This past weekend, the eastern portion of the country experienced a noreastern storm that broke many records.  In Philadelphia, they received over 28 inches of snow.

It got me thinking about organizing, of course.

Being organized is more than just keep your household under control and having good time management tools.  It's a way of life.

When this large snow fall began, I quickly decided that I would be breaking the project of snow removal down into smaller, more manageable pieces, just like any other larger project, in order to get it done and make it easier for me to handle.

Therefore, I decided that the best way to handle it was to shovel the snow in intervals.  When my son and I woke up, we took care of most of it, but with the storm still not over, we knew that we would finish the job when it was.  So, instead of waiting until the entire storm ended, we began chipping away, as it were, at the project.  This made it easier later in the day when the temperature started to drop and the surfaces became more icy.  I am quite aware that many people just stayed in all day and procrastinated and now, Sunday morning, their cars are still buried in the snow and ice.  That decision will now make it harder for them to dig out because now they will have to deal with the more difficult conditions.

There is a lesson to be learned here.  When taking on any type of project, including snow removal, create a plan of action as to how you will take that project and break it down into smaller, more manageable pieces and you will find that you get the whole project completed much more easily.

We are expecting another large storm by mid-week and you can be assured, it will be managed the same way.  One portion at a time.

If you love the snow, enjoy.  For me, I can't wait til Spring!

Have a great week and remember, if you are overwhelmed with the prospect of getting organized, contact A BETTER SPACE.  I will be glad to help.

‘Twas the week before Christmas when all through our house,
There was clutter and chaos…but, thankfully, no mouse!

The mantle was bare, the wreath still in my car,
Not a cookie was baked, not even a bar.

I’d addressed not a card, not a gift had been wrapped,
The jet lag had got me, I just wanted to nap!

One tree was half decorated, the other not bought,
The stockings still packed and the Village was naught.

Ornaments and tissue paper were strewn all about,
I was tempted to say, ‘We’ll just do without!’

But our children and grandchildren will be here next week,
And I know it’s a peaceful, joyful holiday they seek.

So rally I must, this is really a test,
Can I do it? Can I make this Christmas one of the best?

I’ll put on some music, brew some tea, make a list,
I’ll do what I can, the rest won’t be missed.

That we have our health and our loved ones are near,
Is all that we need for our holiday cheer!

SO, LET'S GET ORGANIZED NEXT YEAR!!!! 

For now, five strategies for surviving the next seven days:

Lower expectations. There’s not time to do everything but there’s time to do the important things. Even Martha Stewart would have to make choices with this limited amount of time. The trees will be decorated but the lights and the beads do not have to be perfect; perhaps there will not be so many ornaments as in years past. I’ll bake some cookies, but just enough for us to enjoy.

Plan menus to do double duty. The ham and the turkey will do their work for main meals and then appear again as sandwiches, Turkey Curry, and a couple of luscious soups that’ll grow like Topsy when I add some noodles or beans with vegetables. I’ll also make one trip to the store just to stock up on paper goods, dish soap and laundry soap. This is not the time to run out of those staples.

Do things in chunks of time. Instead of racing from one project to the next, I’ll spend one afternoon decorating the dining room, one decorating the living room. I’ll spend one evening baking cookies, another addressing envelopes and yet another doing the layout for the Christmas letter. In those chunks of time, the biggest projects…those that I deem most important…will be done.

Buy some time. There’s just not time to clean the entire house so I’ll hire someone to do the main areas and leave the rest. Clean beds and clean bathrooms top my list. The rest is just fine.

Take care of myself. The best gift I can give my family is to be relaxed and just enjoy this holiday with them. My mood will set the tone for the entire celebration. I’ll get some rest, a bit of exercise, and give myself permission not to be perfect.

No matter how much or how little I do, December 25th will be here next week. I can choose to be stressed or I can relax and enjoy the season. I choose the latter.

It’s truly the best time of the year. May you all have a blessed holiday with your family and friends!

Contact me if you want to make your holiday season a bit easier next year!  I can help.

The weather has changed quickly where I live in the northeastern part of the country.  I thought this would be a good time to help you get ready for the cold months ahead by giving you Quick Tips For A Better Space - your home.

There are many things to consider this time of year.  You not only need to dress yourself in warmer clothes, but you need to dress your home as well.  If not, you are not taking care of your biggest investment and throwing your hard-earned money down the drain.

Here are some suggestions to winterize your home:

Clean and check the heating filters and system for efficiency.  Change your filter and check for leaks in the system to ensure your system is working at it's best.  Call in a contractor if necessary. 

Check all water faucets to ensure there are no leaks or rusting.

Have your fireplace/chimney inspected, serviced and cleaned.  It can be a fire hazard.  This small investment in your safety is so important.

If you did not already do so when we changed the clocks in October, replace the batteries in your smoke detectors.  Most fires are started in the winter by candles and faulty wiring.  If something should happen, you need to make sure you can get yourself and your family out of the house as quickly as possible.  Remember to practice your escape plan!

Install a carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home - they are not expensive but can prevent carbon monixide poisoning from car exhaust from the car stored in the garage, the heater, the oven, etc.  With the home closed up for the winter months, this is especially important for the health and safety of your family.

Check the weather stripping and check for drafts around windows and doors to ensure functionality.  You can lose a lot of heat through your windows and doors if this is not done which can cost you greatly when you receive that utility bill.

Replace and check your fire extinguishers.  Make sure the meter is where it's supposed to be.  If not, get it recharged.  Remember to keep one on each floor, especially in the kitchen.  A small one under the sink in the cabinet is a great place to store it.

Prepare An Emergency Kit: 

In the cold winter months, have a plan and an emergency kit.  Your electricity can go out. A large snow fall or other condition could cause your family to be confined to the home.  Here are things a good emergency kit should contain:

Indoor candles and flashlights for light - just don't leave those candles unattended!

A supply of drinking water and non-perishable food.

A manual can opener to open those cans in case the electricity goes out for an extended period of time.

An emergency weather radio to keep you informed on the latest conditions in your area.  (battery operated, of course.)

A supply of extra batteries and perhaps a generator for back-up supply.

Lots of warm blankets to keep you warm in case you lose your heat.

To occupy your time, have books and board games accessible since the television and other electronics might not be working.

Lastly, when it comes to energy efficiency during these long winter months, you might want to consider wrapping the hot water heater with a blanket.  This helps improve efficiency and can cut down on your utility bill.  That heater can really drive up your bill so any extra savings can really help your budget!  Insullation for the water heater can be purchased at your local home improvement store or online and has do-it-yourself instructions.

Enjoy the coming winter months and take good care of yourself and your home.

In the meantime, if you have any organizing questions or problems you would like me to address, please feel free to contact me at A BETTER SPACE.  I'll be glad to help.