 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. © 2016 Articles on Demand™ Today is February 29, 2016! Happy Leap Year Day! Just think, this year you have one extra day to get organized and create harmony and balance in your life and surroundings. Best wishes, you can do it, one closet at a time! If you need support, you are cordially invited to contact us at www.energizeandorganize.com! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes from 20 percent of what we own. That means that 80 percent of the things in our homes are rarely or never used. Follow these tips to de-clutter your life and create harmony and balance in your life and surroundings for you and your loved ones!
START THE PROCESS OF DECLUTTERING. Divide a room into sections. Pick one section (like one drawer or cupboard) and begin decluttering. Ask if you consider each item beautiful, useful, or loved. If not, you can probably get rid of it! If you’re not sure if you should get rid of an item, ask yourself, “What’s the worst thing that could happen if I toss this?” The answer may help give you the power to discard the clutter. Also be aware of the size of your space, as smaller spaces obviously hold less stuff. WORK WITH A BUDDY. If you’re having a hard time letting go of the clutter, enlist the help of a friend or professional organizer to offer an objective viewpoint. She can offer support and ask the tough questions like, “Are you really going to use that?” and “When will you ever wear that again?” TRY TO TOUCH THINGS ONLY ONCE WHILE GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS.Quickly make a decision to keep or toss. It will be helpful to have large, dark-colored garbage bags, plus two large boxes on hand: one for items to donate or give to friends, one for items that need to go to another room in your home. The bags are for items that need to go the dump. (The dark garbage bag will keep you from seeing the contents and having “tosser’s regret.”) FIND AN APPROPRIATE HOME FOR THE THINGS YOU WANT TO KEEP. Once you’ve removed all the items that are not beautiful, useful, or loved, you are left with a room full of things you’ll use and appreciate frequently. Assign a space (a “home”) for each item and be sure to return it there after each use. Remember, if you don’t return each item to its home after use, it turns back into clutter and disorganization will occur. GIVE YOURSELF A REWARD. At the end of a decluttering session, give yourself a pat on the back and a little treat, such as a bubble bath, a cup of tea, or a professional massage. Also take some time to enjoy the calm and tidy space you’ve created. © 2016 Articles on Demand™ Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Our mother always asks her six children if we have enough gas in our cars and if we keep a supply of flashlights handy. :-) That got me to thinking about posting a flashlight organization blog about how useful a flashlight is when you need one and how important it is to be well organized with illuminating supplies!
Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com 
www.fda.gov Medicine Safety and Children https://www.nlm.nih.gov Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Source: Wishes Messages.com Happy, Happy 60th Birthday, Bob!
February 25, 1956 ... 21,900 days ago ... Our parents, Bob and Barbara LaRoche, were filled with tears of joy as they welcomed incredible and wonderful you, the first of six children, into our family! Six decades ago ... magical years of memorable moments and spirited adventures ... how the years have flown! Charlene, Kristin, Elisa, Bobby and Courtney, Mom, Susan and John, Linda and John, Jeanne and John, Jen and Bob, Mike, Dave, Ali, Kyle, Steven and I are blessed to share your love and laughter and light as husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. We love you! Your enormous, extended in-law family, aunts, uncles, cousins and your many friends, both near and far, love you too! Golfing, boating, fishing, traveling, wind surfing, biking the Vineyard, partying with family and friends ... these are a few of your favorite things! Warmest birthday wishes for deepest well being and happiness for YOU, our much loved and respected Bob! Happy, Happy 60th Birthday! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 http://www.energizeandorganize.com  Author: Richard Rainey, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
