11 Years Later in the Transitions Business and Here I am!

Not much has changed with people over the past 11 years since I found myself suddenly jobless, living in Chevy Chase, MD and decided to hang out a flyer at the local market. "Packrats and Dustbunnies, I am the Gunk n' Junk Exterminator!"

Immediately got a client with a house full of disarray, a history of cancer, two kids in college, clothes in her closet from size 12 through size 28, and a husband in a downtown office building. 4 weeks later, we had gone through her closets, downsized her wardrobe, hauled bag after bag of too small but very nice clothes to charity, ransacked the catacombs under her daughter's bed, thrown out old food, cleaned the pool area, organized her studio, cleaned out the attic, sat and watched her cry, conducted a very large yard sale,  upholstered a headboard, and cleaned as we went. I had a woman working with me on that job who cleaned as I organized. She would not let me touch her bedroom and handle the final details of paperwork that was strewn around the room. Two months after, I called her and she had slipped and fallen on a few magazines on the floor, on the carpet and broken an ankle. Fragile bones- those chemo patients have. So, she was back in bed, wallowing in her self imposed prison.

Dozens of clients later and  hundreds of stories I have found they all have the same characteristic: Self imposed resistance to going forward. They stop me at a point where, for some reason, something begins to slap them in the face. Something very uncomfortable.  Or they feel like "they've done enough" and can handle the rest on their own...but they never do. IF  they could they would have in the first place. Their house would not be a ( be nice, Laurie, ) pig sty, shambles, disaster waiting to happen. Their dysfunction would not be overwhelming their function. Yikes!

My latest story is with two younger seniors who hired me to help them downsize, and sell their junque. Their situation: Illness, lack of finances, large mortgage, and a super duper case of DENIAL and OVERWHELM. We were going forward, with positive stride, until yesterday when life hit him, at least, square in the jaw. She has been passive-aggressive, reluctant to make any direct wishes known.

The " I can'ts, I won't, I don't know how, started pouring out of him. History running into the present. Reality smacking him on the head. SMACK! "ou are sick, you can not do this any longer, your life has changed, you have to change with it." He freaked. NO MORE! He completely stopped the progress he was making. Dead stop.

I wrote him an email last night and told him he has experts working with him, fulfilling his wishes, and working with he and his wife to forward their lives. All they have to do is be there, communicate and get out of the way and watch the transformation occur. He called me and said he was stopping the work and firing his realtor.

Y'know. I get so sick and tired of this. But that's my problem.

People create their own realities. What is mine going to be? Where have I come from, where am I now and where am I going? Working with the mentally ill was never what I thought I'd be doing. Transforming environments and the lives within them, as a result, has always  been what I wanted to do. What is my next step?

The Upscale Garage Sale, Shabby Chic, Antiques, And More

STILL FOR SALE, GREAT ANTIQUES!

Not only am I moving this furniture to new homes, but I am connecting with some people in Frederick, which is good for me. Meeting my neighbors again, making new customers, putting myself out there.

 So, I'll report again.  I haven't had a yard sale in 9 months, and was not looking forward to it. It's been a lot of work, again. But in my business, it's all a lot of work. Physical. Mental.

 But it's worked out.

Getting on With It

missiontransition.net

Services for those who welcome change...lol

Over the past ten years I have completed a lot of projects, all different, yet sharing a goal: Getting rid of stuff and taking either a client(s) or property to the next level of 'being', in some way.

When working with a client, (vs an estate where what happens to the stuff is typically solely my call....) going through the  stages of downsizing with a client, is challenging and difficult. For the client and me. It's hard work.

I am there as a provocoteur, expediter and manager. I use the  tag "Transition is Tough", because it appeals to the pain we people feel when up against a a major life change. Whether emotional or physical, or both, dealing with "what's next" is not easy.  Clear headed, self assessment is available to the clear headed and that says it all.  Moving forward can be nearly impossible for some.  (What step to take, where to go, how to think this through, what to do first?)

