Making lemonade...

We've all heard that expression when life hands you lemons, make lemonade! Sometimes the lemons aren't exactly our own.

Life is funny. You live one way for most of it and then age, circumstance or whatever sends you a giant curve ball and things change. That's when it's time to reassess and make lemonade!

My daddy would do anything for almost anyone but not always will he do for himself. What I mean about that is if you knocked on the door and said you were freezing he'd give you his coat, invite you to warm up by his fire and probably feed you. Make sure you were doing well and then send you on your way. He wouldn't give it a second thought. The next morning after realizing he gave away his only coat he would pull out his sweater and go about his day. COLD but again not give it a second thought. I do love this about him.

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

BUT for every golden trait we have there seems to be a flaw. My daddy's flaw is he's a wheeler and a dealer. He can't pass up a good deal. That may not sound like a flaw to you, and maybe it's not in general. But, with all these good deals he brings home tons of stuff that we may need someday. My mom loved to have a clean house and she likes pretty things. So, when they were younger my daddy drug it in the front door and my momma quietly drug it out the back door. Making lemonade! It was harmony.

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

Then you have to remember where I started this post. How sometimes the lemons aren't your own. Life, time and circumstance change. My mom is very sweet and has worked hard all her life. She worked in the business world, juggled 3 kids, and took care of her husband and her home. That all changed for her and us in 2001. Something went wrong and she got sick. It's never been the same since. We all still love her and do what we can for her but she can do very little for herself these days. Let alone all the things she used to do like drag that stuff my daddy drags in out the back door! So the lemons began to pile up. I knew they were but I was away and it's easy to think of it as not that bad. Then one day my daddy did something he rarely does. He asked for help. So I loaded up the cleaners and my crew (that would be my child labor and hubs!) and drove out to the farm to see what we would see. All I can say is it took a heap of sugar to turn it to lemonade!

The Farm BEFORE PIC ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

When we got there we were greeted by STUFF! Lot's of stuff. Memories, old and new. Good deals. Duplicates because the original good deal couldn't be found, etc. So, we embraced those lemons and made them our own. Why? Because I love my parents. Because my children love their grandparents and because sometimes life changes and having sweet lemonade is so much better than just dwelling over a large stack of lemons.

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

With a little TLC, a few tears, lot's of laughs, and more than a little hard work we mixed it up until it was just right. Until my mom who rarely says anything took a walk around and noticed her pretty things and touched them, admired them and then said "No, Teresa, I don't want you to move that dresser. I like it where I put it!"

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

I laughed and smiled. I cried a little for the mom that she used to be and rejoiced that part of that mom is still there. 

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

I can't change my daddy and his good deals and bargains found on the side of the road. Chances are if you need something he's got it!

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

I do fret that I am so far away and not close enough to help more. But, I am thankful for the time spent. I am thankful that I can give back a little of my time, because, they have all ways made time for me.

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

It took a few days to get the task done. The lemonade was sweet and we all got to enjoy the perks of being at a farm. We saw new life. Baby chicks were born while we were there!

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

So enjoy your summer and the chances to make lemonade. ~Teresa

Clean it up and clear it out!

Decluttering a home, work space, or storage area can be liberating.  In today's society of hurry, hurry, hurry and gadgets being outdated as soon as you buy them we tend to gather a lot of things.  Putting them in a closet, box, drawer, or storage area are easy solutions.  But as those things creep into our world and take over our space they also weigh down our minds and add unseen stress to our lives. You can start to make a difference today!

Pick an area - start with just one. Then evaluate the space and what you need it for. Then start one piece at a time and evaluate if the item is still current, in good repair, or useful. Then make 3 piles, keep, donate, trash, with the goal to decrease the clutter by 1/4. After you decrease the pile by 1/4 go through the remaining keep pile with a mind set to decrease it by another 10%.  You will be amazed at how much you can truly let go of if you look at it objectively.

I always encourage clients to start with the proverbial junk drawer. It's a quick, easy clear out that will give you a sense of accomplishment.  The right motivation to move on to a bigger project!

Once you gain control of your clutter you will feel energized and stress free! Make this the year that you will take control of your spaces. Find more room in your home, make use of the items you have and let go of the ones you no longer need. 

Getting ready for Fall!

The last few summer days are fading fast! With school starting and everyone getting back into a more structured routine comes the thought of fall.  Well maybe not on our lingering 95+ days but little signs of it like our enjoyable 75degree nights.


