ORGANIZE YOUR COMPACT DISCS

We hear that compact discs are becoming obsolete. With the emergence of Bluetooth technology and the popularity of downloading only the singles you favor to your ipod, futurists predict that compact discs are going the way of the dinosaur. Some of us technophobes, however, still have vinyl long playing records stashed out of sight of our derisive younger family and friends. We will do the same with our CDs so we can anticipate the songs we love and criticize the ones we hate while admiring the cohesiveness of the theme that holds them all together as a collection. A CD collection needs to be stored somewhere and we have friends who argue the merits of organizing alphabetically by artist, or by year of release, or by genre (jazz v/s rock v/s classical). We think the simplest is by artist except for opera and classical. Those we like organized by title of the opera and the name of the composer. Whatever system you decide on should make sense to you. You are the one who most often has to lay your hands on a desired selection.

Once you decide how you will organize the collection, you need to find something to put them in. There are cd holders that look like modern sculptures, or good furniture, or just plain CD storage. You can store CDs in albums with protective sleeves and place the albums on bookshelves or in cabinets. Some Websites that can give you an idea of storage systems available are:
www.racksandstands.com
www.storeyourmedia.com
www.disk-store.com

Handy dividers that allow you to mark the beginning of each new letter in your alphabetized collection can be found at www.solutions.com. If you use binders, you can use paper or plastic dividers to mark the sections of your binder.

Now that you can find your favorite CD you can sit back and enjoy a few tunes.


Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Avoid Cluttered Linen Closets

Some of us are lucky enough to have linen closets that allow us to keep our stored linens in piles and still have room for toiletries and other items we like to keep handy. Most of us don’t have that luxury and have to devise ways to keep our linen storage neat. The challenge is even greater if we have family members helping themselves to sheets and towels or putting way the clean laundry.

We have a few strategies that work for most families and really work well for individuals.
The first step in deciding what to keep where is to consider where your linen closet is located. If it is in the upstairs hallway near the shared bath, where will you keep table linens and things you use in the downstairs bath? Is there room in the linen closet for things you use in the master suite, or would it be better to store those items closer to where they are used?

Once you have decided exactly what you are going to keep in the linen closet, take a look at the volume of stuff you have to store there. Remember you do not have to have every piece of linen that fits that category available for use. If you have twenty sets of sheets for the queen size bed, one set on the bed and one or two sets in the closet are enough to have on hand. Other sheets and pillowcases can be stored in less accessible spaces until they are needed for use. That goes for anything you have more than a few of. (Just don’t forget you have it and buy some more). That also goes for seasonal items that can be packed in plastic bags with the seasonal decorations.

When you are ready to stack things in the closet, consider using bins for toiletries and, if you do not need to consider safety of small children, place them on low shelves to minimize damage from spillage. If you need to consider child safety, place them out of children’s reach in containers with solid plastic sides and bottom. Place folded sheets and pillowcases inside one of the matching pillowcases and fold the pillowcase sided to fit the contents. Store on shelves with the unopened pillowcase seam facing out. Use the same principle with towels. Fold the washcloth and face towel inside the bath towel and store with the smooth side out. You may also consider rolling the towels, especially if you have deep shelves. If children need to access the linens, place them within easy reach so they do not have to climb to get them in our out of the closet.

If you store infrequently used items in the linen closet, fold them inside-out in order to prevent dust from accumulating on the used side. It is good practice to store tablecloths this way. Tablecloths may also be hung on towel racks mounted on closet or panty doors.

To keep the linen closet looking organized, tidy up the items in disarray when you put away clean linens or when you remove an item for use. Those two minutes will go a long way to keep the space in order.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransition.net

You Don’t Have to Be a Natural Born Organizer to Get Organized

Are you a natural born organizer? I am not one of those. I could always manage my time, plan strategically and organize events and projects. But when it came to organizing things and space it was another story.

I was the kid whose mother was always telling her to pick up her toys. I was the teenager who was grounded until her room was straight. I was the employee who was asked to clean up her desk when the big shots were taking a tour. I was the mother who frantically tried to get my home ready for company.

Then one day it hit me. I had learned how to organize my time and put together projects and events from my mother. She was really good at that. She was not so good at organizing spaces, so it is not a skill I absorbed through exposure. Maybe, I thought, it was not too late to gain that skill set.

I was lucky that I married a man who was awful at managing his time but very good at organizing his things. He taught me a lot. My daughter, who inherited her father’s propensity for order, taught me even more. Then I actually took classes and read some books. Amazing! I tried my hand at applying what I learned- and it worked!

It is comforting to know that organization is a thing that can be learned-that we can all attain order in our life if we are willing to adhere to a few easy rules:

• Identify a place to store things near where they are used and put them back after you use them
• Be creative in using space. Utilize wall space and space under furniture.
• Break every project down into manageable steps that lead to your goal.
• If you cannot cram everything into the space available, it is time to get rid of some stuff.
• If you cannot keep it looking tidy, hide in a drawer or behind doors. You will at least create the illusion of order.
• Organization means to arrange to suit one’s self. Adapt your system to who you are. If it works for you, that is all that matters.

