Organize Your Books, CDs and DVDs
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Books, CDs and DVDs are great. But if you can't find them what good are they? That is why it is important to keep them organized. Keeping these items organized is much more efficient when you stick with a consistent system and use attractive storage.Organize Your Books, CDs and DVDs
I sure do love my book collection (so do my friends and family when they are looking to borrow a good one). I love the look of all the books lined up neatly on the shelves. I store our CDs in the drawers of my coffee table. It is perfect because it is easy to add new ones and still keep them in alphabetical order.
- This week's goal is to organize these items so you can easily locate what you are looking for.
- Gather all the books, CDs and DVDs in your home and your vehicle.
- Sort them and make three piles: Toss, Sell/Donate and Keep.
- Organize books by height.
- Organize CDs by artist so it is easy to locate which one you want to listen to.
- Organize DVDs by title.
- Avoid CD towers. They make it very difficult to add new ones to your alphabetized collection.
- I keep a list of the books I have read in an excel sheet on my computer. It is handy for choosing new books because I can see the authors I liked and it helps me remember what books I have already read.
- Place a return address label in your book when you let someone borrow it so you will be sure to get it back.
Organize Your Pet
Friday, June 19, 2009
My family has been talking about getting another dog all week. Our dog Reece has been having a lot of trouble with his hips and his back. Although he is 11 years old, and we knew this time would come, it is still heartwrenching to see his body start to fail him. Reece has been the most amazing dog ever. He is sweet, protective, calm and great with kids. We rescued him while living in Florida before we were even married-our firstborn. He has since lived in three states with us and has survived us adding two more members to our family. He is now our children's best friend.We feel that now would be a good time to adopt another dog because it is summer, we have the time and Reece could help us train it. I was thinking to myself that I should have a "How to Choose the Right Dog" checklist in my next book! Here is what we need in a dog for he or she to be a good match to our family:
_ Medium size (although our daughter would love a little dog to tote around and I have always wanted a Newfoundland)
_Good with Children
_Protective
_Calm, not too hyper
_Bonus would be a breed that doesn't shed much!
Organize Your Pet
Deciding on a pet is a BIG deal. This animal should be part of your family for a long time. I am a firm believer that once you bring a pet home, you should be responsible for training it and caring for it for as long as it lives-with the exception of very agressive behavior like biting. I am sure there have been days when the thought of sending your child back, has crossed your mind, but it is just not an option!
I have had a lot of differnent pets in my life. Being the oldest of three girls I can tell you that my father could barely tell us no when we asked for a new pet. I know sometimes pets can be a lot of work and a pain in the rear but I have to tell you my sisters and I still smile when we reminise about our previous pets. We loved them and they brought us so much joy.
* This week's goal is to clean up and organize your pet supplies.
__ Choose a conveninet place to store and organize all of your pet supplies.
__ Gather up all of your pet's accessories and organize them in the newly designated pet area.
__ Toss: everything broken, unsafe, treats they don't like
__ Wash all bowls and water dispensers.
__ Schedule your pet's next vet appointment.
__ Set up a file for all of your pet's information: vet records, license number, etc.
Tips:
* Coat your pet's food dish with a non-flavored, nonstick cooking spray to eliminate leftover food getting caked onto the bowl.
* Place all flea medication on a high shelf or cupboard so that your children can not get into it.
Organize Your Vehicle
Saturday, June 13, 2009
How do you feel when you get into your vehicle? Does it make you feel frustrated, grossed out or stressed because it is dirty, cluttered with garbage and smells like an old sippy cup of milk? (admit it, how many of you have had a lurking smell fill your vehicle only which lead to finding an old sippy cup under the seat?!)OR do you feel good when you sit down in your car because it is clean, organized and smells good. The ultimate test is if you would not be embarrased to pick someone up and give them a ride at any given moment!
Organize Your Vehicle
Wether we want to admit it or not our vehicle is much like our home, it IS a reflection on us and the life we live.
* This week's goal is to clean out your vehicle and make sure it is organized.
* Remove ALL garbage (even under the seats and in the glove compartment).
* Shake out the mats and vacum the rug and seats.
* Clean the windows and wipe down the interior.
* Put together or update an emergency kit.
* Grab a nice, refreshing air freshener ("new car" is my personal favorite)
* Schedule your next oil change.
Tips:
* Always keep an extra plastic bag in the vehicle to use for garbage.
* Keep a lint roller in the glove compartment.
* Keep a small tote of toys or books in the car if you have children for those times when the kids need something to keep them occupied.
Organize Your Photographs
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Organize Your Photographs
Since the invention of the digital camera, and then the affordable price point, I feel like I am wasting a lot less pictures. I LOVE that I can take a picture and then if I don't like it I can delete it immediately. Gone are the days of waiting until the entire roll of film is used up and paying for it only to realize that half the roll is no good!
* This week's goals are to sort through all exisiting photos and then organize the ones you are keeping into a
* Sort through your photos and make three piles:
1) Toss
2) Doubles to be given away
3) Keep* Sort all the pictures in the keep pile by event or date.
* Decide where you are going to store these photos so that they will be easily accessbile and you will enjoy them and look at them often.
Tips:
* I use the photo albums that have room to write on the side of each picture. This way I don't have to flip the picture over to read dates, places or people's names.
* Organize your photos as soon as you get them developed. If you wait it will just harder to keep them all organized.
* Plastic baseball card slips are perfect for organizing all those wallet-size pictures.
Organize Your Mail
Friday, May 15, 2009Organize Your Mail
The trick with organizing your mail is that you need a system you can stick with.
