This Saturday, April 28, 2012 is National Prescription Drug Drop Off Day

No questions asked. Drive Up, Drop Off. 10a-2p.
Accepting all medications: prescription and over-the-counter from residential homes.
Keep unwanted medications out of children's hands.


For Erie County Locations:
http://www.nationalprescriptiondrugdropoff.com/index.html

Clean House and SHRED!

A Community Event sponsored by L & M Financial Services, Amherst, NY is being held on Saturday, May 12, 2012.

Shred-it and Goodwill will be onsite in the back lot at their location. Follow this link for more info.

3820 Sheridan Drive
Amherst NY, 14226

If, you need help conquering the piles before you go, Simply Call Linda, 716-631-5619.

A New Year

Maybe you noticed that I have not posted much in the last 12 months. That has been both intentional and necessary. At first, it was simply because I had taken a short maternity leave to help my newest daughter and the rest of our family adjust to life as a family of six. Then, more and more happened and I sum it up here, along with my strategy on managing.

 

Many people are similarly affected by their own life circumstances. Some are even disabled by the sheer magnitude of what is on their plate. I hope by offering this personal experience I can help someone, even in a small way, begin to take tiny steps towards healing.

It begins with a prayer:

 

God grant me Serenity to accept the things I cannot change
The Courage to change the things I can
And the Wisdom to know the difference.

Marty & Cindy, Thanksgiving 2011

I cannot even bear to write this, but writing is my healing, my processing, my outlet, so I will. On December 18, my beloved brother, Marty, died suddenly from heart failure. The earthquake that this has caused in my family and in his community is unimaginable. He was the rock; the caretaker and inspiration of literally, thousands of people, through his family, his pediatric career, his music, his running, his advocacy and his gentle nature, and we are all left bewildered and numb by the loss of such an amazing person.

I cannot change it. I cannot bring him back. It is so final. So awful. My heart aches for myself, my husband and my children, but also for my parents and sister, who are deeply scarred, and for my sister-in-law and her family who are trying to piece together a devastated life.

I cannot change it. We drove our family to Georgia for the funeral. We spent two days traveling down and two days back. The service was a beautiful tribute and was attended by about 1000 people. We are still recovering from the emotional and physical exhaustion of this difficult journey.

In reality, we are recovering from a year of exhausting events, starting with the adjustment of our 7 year old daughter, Shanna, our 4th child, home from China on December 13, 2010. It was a rocky and painful process for her, as she learned to trust that our love was real and permanent. That she was safe with us and that we would not leave her. The first six months were really tough and Eric & I were stretched, but Love Never Fails (as I learned in a workshop with Heather Forbes) and Love Prevailed. Our daughter is thriving in every way and is a complete blessing to us. In February, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer. In May, she came to live with us and we provided hospice care until she died in July. Her husband suffered, too, with Parkinson's and severe grief, requiring a change in living situation. Their house sold in two days and had to be completely empty by July. In late summer, my stepfather, who had gradually declined in health and independence since having a heart attack in April, moved into nursing care, which was both a blessing and a sorrow for my mother. He died in November, and now Marty has died in December, completing a full year of emotional and traumatic events. I cannot change it. I cannot change the impact of each of these events on the people I love.

So what CAN I do?

I can make sure my family is fed, both emotionally and physically. I can physically connect with them each day and put a nourishing dinner on the table each night.

I can keep order in my home and our routines. I can do the laundry, empty the dishwasher, keep the environment uncluttered so our brains can think. I can rely on the routines of our life, and forgo extras right now. I can keep it simple.

I can help my children make time for school work. I can sit quietly by them while they do what they need to do. I can help the little ones learn their sight words and their math facts.

I can be the buoy to my extended family. I can offer my home as a gathering place. I can support from afar through Skype and phone calls. I can encourage connections and I can applaud steps towards rebuilding independence. I can reflect healing.

I can pace myself. I have responsibilities outside our home. I have a business and clients to serve. I can return to them as I am ready, and not before. I can hope they wait for me. I can encourage them to seek other solutions if they cannot.

I can remember the Serenity Prayer. I can recite it over and over  in my mind if I lay awake at night. I can work within my circle of concern (Steven Covey) and make a difference there.

I can appreciate the joy of life. I can be thankful for the blessings I have. I can stop and watch a flock of birds circling in unison in the sky and I can wonder at the beauty of the world.

Yes, things are difficult and I am strong. I am flexible and I won't break.

"It's going to be alright". Marty always said that to us and I can hear it now. It's going to be different but it's going to be alright. Because life cannot help but go on amongst the tough stuff.

