Cleaning for a Reason!

We all need a little help now and then, just to manage the every day tasks, to-do's, and people in our lives. But if you, like a number of my friends, are currently undergoing cancer treatments,  not feeling very productive or energetic to get it all done, then this is a resource for YOU! 

Personally, I have 11 women on my prayer list who are battling cancer that I pray for weekly.  Women of Courage...Women of Faith...Women on the front line of the battlefield. They are my hero's.
But there are many days that I know they just don't feel good...period.

If you have a loved one that needs a little help from their friends, physically and financially, please check out Cleaning for a Reason.  Here's a little info about who they are and what they offer.

Cleaning for a Reason

If you know of any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - once per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a

participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service.

This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women. It's our job to pass the word and let them know that there are people out there that care. Be a blessing to someone and pass this information along.

Here the link ! Pass this information along to anyone you know who could use a little help from their friends!

 http://www.cleaningforareason.org/

What do I do with ALL these Photo's??

Memories...we love them. 

We want to frame every single one we possibly can. We get snap happy at every birthday party, every graduation, every trip around the world, and every "first everything"! And before we know it, we are knee deep in pictures, copies of pictures, doubles, triples, and boxes spilling out with all of those wonderful MEMORIES!

If I hear it once a week with a client, I hear it 10 times...."What do I do with ALL these photo's?"  Stop taking pictures?  No...  That's not possible. We love to capture life too much.  Photography is one of my favorite hobbies and I know the value in the 150 you take to get that ONE perfect shot! Thankfully today, we live in the world of Digital.  This is much more manageable than the old world of film and negatives and really really bad shots that we have to pay for. Life is improving in the department of photo memorabilia, but there are still all those pictures you took prior to the era of digital.

As I was perusing my own spilling over stash of old and new pics, I thought I'd share with y'all some of the ways I keep my photo memories organized, stored and pared down to a workable amount. 

1. Find a large space (dining room table, card table, utility room counter tops, etc.) where you can spread all those memories out before you to begin your project.

2. Go through each box and purge out ALL bad out of focus shots, old negatives (when was the last time you searched for an old pic on a negative?) and duplicates.

3. Once you have shaved off a layer of photos that are not necessary, begin sorting by category.  You can sort by year if you have labeled them well enough to know what year it is, or if you have a general idea of the time frame. Or,you can sort by groups (Travel, Family, Kids, Grand kids, Holidays, Archives, etc.).

4. Buy photo boxes or clear large shoe box size containers to store your photo's by category.

5. Label your boxes so that when you need that one specific photo for a project or to frame, you will know exactly where to find it.

6. Designate a closet in your house that is just for photo memorabilia. This will help keep those pictures in ONE PLACE and not stuffed here there and everywhere!

7. Set some goals for your pictures for the new year.  What do you want to do with all those memories?  Put them in an album?  Begin Creative Memories cropping parties? Organize them into cool photo boxes and use to decorate bookshelves? Frame and decorate a "Wall of Fame" of pictures old and new? Or simply have them all together, sorted and organized for the occasional project, family reunion, etc.? 

Something I like to do with my pictures is have a basket or a barrel or an old antique suitcase that sits in the family room full of random photos for family and friends to look through for fun. We have all these memories, but how often to we sit down and look back and have a laugh or two? 

The skies the limit on what you can do with all those pictures. But the hardest part is just to BEGIN.  Now that you have some direction, get out your calendar and set a date to stroll down memory lane! 

Let's make 2011 the year that we don't make "Making Memories" just another way to clutter up our lives.  Your pictures need a home too : )

Happy Organizing!

  

A Spacious Place

He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.”

                                                           Job 36:16

We live in a world full of clutter. We fill our homes with stuff; we fill the hours of our day with activity, noise and stress. More always seems to be better and enough is never enough. Our good intentions of “simplifying” are quickly snuffed out by waves of distractions. Distractions that wage a war within us, distractions the world presents as important and cool and necessary for survival. Before we know it, we are stuffed to the max, worn to the bone, and often left wondering if anything we are doing is seriously making an impact on this world.

