Are Hidden Hazards Haunting Your Home, Health, & Happiness? – Part 1: HOME

Haunted House

An illustration of a scary Halloween haunted house in silhouette with spooky trees

 

It is the Bewitching Hour and time to stir up a brew of gumption to make your home a healthy place to live for you and your family!

Although there are numerous items in and near a home that can cause issues, I’m focusing on the less obvious or well-known situations.

 

 

 

 

Hidden Hazards: HOME

Electro Magnetic Fields

Electro Magnetic Fields

You’ve probably heard about things like Lead paint and Radon that can’t be seen causing serious health issues or even death. Other issues that are just as harmful are EMF (Electro-Magnetic Fields), chemical poisoning, and molds.

I know each of these personally.

  • EMFs originating from electronic devices near my bed caused severe headaches.
  • Chemical Poisoning from household cleaning products polluted my bedroom and overwhelmed my immune system causing autoimmune issues.
  • Mold in the attic and walls of our home attacked my throat & lungs causing me to lose my voice for 2 years.

    Mold

    Toxic mold creates negative energy in your home

Each of these “hazards” can affect people differently. They are especially harmful to children. Females appear to be more susceptible than males.

If you or a loved one have any health issues, you might want to investigate these as possible culprits affecting your well-being.

Halloween Pumpkin Fairy Home

Halloween Pumpkin Fairy Home

These can be SPOOKY issues. Rather than having them TRICK you sometime in the future when you least expect them and have them SCARE YOU, let’s be proactive. Let’s TREAT the situation cautiously. Dress yourself as a detective. Investigate the possible culprits. Remove any GHOSTLY issues.

Doing so will help you feel confident the only scary things hiding in the corners and walls are the decorations you’ve put inside your home to celebrate holidays like Halloween. Your home may be “dressed” in a costume of cobwebs and spiders – both of which are fake – and your home will be a SAFE HOUSE for you and your family!

Would you move into a home where there was an attempted murder PLUS a violent death? – Part 1

Divorced! Single! Bankrupt! Homeless in 3 days! Plus pneumonia!

Redwood City Home Front - 1989

Photo was taken earlier on the day of the Loma Prieta Earthquake: October 17, 1989. Additional damage occurred to the home.

The realtor who had sold my Monte Sereno home asked, “Where are you going to move in 3 days?

It was January 27, 1990 and I needed to be out of the house when it closed escrow on January 31.

I said, “I have no idea! I have 4 cats and so much furniture I need the largest United Van Lines moving truck!”

He said, “Well, I can rent you a 4 bedroom/2 bath house for $200/month if you’ll clean it up.”

Then he said,

“You need to know that the previous owner shot his wife in the house a year ago. He then shot himself, killing himself, in the house.”

I moved in on January 31, 1990.

I paid TOP DOLLAR for the home "AS IS!" This is the ceiling in the eating area of the house when I moved in.

I paid TOP DOLLAR for the home “AS IS!” This is the ceiling in the eating area of the house when I moved in.

On February 2 he asked me, “If you could purchase this home, would you?”  I laughed and said – “Of course!”

Thinking he must be joking because I was flat broke, had gone through bankruptcy, was in the process of an ugly divorce with horrible credit, was on worker’s comp because I had developed pneumonia while working 3 part-time jobs and going to school full time.

There was NO WAY I could get a home loan – at least that is what I thought.

On February 14 he brought papers and said, “Sign here!”

I’d done enough purchasing of homes I knew what these papers were and what they said. I didn’t ask any questions.

On February 16, 1990 – exactly 32 years ago TODAY! – I became the owner of this home – BAD FENG SHUI and all, but…

It was exactly what I was supposed to do and where I was supposed to be.

Over the next few weeks I’ll be posting bits and pieces of this story and the journey to CLEAN IT UP!

THANK GOODNESS I KNEW FENG SHUI plus HOW TO CLEAR NEGATIVE ENERGIES from a really bad energy home!

In my next few blogs I’ll share more of the stories about this house.

TRADITIONS FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR’S DAY – February 1, 2022 – Part 5: Family, Food, Fun and RED Envelopes

LUCKY FOODS for the DAY

Whole Fish

Whole Fish

Usual ways of spending the first day in an Asian culture would be to visit family members and share in wonderful morsels of food. REMEMBER: DO NOT COOK! Food should be prepared the day before so all can enjoy spending time together and not have to cook.

Here are some typical foods and what they represent:

  • Dumplings (usually eaten at midnight) = Ring out the old year & ring in the new
  • Whole poultry = Unity and good marriage between families
  • Fish = Prosperity, unity (whole fish), Leaving leftovers for the next day = overflow prosperity
  • Mandarin oranges = Family unity, attract wealth and success
  • Fruit = Auspicious, Lucky
  • Spring roll = Gold bars, wealth
  • Mustard green, chard = Long life, longevity
  • Rice cakes = Increasing prosperity year after year, growth in career, income, health, or height
  • Long noodles = Longevity
  • Dumplings = Wealth (looks like Gold Ingots, a form of money used in imperial days)

    Dumplings

    Dumplings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional, yet not typical foods:

  • Peking Duck = Fidelity
  • Sweet and Sour Pork = Desire for lots of grandchildren
  • Lettuce wraps = Rising fortune
  • Lion’s Head (very large) Meatballs = Power and strength, family togetherness

RED ENVELOPES

Red Envelopes, Ingots, Firecrackers, & Peach Blossoms for Health, Wealth, Love, Joy, & Good Luck!

Red Envelopes, Ingots, Firecrackers, & Peach Blossoms for Health, Wealth, Love, Joy, & Good Luck!

If you can, find some small Lucky Red Envelopes to give to family, friends and children to wish them a Happy New Year. You put money in them; then give them to these people as you wish them “Happy New Year!” They are to be put in your purse or wallet, kept there all year long and not spent. It is a money attracter to bring wealth and prosperity – Also, so you “will never be broke!”

ACTIVITIES for CHINESE NEW YEAR DAY

Think of all the things you’d like to do this coming year. Make a list. This is the time to set your intentions.

Some ideas might be: hike, go on a picnic, go sailing or boating, ride a bike, read a book, travel, visit the beach or mountains, enjoy a movie, spend time with your pets, plant a new tree or bulbs, give time to a charity, spend time with family or loved ones, discover a new wine or place to eat, etc. The list is endless!

I have some friends who decided they wanted more time in various natural settings. Hence, they drove to the mountains (Sierra Nevada Range) the day before. The next morning they walked a little in the foothills, jumped in the car, drove to the Sacramento Delta and kayaked. Then they drove to the Pacific Ocean to see marine life at a reserve, stopping along the way for some wine tasting and a walk through the vineyards. They finished the day watching the sunset at a luxury resort after a spa treatment and enjoying more wine, a gourmet dinner and exquisite dessert.

Happy Chinese New Year 2022, Year of the Water Tiger

Happy Chinese New Year 2022, Year of the Water Tiger

I do a little of everything I can think about that I’d like in my life the upcoming year. This makes for a very full day – one filled with joy. Some of the things I do are: take a walk (and try to go someplace I haven’t been before), talk to family & friends, play in my yard, read, write, take photos, eat great tasting food, maybe go to a restaurant for something wonderful, plan a vacation or trip, dream of things I want to do, and do some journaling.

Share a few things you are doing for the Lunar or Chinese New Year! I’d LOVE to hear what they are and energetically support you with your dreams!

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year!

Blessings,

Linda Lenore

TRADITIONS FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR’S DAY – February 1, 2022 – Part 4

Elegant Lunar New Year

Elegant Lunar New Year design with hanging lantern and sakura petals flying in the air. May you welcome happiness with the spring written in Chinese characters

The Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival and Lunar New Year. It is a time to “Welcome” the New Year with smiles and celebrations in order to have Good Fortune, happiness, a good harvest and all the Blessings a person desires in their life. Here are some rules and restrictions that have been observed through the centuries.

TABOOS on NEW YEAR’S DAY

  1. Do not say negative words (death, sick, pain, poor, break, kill, ghost, empty) – you don’t want to jinx yourself or bring misfortunes to you or loved ones
  2. Do not break ceramics of glass – Breaking things breaks your connection to prosperity
  3. Do not sweep or clean – (mentioned above)
  4. Do not wash your hair – That is washing away your Good Luck
  5. Do not use sharp objects like scissors or knives – It will cut your stream of wealth and success
  6. Do not borrow money on this day – Do not ask for a debt to be repaid on this day
  7. No fighting or crying as adults – If a child cries, do not scold them
  8. Avoid medicines, doctor’s, shots or surgery unless it is a serious medical issue or emergency
  9. Do not wake up a person – Let them arise at their own pace/speed
Wear something new on February 1, 2022. Colorful Chinese cheongsam hanging for sale during Chinese New Year.

Wear something new on February 1, 2022.
Colorful Chinese cheongsam hanging for sale during Chinese New Year.

WEAR A NEW OUTFIT – or at least one new item of clothing

Greet the New Year with a new outfit for a new, fresh outlook on life! In China it would be a traditional Asian-styled dress for women. These days it can be a new shirt or blouse, pants, shoes or even just some new socks. Bright, glittery, sparkling jewelry or ornamental hair-ware are also some of the possibilities.

ACTIVITIES for CHINESE NEW YEAR DAY

As I mentioned before, it is said that whatever you do on the first day of the Chinese New Year is what you will be doing ALL YEAR LONG! So what do you want to do, or NOT do? Do you want to be driving in Rush Hour traffic and spending 14-16 hours at work all year long? Probably not!

Think of all the things you’d like to do this coming year. Make a list. This is the time to set your intentions.

Blessings,

Linda Lenore

PREPARE for the Chinese New Year – Things to DO THIS WEEK Before February 1, 2022 – Part 3

New Start

I’m always telling you to get rid of things in preparation for A NEW START. This year it is imperative to release as much OLD as possible.

We are leaving the Year of the Ox. We have been carrying the heavy burden of fear, unknown, and unwanted thoughts imposed by others. We are entering the Year of the Water Tiger – a year where we need to be agile and quick!

A few things to RELEASE:Things you don’t use, things you don’t need, thoughts that don’t serve you, and people who don’t support you. That is why I’m spending more time to explain each step PLUS giving you more time in which to accomplish the tasks at hand. I know I need the extra notice; maybe you’ll appreciate it also.

You’ve got ONE WEEK to accomplish as much as you can from this list for the Freshest Start in this powerful and purrr-fect year! Yes, it can be like the BIG CAT it is and purr with a harmony of hope with the right focus at hand. So…

HAVE FUN WITH THIS!

Your “TO DO” List

  1. Clean your home thoroughly – Start at the front door and go through your home cleaning each room and surface. Ideally I’d like you to go through each drawer, closet, cabinet, etc. If you don’t have the time or energy to do all of them, here is a priority list: Bedroom (where you sleep), bathroom (where you take care of your personal self), kitchen (where you nourish yourself), children’s bedrooms (self-care first, then help others), and then common areas (living room, dining room, playroom, hobby room, etc.)

    Clean Your Refrigerator

  2. Clean your refrigerator – Don’t stop at the exterior part of the kitchen like the counter. Go deeper. That refrigerator holds a number of items you no longer want to take with you into the New Year. If you just bought a pound of butter and some eggs, that’s okay to keep; but if you have leftover pizza from 2 weeks ago, out it goes! Wash down the inside. Place some baking soda in it to freshen the smell. Buy some fresh produce, deli items, dairy (if you eat it), meats and seafoods that you are going to prepare for your New Year’s Day Feast (See #9 below).
  3. Pay off your debts (or at least pay off a credit card or two if you can) – The Asian culture states you don’t want to start a New Year encumbered with last year’s debts or energy. In modern times in the US it seems natural to have credit card debts, especially after all the holiday gift-giving and entertainment expenses. It makes it very difficult to attempt this particular “prep” in time for the Western New Year on January 1, so I appreciate buying time until the Chinese New Year. Having mortgages and vehicle payments including the taxes and insurance on these is possibly the only exceptions. Otherwise, attempt to pay off all debts. It took me a number of years to be able to accomplish this. It probably was the biggest “game-changer” to my mindset in life! Can’t pay them off? That’s okay. Start with your smallest debt and pay it off (unless there is one that just feels especially toxic you want to remove from your life sooner!)
  4. Get rid of old emails, catalogs, magazines and newspapers

    Sort through, get rid of, and organize all mail

    To start the New Year you want as little of the old energy from previous years as possible. There needs to be a major shift away from the consciousness of last year. Even though you may not be thinking about what is in that magazine or catalog, it’s affecting your energy. Every time you walk by it or sit looking at your email list (even if you aren’t looking directly at the old email), the object or email is giving off old energy from the past. We want to free ourselves from that stagnant energy!

  5. Go through mail, getting rid of all junk mail, “special” offers, etc. – Some people only go through their mail once or twice a month. If that’s you, change it up this once. Go through everything getting rid of all junk mail, advertisements, or special offers. Again, this is last year’s energy. Pay the bills. Organize your desk and file important documents where they need to be placed. Unless you actually are going to take advantage of a special offer, toss the ad! If you’re going to use the offer, do so before the Chinese New Year!
  6. Plan to have fresh linens to put on your bed on January 31
    Make your bed with fresh linens

    Make your bed with fresh linens

    – When you go to bed on the eve of the Chinese New Year you’ll want to have your bed freshly made with either new linens or freshly washed bedding. You don’t want to bring the energy of last year into your bedroom or dreams for the future. In this way you will wake up in a clean, fresh smelling bed filled with the energy of a New Year and New Decade. I like to add lavender essential oils to my wash for the calming sweet smell it provides.

  7. Get rid of leftovers – Plan your meals the last week before the Chinese New Year so you aren’t wasting food, yet able to finish it up. Food from “last year” has LAST YEAR’S energy. We don’t want to ingest it once the New Year has started. (In addition, go through your spices and other items to check the expiration date. Only keep that which is fresh.)
  8. Plan not to work on February 1. That means no cooking, housework, going into your workplace, etc. – The reason I’m giving you a heads up on all these tasks is to help you start the New Year with GREAT energy. You don’t want to be working all year long. You don’t want to be cooking all year long. Do all the work before the Chinese New Year. Do your cooking ahead and have it in the refrigerator in order to have a feast on New Year’s Day. Just pull things out of the fridge and put them on a table to enjoy. Remember – NO LEFTOVERS! This needs to be freshly prepared items – made the day before – that are not leftovers from previous meals!
  9. Only do on February 1 things you want to do for the next yearFollow Your Soul if knows– The Chinese New Year is a New Beginning, the start of all the things you want in your life! What is it you want in your life?

Today is the day to start doing it. It’s said that whatever you do on Chinese New Year you will do more of it during the coming year. (That’s why #8 above says DO NOT work, etc. unless that is what you want to be doing all year long). Want to walk or hike? Do some photography or journaling? Start a podcast? Read more? Have fun, play, or travel? Spend more time with family/friends? Be inspired or explore spirituality?

I try to do a little of everything I want in life all packed into this one day. It’s one of the most fun days of the year for me filled with the promise of all the things I enjoy: the promise of Good things to come!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!  Happy Chinese New Year!

Blessings,

Linda Lenore

Get Ready for the Year of the Water Tiger! – Part 2

Here it comes! The Chinese or Lunar New Year starts on February 1, 2022

Year of the Water Tiger 2022!

There are a number of things you can do to prepare your home and life for the Chinese New Year in order to have the best energy before it starts on February 1, 2022. Some are Feng Shui principles, while others are from a variety of traditions. I’ve incorporated these myself for 22+ years with amazing results.

family-spring-cleaning-for-lunar-year-spring-clean-up-written-in-chinese-words-on-couplets

Clean Your Home Completely Before the Chinese or Lunar New Year on February 1, 2022

  1. Clean your home thoroughly
  2. Pay off your debts (or at least pay off a credit card or two if you can)
  3. Get rid of emails, catalogs, magazines and newspapers from last year
  4. Go through mail, getting rid of all junk mail, “special” offers, etc.
  5. Plan to have fresh linens to put on your bed on January 31st
  6. Don’t plan to do any work on February 1st – that means no cooking, housework, going into your workplace, etc.
  7. Only do on February 1st things you want to do for the next year (hiking, photography, journal, do a podcast, read a book, play, travel, time with family/friends, have fun, be inspired)
  8. Get rid of leftovers
  9. Clean your refrigerator

Some of these are self-explanatory, yet I like to give you insights to help you get a better grasp on energy and how it works. The my next blog I will have some interesting stories to help you visualize these.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Linda Lenore