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JenniferMoon
Guest
Flybaby here. Flylady is awesome and I’ve used her method for several years. It works!
- Status
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Eliza10
Guest
I like Monicad’s post, too!
Flylady helped me when I was overwhelmed. The most important tip I can give you is to get rid of as much as possible. That might be hard, but if you are holding onto more than you need, its likely a problem with spiritual roots, so, see Monicad’s post!
If you read Flylady or watch Mission:Organization on TV or read any of the organization books - it always starts with getting rid of a whole lot of stuff. Pare way, way down. Then organiizing is not so hard, in fact its a pleasure.
Pray for wisdom.
…http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/kids/bible/bible11-16/NewTest/pix/172.jpg
Flylady helped me when I was overwhelmed. The most important tip I can give you is to get rid of as much as possible. That might be hard, but if you are holding onto more than you need, its likely a problem with spiritual roots, so, see Monicad’s post!
If you read Flylady or watch Mission:Organization on TV or read any of the organization books - it always starts with getting rid of a whole lot of stuff. Pare way, way down. Then organiizing is not so hard, in fact its a pleasure.
Pray for wisdom.
…http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/kids/bible/bible11-16/NewTest/pix/172.jpg
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CatholicSam
Guest
Great picture for this thread!
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livethefaith
Guest
I am intrigued by this string since I organize people’s homes and offices.
There is a wealth of information out on the web and in books.
I have found that in regards to closets for clothes, most people do not get rid of clothing that no longer fits them, they just keep adding. I had suggested to a single to have a close friend over for a fashion show and get a good trustworthy opinion of what pieces to toss and what to keep. Another would be is to have a “donation box” in the garage that you can add to as you children out grow the clothing (since most go pretty fast) and at the end of every 3 months (of course marked on your calendar), drop it off at the goodwill or charity that benefits low income families with children.
With each room of the home there should be a main purpose of that specific room. Most people have clutter because they don’t put it back into its’ “home” when they are done using it. If it does not have a home, maybe it is time to remove it from the home permanently.
On rainy days, have your children make their puzzles or play games to find which games or puzzles have pieces missing. This keeps them busy and you have more for your charity pile.
A week before your child’s birthday, go through some of their not so used toys and give to charity, you know they will replace them shortly by the gifts they will be receiving. Do this also in October before the holidays come and the toys over accumulate again.
Everyone’s definition of “organized” is different and knowing yourself and your definition in relation to your living circumstances (living alone or with 5 children) , you will be able to accept that your “organize” home may not be the cover of a magazine, but it is home.
livethefaith
There is a wealth of information out on the web and in books.
I have found that in regards to closets for clothes, most people do not get rid of clothing that no longer fits them, they just keep adding. I had suggested to a single to have a close friend over for a fashion show and get a good trustworthy opinion of what pieces to toss and what to keep. Another would be is to have a “donation box” in the garage that you can add to as you children out grow the clothing (since most go pretty fast) and at the end of every 3 months (of course marked on your calendar), drop it off at the goodwill or charity that benefits low income families with children.
With each room of the home there should be a main purpose of that specific room. Most people have clutter because they don’t put it back into its’ “home” when they are done using it. If it does not have a home, maybe it is time to remove it from the home permanently.
On rainy days, have your children make their puzzles or play games to find which games or puzzles have pieces missing. This keeps them busy and you have more for your charity pile.
A week before your child’s birthday, go through some of their not so used toys and give to charity, you know they will replace them shortly by the gifts they will be receiving. Do this also in October before the holidays come and the toys over accumulate again.
Everyone’s definition of “organized” is different and knowing yourself and your definition in relation to your living circumstances (living alone or with 5 children) , you will be able to accept that your “organize” home may not be the cover of a magazine, but it is home.
livethefaith
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livethefaith
Guest
I am intrigued by this string since I organize people’s homes and offices.
There is a wealth of information out on the web and in books.
I have found that in regards to closets for clothes, most people do not get rid of clothing that no longer fits them, they just keep adding. I had suggested to a single to have a close friend over for a fashion show and get a good trustworthy opinion of what pieces to toss and what to keep. Another would be is to have a “donation box” in the garage that you can add to as you children out grow the clothing (since most go pretty fast) and at the end of every 3 months (of course marked on your calendar), drop it off at the goodwill or charity that benefits low income families with children.
With each room of the home there should be a main purpose of that specific room. Most people have clutter because they don’t put it back into its’ “home” when they are done using it. If it does not have a home, maybe it is time to remove it from the home permanently.
On rainy days, have your children make their puzzles or play games to find which games or puzzles have pieces missing. This keeps them busy and you have more for your charity pile.
