Never to late.

You know it is never to late to get organized. It is not a sprint where you have to go the whole distance as fast as you can. It is truly a life long journey that you take.  Even if all you do is one small thing a day you are a success.  Find one area in your office, home, shop, or work space that unnerves you every time you look at it. Take 5 minuets and straighten that area up the best you can. Now the next time you go to that area you will feel better and more calm. Take this tip and do some more in that same area or move on to another area. You can do just 5 minuets a day and make a difference. Don't overwhelm yourself with trying to tackle everything all at once. Take your time and do a little at a time so you don't get so bogged down that you simply give up. In no time at all you will see that a little effort goes a long way. You will also discover along the way that there are many things you don't need and ways to organize that work better for you than other ways. Please I ask you to challenge yourself I know this is a very busy time of the year to take a minimum of 5 minuets between now and Monday morning to tackle one small task. Please feel free to share your experience good, bad or indifferent. I would love to see several people comment on what they did, and if they learned anything, or have any tips. Thank you for your time and effort. Have a great weekend.

Holiday Planning: Decorating

            It is unbelievable how many people forget what all they have to decorate with and go out and buy more. Thus having duplicates and more stuff to store for 10 months or so.

            Do yourself a favor: (this will take a little time this year but you will be better off in years to come) by logging what you already have. You can do this in many ways.

1.      Write on the box or create what is inside i.e.: 5 stands white lights, red and gold balls, etc.

2.      Make a list of items in a storage container put it in a sheet protector and tape it to the container.

3.      Number the containers and boxes and type up a list of what is in which box and save it on your computer. (If you are like us we tend to decorate in different color themes each year.) This will help you so you know which boxes to drag out when it is time to decorate.

4.      Keep it simple and pack an entire room or trees items together in one box, and label living room or front porch.

These are just a sample of ideas.

 I have some nick knacks or decorations I take down while I have the Christmas decorations up.  This is the perfect time to dust off all those places you may skip in your normal cleaning. I take the things down and set aside, clean the area, then take things out of a box that will go in its place. Then I clean the items I put aside after they are clean and dry I put into the box I took the Christmas decorations out of. That way when I take down the Christmas decorations I know where the items are that normally have that spot. This eliminates the hunt to remember where you put what after the holidays.

When decorating if a strand of lights don’t work, throw them out. Many people set them aside and think I will fix them later. This usually don’t happen and if you are not an electrician I don’t recommend you work on items that if done wrong can lead to a fire. If you come across ornaments, or figurines that are broken or damaged unless they are family heirlooms throw them out.  The chances of you having the time to fix them are slim to none.

If you find you have duplicates of items, why not donate them. Or take them to someone’s house that you may know don’t decorate because they are unable to do so and help them decorate. Don’t forget that when the holidays are over you should volunteer to go over and help them take down the decorations and pack them up.

If you have the money I strongly recommend you purchase a couple of plastic totes to store your decorations in. Cardboard boxes are fine but you have to replace them every couple of years. Plastic containers keep your items protected a little better and they are easier to handle.

I also recommend you plan out what areas will be decorated. Advanced planning can help in many ways.  You many need to move furniture around to make room for the tree. Plan how you will need to rearrange the furniture or where you will put that piece of furniture while you have the tree up.

If you want to put a new area in the holiday cheer. I recommend you put your normal decorations up then see what if anything you have left over.  Then plan how you want the new area to look. (Make sure you measure the area.) Then make a list of only what you need. This time of the year is when most people make impulse buys, don’t fall into the must have it trap.

If you are just getting started out and don’t have any or very limited decorations. I urge you to plan before you buy. Know what you want and what you need make a list and buy only what you must. Don’t do as many have and over buy and have a lot of left over items that simply eat up your precious limited storage space.

Holiday Planning: Stuff

            Christmas time can be hectic enough. But when it comes to kids who have a lot of toys it can be a nightmare.

            Make it a policy to find 1-3 toys that are in GOOD condition to give away. Also make it a policy to throw out those toys that no longer work or are missing pieces and parts. I know families who only ask for one main toy per child.  They then go shopping as a family to buy other toys that are neat and fun to give away or donate them to either an organization or in the boxes at store exits.

            When it comes to shopping for your children you should have a set limit. Have the kids make a wish list and if they are old enough rank the top 5 in order.  This way when it is time to go shopping you know what you are looking for instead of aimlessly cruising the toy isles trying to remember what they have mentioned they would like to have.

