Getting sorted through the junk

So, in a past column for the Daily Local I wrote about some great options for doing a good spring cleaning at your home. To recap a bit, some familiar and usual methods are filling trash bags and cans until you can fill no more. Renting a large dumpster, that really doesn’t serve anyone unless they are doing a big, big job, such as a kitchen redo. Also the 1-800-Junk guys are a decent option, but again, it’s costly so you’d best have a lot of junk to cart away.

 

One option I stumbled upon recently was the Bagster. Purchased at Home Depot for $29.99 it is a woven, biodegradable bag 8’x4’x2’. It sits on the driveway for you to fill to the brim, then once filled all you have to do is call a 1-800 number and a truck will come and remove it for a fee of  approximately $130. I think this is just right for me and I can’t wait to get started.

But somehow…I can’t seem to get started. I’m trying to figure out why. It’s something I’ve wanted and needed to do for quite a while. We have lived in our home for 15 yrs. And we have raised our boys here. Granted we have spent a lot of time sorting through items as the years have progressed and the kids have grown. We don’t keep every single item ever purchased. Still, however, there does seem to be a lot that we just aren’t making use of. 

I have donated, consigned and re purposed to death and back…but again, there is still an awful lot that goes unused. Would I prefer to see it go to a good home and find a use, of course I would. A yard sale would be the perfect solution. We seem to faithfully miss the township yard sale every single fall due to one obligation or another. So that was never the perfect option. I would need a solid week of full days with nothing else to focus on but this in order to host my own and my life just doesn’t enable me to dedicated seven straight days to just one task. So, therefore, the Bagster is my friend.

 

I am hoping that whatever is in my way will get out sooner than later. I know it will be difficult tossing out perfectly good and useful items that I’ve saved a very long time, or that just might have some sentimentality attached to it but today is the day those angsts will be tossed out the  window. Today, April 1, I am starting the task of room by room digging out and throwing out. Check back with me in a few and see how I’m doing! And as always, thanks for Reading! Miriam

As I said before...

As I mentioned a short month ago, time waits for no one! And yes, another month has flown by, hasn't it? I am going to recognize the month of February, the month of love, by blogging in red! I hope it makes your day! Tee-hee!
What I did want to say, however, is how quickly time does pass, in the blink of an eye another month behind us. And I wonder, were you as productive this month in getting your life organized for a new year as you wished to be? I am trying to sort that thought out for myself.

My life has changed dramatically in the past few months on many fronts, Jan. 1 being yet another shift that I didn't realize was going to make the impact on my week that it did. It's all good but sheesh...had I thought this through more precisely I may have handled things a little better.

There is a balance needed each day as days roll into weeks which roll into months and before we know it we've stumbled along haphazardly and really not accomplished much at all. Being a task master is not what I'm talking about but having a schematic and a set of goals, whether large or small, does help us utilize our time more wisely.

I don't have a staff...I am the staff...with a couple extra helping hands on occasion so I am going to look back at the first month of 2013 and re-evaluate and see where I might tweak things a bit. Both for efficiency and for use of time. I want to be sure I am accomplishing tasks, being present for those in my life that need me and also allotting a few moments for self rejuvenation.

With the first day of the new month falling on a Friday I think it's a great day to set those goals and implement them over the next couple of days so I can hit the ground running on Monday.  Write and let me know what you might be doing to juggle your busy life! And as always, thanks for reading! Miriam
 

Time Waits for Not Even I!

I enjoy journaling and documenting and the last time I lost an entire year of such was the year my third child was born, two years to the day of my middle son's birth. The next time I picked up their journals to write I realized I had lost 12 precious months.

I seem to have done the same thing here, interestingly enough! And what a doozie these past 12 months have been, but be that as it may...I'm back!

I am going to make a very concerted effort to keep myself more organized in 2013 and hope to share thoughts, ideas and organizational tips with you monthly.

If there are any topics you have an interest in, please share with me and I will be happy to explore them with you.

I have some new ideas for Equilibrium and I am anxious to turn a new page in the book of evolution as it pertains to EDC.

Happy New Year one and all. Wishing you an organized, creative and put together 2013!

Resolving to NOT Resolve. How's that for ya?