Regardless of a person's age and experience and physical condition, tackling transition is an act of logical, linear thinking and action. I have worked with a few people in their 40's, who were lost as to how to proceed, their house blinds (and mind) drawn closed; depressed, junk-filled houses-dead zones. Stuck. The idea of change, frightening.  I've met with a woman in her mid 80's who asked me in for a free consultation, just to pick my brain. She had her transition and move organized like a pro. No problem. Most people are somewhere in between.

The process goes something like this:

The initial downsizing; The Finding  "Oh, fantastic! This (cell phone, ring, coin, letter....) has been missing for a year!" The Rescuing (" I have to save this from (inevitable loss and destruction,) it's so important, I've had it since the 1979 Mardi Gras," The Denial, " I am not 80 years old, I am not moving, I am not in delicate health and I will NOT give it up!" to The Acknowledging, "OK, then, my doctor ( daughter, son, friend, minister, realtor) is right. I don't need this big house any more, it's too much for me to maintain...." The Re-Living, "When I was 11 the Nazi's were occupying Austria, my mother was dead, my father and uncle owned a linen factory and it was all taken." The the Decision Making, " It IS time to move- now to look at all of my options and set a deadline..." and finally The Action," Moving day is next Tuesday, I am excited, and am looking forward to this new home!" then The Letting Go Of,  "It's such a relief to have that big house and all that stuff in someone else's hands now, whew! I can see now how it held me down" and Gratitude, " I am so grateful that I am in this great new place and had the help I did to get here!"

Although those responses might seem a little idealistic, most of my client's have expressed these feelings, and lots of stories, during and after their transition. A few are not so open, whining and blaming me for their plight. "The Big R", Resistance, raising it's ugly head. 

If I am "The Bad Guy" to a few clients for doing my job, I figure it comes with the territory. They, heels dug in, creeping forward, spitting nails on ocassion. Me, "The Enforcer of Reality." How much fun that is. I walk away,moving day over, blood streaming down my body, impaled, but alive. I get them to their next place, as is my job. Later, they come to terms with life. 

I welcome that beautiful, rare human being who could call me up and say
 " Hey, can you help me get rid of my trash, and resell and recycle the good stuff? I am ready to do this, and want it done now! 

I'm 290 years old, getting on with my life, hate all of this junk and will pay you excellent money to do this for me. I'm on my way to Mars to set up a colony.

Those who love the idea of "giving it up" like a celebration of being alive, are the enlightened ones.


Taking out the trash is a good thing for the spirit.

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http://www.merchantcircle.com/blogs/MISSION.TRANSITION.LLC.301-332-5585

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State of Maryland Green Registry Approval, Details and Photos of Property

MISSION:TRANSITION

256 South Carroll Street

Frederick, Maryland 21701-6523

301-332-5585

www.missiontransition.net, www.Zookdesign.com

Interior Design, Transitions and Estate Management

Member since May 2010

Management and Leadership

Environmentally Preferable Products and Services

My businesses, MISSION:TRANSITION and Zookdesign, are by nature green businesses in that I recycle, salvage and re-use materials and items. I have been providing transitions and estate management, downsizing, relocating, organizing, simplifying and the re-design and re-building of living and working environments for people and business since 1999.

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing

I purchase recycled content cardboard (for use in my business) and mulch and compost (about 150 lbs per year) from the county facility for use on the business property.

Environmental Restoration or Community Environmental Projects

I have created a natural, drought resistant, urban landscape by planting appropriate ornamental trees and plants that require very little water, providing increased habitat for birds and animals. I planted Leland Cyprus five years ago that are now 30 feet tall and are full of birds and nests. I have eight birdhouses around the property, full of chicks. All of this work has provided opportunity for pollinators, ) bees, hummingbirds, etc.) to thrive, and birds to find plenty of food, and roost in trees and  birdhouses installed on the hill. I also have frogs, dragonflys, bats.