It truly is a problem that quickly becomes a vicious cycle...Simplify…Need more stuff…Simplify…Shop…Let it Go…Do more things… I see it every single day in my job. I see it in my own life. Some people are called to the mission field in Africa. Others are called to inner city missions for children and women. For the past 10 years I have been called to the mission field of homes and offices. Called to bring peace in the midst of the chaos and clutter! Try to picture if you will the mountains of clutter I have climbed in 10 years. Don’t think about it too long, it’s a scary thought indeed. In fact, my waistline should be a heck of a lot slimmer than it is for all the mountains I’ve climbed! But we won’t talk about THAT clutter today.

Years ago I had a client say to me very honestly…”Kim, the clutter in my head is as bad as the clutter in my home.” Can anyone relate? If we are honest with ourselves, I think we can all relate in some capacity of our busy lives. Sometimes we just need a break in the routine of life to just…breathe. When was the last time you stopped the madness and just inhaled deeply and then exhaled? Go ahead, stop reading and do it right now! Ahhhhhhh...sweet relief, huh? Why is it we fill our plates so full, we stuff ourselves to the point of exploding (heart, house and time), and we think it’s good? I don’t know about y’all, but there are days that I just need some space! Space to think, space to take inventory of all my activities, and space to BREATHE.

The past few weeks I have been on a word search through the Scriptures. Over and over and over again the Lord has led me to a particular verse that says…”He brought me out into a spacious place…”

Fascinated by this phrase, particularly because He keeps speaking it to my heart, over and over again, I did a little research to understand it more clearly. This is what I discovered. The Hebrew word for “spacious place” is merchab, which means a broad or roomy place, an expansive place, or a wide place. One of the verses in
2 Samuel 22:20 states…” He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.”

Doing a little further investigation, I found these parallel translations of the same phrase.

“He led me to a place of safety…” (New Living Translation)

“He brought me out into a broad place...” (English Standard Version)

“He brought me forth also into a large place…” (King James Version)

And my favorite version by Eugene Peterson’s (The Message) says…

…“you gave me room to breathe.” How often do you give yourself room to breathe? This spacious place is a provision from the Lord. It’s a stopping place for our hearts and our minds to get off the fast track of cluttered living and just rest. He brings us to this place because He delights in us! He truly has our best interest at heart. When we bring our “stuff” out into a WIDE OPEN place, we can inventory what truly is important verses what seems urgent in our own eyes. We are able to breathe deeper and most importantly, we are able to see and hear the One that is calling us to a life of peace in the midst of a busy world.

I don’t know about you, but I am so thankful to the Lord for the spacious places He provides for me. A place to get off the treadmill of life to breathe, a place to say “no” with confidence, remembering that “no” is a complete sentence. And a place to walk around barefoot in the grass with Jesus, just because He delights in me. Today let’s embrace that large place of safety and relief, free from the restrictions and burdens of this world. Your clutter does not define you. But how quickly it does take over our lives when we don’t take time to stop off in the “spacious place” to be refreshed and renewed in the Spirit.

I’m camping out in these verses for the next few weeks until the Lord and I are walking in step with one another in the grass of His priorities for me.

Breathing deep sighs of relief for us all!

In Him,

Kim B.

Make Room for the Car!

GOT CARS?

Does this picture look familiar?  If so, you are not alone. Nine out of every ten houses that have a garage, rarely let the car live in it's very own room. Why?  Because it has become for most of us, a dumping ground for everything that we do not know what to do with!  There are thousands of cars around the world crying out for their very own room! But as consumers, we keep packing in more stuff in their very space. Unless you are saving yourselves a lot of money in monthly storage fees by using your garage for your own YOU-STORE-IT space, then it's time to let out the junk and make room for the CAR!