When you hit your limit stop shopping. Many people find themselves in serious financial trouble because they think this is a great price, I will just go ahead and get this also. They end up spending double or triple their original limit. Stores know this that is why they have one time or limited quantity sales.  Don’t by into that trap. Stick to your guns you will be much happier in the end and will have less to clean up later it is a win, win situation.

Holiday Planning: Holiday Newsletter

Holiday Planning: Holiday Newsletter

            Trying to find Christmas cards that will appeal to everyone can be expensive. Making a holiday newsletter can help you connect with many.  Sure there is emails, facebook, twitter and other electronic forms of communication, but a lot of the older generation do not have computers, or accounts of these types.  This can be a fun way to let everyone know what has been going on. While keeping everyone in the loop.

            First make a list of things you would like to mention.  This may include vacations you have taken, special events that has happened, etc.  Once you have your ideas, choose a topic and write a few sentences. After your done with each subject, prioritize and put your paragraphs in order. Then write an intro at the beginning and a closing line at the end.

            Most computer document programs have templates you can use to make it like a newsletter. This helps with the formatting part.

            If you don’t want to spend money on stationary have older children draw a border around the edges or in the corners. 

            I did this the first year after we moved away from our family and friends. I included funny stories like my husband being hit by a dear and turned the article into a help wanted add. Have fun with it be creative. Make help wanted adds, breaking news flashes, comments to the editor, etc. We had a lot of fun, and it is a neat way to share information with many people all at one time.

Holiday Planning: Scheduling Yourself

Holiday Planning: Scheduling Yourself

            Scheduling can be a real challenge especially this time of the year.  I highly recommend you keep a calendar with you at all times.  Whether it is a paper one, your cell phone or a PDA. Make sure you write down things you know will be going on.  Such as work parties, school plays or that shopping trip that you always do.

            This time of the year is vey hectic there are so many thing going on it is very easy to double book yourself.  Thus leading to more stress on you. To simply tell someone ok no problem could lead to a big problem later on.  Or it you don’t write it down you may forget all together or show up at the wrong place at the wrong time. (Not that I have done that.) This way if someone asks if you are available you can look at your calendar and know for sure.

            A lot of families are blended families and this can lead to a scheduling nightmare if you don’t stay on top of things.

            Don’t forget to plan time, a day or even a weekend for down time it is ok to have me time or time with your immediate family. It is also ok to tell others no.  Make sure if your kids are active you get there schedules marked in the calendar as well so you don’t book the family to be at a party and one of you kids has another function to be at.

            Lastly I feel this is very important schedule time to volunteer.  Whether it is a soup kitchen, food panty, toy drive, ringing a bell, delivering food or presents. What every your family chooses, but this will not only help those you serve, but it will make a lasting impact on the world. Imagine what the world would be like if even one person per family would volunteer.

Holiday Planning: Families Must Eat

Holiday Planning: Families Must Eat

            If you never have a chance to enjoy the holidays because your always running from one place to another, it’s time to do something about that.

            Avoid stress by planning holiday visits earlier. This way everyone is aware of where you will be and when.  Try to split your visits up on different days. One family on Christmas Eve another on Christmas day. Or even on an alternate day like the 23^rd or 26^th. You never know unless you ask it may be beneficial to others as well as yourself.

            If you must visit two places in one day try to see if you can get the times split up so you have plenty of time with each family and a little down time in between.  For example brunch with one family and a late afternoon dinner with the other family. (This works for both Christmas and Thanksgiving.)

            Another possibility is just having everyone over to your house. Don’t want to cook? Have it catered, or ask everyone to bring a dish.

            I heard of a family who had people over at all different times I thought it was crazy, but they said it was great. They could spend time with everyone and nobody felt like they had reservations to keep. They call it a Christmas Open House.  They set a time from 12 noon till 7PM where family and friends can stop by when they were available. This way they are able to see more people because, there is no set in stone we eat at this time.  They have appetizers and deserts so nobody feels they have to sit and eat yet another big meal.  This is a great option for those who have people that are busy and stretched thin. It works great for them.  So think of your options and ask your family members what will work best for you. Who knows you may come up with a great new idea.

Holiday Planning

            Can you believe it the holidays are just around the corner? For the next week each day I will post tips on making your holidays more enjoyable while keeping yourself organized.