Mr. Rainey invites readers to share his news article so, with thanks and grateful acknowledgment to Richard, here's a terrific summary of Super Tuesday information to help you and your loved ones get organized and to the polls on time! Super Tuesday is the nickname given to the one day in every Republican and Democratic presidential primary cycle where the most states vote at once, often dramatically culling the candidate field before the summer's national conventions. Super Tuesday 2016 could do the same. When is Super Tuesday? March 1, 2016. Twelve states and one territory will caucus or cast primary votes. More delegates will be up for grabs at one time than any other point in the election cycle. How many delegates are at stake? For Republicans, 595 delegates are at stake. For Democrats, there a 1,004. GOP candidates need 1,237 delegates to win the nomination. Democrats need 2,383. What are the Super Tuesday states? Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Virginia will hold primaries for both parties. Alaska will hold its Republican caucus while American Samoa will caucus for Democrats. Colorado will also hold a caucus for both parties, but with a small twist. While the Democratic caucus will occur under typical circumstances, Republicans chose not to pick a preferred candidate, leaving their delegates to decide at the national convention. How is 2016 Super Tuesday different from 2012? Alabama, Arkansas and Texas joined Super Tuesday this year. Their addition has added the name "SEC primary" to the contests. Minnesota also moved its primary to March 1. Idaho, which was part of 2012 Super Tuesday, moved its caucus dates to March 8 for Republicans and March 22 for Democrats. North Dakota will caucus in June, and Ohio moved its primaries to March 15. How do Louisiana's 2016 primaries fit in? Louisiana's primary is basically the dessert to Super Tuesday's supper. It will happen five days later, on March 5. It's notable because it's one of the few contests between Super Tuesday and what many pundits are considering a big moment for the 2016 primary season: the March 15 primaries that include Florida, Illinois and Ohio. ***************************************************************************** Here is a complete list of the primaries and caucuses in the campaign leading up to the nominating conventions in July. Democrats will meet July 25–28 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia; Republicans will gather July 18–21 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Date/Primary or Caucus Tuesday, February 23: Nevada Republican caucuses Saturday, February 27: South Carolina Democratic primary Tuesday, March 1: Alabama, Alaska Republican caucuses, American Samoa Democratic caucuses, Arkansas, Colorado caucuses (both parties, no preference vote for Republicans) Democrats Abroad party-run primary, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota caucuses (both parties), North Dakota Republican caucuses, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont Virginia, Wyoming Republican caucuses Saturday, March 5: Kansas caucuses (both parties), Kentucky Republican caucuses Louisiana, Maine Republican caucuses, Nebraska Democratic caucuses Sunday, March 6: Maine Democratic caucuses and Puerto Rico (Republicans only) Tuesday, March 8: Hawaii Republican caucuses, Idaho (Republicans only), Michigan Mississippi Thursday, March 10: Virgin Islands Republican caucuses Saturday, March 12: Guam Republican convention, Northern Mariana Islands Democratic caucuses, Washington, DC Republican convention Tuesday, March 15: Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, Northern Mariana Islands Republican caucuses, Ohio Tuesday, March 22: American Samoa Republican convention, Arizona, Idaho Democratic caucuses, Utah caucuses (both parties) Saturday, March 26: Alaska Democratic caucuses, Hawaii Democratic caucuses Washington Democratic caucuses Friday-Sunday, April 1-3: North Dakota Republican state convention Tuesday, April 5: Wisconsin Saturday, April 9: Colorado Republican state convention, Wyoming Democratic caucuses Tuesday, April 19: New York Tuesday, April 26: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island Tuesday, May 3: Indiana Saturday, May 7: Guam Democratic caucuses/convention Tuesday, May 10: Nebraska (Republicans only), West Virginia Tuesday, May 17: Kentucky (Democrats only), Oregon Tuesday, May 24: Washington (Republicans only) Saturday, June 4: Virgin Islands Democratic caucuses Sunday, June 5: Puerto Rico Democratic caucuses Tuesday, June 7: California, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota Democratic caucuses South Dakota Tuesday, June 14: Washington, DC (Democrats only) Sincere thanks to Mr. Richard Rainey, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune for this very insightful and informative news article! Happy reading and be sure to vote! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Source: kids.usa.gov As media consumers, we seek information about Democratic and Republican candidates and their platforms via Internet searches, newspaper stories, magazines articles, and television broadcasts and debates. It's a LONG election cycle here in the United States and voters have both the privilege and responsibility to pay attention and to make an informed decision about the best candidate to lead our country.
