Almost Clutter Free

When I told my mother I wanted to de-clutter.  She said "where?"  I've always been neat but I had a secret, I hid clutter well.  Paper stacked ever so neatly.  All piles of whatever, had a nice pretty little home and well...don't open that door!  Until now.  I spent the last few months (the summer plus) sorting and getting rid of everything!  I mean everything.  I have gone through every single drawer, box, closet, cubbyhole, cabinet, shed and eve in my home (interior and exterior).  I've gotten rid of:

• jewelry
• furniture
• underwear/socks
• magazines
• unmatched silverware, extra pots, pans, storage containers
• expired anything
• clothes (that I don't wear/like/fit), things discolored, with a hole, out of date or anything questionable
• books I haven't opened in years and don't intend to
• extra vases and tchcokes that were attacking dust
• extra makeup, lotions and potions
• anything that I don't love, need, have sentimental value or that I think is beautiful was out of here!  
  

When I started doing this and I realized I didn't miss any of the items I thought many of the following things: 

Did I buy all of this crap?  Why?  Why?  Why?  When was the last time I used this?  What the Hell was I thinking?  Arghhh!  I want my money back!  Never again!  What a waste!  Are you kidding?  Now that was funny!  #$!@@%!!!**&%

I have posted over 200 items to freecyle.  Taken bags and bags to thrift and consignment stores.  Sold items on Craigslist - sorry ex man - you shouldn't have left that juicer here...too bad you didn't leave more!  I also had a yard sale where I made almost $500...okay one of my friends donated $150 for my adoption but I did give him some items so it still counts!  I have a few more things that I'm trying to decide if I should sell them on ebay, donate or give them away then I'm DONE decluttering!  

It feels and looks awesome. 

I have boxes for my storage shelf in the basement by the water heater, etc. (albeit not as pretty as I would like but that will come in the redecorating phase)...even the hammers and glue guns have homes now.  Why do I have 7 hammers and 6 glue guns?  Hmm when I couldn't find one I would buy another.  Not any more.  All medicine and vitamins have storage...I mean I'm like the queen of freakin' organization over here now!  What I have realized from all of this organization is that once you begin it is like a new disease.  I walk around my house now thinking do I really need this.  Most of the time the answer is No.  Yes!  I love this new less is more life.  

Now on to a major clean before redecorating.  That won't be fun!  

Tomorrow I'll post pictures of my awesome organization.  

Has anyone else gone through this?  Maybe you moved and were forced to de-clutter but how did you feel and what did you get rid of?

My Book- Assistance Needed

I decided NOT to start a 3rd blog!  Are you freakin' kiddin' me?  I woke up a smelled the coffee?  I'm purging my life not making it more difficult.  So, this little 'ole blog of mine may have to change some but I'll figure out what the heck it is sooner or later.  Just roll with me.  In the meantime...if you didn't receive my personal email consider yourself lucky, you just get to read it here.  It is about my book.  I beg you (I don't beg often) please participate AND if you have a blog you can post something and ask people to help me out.  I would be forever in your debt!  I'll send you a book when published.  ;-)  But remember I'm pretty slow when it comes to mailing things!  LOL

Here goes it:

Call For Recession Lesson Submissions

My name is Tami; I’m an education consultant, entrepreneur, blogger, and potential adoptive single parent who has just realized (ok, maybe it's been a while) that I am about to become a parent during one of the worst economic climates in history. I worry about maintaining a stable life for my family today and tomorrow in light of all of that is going on in the world today. I know I’m not the only one with these concerns. Everyone is talking about it; someone should write a book about it in "real speak." Hey, great idea! Why don't I write that book? So, I’m reaching out to you for your assistance…I am interested in finding out how the recession has affected you.  

I don’t know about you, but the spendthrift days for me are gone. This economic setback has turned into the longest recession EVER. No one wants to use the D (depression) word for fear of a global meltdown, right??? But, I am sure we can all agree, this “recession” isn’t ending any time soon or maybe it just isn’t ending fast enough for us regular folk. Nevertheless, I’m getting used to it and have made adjustments for my new recession lifestyle. Who knew this would turn into a ”lifestyle”? However, after listening to friends, acquaintances, and the media, I realized this isn’t only my lifestyle; this is a new attitude many are taking hold of in some shape or form.  

