Category: Real Life & Practical Wisdom

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A Post in Memory of my Grandmother

Karen Furman, The Klutter Koach

One year ago, on the 3rd night of Chanukah, my grandma Beverly Zoot Tatz passed to the next world. Since I don’t know what a granddaughter can meaningfully do on a grandparent’s first yahrtzeit, I posed the question and received two replies. One person suggested giving tzedakah in her memory.  Another said it is a custom in their family to eat the favorite food of the departed and tell stories about him or her. Since I don’t know Grandma’s favorite food, I hope she enjoyed latkes because that’s what’s frying up in the kitchen right now. I don’t have any … Continue reading A Post in Memory of my Grandmother

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“What time does the supermarket open and how long are the lines.” A pre-yom tov mussing with a history lesson

Karen Furman, The Klutter Koach

Pardon the long title, as an inspiration for something more concise didn’t come to mind.  This post is about two books I recently read and how it has affected my thinking in regards to recent events and observations. I love reading, especially children’s literature in the historical fiction genre. Last month I read two books that had a similar theme. One was Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan.  The other was The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig. Historical events from these books had me pondering modern “problems”, which seem inconsequential to the challenges faced by the protagonists in the books. … Continue reading “What time does the supermarket open and how long are the lines.” A pre-yom tov mussing with a history lesson

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I’m Busy

Karen Furman, The Klutter Koach

It’s been a long while since I’ve had a chance to write.  Even as I type this, I don’t have the time to write.  Due to an exhausting day, I passed out probably around 8 pm while settling DS 20 months to bed.  He woke up 2 am in need of a drink and diaper change.  While not bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, I am wide awake and he is once again asleep.  The part of me that says go back to sleep is losing out to the other half that wants the solitude of a quiet house and sleeping occupants. “Busy” seems … Continue reading I’m Busy

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A Day in the Life: Summer Vacation

Karen Furman, The Klutter Koach

Does anyone remember the “A Day in the Life” series of books?   Photojournalists were sent to different countries to capture what a day was like in a country from early morning to late at night.   I should do the same thing and call it “A Day in the Life: Summer Vacation”.  Here is a sample of a day in my life: 6 am.  I am awake. I would rather be asleep. The baby (17 months) is sleeping in the crook of my arm.  My 4 year old curled up next to me with his head close to my hip.  I really … Continue reading A Day in the Life: Summer Vacation

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The How-to-Get-Unaddicted to Facebook Post

Karen Furman, The Klutter Koach

Hi.  I’m Karen.  I’m Facebook addict.  Or at least I used to be.  It was a mild addiction, if there is such a thing.  Or maybe I came to the realization FB was a big time suck and I needed to DeKlutter it from my life. I had about 200 Friends, belonged to a couple dozen groups, and followed many pages.  My original goal was to use FB to stay connected with close friends and family, get inspiration from quotes, and maybe find a good new recipe or two. However, I have spent way too much time on my tush in front of the computer screen not accomplishing those … Continue reading The How-to-Get-Unaddicted to Facebook Post

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The Journey of a Broken Arm

Karen Furman, The Klutter Koach

I generally write about de-cluttering and organizing, but every so often something noteworthy happens I want to share. Yesterday one of my kids broke their arm.  The result of a split second incident was a hairline fracture to the left arm.  The child is now in a cast to the elbow.  Luckily, it wasn’t the dominant hand.  My mommy battle scars over 16 years include bumps, bruises, stitches, and an occasional visit to the ER for other random things.  This is my first broken bone. In the first 24 hours since the the accident, I have come to appreciate things I have taken for … Continue reading The Journey of a Broken Arm

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The Nail Post

Karen Furman, The Klutter Koach

I’ve been thinking a lot about nails.  Not the kind that hang photos, but fingernails. I have unanswered questions such as “What is the obsession with long nails?”  “Why are ladies decorating the ring finger nail differently than the other four digits?”  What’s the difference between acrylics and gel–or is it the same thing? Are sparkly, glitzy, decaled nails for fun?  A status thing? A fashion trend? As a massage therapist, I keep my nails short.  Occasionally I will polish them at home by myself.  The perfection lasts less than 48 hours.  Today I saw the coolest pair of nails on the bus: three of the fingers … Continue reading The Nail Post

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The Bus Post

Karen Furman, The Klutter Koach

I ride buses a lot.  It’s a way of life where I live.  I also commute three hours a day or more when there is traffic.  This gives me lots of time to people watch. There are acts that make me smile and think to myself ‘somebody’s mother should shep nachas from them right now’, specifically,when someone gives up their seat for another.  Saying thank you to the driver is another nachas moment.  I silently applaud these folks. Then there are acts where my fellow humans utterly disappoint me.  A lack of thanks to the bus driver is an example.  Sometimes a bus is ready to drive off and the … Continue reading The Bus Post

