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White-Hot Resolutions For Clearing Clutter

Monday, January 31st, 2011 by admin

The question I have been asking myself is: do I make New Year’s Resolutions? Here it is the last day of January and I have read this and that about making them and the percentage of those that break them. I am still wishy-washy on the subject. To do or not to do, that is the question.

Then I realized I did set two goals for this New Year, I just don’t call them resolutions. The first one is to keep writing articles, blogs, producing my web show and top quality visual workshops on clutter clearing , clutter control, how to declutter your home, and getting organized.  So far, so good, I have done all of these things this month. Hurrah!

The second one is to finish one project a month from the stacks (over 30 I am sure) in my closet and drawers that I have started in my quilting “career”. You probably know my passions are to organize (no surprise there) and to quilt. This month I did 10 projects. Four of these were “old” projects. Hurrah! It sure feels good.

And of course along the way I have done a lot of clutter clearing in my own home and in several other women’s homes this month.

So….have you decided to make some goals for the New Year? Have they included clearing clutter or getting organized? If so, make my site your organizing destination for tips and ideas and fun times for getting organized.

Posted in Clearing Clutter, Clutter Clearing, Clutter Control, Getting Organized, How To Declutter | 3 Comments »

Introducing DYMO Labeler For clutter Control

Friday, January 28th, 2011 by admin

Clutter Control Product Review Friday:

When I was 9 years old my mother told me we were going someplace in the evening and I was to get dressed in my favorite dress. It was a week day so I couldn’t imagine why I had to get dressed up. We would get up six days a week (sometimes 7) at 4:30 a.m. and get ready to go to the raspberry patch and pick berries until around 1:00 p.m. It was hot and I grumbled a lot. I was grumbling again when my mom wouldn’t tell me why I had to dress up. But at the same time I was excited at the thought of something special about to happen. As it turns out we went to eat at a fancy restaurant. That was a BIG deal in our family as we never ever ate out. It was a reward for picking berries day in and day out.

Just like getting dressed up and the anticipation of that “event” I have been anticipating Product Review Friday because I get to review the DYMO labeler. This is an attractive compact labeler that has been sitting smartly on my desk. I recommend it for an office, not for a home where a smaller one would be sufficient.

My very favorite thing about this DYMO label maker is that it prints labels vertically. I can’t stand printing a label and putting it on the spine of a book and having to tip my head to read it. And some words are too big and they wrap around the spine when putting them on horizontally.

My second favorte thing is that it is rechargeable. It comes with its own battery pack and an adaptor to recharge the battery. With the DYMO labelManager 360D electronic it is easy to print a variety of high-quality, self-adhesive labels that are perfect for the office.

There are different fonts, font sizes, and styles. It also has label cassettes in widths of 1/4”, 3/8”, ½”, and ¾”. The tape also comes in different colors. I love that it comes in different sizes—this is a big help for those in the office who are visually challenged. I liked the clear and concise directions.

Go to organizing products  to check this out for yourself. Let us know what you think.  I think this is a terrific label maker for the office.

As you probably guessed this is the package USP delivered a couple of weeks ago and I have been salivating to talk about it. They are rewarding I am to say compensating me $50.00 for the privilege of using this DYMO label maker and reviewing it for my faithful blog readers. (Thank you DYMO)

Whether in the office or in the home labeling makes things more organized and clutter control a snap.

Posted in Clutter Control | 2 Comments »

Clearing Clutter Or Quick and Easy Brownies?

Thursday, January 27th, 2011 by admin

My rug hooking group had a cookie exchange and one of the yummy cookies was a brownie. I am sort of a brownie snob because if it doesn’t taste better than the ones I make I only take one bite. But these…well I could have eaten the whole pan. With the weekend coming up I thought you might like to make a batch to eat as you are clearing clutter and then for later when you have your feet propped up watching a good movie.

Michelle’s Brownies:

Bake a brownie mix or your favorite recipe according to directions.

When brownies are done take out and spread 4 cups of miniature marshmallows on top. Place back in the oven for 2-3 minutes.

