A few of my conference bags

I was just over at Jeri Dansky’s blog and she was talking about avoiding clutter by donating to a worthy cause but not accepting their free gifts unless it was something you really wanted or needed.

Jeri also mentioned Debra’s Tweet about the Swap Table at the NAPO Conference that I attended last month. The Swap Table was a brilliant idea. It gave those of us with overweight luggage a chance to pass along swag to those who wanted it and those that wanted more swag the opportunity to take extra home.

As an organizer I find many unwanted swag and conference bags in homes and offices. I’ve been thinking on how to reduce conference clutter and here are a few of my ideas.

• Encourage companies that want to attend conference and give out product at an exhibitor table instead of providing swag. Have companies stamp the attendee’s name badge to prevent people from taking more than one of the item. This would also allow the company to demonstrate the benefits and features of their product.
• If the company cannot attend the conference have them consider providing a coupon for a free product at a store. The conference attendee can pick up an item if he/she chooses.
• Instead of dozens of paper inserts in the conference bag, ask companies to sponsor a keynote speaker, workshop or meal at the conference in return for doing a product demo or showing a video.

What conference swag items have you received? What ideas do you have for reducing the amount of clutter accumulated at a conference?

Dinner in New Orleans with Julie Bestry and Angie Weid

From April 17-20, I had the privilege of attending the 2013 conference of the National Association of Professional Organizers that was held in New Orleans. It was very exciting to see all of the nifty, new organizing  products and hang out with over 600 professional organizers.

Many of my colleagues have already written about the NAPO conference so I’m linking over to their blogs so you can read more!

Loud, Proud and Ridiculously Organized by Julie Bestry

NAPO Does NOLA by Korinne Kubena Belock

630 Professional Organizers Walk into a Hotel by Janice Simon

Organizing Products at the NAPO Conference by D. Allison Lee

Service to NAPO Award by Ellen Delap

Your Organizing Business by various organizers hosted by Janet Barclay

If you’ve written about the NAPO 2013 conference please add your posts in the comments!

Moving with the Canadian Forces is different from a civilian move. We must adhere to the Canadian Forces DAODs (Defence Administrative Orders and Directives), the Treasury Board policies and Public Works and Government Services. Fortunately everything is put together in one area called the Relocation Directive. I’ve got some reading to do!

Check out the “Military Life” category or my Canadian Army Wife Blog for more info about life in the military.

“Owning less is better than organizing more.” – Joshua Becker, of Becoming Minimalist.

I was reminded of this quote last night when Peter and I were watching those house-hunting television programs. In one, a couple of kids were moving to Belgium and forced to downsize. They wound up renting a 200 square foot studio apartment, leaving plenty of money to travel and explore their new surroundings in their grad student budget. By opting for less, they were going to get more out of life. The next episode was more typical, with a closet- and storage-obsessed couple. They didn’t seem nearly as happy as the grad students, even though they were buying an expensive and expansive home, and had oodles of clothes and toys.

I know that minimalism isn’t for everyone, and that many people would never entertain the notion of a downsize. But as I look back on my own five decades, the happiest I’ve been is when I’ve owned the least. Then and now, thankfully, again. There’s definitely something liberating about living simply and owning less.

When I simplify, I get more out of life.

“Yes, but I love all my stuff. I can’t imagine being without it.”  How can you honor your things if you’re keeping them boxed up and packed away in your attic or basement? Why not downsize and release them with love so that they can be used by someone who needs them? Do you honestly, deep down in your heart, use or need all the stuff you are keeping? We’re betting you don’t. You can get more out of life by giving your stuff a new home and letting go.

“Yes, but my stuff has sentimental meaning, and it was expensive. It’s valuable.” A couple of years ago, I was invited to tour a beautiful historic home. Jointly owned by retired schoolteachers, this lovely Queen Anne was overflowing. Each of its owners had come into possession of their deceased parents’ household items, and it was clear they hadn’t got rid of very much. Instead of trying to simplify or downsize, they had just transported it all to the stately house and now all three floors were cluttered with furniture piled high with clothing, linens and knick-knacks. What began, it was evident, as a loving tribute to family and memories by displaying all their things had devolved into a near approximation of Miss Havisham’s ruins. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough, thinking, “Who is going to deal with all this stuff after these elderly ladies pass on?” Indeed, where was it all going to go? Wouldn’t it be nicer if they had some say in the matter? But instead, they had opted for no say at all because they could see no way other than to keep everything.

“He who dies with the most stuff wins.” Not true. He who dies with the most stuff leaves a big mess for someone else.

