|
Need Help Getting More Organized?
Take my class:
"A Place for Everything"
at Upper Cape Tech Adult Ed
4 Thursdays
10/29 - 11/19
6:30-9:00 pm
or by phone at
(508) 759-7711 x211 |
|
|
|
 Dear ,
Now that the weather is turning colder and we're all spending more time indoors, you may be noticing more of the things that are not working in your homes and offices. October is a great time for sorting through your summmer things before you put them away, getting rid of the items you never used, and organizing your closets to accomodate your heavier fall and winter gear. Below are some tips for beautifying your storage areas, dealing with your parents' households, and planning ahead for an organized holiday season. Happy Pumpkin Month!
- Maryann
|
|
|
Tip of the Month: An Easy way to Hide the Mess
Organizing does NOT mean throwing everything away. Some things should be kept, but may be awkward to store. 
One of my favorite tools for a basement area is the patio door vertical blind set, shown below. It installs easily on the joists of an unfinished basement, can be pulled aside for easy access to anything behind, and is great for hiding miscellaneous materials of varying sizes.
 I installed this set myself with just an electric drill, a screwdriver and 2 ladders. Whether you have a variety of items that are hard to store, or shelves full of neatly boxed items, clean white or ivory blinds make much of your storage just disappear. They don't interfere with the area in front of them, since each slat easily pushes back when you press against it (if you need more room for your pool shot). And they are much less expensive than remodeling the whole basement.
Blinds are available at stores like Lowes, KMart or WalMart, and a set like that above ranges from about $40 for vinyl to about $65 for fabric. |
|
"The Boomer Burden"
 I recently read a book written for baby boomers on dealing with your parents' lifetime accumulation of stuff. "The Boomer Burden" by Julie Hall helps those with aging parents plan more effectively for their eventual death. Not a fun topic to think about, but an important one to plan for, and the author does a very effective job at helping the reader deal with the emotional and practical aspects of broaching this topic with parents, siblings, and spouses. It's hard enough to deal with our own "stuff" sometimes, but following the guidelines in this book can keep your parents' estate from becoming a burden later. Whether your parents' home has a lot of clutter or some very expensive pieces, working with them and your siblings now to figure out what they would like done with those things after their death can save a lot of heartache later. The book is practical, addressing both legal and financial resources, and I recommend it to any Baby Boomer dealing with aging parents. See my full review of the book and purchase a copy at Amazon.com. | |
|
Holiday Preparations
Yes, I get annoyed too when I see Christmas decorations up before Halloween, but whether you are planning a quiet holiday season or one that pulls out all the stops, planning ahead is a good idea to make the season work for you and your family. Now is a great time to look at your calendar, make your holiday preparation lists, and start clearing out the clutter to make room for a hassle-free holiday season.
One tip for helping you clear out the things you no longer use: Donate your items to those less fortunate than you. Think of your donations to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or the local homeless shelter as holiday gifts for those who can't afford to buy their own. We sometimes think about our  unused things as back-up supplies that we might need someday, but really they are often obstacles in our way physically and emotionally. Especially in these trying economic times, many of these things can be used RIGHT NOW by others who really need them rather than just taking up space in your home. |
|
Please call me if you need additional help organizing your home, your office, or your schedule. I can come to your home or office and help you there, or do coaching by phone.
I also conduct trainings and do public speaking for corporations and community groups on Organizing, Time Management and Public Speaking.
My business relies on referrals, so please forward this to anyone you think might benefit from it. Thanks! |
|
Sincerely,
Maryann Murphy, MSW
Professional Organizer, Speaker, Trainer
(508) 292-6706
Director of Professional Development, NAPO-NE
Certified Chronic Disorganization Specialist, NSGCD
Area Governor,Toastmasters International Area F2, District 31 |
|
|
