 There is no time like the present to declutter and downsize to live the life you envision for yourself and your loved ones. Wondering where to begin? Take inventory and make a checklist of your belongings by category then ... Ready, Set, GO!
Consider how you interact with your belongings and ask yourself, "In the past six to twelve months, have I worn, read, handled, needed, used and/or admired a particular belonging?" If not, make a plan to declutter your belongings by categories then donate/sell/recycle/share with family and friends your unwanted items. Decluttering Categories
Remember, if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Have you given thought to what the heat index is today? The heat index combines the air temperature with the humidity to provide a number for what the air actually feels like. Today the heat index is off the charts high!
What to do to stay safe? 1. Plan ahead. If you need to go outside, take a cold shower before leaving your home. Be sure to be well hydrated and carry extra water with you wherever you go today. 2. Refrigerator action - day and night. Put some damp, soaked washcloths in the fridge and use them throughout the day and later tonight in bed on your forehead, arms, legs, wrists and the back of your neck. 3. Stay out of the kitchen. No cooking today ... eat cool meals to avoid heating up your stove, countertop range and microwave. 4. Unplug. Did you know that plugged in electronic devices, even if they are not powered on, still use electricity and give off heat. Unplug whenever possible. 5. Shade relief. Pull down shades and/or close curtains to help keep the bright, hot sun from shining in and heating up your room(s). If you are in the market to replace your window treatments, the Department of Energy recommends medium-colored draperies with white backings that can reduce heat gain by 33 percent. 6. Water bottles, fan and bowl trick. Fill two or three water bottles with water and freeze them. Place the frozen contents in a bowl and blow a fan on them to cool yourself and loved ones off. 7. Lotions and potions. Keep your skin cool by place lotions and moisturizers in your refrigerator and apply as needed. 8. Window awnings. Did you know that awnings on south-facing windows can reduce the solar heat in your home by 65 percent and by 77 percent on west-facing windows according to the DOE website? 9. AC and ceiling fans. If you have both, run them at the same time to increase energy efficiency. 10. Pets. If your pets must go outside, limit the time and be sure to keep them out of the sun and in the shade. Have plenty of extra water available for your pets, too. Throughout the day and this heat wave, take good care and be sure to conduct wellness checks on your family, friends and pets. Remember, if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com 
Remember, if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Recently I read about Ellen Bennett in the New York Times. Ellen, the Los Angeles-based founder and C.E.O. of the culinary and lifestyle brand Hedley & Bennett, has an "everything in it's place" kitchen" that makes the organizer in everyone smile. Here are a few of her best tips.
1. Cookware - four category groups sorted, labeled and stored in separate drawers and cupboards
2. Refrigerator Contents - zone sorted by flavor and function
3. Countertop Essentials
4. Spices
5. Kitchen gadgets - kept to a minimum
How do you have your kitchen organized? We are all unique and unrepeatable and so are our kitchens! Create an "in the zone, in it's place" organizational system that works for you and let the kitchen chemistry fun begin! Remember, if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Neighborhood Falmouth Annual Paper Shredding Event
Date: Saturday, June 8th Time: 9:30 AM - Noon (or until the shredders have reached capacity) Place: Lawrence School Parking Lot Details
Proceeds benefits Neighborhood Falmouth! www.neighborhoodfalmouth.org Neighborhood Falmouth Contact Information Phone: 508.564.7543 Email: director@neighborhoodfalmouth.org Remember, if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Source: The Cape Cod Latex Paint Collection and Recycling Initiative Remember, if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ...
Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Energize and Organize: Electronics Recycling Day Supports Lawrence School Music in Falmouth5/1/2019
 Date: Saturday, May 04, 2019 Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Place: Lawrence School Parking Lot (113 Lakeview Ave) Falmouth, MA 02540 The Lawrence School Band and Chorus is sponsoring an Electronics Disposal Day. Unwanted electronics and appliances will be received for a small disposal fee. Items taken include TVs, computers, monitors, stereos, phones, air conditioners, large appliances and more! Costs are $15 per computer component, $25 for TVs (any size), $25 for large appliances and $5 for small electronics. Proceeds from this event will help support the music festivals, field trips, scholarships and equipment for the Lawrence School Band and Chorus. Rain or shine! Remember, if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ...
Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Happy Earth Day, 2019 Did you know ...
 What can be done to recycle, reduce and reuse your unwanted clothing items today and every day? In additon to donating clothing to charities and sharing/swapping clothing with family and friends, consider fashion resale. Here are some interesting sites to explore ... ThredUp www.thredup.com Poshmark www.poshmark.com Tradesy www.tradesy.com Etsy www.etsy.com The RealReal www.realreal.com Ebay www.ebay.com Kidizen www.kidizen.com Don't forget ... "If everyone in the US bought just one item used instead of new in 2019, it would save nearly 6 billion pounds of carbon emissions—the equivalent of taking over half a million cars off the road for an entire year." (Source: Thredup.com) Remember, if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ...
Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Move past years' tax-related papers out of prime storage space and into an out-of-the-way space. Box up papers (sorted and labeled by year) in sturdy banker's boxes or plastic storage boxes and store them in the basement, attic, garage or other non-prime spaces. You likely won't have to ever access them again, but it's important to keep these documents for seven years. When you add a new year, remove and shred the oldest year's papers.
© 2019 Posts on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  "Wishing you a pot of gold/And all the joy your heart can hold!"
"May you always have work for your hands to do./May your pockets hold always a coin or two./May the sun shine bright on your windowpane./May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain./May the hand of a friend always be near you./And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you." "In thanks for the fullness of days spent together,/The friends that we pray will be with us forever./The feelings we've shared, the food and the fun,/With faith that God's blessings have only begun." "May the road rise up to meet you./May the wind be always at your back./May the sun shine warm upon your face;/the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again,/May God hold you in the palm of His hand." Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Traveling with kids can be fun and stress-free when you plan ahead. Read on to learn some quick tips for happy travels.
• TIME OCCUPIERS: Pack some inexpensive and simple things to keep kids busy. Kids can have fun drawing pictures on Post-it Notes and sticking them on the side windows or seats. Binoculars will occupy their eyes. Audio tapes or CDs will occupy their ears. Crossword puzzles, books, magazines, and handheld video games will pass the time. Little kids enjoy a cookie sheet and magnets. Pack it all up in a box that fits between the car’s back seats — an instant kid divider. Or stash it in a neat tote for plane travel. • SNACKS: Bring some special treats that kids don’t usually get at home. Little bags of homemade trail mix, granola bars, yogurt in a tube, animal crackers, juice boxes, mini bagels, and tortilla roll-up sandwiches are all great. • CLEAN-UP SUPPLIES: Baby wipes will save the day. Pack a bunch! Or try a wet washcloth in a plastic zipper bag. Also, keep a change of clothing easily accessible for every member of the family in case of weather changes or spills. • TAKE A BREAK: If traveling by car, take a break every two hours. Find a rest stop and let kids jump rope, blow bubbles, or toss a frisbee. If traveling by plane or train, let kids stretch their legs in the aisles. • KEEP IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS CLOSE BY: Take an expandable coupon organizer and fill it with the necessary paperwork: hotel confirmations, plane tickets, maps, phone cards, and more. © 2019 Articles on Demand™ Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Is “get organized" one of your New Year’s goals? This is the perfect time to make some life-improving resolutions. With proper planning, goals can help you fulfill your dreams — both big and small — in the coming year. Goal making allows you to evaluate the past and present and make impactful and meaningful decisions about the future. Here’s to an organized and happy new year!
DECIDE ON A GOAL. The first — and sometimes hardest — step to goal making is selecting a goal. Ask yourself, “What do I really want? How can I make myself happier?” Brainstorm a bit and come up with five to ten ideas. Then select one or two to work on. The goal doesn’t have to be daunting; in fact, it should be realistically attainable. WRITE IT DOWN. The next step to achieving your goal is to write it down. By doing this, you are making a commitment with yourself and are more likely to follow through. BREAK IT DOWN. As you write your goal, concentrate on the positive and make it specific and attainable. Instead of one big overwhelming New Year’s resolution (like “I will have an organized home”), try to list a series of smaller steps that will get you there in manageable increments. MEASURE AND EVALUATE. Another key to goal-keeping success is to define ways to measure your success. By enforcing deadlines, you’ll force yourself to be accountable. Look at your goal in the short-term, mid-term, and long-term. GET HELP. If getting organized is among your resolutions, and you feel you can't do it alone, consider contacting your local professional organizer for assistance. With the proper advice and encouragement, you’ll quickly be on the right path to a more productive, less stressful year! © 2019 Articles on Demand™ Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  It's the happy holiday season!
