. Admittedly,  fun was had.

Since then, all in all, I can remember more bad times than good this year, with relationship issues with family members and friends in their own crises. As a close friend of mine put it once- “Just thank the Universe you’re just the supporting actress instead of the starring role in these dramas”. There were times that were not bad, spent trying to make these count as the good times, just because they weren’t the bad times.

I have been told, and agree, that I am an optimist and have a cheery disposition, but sometimes I feel that I’m not as good a supporting actress if I have too many stars to support all at once. We all got through it OK, albeit a bit bruised.

When we talk about New Years Resolutions, all I can think about is that I resolve to live in the present, not to repeat 2011and to embrace 2012 as the year that could!  This year will be a new year. It will be better. I just  know it.Don’t you? That’s the optimist in me, through and through!

So my toast to this new year is that 2011 can go straight to *%###*”(BLEEP)!

Here’s to 2012: The year that could!

Christmas Countdown: 3, 2, 1!

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.The psychologists say Christmas stress is often ignored!

Stress, as we know, can causes a breakdown in your immune system, leaving you susceptible to colds and flu.

Add to that the overdrinking and overeating, and under-exercise, and you might end up in my emergency department!

Yet some stress is natural, invigorating and can get the adrenaline flowing, quickens the mind, energizes the body and helps us get on with life in a much more positive way.

We can see stress as something of a friend: 

As Monty Python once put it:

When you’re chewing on life’s gristle, don’t grumble, give a whistle

So I feel my ethical job is to give my 2011 Christmas organizing, décor and health tips that will relieve the stress. And it’s not a cocktail list, just some ideas to help you make this holiday season the best one yet!

 

Buy Gift cards. Yes, I said it, something for everyone! The recipient gets to choose the gift, yet it shows that you know what they like, where they spend their time or prefer to shop.

To further personalize, add a token gift to go with the card. For example: Earphones with an Itunes card, A key chain with a Canadian Tire,  or give a La Senza card with a dollar store net bag for washing under garments, A box of popcorn with a Galaxy Cinemas card, a travel mug with a Tim Hortons card.

One Christmas I opened a gift to have an onion fall out onto the floor. It was wrapped in with a set of swimming goggles! That was meaningful and funny for me.

The season is for laughing and joy, after all.

Organize your purse before you go shopping. In my clutter workshop I give the participants 5 minutes to write down everything in their purse without looking in it. Interesting results!

Eliminate any unnecessary receipts, paperwork or other items. Start an envelope for all your Christmas receipts. Especially the gift cards. If there is a problem recinding them, you may need to show the receipt. Best to give it with the card.

Ensure you have all your coupons and gift cards before you go out the door.

Lock your purchases in the trunk of your car. Take a blanket with you to throw over purchases you place in the back seat. There’s nothing like being a victim of theft to ad stress to your life.

Last minute wrapping, baking, preparing?

When you have to organize something, the last thing you want to do is get bored with the project at hand. Add some zest to those organizing projects ahead of you

Turn on the tunes. Background music can be very motivating when you’re trying to get something done. It can keep your energy flowing. However, the type of music you choose should be suited to the job at hand.

Sprinkle in some fun.

Dancing is a perfect way to relieve stress and burn calories. Slow dancing—3.5 calories a minute, fast….10.4 calories a minute. You might pick a pop Holiday album to bop to your chores with..

Remember STRESSED IS JUST DESSERTS backward.

Visiting family, or having them over, and being an adult, but put once again in the role of a child is very difficult. Don’t expect good will. People don’t change. Don’t take responsibility for other’s happiness. Don’t expect miracles. Avoid known triggers in family gatherings. Use distraction techniques. Be a good listener. It makes you popular. (So does stocking up on rum and eggnog)

Guests coming over with no time to clean?

First impressions make the difference.

Take 10 min. to clear and clean the foyer.

Take 10 min to shine the taps and wipe down the bathroom

Take 10 min to declutter. Delegate!

If you set up your manger and there are wise men and a camel missing,, don’t worry. The fact is that there were not 3 wise men, no camels, and actually no manger.

They came to see a babe in a house acc. To Matt. verse2:chapter11.

They didn’t make it to the manger on time, and like 3 wise women would have, they didn’t ask for directions, deliver the baby, clean the stable, make casserole or bring diapers and other practical gifts!

  Don’t do it all in one day

Only Santa has to worry about that Thanks to our time zones, he has as much as 31 hours to deliver to 832 houses per second. And anyway, it was Pope Julius in the 4th century that chose Dec.25. It’s called a season, this Christmas thing.

If you have a busy lifestyle, you’re not willing to give up any of your activities and you can’t hire someone to help, you can’t expect your home to be perfectly organized all the time. Once you acknowledge this fact, you’ll be able to progress and find happiness in everything you are able to accomplish, instead of fretting over everything that still needs to be done.