How to Research Candidates (Source: www.usa.gov) When evaluating candidates for public office, it's important to decide what strengths you're looking for in a candidate, to research their positions on the issues, to learn about their leadership abilities, and to recognize any distortions in the information and opinions they express. Watch the Debates Watching debates is an important way to learn more about the candidates and the issues before the election, so you can cast an informed vote. At the same time, you need to view debates with a careful eye to get the most information. Learn what to look for before, during and after a debate. Research Candidates' Views Many candidates running for office will have a website that states their views and positions on various subjects. In addition, voting guides may provide information about the views of a candidate or answers to certain questions. Various sources, such as issue-specific organizations and newspapers, produce these guides. The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, produces an online voter guidewhere you can find a sample ballot, candidates’ answers to specific questions, and links to the candidates’ websites. You can also contact the candidate’s campaign or local office for more information. Research a Candidate Who is Holding or Has Held an Office A candidate’s voting history is public. If the candidate is running for federal office as a Representative or Senator, you can find their voting record on Congress.gov. For those who have held state office, you can contact your state legislature website. For candidates holding county or local offices, contact your local government. Further Information For information about where and how to vote, or for ballot measures in your state, contact your state election office. Nationwide Visit www.usa.gov for voting registration information and deadlines, early voting dates, polling place hours and locations and much more! The site includes links with specific voter information for every state in our nation. Fact Checking I watch both the Democratic and the Republican debates and then visit fact checking sites to review candidate content accuracy. There are many such fact checking sites on the Internet including www.factcheck.org and www.politifact.com and their Truth-O-Meter. In addition, most major news outlets have fact checking capabilities as well. Take the time to question what you are hearing and seeing, fact check for candidate statement accuracy, get informed and involved and remember that it is a privilege and a responsibility to exercise your right to vote. God Bless America! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Here's an interesting oven cleaning/kitchen organizing tip that I read about recently. Note: We haven't tried it yet (because we haven't cleaned the oven yet!) but understand that it's possible to get your oven shiny clean without introducing health harming, toxic oven cleaning chemicals and fumes to your family, pets and home environment. Internet searches provided MANY baking-soda-and-vinegar-to-clean-your-oven links. I selected and included a few to share with you in this post. If interested, do a keyword search for baking soda oven cleaning and you will have access to all kinds of variations on the environmentally friendly cleaning tip! Make Your Own Inexpensive Natural Oven Cleaner yumuniverse.com/make-your-own-inexpensive-toxin-free-natural-oven-... You Have Been Cleaning Your Oven Wrong All This Time tiphero.com/youve-been-cleaning-your-oven-wrong-all-this-time/ Fantastic Uses for Baking Soda www.care2.com/greenliving/51-fantastic-uses-for-baking-soda.html Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Do you spend WAY too much time searching through everything in your handbag, backpack, carry-on luggage, diaper bag, craft bag, etc. to find the one item that's just out of your reach?
Do you spend WAY too much time transferring every single item from one handbag to another every time you switch handbags? Do you wish that your disorganized handbag was neat, tidy and well organized? Me, too! For quite a while I was carrying my favorite Coach backpack everywhere I went. Easy to take just about anywhere ... capable of carrying all kinds of items on my back leaving my hands free for walking, biking, hiking, traveling, shopping ... However, even when I carefully packed my backpack, it was soon a disorganized jumble and the endless searches for the one item that I was looking for were a daily occurrence. Just before posting this blog, I checked out handbag insert organizers on the Internet and found, much to my delight, a whole new world of purse organization! Here are a few of the many handbag insert organizer sites that I enjoyed sharing with my mother who is here in Falmouth for a visit! (Mom really likes the idea of purse inserts ... and her birthday is just around the corner ...hmmm ...) Divide and Conquer, Purse Organizer Insert http://www.etsy.com/shop/DivideAndConquer Purse Organizer www.ebay.com/bhp/purse-organizer Chameleon Purse Insert http://www.chameleoninserts.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html Organize your handbag(s) and enjoy the harmony and balance you create in your life and surroundings! Have fun! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Photo: Pottery Barn Kids First impressions are important, and your entryway is the first thing to greet you and your guests. It needs to be both functional and inviting, providing a spot to drop your keys, bags, and coats when you arrive home. But if it’s not organized, it’s easy for this small space to become cluttered and unused. Follow these tips to create a useful, beautiful entryway.
Decide what should reside in the entryway. Ideally, this should be a spot for coats and other outerwear, umbrellas, daily-used backpacks, purses, briefcases, and totes — anything you need access to as you leave your home. Evaluate your current stash of these items. Pare down your coat and tote bag collections. Toss broken umbrellas, gloves without mates, and boots that don’t fit. Your goal here is to keep only those things you frequently use. Remove everything else. Don’t let your entryway become a catch-all for things you don’t know what to do with. (This is not the spot for the turkey roasting pan!) Sort, toss or donate things that you really don’t need, and assign new spots elsewhere in your home for the must-keeps. Make good use of your space. Most entryways have a closet. Reevalute its set-up. If it has a single rod across the top, could you raise it a bit and add a second rod below, doubling your hanging space? Could shelves be added above the rod or run across the depth of the closet? Could you add a tiered shoe rack on the floor? Maximize every inch of space! While you’re at it, invest in sturdy wooden hangers so your coats hang neatly. Use containers to contain clutter. This not only makes for a neat look, but it will also help you quickly find what you need. Label baskets or boxes on the shelves for out-the-door items, such as umbrellas, mittens, hats, and dog leashes. If, due to space constraints, you must keep other types of items in this closet as well, be sure to categorize and containerize them, labeling as you go. Consider space outside the closet. This is especially necessary if you don’t have a closet or if it’s very small. For example, a coat rack or set of wall-mounted hooks in the entryway will work wonders if you’re short on closet space. Likewise, a pretty urn can hold umbrellas, a bench with storage under the seat can hold outerwear, and a wicker basket on the floor can hold shoes. By simply declaring a “home” and containing these items, you’ll instantly take your entryway from messy to marvelous! Set up an out-the-door launching pad. Dedicate one basket near the door for items that need to leave the house, such as library books and DVDs to be returned, dry cleaning to be dropped off, and things to be delivered to family or friends. © 2016 Articles on Demand™ Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Would you like to have an organized linen shelf/closet? Chances are you find the fitted sheets a bit of a beast to fold smoothly, right?