           

Some people love all the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Running around from place to place. Shopping, cooking, and of course decorating.

            This can also be a time of great stress for many.  My hope is that you will find at least one of the tips that will allow you to enjoy rather than despise all of the extra chaos that seems to come with the Holiday season.

            First you must remember it is ok to say no.  Unlike what the world may make you think you cannot do everything and be everywhere all the time. Also what is the true meaning of the holidays? It differs for many people.

            To me Thanksgiving is giving thanks to God for the bounty he has provided for us.  Even though some times it may not feel like it, we are blessed. If you think about it there are millions of people worse off than you.  Years ago the farmers were thankful for this time of the year because the busy season was done for a few months they would have more time to rest and spend time with their families. I feel this is very important for all of us to do.

            Christmas is a time to remember that a baby was born of a virgin to bring hope and eternal life to all people.  It is a time to again spend time with family and loved ones. It is also a time to share with others. Many people feel that gift giving is mandatory, I personally don’t know of any rule, law or proclamation that states we must give gifts.  Why dose everyone feel they must have more stuff and give someone else more stuff?  Don’t get me wrong I am not saying it is wrong to give gifts. I just want you to examine yourself and how you view the Holidays. 

            I hope this holiday season you will take time to relax and spend time with family and friends. Most of all take at least a few moments to be thankful for what you have and what others have done for you. This is where your joy should come from not the things we have or can acquire.

Don't make it harder than it has to be.

      When attempting to organize yourself don’t make it harder than it has to be like I have done. In my efforts to try to organize I found that I was simply making more work for myself.  One example was I hated digging thru our collection of CD’s to find a song or two. So one day I had the not so brilliant idea of logging all of the CD’s we have with song titles and artists. Talk about a huge under taking I had major writers cramp and it took 3 days. Of course I wasn’t smart enough at the time to type it out from the start I had written it all and then proceeded to type it into my computers as basically an after thought. Like I said some times we think we have great ideas and make things much harder on ourselves than it needs to be. Lets just try to simplify everything we do and make the organization a side effect of simplifying life.

Quick Tip for the day 1.

Here is a quick tip for the day.  Open your mail at the trashcan. If you open your mail at the trash it will make clean up much quicker.  This is because most of the mail will go there anyway.  If you are like many and shred all those credit card and refinancing offers open your mail at the shredder. As you realized that it is something that you don’t need shred right away.  I learned this the hard way I use to think If I made a pile I would shred it one day a week only to find out the pile would grow ever so quickly and I would get way behind. Then it would take an hour or two and the tall kitchen trash can to shred all that junk mail.

            Most of us don’t realize how much mail we get in a weeks time. This quick tip really helps cut down on clean up time.   It also helps with all the piled up paper work on our counters, desks, dining room tables, etc. Why not take just one little step today to get on the organizing bandwagon.

Fall Organizing Ideas

Summer has come to a close and there is a chill in the air.  Now is the time we start to put our summer items away.  Before you pack all those items away lets stop to think about it.

            Do you have children that have quickly outgrown their clothes?  If so and don’t have children that are younger and will fit them next year, why pack them away? Go ahead and get rid of them. Whether you give them away, sell them in a garage sale (if you are disciplined enough) or throw them away. You don’t need to cause yourself to have things that you will never use again packed away in the valuable little space that you have. When getting out those cold weather clothes, check sizes if it wont fit please get rid of it. There are many people who could use those clothes that you are holding on to just in case you may fit into them again, or you are never going to wear again. Please if it is in bad shape throw it out. If they are in good shape, donate them, give them away, or sell them. Coats are always in great demand this time of the year. With the way the economy is now, more than ever there is a great need for gently used cold weather items.

Toys kids seem to wear toys out much faster during the summer months. Do you have balls that have deflated, parts missing, or holes in pool toys that you know you will never patch? Toss them out. This is a great time to down size the toys that are stung all thru out the house during the colder months. So you or them don’t have to pick them up.  By down sizing now this will ease the tension that comes with the new toys to come at Christmas time in just a few months.

            Outdoor equipment, whether lawn tools, ornaments, furniture or garden hoses, look them over before putting them up for the season.  Is it broken, cracked, chipped, torn or has a hole? Throw it out. Why do we pack things away thinking when it gets warmer next year I will fit it and never do? I personally have found that I never get the time or ambition to fix them.