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Send in the Clowns

Karen Furman, The Klutter Koach

This blog is about organizing and decluttering.  However, I was very moved by an experience yesterday and wanted to share it. My baby had to go to the hospital for an endoscopy.  My baby, literally, is a baby.  He’s 11 months old.  He’s always had a temperamental tummy.  He’s on a very $$$$$ non-dairy non-soy formula called Neocate.  Since we don’t know what’s bothering Baby the doctors wanted to rule out celiac. Due to an insurance fiasco that needed to be settled before they could start the procedure, we had a much longer wait in the waiting room than planned.   What do … Continue reading Send in the Clowns

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The Pot Roast Story

Karen Furman, The Klutter Koach

Have you heard the famous story about the woman who cuts the ends off her pot roast before putting it in the over?  If you haven’t already, here it is: A newly-wed man would watch his wife would cut an inch off from both ends of meat for pot roast before putting it into the oven.  When he asked why, she answered, “That’s how you are supposed to cook it.”  Not satisfied with this answer he pressed further until she said she learned to do it this way from her mother. The husband calls up his mother-in-law and asks her why she cuts … Continue reading The Pot Roast Story

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De-cluttering Cybernoise

Karen Furman, The Klutter Koach

The never-ending dilemma: The kids are finally  asleep and the house quiet.  The decision: get something done, chillax, or sleep?  If I’m really exhausted, sleep wins.  Then the choice is between chillaxing and getting something done.  This evening, chillaxing won and y’all get a new blog post! I am feeling inspired to share how I just made my life easier.  Maybe ‘easier’ isn’t the best word choice, but I did something to  add more serenity to my day.  Aromatherapy?  Calming music?  (Remember one of my professions is Massage Therapist). I know the suspense of finding out is a killer–worse than waiting for Star Wars to premier.  What … Continue reading De-cluttering Cybernoise

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To Connect or Not to Connect?

Karen Furman, The Klutter Koach

Playing off Shakespeare’s famous lines ‘To be or not to be?’ I often ponder if I’m missing out on not being connected to the internet 24/7 (24/6 because I am Sabbath observant).  I have what is called a ‘Kosher phone’ which means my phone does not have internet connection.  I do not have instant access to everyone and everything at all times.  Because of this, I have limited availability of when I can check e-mail and be on social media.  I must be home in front of an “old-fashioned” computer to do so.  I commute almost three hours a day so I have … Continue reading To Connect or Not to Connect?

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It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

Karen Furman, The Klutter Koach

According to Flylady, we let our perfectionism get in the way of getting things done.  This means most people never start something for fear of failure.  It also can mean starting  something, but not finishing it because it is never “just right”. I have tried very hard to get over this perfectionism trait.  While I aim for high standards and good quality of workmanship on what I do, I have learned there is more than one right way. One example of not wanting to start something happened yesterday. I have one chore I hate hate hate:  sponja.  For those of you … Continue reading It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

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Who’s washing the dishes?

Karen Furman, The Klutter Koach

My last post a few mere hours ago was on the topic of planning for a big meal. As a follow-up, let’s talk about clean up.  Who’s washing the dishes tonight, or any night for that matter?  In my household, it’s usually me, me, and me.  However, The Klutter Koach is training her small army of little Furmans and they are all in various stages of learning these skills.  Even my 3-year old can clear his place and bring his cup, plate, and silverware to the sink.  Yes, he REALLY does this.  Gotta start them young. Here are my Pearls … Continue reading Who’s washing the dishes?

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ROUTINE–not a dirty word

Karen Furman, The Klutter Koach

Routine is not a dirty word. Routine is not synonymous with boring. Routine is predictable. Having a routine is comforting–you know what comes next. There are those times you just need to go on auto-pilot and having a routine has trained you to get through a series of steps without having to think about it.  It’s kind of like when you walk or drive the same route everyday and sometimes you don’t know how you got from Point A to Point B.  You did it by not thinking about it. That’s the beauty of a routine. Then there are those … Continue reading ROUTINE–not a dirty word

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Unsolicited Pearls of Wisdom for Brides-To-Be

Karen Furman, The Klutter Koach

I’ve always wanted to give unsolicited advice to brides-to-be.  Since I don’t know anyone setting married and my oldest daughter is 12, I have these pearls of wisdom I’ve been dying to share with someone. OK, perhaps you don’t fit into the bride-to-be category, but whether or not you’re already married, you probably have a kitchen, and your kitchen is filled with stuff.  How many of those items do you use?  How much just sits there taking up precious storage space?  How many of your things to you really LOVE and how much of it do you use but have a … Continue reading Unsolicited Pearls of Wisdom for Brides-To-Be

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I’m in Business

Karen Furman, The Klutter Koach

I finally took the plunge-I had a goal to set up de-cluttering an organizing business.  I have been wanting to do this officially for years.  Like many dreams, the first step in making it a reality is often the most challenging. I am technologically challenged, but with a decent comfort zone on Facebook I spent this morning setting up a page.  Then I used the afternoon to start this blog.  While it may not be perfect, it is sufficient.  So far I am happy with the results.  That is my philosophy of my business-take a step forward, start small, and … Continue reading I’m in Business