Driveway filled with stuff for charity pickup!

“It’s too overwhelming, and I wouldn’t know where to start.” It’s difficult to get rid of stuff, believe us, we know! Over the past year, in anticipation of our move to Hawaii, we had to make the ultimate downsize and get rid of almost everything we owned! It was hard! It’s amazing the silly things for which we keep attachments. I was reduced to a quivering mass of indecision over a single cookie cutter, as my daughter will attest. Seriously, it was ridiculous!

Even though Pete and I had downsized twice before, this ultimate downsize of ours was a huge challenge. We sold his beloved tools and the cars we both loved, we got rid of our books and most of our furniture. We emptied drawers and went through boxes that had been unopened for years. We filled our driveway with items that a charity graciously picked up. We placed numerous ads on Craigslist and even had a Facebook page, advertising our stuff. We had double the number of decisions to make: keep to store, keep and take to Hawaii, sell, donate, trash. It was a ton of work and effort to simplify. All on behalf of stuff.

What we reaffirmed during our ultimate downsize is that we’re really attached to the memories we’ve assigned to our stuff, rather than the stuff itself. This is not logic, it’s pure emotion, and that’s okay. If we can get to the place where emotionally we understand that we will always have the memories, even without the items, it is easier to simplify and let them go.

Before we moved to the townhouse, I took photos of antique furniture I had loved over the years, whose time had come to be donated as we were not going to have space for it. I still have the photos and look at them every once in a while. The furniture was beautiful, but I realized I was really concerned with memories of happy times spent around the table, the special occasions where I had used the china, crystal and linens, and all the stories of family and friends. Now that same furniture is gracing someone else’s home and they are making similar memories with it. That makes me happy still.

All this post is advocating, really, is for more intention and purpose regarding the things we own, instead of thoughtless acquisition or holding on when we should let go.

We are so blessed in the first world with unbelievable riches, yet many of us experience a poverty of spirit while we busy ourselves with acquiring, storing, maintaining, cleaning, counting, fixing and replacing our possessions. Think of all the expense and energy that takes! What difference could you make if you could simplify and redirect that expense and energy elsewhere to a cause you feel deeply about, to more honest interactions with others, to experiencing and appreciating the wonderful life we’ve been given? What a great way to get more out of life! Your stuff will own you if you let it. Why give it this permission to enslave you?

Stuff doesn’t love you back.

If your spirit is unsettled in some way, you may have already figured out that a downsize will help. It doesn’t have to be the ultimate downsize, like we made. It can start in a storage room or out in your garage. Why not clean out the garage or the basement, rather than just rearrange things? Clear off the tabletops and banish clutter. You’ll be cutting down the visual noise and making things easier to manage in the future. The time and money you used to spend on your stuff can be spent on other things.

Now that Pete and I have completed the ultimate downsize (for us) and are here in Hawaii, the stuff we kept in Minnesota is contained in one 5 by 10 foot storage unit. The stuff we have here can easily be moved to another residence on our island if need be with a couple of trips in our SUV. If we decide to move away from Hawaii, our things can be sent in a half dozen easy to manage containers via parcel post. While we certainly don’t claim to be extreme minimalists, and we know others who get by with much less, it’s a remarkable change from what we were dealing with a few short years ago. We don’t miss the stuff that owned us!

If it feels like something is missing in your life and you’re wishing for something more, we recommend simplicity. Anyone can reap the benefits of a downsize, no matter how slight. Simplify and get more out of life by living with less.

Have you enjoyed life more by owning less? Add your comments below!

I suggest to many clients that they create a charging station, usually somewhere close to the entry to the house. Upon entering the house, gadgets can come out of purses & pockets and sit in the charging station. They are also close by when they need to be returned to purses & pockets upon leaving the house.

I’ve posted pictures of various charging stations on Pinterest. Some are ideal for the designer home, some are great for the geek in the house and others are clearly indicate where each family member’s device belongs.

Because we’re a military family and move so often, I have been reluctant to buy a charging station because we never know what the set up in the next house will be. I decided to build my own charger — designed just for this house and our current gadgets. The charging station is in the living room on a table behind one of the chairs. We have 7 devices charging. The iPad is also our living room clock and contains several e-books I am reading. It hides the charging station from view.

iPad Clock

The great thing about using Lego is that I can rebuild it at any time to fit in any house. This is a beta-version that works for our current house. We’ll be moving (again) in a few months so I’ll design and build a new one for the new house.

