Monthly Archives: January 2011

Man In Charge

By Ginger | Published January 26, 2011

www.fablevision.com

In some homes, the most significant things that get frequently changed are the sheets, or maybe the drapes… but what I get to keep changing? Babysitters!!

“His Highness”, Emperor Napoleon, runs through them like most kids run through gold fish!

The latest episode announced itself by not one, not three, but five frantic voice mails from the Latest Unfortunate – all while I was trying diligently to conduct a client conference. In a quavering voice, that indicated a person teetering close to The Edge, she requested a meeting with me for the purpose of discussing “some behaviors”… exhibited by the three year old in question.

The Babysitter Summit Meeting was held last Friday. I was stunned by her preparedness. She presented me with a TWO page manifesto… I mean report…. enumerating the various “behaviors” and defending her opinion that we should find yet another babysitter. We’re talking about a three-year-old here.. how bad can it be?

With exasperation she states, “He doesn’t listen”.

I hate to break it to this fresh-faced little governess but she will find in life that, not only do males not listen when they are three… they also don’t listen when they are 23, 33, or 63 ! Understanding this, I must insist that – with me – he does listen about as much as can be expected.

Do NOT duct tape your children to the wall.

And then there were the allegations of assault…. apparently, there has been a certain amount of scratching her with his fingernails.

So – what do you do when you have run through every babysitter in a three-county area?

You give up! That’s what you do!

“Well, it’s about time for him to start a nice, preschool anyway”, I tell myself with lighthearted enthusiasm.. “…or, perhaps, a good daycare.”

sitemaker.umich.edu/kleinman

HA! It’s ME getting the education! My initial calls to preschools and daycares in the DC/Northern Virginia area revealed that searching for the right fit is harder than it looks. I widened the search to include: Reggio Emilia inspired schools, cooperative, public, religious, and Montessori Univer….. um…. I mean preschool.

So far, the rigors of the hunt have left me far too exhausted and overwhelmed to even carry – let alone fill-out the growing towers of lengthy applications.

My one pitiful ray of encouragement is that, by the time I have found the right preschool for him, he’ll be too busy writing his post-graduate dissertation to need it!

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Dome-estic Bliss

By Ginger | Published January 19, 2011

: kelly-wearstler

Here’s something different!

The great manor houses and grande chateaux of 18th century Europe may have been over-the-top magnificent but, by all accounts, they were cold and drafty. So some brilliant furniture designer invented the dome chair.

: Doheny Estate KWID

Although they are most often seen in posh restaurants and hotels, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever why you can’t have them in your home; you don’t have to have a manor house, or even a small chateaux, nor must you be royal or even particularly wealthy!

Restoration Hardware

Welcome a pair of these dramatic pieces into you abode and whenever you need a quiet minute in a cozy nook – this is where you will find it. Relaxing in one feels like a “chair-hug“, it’s perfect for a cat-nap, and kids think they are magical.

There seems to be some primal instinct to sink into a den, be less visible, more private, and deliciously snug – that this chair delivers.

KWID

Today you will find reproduction versions of this French Regency period chair offering the same dramatic dome and deep wings of the originals.

Add one, or a pair, to you home and, I promise, every guest will notice it and comment on it and probably try it out. It’s special, it’s luxurious and a bit of a treat. Start shopping for fabric and order a pair!

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De-Cluttering and Organization:

By Ginger | Published January 9, 2011

alldeaf.com

De-Cluttering and Organization:

Step One – Clear Sink Clear Mind

“I hate trying to o-r-g-a-n-i-z-e ! It’s a pointless task – because it’s un-achievable. Therefore, I have declared it to be unimportant. Only a shallow mind busies itself with organizing cabinets!”

San Francisco kitchen, with two farm sinks

Does this sound like you? Are you ready to throw-in the towel? And would have done so, if only you could FIND the towel?

Well, I hate to go all “Dr. Phil” on you – but living with clutter creates many more problems and deeper issues in your life than you probably admit to yourself.

My case in point:

You know those days when you just can’t focus? Racing in circles around the house – foggy and confused, don’t know where you’re supposed to go or what you’re supposed to do? When you’re confused and disorganized — check your sink !

channel4.com

Yup – check your kitchen sink.
It took me many years to get this, and it’s like a magic charm.

When my kitchen sink is full of dishes,

the next dishes have nowhere to go,

so, they start congregating on the counter,

when the counter is occupied with dishes,

there’s no place for my lists, purse, keys, things I need to tend to and/or take with me.

When there no place for all that,

I start stashing it in places its not really supposed to be,
leading to me not being able to quickly and easily find it.

Once I can’t quickly find things, I realize I am racing around in circles, looking for them.

It’s a fast and sure domino-effect straight into OBLIVION !

: kitchen design by Frank Randolph

THEREFORE, REPEAT AFTER ME:

THE KITCHEN SINK IS THE DEEPEST CORE OF THE CENTER OF MY LIFE.

It is THE Cosmic Bottleneck of my World.

Clear the Sink – and the rest of my life is free to Flow !

House Beautiful

Kitchen design by Matthew Quinn

I have learned over the years that, shortly after I achieve this, I find that my MIND is clear, the brain-fog has lifted and I can FOCUS. You think I’m kidding? I am not. Try it and see for yourself.