Organization and Creativity

The one thing I have found to be absolutely true for me is that when my house (and therefore my life) is in chaos and disorder, I can never get into my studio and live up to my creative potential. A messy house steals time from my life, but I have found something that works for this cleaning challenged soul (when I do it)...you may have also heard of FLYLADY and scoffed at the idea because it comes across a little hokey, but I have to admit, this program has helped me tremendously. I must say I still only do bits and parts, but as a whole this system has changed my life. I HATE to do housework and I used to let it weigh like an anchor around my neck, smothering all my creative impulses because I was too overwhelmed with all the DAILY stuff. The whole concept behind FLYLADY is to create small routines for different parts of your day. It is free to join and you will get TONS of email, but the email gives you different 15 minute cleaning chores a day, and with that alone, the "messy-house-can't-think-straight" creativity stealer will no longer rear it's ugly head. Try it! It's a little goofy, but from the email testimonials that I read...it works for A LOT of people and frees them up to live their lives in much more positive ways. We can all use our extra time and creative juice to contribute to the world!!!!! Even if you don't join the email group, her book, Sink Reflections is quite helpful.

Prefab Houses....going green in STYLE!

Wow...I have lived all over the country, moving every 4-5 years with my husband's job. This has it's advantages and disadvantages. All this moving has certainly made me think about where I want to live permanently someday. We vacation every summer on Coronado Island off San Diego. I absolutely love it there and could definitely downsize into a cottage (if I can ever afford 2 million for a cottage!) there on the island, minutes from downtown San Diego. I have noticed every year some of the cottages without historical relevance (and yikes, even some with historical relevance!) are torn down and rebuilt by those who have the $$ to invest in such places. Yesterday, while I was searching for something else, I serendipitously came across the Sunset Breezehouse, a modular modernistic prefab dwelling designed by Michelle Kaufman. Wow..., now you might say, "How's that going to fit in with Coronado's cottages?" and while maybe I can see it fitting in, especially since the building is customizable and very "green" in nature; they probably have some major restrictions in Coronado. But, be that as it may, I couldn't help but be totally jazzed at least by the concept. A customizable, very green dwelling that has clean lines and looks just great with all the windows and light an artist (that's me) could ever want. Incorporated in every breezehouse is the "breezeway element" with window walls that open up completely, transitioning your indoor space into outside space. It just makes so much sense! The world is a crazy place these days and I would love to do my part, and do it in style.I think these Sunset Breezehouses are a very cool idea for residential architecture.