Quicky Organizing Tip

Why is it so easy to get behind and so very hard to "catch-up"? 

Did you ever notice when you start to clean one area - especially one as small as a closet, that the other areas suddenly are no longer clean?  It is quite amazing what you can find in a closet or drawer -- and how much actually fits in there.

Organizing tip #1

To prevent system overload and ensure you don't get buried in another room, start small. You don't want to overwhelm yourself, or you will probably want to quit, then you will be discouraged that you didn't finish.

Start with a drawer or cupboard or small closet.  Get some paper bags or boxes ahead of time.  Work for 15 minutes to 20 minutes at a time and then take a break and do something else.  Make sure you do go back to it though.  A timer is a great reminder to get back to work or when to take a break.

Now about those bags/boxes -- grab 3:

1. Trash -- toss, toss, toss (is it broken, non-usable, not likely to be used again or wanted by anyone else? then let it go rest in peace--recycle or trash it)

2. Pay it Forward -- If you haven't used it or will not be needing it, but it still has a lot of useful life, then consider gifting it to someone else.  Maybe a family member, friend or co-worker could use it - ask.  If not there is always FREECYCLE, it's an awesome way to give to the community and environment.  Gift your items to a person in need through this great community found locally in your area.  Type in FREECYCLE in your browser you will find information on them or check the Yahoo groups for a local FREECYCLE.  They have  a few rules (i.e. no selling, and a couple others), but by gifting to another you keep the item out of the landfills and you can help someone who may really need that item.

3. Belongs somewhere else -- if you find something that belongs in a different location, don't get sidetracked and take it there while you are in the middle of your cleaning spree, put all the items in one bag or box and then deliver them to the locations at the same time (maybe after your 15 minutes just before your break).

A set of shelves and a couple bins for the closet...will make finding those family games or toys oooh so much quicker and easier.
 
A finished clutter task is an elusive goal. You can't organize clutter, you have to send it packing. Good luck!

Wishing you all a wonderful New Year!

Happy New Year my Friends!!!!

I am amazed at how quick 2009 seems to have gone now that we have celebrated the final days and moved on into 2010.

2009 was a year of 1sts in our family.  We boldly moved from Graduation into many a new territory.  I can't believe our only daughter received her driver's license, then a month later left home off to college before she even turned 18.  The first year of changing birthday celebrations, Christmas traditions and ending the year.  This year we will see some more firsts bringing hope and some bittersweet memories of family times of yesterday and yet to come.  Our family spent New Years Eve and the wee early hours of New Year's Day in New York City -- a first considering how close we actually live to New York.  We stayed in New Jersey and took the bus into the City.  What a lot of fun and then the subway to pick-up our waiting tickets for Dave & Busters where we spent a good portion of our New Years eve with other revelers.  We made a couple new friends when we met a dad and his daughter while we were waiting in line.  Dad is a pro bike rider and daughter is in 9th grade - a freshman in high school hooking up with a freshman in college. :)What a GREAT time.  Very busy, very crowded, but overall people were very nice and lots of them VERY helpful.  Yaay New Yorkers! :) Yes, as you have probably heard there were a couple of sour pusses (I don't think any of them were the New Yorkers, LOL) but over all it was AWESOME!

Still decorated for Christmas, the city looks pretty and ready for all the festivities yet to come on this New Year's Eve.

Even a bride and groom took advantage of the holiday sparkle!

If you look very carefully you can see the ball in the top peeking between the buildings as it is dropping with the countdown to the end of the 2009 year and into the 2010 year.

Wishing you a year filled with building relationships and courage!