Before and After of the Month-Mom's cabinet to my cabinet

This yellow cabinet housed my mother's cookbook collection. Yes, she had a lot of cookbooks. I often think that, if she was still alive, how she would be thrilled by the amount of recipes available on the internet! The yellow color and hardware were not working for me so I removed the door, stripped the paint and repainted it a soft green. I did not do much to the inside as I liked the markings created by the cookbooks being removed and replaced. Now Mom's cookbook cabinet is my display case in the living room. Maybe you have some family pieces that could use some recycling.

New Year's Resolutions

If you make a New Year’s goal, the key to keeping it is to define ways to measure your success. By using a timetable, you’ll force yourself to be accountable. Look at your goal in the short-term, mid-term and long-term. For example, don’t say, “I will get organized this year.” Say instead, “I will organize my closet this week,” “I will evaluate my overloaded schedule next month,” and “I will ask someone to help me organize my paperwork by the end of March.” 




Photograph courtesy of   http://www.stephenallan.com.

This picture is posted to give you a beautiful image to look at even for a moment. I hope it brightens your day.

Quote of the Month- Stuff, stuff and more stuff

If you have to buy stuff to store your stuff, you might have too much stuff. bemorewithless.com










Photograph courtesy of   http://www.stephenallan.com.

This picture is posted to give you a beautiful image to look at even for a moment. I hope it brightens your day.

Storing Christmas Decorations

While the memories of Christmas last year long, the decorations need to come down. By organizing them as you put them away, it will make it easier to use them next year. Do not rush out and buy containers yet to store things.  Just like any organizing project, you figure out what needs to be stored and then figure out storage systems. The task is not so daunting when you break it down into simple steps.

1. Separate items into categories.

2. Find storage containers for those categories.

3. Label containers.

The first thing is to look at all of your items, especially those that did not get out of the boxes this year. Do you still have a strong attachment to those decorations? Sentimentality is a large factor of Christmas but if you do not really love the item, it is time to share them with others who truly will love them. Set aside a box for donations as you begin the packing process.


Photograph courtesy of   http://www.stephenallan.com.

This picture is posted to give you a beautiful image to look at even for a moment. I hope it brightens your day.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Greetings to you all wherever you celebrate the holidays.













Christmas Log Cabin by Gretchen Hudock

Simplify, simplify, simplify

If you could delegate just one task this holiday season, what would it be and to whom? If you could delete one activity this holiday season, what would it be?

Cardinals in the Snow by Gretchen Hudock

Gifts that come from the Heart for those with limited mobility

Bird feeder and seed

"Forever" stamps

Plan a day to bring dinner and do odd jobs around the house.

Is there a car that has special memories from the past? Arrange for a car collector to take them for a ride in that car

Is someone residing in assisted living? Invite them to your house to do

some seasonal baking or summer canning.

Plan an outing to see seasonal decorations or a parade.

Christmas Log Cabin by Gretchen Hudock

Gifts from the heart for children, teens and young parents

Children:

Share the gift of time

Special one on one day with grandparents

              Baking

              Sharing a hobby

              Manicure and lunch

Summer or sports camp registration

Season pass to the zoo/museum

Membership to the local YMCA

Indoor water park tickets

Music lessons
Magazine subscriptions for little ones. My grandsons really enjoyed Hello Baby and now like High Five. Both from the Highlights for Children Magazine. Now that they are older they enjoy getting mail monthly.

Teens:

Share the gift of one on one time by planning a special event

Tickets to a sporting event

Tickets to a concert

Spend a day cooking together

Movie or bowling passes

Cell phone gift card

iTunes gift card

Young parents:

Netflix subscription-don't forget the snacks

Coupon good for babysitting or a homemade dinner

State park sticker for the upcoming year

Coupon good for a few hours with household help

Season pass to the zoo

Date night in a basket-movie, wine, cheese

Gifts for Teachers. Suggested by Teachers.

