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"Picture Yourself Organized!"
Details By Shelly Fletcher - Organizing e-News
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 Issue: #21 |
October 2009 |
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, are you ready for winter?
Earlier this month my husband and I spent two days at our friend's home in Sonoma County; it was 105 degrees! We then went over to the Mendocino Coast where it was a cool 65 degrees. Our feathered friend kept us company at the Little River Inn throughout the weekend. (I am so ready for cooler weather!)
However, while we were gone, the 49er fire swept through North Auburn. Very scary, but a good reminder to all of us to think about "what do I take" if there is an emergency. See my tips for "Organizing for Disaster"
Trying to keep cool,
Shelly
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PERSONAL CHALLENGE - Get Organized in 2009 |
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NEW - ORGANIZING CALENDAR FOR 2009
Each month I will share three things to do that will help you get organized in 2009. You can choose to do one or more of my suggestions, or come up with your own.
October - Bracing for Winter
1. Make a family disaster plan
- Disasters (natural and manmade) can occur anytime of year. Create a simple disaster plan and review it each year at this time. The American Red Cross has great tips and forms for personal disaster plans.
- This is also a good time to go over family life matters. Review and discuss your estate planning, location of important documents, personal contact lists and medical needs.
- Check on nearby relatives and friends to determine if they can help you, or you can help them, in time of disaster.
- Don't forget about your pets; include them in your planning.
- Take the time to enter ICE (In Case of Emergency) phone numbers into your cell phone. Rescue personnel can check your phone for contacts if you have "ICE" listed before the person's name.
- Check and increase batteries and/or candle supplies in your home.
2. Gather important documents for digital storage
- Storing memorabilia is important and easy to do through digital scanning. More important is scanning your critical documents and keeping them in a safe place. Review and update your document scans this month.
- If you don't have a scanner, try taking a photo of the documents at close range. Check to be sure you can read the text.
- Computer USB "flash" drives can hold lots of documents and photos and are very easy to store.
- If you don't scan and don't have a safe deposit box, be sure that a trusted friend or relative has access to copies of your documents in case of emergency.
3. Go through books, games, or photos and plan indoor projects
- If you have any organizing projects that would be good to tackle on a rainy day, gather up the supplies you need this month. You don't need to schedule them, but having the tools ready to complete them will come in handy when the weather is bad and you are bored.
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GOOD TIPS, READS & LEADS |
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 Organize for Disaster by Judith Kolberg. Squall Press, 2004. This is a good resource book to help you determine the right things to gather to prepare for any disaster. Go to Kolberg's website at www.fileheads.net/disaster.html. Here you can download some of Judith Kolberg's forms to record important information.
 PortaVault is a binder-type product created to store, organize and transport important records. You can order the PortaVault directly through www.securitaonline.com, or through the fileheads website listed above
Special Deals through the "Organize It" store in Citrus Heights
The only store dedicated strictly to organizing products is located at 5440 Sunrise Boulevard, next to Capitol Nursery by Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights. Organize It has partnered with my NAPO-Sacramento Chapter to provide discounts to our friends and clients. If you are in need of any type of organizing product, and find it on-line at www.organizeit-online.com , contact me about a discount. If you need my help in deciding which product to purchase, contact me by email or by phone at (530) 613-2968.
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LEARN TO GET ORGANIZED |
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Honoring the Past
A frequent question I hear is, "What can I do about keeping my grandmother's things?" Many times we receive boxes of china, clothes, tools, photographs, or the collections of life from family or friends. If you don't have the room to store these things, how can you honor them?
One way is to create a photo album of the things, a quilt of the clothes, or a display of the china. Using beautiful things for other purposes (use an antique bowl to collect mail) is always an option. Then you can gracefully give away (or toss) those items to someone else who would appreciate their use or value. Look into local charitable organizations, youth groups or schools, retirement homes, homeless communities, jails or hospitals that may appreciate your donations.
I had a collection of mismatched china from my grandmother and mother. One day I took some plates and smashed them into pieces. From these pieces I created a beautiful outdoor table mosaic. I love it and I can now see all the china we used for those Thanksgiving dinners of past years.
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ORGANIZING EVENTS |
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Auburn Home Show - October 3,4,5
One of the best home shows around. I go every year and always find new products or ideas for organizing. www.auburnhomeshows.com
Auburn Daybreak Rotary - November 4
I will be speaking to this early-bird Rotary group on November 4th, 7:00 a.m., Marie Calendars Restaurant next to the Holiday Inn in Auburn.
There will be no organizing classes in October, however I am planning a new organizing seminar series for 2010. Stay tuned.
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NEED A SPEAKER - for your group or conference?
Speaking at the NOON Program - Auburn Main Library
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If you are ready to start on an organizing project, give me a call to discuss a plan that might work for you.
Call me at (530) 613-2968, or you can email me at detailsbyshelly@yahoo.com
Sharing ideas and creating solutions for you,
Shelly Fletcher
Details by Shelly Fletcher
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