Published by Crystal March 19th, 2009
in Yard and garden.
Between the past couple days of (read: mud), the all-around wear and tear caused by our two big dogs, and a ton of brown leaves and “gumballs” from our sweet gum trees, the back yard looks pretty bad right now.
And for weeks I’ve totally been procrastinating about doing the necessary spring cleaning.
Luckily, today’s Washington Post article called A Guide to Sprucing Up the Yard on a Budget has inspired me again!
The idea is to concentrate on two basic actions:
- Reducing or removing vegetation.
- Redefining the lines that frame lawns, beds, fence lines, paths and patios.
So that’s what I hope to do over the next month or so.
Upon success in those two areas, I’ll consider moving on to Part 2: Simplifying the Garden and Part 3: Reducing Maintenance.
Wish me luck!
Published by Crystal March 14th, 2009
in Organizing 101.
Sensational organizing shows on TV and magazines like RealSimple and Martha Stewart Living can make us set expectations for ourselves way too high. We get discouraged because we can’t seem to make our homes look that amazing and be that perfectly organized.
Organized chaos
In reality, I believe it is absolutely okay and normal for life to include some organized chaos. To me, organized chaos means having a space where things “belong” but which isn’t necessarily categorized, sorted and packaged to perfection.
Real-world examples
- The junk drawer. Most people – probably even Martha Stewart – have at least one junk drawer in their home, because they serve an important function. It’s a place to put stuff that doesn’t seem to fit anywhere else, such as unidentified hardware, old keys, chip clips, matches, etc. Yours may be a tangled mess of random odds and end, but if you’re looking for some specific piece of junk, you know what drawer to look for it in, right? The junk drawer is organized in the sense that it is there to hold (in general) what it’s supposed to, even though it can be pretty chaotic inside.
- Tax files. During the past year, my 2008 tax folder sat in the filing cabinet and served as a receptacle for tax forms of all kinds. I would throw them into the folder willy nilly as they were received. It wasn’t until last weekend (when we finally did our taxes!) that I pulled the folder out of the file cabinet and opened it. Even though the contents of the file were a mess, the existence of the folder itself was a godsend.
- The “Man Shelf”. Similarly, I created my husband’s “man shelf” to reflect his laid-back organizing style. A shelf of bins, each one designated for a different type of item (music, computer, gaming, etc.), gives him both:
- Enough structure to be a bit organized, and
- Freedom to be chaotic (he can simply toss things into the bins)
A metaphor for life
The idea of organized chaos can be a metaphor for life. In most situations, we can only do the best we can to prepare ourselves for the onslaught of life’s challenges. We set up systems as best we can, but if things aren’t perfectly arranged inside of those systems, it’s not the end of the world. We’ll deal with the details when we get there.
Thoughts on this? Other ideas? Post a comment, or write to Crystal and let her know!
Few people realize that in most towns across the USA, mixed paper can be recycled with your weekly recycling pick-up.
To find out whether your town does, Google your local solid waste management program. You can also check Earth911 to find a drop-off center near you.
What is mixed paper?
- Paper of all kinds – not just newspapers and office paper! We mean junk mail, construction paper, old birthday cards, cardstock, paper shopping bags, and any other non-standard paper. Staples are fine.
- Paperboard. Shoeboxes, cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, etc which are clean and dry – no food contamination!
- Soft books of all kinds. Phone books, paperback novels and catalogs are examples.
How to recycle mixed paper at your home or office:
- Designate a bin, box or bag for mixed paper in your home or office. I use an inexpensive crate like this one.
- Deal with junk mail right away. Do NOT set it aside for later. Put your junk mail directly into your mixed paper bin so it doesn’t pile up! Remember: Envelopes with plastic windows cannot be recycled, but their contents can! Shred any credit card offers.
- Make mixed paper recycling a habit. Each time you receive a package, finish off a box of cereal, or pay bills, gather your mixed paper and head toward the recycle bin!