These ideas came from teachers. Wish lists for a teacher may vary by how long they have been teaching. One school has the teachers fill out a “Favorite Things” questionnaire that is available for parents and students. Parents are given the opportunity to contribute to a joint gift and then a room parent does the shopping based on this list.

Any gifts that can be used up!  As much as some feel that a gift card is impersonal, teachers really like them. This was a top pick of my teacher friends. To make it personal, include a heartfelt note of thanks to the teacher for teaching your children. Have your children write in the note too.

            Gift cards for teachers favorite store/s

            Movie passes

            Magazine subscriptions

            Items from the teacher’s wish list for classroom supplies (most teachers spend their own money on non budgeted items for the classroom)

            Cozy evening at home basket-favorite beverage and snacks in a basket

            Movie night at home basket with snacks and movie

            Manicure/ pedicure/hair salon gift certificate

            Do you know if a teacher likes to cook? Give an opportunity to take a cooking class. Loves art? Membership to a museum would be an appropriate choice.

Give the gift of time. In a teacher’s case it would be to save them time.

            Easy to prepare meal in a basket or a ready made meal brought to school on a scheduled night to save the time of cooking a meal. Give them a personalized coupon that they can redeem at a future date. Have your child create the coupon.

            Christmas cookies to save the teacher the time of baking

            If allowed, bring a special lunch for the teacher and watch the students while the teacher has some alone time.

"All is Calm" quilt by Gretchen Hudock. One of a series of Christmas Card Quilts.

Gifts that come from the heart-not just from the store.

As the Christmas season shopping gets underway in gusto in a week I wanted to share my annual list of gifts for family and friends. Some of the most meaningful gifts are not purchased at the mall.

    

     · Health club or museum membership

     · Date night in a basket-movie, wine, cheese

     · Gift cards

                  Restaurants

                  Events -Ticket Master has gift cards

                  Local Events-plays or concerts

                  To supplement their hobbies - spices,  fabric, sports

                  Massage or spa treatment

                  Lessons for a special hobby-music, ceramics, dance

                  Garden Center

· Magazine subscription

· Baked good of the month certificate-homemade goodness all year long

· "Of the Month" gift-fruit, flowers, etc.

· Cooking lessons at a local cooking school-make it for two and go along

· Gifts of home made food - frozen so they can use it when needed

· Gift of food or drink: specialty coffees, wines, teas, chocolates, cheese

· Gifts of time-Plan a group activity

· Make a donation in honor of someone to their favorite charity

· Coupon for a free car wash/detailing-by yourself or a professional

· Think summer activity

· Plan activity from someone's Bucket List

· Special day with winery tour/s and lunch

· Electronic toll pass for the travelers

· Hunting/fishing license for the sportsman

· One or more sessions from a cleaning service

"Majestic Beauty Poinsettia" by Gretchen Hudock. A stained glass quilt.

Before and After of the Month-Garage Makeover

Which garage would you prefer to drive into after a work day? It was another of those "it was easier to store them than make decisions on the items". Once the decisions were made it was easy to find space for the important items to be available when needed.

Peter Walsh of organizing fame says:

"Each pile of clutter is a monument to a series of small procrastinations."  

This Week’s Easy E-Tip: Tidy the Pantry

The holidays are upon us. Take a few minutes to get on track in the pantry.

Open one kitchen cupboard and take out all food items. Toss out anything expired. Remove anything that you had good intention to eat but never did, and donate those items to your local food shelf. Wipe down shelves. Group similar items together (canned goods, pasta, cereal, etc.) on shelves.

Photograph courtesy of   http://www.stephenallan.com.

This picture is posted to give you a beautiful image to look at even for a moment. I hope it brightens your day.

This Week’s Easy E-Tip: Set up a Coffee Station

If you love your morning cup of joe, create a coffee house feel by gathering all necessary supplies on a cute tray in the kitchen next to the coffee pot. Stock coffee grounds/beans, filters, grinder, sugar, and your favorite mugs so that making your morning wake-me-up is effortless.



Photograph courtesy of   http://www.stephenallan.com.