Melt 1 1/3 C milk chocolate chips with 3 T butter and 1 C peanut butter in the microwave (30 seconds at a time). When melted, add 2 Cups Rice Crispies. Stir together and spread over the marshmallows.

Cool and enjoy

If you don’t have time today for clearing clutter and making brownies…make the brownies.  Or while the brownies are baking do some clutter clearing.

Posted in Clearing Clutter, Recpies | 1 Comment »

4 Smart Reasons To Declutter Your Home

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011 by admin

“Tomorrow is just another opportunity to let things flow”. My friend called telling me she read this and it opened up ideas to her. I changed it to “Today is just another opportunity to declutter your home”.

Tomorrow never comes…this is a beautiful day to declutter your home. When we have an abundance of things that we:

  • Don’t use
  • Don’t like
  • Are in our way and we have no place to put them
  • Things that don’t light us up (make us happy and feel good)….

Then maybe it is time to declutter and donate them to others who can use them. We will be blessing our lives and someone else’s. Who said, “The world is round, what goes around comes around?”

What do you think?

Posted in Declutter Your Home | 3 Comments »

How To Declutter—3 Effortless Tips

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 by admin

Show ‘N Share Tuesday……

How to declutter? One story at a time. It took me 2 ½ weeks but I did it! I had two boxes of Christmas stories and books. I used to have four boxes and a few years ago I paired it down to two boxes. I got a bee in my bonnet a few years ago to collect 25 really good Christmas stories. It got out of hand and I kept just any story—not just the really good ones.

This year I decided to only keep one box. How to declutter the stories and books?

  • First of all I read every story to see if I wanted it—what a concept. Can you believe I hadn’t read them before storing them? (Me neither) And I did the same with the books.
  • I did it a little at a time, every night I would read a bunch.
  • I kept going until I was done—I didn’t throw in the towel after a few days.

I am so happy I now have only one box to store which was my goal.

This is a good formula when you are asking yourself, “how to declutter my kitchen, my bathroom, my desk or other space”.

Posted in How To Declutter | 3 Comments »

2 Foolproof Ways To Get Rid Of Clutter

Monday, January 24th, 2011 by admin

Saturday we went to a volunteer luncheon for volunteers of the Heritage Foundation.  This Foundation is dedicated to the preservation of old buildings. They thanked us for being docents. I want to thank them because I love the “work” I do for them being a guide in beautiful restored buildings.

At the front door we were greeted by several people and I recognized faces but not names. I told Allison I wished I could always put the right name with the right face. She said, “That would be a whole new world”. Isn’t that the truth?

It made me think, “It would be a whole new world if we could get rid of clutter by just putting things back where they belong after using something”. Do you find that you create more clutter by just laying something down and thinking, “I’ll just put it away later”?

Another way to get rid of clutter is to have homes for everything. Much of our clutter is because we haven’t assigned places for our things. Is this a problem for you too?

Posted in Get Rid Of Clutter | 4 Comments »

Declutter Your Home Office/Product Review Friday

Friday, January 21st, 2011 by admin

I am participating in Operation Organomics in partnership with SMEAD. (That sounds like I am donating organs doesn’t it)? Well I’m not, but what I am doing is using SMEAD products and passing on to you information about their products.

Declutter your home office by setting up a good filing system this year if you don’t already have one. (My favorite system if Freedom Filer, as you know). This last week I got in the mail a TUFF Hanging Folder with Easy Slide Tab from SMEAD.

First of all for any filing system you have to have hanging folders. I recommend starting with about 50 folders when setting up your files. Let me tell you about this hanging file.

  • It is 7 times stronger than ordinary hanging folders.
  • Plastic tab slides easily and secures into the position you choose.
  • Specially designed, reinforced channel rods resist bending and paper tearing.
  • It comes 5 different colors and an assortment. There is also the legal size in steel gray (how boring) and the assortment). I always encourage using colors that light you up in your filing system.