- Put your bin out on recycling pick day along with your other recyclables.
Ready to go a step further? Simplify your paperwork.
If you have thoughts on this or other ideas, post a comment or write to Crystal.
Published by Crystal March 10th, 2009
in Organizing 101.
I like having a clean home, but I utterly detest cleaning. Most people are surprised to hear this. Especially because they know how much I love organizing.
In fact, I frequently find myself in conversations in which I’m pointing out the differences between cleaning, tidying and organizing. In my mind, all three are entirely distinct undertakings involving different activities and a different thought process (and perhaps even a different state of mind!)
What’s the difference?
- Cleaning. Involves the use of cleaning products and/or tools (e.g., rags, brushes, paper towels, brooms), as well as elbow grease. Examples of cleaning activities are sweeping, vacuuming, scrubbing, etc.
- Tidying. In other words, picking up a mess or de-cluttering. This might mean putting things back where they belong or simply shoving everything into a closet before the guests arrive.
- Organizing. Means actually sorting out the clutter and accumulated possessions. This involves making honest decisions about your belongings in terms of their use in your home and their value to you, and putting those decisions into action (sell, donate, give to friends, recycle, trash, etc.) Most importantly, organizing means creating systems of organization, so that future tidying is easier.
Which ones do you do?
Because I fervently dislike cleaning, for the past few years I have used a housekeeping service – folks who comes every other week to clean my home. This leaves me time to do the the types of housework I actually like to do (such as laundry, dishes, meal planning, cooking, etc)
The fact that the housekeepers are coming gives me the motivation to tidy the house the day before they arrive. (Tidying allows the housekeepers better access to the floors and surface areas for cleaning purposes.)
Tidying is easy for me because the house is now (finally!) organized – meaning everything now has a place where it “belongs” and can be put back accordingly in the “right” place.
Readers, I wonder what you think. If you have thoughts about this or other ideas, post a comment or write to me and let me know!
Published by Crystal March 9th, 2009
in Garage, bike and car.
WHAT:
Bikes for the World is a non-profit organization that takes pretty much any kind of bike – old, new, road bike, mountain bike, adult’s bike, kid’s bike, whatever – and donates them to people in developing countries.
WHY you should do this:
- You have a bike in your garage/basement/shed that you never ride.
- It’s a great time to be honest about your life priorities, pare down the way you live and get rid of possessions you never use!
- Other people in the world likely need your old bike more than you do.
- Your donation is tax-deductible AND it will make you feel good!
WHEN:
Saturday, June 27th, 2009 - donating only takes 5 minutes!
WHERE:
Headquarters Park - 2224 E NC Hwy 54 in Durham, NC 27713
(located in the RTP on Hwy 54, between Hwy 55 and Alston)
HOW:
Simply bring your bike to this event and get a receipt. Bikes for the World also suggests a $10 per bike donation to help defray the cost of getting the bikes to quality programs overseas.
NEED HELP? If you don’t have a way to transport your old bike to this event, just let Crystal know and she will happily assist you!
Published by Crystal March 7th, 2009
in People and pets.
A neat and well-stocked purse can actually keep you more organized, not to mention cool, calm and prepared.
Here’s what I recommend:
- Empty out the contents. Yep, dump it out.
- Divide up the space. In the large section of the purse, things just get jumbled up together with lint, crumbs and hair – ew! Instead, use clear zippered pouches to divvy up your purse’s contents by type (health, beauty, office supplies, etc.)
- Reserve one section of your wallet exclusively for coupons and gift cards so you can find them quickly and avoid angering the people in line behind you.
- Punch some holes. Spare your already-packed wallet by putting your membership cards on a ring.
- Get a notebook for notes and lists. Choose a durable notebook that will stand up to being knocked around in your bag. I use this one which has an elastic band closure so the pages are protected. What to do with it? Rather than writing stuff on random bits of paper which will get lost and clutter up your purse, jot them all into your notebook instead. Bonus secret sanity saver: Put TODAY’S DATE and a TITLE on your notes (Examples: “Things to ask the doctor” and “Meal planning ideas“), so you won’t have to think too hard to remember what the note is about!