            When putting up all those garden tools up, put them all together in a specific place. This way when spring has come you are not looking all over for that one tool.  When I did not have a garage, or basement to put my garden tools I had to fight to figure out how to put them away.  I had an old kitchen trashcan that I was no longer using. I would clean the tools off well and then spray with cooking oil to keep them from rusting and used the old trashcan to store the tools together. If you don’t have one simply put them all in a bundel and take some string, rope or even yarn and tie them together. That way if they get bumped they all stay together. Clean your lawn furniture and cushions allow to dry well before putting them away for the season. This way when spring has sprung all you might have to do is simply rinse it off and put it out.

            Lawn ornaments are nice, but if you live in a colder climate to keep them nice make sure you put them up. Some of these items can be damaged by ice and snow. Again keep them together in a specific area so in the spring you know just were to go to get them and put them out.  This also makes it easier to clean up your flowerbeds, and lawn areas, because you don’t have to work around these items.

            For all your gas powered lawn tools drain them when you wont use them for the rest of the year. This will help keep the gas from getting guncked up and even get moisture built up in them.  Clean them before putting them away.  This is also a great time to sharpen those lawn mower blades, so in the spring they are ready to go.

            Don’t forget to completely drain those hoses before winding them up. Also to keep them in a neat coil I recommend that you take some string, rope or yarn and tie them in three places.  Don’t forget to inspect them for cracks, bad fittings on the ends, or really bad kinks. If the hose is in bad shape do yourself a favor and throw it out. Or you will only frustrate yourself in the spring when you go to use it in the spring.

            Now is also the best time to trim your bushes, and trees.  Check with your local trash collection company or street department to see if there is a time of the year that they will come along and pick up branches or leaves that many people will start to rake soon.  Many towns do this once a month in the fall.

            Don’t forget now is the perfect time to weatherize your home.  Do you have any caulking to be done, or insulation to be put in and weather striping. Do it now before it gets to cold and before your energy costs soar. By weatherizing in the fall you still have enough heat to work in, yet it is comfortable enough where you don’t over heat trying to get things done.

It's hard to get and then stay organized.

   You know it's hard to stay organized. It is even harder to get organized. If you have lived like I did in the past as a pack rat.

   Visit with me how to get yourself organized. As we go on this journey together we will learn valuable information that everyone can use and yes even get our families on the organization band wagon.

   First I will say you should never have to pay for information to get organized. You should be able to simply get tips and tricks from everyday people. Not just companies that want you to buy books, pay for memberships and other items to purchase. All those things that they say you cannot live without will only add to your clutter and collect what I like to call expensive dust. They tell us to buy books, keep lists. They only get lost in the clutter and add to it. Which you will have to orginize and clean later.

   I have searched the internet for hours on end simply to find everyone wants money.  They probably have done just like I did asked friends and family for suggestions. Compiled them together with a lot of fluff and are now selling free information.

   There will be from time to time (suggested) items that may help in our quest to get organized. These are merely suggestions and many times they will be items you already own. Yes there will be adds on the blog, but by no means are you required to purchase anything. The last thing I want is for anyone to feel as though they have to buy more stuff simply to have it, and then later on you wonder why it was purchased in the first place.

  As we go along I will use a lot of my own personal experiences and stories to show things that have worked for me and things that were way harder than they had to be. I hope to show humor and humility along this journey that I pray many will take with me.  If you have a suggestions for topics or ideas please share them with me.  If you have any questions on how to do something in particular or you may need help with ask. I will always try my best to assist in any way that I can.

   I am not nor will I ever claim to be perfect. So in saying that, I ask that if you disagree with something I say please tell me, but don’t just blast me or anyone else with bad language or sever harsh words.  Some things that work for me, may not for you and vice versa.  Thank you for joining me on this journey that I hope many will take.

A New Start

This is a new start for me. I have been giving people ideas about organizing for years. Now I am starting this blog to reach many more people and help them organize their lives.  We will walk thru this journey together.
You may feel like there is no way that you can get organized. There are many things you can do from large projects to everyday things to organize your life. No matter if your life is in totally out of control, or if you just need a few new fresh ideas to tweak what you have already done, it is my goal to help everyone find a little peace in there lives thru being organized. I will always welcome your ideas and input. I encourage everyone to read the ideas with an open mind. May we all find a moment in each day where we feel we have accomplished something no matter how big or small.