Waste

Solid Waste Reduction and Reuse

My business is all about re-use. I remove as much material as possible from my jobs for recycling, re-sale and donation. The Great Estate Re-Cycle, for Estate Clearing, Sales, Donation and Salvage, and The $349 Interior RE-Vitalization, an interior design RE-USE Service, both facets of the MISSION:TRANSITION business.

 

Recycling

At my office, I recycle cardboard and white paper, compost organic materials, including some white paper, as experiment, and contribute residual organic materials to the county mulch and compost facility.
Energy Efficiency

I have a new radiant heat in the office floor, energy efficient windows, and Energy Star appliances. I use a clothes line for all of my personal laundry. Tenants on the property use an Energy Star Rated Washer/Dryer and Dishwasher.

Water

Water Conservation

I have 250 gallons of water stored in rain barrels, as well as 300 gallons of water in ponds, at all times. They all feed the organic garden and landscaping at my property. I can approximate, that I saved 6,000 gallons of city water last growing season and this year a quarter of that, so far. I also have low flow fixtures (shower heads and toilets) throughout my office facility.

Stormwater Management and Site Design

I have a complete storm water management system for my property. Water from the office roof is directed into the rain barrels, ponds and organic garden, for 6 to 8 months of the year. The organic garden is 1,350 square feet and it is located in the historic district of Frederick Maryland so it is an urban garden.

A permeable river pebble "patio" occupies another 400 square feet. I have also constructed a hill of drought resistant plantings, such as ornamental grasses, sedum, day lilies, Russian Sages, Echinacea, Bee Balm, Butterfly Bush, Curly Willow, zinnias, wildflowers, etc. It acts as a buffer zone from traffic on the front, south west corner, of the property at South Carroll Street and is 7,290 cubic feet. One of the 150 gallon ponds is integrated into this hill, fed from the rain spout on the front of the house and used minimally to water, if necessary. The ornamentals planted are drought-resistant.

In total, I have converted 2,890 square feet (including the hill and garden) to a non-mowing area. The grass that remains on the property is cut with a non-motorized rotary mower and electric weed whacker.

Other

Member US Green Building Council (USGBC), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), and Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBzone)

The $349 Interior RE-Vitalization Program. You CAN Afford an Interior Designer!

Your One-Day Interiors RE-Vitalization for your House or Apartment! You CAN Afford an Interior Designer!

I bring Practical, Creative (they are not oxy-morons!) Advice and Techniques to You and Your Personal Space.

 Together We Create a Realistic Plan, Based on Your Objectives and Personal Style, And I Add My Influence of 30 Years of Real Design and Project Management Experience.


Your Day Includes: A Lifestyle/Interiors Assessment and Interview.


Re-Thinking Your House as a Whole, Considering All Existing Elements, Furnishings and Accessories.


Re-Selection and RE-Commendations of Paint Colors, Layout, Lighting, Window Treatments, Surfaces and Storage!



RE-Commendations and Creative RE-Use of Existing Furnishings and Accessories in a RE-Arrangement that will Optimize Your Space, Making it Comfortable, Beautiful and Very Functional!


A RE-Vitalization Notebook/Workbook is Provided in which we are actively Documenting Your Personalized Plan, Sketching, Noting, etc.
You then Use this to Refer To as You Accomplish the Goals We Set Together!


Kids Rooms, Den, Living Room, Master Suite, Home Office, Kitchen, Dining Room and Storage!



















TheSpaceFixer@gmail.com

$349 Your Space Re-Vitalized and Your Life RE-Energized!

Style is Fickle, Your Plan Keeps it RE-AL!

Zookdesign.com

MISSION:TRANSITION, Frederick MD, Relocation, Transitions, Estates, Short-Term Rentals: Letting Go Without Losing Touch

MISSION:TRANSITION, Frederick MD, Relocation, Transitions, Estates, Short-Term Rentals: Letting Go Without Losing Touch

Himself at 78At 30