Follow these easy to do instructions and your fitted sheets will no longer be a challenge! 1. Place fitted sheet top-side down on a bed or another clean surface. 2. Match up the corner seams. 3. Fold lengthwise into thirds. 3. Fold in half. 4. Bring the short edges together by folding the bedding in half. 5. Fold the bedding into thirds and neatly place the folded fitted sheet, the flat sheet and the pillowcase into a matching pillowcase. 6. Place bedding bundle on your linen shelf/closet and you are done! There are quite a number of how-to-fold-fitted-sheets videos on Youtube. The instructions vary slightly so take a look and see which technique works best for you! Christine Kobzeff: How to Fold a Fitted Sheet https://youtu.be/okkT_TuesBk Jill Cooper: How to Fold a Fitted Sheet https://youtu.be/_Z5k9nWcuFc Daily Picks and Flicks: How to Fold a Fitted Sheet https://youtu.be/OwV2OBkMDS8 Getting your bedding organized is very conducive to a restful, good night sleep! Sweet dreams! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Do you replace your smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries twice a year when you turn your clocks ahead and/or back? Yes? Great news!
Do you know that you need to replace your combo unit hardwire smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and/or single unit smoke and fire detectors as well? I do now! Turns out, the shelf life for these detectors is 6-10 years. I always thought the detectors were "good for life", but it turns out they have an "end of life" that comes complete with a LOUD warning! I first heard the basement detector warning last Saturday as I was heading out the door to visit family. Captain Chad Absten, Falmouth Fire Rescue Department, came out to my home to check for elevated carbon monoxide readings. While conducting his tests, Captain Absten kindly informed me that the detectors need to be replaced from time to time and showed me where to find the manufacturer's date on the backside of the detector. We discussed the importance of keeping safety equipment in good working order and I told him that I was going to purchase new detectors for the whole home. I am very grateful to Captain Absten for sharing his professional expertise and goodness with me. Here in Falmouth, residents and visitors are very fortunate to have such excellent, dedicated and hard working firefighters providing extraordinary safety services to the community. It's a very challenging job and they perform their duties and responsibilities brilliantly! Whenever you have the opportunity, be sure to thank our awesome firefighters! Unbelievably, last night I was awoken at 12:43 A.M. to the sound of yet another hardwire smoke and carbon monoxide detector blasting its "end of life" warning. Talk about loud! Unfortunately, that detector is located at the top of the second floor stairwell, directly above the second and top step. What a terribly inconvenient location as it's impossible to reach easily and safely. All night long, every 25 seconds, the detector emitted 5 rapid beats indicating that the detector needed to be replaced. Ugh! With sincere thanks to Ginny and Curtis, this morning Mr. Bill Peck, retired firefighter and current fire safety inspector, came and saved the day! Within an hour, Bill had quieted the unrelenting blasting alarm and installed 3 brand new combo smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and 2 brand new single unit smoke alarms. The units are all hardwired and have a projected shelf life of 10 years with bi-annual battery changes. Silence is golden and so is Bill! If you find yourself in need of alarm assistance/installation or need an inspection for compliance for real estate sales, I highly recommend you give professional and pleasant Bill a call at 508.560.5710 or email him at HEAVYFFRD@aol.com! You might be wondering what those chirping sounds from the detectors mean. Here's a summary off the back of my First Alert detectors for you ... Single Unit Smoke Alarm Single chirp per minute: replace battery Three beeps, pause, repeating: Alarm Condition/Test Mode Combo Unit Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Four Beeps: CO Alarm One "Chirp" Per Minute: Replace Battery Three "Chirps" Per Minute: Malfunction, Replace Alarm Five "Chirps" Per Minute: End of Alarm, Replace Alarm Alarm Maintenance Tips 1. Gently vacuum off any dust that may accumulate on the cover at least once a month using your vacuum's soft brush attachment. Never use water, solvents or cleaners since they may damage the unit. 2. Press the test button after installation, weekly and after cleaning (vacuuming) to check all alarm functions. The National Fire Prevention Association, www.nfpa.org, has a terrific website filled with all kinds of fire safety information for you and your loved ones. Take a look, get informed, be safe. Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  The third week of February is officially Pay Your Bills Week! I'm not certain who designates particular themes to random weeks throughout the year but the title is catchy and we all have bills to pay!
