Organized for Life » Just for Fun

Product Review: Urban Eco Trash Can

Martha — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:16:56 +0000

I do not have a good poker face.

So, when I opened my Christmas present from my oldest daughter, I know my face showed exactly what I was thinking. “You’ve got to be kidding! My daughter just gave me a trash can for a present!”

Sarah was quick to say, “I know it’s a trash can, Mom, but I know you of all people will appreciate how it works.”

Once I saw how the molded plastic arms easily store and use plastic grocery bags for quick disposal, I was thrilled and want to share the website where you can get one (or more) for yourself.

This Urban Eco Trash Can comes in either black or lime green.

To store the bags, place handles over the side arms. Then pull up and hook the handles over the inner tab to form a new liner. I love both ease of use and the excellent way to reuse those grocery bags.

Sad to be excited about a trash can, isn’t it? I do love my present, Sarah!

Hope you had a joyous holiday!

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Jerry Seinfeld Had a System

Martha — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:45:19 +0000

In the organizing profession, we are always talking about systems for managing paper, reducing clutter, and making use of time efficiently. In following up, an organizer will make sure the systems put in place are compementing the client’s personality and lifestyle.

What exactly do we mean by a system? One dictionary definition for system is “orderliness, the use or result of careful planning and organization.” Orderliness is definitely a desired result, but a better description of the system an organizer means is “a way of proceeding, a method or set of procedures for achieving something.”

Jerry Seinfeld had a system. His neighbor, Kramer, found he was spending too much time in the shower and asked for Jerry’s advice. Jerry said he could take a shower in 10 minutes flat. He had found a procedure that worked for him.

Think about it for a minute… do you reinvent the order that you wash body parts each time you shower, or do you proceed on autopilot?Are you pretty sure that when you are done, you have achieved the desired result? Is dirt and bad smell gone? CHECK! Is skin clean and good smell back? CHECK!

You just followed a system, a certain way of proceeding to get the job done.

The beauty of a workable system is:

1. The system can be documented and repeated.

2. One planning session yields desired results over and over, saving time over all.

3. A system followed consistently becomes easier as skill increases and habit kicks in.

Kramer did not have a system that was working for him, he questioned the amount of time he was taking and could have used the advice of a professional (Jerry) to become more efficient. If you saw the episode, you know that didn’t happen. I think Kramer could have used a professional organizer.

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3 Ways to Give Homage to Your LP Oldies

Martha — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:42:29 +0000

You know the words to most of the songs on the oldies channel and can sing along when you are driving. Of course, that is only because your dad made you listen to that stuff when you were little. Right?

If you were a teenager before the 90′s, you are sure to have a collection of long playing record discs or LP’s. They represent memories – some good, some not so good. You may even have a record player still hooked up your stereo system. If not, rather than simply consign your golden memories to a cupboard or a box in the attic, you may want to consider these options that let you enjoy the memories on a year round basis.

Acrylic record frame

1. Display your best loved albums on your wall as framed art.

Bags Unlimited has a selection of archival quality frames in either aluminum or wood, with 24 mat colors. You can choose to frame the album cover, a picture disc itself, or gatefold art (interior rectangular photos twice the album width.) These are priced from $32 – $57.

Bed, Bath and Beyond has a more modern take with an acrylic cover that is bolted over the jacket on a black background that frames the piece. This single option is also priced at $30.

2. Convert your LP sound tracks to CD or MP3 format.

If you feel lucky and are a techie, you can try to do this yourself. DAK Industries offers an e-book tutorial for $10.

Otherwise, there are many of companies offering their services to you, for a price. LPtoCD.com will convert your first 10 LP’s to CD for $25 each. Reclaim Media advertises as “the best, fastest and most affordable audio digitization service in the industry” and is less pricey – $12 per LP. Reclaim Media gives you the choice to convert to CD or MP3 format on a DVD.

LP Record Bowl

3. Turn your sturdy vinyl discs into home decor. This suggestion is only for those records you don’t care to listen to again.

Use the step-by-step instructions at this craft site to make odd-shaped bowls or wall art. Not sure if I would put food items in these without a liner.

Of course if you are ready to let go of your LP collection, you can sell on eBay or to a resale shop. A good site to discover the value of your oldies for resale is Music Price Guide.

