Ready to Clear Unwanted Clutter? Here’s How to Get Started.

Sep 28, 2016 | 0 comments

Kicking the Bucket List CoverOctober brings us the excitement of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta – it’s also the official launch of KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die.

The book already has 21 five star customer reviews on Amazon. The paperback is available now, and eBook versions will debut in October. You can get a signed copy from me through this link, or come to one of the events listed below to get your copies in person.

Remember, everyone can get a free PDF of the 50-point Executor’s Checklist from the book here. And if you’ve already read the book, hope you’ll review it on Amazon!

Three trips are on the schedule in October: Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. Especially excited to do book signings at Funeral Business Advisor‘s booth at the National Funeral Directors Association convention and expo in Philadelphia! Hope to see all my funeral director friends there. More information here.

The next Albuquerque Death Cafe will be held on Saturday, November 5 (more info). Links to recent blog posts and other upcoming events follow. Please call if I can be of assistance – 505.265.7215.

Live long and prosper,

Gail Rubin, CT, The Doyenne of Death®

The Family Plot Blog Highlights

Click on the titles to read the blog post and see the associated videos. Review all posts on The Family Plot Blog or view just the Death Cartoons posted on the blog!

Fundamentals of Chinese American Funeral Customs – Part One  Covering information from the ICCFA University College of International Studies class: Benevolent Family Associations, the importance of flower arrangements, packing for the trip to the Other World, and funeral timing.

Chinese funeral food offeringFundamentals of Chinese American Funeral Customs – Part Two  Covering visitation, food offerings, the blanketing ceremony, paper burning products, and dress code. More to come!

Statistics on Americans’ Astounding Amount of Clutter  Americans own a crippling amount of items that clutter our lives. How much stuff do we own, how has this number changed over time, and how does this impact us?

The Great Gatsby and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Grave  The interesting story behind an unlikely resting place for the acclaimed Jazz Age novelist.

Upcoming Events and a Humorous Quote

See highlighted event details or check the Calendar page for a full listing of events.

Tuesday, October 11, 1:00 p.m. — “Talking About Sex Won’t Make You Pregnant, Talking About Funerals Won’t Make You Dead” at Albuquerque Chapter S of PEO.

Citizen Kane shotThursday, October 13, 1:00 p.m. — “Movies, Media and the 2016 Presidential Elections” at OASIS in Macy’s Home Store in Westfield Montgomery Mall, Rockville, MD. Class fee is $15. Look for course 421 at the OASIS Washington DC Website.

Tuesday, October 18, 2:00 p.m. — “Entertainment Media and Its Influence on Twentieth Century Elections” at the University of New Mexico, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Albuquerque, NM. Sign up for Course 19295 for $20 at Osher’s website.

Tuesday, October 18, 7:00 p.m. — “The Art of Branding for Writers” at SouthWest Writers, New Life Presbyterian Church, 5540 Eubank Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM

October 24 to 26 — The National Funeral Directors Association convention and expo in Philadelphia, PA. More information on the book signings at Funeral Business Advisor‘s booth on the 24th and 25th.

Sunday, October 30, 3:00 p.m. — Speaking and book signing event for KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die at Bookworks, 4022 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM (also it’s Create a Great Funeral Day!)

Saturday, November 5, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. — Albuquerque Death Cafe at Gail Rubin’s home. More information here.

“Life is something you do when you can’t go to sleep.” — Fran Lebowitz

Having just experienced another bout of sleeplessness (it happens occasionally), I must be living life to the fullest. Live long and prosper – and enjoy those good nights of undisturbed sleep. Gail

A Good Goodbye