While researching the topic of timely bill paying on the Internet, I came across many terrific articles. These two particular Internet article resources credited to Investopedia.com and Wiki How to do anything, were selected because they are especially well written, informative and current. Investopedia.com has an interesting article, "Procrastinator's Guide to Bill Payment". You may view the article in full at www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/.../stop-paying-bills-late.a... In summary, author Katie Adams recommends the following ... 1. Sign up for auto-pay. ... 2. Use financial software with automatic bill-paying reminders. ... 3. Consolidate bills. ... 4. Schedule bill-paying time. ... 5. Create a bill-paying location. ... 6. Organize bills. ... 7. Give your payment time to arrive. ... 8. Learn your bill cycle. Wiki How to do anything also provides an informative, current article, "Keeping Track of Your Bills". You may view the article in full at www.wikihow.com and then search for Pay Your Bills Reviewed by Michael R. Lewis, the article in summary recommends the following ... 1. Open bills immediately. 2. Put bills in same place. 3. Pay bills as they arrive. 4. Divide bills into two categories (due at beginning of the month, due at middle/end of the month). 5. Negotiate more convenient due dates. 6. Mark your calendar. 7. Check out APPS that help with bill paying organization. 8. Schedule online payments. Remember, when you designate a particular basket, tray, file and/or zone to hold your bills, you will know exactly where they are when you are ready to pay them. When you pay your bills on time, you avoid late fee penalties and prevent poor credit scores. Being organized saves you time looking for misplaced bills and saves you money because those bills are paid in a timely manner. This might be the official Pay Your Bills Week but in reality, every week is bill paying week. Getting your paper management in order frees up your time for more pleasurable activities with family and friends all 52 weeks of the year! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com My very dear friends, Steve and Deb Brockelbank, are long-time Falmouth residents. Steve, MPT (Masters in Physical Therapy) and CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) is co-owner of the outstanding Sports Center Physical Therapy and a practicing physical therapist. Located at 33 Highfield Drive in the Falmouth Sports Center, Steve and his SCPT colleagues provide exceptional, out-patient, pre and post surgical care specializing in physical therapy, sports therapy, aquatic therapy and massage therapy. You are cordially invited to visit Steve and co-owner Tim Wakefield's Sports Center Physical Therapy website at ... www.scptfalmouth.com Steve and Deb are great Falmouth Commodores supporters and make a fabulous, much loved and admired team on and off the field! They serve on the Board of Directors of the Falmouth Commodores, one of the teams in the Cape Cod Baseball League. Yesterday Steve and Deb sent along warm Valentine's Day greetings, very kind words regarding my new professional organizing business, website and blog and a wonderful suggestion with photos for a new blog post! :-) In life, one is abundantly blessed to share love, laughter and light with family and friends. Here's to Steve and Deb, dear and cherished friends, and my first Energize and Organize guest bloggers! Thanks, guys! :-) Our System for Organizing Recipes/Cookbooks First, throw out all cookbooks you never use. Second, put all recipes in a 3 ring binder (Wellwood Favorites) organized by category i.e. desserts, grilling, pasta, etc. Third, place all in an open shelf at eye level for easy reference.   Have fun organizing your favorite recipes and cookbooks! You will find that creating culinary delights for your family and friends will be great fun when you have order in your kitchen!
Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Energize and Organize: Sharing Love, Laughter and Light with Cherished Photographic Keepsakes2/14/2016
 Happy Valentine's Day to you and your loved ones!