A week before your child’s birthday, go through some of their not so used toys and give to charity, you know they will replace them shortly by the gifts they will be receiving. Do this also in October before the holidays come and the toys over accumulate again.
Everyone’s definition of “organized” is different and knowing yourself and your definition in relation to your living circumstances (living alone or with 5 children) , you will be able to accept that your “organize” home may not be the cover of a magazine, but it is home.
livethefaith
There is a wealth of information out on the web and in books.
I have found that in regards to closets for clothes, most people do not get rid of clothing that no longer fits them, they just keep adding. I had suggested to a single to have a close friend over for a fashion show and get a good trustworthy opinion of what pieces to toss and what to keep. Another would be is to have a “donation box” in the garage that you can add to as you children out grow the clothing (since most go pretty fast) and at the end of every 3 months (of course marked on your calendar), drop it off at the goodwill or charity that benefits low income families with children.
With each room of the home there should be a main purpose of that specific room. Most people have clutter because they don’t put it back into its’ “home” when they are done using it. If it does not have a home, maybe it is time to remove it from the home permanently.
On rainy days, have your children make their puzzles or play games to find which games or puzzles have pieces missing. This keeps them busy and you have more for your charity pile.
A week before your child’s birthday, go through some of their not so used toys and give to charity, you know they will replace them shortly by the gifts they will be receiving. Do this also in October before the holidays come and the toys over accumulate again.
Everyone’s definition of “organized” is different and knowing yourself and your definition in relation to your living circumstances (living alone or with 5 children) , you will be able to accept that your “organize” home may not be the cover of a magazine, but it is home.
livethefaith
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puzzleannie
Guest
our last 4 homes on DH’s advice, had no dressers. all of course were new and have walk-in or at least larger bedroom closets. We fitted them out with wire shelving and basket units on wheels with drawers. the shelving has pole for hangers, and can take more baskets or wire dividers. Makes the closet adaptable for your wardrobe and other storage, and de-clutters the bedroom and makes it larger and roomier. Since closet doors are shut, much less dust (although seasonal items should be in a dust-proof fabric, not plastic, hanging bag or storage bin).
for kids rooms when the were smaller I had just kid’s sleeping bags and fitted sheets, so making beds was easier, and I washed them every so often. the lasted a couple of years. Then as they got older, just comforters. The whole 2 sheets, blanket, bedspread thing seemed beyond them.
for kids rooms and play area:
inexpensive shelving with bins (I used dollar store dishpans) for toys, books and things, plus a drawer unit on wheels for stuff with small parts–dolls and accessories, racing cars, transformers etc., plus a plastic clothes hamper, and a laundry basket for balls and big stuff.
DD asked for living room storage for grandson’s toys for her birthday. She already had a console table there with a shelf on the bottom, so we got 3 square baskets at Target, and she has them labelled Books, Puzzles, and Toys. A Matching round basket end-table with a top that comes off holds trucks. the console drawer holds crayons and markers. A plastic bin with a lid that matches TV stand holds Lego blocks. His train set stays upstairs in his room on their old square coffee table, and she has the shelving/bin deal for books and other toys. A matching shelf with plastic bins holds his clothes and he is starting to learn to put his own laundry away and find his own clothes (he is 3). we got him a step-2 plastic table and chairs, and he keeps his small dinosaurs in that drawer (for reasons only he knows).
It is very easy to pick up the living room and bedroom and he can help. There is no other place for him to play, so this works out great. She also has her kitchen organized, alphatetized pantry etc. (she is the one whose room was declared a federal disaster area when she was in HS, go figure).
for kids rooms when the were smaller I had just kid’s sleeping bags and fitted sheets, so making beds was easier, and I washed them every so often. the lasted a couple of years. Then as they got older, just comforters. The whole 2 sheets, blanket, bedspread thing seemed beyond them.
for kids rooms and play area:
inexpensive shelving with bins (I used dollar store dishpans) for toys, books and things, plus a drawer unit on wheels for stuff with small parts–dolls and accessories, racing cars, transformers etc., plus a plastic clothes hamper, and a laundry basket for balls and big stuff.
DD asked for living room storage for grandson’s toys for her birthday. She already had a console table there with a shelf on the bottom, so we got 3 square baskets at Target, and she has them labelled Books, Puzzles, and Toys. A Matching round basket end-table with a top that comes off holds trucks. the console drawer holds crayons and markers. A plastic bin with a lid that matches TV stand holds Lego blocks. His train set stays upstairs in his room on their old square coffee table, and she has the shelving/bin deal for books and other toys. A matching shelf with plastic bins holds his clothes and he is starting to learn to put his own laundry away and find his own clothes (he is 3). we got him a step-2 plastic table and chairs, and he keeps his small dinosaurs in that drawer (for reasons only he knows).