- Pimp out your keys with this pull-apart key ring, which allows you to detach the house keys from the car keys with ease.
- Deal with receipts. Keep purse clutter to a minimum by sorting out your receipts as soon as you get home each day. Recycle receipts you no longer need and file the ones you need to keep.
- Keep your purse stocked by replenishing as soon as you run out of something.
What’s in Crystal’s wallet right now?
- Keys on a pull-apart key ring (car keys on one side, house keys on the other)
- iPhone (doubles as camera, planner, calculator, MP3 player)
- Wallet/checkbook
- Membership cards on a ring
- Prescription sunglasses in a hard case
- Notebook for jotting thoughts, lists, etc.
- 2 pens, 2 Sharpie markers
- Gum
- Lip balm (qty 2)
- Small tube of SPF 55 sunscreen
- Hand cream
- Comb, travel-size hairspray, hair barrettes and headband
- Lipstick and lipgloss
- Powder compact
- Pill box like this containing Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, Pepto Bismol
- Cough drops, Bandaids, pocket tissues
- Dental floss
- Eye drops and cleaning cloth for eyeglasses
- Feminine supplies
- Reusable Chico grocery bag that folds up teeny tiny
- Cuticle nippers, nail clippers, cuticle cream, nail file
- Luna bars for hunger emergencies
Thoughts on this? Other ideas? Post a comment, or write to Crystal and let her know!
Published by Crystal March 6th, 2009
in Garage, bike and car.
A helmet’s date of manufacture is usually printed on a sticker inside the helmet.
Bicycle industry recommendation is that a helmet should be replaced every 3 to 5 years, depending on climate and storage conditions. This is because the EPS foam that makes up the core of the helmet breaks down naturally over time. However, if your helmet is cracked or the strap broken, or if the helmet has been in an accident, it should be replaced immediately.
Unfortunately, bike helmets are not easy to recycle. Check with your helmet’s manufacturer to find out if they have a helmet recycling program.
For more information on bike helmets, check out the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute.
Thoughts on this? Other ideas? Post a comment, or write to Crystal and let her know!
Published by Crystal February 28th, 2009
in Inspiration.
I couldn’t agree more with Fred Lee’s post on Wise Bread about exercising to cure the economic blues.
Yep, research shows that exercise can reduce depression and anxiety. And increased mental health is only ONE of the many great reasons to get more exercise. Personally, I like sleeping better and having more confidence and energy.
Earlier this year, you probably made a resolution to get fit in 2009. Well, now that spring is here, there’s little excuse for not putting more exercise into your routine!
Here are what I think are the keys to exercise success:
- Find a friend to do it with you. There is no greater motivator than being held accountable for your actions! Two or more friends can lean on one another: When one of you just “doesn’t feel like it” that day, the other one will know better and get you out of the house regardless of your excuses.
- No willing friends? Make some new ones. If you don’t have friends willing to make an exercise pact with you, check out Meetup.com. You will likely find several groups (walking, running, biking, hiking, bowling, dancing, etc.) in your area with meeting locations and times convenient for your schedule.
- Grasp the magic. Recognize that exercise has a magic pattern. Once most folks start a new routine, they enjoy the first session or two. However, they then begin putting exercising off. Soon they no longer “feel like it”, or maybe just “can’t find the time”. But here’s the magic part: If you can push yourself through the first difficult month or two of exercise, your whole psychology begins to change, not just your body. You’ll start to love exercise and will actually find yourself MAKING time for it!
- Visit your physician and mental health provider, and tell them about your plans to exercise. Your doctors are likely to be very encouraging and will know ways to keep you motivated – like threatening you with medications for high blood pressure or cholesterol.
