Downsizing Boomers - FAQ 6. What can I do about my linen closet? - 05/31/12 01:56 PM
When going from the McMansion to the smaller home, the amount of space available in the linen closet (if you are lucky enough to have one) is going to be reduced from your current copious closet.  Here are some things to think about as you get ready to move:  
What should be in the linen closet? How much room will I have at the new house? Is everything near where you use it? Have you got enough room in the linen closet to put in and take things out without an accident?  
Towels
People love buying towels – they … (28 comments)

Downsizing Boomers - FAQ 5. How Do I Sort Through My Photos? - 05/31/12 03:43 AM
You have made the big decision to sort through the photos, toss the really bad ones, look for new homes for some and generally organize the ones you want to keep.  The electronic photos can be sorted in all kinds of ways  and there is software, such as Adobe, that will help you tag and also identify the people.  Of course you have those boxes of photos, yours and maybe the ones you inherited and need to make some decisions.  Here is my recommended process:  
Set aside a long period of time Set up a table (usually the dining room … (18 comments)

Downsizing Boomers - FAQ 4. What about all my photos? - 05/30/12 03:31 AM
Who doesn't have boxes and boxes of photos stuffed into a storage area in the basement?  If that is you take some time this summer to downsize your collection of photos and set parameters around accumulating new photos.  Here are a few guidelines to help you think about your photos.  
 
 Photo Rule 1.  A photo is not a religious artifact.  You can throw photographs away.
Most people cannot throw a photo away.  Yes, it is true that you can never have the moment back but do you really want to remember it through a horrible photo – too dark, … (25 comments)

Downsizing Boomers - FAQ 3. What about all my books? - 05/29/12 09:35 AM
Most of us have been taught to revere books.  It could be because the books we were loaned in school were not ours and therefore we were taught to keep them whole and clean.  It could be that we were given books as kids and told to keep them in shape.  In any case, we have attributed magical powers to books – The Word.  Throwing out a book, in the garbage, is unheard of.  Why are we really keeping books (and we do keep books, make not bones about it)?   When downsizing, see if you can reduce your collect by 75%. … (15 comments)

Downsizing Boomers - FAQ 2. What about my safety deposit box? - 05/29/12 09:21 AM
When moving or staying, each of us needs a place for some documents that is secure and to which we can access  under the worst possible conditions.  This is likely a safety deposit box.  Now, for those of us to whom every piece of paper coming in the house is essential and important, a few guidelines may be needed to help you keep the size and cost of your safety deposit box reasonable.  Here is what I recommend you have in the box.  
 
Place for all the documents things that you cannot easily replace
Things that are very valuable … (4 comments)

Downsizing Boomers - FAQ 1. What can I do about all that paper? - 05/29/12 09:11 AM
You know the saying - When everything is important, nothing is.  Really, we have tons of paper entering our homes every year.  The key is to determine what to do with it.  Here are four Fundamental Zinger Rules for paper: 
Rule 1 Just because you get information coming into your home does not mean that you have to read it or keep it.  This includes, mail, books, magazines, leaflets, flyers, newspapers, etc.
Rule 2 There is no reason for saving old newspapers, unless you are moving.  Even if you are moving, you are better off buying packing paper than using newspaper … (8 comments)

When you first start out, ask for help. - 05/27/12 06:22 AM
Somewhere along the line we developed the opinion that, to succeed, you have to do it on your own; that you have to be a self-made woman or man.  Well, so few of us can say that we achieved things in our life through just our own personal efforts.  We need to and we should - ASK FOR HELP!
Today I am off to help a friend sell her jewelry at an annual event that she holds in her home.  Throughout the year, she makes jewelry.  She started doing this after she retired and found that she likes doing it and … (15 comments)

And, furthermore, I don't do floors! House Detailing - 05/25/12 05:11 AM

Yesterday I took my car into a shop to be detailed.  I know.  I could have done the vacuuming and window cleaning on my own.  I could have rubbed and scrubbed the car into a thing of beauty but here is the thing - I don't do floors.  LOL  The mats were salt stained (not a little, a lot).  They and the carpet and the upholstery all needed a deep shampoo and treatment.  These were jobs that I happily pay someone else to do.  
While at the shop, I was asked if I was going to be selling the … (13 comments)

I am a Fan! - 05/21/12 04:18 AM
I am a fan of fans.  There are so many out there - ceiling, floor, tabletop, paper, etc. etc.  
 
