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!

My Cup has Overflowed!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Is your life spilling over with things eternal?

DRINKING FROM MY SAUCER
I've never made a fortune
And its probably to late now,
But I don't worry about that much
I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's way
I'm reaping better than I sow.
I'm drinking from my saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed!

Haven't got a lot of riches
And sometimes the going's tough,
But I've got loving ones around me
And that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for His blessings
And the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed!

Oh, I remember times when things went wrong
And my faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke
And sun peeped through again.

So Lord, help me not to gripe
About the tough rows that I've hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer
"Cause my cup has overflowed!

If God gives me strength and courage
When the way grows steep and rough,
I'll not ask for other blessings
I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy
To help others bear their loads,
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed!

From a song written by: Michael Combs

Are YOU The Biggest Loser?

Have you ever watched NBC's show THE BIGGEST LOSER?
Somehow, I have gotten sucked in to watching this crazy show where really obese men and women, some with very powerful testimonies, compete to lose the most weight in a certain time frame to win the tittle of The Biggest Loser.  How in the world did I get sucked in?  Because the drama alone is often too painful to watch. Secretly, I think it makes me feel thinner just watching the show and it motivates me to MOVE my own body. I find myself saying..." If THEY can do it, surely I can do it!"  There are two teams each season competing for the title and they are each driven and coached by Juliane and Bob, two of the toughest motivating trainers on the planet. Not sure I would want to run into either of them at the gym.

Of course, if you and I had a  personal trainer on a mission to help us lose a bunch of weight in a short window of time, because money and title were the driving force, we could be The Biggest Losers too!
Losing weight is an awesome accomplishment!  And it's an ongoing challenge for most of us! Especially if you are living in the 40-60's age range where metabolism begins to take on it's own personality and pace.

Do you often  feel like the "STUFF" in your house has taken on it's own personality, formed it's own Community and made getting around a bit difficult?  If so, your home could be a likely candidate for the show The Biggest Loser. Your closets are busting at the seams, you waist time finding things because  STUFF has choked the life out of your common areas (and your uncommon areas too). And you feel like a big fat loser because all this extra weight keeps you from living the abundant life you and your family were meant to live AT HOME.

It doesn't take long to fall into the category of The Biggest Loser Candidate. 
We are busy people.  We procrastinate, we say YES to things we don't have time for, we are too tired to manage our stuff, and we begin to do just that...STUFF...stuff things here, stuff things there, stuff things everywhere!  And before we know it...we ARE The Biggest Loser Candidate.


So, you have a choice. 
You can keep on living like the candidate you are becoming...The Biggest Loser.
OR, you could be a WINNER as The Biggest Loser (HOME EDITION) by starting TODAY to break down the strongholds in your life that are causing all the weight gain in your homes. 
You don't need a TV show to motivate you, OR a personal trainer to scream at you....your stuff is already screaming at you!  LET ME GO!! LET ME GO!!

Here are a few suggestions to light your fire...

1.Open those cabinets!
2. Open those closets!
3. Say "NO" to incoming invitations to Do More.
4. Shred the Junk Mail before you Pile It.
5. Purge and Donate....meet someone elses needs.
6. Take inventory before you shop.
7. Take a nap. You will need your energy to claim your New Title.
8. Find the car.  It's there somewhere in the garage.
9. Enjoy the process, because it's freeing and you are losing weight!
10.Include the whole family. You are ALL managers of your stuff. Work as a Team!

Congratulations!  YOU are now offically....THE BIGGEST LOSERS!  (Home Edition)

Now don't you feel GOOD?

WHAT is hiding in your Cupboard?

Recently, while helping a client begin the organizing process room-t0-room in her lovely, newly renovated, home, we had a visitor.  Our jouney began in the kitchen.  A very good place to start!  After a few hours of purging and sorting through her cabinets, loading up the Goodwill boxes, and making her cupboards sing, we moved to The Pantry. 

Only minutes after pulling everything out that needed to be removed we noticed something that did not belong in the pantry.  The littlest vistor, whom we named, Willie.  
Or otherwise known as, Wooly Willie.  Below are a few photo's of this outdoor creature, that found a safe haven in the inside pantry.  How in the world did an albino wooly worm end up in the pantry? 
We will never know.

But he sure is cute!  What's hidding in your cupboard?  You won't know until you start the organizing process and set all those wild animals FREE!

MEET WILLIE!

LOOK really close (or click on the photo to enlarge it) and you will notice that Willie wears Sunglasses.