Get Organized! has been happily busy around the Metroplex this month with speaking engagements and fall community events. Last week I presented "Creating a Better Organized and Managed Home and Family" to the Highland Park School District. I spoke on the importance of teaching our kids age-appropriate responsibilities and how learning time management skills now will help them in the workforce when they are older. Thanks to The Container Store for generously giving a free goodie bag to all attendees to help us get organized. For those who know me, I live what I preach (or teach) in my personal life. This past month I have had the privilege to work with my husband (at my request) on purging what I call his IT clutter. We have about 8 large containers of IT parts in our garage, all neatly packed in boxes, but the number of boxes is slowing increasing.
I took a peek in these boxes and, while he says he needs everything, I saw old software, conference name badges, and outdated telephone cords. Needless to say, I asked that he or we go through the boxes.
When I asked about going through them, he agreed, and then walked into the house. While I did not expect him to do it immediately, I expected a timetable or something more than just a "Yes". I had consent, but no follow-through. Getting things done not only requires planning to do it, but scheduling it.
After looking at our family calendar, I suggested a date that would work for both of us, and with his approval, I scheduled it. Our plan is to clean out one box each week. We just completed our third box and some items have been thrown away and cables and parts are being sorted. We are making progress and that is what I want.
If you have a joint project with your spouse or children, be sure to schedule your work days and know that it can be scheduled over a number of days. |
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Let Us Decorate Your Home for Christmas
 Take the stress out of preparing your home for Christmas this year by calling Get Organized! Our professional organizers will make your house Christmas-ready. We offer several packages suited to any size home and fitting your needs. We will schedule a consultation, suggest items to purchase, help with shopping, repurpose your own decorations, creatively decorate, and give you the festive home you've dreamed about. Let Get Organized make you proud to share your home with family and holiday guests. |
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Is Your Fire Extinguisher Ready for an Emergency?
October is coming to an end and we wanted to remind our readers an organized home is a home prepared for emergencies, including small fires. Did you know that home fire extinguishers need to be inspected periodically to ensure their readiness? Every 6 years, extinguishers filled with dry chemicals must be emptied, taken apart, inspected, and reassembled with new O-rings and chemicals to be sure they will perform as expected in an emergency. Also, extinguishers with a black plastic head cannot be refilled and should be replaced. The plastic is prone to drying and cracking over time, which makes them unreliable. If you are in the market for a home fire extinguisher, invest in one with a metal head to save money in the long run. When shopping for a new extinguisher, look for one rated ABC class, because it will put out three types of fire: wood, paper, and fabric fires, grease and liquid fires, and electrical fires. Keep an ABC-type extinguisher on hand and know how to operate it in the event of a small home fire.
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Fire Prevention Month
With only a few days left in October do not forget about Fire Prevention this month. Now is a good time to replace your smoke detectors' batteries. You should test the alarms every month and vacuum the detectors to keep them free of dust and cobwebs that might reduce their sensitivity. Add this recurring monthly task to your calendar so that you will stay prepared and organized. Assign this task to an older child to reinforce the importance of responsibility and contributing to the family to keep everyone safe.
It is also a good time to make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector installed near all bedrooms. Here is a fact sheet to learn more about these lifesaving devices. Carbon monoxide is odorless and can cause flu-like symptoms and even death, so be sure your detector is working, especially in the cold months when heaters and fireplaces are used. Replace the battery now and test it monthly when you test the smoke alarms. The best defense against chaos is preparation. Have you considered what to do in case of a fire? Make sure everyone in the household knows at least two escape routes and where to meet outside should there ever be an emergency. Have a family fire drill to practice so the children will remember what to do and review the process at dinnertime throughout the year. If you do this on the same day that you check the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, you will not forget. Planning ahead will save valuable time in a real emergency.
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Keeping Passwords Safe
Many times when you work online, you will be asked to create an account with a password. How do you keep these passwords safe from the wrong hands, yet easily accessible by you when you need them? One way would be to store them electronically, but this system fails when your phone dies or your hard drive crashes. A reliable, simple way to keep passwords safely organized is to keep them in a binder near the computer or your workspace. Here is how:
- As you work online and create a new account, write your user name, password, and any other important login information on Lorraine's Password Organizer sheet. Print one page for each letter of the alphabet.
- Slide the page into a sheet protector and file it alphabetically into the binder. Tabbed dividers with letters can make it easier to find what you need quickly.
- Store the binder near the computer or in your home office, unlabeled on the spine to make it less likely to be discovered. Keeping it near the workspace makes it easy to access.
- Remember to update passwords in your binder when needed.
This system is helpful to caregivers of the sick or elderly, since having all needed online information in one location makes it easy to take care of banking, stop automatic drafts, unsubscribe to emails, etc.