Lego Charging Station

P.S. You should regularly clean your electronic devices. Consult the manufacturers suggestions and do not use harsh chemicals or disinfectants unless specifically recommended by the manufacturer.

¹Goldblatt, Joseph, Iris Krief MD, Tal Klonsky MD, Daniel Haller MD, Victor Milloul MD, Diane Sixsmith MD, Isaac Srugo MD, and Israel Potasman MD. “Use of Cellular Telephones and Transmission of Pathogens by Medical Staff in New York and Israel.” JSTOR. 09 Mar. 2007. The University of Chicago Press. 26 Feb. 2013 <http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/513446>.

Nanny’s Hymn Book 1958

Organizing books is a must for any book lover. Having your books in order in one place will allow you to enjoy your book collection. Here are some steps to follow to help you get your books in order.

The first step is clear your bookshelves and group your books into categories. Most people use categories similar to what you would find in a bookstore or library, such as business books, textbooks, reference books and romance novels, spy/action novels.

Now that you’ve sorted your books, go through each pile and find your favourites. Keep books that have high sentimental value. (I still have the Anglican Hymn Book my late grandmother used when she played the organ for church services.) Keep autographed books and your favourite stories. Keep the books that you haven’t read, but if they are over a year old, chances are you probably won’t read them so consider letting them go.

With the age of the Internet, reference material becomes outdated almost as fast as it is printed. Keep a good dictionary and reference books that reflect your current hobbies and interests. Let the rest go. If you haven’t been fly fishing in a few years, chances are you no longer need the book that shows you how to tie flies.

I like to take a few moments to make sure the bookshelves are dusted and the bookcases are in good condition. It is much easier to make repairs on bookcases when they are empty! Take some time and dust your books too. A vacuum cleaner with a soft brush and low suction will clear the dust away quickly!

Once you’ve decided on which books you’re going to keep, you can plan where all the books should go. Consider where your bookcases are located and the available space on the shelves, as well as where you will be reading. Keep reference books in the office or near where the children do their homework. Keep novels in your den or bedroom if that is where you will be reading. You can group the books by subject or by author or even by size or colour – whatever makes the most sense to you.

Gather together all the books you no longer wish to keep. Are there any special books that you know friends or family members want? Set those books aside in a labeled box. The other books can be donated to libraries, seniors’ residences, correctional institutions, schools or hospitals. Phone the charity first to see which type of books they accept. Most libraries accept books of all kinds as long as they are in good condition. The books that do not go into their collection are sold and the funds generated from the book sale support library initiatives.

Bookshelf Tips

• Build recessed, narrow shelves between wall studs in a hallway, or frame a window, fireplace, or doorway with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.
• Consider custom built shelving to make effective use of odd spaces such as under staircases.
• When purchasing bookshelves, look for units with adjustable shelves. Make sure the construction is sturdy enough to support the weight of the books you have.
• Make sure any freestanding bookcases are properly anchored on the wall especially if you have young children. Put the heaviest books on the bottom shelves, lighter books on the top shelves.
• When placing your books back on the shelves, leave some space. It will make the books easier to remove from the shelves and more importantly, put back on the shelves.
• Use magazine holders to contain thin paperback books. This is especially useful for arranging children’s books.
• Placing books horizontally on the shelf creates visual interest and the horizontal books can also act as bookends.

Now that you’ve organized all your books, take the time to read.

Check out my favourite bookshelves on Pinterest!

Typical gas chromatogram of the free fatty acid profile of soybean oil.(1)

Research is time-consuming. One of the most important details being able to properly cite the references used in the research. During my time at university, I spent hours in the library preparing my thesis and diligently copying all of the details of the scientific journal or textbook to build my bibliography. I put each reference on an index card and kept them in alphabetical order. It was easy to add a new reference, I merely put it on a new card and slipped it into its proper place in the stack. Of course this was long before the Internet existed.

Now, one can cite websites, ebooks, online newspapers and so much more! It kind of seems a little backward to copy a URL and other website information onto an index card – and what details need to be captured from a website anyway? And do you underline or italicize the title of an ebook? Citing information gets more complex as we’re exposed to more, and different types of, information.

To make life easy, there is a lovely website called EasyBib. It creates your bibliography for you. It formats all of the details exactly how they should be according to the standard you choose. It is easy to set up an account and the MLA (Modern Language Association) style is FREE! There is a small fee to have citations formatted in the other styles but definitely worth the money if you’re looking for significant time savings!

