Thursday, July 29, 2010

National Garage Sale Day

Until I read about this in the latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens, I had no idea that this day existed. For those of you who don't know, National Garage Sale Day is held on the 2nd Saturday in August each year; this year it falls on August 14. So if you have had stuff piling up that you haven't gotten around to donating or feel you can't face, think about having a yard sale.

Not only will you make some $, but you will be giving your stuff a second life instead of filling a landfill. For more information about this event, contact C. Daniel Rhodes, 1900 Crossvine Rd, Hoover, AL 35244. Phone: (205) 908-6781. E-mail: rhodan@charter.net On a local level, I am now booking appointments for August to help you organize your sales. Contact me to schedule a time.

2010 Rosemary Flannery All Rights Reserved.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Clarity Now Offers Skype Services

For those of you who need my help but can't afford the expense of getting me to come to you, here's an alternative that allows us to work together virtually.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New De-cluttering Business Uses Skype For International Expansion

New York, New York, USA

July 25, 2010

From Clutter 2 Clarity, specializing in personal organizing and de-cluttering is now offering international clients the same services offered domestically.

According to owner, Rosemary Flannery, ‘I am an avid traveler and in talking to people along the way, I have recognized clutter to be a universal problem. Now I can work with clients via video conferencing tool, Skype to help them lead a lighter life. All clients need to do is download the software.’

Key to Ms. Flannery’s de-cluttering strategies is to get clients to confront the clutter in their lives. When she is not present, Skype provides a window into the client’s world. Using the Internet for dialogue, clients must look at each item, discuss and defend it, and make a decision about how the item fits into their life.

Ms. Flannery has been working very successfully with some London based clients using Skype. ‘It allows my clients to recognize how their physical clutter is directly related to their mental well-being.’

From Clutter 2 Clarity, is New York City area based practice that works with clients to teach them how to improve their residential and commercial spaces by facing their clutter accumulation. The company specializes in a an eco-friendly aesthetic and offer clients resources for re-using and recycling of items as well as personal shopping and design consulting. Rates begin at $50 per hour with a two-hour minimum.

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CONTACT: Rosemary Flannery

From Clutter2Clarity@gmail.com

917-282-0338

www.fromclutter2clarity.blogspot.com

Thursday, July 15, 2010

I just read the newsletter in my ConEd bill and saw a program where they will remove and recycle old fridges and AC's and they PAY YOU for it. Click on this link for details. I hope other energy companies provide the same services.


http://coned.com/videos/index.asp?rss=http://h.zeitbyte.com/o1/zb3.1/con-edison/power-of-green/mediaplayer-playlist/progressive_playlists.xml&ID=video14&auto=true&tite=Go%20Green%2C%20Get%20Cash

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Hoarding

Hoarding is coming to national prominence because of shows like Hoarders on A&E. Check out how people are dealing with this problem in a recent issue of Time.


http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1984444,00.html

Monday, July 12, 2010

This is a topic I have discussed with many clients who have children. I thought this posting from the blog, Unclutterer really hit the nail on the head, so I am passing this info onto you should you need to make organizing your home a family affair.

Unclutterer

Ask Unclutterer: Encouraging kids to help out at home
Posted: 09 Jul 2010 07:30 AM PDT
Reader Sonja submitted the following to Ask Unclutterer:

How do you get your family to want to help with a cluttered house? I have four children.

Unfortunately, Sonja, I have some bad news. If your family doesn’t want to help unclutter your home, there aren’t any methods to make them want to help. Fortunately, though, you’re the mom and there are numerous strategies you can implement so they will help you — regardless of if they want an uncluttered home.

The first thing to remember is that children are led by example. If you’re cheerful, excited, and energetic about getting the clutter out of your house, they’ll see this enthusiasm. On the flip side, if you complain, whine, and drag your feet, your children will see and mirror this negative attitude. Maintain an eager and positive attitude, and they’re more likely to get on board with your efforts.

Be explicit about what you want completed, when, how to do the activity, and why. A chore chart (like one that was discussed on Wednesday) helps children to know exactly what actions you expect of them. Telling your kids to “pick up the family room” is vague, they need specific directions such as “return your shoes to the shoe bin in your closet, bring all dirty plates to the kitchen and load them into the dishwasher.” Additionally, let them know how long a task should usually take and when you would like for it to be done (take out kitchen trash, 3 minutes, immediately after dinner). A training session might also be in order to demonstrate exactly how you want an activity to be completed (don’t be condescending, just give them good directions). Even with a demonstration, younger children might also need to be supervised when they do tasks. Finally, be direct about why you want them to help with the uncluttering efforts. “Because I said so,” is not a reason that will motivate your children to help you, but explaining to them the life you want to lead can make an impression — “I want us to spend less time on chores and work around the house so we can spend more time having fun together as a family.” Have a conversation with them and let them share their opinions on how they want the house to look and how they want their home life to function.

Next, take some time to think about what it is that made you happy as a kid and what makes your kids happy now. If your children love games and puzzles, create an incentive structure based on these activities. For each five minutes of uncluttering completed, let them choose a letter on a game of hangman. If your kids are older, do a minute-for-minute video game tradeoff — 15 minutes of uncluttering becomes 15 minutes extra of video game playing later (or reading or bike riding or staying up late on a weekend). Kids can earn allowances with bonus dollars if they don’t have to be reminded to do their uncluttering tasks. They could bank time toward a slumber party or a trip to their favorite park. Put incentives in place that they really want and that you think are deserved for their efforts.

Also, make the uncluttering process fun — play upbeat music while everyone works, have snacks available, tell goofy jokes, and dance while you work. Race to see who can fold their stack of laundry the fastest or find all the toys in the house they haven’t played with in months and can be donated to charity. Work together and enjoy your time uncluttering as a family.

When your children help you with uncluttering efforts, be sure to thank them for their work and acknowledge that you appreciate their contribution to keeping the family home running smoothly. Consider handing out silly awards (King of Loading the Washing Machine!). It feels good to receive praise, no matter what age you are.

Finally, listen to what your kids are saying throughout this process. They might want different incentives than what you’ve put in place, so be flexible and willing to change. Your children might figure out a better way for them to complete tasks, so let them take the lead. If you really want your children to help you unclutter, respect what they have to lend to the project. Most importantly, don’t nag — nagging is a sign of disrespect — but feel welcome to pass along a gentle reminder at different points during the day: “After school today, you’ll have trumpet lessons, probably an hour of homework, 30 minutes of helping around the house, dinner, and then it’s family movie night. What movie did you decide we should watch?”

Thank you, Sonja, for submitting your question for our Ask Unclutterer column. Good luck getting your children to help out with uncluttering efforts in your home. It might take a few months to master their involvement, but with guidance you’ll help your children establish good habits that will stay with them into adulthood.


Thursday, July 8, 2010

Electronic Recycling Event

If you have unwanted. broken electronics taking up valuable space in your home or office, then head on over to Tek Serve in Manhattan this weekend to get it out of your house and not in a landfill.

http://www.tekserve.com/service/recycling.php?front0701