If you need a little boost to get started, consider hiring a professional organizer. One of the most important things that a good professional organizer does is transfer knowledge about how to organize. We teach through instruction and example and gentle coaching. Many folks have not had the opportunity to gain the skills to organize various aspects of their lives and the opportunity to work with and observe someone who has the knowledge is all that is needed to get going and get organized for good.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

ORGANIZE YOUR GARDEN TOOLS

Gardening is a pleasure for many people. Whether you enjoy the beauty of a flower garden or the practicality of a vegetable garden, the right tools ease the effort of growing your crop. Organizing those tools so they are ready when you need them is well worthwhile. There are a host of products for organizing the smallest hand tools to the largest energy powered models. There are also many hooks and holders not designed specifically for garden tools that work well for both stationary and portable storage.

For stationary storage, mount a section of pegboard and select the hooks that fit your tool collection. Alligator Board has just come out with a section of metal pegboard on wheels that would serve very well as a garden tool storage center. Hooks designed to hold mops and brooms work well for light tools. For heavier tools like shovels take a look at the host of storage solutions at www.gemplers.com. They range from straight bar storage to specialty storage systems for weed trimmers and leaf blowers.

Portable storage for smaller items that you tote out to the garden should either be light enough for you to carry without strain or be on wheels. A simple solution is a five gallon bucket with a bucket cover to hold the tools. You can even make the cover yourself with a pattern available at www.bucketsgonewild.com. John Deere makes a portable garden cart on wheels that is available at most garden centers and a variety of garden tool totes are available at hardware and department stores.

When you have selected a storage system for your gardening tools, organize them by frequency of use. Place the ones you use everyday at the easiest place to reach, or store in a portable organizer for the duration of the gardening season.

For inspiration on more storage solutions check out the following websites:
www.gardeners.com
www.target.com
www.cedarcreek.com
www.carolwrightgifts.com
www.shopgetorganized.com
www.gemplers.com


Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

ORGANIZING A STAYCATION

The term “Staycation” has been coined by the media to describe how many families are spending their vacation time this summer. Steep gas prices and the rising cost of consumer products are making folks look carefully at how they spend dollars to have fun. More and more families are deciding to stay at home rather than travel any distance for a family holiday
.
We have all taken time off to finish projects or laze around the house for a few days to recuperate from a grueling schedule. With a little thought and planning, staying at home for your vacation can be more exciting than that.

What is your budget?
The point of a staycation is to have fun you can afford, so know what your budget is and plan accordingly. You may opt for one big splurge day or a low cost event everyday. Figure travel expense for the activities and know the cost of admission to the activities you plan. Figure in the cost of food. You have your accommodations at your own sweet home, so you have already economized.

What is fun for your family?
Is it theme parks, nature or learning about art and history? Many families have a wide range of interests. Dad may be interested in history, Mom may love theater, the kids may love animals, or video games, or the beach. Decide what you would like to do during the time you have available. One idea is to let each family member plan a “my perfect day”. If that day is staying home, being king of the remote and not having to do a single chore, so be it. It is only one day and somebody is very happy. You can go places and do things the other vacation days.

What is your plan?
Get information from the tourist bureaus in nearby cities or peruse their web sites. You may be surprised at the places there are to visit within a ten or twenty mile drive. Tourists flock to your area because there are worthwhile things to see. In this area you can swim, fish, surf, observe dolphins and whales. You can visit museums dedicated to children’s interests, marine science, visual arts and military history. You can take tours that visit historic neighborhoods, naval shipyards, a television station, botanical gardens, a farm and the dismal swamp. You can shop in quaint little shops and outlets. You can go to waterparks, amusement parks, an archeological dig and the zoo. There are concerts and theaters and festivals to attend. That could fill a week or two and offer something for everyone in the family.

You can even choose to plan time without driving. Bicycle somewhere or walk the neighborhood and conduct a paper scavenger hunt by listing the items as you find them on your way. This is a great way to learn the names of flowers, and identify nearby street names. (Scavenger clue: a president = Find: a street named Polk)

If the budget is very small, plan picnics and eat at home options to defray costs. Look for free activities on line and in local papers and call the department of parks and recreation, museums and cultural centers to explore free and low cost offerings. Look at having at-home activities like a ball game, horse shoes, croquet, a bean bag toss tournament or a sculpting contest.

Are you ready to have fun?
If you get ready for a staycation just as you would for a vacation you will enjoy it more. Know what you plan to do every day and be prepared for it. Have equipment ready if you are playing at home. Have the suntan lotion handy and the beach towels washed if you are going to the beach and find the binoculars if you are going to the ball game. Wash the clothes and get in the groceries so you will not have to shop or do unnecessary chores.

The most important thing about vacation is that it gives us a break in our routine. It is an opportunity to refresh and renew ourselves and spend extra time with those we love. You don’t have to travel a lot of miles to do that.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net