- Just do it. Even though exercise might not seem fun at first, it will make you feel better. And when you feel better, you’ll enjoy things much more – such as exercise. Bottom line? Put on those walking shoes, and head out the door. Right now.
Thoughts on this? Other ideas? Post a comment, or write to Crystal and let her know!
Published by Crystal February 26th, 2009
in Bathroom.
My dad was in town last week to help me do some home improvement projects, one of which was tiling the master bathroom.
Yikes! I had never done tiling work before, and Dad had limited experience too.
Luckily, the nice people in the warehouse area of Best Tile hooked us up with everything we needed, including how-to instructions and some really good tips. Hint: the clearance section of the warehouse is where you can find very fancy tiles at very low prices.
The project was definitely a good challenge for us, but not as hard as we thought it would be.
BEFORE photo of the old yucky vinyl. The hole in the floor is where the toilet goes. Dark blob at bottom of the picture is my Dad’s back.
AFTER: Beautiful glass mosaic and Italian porcelain tile!
Here’s a closeup of my handiwork:
Thoughts on this? Other ideas? Post a comment, or write to Crystal and let her know!
Published by Crystal February 25th, 2009
in Kitchen.
Cleaning and organizing the refrigerator is the perfect spring cleaning task. Let’s get started!
Time it takes: 60 minutes
Materials I use: Apron, rubber gloves, dish sponge, dish soap, 2 soft cleaning rags, tea towel, spray bottle filled with 1/2 white distilled vinegar and 1/2 water, butter knife, rubber spatula.
Here’s what to do:
- Don the apron and rubber gloves, and gleefully open the door of the refrigerator.
- Take all the food out.
- Remove the top glass shelf and take it to the sink. With a dish sponge, wash it with warm, soapy water. Rinse the shelf clean and place it vertically on the counter top to air dry on a dry dish towel.
- Repeat until all the glass shelves and plastic drawers are clean and sitting outside of the fridge.
- Using a soft, wet, soapy rag, wipe out the inside of the refrigerator – walls, ceiling and floor. Scrub the difficult parts with the dish sponge. For the extra tough gunk, I find it useful to scrape it (very gently!) with a butter knife.
- Spray down the inside of the fridge with the half water/half vinegar solution, and wipe it out with a dry rag. Use this opportunity to wipe down the shelves on the refrigerator door too. Once the vinegar smell dissipates, you’ll be left with a fresh scent and a shiny fridge.
- One by one, carefully dry off the glass shelves and plastic drawers with a tea towel, and place them back into the fridge.
- Optional step: Line some of the main shelves with rubbery drawer liners.
- Close the refrigerator. Now sort the foods you pulled out into two or three groups. One should be KEEP and the other DUMP. Another might be GIVE AWAY. Foods to dump are those which appear moldy, smell bad, or are past their expiration date.
- Before placing any KEEP item back in the fridge, use a wet rag to wipe any stickiness off the bottom of the container.
- Arrange the KEEP items logically, with kids’ foods on lower shelves where they can reach them, and other items in plain sight so they can easily be found.
- Place older items in front of the newer ones. Take the opportunity to create meal plans for the next two weeks which are specifically intended to use up older items in your fridge.
- Optional step: Add labels to the shelves on the door. (See example in photo, above.)
- Use a rubber spatula to get old condiments, yogurts, sauces, etc. out of jars and other containers. (It’s flexible rubbery-ness allows you to easily scrape stuff out of tough spaces.) You can either flush this old food down the garbage disposal, or scoop it all into a plastic grocery bag to later put in the outside trash. Old fruits and vegetables can be composted.
- Once they’ve been scraped, soak the jars and containers in hot soapy water for a few hours to loosen any remaining food particles before washing and air drying. Don’t forget to recycle your jars and other containers!
- If you have any food items to give away, make plans to do this and label them as such before putting them back into the fridge. (E.g., “Send home with Mom for cousin Connie. She loves jalapeno pepper jelly.”)
Have a photo of your organized fridge to share? Send it to Crystal!