 Finish what you started. So today I went home and looked for all the things I started but didn’t finish. I finished off a bottle of wine, a bottle of Bailey’s, some cheesecake, that bag of cookies, the prozac and a box of chocolates. You don’t know how good I feel!

You can complete projects if you commit to the ’20 minutes each day’ plan, and your home could look presentable. Set a timer. Make an appt with yourself. Respect yourself enough to keep the appt.

Book a silent night, holy night. Stay home, play soft music, light some candles,  meditate. You may not say no to others, but don’t say no to yourself either. Treat yourself as often as you can.

My lovely and talented sister, Marion, painted this blue tree. I love it!!!

The #1 selling Christmas song of all time?

Bing Crosby’s:Night before Christmas

 

Be the architect of your own holiday season.

Honour your family and friends with opportunity to connect.

Create intimate times with the ones we love.

The holidays will not let you down. Only you can do that.

If you could package this wonderful spirit of Christmas, you would have a present full of wonder, peace, faith, goodness, charity, simplicity, fun light and delight, laughter, and glory .

Thankfully you can give this gift. Take care of yourself and you can let it flow freely from your every thought, feeling and action. Give the gift that keeps on giving.

 

 

Merry Christmas to All!

Patti and Jim

 

How to Get Great Guests!

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I’m making my list and checking it twice.

This next week I’m hosting 4 different social get-togethers at our home. I know, I know. Can’t I say no? Truthfully, I didn’t want to and am looking forward to it all. Life is about balance, and I have a dear friend in palliative care at home for her last few weeks, whom I’m hoping to help out. The celebrations of the season is a nice balance to all that. In actuality, it’s more of a coinciding partnership. It’s all about the love and light of the season, whether I’m with my friend, who’s the light of so many people’s lives, or whether I’m with my family and friends and the light shining from everyone here.

How am I going to make this as stress free, as flowing, as easy as possible? We certainly can try. Today, we’re vegging here at home, and like I started out, making my list. It’s a little downtime before for the up time during the downtime.

The only way to make it flow is to make sure your guests are great! How can you control that? Some of it comes from pre-paration. Delegating jobs and encouraging contribution.

Never say no to guests asking what they can bring. I always ask them what their specialty is. This is usually something they like making and is easy for them because they’ve done it many times before. Effortless as possible. They are already happy guests and the party hasn’t begun.

Always make the party BYOB and have some extra on hand, like a non-alcoholic punch, some homemade irish cream, and some rum and eggnog.

Provide Ambience: Lights of the season. Candle lights, soft lamps, strings of lights, lit up cabinetry, all of it! I have coloured lights hanging from my clothesline. We have a hot tub, and I play Caribbean Christmas songs on the outside speakers at this time of year. Add a fire-starter to the chimnea and voila! Pure delight.

Make the menu malleable. We are fortunate enough to have a freezer full of food that we bought when it was on sale. I see the bag of shrimp. I’m going to fry them up and serve them with a jar of thai dipping sauce I bought from the local farmers market for our Christmas eve party. Guests are bringing snack foods. I created an event on facebook and specified that snack foods would be welcome. Do you like my little ‘Santa Hats’?

Leftover turkey will be used to make casserole for the gluten free types on the guest list on boxing day. With some brown and wild rice, a nice salad, and a dessert contribution from a happy guest. Of course another guest or two has brought some hors deuvres types, and I’ve laid out some cheeses, grapes etc. I can get a guest to make up that tray while they’re here.Perhaps a spicy soup, like pepper squash, or toasted red pepper and tomato? Yes, red is needed.

Provide provisions: Meaning bedding, an air mattress, when needed, or even a nap spot for that hung over Gen Xer, or the senior citizen to revive. Fresh water in a glass pitcher only $2 from the local thrift store will be waiting in the room. :)

Sometimes your guests overlap to two or more events, and that gives YOU the opportunity to let them help out from one event to the next. But don’t forget, you’re going to impress someone new with each festivity. Add music, lights, then ACTION! Open the door, let’em in!

Bling Bling Bling!

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Tis the Season of light! What that means to your home is reflection, brightness, shiny bling, candle light, glitter.

“Sprinkle with Twinkle”

Why are we so attracted to sparkles, shine, dazzle and light? Because they’re beautiful and eye-catching. I believe in adding lights to plants, adding garland to balconies, adding tea light candles to wine glasses. Anything to bring pizazz to the space by just small doses of “sprinkle” to make your house “twinkle”.

Lights, silver, action! Holiday parties, dinners, gift exchanges, tree trimming, wrapping, baking, shopping. Away we go!

Decorating your space in the spirit of the season helps you get into the mood. If you haven’t done anything yet, book your time slot! Get it done. Believe me, it will be worth the effort. You will feel caught up to your friends, family and neighbours by that mere task.