My husband found a little app that has saved me LOADS of time. It’s called Get Plain Text. It completely clears all formatting from whatever you’ve copied to your clipboard. This means you can copy from a website or .pdf and paste into your Word document without carrying over all that extra formatting. It is much faster and easier than the “paste as unformatted text” option.

When I’m doing research, I can copy text from a website, use Get Plain Text to paste into my Word document then use EasyBib to create the citation. Once I’ve got all my text “bits” collected in one Word document, I can begin writing the article or paper and the bibliography is already done!

What tips do you have or what apps do you to increase your productivity?

Temperature Matters

Refrigerators are designed to keep foods cold enough to prevent food spoilage. The temperature of the fridge should be between 0˚C and 4˚C (32˚F – 39˚F). Freezer temperature should be -18˚C (0˚F) which stops bacterial growth such as Listeria. Use a specially designed thermometer and adjust the fridge dials to ensure that you’ve reached this temperature. It may take a day or two of adjusting your fridge dials to ensure you’ve got it right.

Wash, Rinse, Sanitize.

Start organizing your fridge by completely emptying it out and giving it a good thorough cleaning. Remove the shelves and scrub them down with warm soapy water. Rinse them well and dry them with a clean towel or air dry them. An old toothbrush can be useful to clean out small cracks and crannies. Use a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach, 4 parts water) to sanitize. Soap and water removes the grime and bleach kills germs.

Ideas:

• Clean the fridge just before grocery day. It’s always emptier.
• Clean the outsides of bottles and jars before returning them to the fridge.
• Wash the outside of the fridge as well, especially the door handles!

When in doubt, throw it out!

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency reminds people that best-before dates do not necessarily indicate if a food is safe to eat and once a package is opened, the shelf life (how long the food is good) may be much shorter. It is wise to dispose of all expired food and leftovers over four days old. For more information about ideal storage conditions and shelf life of foods see the website Still Tasty.

Setting up the fridge.

Think about what is used most often and what is used least often. The foods used most often should be on the top shelf just inside the door. This will minimize the length of time the door is opened. Items used most often include milk and juice.

Group similar condiments together on the door of the fridge, all the salad dressings together, all the hamburger condiments together. Keep a small basket near the fridge to transport condiments to & from the table easily.

Group left-overs on one shelf. Use clear plastic containers to store left-overs so it is easy to see what there is to eat. Whenever you put leftovers in the fridge write the date on a sticker and stick it onto the container of leftovers. This way everyone in the family will know how long the container has been in the fridge and when it should be thrown out. My favourite stickers are Avery Removable Mini Labels which I keep in a little magnetized basket on my fridge along with a pen.

A few well placed small baskets prevent small items from getting lost in the back of the fridge. Use baskets to contain small round cheeses, cheese slices and cheese sticks, mini yogurt containers and soy sauce and ketchup packets for lunches.

Avoid Cross Contamination!

If you keep raw meat in the refrigerator, ensure that the drippings do not fall on fresh produce or already cooked foods. If you do not have a “meat drawer” store or defrost meat on a plate or tray that you can remove and easily clean and disinfect.

Got Milk? Get it organized!

One of the more difficult things to organize in the refrigerator is milk. The milk bag organizer is a great idea because the bags don’t flop around and the oldest bags are used first.

Just for a laugh, I found this home-made for milk bag holder. You’ll get a kick out of Canadian innovation!

Keeping your fridge clean and organized will save you time because you’ll know exactly where to find what you need and your fridge will be easy to clean. You’ll also save money by not over-buying any particular item.

Want more great fridge organizing tips? Check out Organizing the Fridge – Part 1

As a busy mom I sometimes start dinner cooking in the crock pot before I leave for work in the morning. Sometimes I arrive home from work early and get dinner ready before 4pm (16h). Either way, because of the children’s activities, we are eating at different times.

To get ahead of the game, I always prepare everyone’s plates and wash up the pots and pans. We keep the plates of food in the refrigerator (less than 4˚C to avoid food borne illness).

Rather than having the plates spread all over the fridge, I bought this corner cupboard organizer to maximize vertical space.

As were enjoying the summer months, it isn’t storing our dinner plates quite so often but we use it a lot anyway.

Remember that meats should be on the bottom and washed fruits should be on the top to avoid cross-contamination.

My other fridge organizing techniques include placing baskets in the freezer for organizing bags of frozen vegetables. Small baskets in the fridge can be used to group together small round cheeses, cheese slices and cheese sticks, to hold mini yogurt containers or to contain soy sauce and ketchup packets for lunches.

If your fridge is organized is much easier to clean. Clean fridges are healthy fridges!