People that once spurned thrift stores, coupons, sales, dollar nights, hand-me-downs, or anything thrifty are now looking to save a dime any way they can. So, my questions for you are:
• How has the recession changed your life and/or relationships?
• What things have you given up?
• What are you doing (examples please) to save money?
• What lessons have you learned?
• Once the economy is stable, will you return to your old habits? If so, which ones? Why?
• Have you prepared yourself for the future regardless of what it holds? Please explain.
• If you haven’t made any lifestyle adjustments, why not?

Answer one question or answer them all. Tell a story, make it funny, heartfelt or even a tearjerker, just be sure to include who, what, where, why and how the recession has affected you and how you have adjusted for it. The best advice, lessons and stories will be used as part of a book compilation of short stories about the recession. Don’t forget those cost saving examples!

Submission deadline: October 5, 2009

Include*: First Name or Initials; City, State
Email to: recessionlessons2009@gmail.com
*Optional: If interested and available for follow-up questions, please include your name, contact information, and best time to reach you.  

Thank you for your participation and for playing nicely in the sandbox with me!

Book Update

I have figured out my book!  Yes!  

Sidebar:  I met this guy online and after each point made he would put YES!  I of course never met him, very annoying and a little scary I might add.  BTTB (this texting has me all messed up)...Back to the book.

You will know more about it this week, which we know may mean next week for me.  I'm working on the book and book proposal now but in the meantime guess what?  I'm going to have another blog!  LOL  I can't keep up with the 2 I have now, but this one is a necessity for the book so If You Think You're Lonely Now: 

LOL...you can catch me at the other blog AND I do expect full participation!

Have a great weekend! Anything fun going on?

I'm Golfing!

Yesterday I had my first golf lesson!  Yeah!!!!!  I think I'm going to love golf.  I also did great.  All of the men were very impressed.  I got the wind up under my balls (golf balls of course, I don't have the other kind) as they said.  I also have great hand eye coordination.  They said by the end of the summer I will probably be good...for my first season playing that is.

I'm going out again on Saturday so I'll try to get some pictures of me in a swing for you all.  I guess I can cross golf off now.  Finally a cross off.  Whew, I was getting a little lazy there!  

Does anyone else play golf?

DC International Film Festival Begins April 16

The Washington, DC International Film Festival begins April 16th!  Can I get a WOOT, WOOT?  I'm getting ready to check another goal off of my Rocking 40 List.   

Does anyone want to go to the Opening Night Gala with me?  How about...can anybody get me a free ticket?  Nothing beats a failure but a try!  LOL

Happy Friday!  Have a Great Weekend.  

Rocking 40 List Update

As I approach the end of month 3 (or 2 for my Chinese New Year) of my Rocking 40 List I have accomplished a few things, but I also realize I have so far to go.  However, it has not all been for not because through this process I am learning a lot about myself like...I don’t do well being put into a box.  Many of those items I first had a monthly or weekly target but I soon realized that was too stressful for something that was supposed to be fun and I don't need any additional stress.  Some would call these goals, but I just don’t do well with closed ended goals like these, I’m more of an open-ended person.  I see the bigger picture and in Tamiville it always has more than one answer.  I could have never been an engineer or mathematician because I always thought there was more than one solution to the problem.  I'm just creative like that.  Although I don’t do well with "confinement" I realize I do need more structure in Tamiville particularly since my daughter is coming home (relatively) soon, this helps me to tackle them aggressively and give myself a break when I don’t accomplish them.  For instance: I gave up the no TV rule. My stress level required the mindless boob tube, but I am cognizant of it now and I am weaning myself off of it.  

Following are my other updates:

• Getting rid of unwanted clutter (paper) and items in my home.  This is a continuous battle.  I’m just tired of stuff! I want to lead a simple life full of only things I love, need and have a sentimental value.  How do we accumulate so many things?  I can't take it!!!!!
• Have scheduled and had monthly game parties at my house since February, they are a blast!  Number 3 is April 3.  
• Decided on the book I am going to write and have started working on the proposal and outline.  If anyone knows anything about writing a nonfiction book please send me an email.  I'm new to this....HELLLPPPP!
• Working out is up and down.  I don’t do well in times of stress, counter intuitive I know.
• Working on an adventure with my best friend…stay tuned! 
• Have not read one book! I have decided to make it a cumulative total (for the next 18 months) instead.

