As I am reinventing myself with my new, complete home remodel, I'd like to reinvent the way I am beneficial in the community. I'd like to hear from my readers what changes they would like to see in this newsletter, and what other ways I can be of service. Is it that you are seeking a certification course so you can become a feng shui consultant in the style that I practice? Is it help with architectural designs and building from scratch? Is it a more specific answer to your real estate needs? What is it? I'd be honored if you would take the time to forward any comments about this to the comments and suggestions portion of my website. Here's the link: Feng Shui Palace - Comments

I am excited to get on with the new life I will be leading when this remodel is all finished. Every room except the kitchen and one bath will have a new function so I know even our traffic patterns within the home will be dramatically different. It will be as if we moved, but our address stayed the same.

If you're thinking about a remodel, this is my advice (yes, hindsight is always 20/20 isn't it?):

#1. If your remodel involves adding new drywall, move out prior to installation (or even the beginning of the renovation if it is financially feasible.) Nothing can prepare you for the pervasive dust that will show up no matter how much you use plastic to keep in enclosed. We originally did not plan on doing such an extensive remodel (just a new roof and enclose the front porch!) so we got caught in the middle of it all before we knew it. (I know that this is a common situation and the joke is that the most expensive four words in the remodeling world is " . . . while you're at it." But, I had no idea how quickly it sneaks up on you!)

#2. If you don't move out, rent those portable storage bins that you can park in your driveway, or rent space somewhere else to place anything valuable or anything that will be ruined by dust. My fax/copier machine coughed it's last dusty fax out and then died due to some breathing problem. :) I don't even want to know what my upholstered furniture looks like that is currently in the garage covered with tarps - I'm sure it's not good, seeing the level of dust on the other stuff in the garage.

You're probably asking why I don't move out now? The answer is that all our stuff is dirty already, and we don't have the physical energy. Yep, the house has zapped us and we're too dis-conboobulated to pull something like that together. That's why I'm recommending it to those of you who haven't started yet!

Some cures that I have employed so far:

- I have sprayed red around all the new outgoing pipes in the new bathroom location.

I have rung my bell to space clear (although this does not hold long with contractors changing things so regularly.)

I have recently "mirrored away" the side of the house that is currently being worked on and that seems to have helped the "out of the blue" ailments that have showed up.

I have just done another exterior chi adjustment to help balance the whole site.

Through this remodel, I have experienced first hand that feeling of "throwing in the towel" on keeping the entire home constantly clean. It is obvious that it is best to wait until the dust settles before taking the time to wipe off every shelf and dish as the layers of dust add on each and every day. I do have to maintain my few zones for sanity though: the kitchen sink and inside the refrigerator, and the bedrooms and my bathroom as best as I can. Without that tiny measure of cleanliness, I find it unbearable. I'm thrilled that my son seems to be holding his own in school still, in spite of all the mayhem at home.

So for those of you who live in this state all the time, I'd say that if you can peck away at getting your home in order (even if you hire someone to do it) you will definitely feel more energetic, more sane, less foggy-in-the-brain, less forgetful, less frustrated about losing stuff, less frustrated in general, more self-assured and respected, more healthy in many ways, and the list goes on and on. (It's your house, not you, I say!)

If you do live in a home that needs major de-cluttering or cleaning, don't wait until it sucks the life and health out of you before taking action. Treat your home, and therefore yourself, well. You will receive the benefits of a longer, happier life in the end.

Question: We are currently renovating our 60's modern home and found gorgeous 3" thick fir planks under the plaster ceiling, so we removed the plaster. Now I'm concerned that we will have too much wood energy in the house. Where will this be the biggest concern, and what can we do to cure it? The floors will be cork (more wood!) in most of the rest of the house, by the way.

Answer: Well, without living in the home to see if you indeed are living the life of an over wooded person, here are some ideas. First of all, I always say, when in doubt, make sure you have a little of each element for balance. Here are common household things and what element they represent:

Wood: wooden furniture ceilings and floors, greens, textiles and fabrics, columnar-shaped objects.

