Get Organized Now! Weblog

A Load a Day Keeps the Laundry Pile Away

Maria Gracia — 2009-07-16T17:09:00-05:00

I'm never behind on my laundry. Why? So simple--I do a load of laundry each day.

I know that if I skip even one day, that the laundry starts to pile up and gets way out of control.

It doesn't take a ton of "hands-on" time to do laundry. It only takes about 5 minutes to check and treat garments for stains, and to toss in and start a load. I get tons done during the wash cycle. I then toss the clothes in the dryer (and hang the delicates on a dryer rack). Again, tons more done while the dryer is in progress. Once the dryer cycle is done, the clothes are removed immediately.

The most time-consuming part, is folding the clothes after the dryer cycle is done. But even that takes 10 minutes or less.

So, all in all it takes about 15 minutes of hands-on time to do a load of wash. This is something most anyone can do.

Even if you have a larger family and must do two loads of laundry each day, that's still only 30 minutes per day of hands-on time.

If you have a washer and dryer at home, and you're always behind on laundry, follow the one-load-a-day system (or two-load-a-day system if necessary). Don't skip any days. You'll be able to keep up with your laundry, and never fall way behind.

By the way, when we go on vacation, we wash our clothes every few nights at our hotel. This is a huge time and stress saver when we return.

Frank Lloyd Wright and Clutter

Maria Gracia — 2009-07-06T20:35:39-05:00

A few weeks ago, I finished reading 'Loving Frank' by Nancy Horan. It was about the romance of Frank Lloyd Wright (famous architect) and Mamah Borthwick Cheney. It was a riveting story with a tragic ending. Everyone at my book chat loved the book, and rated it high.

Here's my favorite excerpt from the book:

He (Wright) seemed to feel space and objects with the sensitivity of a bat. She (Mamah) remembered many evenings when he'd sit down to dinner and promptly swept aside his silverware. It was a habit that struck Mamah as crude, almost contemptuous, since she had just set the table only moments before.

'Why do you do that?' she'd asked him once.

'Do what?'

'Push aside your silver that way, as if you're angry.'

'I hate clutter.'

'Silverware is clutter?' she asked.

'Until I'm ready to use it, yes.'

Ok, I'll even admit that's a little over the top as far as being organized goes. But I love it that the subject of organization made it into this book.

The next book on my agenda: In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

Paris Hilton's 'Organized' Closets

Maria Gracia — 2009-07-01T10:42:04-05:00

I was surfing You Tube the other day and came across a video of Paris Hilton's closets. You can check out the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SU-dhIOLbQ

I'm sure you'll notice that Paris certainly doesn't follow the 'less is more' philosophy, at all.

However, if you can get past the glitz, glamour and absolute abundance of stuff, you'll see that she can actually find things pretty quickly. She makes good use of containers and sorting-- keeping like things together. Granted, someone else likely organizes for her, but still...it's organized.

Now, keeping in mind the fact that most people down here on earth don't have as much space and stuff as Paris, you can still apply what has been done to Paris's closet, to your own space.

For instance, keep all footwear in one area, rather than scattered throughout your house--bedroom, coat closet, mud room, under your bed, etc. If you do have more than one particular type of shoe (like all your sneakers or all your black pumps), keep them in one room, in one area, on shoe racks.

Jewelry is easily found when displayed on jewelry holders, or compartments of a jewelry box--all bracelets together, all necklaces together, and so on.

Clothing can be organized by season first (winter, spring, summer, fall), and then by type of clothing-- all pants together, all skirts together, etc. Closets look more organized when one type and color of hanger is used throughout.

Paris reveals she gives clothing, shoes, etc. away to charitable organizations. You too, can do the same with items you no longer use and/or love. Weed out and give to others who are less fortunate.

I never thought I'd be promoting Paris Hilton as being organized, but there you have it. When it comes to her closets shown on this video, she (or her helper) is doing a good job!

