Janice

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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I have always been supportive of Breast Cancer Awareness Month since my mother was diagnosed almost 18 years ago. Even after several reoccurrences she is considered a long term survivor. Now that I have been diagnosed with breast cancer this coming month takes on an even greater significance.

I have been researching for information for my monthly newsletter and came across a great website for health resources at: http://www.healthfinder.gov/. To find out all the health related observances for October you can check out this site: http://www.healthfinder.gov/nho/nho.asp?year=2008#79.

I plan on sending out the newsletter with this information and lots more in the next day or two. If you are not signed up to receive this free newsletter and would like to, please sign up on the right sidebar.

If you are behind on your yearly mammogram or even your yearly check-up with your doctor this would be a good time to schedule it. By making your appointments in October or early November you will get them out of the way before the holiday rush takes up your time. Our health is so important and many times we take it for granted. Please don’t. As scary as it is if something serious is found at least when found early it can be treated. If something is found at a later date because you procrastinated then it may be too late for a second chance.

Remember, that unless you have a very strong family history of breast cancer the odds are still in your favor that you will not get it. Wouldn’t it be better going into the holidays with a clean bill of health instead of worrying about it if you put off getting your yearly check up?

Here are several sites to check out more information on breast cancer and screening (mammogram and self exams).

http://www.nbcam.org/

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast

http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/breastcancer.html

Janice

https://cutclutterwithscissors.com

http://cutoutthebreastcancer.wordpress.com

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Flood Damaged Clutter

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It’s been a couple weeks since I posted here. Almost two weeks ago remnants of hurricane Ike drenched the Midwest resulting in flash floods here in St. Louis. My mother-in-law ended up with seven feet of flood water in the basement of her townhouse.

Needless to say we would not let her stay there at night for fear of mold spores and other possible contaminates in the air. She spent her 83 birthday sleeping at our home. It has taken almost two weeks to have the basement cleaned, sanitized, have the furnace, A/C, and hot water heater replaced, and new washer & dryer delivered. She is finally back home.

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This past summer I was going to help her declutter her basement and have a garage sale. Due to my illness that was postponed. Now the flood waters decluttered the basement for her.

Most of the stuff that was lost was truly clutter for her. She never used the things but couldn’t get rid of them. She thought maybe someone in the family, especially the grandchildren, could use or want them. She has four grandchildren and they all live out of town.

We hold on to things for many different reasons. If you are holding onto something because you think a family member might want it someday, then ask that person now. If they say no then get rid of the item. There is someone out there that can use that item so sell it or give it away to a charity. You’ll be blessing others.

Janice

https://cutclutterwithscissors.com

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15 Minute Days

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Some days I can do my routines and then sit down to write without any problems. However, that doesn’t happen as often as I would like. My nature is to jump from one thing to another. In other words, I get easily sidetracked.

Some days are just 15 minute days. When I get behind in my work and the house is a mess I find the only way to get it back in control is to use a timer. I write out what I want to get done and break the list down into things that can be done in 15 minutes or less. Then I set a timer and go to work.

Sometimes I get through my entire list but most of the time I don’t. That’s okay. I prioritize and do what I can. I figure I got more done with the timer than without.

If you feel out of control try setting a timer. Focus on one thing during that short time. You’ll be amazed how much you can get done this way.

 

To a lighter load along the way.

Janice

 

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Fall Clothes Shopping

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Fall weather has hit the Midwest early. I’m sure it will warm up again for a few weeks before it really cools down.

I wanted to wear a long sleeve top when I went out Saturday night so I looked in the back of my closet where I keep some of the out of season clothes. Since I decluttered my wardrobe a few years ago I have room to keep many of those transitional clothes in the closet year round. Less to store in boxes under the bed.

As I went through these long sleeve tops I could see some of them looked pretty worn. It may be time to get rid of them and buy new ones. Since I don’t usually enjoy shopping (a big plus when trying to keep clutter under control) I will have to decide what I need to freshen up my wardrobe before I go to the store. Then I can at least narrow down what I want to buy with regards to style and color. This helps give me a clear purpose for the shopping trip.

Since I’m not very fashion conscious a few years ago I joined the website, missussmartypants.com for a year. It helped me understand the styles that looked best for my body type. I actually enjoyed clothes shopping for awhile. What I bought fit well and looked good. I need to review my saved information or maybe even join the website again so I can enjoy shopping for fall clothes.

After all, if you look good you will feel better about yourself.

Janice

https://cutclutterwithscissors.com

http://cutoutthebreastcancer.wordpress.com (blog)

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September Gardening

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Although it is still early in September the weather is cloudy, cool, and damp like a fall day. It caught me off guard when I went outside to walk the dog. I had to come back in a grab a light weight jacket. I’m not ready for cold weather yet but today reminds me to start preparing for it.

I was looking at the weeds that have taken over the front yard this year. I need to spray them this weekend so I can plant grass seed in a couple of weeks. I know my yard will look bad for a few weeks but I neglected it this summer due to my illness and now I need to get back to taking care of it.

IMGP0319 I have also been thinking about where I will put all the large houseplants that have summered outdoors. The house looks so uncluttered during the summer but I don’t want to lose all the plants I have had for years. I can either live with a jungle look all winter or make some tough decisions as to which plants I don’t want to keep. Too many plants can become clutter and that is what is starting to happen with my plant collection.

How do you handle these fall gardening chores? Please share your ideas in the comment section.

Janice

https://cutclutterwithscissors.com

http://cutoutthebreastcancer.wordpress.com

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