So…there is the update.  How are you coming with your list?

Yellow No More

One of my "To Do's" on my Rocking 40 List is to get my teeth whitened.  Not only are yellow teeth unattractive, they age you so...change the things you can change and don't worry about the others (you know the exact saying I'm sure).  

While I'm readying my purse to part with the $600 my dentist requires I decided to take matters into my own hands.  I went to TarJay to look for a short term alternative and came across the Advance White product line from Arm & Hammer.  Not only was there a toothpaste (which I had used before with no memorable change) there was now a booster.  The booster promised to make your toothpaste work 3x better to get those yellows pearly white a nice shade of tan (well, it said 3 shades).  

$3.99 for the Advance White Toothpaste and $5.79 for the Whitening Booster  

I've been using the products a couple of times a day (when I'm not too lazy) and I love the combination.  My teeth really feel clean when I brush and....drum roll please....

...my teeth are actually brighter!  Almost off-white now!  YEAH!!!!!  I'm still getting them professionally whitened but this will keep me happy until I can stomach that vanity dental bill.

I should have taken a before yellow picture but I didn't.  It's a good thing this blog is about being 40 and not a beauty blog because I would fail for sure!  

Bottom Line:  Great buy!  

Has anyone else tried Arm & Hammer?  Have you had any good results with another at home whitening product?

40 Day Heathen Reprieve

I do consider myself a Christian, but I've never been one to follow rituals such as kneeled prayer (I believe in praying all day every day) or Lent.  However, as I'm sure it has been with many individuals this past year, life is hitting me kind of hard.  I'm feeling that I may need some rituals and tradition in my life.  It may be just for now or they may become a regular part of my life.  I don't know, but I do know I need a change.

On Monday I began with cutting the TV off during the week (I did watch the President last night.  How could I not?  I heart him and the economy stinks, so I wanted to see what he had to say...that is until I fell asleep).  So, today, thanks to my friend Laura, I am going to begin Lent.  I've decided that I need to do much more than I am doing and I need to be in a constant prayer (if you will) about things going on in my life.  Additionally, a 40 day fast to prepare for my 40th...how apropos.  The one thing I have repeatedly said is that I do not want to take all of the baggage, unhappiness, anxiety, drama and just plain 'ole stuff from my 30s with me into my 40s.  I want to begin my new decade exuberantly and with more life than I ever had.  These 40 days will be in preparation of that.  So, what am I going to give up for the next 40 days:

• Meat and Fish (straight vegan, meat not difficult, fish that's another story)
• Chocolate & Carob (I really wanted cookies today and I was eyeing a chocolate milk)
• Alcohol (the little bit I drank gave me migraines anyway) 
• Complaining (wow, what is that...fake it till you make it saying)
• Excuses (kind of goes with complaining doesn't it?)
• Blogging (reading and writing between the hours of 8a-6p)
• Not Doing a Daily Exercise (I need to do something even if a crunch each day)  
  
• Being a Heathen (making sure I study and pray daily)

As my Pastor said on Sunday, when things are going sideways you need to be in constant prayer, all day, every day, asking God for his guidance and direction.  My way has not worked.  I'm giving up my stuff to be in constant contact with the Big Man upstairs.  

Is anyone else giving up anything for Lent?  

Week 1: No TV

I must admit something I am not proud of, I did allude to this a few posts ago though.  I've been watching way too much TV on a daily basis.  Because I have so many things going on in my life right now that I would love to ignore, I'm using the TV as a crutch to ignore my life.  Unfortunately, it isn't working.  When I cut off the TV those things are still there.  Damn reality!  So, this week (M-F) is week 1 of no TV (I have set up my TiVO though).  I'm going to use the weeks to:

• work on my Rocking 40 List
• pre-publish posts (I really want to make sure you have my rants daily)
• find guest bloggers (a surprise every now and then is great)
• date more (I've gone on 3 dates since the last post 2 were terrible and 1 was pretty good) 
  
• update my ipod
• paint
• garden (food is expensive as you know)
• tackle this pile of clothes that need hems, buttons, etc.
• sleep 8 hours a night
• post items on E-bay & Craigslist 
• and other important life items

Why have I been in front of the boob tube so much?  I have plenty to do!  