Box any remaining records vertically and store in a climate-controlled location. One day they may truly be antiques! Your great-grandchildren will bless you (if your children don’t throw them away first.)

“Organization Can be Messy”, Charlotte Adams Mysteries

Martha — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:00:45 +0000

These books just went on my “to read” list. How fun to see how an uptight, driven organizer solve mysteries! Each book includes organizing tips and tricks.

Organize Your Corpses, reprinted May 2007

August 22, 2009 review by bookeeBD

Maffini entertains with a delightful mystery that involves cleaning up a cluttered, aging mansion. When Charlotte is commissioned by Helen Henley to clean out a mansion she has just inherited, Charlotte gets more than she bargained for and ends up being the number one suspect when Helen is found dead at the mansion and Charlotte’s favorite pen is found at the scene.

The Cluttered Corpse, released April 2008

Synopsis

Organization can be messy. When Charlotte Adams agrees to help Emmy Lou Rheinbeck organize her stuffed animal collection, she never imagines she’ll find herself fending off pranksters whose shenanigans lead to murder.

Death Loves a Messy Desk, released May 2009

April 24, 2009 review by BikerLibrarian13:

Charlotte Adams is a control freak, a busybody, and a compulsive organizer who likes to neaten up everything she can get her hands on. While these qualities may make her somewhat irritating to her friends, they also make her a stellar professional organizer and de-clutterer. They also get her in over her head when she is hired by the office manager of Quovadicon to clean up the desk of an employee whose messiness is leading the rest of the office into chaos.

Mary Jane Maffini continues to entertain readers in her third mystery featuring Charlotte Adams. This is a mystery full of quirky, humorous, and engaging characters, many of whom are as frustrated with Charlotte’s investigative compulsion as she is with it herself.

I will get started reading these three so I am ready for the next book in the series. If Ms. Maffini remains true to form, we will have the continuation this summer.

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7 Most Effective Organize-O-Metrics

Martha — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:32:38 +0000

Perform these exercises once a month to lose 5-7 pounds of excess weight each time. ( As an added side effect, you may lose weight and build stronger bones.)

Deep knee bends: Bending knees, keeping back straight, lift one item from the floor. Place the item in a drawer, cupboard or box nearest to where you will next need it. Keep a trash can handy for extra balance and to store things that have no further use. Repeat 20 times.
Lower abdominal tighteners: Equipment – empty laundry basket. In your main closet, pull in your lower abdomen and hold it. Taking one item from a hanger, put it on. If unable to fit over your head, close the front, or fasten waist, place in the laundry basket. Breathe out as you release your abdominal muscles and commit that piece of clothing to another home. Repeat 10 times. ( Reuse filled basket in exercise #3)
Step stool high-stepping: Write on 2 index cards: KEEP and GIVE. Determine the least accessible shelf or cupboard in your kitchen. Using a step stool, remove everything from that space. While performing the exercise, ask yourself two questions about each item you touch: 1) Have I used this within 2 years? If “No,” put the item in the GIVE pile. If “Yes,” ask the second question, 2) Do I use it at least once a month? If “No,” put it back where it came from. If “Yes,” find a new home in a more accessible location. Add the clothes from the laundry basket to the GIVE pile and dispose of everything by donating to a friend, charity, or the trash man.
Hip flexers: Equipment – One or more 25 CD/DVD storage containers. Sit on the floor facing your media center with knees apart. Lean forward and pick up one DVD or CD. Return to the upright position and open the case while taking a deep breath. If the case has the correct disc, close it and set it in the container. If not, remove any disc and place both to the side for now. Breathe out. Repeat until all CD/DVD’s have been removed. Match up any newly discovered pairs and place in the storage container. Empty cases then are placed behind the loaded cases and lone CD/DVD’s placed in sandwich bags go in front. One final step to finish this exercise strong: flip through each title and let go of those that no longer hold any interest for you.
Lower back stretch: Equipment – a plastic bin labeled MOVE. Lying on the floor face down near a bed, reach with your left arm to capture the nearest container-escapee from under the bed. Place it in the plastic bin. Repeat four more times, then do the same motion five times with right arm. Continue until the floor under the bed is cleared. Use the items in the container in exercise # 6.
Cool down: Pick one item from the container filled in exercise #5. Decide which person uses that and where. Walk from room to room at a medium pace, depositing each item close to the door of the appropriate room. DO NOT STEP INSIDE THE ROOM! Keep walking until the container is empty.
One last stretch: Crossing one foot over the other, slowly pick up the laundry basket from exercise #3. Change foot position, crossing the other foot in front and slowly pick up the plastic bin from exercise #6. Place in the laundry basket and lift both over your head. Stretching as high as you can, say, “I did it!” Put both containers away until next month.