This picture is posted to give you a beautiful image to look at even for a moment. I hope it brightens your day.

Do you think this is true?

The National Soap and Detergent Association says 80% of household clutter is the result of disorganization, not lack of space.

Photograph courtesy of   http://www.stephenallan.com.

This picture is posted to give you a beautiful image to look at even for a moment. I hope it brightens your day.

Top Tip of the Month-E mail time management

Resist the urge to continually check email or voicemail. Instead, set specific times — perhaps once in the morning, once after lunch, and once before you end the day — to do this. You can set the sender’s expectation in your signature line, saying, “I check email 3 times daily. I’ll respond to your request as soon as I am able.”

Photograph courtesy of   http://www.stephenallan.com.

This picture is posted to give you a beautiful image to look at even for a moment. I hope it brightens your day.

Before and After of the Month-Storage Shed with Space

This storage shed turned into a spot to place things that were not wanted in the garage. It ended up being a catchall for a lot of items no longer wanted. We emptied the garage and sorted items to go to the thrift store, family members or the trash. There was very little left after that! The tomato cages went on the top shelf standing up to utilize the ceiling pitch. The shelving unit was moved to the opposite corner. Look at a closeup of the wood slats added to the wall studs. This is a good way to corral all of those support posts for the garden, small pieces of wood or even some yard tools. Do not overlook that space when planning your garage organization.

This Week’s Easy E-Tip-Book Early Appointments

Book Early-Morning Appointments

Avoid dreaded waiting room downtime by booking the earliest appointments possible. When you call your doctors, dentists, hairstylists, or other service professionals, request the first time slots of the day. This will ensure they haven’t yet fallen behind, saving you valuable time.

Photograph courtesy of   http://www.stephenallan.com.

This picture is posted to give you a beautiful image to look at even for a moment. I hope it brightens your day.

Before and After of the Month- Junk drawer no more

We all have them. Junk Drawers. The place to put everything that is such a small quantity that it does not deserve much space or that you do not want to put back in its correct spot. It does not have to be disorganized though. A few easy steps and you will be able to find everything easily the next time.


1. Remove everything from the drawer. Vacuum bottom of drawer.
2. Sort items into like piles. Group all rubber bands, paper clips, tapes, etc.
3. If you find items that belong elsewhere in the house, set them aside and return to proper home.
4. Use other containers to group like items together. Purchase interlocking organizing containers or use items you have around the house. Boxes, plastic leftover containers etc.
5. Place containers in drawer to fit. Odd items such as flashlight etc. can fit in between containers.
6. DO NOT STORE BATTERIES IN YOUR JUNK DRAWER. This is a fire hazard especially with 9 volt batteries.
See last week's post on battery safety.

Top Tip of the Month-Safe Battery Storage

Battery Storage

First thing is clear out any loose batteries -new or old- thrown in your junk drawer or elsewhere in your home. Especially 9 volt. There are documented instances of house fires started by metal in touch with the tops of 9 volt batteries. The best way to store batteries is in their original packaging. If they are loose, rubber band like batteries together, all in same direction, and store upright in a plastic container to keep from contact with other batteries. 

There are several ways to store 9 volt not in original packaging: Place a small piece of electrical tape over the top connections, place each battery in an old plastic film canister, or purchase a 9 volt battery storage unit at a local hardware store. I even keep my dead batteries rubber banded together until I take them to recycling. Check local guidelines for recycling batteries in your communities.

It only takes a few minutes to make your batteries (and home) safe.

Watch my post next week for cleaning out the rest of the junk drawer.

Photograph courtesy of   http://www.stephenallan.com.

This picture is posted to give you a beautiful image to look at even for a moment. I hope it brightens your day.

This Week’s Easy E-Tip: Help Your Fridge Refresh

Take everything out of the refrigerator. Toss anything expired or mysteriously fuzzy. Clean the shelves. Then replace food items, grouping similar things together. As you purchase new items, put them in the back so older items get used up first.

Photograph courtesy of   http://www.stephenallan.com.