I love that the rod resists bending. It really is strong, I have tried to bend it but it resisted. How many times have you had those rods slip out and or bend? It happens I know. To find out more about this Organizing product  click here.

Make this the year to declutter your home office.

Posted in Declutter Your Home, Office/Paper Work, Product Review | No Comments »

Free Yourself Of Paper Clutter

Thursday, January 20th, 2011 by admin

As a professional organizer I am often asked “what should I shred and when?” These are very important questions. Getting rid of clutter and especially paper clutter is on everyone’s agenda it seems. Here are some guidelines on shredding:

  • Shred everything with your signature, birth date, Social Security number, account numbers, passwords or PINs.
  • Shred credit card statements after 45 days unless you need them for proof of purchase or for tax purposes.

 

  • Shred bank deposit slips and ATM and credit card receipts as soon as the transactions appear on statements.
  • Shred bank statements, pay stubs and medical bills after one year. (I recommend betting bank statements on line directly from your financial institution).

These are guidelines from Ask This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Getting rid of clutter doesn’t mean you just toss everything in the trash or recycle bin. All paper needs to be looked at. When working with clients to get rid of paper clutter every single time we have come across one important piece of paper they have been looking for—without exception. Take the time to sort through every piece and shred what needs to be shredded. Did that sound like I was on a soap box? I didn’t mean to, I just know how important it is to take the time to get rid of paper clutter properly.

Posted in Getting Rid of Clutter, Office/Paper Work, Paper Clutter | 2 Comments »

Unhurried Hare Is Example When Clearing Clutter

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 by admin

Back on January 3rd I did a blog on the Rabbit (or Hare) since this is the year of the Rabbit. A loyal blog reader left this comment “Curious, if it is the year of the rabbit….. What is to be expected of the Rabbit? Do we do things such as clear clutter “as quick as a rabbit?” Or “hop to it” to get going and succeed?” (Good questions Edna).

This is what I found out doing some research:

The Rabbit symbolizes graciousness, good manners, sound counsel, kindness and sensitivity to beauty. While everyone is killing himself in a mad rush to get somewhere, the Rabbit knows that the world will still be here tomorrow. So, what’s the big hurry? Why don’t you sit down, too? Ms. Rabbit will probably make you a nice cup of tea and help you forget all about that crazy rat race outside.

I was born in the year of the rooster but I am a lot like the Rabbit. I am always saying when clearing clutter to take it a tortoise step at a time, that takes the pressure off and it will get done. It doesn’t have to be a mad rush, the clutter will wait for tomorrow.

I do like to “hop to it” when clearing clutter by setting my timer, taking breaks, and keeping my goal in mind to keep me motivated.

What do you do to keep motivated when you are clearing clutter? Are you a person who does things fast or do you go slow and do things methodically? There is no right or wrong way!

Posted in Clearing Clutter | 4 Comments »

Your In Control Of Clearing Clutter–Show ‘N Share Tuesday

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 by admin

Has clutter become a part of your home and life? The other day I showed this pineapple cake pan to my daughter. When I was in Savannah Georgia we were walking through beautiful neighborhoods and we came across the cutest kitchen store. I had always wanted a mold like this one so I bought it. I had to carry it around with me all day but it was worth it.

I told myself that it would be functional and decorative at the same time. After a couple of years I dug it out from under a shelf and I hung it in my pantry because it was hidden and no one saw it. Well…it has lived there ever since and had never been used—someday I told myself I will use it.

When I shared this story with my daughter she said, “I’ll make the cake; I thought it had come with the house (ha,ha, we have lived here 26 years) because I never saw it used but I see it all time”.

The cake was yummy—thank you very much. Clearing clutter can be as easy as sharing a story about an item and deciding if it is worth keeping or if it has become clutter.

Clearing clutter is a decision we make, it doesn’t just happen. So, what’s a story you will share with us? I bet you have something that has a story to it that you either need to use, move or get rid of—don’cha?

P.S. I don’t have a picture of the cake as it went so fast.

Posted in Clearing Clutter, Kitchen | 2 Comments »

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