The Clutter Removal Project

"I want to understand other points of view."
-as heard in the film
"Daniel Deronda"

I laughed when my dear friend, Barbara Reynolds, advised Alan and I of a book called "It's All Too Much". She heard the author (Peter Walsh) on Oprah. The advice isn't too far-fetched from what we are trying to do. We are in the middle of a 'clutter removal project' at our home in Marina Del Rey, California. Things just seem to collect and we don't throw out enough.

Isn't the idea of buying the Peter Walsh book adding to my clutter?
www.amazon.com/Its-All-Too-Much-Living/dp/0743292650/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234464864&sr=8-1
I suppose the book is worth it if it helps me to become more of a minimalist.

Woman's Day magazine raves about this book as being "The best organizing advice we've ever heard!" Who knew there is an expert on "clutter management"? I don't own the book but Part I supposedly examines the problem by explaining how it happens and how to face it without excuses and discouragement. Part II offers a step-by-step approach. This didn't surprise me since my friend, Barbara, loves 12-Steps (or less) advice.

I believe the book explains 'surface clutter' (like the stuff on my desk right now) and provides a household plan to get started. I just added it to my Amazon.com 'Wish List'. In the meantime, the 'clutter removal project' continues using our own methods. I'm on my way to 'Goodwill', 'The Salvation Army' and 'Out of the Closet' today.

I won't even get into organizing the closets--but I do have a plan (California Closets). I found this page of tips at the Good Housekeeping website:
www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/organizing/easy-closet-organizing-tips

Twenty-five years ago today:

Sunday, February 12, 1984

This morning mom told me that Tony attended an event at The Moscone Center in San Francisco yesterday. Tony went on to explain that it was a celebrity, producer, director sales event for General Station managers in the San Francisco-Bay Area.
"I saw Ann Turkel there," Tony was saying loud enough for me to hear. He was munching on mom's homemade pancake breakfast. He knew how much I adored that actress/cover girl (Ann Turkel)-even if she did marry Richard Harris in 1974.

Inspiration took over as I decided to call on Helen Wong to join me for a visit to the Moscone Center. We were semi-dressed up and looking pretty good together. We actually saw Bonni Franklin, Robert Culp, Ben Murphy, Joanne Greggains, Elaine Joyce, John Byner and Roger Ebert. There was no sign of Ann Turkel though (sadness).
www.imdb.com/name/nm0877183/bio
I did get up my nerve to question Roger Ebert, the film critic.
"Did you like Natassja Kinki's new movie, 'The Moon In The Gutter'," I asked.
The film was French and also known as 'La Lune dans le caniveau'. I knew he'd know what I was talking about. Of course, I was stumped with his response.
"Hated it!" he replied.

Helen didn't want to stick around. I could read her body language. So after we talked to 'Denny' who was in charge of the DYNASTY 'fake foyer' display we left. We had our fair share of champagne and hors d'oeuvres.

Once Helen had departed I went to Mom & Dad's for rest and relaxation. I persuaded mom to join me for dinner at Horatio's in San Leandro. It was an enjoyable outing. She came with me to my pad and I witnessed the "Mom surprise". She had been there tidying up the place. She knew I would be smiling from ear to ear at how she cleaned up. After she left I spent time cleaning my bike.

John and Sherri appeared thereafter to join me in the screening of the TV-mini series "Celebrity". The handsome Joseph Bottoms was one of the key characters. It was great! After the show I 'hit the sack'. Yawn.