Now you can go weigh the items in your GIVE pile to see how much weight you lost this month. Congratulations!

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I Simply Remember My Favorite Things: Stocking Stuffers

Martha — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:54:47 +0000

We still have four days to shop before Christmas. I told my husband this morning I had to pick up a couple more things. His reply was, “Don’t get any large items, we have to fit luggage into the car yet!” We are heading for VA to watch grandchildren open presents on Friday. Woo hoo!

In case you are still trying to come up with things for stocking stuffers, these are a few of my favorite things:

Mead 4″ X 6″ faux leather address book: I keep mine next to my computer to record all those annoying passwords every site needs. Keeps info alphabetical and handy, so I can toss it in a suitcase to use on vacation if necessary. Found this treasure at Odd Lots for $2.99.
Good Grips Mag Tacks: This gift means never having to say you’re sorry you put holes in your favorite photos. Can be used as simple pushpin, or a pin with magnet on top. $6.99 at Container Store.
Mini Magnet Strips: This gift puts versatile mini-storage on any wall. The possibilities of what to stick to these are endless. Use for an art rack, photo holder, or to contain little things with the next gift suggestion. On sale for $3.99 at Container Store
See & Store Containers: Perfect magnetic storage for office supplies, beads, or even spices. 4 for $1.99 at Container Store.
Magnetic 3″ x 8″ To Do pads: Always have one on your refrigerator for grocery needs or a note to say where you went. Target usually has these in the $1 bin. The high end Post-It version is at Staples for $4.99.
Velcro Get a Grip straps: These are great to bundle wires or to contain cords for small appliances. Five colors makes this fun even for people who hate electric cords, like me. $3.99 at Office Max.
Specialty-colored duct tape: Even if you think this is a stupid suggestion, you’ve got to check out this site: www.tapebrothers.com for all the color possibilities. I know a teenage boy who has a ball making all kinds of things out of duct tape. He pulled his red, white, and blue wallet out to show me one day. Your loved one can join the Duck Tape Club and get instructions for all kinds of crafts.
A book for a little tyke: Duck! Rabbit! Very cute and will match the above gift. Interesting take on a classic optical illusion.
The new game Bananagrams: Finally, a kid-friendly version of the crossword game Scrabble. Comes in its own banana-shaped pouch. You have to find this at specialty game stores as the inventor refused to sell to the big box stores.

Have fun getting those little things that make life interesting. Don’t forget to get a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle. All you have to do is pour the pieces out on a table and the family gathers. That is what makes the holidays so special.

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Ricky Scaggs Sings About a Simple Life

Martha — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:48:19 +0000

Life used to be simpler, didn’t it? Or are we only remembering from a child’s much simpler viewpoint?

Do you remember walking through fields and scaring up huge juicy grasshoppers that spit “tobacco” on your hands when you caught them?

Do you remember decorating your bike with streamers to ride it in the 4th of July parade?

Do you remember listening for the ice cream man and running like mad to get money before he passed your house?

Do you remember playing “hide n’ seek” in the twilight relishing those last few minutes before the street lights came on and you would be called home?

Do you remember the smell of burning leaves in the fall before that was banned for cleaner air?

Do you remember who was the perfect light stringer, ornament hanger, or tinsel spreader when you put up a Christmas tree?

Do you remember banging on pots and pans when the clock struck twelve, to ring in the New Year?

What are the sights, smells, and sounds that trigger that memory of simpler times for you?

Watch for the airstream on the beach and smile with me, remembering your simple life.

YouTube video by beanscott, October 1, 2007. “Song by Ricky Skaggs. I loved this song because it so reminded me of the kind of life my dad has lived, one of simple devotion to God, as well as his family.”

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