It is never a question of whether or not you can find a fan but one of what type do you want.  No matter how low we set the air conditioning, it has trouble completely cooling the second floor.  The ceiling fan in the bedroom has been our sleep salvation.  We spend most of our time n the family room, the floor fan was a summer staple but then we discovered the Dyson bladelss fan.  We bought 2!!!!  These little … (23 comments)

Gardening on the May Long Weekend - 05/19/12 10:28 AM
Most Canadians know that it is tempting fate to plant those delicate flowers and seedlings before the May Long Weekend.  Well, this is that weekend.  Happy Belated Birthday to Queen Victoria.  Because of her, we have a long weekend in May.  The weather in Ottawa could not be better.  Time to fire up the BBQ and test the air conditioning.  
Enjoy!!!!!

… (19 comments)

Go for a Walk in the Neighbourhood Where you Want to Live - 05/16/12 06:44 AM
Some people have an idea of the neighbourhood where they want to live.   The fact is they may never have walked the streets of the neighbourhood and so won't know how people are keeping their yards, what are the traffic patterns, is there a flight path over the house and many many other things that a Buyer will only know if he or she steps out of the car and goes for a few walks in the neighbourhood.
Last week I spent about three hours walking around my neighbourhood.  Of course, I had my camera and took about 350 photos. … (23 comments)

Isobel's in Ottawa Canada - Amazing Cookies, Cupcakes and Treats - 05/11/12 12:15 PM
I went for a walk along Wellington Avenue and stopped in a Isobel's just to smell the baking and live vicariously. Oh yes, I also managed to have my camera and thought I would take a few photos so you can see what I saw.   Two days before Mother's Day and the cookies and cupcakes are flying off the shelves.
 Yum. Yum 

… (16 comments)

Make Those First Buyers Count - 05/05/12 07:54 AM

 
Every homeowner hopes that, when his home goes on the market, there will be a long queu of buyers who are just waiting to buy the house.  Now, this does happen but not as often as Buyers think.  So, if you are considering selling your home make sure that it is sale ready BEFORE the buyers show up.  
Do all of your home repairs, decluttering and staging - then put the sign in the lawn.  Don't let someone in to see you home just because he or she has heard the gossip that you are selling.   He … (17 comments)

Shamelessly Promoting the Ottawa Tulip Festival - 05/02/12 05:16 AM
Almost Wordless Wednesday.  Tulip photos taken at Dows Lake in the past five days.  All is getting ready for the Festival, including the weather.  I hope you can make it and enjoy the beauty of the city and of the tulips that are planted in the parks and in people's yards.  Make it a good week and a time to remember to bring your camera.  

… (27 comments)

Lollipops for the Sweet of Heart - 05/01/12 08:16 AM
I passed a cart in a park that folds out and displays racks of lollipops.  I LOVE lollipops.  Of course, I had left my money at home so all that I managed to get was some shots of the pops.  It is an ingenious way to sell candy and each bucket of candy looks like a bouquet.  These carts will be at the festivals this summer, starting with the Tulip Festival this weekend.  Now, who can resist five lollipops for $5.00 and in the flavours that you most enjoy?

 
I took the photos with my Nikon and then used … (19 comments)

The Ottawa Tulip Festival Is Coming. May 4, 2012 to May 21, 2012 - 05/01/12 08:06 AM
One of the best festivals in Ottawa is the annual Tulip Festival.  It is always a gamble if the spring has been too hot or too cold and there are not enough tulips for the busloads of tourists and locals to photograph.  I went out on the weekend to get a sense if the tulips will be ready and.....  the good news is.......  YES!!!!!   I walked over to Dows Lake with my camera and managed to capture a few shots just to give you a hint of what is to come this weekend.  What I loved was the signs - … (18 comments)

 

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