Things to help around your home now....

Change your Central Air/Heat air filters - Keeping those filters clean will really make a difference in your units efficiency.

Change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

Move the Furniture - Allergies for most people are seasonal and many of us take the time to move things around for deep cleaning in the spring but don't think about it in the fall.  Fall allergies can be reduced by cleaning under those beds, couches, tables, etc...get the dust & spiders cleared out and make your home easier to breathe in!

Caulk around doors & windows - Most homes windows and doors are caulked when they are installed to help improved energy efficiency.  However, over time weather and age shrink and crack caulking.  So checking and refreshing it in the fall is a good way to keep your home as energy efficient as possible. 

Clean your outdoor/indoor windows - Spring cleaning is a natural time to do this but doing it at the beginning of fall will make the windows easier to clean in the spring and clear out any spider eggs or bug nest that might be hiding in the corners!

Compost & Mulch - Adding a fresh layer of compost will help feed you perennials and shrubs during the winter months and adding a fresh layer of mulch will protect the roots as the colder months approach. Prepare a spot in your garage or shed for any potted plants that you will need to overwinter.  Having a spot ready will make it easier to move them when the lower temps dip to near freezing temperatures.

Reset those Sprinklers - The cooler temps mean you don't need to water as often.  Reset your timers and consider turning off unneeded zones.  It's a good time to go ahead and wrap any exposed or free standing water pipes, you might also consider a thermal wrap on your hot water heater. Disconnect the water hose and get it ready to store.  You may still need it but disconnecting it from the faucet will let you know how much you are still using it.

Clean, Clear Out & Cover -  Now is the time to dry brush all your outdoor furniture, clean the furniture with a mild soapy solution and check for any paint or rust repair that may be needed.  After everything is looking clean and ready cover the furniture with an outdoor cover with sturdy tabs to ensure a snug fit.  Spot clean cushions and take a shop vac to vacuum them well.  You can either store the cushions on the furniture under the cover or put them in their own box in your garage, attic or shed.  An indoor space will keep the fabric more conditioned and help the life of the cushion last longer. When covering a table that is not under a covered space put a bucket upside down on the table so that water or snow will easily slide off.  Clean and check all outdoor toys.  Wash all toys with a detergent and bleach solution and dry well.  Any broken or damaged toys can be tossed.  Any outgrown toys can be donated. Summer balls can be cleaned and deflated for storage.  Pack away the remaining summer toys in a plastic storage container with secure lid.  Now everything is in good shape and you will know where it is when the warmer outdoor days return!

Energy Rates - http://www.powertochoose.com/ Make sure you have the best rate for your family to ensure the biggest savings for your fall/winter power usage!


Veggie Garden - Consider planting lettuce, greens, squash, and beans for veggies that will thrive in the cooler temps.

Fall, Seasons in the Home, Vegetable Gardening: Spring and Fall

The ongoing goal to live GREEN!

Green living is tough and in some cases very expensive!  We recently purchased a new home.  It was built in 2007 and sat empty for two years due to many circumstances.  That enabled us to purchase at an amazing deal!  The home was advertised as an "Energy effecient" home.  I was very excited about this possibility because we had spent numerous dollars upgrading insulation, weather stripping and doors at our last home.  The home was a foreclosure so we bought as is.  Our home was in the stage builders commonly refer to as "Punch List" meaning everything is suppose to be done accept for the few minor things that are left unfinished or need to be touched up or re-done.  Great.

We bought the home patched walls and caulked the numerous windows that had never been properly caulked and painted with an environmentally friendly paint.  Yeah on our path to GREEN.

Six months later and cold weather hits & we find out there are problems with our energy effecient heat pump...so we fix it.  There are windows leaking air like a sieve so we re-caulk & in a few cases have them re-done.  Then we discover that our front door which has great weather stripping is severly warped and air blows through it like an extra a/c vent.  So we have now purchased a new fiberglass energy effecient door.  Yea! Now remember we repainted the entire house when we purchased....well a house that has not been ocnditioned has a certain amount of settling and adjusting to the conditioned space...so all the wood molding has now had time to settle and adjust to it's space and there are numerous cracks & seperations in the paint.  My next task will be to go through & caulk & touch up the moulding so your eye isn't distracted by all those lovely little black seperation lines.  UGH.  The joys of a new home.  We have also discovered that there is insulation missing in some parts of the house......probably due to a builder trying to make things look done so he could get it sold.  So we are working on our energy effecient goal and adding more insulation.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Having purchased the home with great bones and a lot of things all ready done our cost is minimal compared to what it could be and once we are done it will be a home that is truly an energy effecient home!

