Fran Houston | Move Lady

24

Jul, 2012

Seniors Sudden Move -Doctor’s Orders

By: Fran Houston | Tags: | Comments: 0

I received the call on a Friday evening. Ally was calling from Tennessee and she wondered if I could help. Her mom, Beth, was being released from the hospital and her doctor ordered that she not go back to her 1 bedroom apartment in an assisted living facility. After several falls and recovered broken bones the doctor felt it was time for this 82 year old woman to have more care. Ally planned to arrive the following Monday to assist with her mom’s move to the small care home where […]

10

Jul, 2012

Choose To Change

By: Fran Houston | Tags: | Comments: 0

There are 3 things we know about the future: It is not going to be like the past. It is not going to be exactly the way we think. The rate of change can take place faster than we can imagine. In 1803, the British created a civil service position in which a man was required to stand on the cliffs of Dover with a spy glass. His job was to be on the lookout for invasion. He was to ring a bell if he saw the army of Napoleon […]

26

Jun, 2012

Pictures Pictures Pictures

By: Fran Houston | Tags: | Comments: 0

Pictures bring out wonderful memories of times gone by. However, an accumulation of pictures can hold memories of 3 generations maybe more! So, what should you do with boxes of photos, albums, slides ad scrapbooks when you begin to downsize and have limited space? And what about your framed pictures? These precious memories must be handled with great care and respect. When you first receive a beautiful framed picture of your children or grandchildren you happily display it. It gives so much pleasure. As the years go by and that […]

12

Jun, 2012

The Senior Spectrum

By: Fran Houston | Tags: aging, downsizing, moving, rightsizing, senior move manager, seniors | Comments: 0

What does the word “senior” mean to you? In our world, “senior” is thrown around generally to cover anyone aged 60 or up. Some stores discount for age 55 and over… and call it the “senior discount. And in some places — like the movie theatres — 65 is the going age to be called a senior. With all the variation, what is a senior anyways? Most of the boomer generation who are just beginning to fall into these senior categories don’t like the word senior. In their minds, it […]

4

Jun, 2012

4 Tips When Moving To A Smaller Space

By: Fran Houston | Tags: | Comments: 0

One of the most difficult parts of relocating to a smaller space is letting go of the much-loved home that you’ve spent many years enjoying and making memories in! The things collected over the years that fill that home simply cannot all go with you. As you look around, everything you see seems precious. What do you do? As you begin the process of rightsizing for your smaller space, keep these tips in mind. Determine what furniture can realistically fit into the new square footage. Choose your very favourite sentimental […]

23

Apr, 2012

7 Tips for a Successful Senior Move

By: Fran Houston | Tags: | Comments: 0

TAKE ACTION. If you are capable, take action. Enlist the help of friends and family to lend support. DON’T GO IT ALONE. Moving is difficult but you don’t have to do it alone. Find those that can give you tools, assistance, motivation, encouragement and information to help with the transition. WHERE DO I START? Start with a plan and a time table. Then you stick to it and re-adjust as you go. WHAT DO I TAKE? Remember that you are moving to a smaller home. Take only those things that […]

2

Apr, 2011

Un-junking the Junk Drawer

By: Fran Houston | Tags: | Comments: 0

Nearly everyone has a junk drawer. You know, that place in your house that has become a catch-all for the things that seem to appear from nowhere and have no other home in your house. Loose change, batteries, pizza coupons (probably expired), runaway marbles from your grandkids’ stash – the possibilities of what your junk drawer contains are endless. When you are in a rush to tidy up, the junk drawer comes in handy. You hide things there, intending to get back to them later. Well, it is time for […]

28

Mar, 2011

A Yard Sale? Seriously…

By: Fran Houston | Tags: | Comments: 0

Garage sales can be pretty unremarkable, but several years ago I went to a garage sale that shifted my perspective. While on my way home I spotted a yard sale sign not too far from our house. I convinced my husband to come take a look with me. As we approached, I could tell this was no ordinary yard sale. The large, fenced yard was packed with stuff. 50 years’ worth of stuff. The owners of the house came out to greet us. They were elderly and bone-weary. As we […]