Ellen Hankes

Random Summer Itty-Bitty Organizing Tips

 

My teacher friends often see summer as THE TIME TO GET ORGANIZED because they have a block of time to focus on tasks. Towards the end of summer, panic sets in because school starts soon and the organizing tasks are unfinished.

Here are 3 random itty-bitty organizing tips that can help you move forward and still have time for big-time summer fun!

1. Spend 10 minutes reviewing the manual (paper or on-line) that came with your newest electronic device. By taking the time to learn more about the multiple features of your new cell phone or mp3 player, you will save time and find new uses for that item you can’t live without.
2. Focus on a single square yard of clutter. It may be your desktop, kitchen counter or car trunk.Making changes in a small area is a step that will be less overwhelming than thinking about organizing large areas in a short amount of time.
3. Exchange fat plates for skinny plates on your kitchen shelf. Observe how your plates stack and evaluate if they can be replaced by more space-saving plates. Apply the same principle to storage containers, pots and pans and baking dishes.

What small organizing task have you accomplished lately? We would like to hear about it?

Quilter's Fabric Stash Solutions

While I haven't earned the title of Quilter, I do admire the creative, historic and artistic value of quilts and quilt making. As we toured the International Quilt Study Museum yesterday I thought about how many active or wanna-be quilters have large quantities of fabrics. These fabric stashes are neatly arranged in closets or tote boxes, stuffed in inaccessible places, or hidden under beds.

When it is time to have some fun with that fabric, here are a couple of ideas to help others and share your love of fabric.

Project Linus. Sew a child's blanket or small quilt and donate it to ill or traumatized children through Project Linus. If there is not a chapter in your area, organize one.

Conker Cancer. Imagine walking into a hospital room with a brightly colored pillowcase. Take a few minutes to sew pillowcases out of your cotton fabrics. No time to sew? You can provide fabric for others to sew the pillowcases. Your efforts will bring smiles to hospitalized children and their families. You will find the specifications and directions at the Conker Cancer website.

How is your fabric stash serving you or others?

The 40-70 Rule

Conversation between multiple generations can be challenging. A survey, conducted by Home Instead Senior Care, provides some insight on how Baby Boomers and their parents are communicating on issues that affect both the adult child and the older parent.

The Home Instead survey reported that 22% of the adult children found their parents are too independent. The 40-70 Rule was suggested to help address some of the age-related issues. Conversations about independence issues such as home help and driving should begin when the adult child is 40 or the parent is 70 years of age.

These discussions should also address the minimalization of clutter for health and safety reasons as well as the disposition of family heirlooms and special mementos. Decision-making can become overwhelming and is often coupled with periods of other stress. Sibliling relationships come into play as well.

A professional organizer is a neutral individual who can work with adult children and their parents to systematically review how household items and keepsakes will serve family members or others.

How might a professional organizer help resolve your inter-generational family challenges?