Happy New Year

Alert: National Drug Take Back Day October 29, 2011, 10-2

If you have expired, unwanted or unneeded prescription or OTC medications in your home, take them back to a convenient dropoff location near you. Many sites are available. Left in the trash or flushed down the sink they can contaminate the water supply or get in the hands of children and others who should not have them.

Click here for Buffalo Area (Erie & surrounding counties)

Click here for National sites (outside of the Buffalo Area)

Helping Older People Get Organized

Recently, I offered to help my dad clear out his attic, which had housed treasures and stash for almost 50 years. He agreed, although I am sure he was ambivalent about it. I had offered help on previous occasions and he wasn't ready, yet.

In my mind, I established 3 goals of the project. The first was to begin. Yes, I said, simply to begin. I knew that it was an overwhelming task and one that was sure to bring up many memories and feelings. If he could simply begin the task of clearing out, that would be huge. The second goal was for Dad to feel good while he was doing it. I wanted this to be as positive as possible. I did not want to race through and force him to purge. I had waited a long time for him to be open to the idea and I wanted him to feel good about it so he would want to keep going. The third goal was for it to be a family effort (kids and grandkids) so Dad would feel supported and we would all be connected through the experience. I shared these goals with the family at the beginning of the project.

I am happy to say, that after about 4 hours, we met all three goals. We emptied nearly 2/3 of the attic; an awesome start. Dad's energy level and enthusiasm amazed me. Several times I asked him if he wanted to stop and he didn't even though I warned him that his muscles were going to hurt the next day (and I was right-- they did!). My third goal of family involvement was also met. It gave me great satisfaction to see my older daughter taking care of the younger two so we could work and to see my 16 year old son and 80ish Dad working side by side up in the attic. An huge airplane that my Dad had made around Matthew's age was uncovered, badly in need of repairs and lovingly passed on to Matthew for the job.

The airplane Dad made as a young man.

My approach when working with clients is basically the same.

1. Help them to begin.
2. Help them to feel good about the process.
3. Engage them in the process and support them along the way.

Of course, I apply organizing skills and principles during each session and if the three above goals are met, the whole project goes smoothly.


For help with any organizing project, Simply E-mail or Call Linda! 716-631-5619

Buffalo, NY, E-Waste Collection Event: 4/16/11

E-WASTE COLLECTION EVENT

On Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 10:00 am-2:00 pm, Buffalo ReUSE will offer an opportunity to safely dispose of old TVs, computers, and other electronics at our retail store, located at 298 Northampton St. This event is held in honor of Earth Day and in partnership with Sunnking, a local electronics recycler.

In addition to reusable building materials and unwanted household items, Buffalo ReUSE will accept the following e-waste on April 16th:

ACCEPTABLE

• Computers & Laptops
• Printers
• Keyboards & Mice
• Monitors (CRTs) all sizes
• Televisions
• Microwave Ovens (non PCB)
• Copiers
• Typewriters
• Fax Machines
• Cellular Phones & Pagers
• Audio & Video Equipment
• Telephone Equipment
• Laboratory & Test Equipment
• Circuit Boards (any kind)
• Cables/Wire
• Any item with a circuit board
• Batteries (charges may apply)
• Most home appliances (NO REFRIGERANTS)

NOT ACCEPTABLE

• Refrigerators
• Household Hazardous Waste Materials
• Liquids
• Yard Equipment
• Small Gas Powered Equipment
• Mercury containing devices
• Items leaking fluid
• Radioactive materials
• PCB containing materials

Additional E-Waste Day activities include building material recycling, worm composting, Tool Library tours, and Patchwork Garden sign up. Raised Garden Bed materials & Rain Barrels will be available for purchase.

Buffalo ReUSE is a 501©(3), non-profit organization working to keep valuable building materials from our landfill. Buffalo ReUse operates a building material resale store – open to the public six days a week – Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 12–4pm. The Buffalo ReUSE store is fully stocked with doors, windows, plumbing, tubs, tile, cabinets, furniture, fixtures, and more. Buffalo ReUse accepts unwanted and reusable building material donations at the 298 Northampton St location. All donations are tax-deductible. Pickups can be scheduled by calling (716) 882–2800. Sorry, pick-ups not available for e-waste event.

For more information, please call Buffalo ReUSE at (716) 882–2800 or email at info@buffaloreuse.org .

Source: http://www.buffaloreuse.org/Events/EWaste

National Medication Take Back Day: 4/30/2011

Unused and unwanted medication (prescription and over the counter) pollutes our water stream when flushed down the toilet or improperly disposed of in the trash.

Also, an equally big concern is that each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet. In an effort to address this problem, DEA, in conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States are holding National Take Back Days to provide a venue for persons who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

The next National Collection Day is April 30, 2011

Click here to access sites near you, using your zip code

Click here to access sites near the 14221 zip code