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Get Organized for Christmas
 Begin planning for Christmas in October? Yes! Now is not too early to think about what you will do for Christmas to make it a relaxed, organized season with plenty of time for spiritual renewal and family memory-making.
An organized Christmas starts with a plan. Here is a calendar that Lorraine often recommends to clients to spread the tasks over six weeks so that preparations are not overwhelming. Begin in late October so that you will be free to focus on the meaning of Christmas by early December. Organize your Christmas by keeping all plans in a binder that you can reuse from year to year:
- Think about activities you want to include from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day that will fill the season with meaningful events. Be sure to include the traditions that your family enjoys.
- Begin a master list of recipients and gift ideas.
- Plan early for Christmas cards, including updating your mailing list and a scheduled day to take a photo if that is your tradition.
- Determine travel plans and book flights.
- Plan menus and special baking and make a grocery list.
- Keep a record of how you decorate your home by photographing arrangements that you liked so you can repeat them next year.
Break large tasks, like Christmas cards and gift wrapping, into smaller chunks so you do a little at a time but gradually make progress. Keep all receipts in a sturdy zippered envelope so tracking expenses and making returns will be easy. |
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Holiday Entertaining
 Planning to have a family Thanksgiving feast? Thinking of throwing a festive Christmas party? It may be tempting to purchase inexpensive, disposable plastic wine glasses to serve the crowd, but you will be happier with the quality of real glass that can be used again and again. These Ikea glasses are only 80 cents apiece and will make your table sparkle! |
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Lorraine's Logic
Train your children to pick up after themselves. They should be capable from the age of 2 of picking up toys and clothes and putting them where they belong. Have consequences in place for times when they do not do their part. Set an earlier bedtime until they get the idea and clean up after themselves.
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Become a Professional Organizer through our
Affiliate Program
Get Organized! is interested in connecting with individuals throughout Texas who are naturally organized, creative with space planning and organizational systems, have business smarts, self-motivation, and an understanding of the importance of excellent time management. Organizing skills are often learned or enhanced through tasks and hobbies you have done both in the corporate world and in your own home. These skills, in addition to the branding advantage and professional training from a successful organizing company, can launch you into a profitable organizing business.
Our Affiliate Program allows you to focus on working as a professional organizer while you save both time and money utilizing the experience, brand recognition, and proven processes from one of DFW's finest organizing companies - Get Organized! The initial investment includes: your time, travel expenses (for training in the Dallas area), general liability bonding insurance, and insurance for business use of your vehicle. There are no other start-up costs.
We look forward to hearing from you about starting your own organizing business anywhere in the great state of Texas.
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Savvy Ways
to Save
For a fun way to try a variety of beauty and personal care items, Walmart Beauty Boxes surprise you with samples of items you may not have used before. Sign up for the seasonal box to be delivered to your door for only $5 shipping.
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Packing/Unpacking
Services
Our team of professional organizers can de-clutter
before you pack and move
or pack, unpack, and organize your entire home once your move-in is complete.
We can also recommend a mover, or work with your movers for placement of furniture and boxes when the truck arrives at your new home.
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Senior Downsizing
Get Organized! works directly with seniors and their families during downsizing to reduce what they have and get them organized. This can be the result of a move, or for those staying in their current home.
We organize all areas including paper clutter, shop for products if needed, and create additional storage space.
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Get Organized! only recommends
Cornerstone Chem-Dry as our exclusive partner
for the services listed below,
and we proudly recommend
them to our clients.
Carpet, oriental, and area rug cleaning, tile and grout cleaning and sealing, carpet repairs and stretching, leather cleaning and repairs, upholstery cleaning, 24 hour water damage restoration, and pet urine removal and treatment.
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Need a Realtor?
Buying or Selling?
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Moving Soon?
NDMS coordinates moves within DFW, nationwide, and internationally.
They are the official moving company of the Dallas Stars and maintain an A+ rating with the
Better Business Bureau.
next move.
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Do you need a caregiver for your children or your elderly parent? Checkout
MomsBestFriend.com. See how they can help you.
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Cooler weather signals the perfect time to clean out your garage. If you have to much stuff for the space you have, then call Assured Self Storage. Your valuables will be stored under 24/7 surveillance.
Get Organized!
recommends
Assured Self Storage
They have 20+ locations in the DFW area.
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We are a full-service moving concierge company,
skilled and experienced in all relocation services. Located in
Dallas, Texas, we offer a
premium moving experience catered to your needs.
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Meet Susan, one of our Professional Organizers.
She loves entertaining and has a special interest in home staging and décor, kitchen organization, and space planning. She also feels right at home organizing craft rooms, children's rooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms, pantries, closets, and cabinets. Working with seniors is another of Susan's strengths. She understands the often difficult and emotional challenges that come with downsizing, purging, and decision making by seniors and their families. If her skills fit your needs, call GO and ask for Susan!
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