It is very easy to pick up the living room and bedroom and he can help. There is no other place for him to play, so this works out great. She also has her kitchen organized, alphatetized pantry etc. (she is the one whose room was declared a federal disaster area when she was in HS, go figure).
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Eliza10
Guest
Thanks!Great picture for this thread!
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monicatholic
Guest
just jumping in to say “heck yeah” to Eliza10’s suggestion to get rid of as much as possible.
i categorized everything and ***my goal was to reduce each category by 50%. *** i succeeded most of the time and did even better with some things. every category was decreased by at least a third.
kitchen stuff, gadgets, tupperware, pots and pans etc went to salvation army. THAT DAY.
next clothes.
then toys
old cleaners-- i had dozens of spray cans etc that i didn’t use.
then niknaks (even those tiny saint statues my kids would buy me. those went in a memory box with photos and other stuff.)
NOT books, though i did toss quite a few destroyed volumes
even religious articles.
when i started gathering up holy cards and broken rosaries i couldn’t believe how much stuff i had. i donated most holy cards to a catholic kindergarten, kept the broken rosaries that were really expensive or special and buried the rest.
i dedicated one month of a summer to this. it didn’t take a month. once i got past the fear of releasing the stuff, i became relentless. it fed on itself. i couldn’t wait to get it done.
after that, i revisit the whole thing, but it’s never been that bad as before.
the spiritual aspect*** is ***a big deal. when i realized i was ‘Martha, worried over many things’, i knew i had to get rid of so many things.
blessings!
i categorized everything and ***my goal was to reduce each category by 50%. *** i succeeded most of the time and did even better with some things. every category was decreased by at least a third.
kitchen stuff, gadgets, tupperware, pots and pans etc went to salvation army. THAT DAY.
next clothes.
then toys
old cleaners-- i had dozens of spray cans etc that i didn’t use.
then niknaks (even those tiny saint statues my kids would buy me. those went in a memory box with photos and other stuff.)
NOT books, though i did toss quite a few destroyed volumes
even religious articles.
when i started gathering up holy cards and broken rosaries i couldn’t believe how much stuff i had. i donated most holy cards to a catholic kindergarten, kept the broken rosaries that were really expensive or special and buried the rest.
i dedicated one month of a summer to this. it didn’t take a month. once i got past the fear of releasing the stuff, i became relentless. it fed on itself. i couldn’t wait to get it done.
after that, i revisit the whole thing, but it’s never been that bad as before.
the spiritual aspect*** is ***a big deal. when i realized i was ‘Martha, worried over many things’, i knew i had to get rid of so many things.
blessings!
S
spacecadet
Guest
i agree with the no dressers and no top sheets. i have never understood the whole top sheet thing, but hey i hate making beds. we just use a comforter.
i tired flylady and didn’t make it long, but am hoping that when we unpack everything i will give it a go again
i tired flylady and didn’t make it long, but am hoping that when we unpack everything i will give it a go again
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convert_2000
Guest
Gosh you guys have great suggestions. Problem is I’m a procrastinator. Any suggestions for that?
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CatholicSam
Guest
You had some great ideas! I know that this one in particular gets me. But I’m in the midst of child-bearing, so it’s the smaller clothes, then the little maternity clothes, then the large maternity clothes, then the post-partum clothes, then the medium clothes, and then back to the smaller clothing again. A constantly changing body due to have babies every 2 years makes this difficult for me! But at least DH doesn’t have that problem
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CatholicSam
Guest
Oh my goodness! I would (almost) die without my top sheet! I just love the way it feels. There are 3 levels of “covered-ness” that we can experience in our bed–sheet, sheet and blanket, and sheet, blanket and comforter. I always need the comforter laying across my feet or I can’t sleep
And our dressers are the most organized part of our storage, so I love those too
But of course we have piddly little closet space in this house.
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MaryB23
Guest
I have never heard of people not using top sheets before this thread.Oh my goodness! I would (almost) die without my top sheet! I just love the way it feels. There are 3 levels of “covered-ness” that we can experience in our bed–sheet, sheet and blanket, and sheet, blanket and comforter. I always need the comforter laying across my feet or I can’t sleep
And our dressers are the most organized part of our storage, so I love those too
I agree with you, Catholic Sam. I love my sheets! Especially flannel sheets in the winter!
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Convert_in_99
Guest
Oh dear! Is this the thread for me.