Fire: animals, animal prints, leather, candles, fireplaces, triangular-shaped objects, reds and hot colors.

Water: mirrors, glass, plastics, black and very dark colors, water fountains, etc., free-form-shaped objects.

Earth: pottery, yellows and earth tones, tiles, flat or square shaped objects, dirt or stones or pebbles, etc.

Metal: anything made of metal, gold silver, grey, white, copper colors, round or mounded-shaped objects.

Everything in your home is either solely in one element category or a mix of a couple or few so I'm sure there's some other items that represent the other elements I'm sure.

Feng Shui Palace Product Specials is the link. I also decided to make the on-site consultations on special this month - $200 off the regular price! See my schedule below.

1. I am serene.

2. I see order and am calmed by it everywhere around me.

I am excited to be back doing private consultations and speaking events again! I will be incorporating the new techniques from my upcoming book in my consultations, and look forward to seeing the results in the lives of my clients.

This month, enjoy the special price of $599 instead of the regular consultation fee of $799!

If you would like to contact me to question how a feng shui lecture or workshop might fit into your professional event, feel free to contact me or my assistant Mary at (714) 508-9935 and we'll be glad to work something up.

May 12-14

High Point, North Carolina

Karen will be available for private consultations in the High Point North Carolina area. The consultation fee is $599.00 ($200 off regular fee) and will take a minimum of 2 hours. Please call Mary at 714-508-9935 or email her at mary@fengshuipalace.com if you are interested in a consultation and she'll see if you can be worked into the travel schedule.

May 17- 20

San Diego, California

Karen will be available for private consultations in the San Diego area. The consultation fee is $599.00 ($200 off regular fee) and will take a minimum of 2 hours. Please call Mary at 714-508-9935 or email her at mary@fengshuipalace.com if you are interested in a consultation and she'll see if you can be worked into the travel schedule.

May 24-26

Los Angeles, California

Karen will be available for private consultations in the Los Angeles area. The consultation fee is $599.00 ($200 off regular fee) and will take a minimum of 2 hours. Please call Mary at 714-508-9935 or email her at mary@fengshuipalace.com if you are interested in a consultation and she'll see if you can be worked into the travel schedule.

July 28, 2006

Vancouver, B.C.

Karen will be available for private consultations in the Vancouver, B.C. area. The consultation fee is $799.00US ($200 off regular fee) and will take a minimum of 2 hours. Please call Mary at 714-508-9935 or email her at "A HREF="mailto:mary@fengshuipalace.com"> mary@fengshuipalace.com if you are interested in a consultation and she'll see if you can be worked into the travel schedule.

July 29 -August 5, 2006

Vancouver, B.C. and Alaska

"REV UP YOUR REAL ESTATE CAREER WITH FENG SHUI" CRUISE

Here is the link for more information and to register: Feng Shui Palace Alaskan Cruise

Come take a fun-filled feng shui and real estate cruise with me and Holly Ziegler, author of Sell Your Home Faster With Feng Shui And Buy Your Home Smarter With Feng Shui. We'll set sail out of Vancouver, B.C. and work our way to Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan through Glacier Bay and the Tracy Arm fjords.

Be inspired by your surroundings as we explore ways to:

Have what it takes to talk confidently about feng shui to clients.

Be able to easily attract more clients toward you.

Be able to showcase rooms that sell.

Know what makes good "curb appeal" and what doesn't.

Know how to unblock the 7 secret stumbling blocks that usually foil your ultimate success.

Know what cures are necessary to help bring a transaction to a smooth completion.

Plus, so much more!!

(And if you are a California Realtor, the classes will count for 6 CEU credits.)

As stated above, this seminar series is not only geared towards the real estate industry but ALSO to non-real estate individuals looking to increase their knowledge of feng shui for their own use or to become a feng shui consultant will also benefit from our "dynamic duo" presentation!

With intentions of being of service,

Karen

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