But, Planning is No Fun

Maria Gracia — 2009-06-22T13:04:02-05:00

As I was chatting with a new friend the other day, she asked me what I did for a living. When I told her I helped others get organized, she said, 'Oh, I don't have time for that planning stuff...it's just not fun. I'm a spontaneous person.' She then spent the remainder of the conversation telling me how she can't get anything done, that her house looks like a tornado went through it and that she's always exhausted from running around to and fro.

In her mind, she feels that planning is not fun. So, she doesn't plan. In the meantime, she chronically complains at the problems that could be resolved--if only for a little bit of planning.

Did you know that planning can actually help to make your life more fun and enjoyable? I can't imagine I'd have as much 'play time' as I do, without planning out my schedule.

When I plan my schedule for the week, I actually schedule in time for fun. No, I don't plan exactly what fun thing I'm going to be doing every single time. However, when I land on a 'play time hour' on my schedule, I can pick and choose whether I lounge in the backyard reading a book, go to the park and run around with my daughter or work on my latest scrapbook or sewing project.

By planning my cleaning and organizing schedule ahead of time, I spend no time doing things I don't like to do, such as searching for a lost bill, duplicating work or picking up laundry strewn about.

When I plan, I'm also anticipating possible problems. For instance, instead of expecting my daughter to not follow her chore schedule, I think ahead and reward her even better for remembering to follow her chore schedule on her own. This works out to my benefit, as most of the time, she does her chores without being asked. And I'm not always caught up in a struggle to get her to do it.

When my husband and I plan vacations, we make dinner reservations ahead of time, so we're not wasting time standing in line. We check restaurants, event locations, hotels, etc. before we go, so we're not there at the busiest time, when something is closing or caught without something we might need at that particular place. This ensures less sidetrips to Walgreens for forgotten toiletries and less 'I don't like anything on the menu' proclamations because we didn't bother to spend a few minutes checking out a restaurant's web site.

Planning allows for spontaneity. Even though I have a schedule that I abide by 95% of the time, I do allow for flexibility. I may not do a project or two at the time I originally scheduled if something comes up unexpectedly. Of course, I then re-schedule that project--and I can easily do so because I planned ahead to ensure my schedule wasn't jam-packed and that there was time for this sort of flexibility in the first place.

It's because of planning, that I've been able to reach my goals. It's because of planning, that I'm able to strive for new goals that I know I will accomplish. For me, planning is a way of life--and I wouldn't want it any other way. For me, planning IS fun.

Help Fight Cancer: You Can Make a Difference

Maria Gracia — 2009-06-10T17:45:44-05:00

For those of you who have known me through my web site, newsletter and blog over the years, you'll know that I've been passionately involved in my town's Relay for Life Event as part of the Watertown Newcomers and Neighbors Club Team, WI.

Relay For Life is a family-oriented event where team members take turns walking or running on a track for 18 hours. Cancer survivors, their families and the public are invited to take part in this rewarding team relay event.

Why am I involved in the Relay?

First, it's an amazing cause and wonderful to be part of an event that is helping others in such a big way.

Second, my husband, Joe, and I both have close family members and friends who have had to battle (or are currently battling) with cancer.

Joe and I will, once again, both be walking in the Relay which takes place on August 14th and 15th in Watertown, WI. We see it as an opportunity to remember friends and family members who have lost their battle to cancer, to honor cancer survivors and to encourage those who are fighting cancer.

Last year, our team raised nearly $5000 for this cause and tied for 4th place in our city.

This year, we're participating once again. We hope to surpass last year's goal.

I hope you will support this effort by making a small donation. This is a flat donation and not a per mile donation. Even $5 - $10 would be an enormous help.

How You Can Donate

This year, you can donate online on this link:

Relay for Life Donations

OR, you can make your check or money order out to the 'American Cancer Society' and mail it to me:

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!
611 Arlington Way
Watertown WI 53094

Finally, if you prefer, you can simply send it to my Pay Pal account: getorgnow@charter.net

Your donation is tax-deductible.