Add bling with silver and gold on your tree, and lots and lots of white lights. Glass ornaments abound this year. Reflection is bling. This season the combination of silver and gold is seen with designers everywhere. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

Add bling to your dining room with white candles in glass candlesticks, perhaps a trifle bowl full of silver or gold ornaments. Re-pour your rye and rum into glass or crystal decanters. I buy them from the thrift stores.

Add bling by putting out your glassware, stemware, on your dining sideboard as if you’re ready for the party! I bought some silver chargers from the dollar store today. $2 a piece!

Here’s my Christmas tree. It warms the spirit to put your tree up, believe me, if you haven’t done it already, book the time and play your favourite holiday tunes, and voila!

There are tons of great silver and gold ornaments and holiday items at the dollar store. I’ve got to get out there again today.

Ok, I’m back. I love the dollar store! I will show you my kitchen for the next post.

Have you added any bling yet?

A-B-C’s of Kids De-Cluttering for the Season

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Well, Christmas is just around the corner now, and how are YOU going to get the kids on board in your preparations?  This is the best time of year to motivate them to action:

A: Abbreviate some of their toys. Use this time of year to your advantage. They are aware if they are school aged kids, that there are kids less fortunate who might not have a Christmas as abundant as their own. Pull at their heartstrings by encouraging them to donate some of their toys, and make room for the toys they will receive on Christmas day.

B: Be on top of  their chores. Bribery works at this time of year, especially with the toddlers who want to be good for Santa Claus!  Create a chore list, and sell it just as a new holiday chore list. Then, for the new year, motivate them with the adult tradition of New Years Resolutions for their chores.

There are lots of ideas for chore lists on www.Pinterest.com..

Set the timer for 4  to 20 minutes according to age. A rule of thumb for children’s attention span is their age + 2 minutes. Even adults should only be expected to work 20 minutes of focused time. The timer works because the ticking keeps them on track. Make it a race, or contest.

C. Cooperate with a parent. If you are vacuuming, baking, doing dishes, de-cluttering, or shining the taps for company coming over, Delegate a chore for everyone an hour ahead of time with the incentive of enjoying the company together. “Aunt Patti and Uncle Jim aren’t coming over until we have the place tidy for them” might work.

This season is one for family, joy, light and laughter. Play play play, no matter what you’re doing. Turn everything into a game. My mom always seemed to be in a bad mood when doing housework for a family of 8. I got a real paradigm shift one day, when I paid a friend to do some housework. She looked up from vacuuming and smiled! That was the first time I ever saw that in my life, I realized. Involve your kids and everyone will win.

Cozy Fires in My Home

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This chimnea is sitting beside my hottub. Talk about a little romantic getaway right in my very own backyard after dark! For a couple of years I didn’t even use it, but I found chunks of firestarter at Dollarama, and broke it up into 4 peices. Yes, that means only 25 cents for a fire that lasts 20 minutes. That’s as long as I sit in the hottub at one time. We have outdoor speakers also, so if you hear the music on in my neighbourhood at night, don’t go looking for it! I may be having a private romantic moment with my sweet man of happiness!

Another ‘romantic fire’ we have in our home is on the TV in our bedroom…tucked away on the top shelf of a custom closet made just for it. The fireplace DVD is always handy. My husband never has to guess if I’m in the mood when I start THAT movie! There is a crackling sound, and ladies, the lighting is perfect for our skin!

 


5 Small Steps to Start your Holiday Season

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I just can’t help it! I have to start writing about the season. The blanket of snow outside my front porch is so beautiful at the moment, while I’m cozy in my robe. I’m allowed, today, because I just finished my 2 12 hour night shifts at the hospital. This 5 day-off segment is going to be packed full of both business and social activities.

I’ve been surfing and reading about the trends in holiday decorating for 2011, and none of it really surprises me.

This year you will see a blend of both silver and gold together in the same setting.

Bling, bling, bling! I love both, although I’ve been using silver the past few years.

This early in the season, there are a few things that you can do to get a head start on your holiday decor. Remember, think of the small steps, the tasks, rather than the whole project at hand.

1. A simple wreath in either natural green or pure white will show your neighbours that you’re in the spirit already.

2. The next time you’re in any store that has Christmas decor,  take a stroll down the aisle,  just for a look at what’s happening.

3. Have a peek at your boxes of last year’s decorations.  Are there things that you’ve tired of? If they don’t represent the holiday that you want this year, take a box over to your donation store. Someone else will surely enjoy them.

4. Personally, I wait for Dec 1 to put up my tree, but now is the time to start de-cluttering that space. Don’t add to the decor, replace instead. Simplify, simplify!

5. If you choose to send greeting cards this year, get out your address book, update it by checking the white pages on your computer for postal codes, addresses, etc. New friends this year? Business contacts? You may want to add them to your list. Just sayin’!