Wishing you deepest well being and happiness today and every day! You and your loved ones are cordially invited to visit my sister Jennifer's professional photography websites at ... www.jenniferlarochephotography.com and www.etsy.com/shop/stampandnotephoto Do you have photos spilling out of shoeboxes, cluttering up closets, or crumbling in the attic? Now is the perfect time to get your collection under control with the following simple process. Recognize that it will take some time — especially if you have decades worth of photos to organize — but with regular maintenance, your collection will offer a lifetime of enjoyment for you and your family. (Please note that this article details the first steps to take before tackling any scrapbooking project, but scrapbooking need not be the end result. Creating albums is not for everyone, as it can be time-consuming, expensive, and even frustrating. So just try the easy organizing process listed below and see what happens!) 1. Think of the goal. Before you begin, recognize why you are starting this process. Perhaps it’s to preserve and share memories. Or maybe you just want to eliminate those scattered piles of photos and negatives once and for all. Whatever your reasons, keep them in mind throughout the organization process. 2. Gather photos in one place. The first step to creating an organized collection is to gather the photos all in one place. Check everywhere for hidden photos — attics, basements, files, closets, under the beds, and in current non-archival albums. Decide on a large, central work surface, such as the dining room table or an out-of-the-way floor. You’ll want a space that will be undisturbed so you won’t feel rushed to finish. 3. Sort the photos. This is the part that will take the longest, but it goes quickly once you set up your system. The most common way to sort is chronologically. This works well for most people because our minds tend to think chronologically. As you sort through the photos, place them in labeled stacks, envelopes, or boxes by year. Once sorted by year, you can go one step further and sort again by month if you desire. If narrowing down to a specific year is difficult, try just sorting the photos into decades. If you’re overwhelmed by the sorting process, start with the most recent ones first and save the older ones for later. Another way to sort is by broad category or theme. For example, you might sort by events such as vacations, holidays, or weddings, or by family members or sides of the family. If you run across photos that stump you, pop them in a “mystery photo” box for later research at family reunions. Just like any organizing project, it’s important to group similar objects together so you can really see what and how much you have. Once the sorting process is complete, see if you have duplicates you can toss or share with someone else. If you have 25 photos of your son’s third birthday, perhaps you can share some with the grand-parents, or enlarge and frame your favorites. And remember, it’s okay to toss any photos that are out of focus, dark, off-center, or that you just don’t like. Make this process as fun as possible, inviting family or friends over to help. Play some music, have some snacks (just be sure to always wash your hands before handling photos), and stop when you get tired or bored. Set a regular schedule to work on the sorting process so you don’t lose steam. 4. Store them properly. You’ve made the time investment to sort your photos. Now make sure they’re preserved for generations to come by using archival-quality storage materials. Some types of storage include photo storage boxes, accordion file boxes, 3-ring binders filled with photo sheets, and heavy-duty plastic (poly) envelopes. Your local office supply or scrapbooking store will have a variety to choose from. Whatever you choose, look for products that are acid-free, archival, lignin-free, and PVC-free. Store the photos away from light, heat, and humidity. (Basements and attics are no-nos.) Now your photos are ready for scrapbooking, or simply to enjoy as is! 5. Maintain the system. As new photos enter your home, be sure to sort and store them according to your new system. © 2016 Articles on Demand™ Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  This morning, while drying my hair, I noticed an unpleasant smell coming from my relatively new hair dryer. Upon investigation, I noticed that the protective screen filter was filled with dust. I cleaned the filter with an unused toothbrush and got the remaining dust specks out with tweezers. That got me to thinking about the function of a hair dryer which led, of course, to a quick Google search. I learned the following from How Stuff Works.com ... Protective screens - When air is drawn into the hair dryer as the fan blades turn, other things outside the hair dryer are also pulled toward the air intake. This is why you'll find a wire screen covering the air holes on either side of the dryer. After you've used a hair dryer for a while, you'll find a large amount of lint building up on the outside of the screen. If this were to build up inside the hair dryer, it would be scorched by the heating element or might even clog the motor itself. Even with this screen in place, you'll need to periodically pick lint off the screen. Too much lint can block the airflow into the dryer, and the hair dryer will overheat with less air carrying away the heat generated by the chrome coil or other type of heating element. Newer hair dryers have incorporated some technology from the clothes dryer: a removable lint screen that's easier to clean. Sounds great! In addition, the How Stuff Works.com link provides useful information about How Hair Dryers Work, Hair Dryer Basics, Hair Dryer Air Flow, Heating a Hair Dryer, Hair Dryer Safety and more! Visit home.howstuffworks.com/hair-dryer4.htm to learn everything you ever wanted to know about a hair dryer and were afraid to ask. :-) While you are at it, be sure to take the time to organize your hair products in your most accessible drawer, basket, shelf and/or zone. Group like with like and you will discover that all of your favorite hair styling tools will be right at your fingertips. Your daily hair styling will be a pleasure ... what a great way to start each new day!  Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com
 Getting organized is a multi-faceted process and it takes time. Remember that the clutter and chaos that you are tackling did not appear overnight but rather represents days, weeks, months and in many cases years of accumulated personal history.