The one bright spot is that our rock ladden yard is shaping up nicely and my composter is tumbling and producing lovely new mulch that this spring will be added to my first raised bed "Lasagna Garden" so that we can reap the benefit of organic veggies. Woohoo.  It is so exciting watching the process take shape and laying out the guidelines for our future little garden, ordering the seeds and planning a spot for everyone's favorite pick. 

Do I think it's all worth it? Uh, well, yes.  Yes, I do.  The expense will pay off and the home we are building is helping us teach our children how to adapt and look for ways to do things for themselves and to help our environment and take care of the things around you.  It's a road our grandparents took naturally and one that we are learning to navigate again. 

Happy green living to you.  Feel free to share your triumphs or horror stories on the road newly traveled.

Everything in it's place...

I don't know about all of you but this is something I continually strive for.  I have been studying Interior design & home organization for years and find there is always room for improvement! 

Coming soon I will share tips for budget friendly kids rooms and how to get them on top of their game with taking control of their own rooms!  Keep in mind I'm not a miracle worker & age appropriate expectations have to be the focus.

Kids rooms can look great and they can keep it that way!  From elementary to college I will highlight rooms that are truly lived in.

Teresa Stephens Harvey is helping you get your space ORGANIZED!

Today many people are downsizing or combining households.  To make a successful transition or to help any home run a smoother organization is essential.  But, where to start?  Here are a few basic guidelines...

1. Take one room at a time.  Starting with the idea of orgazing a whole house can be overwhelming.
     I like to start with the Kitchen, then move to other common used areas.  Study, family room bathroom, etc...moving on to private spaces.

2. Seperate items - Gather the items of the room and then sort them into like piles.  Once you have the items sorted go through and remove duplicates for donation or a garage sale.  Assess each item to make sure it is not broken or damaged.  Throw away any items that are broken or not in good use.

3. Store items according to size - Look at your cabinets, open shelves and containers.  Use your storage where the items can be neatly placed or stacked but not overly crowded.  Label shelves that are commonly used by mulitple people so that everyone remembers where to return the items.  Consider keeping kid items in easy wide open containers that are easy to reach in and easy to return items to.

4. Function is great but don't skip on STYLE! - When you are storing your items look at what you have to store.  Toys can be put in a toy chest but they also can be stored in an antique steamer trunk that can double as a coffee table and still look great in a living room.  Markers, pens, and stickers for projects can be stored in small pails that are hung with cup hooks on a wall, that provide easy access and provide a fun look to the room.  Baskets can help corral items on a shelf without leaving them open to give the eye a rest from too much of a good thing.

5. Pass things along - When organizing and helping others organize their space one of the biggest obstacles is not wanting to let go of something due to sentimental value.  I often have paper and small trinket items photographed and then they can be stored easier or put into a nice album kept handy to review.  Larger items that are just collecting dust or pushed back in storage for years I ask them to consider selling the item  and using the money for something that is needed now or passing the item along to another family member or friend who could use the item and has room for it.  Keeping an item just to keep it does not honor the item or give more credit to the memory.

Another hard and fast rule to keep in mind is for every new item you bring into the home at least one item must leave.  Don't forget to take advantage of regular decluttering by donating to the many agencies that will pick up directly from your door.

Teresa Stephens Harvey shares advice on Home Staging

Staging a home in today's market can make the difference in the home that sits and sits on the market and one that attracts a buyer.

Using a professional can help you get things done quickly, effeciently and without the struggles of personal attachment.

However, you can do this if you choose to go it alone. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. It doesn't have to be expensive but may require some expense.
*Walk through your home and carefully evaluate every room. Look carefully at the walls, switch plate covers, moldings, carpet, light fixtures and take note of any damage or anything that is overly dated or stained. If an item is damaged you must repair it, if an item is stained or dirty look into cleaning even if it means hiring a professional. If an item is outdated look into ways to update either with a new item or modifications to what is there. Paint if walls are overly dirty or damaged, don't forget the trim work. Finish any started projects. Don't start any major projects or re-modeling projects. Keep it simple and timely.

