I don't know about you, but I loved the Thanksgiving 4-day vacation. Yea, yea, the family, the food... What do you think I do with four free days? I de-clutter!

Obviously, it was time to sift through my son's toys and "make space" for new gifts that may arrive. My son has the choice of either going through the toys with me and my husband or watch TV while we make the choices for him. We know his weakness. He chose TV. Even when hubby and I were undecided and went to him for advice, he casually said "I don't care," or "Whatever you think." Some toys are obvious that they have been outgrown, and with those, we either ship to smaller cousins or donate immediately. Some toys may boomerang back into the house, so those go out in the garage until about mid to late January. By that time (which is a few weeks after the new stuff has arrived), what hasn't bren "needed and brought back in" gets donated or placed in the garage sale pile. (Cole likes to make a little cash from releasing his toys to others!)

The second necessary de-cluttering job was the medicine cabinet. Expired medicines can accumulate quickly if you don't nip that cabinet in the bud! Old slings, braces, crutches and other articles of old injuries need to go too. I feel better already just organizing this cabinet!

Next was my makeup and travel drawers. I have collected so many travel bags over the past few years that some of them just had to go. How many jewelry pouches do I think I need? I don't even like jewelry that much! (My husband got lucky on this one, eh? )

And finally, I went through the baking cabinet. In order to get my holiday > baking zone revved up and ready, I had to figure out what exactly I had and what I needed. How long does unsweetened coconut last in a cabinet anyway?

Oh yea, and as for the yard, I trimmed and pulled off all the dead leaves on all the potted plants on the porches, threw out some plants that looked tired and weak (remember - no "plant hospitals!") and re-arranged all the potted plants (some from the front went to the back and vise-versa.) Then I hosed down and swept all the hardscape areas. Wow! What a difference. When it gets cold outside and we start hanging inside more and more, we forget to pay as much attention to these outdoor areas as we do in the warmer months. I can't tell you how good the energy felt after I did this! Moving your stuff can not only change your life, it can make you feel like you have more room to breathe because the porches have been brought back to life!

Then, as I decorated the house with Snowmen and Santas, I made sure I put an equal amount of stuff away to make room for these temporary display items. It made me think to remind you all to pay very close attention to the literal amount or volume of stuff that may arrive this month in your house. Be sure to remove or release at least an equal amount - to "stay even" - either now or immediately after the holidays. Since this is the time to be inside the house more often than not, it would be wise to keep as much space for you as possible!

Hi Karen, I just read your newsletter for November and have been having a lot of thoughts around the holiday gift giving season. I felt personally pinched this year, but agree emphatically that my overwhelming urge to give back out weighs my sense of lack. Therefore I immediately donated to Habitat for Humanity as you suggested ($20). Thanks for the suggestion and I hope we build a house for someone who truly needs it! Also, I have been listening to Dr. Wayne Dyer's tapes on "The Power of Intention", which I believe compliments Feng Shui.

After listening to his ideas on sending out intentions and a story he told about a man at a toll gate who paid for the person behind him one day "just to be kind", I was blown away. So much so, in fact, I was heading to my local coffee house last Saturday and decided to buy the person behind me a cup of coffee, a pay-it-forward concept. Typically, this coffee house is jamming with people, but for some reason I was the only one in line. I took my cup of tea, sat down and (disappointed),started my homework for a class I am currently taking. I was so focused on getting someone, anyone a cup of coffee that I went up for my usual second cup and tried again, without success. While I was waiting for my cup of tea, once again disappointed, I was also thinking how ironic the whole situation was. At that very moment, the barista handed me my cup of tea and told me 'it was on the house'!!

Talk about irony?? My intentions were so intense and focused on making someone else happy, that it came back to me like a boomerang. We currently have a Feng Shui brown bag lunch at work once a month and I immediately shared this story with them. I think surroundings, color, elements are essential to Feng Shui, but I sometimes forget to include powerful intentions with those choices. Never again :- Have a great holiday season! Regards...Carol

(I LOVE this letter! This perfectly displays the law of giving and receiving! K.)

Question: I'm getting ready to decorate or the holidays and wanted to know if you had any specific ideas on where I should place typical holiday stuff from a feng shui standpoint.

In reaction to the vast amount of visitors to our site that are in the real estate industry, we've decided to add a new page to our website. This site is also designed for homeowners who are thinking of buying or selling a property. We currently have some information and a couple of downloadable files for your use, and are going to be adding to the page as we gather the appropriate content. I hope this new part of our website serves you well with your real estate endeavors!