This picture is posted to give you a beautiful image to look at even for a moment. I hope it brightens your day.

Summer Fun

August is Family Fun Month. During dinner this week, brainstorm some activities that your family would like to do during the “dog days of summer.” Narrow down the list to your top five or ten, and then commit them to your family calendar. Remember, these last few weeks of summer always seem to fly by!







Photograph courtesy of   http://www.stephenallan.com.


This picture is posted to give you a beautiful image to look at even for a moment. I hope it brightens your day.

Closet Tip- Handy hangers

It’s helpful to standardize your hangers. It doesn’t matter what type you prefer, just make them consistent and always hang clothes in the same direction. This will help reduce visual clutter and allow you to review your clothes at a glance. Wooden, padded or tube hangers, rather than cheap wire ones, will keep your clothing in top-notch shape and avoid tangles. 

Photograph courtesy of   http://www.stephenallan.com.

This picture is posted to give you a beautiful image to look at even for a moment. I hope it brightens your day.

Before and After of the Month-Tidy Tools

This is part 2 of the garage redo. Again we eliminated items no longer needed and moved all of the extra paper good on top of the cabinets to shelving on the opposite wall. There is even extra space near the recycling baskets for overflow recycling. Which would you rather see when driving into your garage? A space in chaos or calm?

Top Tip of the Month- Improve your health and save time

Another Benefit of Getting Organized:  Physical and emotional clutter can obscure your surroundings, but you can create a healthier environment. A clutter-free environment is simpler to manage. (Think how much easier it is to dust and vacuum when you have less stuff to move!)

Photograph courtesy of   http://www.stephenallan.com.

The pictures are posted to give you a beautiful image to look at even for a moment. I hope it brightens your day.

Top Tip of the Month: Stop Catalog Clutter

Each year, about 100 million households receive 16.6 billion catalogs. You can reduce the amount in your mailbox by opting out of paper catalogs you no longer want. Visit www.catalogchoice.org, set up a free account, and enter the names of the catalogs you want stopped. One-stop “stopping!”







Photograph courtesy of   http://www.stephenallan.com.
The pictures are posted to give you a beautiful image to look at even for a moment. I hope it brightens your day.

Before and After of the Month-Gigantic Garage

This garage had become a catch all space. By going through everything and donating items no longer needed and discarding broken items, we achieved much needed space. We then replaced the "good stuff" into sections by type: all gardening items were together, all Christmas decor were together etc.  We dealt with spacing and bins already on hand. When starting a project of your own, buy containers to fit your space to best utilize your area.

Quick Email Clean-Out Tip

Move everything more than two weeks old from your email inbox to a file marked “Holding.” Keep it for two months. Then, delete everything you haven’t needed in that time. Going forward, set up files where you can immediately move new emails. As emails arrive, read and delete, file appropriately, or put in a “to do this week” file.





Photograph courtesy of   http://www.stephenallan.com.

The pictures are posted to give you a beautiful image to look at even for a moment. I hope it brightens your day.

This Week’s Easy E-Tip: Stop the Greeting Card Dash

Where’s a good card when you need one? To avoid last-minute dashes to the store, stock up on a dozen great greeting cards today. Grab some funny birthday cards, a few touching “thinking of you” cards, and a couple of “get well” and “sorry for your loss” cards. Then, keep them in a handy spot along with stamps so you can send off a quick card in no time.

Photograph courtesy of   http://www.stephenallan.com.
The pictures are posted to give you a beautiful image to look at even for a moment. I hope it brightens your day.

Before and After of the Month- Petite Pantry

This pantry is only 24" wide so space is at a premium. Shelves were added in an adjoining space to alleviate some of the space issues. Notice the white handled baskets which hold onions and potatoes. It is much easier to grasp a handle than an open bag. Labels were added to all of the baking supplies to simplify selection. Flour and powdered sugar look very similar! The biggest change for this client was the addition of a motion activated battery operated light that was attached inside the closet above the door. The client continually thanks me for the light. Previously she would need a flashlight to find what she needed. Small spaces can be organized!