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Recycling Corner:
The Shed
Sheds, garages and basements tend to accumulate half-used cans and bottles of lots of products that we're not sure how to dispose of. Many towns hold special days from April to October for disposing of hazardous products, so keep an eye out for notices, or contact your town to find its next disposal day. Some items we THINK are toxic may not be however, and can be disposed of with regular trash.
Latex paint, for example, can be dried out and disposed of in regular trash in most communities (except California). Leave the can open to dry if there's only a little left (keep it away from children and pets), or add cat litter to absorb it if there's more.
If you prefer to re-use your paint, some communities, like Gilbert, Arizona, actually take back all colors of latex paint and mix them with other colors in huge drums to create grey or brown paint in 5-gallon buckets that residents, organizations or the city can take to reuse. You can try this yourself at home if you have a big enough clean bucket, a screen, and a painting project just begging for a custom-mixed shade of grey!
Check with your local waste management group to see where your local HHW (Household Hazardous Waste) facility is located, its hours of operation and accepted materials.
Most HHW facilities will accept car fluids, cleaners, pesticides, propane tanks, batteries, electronics, CFL light bulbs and a variety of other materials, many of which end up in product exchange rooms for you to take for free. Not only do you get rid of clutter you don't need, but you do it responsibly, and pass on still-useable items to others.
Go to earth911.com and enter your zip code to find the closest HHW facility near you. |
LEARN HOW to
Get More Organized!
(Upcoming classes & presentations)
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ORGANIZING FOR MOMS
Wednesday, August 22
at the
Ready, Set, Mom! Expo
3-7 pm
sponsored by
Cape Cod Broadcasting
at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center
141 Bassett Lane, Hyannis
(Open to the public)
Price: 1 School supply donation
TIME MGMT. DURING THE JOB SEARCH
Wednesday, September 19 at Sandwich Community Schools (www.scslearn.org)
ORGANIZING YOUR BUSINESS
Wednesday, September 26
at B.I.G. Cape Cod
(women's empowerment group), Falmouth www.believeinspiregrow.com
ORGANIZE YOUR KITCHEN
Saturday, September 29
at g Green Design Center, Mashpee www.ggreendesign.com |
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Dear , 
I hope you're enjoying your summer! I had a great stay-cation exploring Cape Cod during July 4th week, taught a class on Downsizing for Seniors and came in second in a golf tournament the second week (yay, team!), took a trip to Indianapolis for the National Speakers Association Conference last week, AND did a little organizing in our shed. Yes, summer is a busy time, but it's still a great time for organizing, and you CAN fit it in between all the fun and your work schedule!
Read our Recycling Corner for how to take care of some of the things you may find in your shed, garage or basement, and read below for tips on how to keep your important papers easy to find. Also find more info this month on upcoming classes and presentations. Give me a call if you could use some organizing help (it CAN be fun!), and ENJOY the rest of your summer!
- Maryann Murphy
Your Personal Organizing Expert
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Help Finding Your Important Papers!
Many people have trouble finding important papers in the piles of paper we seem to accumulate. One way to make the important papers STAND OUT is to place them on a clipboard.
Why this works:
- The size, color and hardness of a clipboard makes it stand out from paper, so it's easier to find, even if it gets piled in with other papers.
- Most clipboards have a hole at the top so you can hang them on the wall, enabling them to stay separate from the piles down on the flat surfaces.
- A clipboard provides a natural writing surface, creating its own mini-desktop. You don't have to find a free table space to start working, and you can bring it with you anywhere you want to work.
Use clipboards for:
- Papers you need regularly, such as schedules, contact lists for school, a list of medicines, the take-out menu, etc.
- To-Do lists. We sometimes have multiple To-Do lists on various scraps of paper. Putting them all on one clipboard makes them easier to find and keep track of.
- Forms you regularly need. I keep my client intake forms on a clipboard so that whenever a potential client calls I can grab the forms quickly.
- Special projects you want to keep together and easy to find.
- All the paper related to Today's projects only. Having them all in one, easy-to-find place can help you focus.
Additional Strategies:
- Don't try to fit everything on one clipboard. Buy several, in assorted colors to help your search even further.
- Make your personal "To Do" clipboard your favorite color or design. It will make you a little more likely to want to at least look at it!
- Create a separate colored clipboard for each member of your household (have them pick their favorite), and hang them all in one family center area. Use these for important papers only (soccer or ballet class schedule, school vacation schedule, permission slips for upcoming events, etc.). This makes it easier for everyone to find their own papers when needed.
- Some clipboards come with a storage pocket inside. These are used primarily for work in the field, and may be too bulky for most household use,but you may wish to give them a try as well.
- Clipboards come in different sizes. A smaller (6x9 size) may also work for smaller papers and smaller spaces (car glovebox?).
Final Recommendation:
Be sure to go through your clipboards once a month and get rid of papers that are no longer important or up to date. Keeping them relevant and manageable is critical to using them successfully. |
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 If you need additional help organizing your home, your office, or your schedule, give me a call at 508 292-6706. I can come to your home or office and help you there, or coach you by phone.
My business relies on referrals, so please forward this to anyone you think might benefit from it. I hope to talk with you soon! |
Sincerely,
Maryann Murphy, MSW Professional Organizer, Speaker, Trainer
(508) 292-6706
- Chronic Disorganization Specialist, Institute for Challenging Disorganization
- Member, National Speakers Association and NSA-NE
- Member, National Association of Professional Organizers New England chapter
- Member, Mashpee Hoarding Task Force
- Vice President for Membership, Marion Toastmasters Club
- Secretary, American Business Woman's Association of Cape Cod
Please join my network on LinkedIn
Follow me on Twitter @MMurphyMSW
Like me on Facebook!
Check out my website:
www.maryannmurphymsw.com
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