For the past two days, I have been a flurry of activity. After the snow…after the sledding….after the holidays…after the wonderful company…after all of the baking…..after the homemade ravioli with creamy saffron sauce that made me utter, "OH, I want to leave this world with olive oil drooling down."

Yeah, I said that. It was all so much fun, but now I am ready for the New Year. I want all of the decorations gone…………..piles gone……..and what is in my refrigerator?????

It is time to dust off the juicer!!! As I go through the house with a BIG Box asking the question, "Do I love this?" If the answer is NO. Out it goes.

I want to be surrounded with what I really like. Think about it, do you want to take care of STUFF you aren't so crazy about?? Well, maybe you do. That's OK.

The dog and cat are hiding from me. They are in luck. Goodwill does not take animals. Actually, I really, really like them, well actually, I like one of them more than the other one, but I like them both enough. They can stay.

As the old goes out, the new comes in. The sales have been incredible and I want to fill the coffers of the retailers I like. Even the ones I am not so crazy about, did nothing to deserve being in a city, where the average person could not "just go" shopping for almost two weeks. AAAHH………So it is new socks..new foundations….new turtlenecks….new…. I don't have to tell you everything!!!!!

And as I am scurrying and fussing, I remember to be grateful I am not living in a tent, or in Kansas in another era in a sod hut.I am making a special pile for Tent City. In fact, one of my dear clients is very involved with Tent City, which, as you may or may not know, is for the homeless, and is perpetually homeless.

What does not change so much is what is needed. I have a nice pile of things for Tent City at my office in Fremont and I will KEEP this pile going until after the inauguration.

Following is a list of what would be appreciated. Encampment Needs: – non-perishable food – hand sanitizer – dish detergent – garbage bags – paper plates, plastic utensils – toilet paper – batteries – - A, AA, AAA, C, D – Vitamin C, First Aid Kit – Warm Clothing If you are really nice, I will come pick it up or you can drop it at the office. Just call me first, 206-941-1287.

Be well as you sort through Your STUFF, and decide what is enough is enough is enough!!