Enjoy these three inspirational quotes as you celebrate your wonderful progress and success. Just think, you are well on your way to creating harmony and balance in your life and surroundings. Well done! "If one advances confidently in the direction of one's dream, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." -Henry David Thoreau "One new thing - one old thing = 0 clutter added." -Anonymous "Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions." -Barbara Hemphill Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  Are you ready to get organized but stalling because of a lack of time, money, or motivation? Don’t despair! A professional organizer is just what you need! Make an investment in yourself that will provide amazing advantages for years to come. Here are some of the benefits you can look forward to once you get organized.
You can save money. Once you get organized, you’ll know what you already own, eliminating the need to buy duplicate items. You’ll also be able to buy what you need when it’s on sale, rather than buying at the last minute. Your professional organizer can also help you find the perfect organizing products for your space and lifestyle, so you stop wasting money on containers that just don’t work. You can become more productive and efficient. A professional organizer can create order and structure out of chaos. You’ll receive systems that work for your dominant learning style, your lifestyle, your needs, your challenges, and your dreams. Whether at work or at home, you’ll increase productivity once you have an organized and efficient schedule to keep you on track. You’ll be amazed at how much you get done in shorter amounts of time. And by focusing on your priorities and goals, you’ll be able to finally move ahead toward reaching them. You’ll have a positive self-image and ditch the shame. Once your home or office is neat and tidy, you won’t feel embarrassed to have guests visit. The guilt will fade away as you take pride in your surroundings. Your organized office will allow you to present a professional image to co-workers, clients, and superiors. Your organized home and newfound habits to keep it that way will set a great example for your children and/or spouse. You can create a healthier environment. Physical and emotional clutter obscure your surroundings. A clutter-free environment is simply easier to manage. A professional organizer can help you clear out your space so you can see that you and your surroundings are fine just as they are. Your stress level will decrease dramatically. When you can find what you need, are on top of your to-dos, and arrive on time, you’ll feel calmer and have more peace of mind. No more feeling overwhelmed by life -- you’ll be the one in control. You’ll discover more time for yourself. When you’re organized, your days go as planned, and you get a lot done. That leaves more time to indulge in a little “me time.” Your energy will shine. Clutter is a mask. A professional organizer can help you take off that mask and let people see your vibrance! Once the clutter is removed, you can showcase your talents, skills, and personality and have the life you deserve. © 2016 Articles on Demand™ Are you ready to make significant improvements in your well-being and to create the life and surroundings you envision for yourself? Energize and Organize is here to help you create customized and innovative professional organizational systems and solutions that work for YOU! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  I logged onto the Internet this morning and was greeted with the message from Google that it's Safer Internet Day! Google asks site visitors, "What can I do to stay safer online?" and answers "Take these simple steps to enhance your security."
Recommendations from Google include Security Checkups, Strong Passwords, Recovery Phone Numbers, 2-Step Verifications, and Privacy and Security Setting checkups. Get your computer security organized by visiting privacy.google.com to learn more about these important online security enhancements! Thanks to Google, navigating the World Wide Web is a bit safer these days! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 http://www.energizeandorganize.com  My friend Val is an extraordinary cook!
She delighted everyone with her DELICIOUS Herbed Beef Stew with Noodles a couple of weeks ago when a group of friends and neighbors gathered to watch the AFC Championship game together. Here's Val's yummy recipe for you to share with your loved ones during the Super Bowl (or any day at all). Go Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos. May the best team win! Whatever the final score, I'm sure you'll agree that Val's recipe is a WINNER! Enjoy! Ingredients 1/4 cup butter 4 lb. beef chuck, cut into 1 1/2" cubes 1 lb. mushrooms, sliced 6 yellow onions, coarsely chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 tablespoon salt 1 teaspoon dried dill weed 3/4 teaspoon basil 1/2 teaspoon thyme 2 bay leaves 1/4 teaspoon pepper (1) 10 1/2 oz. can of beef stock (2) 28 oz. cans diced tomatoes 1 bunch carrots 6 tablespoons flour 1/2 cup cold water green peas and parsley noodles Directions 1. Melt butter in large kettle or dutch oven; brown meat (a few pieces at a time). 2. Add mushrooms, onions, garlic, salt, dill, basil, thyme, bay leaves and pepper. Saute slowly, stirring occasionally until onions and mushrooms are tender. 3. Add stock and tomatoes. Simmer 1 1/2 hours or until meat is tender. 4. Add carrots and simmer, covered, until carrots are tender. 5. Mix flour with cold water until smooth. Add gradually to stew, stir constantly. 6. Continue to stir and heat until gravy is thickened. 7. Add peas and garnish with parsley. 8. Serve over buttered noodles. You are in for a treat! Get your ingredients organized and have fun preparing a feast! Val's Herbed Beef Stew with Noodles is a party favorite and a real touchdown! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  Source: www.journidock.com  When your office is mobile, it has to be efficient. Use these simple organizing tips to keep your papers at your fingertips and your mode of transportation neat as a pin!