Is your refrigerator a black hole of fuzzy cheese, past-their-prime veggies, and unidentifiable leftovers? It's time to get organized! In just a short time, you can take your fridge from funky to fresh! Begin by purging outdated and unsavory foods. Then, wipe down all shelving and bins so they're squeaky clean. With your fresh slate, keep these storage tips in mind as you return foods to the fridge. • Keep items you use most frequently near the front and at eye level. • Store taller items in the back of the fridge and shorter items in front of them for easy visibility. • Don't forget that you can adjust a fridge's shelves to maximize space. • Group similar things together. For example, place all drinks on one shelf, veggies in one drawer, fruits in another, condiments on the shelves in the door, and all dairy together on one shelf. • Containerize categories of items for easy accessibility. Invest in simple organizing tools, such as a Lazy Susan to hold condiments or a low, open-top bin to corral small jars. • Use a label maker to label drawers, shelves, and containers with the general category of foods stored there. This not only makes it easy to locate the foods you need, but also allows family members to return foods to the correct area after meal prep and grocery shopping. • Encourage healthy eating habits by storing good-for-you foods near the front of the fridge in easy-to-grab containers. © 2018 Articles on Demand™ Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Rush, rush, rush. We hurry out of the house to get in our cars to zip along the freeway to our jobs. As we run errands on the way home, we tap our feet impatiently as the person in front of us takes too long. We hastily prepare dinner, eat in ten minutes flat, and get the dishes in the dishwasher. We hurry through the evening activities and fall into bed.
We are so busy rushing through life that we forget to slow down to enjoy it! Take some time to reflect on the things that you usually rush through each day: • Adopt a new attitude by deliberately choosing how you will spend your time. • While it is important to schedule time to get things done, it is equally important to take time to simply appreciate life. Take a walk. Spend time talking (and really listening) to family and friends. • Connect with nature by bringing nature inside: a windowsill herb garden, fresh-cut flowers from your garden or farmers’ market, a babbling fountain, a fresh breeze, or some nature music on your iPod. • Expand your universe. Visit new places, like libraries, museums, and schools. Learn new things by listening to books on tape, attending workshops and seminars, or joining a book club. Share your thoughts and ideas with those you meet. • Try to live in the current moment instead of always worrying about the future. Rejoice in the gifts you have, and make the most of today. Accept that you and others around you are not perfect. © 2018 Articles on Demand™ Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Organizing a closet is one of the most satisfying clean-up projects you can tackle. But without a little planning, its sheer enormity can leave you with more chaos than before you started. Try these tips to clear the clutter, leaving you with only the things you really use.
• Pick one closet to start. Make sure you have space in that room to spread everything out. (A bed works great for this.) You’ll be taking out every (yes, EVERY) item in that closet. For each item, ask whether you’ve used it/worn it in the past year. If not, seriously consider getting rid of it. Knowing that we wear only about 20 percent of our clothes 80 percent of the time will help you let go. Try to touch things only once while going through this process — make a decision then and there, rather than putting items aside to “decide later.” • Items that you are removing can go in one of four boxes: a trash box (for stuff headed straight to the dump), a repairs box (for items that need repairing), a recycling box (for things that can be recycled, sold or given away), and a transit box (for things that belong in another area of the home). If you have trouble parting with some items, put them in a box, label the box with a date six months from now, and store it out of sight. If you haven't gone into the box by the time the date rolls around, toss or donate it without opening it. • The hard part is now complete! Now comes the fun of rearranging, organizing, and storing the remaining items. © 2018 Articles on Demand™ Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  If a home disaster (fire, flood) or natural disaster (hurricane, tornado, tsunami, mudslide, flooding, earthquake, volcano ...) should strike, are your important papers protected? Do you have a bank safe deposit box and/or a fire-proof, water-proof home safe? If you have both, be sure to keep the original documents at the bank and copies in your home safe. Many people opt to keep electronic records of their important papers for each family member as well!
If you are all set, good for you! If not, no time like the present to get that important task completed! Here's a list of what you should include in your important papers collection. 1. Adoption paper and citizenship papers 2. Birth, death and marriage certificates 3. Driver's license (copy) 4. Divorce decrees 5. Financial papers ... stock and bond certificates, etc. 6. Insurance policy papers (medical, dental, home, automobile) 7. List: include all of your account numbers and corresponding phone numbers (credit cards, checking and savings account, as well as accountant, broker/financial planner, executor of will, health care proxy, insurance agent, lawyer, etc.) 8. Lease agreements and loan documents 9. Memberships 10. Military records 11. Passport 12. Personal property appraisals (artwork, collectibles, jewelry) 13. Photo negatives or photo CDs 14. School records, diplomas 15. Social Security cards 16. Vehicle titles 17. Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, Living Will papers Remember if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  An organized home is a happy home. Yet it's hard to keep track of everyone's busy life. NAPO-NY suggests these tips to keep everyone organized.
