I just read a great article about how clutter, whether it be from stuff in your house or the stuff in your head, can take over your life. We’ve all seen Hoarders and listened to the Doomsayers on TV. Don’t become one of them…even a fraction of one of them.

I’ve had many people say I’m lucky. I’ve never thought of myself as particularly lucky…fortunate maybe…grateful, for sure…but I’ve yet to win the big Lotto jackpot. I’m lucky because I have friends, a wonderful family, a good job with a good boss. And sometimes, no matter how bad the situation, good things seem to come from it. (See my story, Working Through My Stress)

Dear Readers,

I need a friend today and hope you all can help.  Many of you know that my husband and I sold our house of 16 years.  And many of you also know that for 6 months, I’ve been putting many hours of sweat equity into making it perfect. Even in today’s economy, we were lucky enough to get almost full asking price within 48 hours.  I felt so fortunate and grateful. 

If you believe you do not know the answer to a challenging problem, do not immediately Google the problem. Instead, attempt to work out the answer using your own knowledge, experience and assumptions. Then Google. By so doing, you are more likely to learn the correct solution to the problem. Moreover, the process of correcting yourself is likely to be enlightening as well.
- Jeffrey Baumgartner

We all know about the more common symptoms of stress. Feeling frazzled and overwhelmed can raise blood pressure, suppress the immune system, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, contribute to infertility, and speed up the aging process. Long-term stress can even rewire the brain, leaving you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression.