Welcome to Wayfaring Wednesday! My career as a real estate agent takes me all around Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and its surrounding areas. Though I wasn’t born and raised here, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the unique blend of urban and rural charm this region offers over the last 20 plus years that I have called this region home.

There are many trunk-or-treat events near Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 2024. I hope to be at a few of them. Say hi if you see me there!

• Trunk or Treat at the Lancaster Fair Grounds

  A free community event on October 25, 2024 from 5–7 PM 

• Trick or Treat on the Farm

  A spooky event at The Amish Farm & House on October 26, 2024 from 1–3 PM. Activities include a petting zoo, hayrides, and a corn maze. 

• Halloween Carnival, Trunk-or-Treat, and Trick-or-Treat Night

  An event at the Overlook Activities Center in Manheim Township on October 26, 2024 from 1–4 PM. The event includes a costume contest and parade, a haunted hall, and a monster hunt. 

• Trunk-or-Treat 2024

  An event at Hands-on House on October 28, 2024 from 4–6:30 PM. The event includes a trick-or-treat trail, candy stations, games, crafts, and face paint. 

• Franklin County's annual Trunk-or-Treat night

  An event at Chambersburg Area Middle School North on October 29, 2024 from 6–8 PM. 

Other Halloween events in the area include:

• Not So Scary Trunk or Treat Little Leapers!: At Sky Zone on October 22

• Trick or Treat at The Nook!: At Spooky Nook on October 23

• Halloween 2024: At Go'N Bananas on October 25

• Halloween Event- Trunk or Treat and Spooky Maze!: At Lost Treasure Golf

• Nook Kids Night: Costume Party!: At Spooky Nook on October 26 

Decluttering – The Emotional Side

Clutter is a problem across the board whether it’s in a mansion or in a studio apartment.  More space can mean more cluttering.  Emotional attachments to items can significantly complicate the decluttering process. I know it did for me.  Here’s how these feelings might affect you, along with some strategies to navigate them:

Emotional Attachment Factors:

1. Memories: Items that remind us of significant moments can evoke strong emotions, making it hard to part with them.  The other issue for me was the negative memories.  I found it exhausting to have memory after memory trigger my grieving heart. 

2. Sentimental Value: Gifts or heirlooms can feel like a connection to loved ones, leading to guilt about letting them go.  Even drawings from my children can do this.  It was a special memory.  It’s good to take photos of these things. 

3. Financial Investment: If you spent a lot on an item, you might feel obligated to keep it, even if it no longer serves a purpose.

My solution is to take it slowly but push yourself more each time.  It’s like weight training or running.  You force yourself to do it regularly and more each time.  And yes, I am preaching to myself here!

Impact on Decluttering:

• Procrastination: You may delay decisions about certain items, leading to larger piles of clutter.  I see this all the time.  It’s also part of the “I will deal with it later” thinking.  My husband does a do it now thought-train and that is not always possible either.  The best is to do what you can now, and plan the rest for later!

• Overwhelm: The emotional weight of decisions can make the process feel daunting and stressful.  Be kind to yourself.  Also learn to detach from things and attach to the now. 

• Guilt: Letting go of items can lead to feelings of guilt, especially if they were gifts or inherited. 

Solution:  Solicit help from friends and make it a bit of fun.  Say coffee, pie, and try (to clean up).  Pick the right people who can push you and understand at the same time.  For me, it was a friend in my divorce support group.  I invited them with others so it wasn’t awkward and kept a fun vibe.  My friend  had to clear out their house after divorce and went through it already.  They were good at saying, do you “really” need to keep this. 

Strategies to Manage Emotional Attachments:

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings: Recognize the emotions tied to items. It’s okay to feel attached!

2. Limit Keepsakes: Set a specific number of sentimental items you’ll keep. This helps you choose only the most meaningful pieces.

3. Create a Memory Box: Instead of keeping every item, select a box for keepsakes. This can help you cherish memories without holding onto everything.

4. Document Memories: Take photos of items you’re considering letting go of. This way, you preserve the memory without the physical item.

5. Reframe Your Perspective: Think of letting go as a way to honor the memory rather than dismissing it. Consider how much better your space will feel.

6. Give Items a New Life: If an item is too meaningful to toss, consider repurposing it or passing it on to someone who might appreciate it.

7. Practice Self-Compassion: Understand that it’s natural to have attachments and that decluttering is a process. Be kind to yourself throughout.

You may need to get frank with a good friend who can help you clear out and have them get tough on you.  Navigating emotional attachments can take time, but being mindful of your feelings can make decluttering more manageable.

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I am so excited that I was finally able to get the Business Directory up and running on Wayfaring Lancaster Website Check it Out: Business Directory

My passion for small businesses stems from my extensive experience in Commercial Real Estate. I am captivated by the vibrant communities and quaint towns that dot the landscape of Lancaster County. I invite you to explore and enjoy Lancaster with me, discovering its hidden gems and embracing the sense of community that makes this area truly special.

Come along with me as I celebrate and support our cherished local entrepreneurs. If you have a small business, event, or community feature you would like to recommend, please email me at [email protected]

Let’s Choose Peace Over Conflict As We Get Close To Elections!

How a Mortgage Calculator Can Help When Thinking of Buying a House

Buying a house is a big decision, and one of the first things people often think about is affordability. A mortgage calculator can be a simple but powerful tool to guide you through the process. Here’s how it can help:

1. Estimate Monthly Payments

With just a few inputs—like home price, down payment, loan term, and interest rate—you can quickly see how much your monthly payment might be. This helps you get a sense of what’s within your budget.

2. Adjust for Different Scenarios

You can tweak numbers to explore different scenarios, like increasing your down payment or comparing loan terms (15 vs. 30 years). It’s a great way to see how small changes affect your overall costs.

3. Understand Total Interest Costs

A mortgage calculator can show how much of your payment goes toward interest over the life of the loan. This can help you decide if you want to pay more upfront to lower the interest, or if refinancing might make sense later on.

4. Plan for Property Taxes and Insurance

Many calculators also factor in property taxes and insurance, giving you a more complete picture of what your monthly housing costs will be.

5. Prepare for Mortgage Pre-Approval

Before talking to lenders, you can use the calculator to get a rough idea of what kind of loan you can afford. This makes the pre-approval process smoother and less surprising.

In short, using a mortgage calculator early on can help you feel more confident and prepared when you're ready to buy. It’s a simple step that can save you a lot of time and stress down the road!

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