I know, it can be a bit overwhelming and you don't know where to begin. Never fear...today is a new day!  Today we're gonna gain some victory in your most valuable space for "overflow storage" and show your hot wheels some respect.
This weekend is Labor Day, and if you plan to have a "stay cation" with the family, then it could be the perfect time to get things in order at home as the new school year kicks off. Multiply the work of your hands with all the other hands that live with you. Working together gives the entire family responsibility, and it cuts your work time in half. Let's make this a "Take Back the Garage weekend"!

First things first....load up on some ice cold drinks, gather enough rags for each family member, and pull out the garbage bags, garbage cans and the broom.  Once you have all the supplies you'll need then open the garage door and let's begin. 
I always begin every job that involves organization and rearrangement by PURGING. The best way to see your space in full, is to pull everything out in the light of day (weather pending) and begin the process of elimination.  I will bet that almost
40 % of your stuff will find a new home in the garbage or Goodwill.  Wanna bet?

After you've eliminated everything that is definitely rubbish, is not useful, or has outgrown your family, then begin by categorizing what's left.  Stores like Home Depot, Lowe's, Target, or Walmart carry a variety of shelving systems that will help you go UP with your storage to make more room for the CAR!  Before you begin your work day, do some research online or at your store of choice to see what systems work best with your budget and your space.  Next we will begin by sorting into different categories.

Categories for most garages will include:
Gardening (pots, soil, bug sprays, etc.)
Sports (balls, mitts, tennis rackets)
Toys (outdoor toys, small riding vehicles, etc.)
Biking Equipment (helmets, water bottles, etc.)
Boating/Fishing (if you have a boat)
Lawn (mower, weeder, rakes, edgers, etc.)
Tools
These are basic categories most families will have, but you may also need a section for decorations, Sam's/Costco supplies, or laundry (if your laundry room is in the garage).  Containers for each section can also be found at the stores mentioned above.  You may need a variety containers to fit your various items. Label containers with a label maker so you know where to return your things. Assign each family member to a category or two, and have them organize that particular space as efficiently as possible.  Remember, we're making room...FOR THE CAR!

Once you are purged, sorted by category, and contained, give the garage a good sweep and clean up of excess debris.  Any items like decorations or memorabilia that do not fit inside your home, may also be contained up high on shelves in tubs or containers. Now that wasn't so bad, was it?  Give yourself a pat on the back, grab the keys, and move the car into it's desired space. I'll bet you still have time for a cookout and a ballgame on T.V.!

And most importantly, your shiny automobile is...SMILING : )
 

Hot Out?

Keep Your Kids from Catching the CLUTTER BUG!

If you can’t see the floor of your childs room or you’re afraid to open the door, then it’s time for a new plan. Help your kids ORGANIZE their rooms so that their space is fun to play in and easy to pick up. And let them know that putting their rooms in order does not mean they have to throw away all their treasures.

ORGANIZING YOUR KIDS WORLD!

1. Set a good example. Keep your own rooms organized. Make it a household rule that beds are made every morning and floors picked up every evening. Your children will learn your habits (good or bad) and carry them out into the world as they grow up. Order begins with you. Set a good example.

2. Include your children in the order of their room. This gives them ownership of the process and teaches them why it’s important and how to do it. Try to see your child’s room from his/her perspective. Hang shelves and hooks where they can reach their things.

3. Teach your kids to group similar items together (example: books, balls, cars, dolls, etc.). This will help them know where to put things. Every item in their room should have a home where it resides when not in use.

4. Use open storage bins, or baskets or containers so children can see what’s inside. If it’s out of sight in a large toy box, it’s usually out of mind. LABEL liberally - use a label maker for their storage bins or photographs for children that cannot read.

5. Under the bed boxes are great for storing artwork, puzzles and off-season clothes.

6. Rotate toys and games, and leave out only a reasonable number at any given time. When your child outgrows a toy or game, give it away. Then pull from your hidden stash and call it your “TOY LIBRARY”.