2. Declutter
Pack up and store extra books, pictures, accessories, clothes, and toys. Preparing your home for sale is a little like getting ready for a special occassion and less is more in this case. Pack away out of season clothes, all the books you've all ready read accept for a dozen or so hard back books that can be used to stage shelves. Remove all buy one or two personal pictures per space or one or two photo collages from a wall. Pack away all extra movies & videos. Keep only a handful of favorite toys out and pack away all the extras that are cluttering up family rooms, kitchens & common areas. As you go through the items to pack you may find things you no longer use or need and this is a great time to make charitable contributions. Pay attention to all rooms of your home, don't forget to go through and pack away items in your kitchen and dining room. Packing extra dishes, large cookware & holiday dishes that aren't used daily will make the space easier for the new buyer to see and visualize their things in the space. Lastly, go through your garage & attic space. These areas used to be commonly used for storing packed boxes or over looked as messy areas that were accepted but today more and more buyers demand that they be able to move around and see every area that they are buying. Paying money for storage is a small price to consider for a timely sale! Keep in mind that the goal is to sell your home and be able to move to your new space.

3. Clean
VERY important is the cleaning of your home. Yes, you may be neat and tidy and clean your home regularly but this is a time for no holds barred cleaning. Baseboards, door frames, ceiling fans, corners of the room all need to be dusted and cleaned. Carpets should be professionally cleaned (talk to the company you use about a discount rate for a final cleaning on the day after you move out - most company's will do a final clean for a 40-50% discount.), vacum and clean all drapes and blinds, scrub your tile & bathrooms (take the time to re-caulk where needed), dust and polish all furniture not forgetting the legs and sides of pieces, wash all wood cabinets with Murphy's oil soap and then give them a good wipe down with lemon oil. Have a good friend or family member walk through and ask them to be brutally honest about the visual cleanliness and smell of your home. Keep a light fragrant plug in or candle handy to even out the smells in your home on a daily basis. Again don't forget the garage & attic spaces. You don't want dead bugs lying around, spider webs or oil marked walls even in these areas. A clean home is a welcoming home!

4. Room Arrangements
Arrange furniture in a way that creates balance & easy walk ways. I like to stage a room and then walk through and take one accessory & one piece of furniture away when I'm done and then walk through again. More times than not the final choice is the rooms look with the items taken away. Living a few months without a favorite chair or lamp is a small sacrafice. Keep tables stream lined and balanced with a simple lamp, a book or two or clear and cleaned. If you have a mantle a simple piece of art above with matching lamps or flower arrangements make for a classic and simple appeal for that space. Definitely remove any furniture that needs repair or a project that was started and never completed. If you have bodly patterned furniture consider slip covering it with a neutral covering. You want the buyers to look at your space not your furnishings. Look at your furniture as props that are there to create a well maintained and inviting environment. Art should be simple and classic and compliment a room. Take down any extra art or groupings again so the buyer doesn't focus on what is in the room but the room itself.

5. Pets
If you have large pets you need to consider kenneling or having a friend or family member pet sit for the time the house is on the market. Many people are afraid of and/or allergic to animals. Even small pets should have a kennel or area that is safe and out of the way to be when the house is being showed for their safety and well being as well as the potential buyers. Many people will pass on a house where there are loose animals running around or they will get distracted into playing or avoiding the pet and miss out on the features of your home. I don't take this advice lightly. I have 4 dogs & 2 cats in my own home so I know this is a large task but it is one tip that I take to heart because I don't want any potential buyer to avoid my house because there are pets in the house or yard. Also repair any areas that your pets have damaged. Holes in the yard, chewed mouldings, torn carpet, etc...it is not the time to try to camaflouge the damage. You want your house to be tidy and ready to go.

6. Curb Appeal
Don't neglect your outdoor spaces. Clean the flower beds, trim the bushes, mow and edge the grass. Clean walk ways and patios (rent a power washer if needed to rid the areas of mold and dirt build up), clean, paint or repair any outdoor furniture if needed, buy new cushions to freshen up your space. Buy seasonal flowers for a pop of color. You don't need to buy an accessive amount just enough to move the eye around the yard. Back yards are as important as front yards! If you have trees with dead limbs have them removed, if you have started a yard project take the time to finish it. You don't have to have an overly done area just a clean and tidy space where the next owner can again see themselves in the potential of the space.

Selling a home takes effort on your part as well as your realators. A little elbow grease is worth the effort. Have your home ready before the sign goes up in the yard, you only have one opportunity to make a great impression for most buyers. You can't count on everyone to be able to see pass the flaws to the potential.

Good luck with selling your home.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/randomlytj1/show/ *Examples of Staged rooms.