• Get papers under control by creating an on-the-go filing system. Whether your office is out of your car or you just need to have lots of information at your fingertips, create a simple filing system. Your local office supply store has a variety of portable, lidded file boxes, or use a simple plastic crate. Label hanging file folders with broad categories, and slide important papers in the correct spots. Or, if traveling by air or train, invest in an expandable briefcase. Make sure to have extra folders and labels so you can create new files on the run. • Stock a smaller, lidded box or zippered case (try clear cosmetic bags or small Ziploc bags) with essential office supplies. Include pens, sticky notes, paper, note cards, envelopes, and stamps. Don’t forget business cards, brochures, and any other company literature. Or keep an empty cup in one of the cup holders for pens and pencils. Always pack your supplies in the same area of your box or bag. Before you leave, give it a once-over to make sure it’s well stocked. • Dedicate an envelope to hold business-related receipts. Empty it out once each week. Don’t forget to keep a mileage log tucked into your visor or door pocket if you need to track miles. • Always have a box of thank-you notes and envelopes on hand to write on the go. Also include postage stamps and return address labels. And bring company promotional materials, including extra business cards, just in case. • If you have a laptop computer, store as much information on it as you can, e.g., phone numbers, calendars, and client information. This will limit the hard copy materials you’ll need to lug around. • Keep reading material together in one file. When you find yourself waiting for an appointment, take that opportunity to catch up on the latest industry news. Or, clean out your briefcase while waiting for the train or plane. • Consider some specialty car organizers. Discount stores offer a variety of them, such as back-of-the-seat organizers, visor organizers for CDs, and auto tray tables. Front-seat mobile office organizers are also available, such as this one from Case Logic®. • Make sure you don’t forget brilliant ideas. Stash a small hard-cover notebook to catch those moments. Or, to keep your eyes on the road, tote a mini-recorder or call your voice mail and leave reminders there. • Toss it out and tidy up. Keep a nylon or plastic garbage bag in the car so messes get cleaned up as you go. Take five minutes at the end of each day to empty the bag and tidy up the entire vehicle. This small investment of time will prevent the need for a longer clean-up later. © 2016 Articles on Demand™ Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com  It’s a great time to teach a child to get organized! Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, friend, or neighbor, the skills you share will remain with kids for a lifetime. Here are some tips that can be used with your favorite kids of all ages.
• Make organizing a part of each day. It’s important to teach kids that every item they own has a “home” where it needs to return when they’re done using it. Let kids know that they need to be responsible for their own possessions. Establish simple routines like making their own beds and keeping the floor clear. Have a ten-minute clean-up every night before bedtime. • Sort and containerize. Teach kids to group similar items together, then find appropriate-sized containers that hold them. With colorful markers, write the name of what’s inside. This makes it easy for retrieval, and, even more importantly, for clean-up! For kids who can’t yet read, glue photos or drawings of the objects on the front of the containers. • Help them downsize. Often, the sheer volume of “stuff” in a kid’s life — toys, sporting equipment, books, collections, clothes — is overwhelming. Help kids downsize every six months by donating seldom-used toys and outgrown clothing. Establish a “new toy in, old toy out” system where some purging takes place before shopping. Talk to them about how it feels — and how important it is — to donate to local charities. • Establish a great homework routine. Use an “in” and “out” box system for school papers that need to be seen by caregivers. Have a designated study area. Keep it well-stocked with supplies so kids don’t have an excuse to leave the area. Caregivers should learn that they don’t have to save every single project made by the child. Post them temporarily, then take them down and store in a drawer, tote, or even an unused pizza box. At year’s end, help kids select their “Top 10” favorite to save. And if you're overwhelmed or desire more tips, find out if your professional organizer has experience working with kids! © 2016 Articles on Demand™ Energize and Organize is here to help your child thrive and succeed in school! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com |
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