Decorating For Real PeopleWritten by © LaJoyce Kerns of www.decorate-bedrooms-for-less.com
I spent a recent weekend curled up with a stack of decorating magazines. I read them cover to cover - usually back to front, but that's way I read most magazines and newspapers. I studied each photograph and tried to determine particular design concept that was being presented. I looked at number and placement of accessories, how and where arrangements of items were hung on walls, choices of color and texture, and flooring selections. Each photo was scrutinized in minutest detail. At some point I started to wonder for whom these absolutely gorgeous rooms were designed. Bedside tables held no alarm clocks or clock radios. While there was usually an abundance of decorative items, there were no tissue boxes or eyeglass cases. Dressers displayed beautifully arranged floral creations and perhaps a cut glass perfume bottle or two, with ornamental stoppers. No jewelry boxes, no lotion bottles, none of everyday stuff of life. I don't know about you but I want a telephone at side of my bed. And someplace handy for TV remote. And bathrooms! Don't even get me started on bathrooms! Do users of these bathrooms ever need to replace toilet paper or hand soap? Do they have their hair done weekly (maybe daily?) at beauty- or barber-shops and thus have no need of shampoo and conditioner bottles? Toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss? The men don't have to shave and women have no need of makeup? Streamlining and organization can only take you so far. Sooner or later you need a place for feminine supplies, room deodorizers, and extra cotton balls and swabs that don't fit into pretty little designer containers. And I can't be only person who thinks that a plunger should be stored someplace handy to location of possible need. No cords for lamps, no tangle of wires for home office computer system. One photograph featured an elegant "work space" with a large bouquet of flowers drooping fetchingly over printer. I could imagine spent blossoms dropping into works, and I couldn't imagine how to open paper tray without knocking vase over. I suppose person who would work at such a desk would have no need of a mouse pad, paper clips, or a pile of sticky notes. I wish I could work like that.
| | Ten Tips to Help You Save Your Sanity During the HolidaysWritten by Marie M. Roker
1. Set limits for yourself.If you feel overwhelmed with shopping, cooking and visiting relatives don't add more to your plate. Take 10-15 minute breaks to take e a walk, meditate, read, pray or just sit still. Don't let anyone guilt you into doing something you don't want to do. Be firm with family and friends about your need to take a break. Good resource: http://www.relaxandbreathe.com 2. Shop Early or Online. I'm sure your kids have a list of items for you to go on a scavenger hunt. Save yourself headache and shop online. Many online retailers like Amazon.com. Target and Wal-Mart have great deals. If you want to avoid another Tickle Me Elmo disaster, shop online. Good resource for toys: http://www.successfulchild.com If you can't find what you're looking for, do a search on Google.com Http://www.google.com or check out Ebay http://www.ebay.com for your item. 3. Respond, don't react to annoying family members. If your in-laws are like Frank and Marie Barone from Everybody Love Raymond, then you already know what you are dealing with. They are not going to change and chances are they get a kick out of seeing you frustrated. Let it go and decide that you are not going to let anyone ruin holidays for you. If someone says something to upset you, assert yourself and let them know that you will not be disrespected. Arguing or defending yourself will only make things escalate. If someone brings up something painful from past, simply tell the, "This is not a good time for discussing this matter." Good Resource: http://www.difficultpeople.com 4. Don't Try to Be a Host/Hostess Extraordinaire. Just because Martha Stewart is in jail, doesn't mean you have to be her replacement. Take turns going to other relatives’ homes for holidays. If you had everyone over for Thanksgiving, go to someone else's home for Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa.
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