Anyone else want to join me?  Don't be "skeerd"!

Game On: Ole' Skool Style

January came and went and I didn't begin much from my Rocking 40 List, but there is always a learning curve.  Plus, I started anew when I received such a fabulous Chinese horoscope.  How could I not right?  

In that spirit, tonight I'm having my first gathering with my friends in years (I used to be a party person but that was many moons ago).  Tonight it's game on; I'm bringing back ole' skool fun monthly!  We are going to play Spades and Bid Whist, those are important card games for black people, so to my friends adopting black kids: make sure your kids learn Spades so they don't get embarrassed when they get around other black kids and say I've never heard of Spades.  Bid Whist is ole' skool, but I hope it has a resurrection with youth because it is so much more fun than Spades, so learn this too.  And you thought I forgot about my adoption on this side of the fence (how can I ever stop wearing that hat? LOL).  Okay, back to the games in house: Monopoly, Super Scrabble, Twister, OutBurst, Boggle, Tri-Ominos, Sequence Dice, Upwords, Rummikub, Shake up, Poker, Tribond, Backgammon, Taboo, and Scattergories!  

The Rageous ones are partying tonight!  Some have babysitters on call.  Some have 2 hour passes from the husbands and wives.  And of course there will be couples and singles!  Maybe we will have a hook up or two.  But all in all we are just looking to have some good ole' skool fun tonight.  

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't say tonight is in celebration my friend Nicole in Los Angeles and her game lounge Belongals (she made me say that LOL).  If you are out in LA go eat, drink, and play games at Belongals and tell them Tami sent you.  You'll be in great hands.  Trust me.  You know I wouldn't steer you wrong.

What are you doing tonight or this weekend?  Oh yes, Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2009!  It's a new year and time for new beginnings.  No more I can't, don't have time, or a lack of faith.  Just do it and watch what happens!  

So...guess what I did?  My friend called me and said let's drive to Miami so we don't have to spend NYE in the cold!  I was hesitant, that's a 16-18 drive, yet I did it anyway.  Yes, it was a long drive but 3 of us split it (ok, I only drove 5 hours but that's not the point).  We had a few very interesting conversations and even visited Wal-Mart outside of Savannah, Georgia around 1 am...we were hungry and needed a break.  Other than that and the few traffic jams on hellish I-95, it was all good.  I figured now was the time to start making changes and getting out of my boring comfort zone.  I'm glad I did it.  I'm in warmth and watched fireworks on the beach instead of freezing my tush off in DC.  I've spent NYE on a beach (in Guatemala) once before and I loved it.  I think I will try to make warmth a part of my yearly NYE plans.  Finally, I'll post a few pictures when I get back home on Monday, where my I left my camera cord. 

Goal #2:  Spend NYE someplace warm.  DONE

How was your NYE?  Did you do anything exciting?  

5 simple yet powerful words

faith.  love.  fearless.  beauty.  simplicity.If my life has taught me anything, it has taught me that I need direction, focus and organization. Starting at the beginning with the basic definition of who I am through a few words may seem silly or simplistic, but for me it was like a weight being lifted from my shoulders.  

Those 5 simple, yet powerful, words are the words that define who I am and who I am striving to be. I have chosen them to direct my thoughts and to help me with the direction of my life.  I no longer have to wonder, search or continually redefine...I can just grow.  Now anything that doesn't fit in these categories...to the curb they go!  

Faith – Joyce Meyers laid the foundation by giving me these words: “I don’t know what God is going to do or when he is going to do it, but since God is good I know it is going to be good.”

Love – Remembering if you want love you must be love.  Grumpy people need not apply.  

Fearless – To live like I did when I was in the 6th grade again. Without the fear of failure, embarrassment, anxiety, danger or pain.

Beauty – Aesthetics are important to me… shape, form, color, texture, sound. For me life is not lived unless beauty is involved.

Simplicity – Less is more. Downsizing. De-cluttering. Organizing. Double Duty. ‘Nuff said.

Now, it’s your turn. What are the words that define you? If you haven’t thought about it give it a try and let me know what you come up with. It just may change your direction for 2009 or may change your life!

BTW:  This is the 1st check off on my Rocking 40 List!