1. Create a master calendar. Track each member's daily activities including how he/she is getting there and back home again and keep it in a central, visible place. 2. Post a visible log of important information. Especially necessary for caregivers, this log would include family cell phone numbers, food allergies, doctor's and emergency numbers, bedtimes, acceptable television programs, etc. 3. Have and keep handy a folder for each child. Fill each folder with their class calendar, school contact information, and class phone list for easy reference. 4. Designate a set time for checking backpack and pockets. Whether's it's at the end or start of each day, make a habit of emptying (or for older children have them empty their own packs) school bags so necessary papers are signed and returned to school. 5. Basket the clutter. Provide each child with a color-coded basket to shuttle their belongings back to their room at the end of each day. 6. Outsource special tasks. Children enjoy "special tasks", so outsource your to-do list by assigning one to each child according to skill level, i.e. little ones can help carry laundry, older ones can take out the garbage, etc. 7. Rid your home of unused toys. At birthday and holiday time, have your children give away all those toys and books they've outgrown. 8. Routinely clean out closets. At the beginning of each season, pull all outgrown clothing from your children's closets and give them away. Remember if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Avoid dreaded waiting room downtime by booking the earliest appointments possible. When you call your doctors, dentists, hairstylists, or other service professionals, request the first time slots of the day. This will ensure they haven't yet fallen behind, saving your valuable time. -Easy ETips
Remember if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  "Meal planning got you down? Take control! Get family input for five meals that they would like to eat in the upcoming week. Pull out the recipes and peruse your pantry. Jot down ingredients you need to purchase, and hit the grocery store with list in hand. Each morning before you leave your home, decided which meal to make and place necessary nonperishable ingredients on the counter. When you get home that evening, you'll have a plan and a jump-start on the process."
© 2018 Post on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Q: Do you find the sight of your TV remote(s) annoying?
A: Attach several pieces of velcro to the back of your TV remote and to the under edge of your coffee table, TV stand and/or side table. Your TV remote will be thankfully out of sight but definitely not out of mind! Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Falmouth Seaside Where's a good greeting card when you need one? To avoid last-minute dashes to the store, stock up on a dozen great greeting cards today. Grab some funny birthday cards, a few touching "thinking of you" cards, and a couple of "get-well" and "sorry for your loss" cards. Then, keep them in a handy spot along with stamps so you can send off a quick card in no time.
If you would like to grace your loved ones with positively beautiful notecards you are cordially invited to visit my sister Jennifer LaRoche's nature and fine art photography website at www.stampandnotephoto.com Jennifer is portrait and event photographer and you are also warmly welcomed to visit www.jenniferlarochephotography.com to view her exquisite work! Remember if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Organizing a basement, attic, or garage is a great opportunity to pare down. Wondering what to do with the leftovers? Here are a few options:
Donate: Give yourself a tax break and help others in need by donating items in good condition to a local charity. Some organizations, such as Vietnam Veterans of America, offer pick-up service. Give to family/friends: If you find a treasure that may be meaningful to a loved one, offer it to them. (But let them know it’s okay to decline. Remember, we don’t want to add clutter to their lives!) Garage sale: If you have a large amount of good-condition cast-offs (especially baby and kids’ items, tools, or other highly desirable stuff), consider a garage sale. But remember, sales are a lot of work, so this option is only good if you have time to dedicate to pricing, setting up, promoting, and staffing a garage sale. eBay/Craigslist: Computer savvy? Try listing furniture, antiques, and other higher-value items online. Or take treasures to an antiques dealer. FreeCycle: With over 4,000 groups across the globe, this nonprofit connects people who are giving and getting stuff for free in their own towns. Its mission is to reduce waste, save precious resources, and ease the burden on landfills. Visit www.freecycle.org for details. Trash: Rent a dumpster if you have a lot of unsalvageable junk. Or hire 1-800-GOT-JUNK, North America’s largest junk removal service, to do it for you. They load the truck, and then recycle and dispose of your stuff as required. © 2018 Articles on Demand™ Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com
Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ...
Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  It is not enough if you are busy. The question is, “What are you busy about?”
— Henry David Thoreau With our to-do lists ever-growing, assigning tasks to our calendars can be a simple way to manage time and reduce stress. The simple act of writing down the things we need to do releases us from having to remember it all “upstairs.” Below are some tips to help you successfully manage your tasks and calendar. • Be realistic about how long each task will take. • Learn to say “no.” • Delegate. When you authorize others to take over some of your activities, you free yourself to focus on where you can make your best contribution. • For those little things that take only a minute or two (such as putting away your dirty dishes or signing a permission slip), sometimes it’s best to just do them right away. • If the task will take 15 minutes or more, choose a specific time in which to do it. Schedule an appointment with yourself. You may need to communicate to your coworkers or family that you are unavailable due to scheduled work. • Without a place to “assign" tasks, you'll always be in a reactive mode. Use your calendar diligently. Do things on your time, when you are ready. You are in command. • Don’t double-book yourself or plan your appointments too close together. Planning for delays will keep you calm and allow you to enjoy the current moment. Forget about multitasking for a while; simply enjoy the pleasures of each task you do. © 2018 Articles on Demand™ Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com |
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