7. Put a laundry basket on the floor or their closet to keep their dirty clothes off the floor. Begin now teaching your children how to wash and fold laundry. It takes a village to raise them and to launder them. Why not pool from your own village.

8. Have a few “clean sweep” baskets around the house designated for toys and clothes/shoes that need to be returned to their specific rooms. Set the timer for 10-15 minutes each night for a quick pick up.

9. Using a “ 5-days of the week” closet- hanging organizer. This will help your child know what to wear each day. It saves time and stress getting ready in the morning if you plan ahead.

10. Consistency is a key factor is keeping kids organized. Keep telling yourself… It’s WORTH THE TIME YOU PUT IN IT!

11. Have a yard sale or “DONATE DAY” once a quarter to teach your children the importance of letting go and helping someone less fortunate. This will create more space for you!

12. Create your child’s space to be relaxing, fun to play in and easy for them to pick up.

What YOU SAID in 2009!

I know, I know...
it's been a LONG time since my last blog.
My busy season exploded just before we ate turkey in November, then the Christmas preparations began and now we are blasting into a New Year with resolutions to Be Organzied in 2010!  Oh yes, and a trip to Kentucky in the middle of it all!  Blah, blah, blah.  Excuses, excuses. But it IS a New Year and I am so excited to see what 2010 brings.  Aren't You?

Nothing like a clean slate, a fresh start, and a chance to begin AGAIN.  Before we get focused on the New Year before us, let's look back for a few minutes and see what YOU SAID in 2009!   See if you can find yourself or perhaps relate to the comments below.  And while you are reading them, don't lose heart, remember, it's a NEW YEAR.

We are hammering out 2009 and making 2010 our year for FREEDOM! 
"The clutter in my closet is as bad as the clutter in my head!"

"I have been looking for THAT (fill in the blank____) for YEARS!"

"Will I ever get it together?  I seem to take two steps forward towards freedom from the clutter, and before I know it, I've taken 10 steps backwards.

"What do I do with all these photo's??"

" I NEED HELP!!!"

" My mother keeps giving me more stuff!  How do I  tell her, NO MORE CLUTTER, when she means so well?  Her gifts are becoming my burdens."

"I have ADD and cannot stay on task long enough to finish anything."

" WHERE is the floor?"

"I am always running late. Why can't I get anywhere ON TIME?"

"How do I encourage my family to be part of the process of keeping our house a place of peace?"

" I need these clothes!  Even if they don't fit now, they will fit later!"

"I know it looks bad, but I really am organized with some things."

" I can't get a grip on the paperwork. It just keeps coming and coming and coming!"

" The mess in my home is a true reflection of the mess in my family's hearts and lives."

" I need to learn to say NO to more committments."

"I'm finally getting it under control. It's been a process, but we ARE making progress!"

"It feels so good to have a system in place. I finally know where to put my stuff!"

"OMG!...why didn't I think to move this room around. We have so much more space!"

"I have become a shredding wonder!"

" I need help with my move. I need help with my yard sale. I need help making room for baby!"

"What would I do without Organize U?"

Do any of these cries for help sound familiar?  If so, not to worry!
It surely has been a busy year, and you ARE making progress!  I know! I've been in your homes and offices and I see change coming!  Now don't look back anymore.  Forget what is behind and focus on what is ahead.....FREEDOM!  2010 is the year that you are breaking free of everything in your life that is keeping you from living your life to the fullest! 

Now grab a pen and pad, a hot cup of coffee or tea, and begin writing down all the areas of your home and office life that need a CHANGE.  Tomorrow we will talk about the ways we are going to move towards our Freedom.

NO MORE CLUTTER!  NO MORE TIME WASTERS!

Cling to the golden rule of having..."nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful."(William Morris)

Did you hammer out 2009 completely?  No looking back?

GOOD.

Now let's get to work.  Your journey towards Organized Freedom has begun!