I will keep you posted on my personal totals, and on our team totals, via my blog and newsletter.

I usually do not feel comfortable asking people for money, but this fundraiser is such an important reason to do so. Thanks so much and may you receive many blessings for your generosity.

Latest Book: Loving Frank

Maria Gracia — 2009-06-09T15:29:51-05:00

My latest summer book read is 'Loving Frank' by Nancy Horan. It's the love story of famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright and his mistress, Mamah Cheney. I'm about a quarter of the way into the book, and so far, very good.

What are some of your recent good reads? Let us know and I'll compile a book list of what GON visitors are reading. Send your titles (include authors), 5 or less, to getorgnow@charter.net

Up

Maria Gracia — 2009-06-09T15:04:19-05:00

We took a family movie day this past weekend and went to see 'Up'. What a lovely, inspiring movie--that my husband and I enjoyed probably as much as, if not more than, our 5-year old daughter.

If this movie doesn't remind you to always keep your eye on your goals and dreams, no matter what obstacles are handed to you, I don't know what would.

This movie is a must-see in my book.

Summer Vacation is Here--Balance Your Time

Maria Gracia — 2009-06-02T12:46:47-05:00

If you have school-age children at home, you're likely getting ready for summer vacation--and having the kids home for the next few months.

While it's so lovely to have this extra time to share with the young ones, we all still need to get things done too (work, cleaning, cooking, bill paying, etc.)

One thing I plan to do is start the day right off with some mommy-daughter time. Right after breakfast, we'll go for a walk, do a craft, play a game, read together, go swimming and so on.

Afterwards, we'll either invite a friend over to play, or our daughter will go to a friend's home to play.

Then, lunch. Then, quiet time (our daughter can read, paint, etc.). Then, daddy-daughter time. Finally, we'll end the evening with a family dinner, and family time.

In having a rough schedule like this, Joe and I will be able to get our work done AND be sure we're not missing this precious extra time with our child.

Having a plan, even if it's not a minute-by-minute schedule, will give you a blueprint of your day. Of course, flexibility is important for unusual circumstances, but for the most part, we'll all be able to enjoy a balanced summer vacation!

A Fun, Creative Way to Serve up Dinner

Maria Gracia — 2009-05-28T09:59:09-05:00

I was catching up with some of my favorite blog feeds this morning, and came across a super-fun, kids-will- love-it tip on the Katie the Scrapbook Lady Blog

Muffin tin meals!

Basically, you serve up dinner in muffin tins to each family member--separating each type of food into one of the 6 available cups.

You can have different themes, such as:

Italian Night:
Pasta Shells
Mini Ravioli
Dipping Sauce
Meatballs
Bread
Salad

Lunch Box Special:
Sandwich
Carrot Sticks
Fruit, like grapes or cut apples
Goldfish Crackers
Chips
Mini Cookies

Breakfast Mix:
Cereal
French Toast Strips
Syrup
Eggs
Fruit
Yogurt

The possibilities are endless! This can even be fun for adults with hor d-oeuvres for a unique dinner party starter.

Have fun with it and let us know what some of your 6-cup muffin tin combinations were.

Permanent Marker on a Dry Erase Board

Maria Gracia — 2009-05-19T09:00:23-05:00

This weekend, I was tidying up the basement. I glanced over at the cute bunny drawing on my daughter's dry erase board, but then I noticed that it was drawn in a pink marker--not one of her dry erase markers. Oh no. I went to erase a small portion of it, and as I suspected, it would not come off. Permanent marker!

I tried to erase it with Magic Eraser. No luck. Goo gone? Nope? I never give up, however, without checking the multitude of information available on the Internet.

Lo and behold, with a Google search, I landed on The LifeHacker web site. It said that by tracing over the original image with a dry erase marker, and then erasing it, the the permanent marker image would vanish. Sounds odd, but after drawing over the bunny image once or twice with a dry erase marker, it worked!

Just goes to show you that with a little bit of patience to search for solutions, very often the answers are out there.