Here’s where I am:
**Stuff everything into a drawer, box, or rubbermaid container. Then stuff all that into a closet, under furniture, or in a corner, they often double for handy dandy bed or sofa side tables!
**
**If you can’t see it…then it’s “decluttered” and “organized.” Rubbermaid is the new fashion…it goes with everything!
**
And the infamous words of my sister…mommy to three kids…"I don’t clean I just move cr-- around!"
Here’s where I am:
**Stuff everything into a drawer, box, or rubbermaid container. Then stuff all that into a closet, under furniture, or in a corner, they often double for handy dandy bed or sofa side tables!
****If you can’t see it…then it’s “decluttered” and “organized.” Rubbermaid is the new fashion…it goes with everything!
**And the infamous words of my sister…mommy to three kids…"I don’t clean I just move cr-- around!"
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mommyof4
Guest
Yep, with me, it I can open a closet without getting hit on the head by something falling out, then I can live with it.Oh dear! Is this the thread for me.
Here’s where I am:
**Stuff everything into a drawer, box, or rubbermaid container. Then stuff all that into a closet, under furniture, or in a corner, they often double for handy dandy bed or sofa side tables!
**If you can’t see it…then it’s “decluttered” and “organized.” Rubbermaid is the new fashion…it goes with everything!
And the infamous words of my sister…mommy to three kids…"I don’t clean I just move cr-- around!"
I really am trying to get better, though. I just cleaned out our hall closet, and filled two boxes with stuff for Goodwill, too. I probably still have too much, but at least I’m going in the right direction.
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livethefaith
Guest
Responding to Convert-2000
I know it is easy to put things off in life. You may want to focus on what you top priorities are. If you are trying to address something this is not a priority, don’t worry about it. If it is important to you, figure out a way to break the project/activity into segments. Maybe you can’t committ to 3 hours in one day, but maybe 1 hour a week will lead you the project being completed. Being honest to what you can do in one day is the most important thing, being realistic. Those who have shows on being organized, maybe have cleaning services and someone to help out with cooking. I have found the best way for myself to get past the “I don’t want to do it stage” is to put it down that this week I have to do this one step of 20 steps in order to get it done. I know that if you put off something and a late fee is the result, you goal may be for the next month is to make sure you pay the bill the day you receive the bill. Always go through mail in the same place every time you pick up you mail. If you are suppose to do a project that someone else can help with, see if you can trade off with a friend to help you and you will help him/her with their goal/project.
God’s peace and strength,
livethefaith
I know it is easy to put things off in life. You may want to focus on what you top priorities are. If you are trying to address something this is not a priority, don’t worry about it. If it is important to you, figure out a way to break the project/activity into segments. Maybe you can’t committ to 3 hours in one day, but maybe 1 hour a week will lead you the project being completed. Being honest to what you can do in one day is the most important thing, being realistic. Those who have shows on being organized, maybe have cleaning services and someone to help out with cooking. I have found the best way for myself to get past the “I don’t want to do it stage” is to put it down that this week I have to do this one step of 20 steps in order to get it done. I know that if you put off something and a late fee is the result, you goal may be for the next month is to make sure you pay the bill the day you receive the bill. Always go through mail in the same place every time you pick up you mail. If you are suppose to do a project that someone else can help with, see if you can trade off with a friend to help you and you will help him/her with their goal/project.
God’s peace and strength,
livethefaith
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anniemart
Guest
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lifeisbeautiful
Guest
I like the top sheets so we don’t have to wash the comforter as often
I tried flylady and didn’t last that long either
the bunches of emails drove me nuts. I might give it a try again too though We are going to be moving temporarily in a couple of weeks so I want to leave everything nice and orderly
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lifeisbeautiful
Guest
Yeah, I just asked about this in another thread because I am trying to figure this one out right now too. I’m currently packing for the next three months and was going to try to organize everything while I was at it… but we’ll see.You had some great ideas! I know that this one in particular gets me. But I’m in the midst of child-bearing, so it’s the smaller clothes, then the little maternity clothes, then the large maternity clothes, then the post-partum clothes, then the medium clothes, and then back to the smaller clothing again. A constantly changing body due to have babies every 2 years makes this difficult for me! But at least DH doesn’t have that problem
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CatholicSam
Guest
I joined up with flylady and also was a little taken aback at the volume of e-mails. I mean, sending an e-mail to tell you it’s time to go to bed?!I like the top sheets so we don’t have to wash the comforter as often
I tried flylady and didn’t last that long either
What if you’re in a different time zone or work night shift? That one just seems silly! But there are some neat ideas on the website.- Status