1. Sweep and/or hose down exterior hardscape areas.

3. De-clutter the medicine cabinet.

First of all, I want to thank everyone who took the time to donate this month to Habitat for Humanity because of my "Let's build a home this Holiday Season" challenge. It just goes to show what a difference we can make if we share the same intention. As of the time when I wrote this newsletter, we have collectively donated $1,408.00. Although it is well short of the $55,000.00 that I was personally shooting for, I know it is definitely appreciated by Habitat, and that they will make the best use of our donations in a manner that will help the most.

In order to collect more for this cause, I am extending the challenge throughout December. The "if you donate, you will receive a free index to my book" incentive is still on. (To those of you who donated and let us know, your free index is already on its way.)

Just visit their site to make a donation. Habitat For Humanity - just hit the donate online button on the home page and find the method of donating you wish to do!

Then forward the "Thank you for your donation" page that Habitat sends you along with your snail mail address and we'll add your donation to the list and send you a free index. And feel free to forward this part of my newsletter to anyone you think might be up for donating too!

Thanks!!

GOLDEN CRYSTAL- I finally found an beautiful golden, amber-colored crystal worthy of being sold as an earthy yellow for the center of rooms and spaces - the health gua. If you've got health challenges, or a staircase, closet, laundry room or other dim, small or irregular space that needs lifting, here's your chance to help it out! (30 mm)

THE OFFICE COLLECTION - We have a fabulous cure collection that we put together for your office that includes a 4x5" mirror that sits on a stand for those of you who have your back to the door while sitting at your desk. This mirror is only available in this kit collection. The kit also includes all the office items necessary to pump up the chi in your office!

THE WHOLE KIT-AND-KABOODLE - We've also put together a fantastic feng shui gift-giving starter set for you or a loved one this year.Please order by the 10th to ensure U.S. delivery by Christmas. Visit Feng Shui Palace Product Specials

I am peaceful.

I am sizzling with enthusiasm!

I am accepting all the events in my life regardless of how they appear.

I am giving of myself and all that flows through me.

If you would like me to speak at your company conference, industry convention, or set up a workshop at a corporate retreat, feel free to contact me at karen@fengshuipalace.com and we'll see if the schedule permits!

Southern California (San Diego, Orange, Riverside, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, CA)

If you live anywhere between San Diego and Santa Barbara, and from the Pacific Ocean to Indio and you would like a personal feng shui consultation, feel free to call and set up a time at (877)952-2482. The cost of the consultation is $200.00 per hour and the average consultation takes about 2 hours.

Irvine, CA

December 8 - From 6:30 to 8:30AM (yes folks, that's AM), Karen will be speaking at the Inside Edge weekly gathering in Irvine, CA. For reservations and additional information, please go to: Inside Edge

The Western Caribbean

December 25 - January 1, 2005 - Karen will be speaking on a holiday cruise throughout the Western Caribbean on Norwegian Cruise Line's "Majesty" ship. If you're interested, please visit Norwegian Cruise Line for more cruise information. Let's start out the new year together!

Anaheim, CA

January 6, 13, 20 and February 3, 10, 17, 24

You asked for it so here it is!

A seven week workshop! Karen will be teaching a LEVEL 2 FENG SHUI WORKSHOP at the Learning Light in Anaheim, California. Contact them at (714) 533-2311 for additional information.

March 26, 2005 - Sign up early for this one. There are only 300 spots. Feng Shui Fest. Free gifts and entertainment. I will be speaking along with Professor Lin, Terah Kathryn Collins, Nate Batoon, Daniel David Kennedy, and ton of others! This is being held at the Learning Light in Anaheim, CA. Contact them at (714) 533-2311 for additional information. This one should be a great time and a lot of feng shui fun! There will also be a feng shui retreat to follow, date and time to be determined.

Orange, CA

April 13, 2005 - From 7 to 9 PM, Karen will be speaking at the Cordelia Knott Center for Wellness in Orange, CA. A small donation to the Center will be requested at the door. Call (714) 619-3337 for additional information to reserve a spot!

With intentions of being of service,

Karen

You are receiving this newsletter because you have expressed an interest in Karen Rauch Carter and her work. If you do not wish to receive this, or you are receiving multiple copies, please contact us at management@fengshuipalace.com and state your request. If you are having trouble reading this newsletter, please go to the newsletter that is printed online at Feng Shui Palace Newsletter