* This week's goal starts with sorting all existing mail in your home or office. Sort into categories that may look something like this:
-bills
-magazines/newspapers/catalogs
-invitations
-junk (probably your biggest pile)
Tips:
* Open your mail the day it arrives!
* You can visit the United States Postal Service's Web site, http://www.usps.com/, to find postage rates.
* Remove your name from unwanted mailing lists.
Organize Your Child's Bedroom
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Yes it is true that some kids-I was one of them-naturally know how to organize their things. I was the type of kid that actually LOVED cleaning my room! (I know that probably sounds weird). However, my sister in the room next door was constantly being told to "Clean Up Your Room" and my other sister, down the hall, was somewhere in the middle of us. The majority of children need to be taught the skill of organizing just like any other skill. The best person to teach them this is you.
Organize Your Child's Bedroom
* This week's goal is to start teaching your child the skill of being organized by clearing the clutter from his/her room and implementing a system that will help keep it organized.
* Sort through your child's room and set up four piles:
1) Toss-anything and everything that is now considered junk!
2) Sell or Donate
3) Put Back- this pile should consist of items that belong somewhere else in the home
4) Keep
* Organize the "Keep" pile according to categories: games, books, dress-up clothes, etc. Always keep toys within your child's reach so they don't turn into little monkeys trying to get to them.
* Children naturally want to keep everything! When dealing with the sell/donate pile, take time to explain the importance of parting with things when we are done using them. For example: "Some children do not have any toys and I bet you would really make them happy if you let them have these toys you don't play with anymore". Or "If we sell these toys you can use the money to get something new". (or even better put it in your college fund :)
* Implement a system to keep the room clean. This may involve choosing one day of the week when they have to do more than "pick up". Point systems and sticker charts are also great incentives.
Tips:
* Don't forget to look under the bed!
* Choose a fun, colorful hamper for their room and teach them to put their dirty clothes in it.
Picts from my trip to South Florida
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Two o my biggest fans enthralled in Organize Now! OK, so Cara and Cindy
are my close friends but hey it was good for publicity.
Here is me with the fabulously funny gang from B103.9's Morning Show in Ft. Myers.
My view on my birthday. I spent the day relaxing on Singer Island with friends.Organize Your Child's Memorabilia
Saturday, April 25, 2009This week's goal is to sort through your child's existing memorabilia and then establish a system that will work for future memorabilia.
- Sort through all existing paperwork and memorabilia from your children that is in your home and decide what you can part with and what you really want to keep.
- Decide on where you want to store the items that you are going to save. Whether you are using a memory box or a file system set up one per child.
- Periodically go through the saved items and purge. As your child gets older you will need room to save more memorabilia and you want to make sure you have room.
Tips:
* Deal with memorabilia immediately when it comes into your home. Don't save every single thing in a big pile and then wait to sort it at a later date.
* Wall Art! Frame your child's favorite artwork and hang it somewhere in your home or office.
* Give some of their favorite artwork to a family member that will treasure it.
Question of the Week: What is the hardest part or organizing your child's memorabilia?
My Book Signing Schedule for Today in Ft Myers
Tuesday, April 21, 2009Well, I must say it is great to be back in South Florida. The weather has been gorgeous (I was really missing the sun). I will post more details and pictures about my trip when things calm down but I wanted to share my schedule for today in case any of you live in the Ft Myers, FL area.
Tuesday, April 21st
10:30-11:30 am @ Kids Rock Music Class speaking about "How to Organize Kids"
Address: 26251 S. Tamiami. Trail; Suite 13; Bonita Springs, FL 34134
12:00-1:00 pm @ Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce
The Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce will be hosting myself and Feng Shui expert Barbara Bell. I will be available for a discussion about organizing your life and your space followed by a book signing segment.
5:00-6:00 pm @ Barnes and Noble Book Signing
Address: 13751 Tamiami TrailFt. Myers, FL 33912
Ph: 239-437-0654
6:30 pm Dinner with friends and probably a much needed glass of wine :)
Organize Your Child's Bedroom
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The trick to organizing any child's bedroom is to make that everything that they want to use, on their own, is accessible to their height. This will help with clean up too because remember children can not put their things away if they can't reach them!
Organize Your Child's Bedroom
It is essential that a child learns the importance of honoring and taking care of their belongings and their dwelling. This is a trait that if learned correctly will be carried with them throughout their life. Like any other skill you want your child to learn you must teach by example. Get down to their level, spell it out, SHOW them how they can organize their room and then give them suggestions to keep it that way.
This week's goal is to organize your child's bedroom by clearing out the clutter that they no longer wear or play with and then organizing what's left into a system that will work for them.
- Sort through your child's room and set up four piles:
- Toss (anything that is broken, missing pieces or just plain not usable)
- Sell or Donate (whether you are donating to a friend or selling at a consignment sale)
- Put back (items that belong somewhere else in the home)
- Keep (if you haven't done this in awhile you may want to split this pile into two parts: keep in this room or keep for a younger sibling which means it should be stored somewhere else)
- After you have removed all piles except for the "Keep" pile decide on a home for everything that is left. Organize according to categories and label when necessary.
- Set up a file system for your child to store things such as stickers, artwork, birthday cards and colored paper.
- Limit how long your child can leave a toy away from its "home" without playing with it. Set up consequences for breaking this rule.
Tips:
* Use a point system as an incentive for keeping the room clean. Just be sure you reward your child with actions and activities instead of toys and other objects that will clutter up the room.
* Use shelves whenever possible for storing toys and books. Shelves make these items very accessible for kids. But make sure they are securely anchored to the wall for any little monkeys who like to climb.
Question of the Week: How do you get your child to pick up their toys when they are done playing with them?