So...how has your new year started off for you so far? To Resolve...or not to resolve...that is the question!! If you have read my Organize This column in the Daily Local for the month of December you know what I'm talking about. If you missed it, because yes, it did, in fact, appear on Christmas day, the link is below. Check it out and let me know your thoughts on the matter to resolve...or not. Heavens knows that we all try really, really hard to jump start our year with good intentions. Some of those good intentions take the form of hard core demands on ourselves, otherwise known as New Years' Resolutions. I ponder whether this is actually necessary or not. I mean, the pressure? And the disappointment. Year after year we set ourselves up for failure. This year I considered trying something different, quite possibly something to help me stay more on track. I have taken the position to not be so hard on myself and let it flow...when inspired I am usually very effective in being successful. When not so inspired, there just might be a good reason and I am going to cut myself a little slack. Self love and sympathy are a good thing and as Scarlet said, "tomorrow's another day!" This does not mean to throw in the towel, no, we are diligent and well intentioned and with a little self-motivation we can be truly successful in whatever we put our minds to. So set yourself some simple, effective and reachable goals and be kind to yourself along the way. If we falter we are strong and resilient and can persevere if we wish. Thanks for reading! Miriam http://dailylocal.com/articles/2011/12/25/life/srv0000016239198.txt

October countdown....

So..how are we doing with the holiday tasks? Have you started your to-do list? Cards ordered? Menu's planned? Well...get busy! It's right around the corner! According to the Snoopy Countdown clock we have 42 days, 16 hours, 32 minutes and 59 seconds, 58, 57, 56...well...you get the picture! I absolutely love this time of year, even though the stress level index jumps and dips more dramatically than the NASDAQ! Don't forget while you're bustling busily to stop and smell the coffee....er, um...the turkey bird! Ahhh...it's Thanksgiving. Be thankful! Be humble but be prepared! Thanks for reading! Miriam 　 http://dailylocal.com/articles/2011/10/23/life/srv0000014736394.txt

Indian Summer Reprieve

How did you spend your last week or two of summer? Did you fare well with pacing yourself to get the last drops from your cocktail...and did you make a list or two to help you stay on task for the coming days? Striking a balance between shifts in life to help you ease gently into the frenzy of fall is a difficult task. Each of us will handle it differently. Hoping that some of the tips shared in the August Daily Local News Organize This were helpful to you. See link below to reference. The days are getting shorter but there is still enough daylight to be productive AND to enjoy a little down time. Hope you find some time for both as we wind down to Indian Summer and the first day of fall! Thanks for reading! Miriam http://dailylocal.com/articles/2011/08/28/life/srv0000013405940.txt

Savor the Season...

This month's Daily Local Organize This talked about enjoying the moment, celebrating with those we care about and making sure that we take the appropriate steps to allow this to happen. Simple. Get off the George Jetson treadmill for just an evening or two and relinquish your to-do list for another day. Enjoy the season of celebration! Toast the graduate, cheer the newlyweds and help them create a lasting memory of their special day. We've attended many a wedding and commemorated many a graduation but for the recipient, it's their only graduation, their first wedding day and we want to be just as present and participatory as they are! Have a wonderful June and celebrate heartily with those you love! Thanks for reading! Miriam http://dailylocal.com/articles/2011/05/29/life/srv0000011829890.txt

Show Your Garage a Lil' Love

How have you all fared with your garage project? I have been asked by many how mine is coming along and alas, I have the same response. Not very well. Life really doesn't leave alot of room for undesirable tasks such as this, does it? What with the long to do list of other items that get pushed aside in the rat race, who wants to dedicate an entire day to the garage? Or who even has an entire day to dedicate to the garage? I fantasized a "perfect world" scenario when I penned my last Organize This column. So with the garage clean up one of my purposed goals this spring I have delegated small assignments that don't really seem insurmountable on their own but ultimately, once complete, should leave us with a relatively tidy garage...we'll see. This week we tackled the shoe rack, the bike/skateboard/scooter storage area and I believe my husband actually did some organizing of his motorcycle paraphernalia. We are making progress but the ultimate end result will stand for themselves. Slow and steady wins the race as they say and I suppose this approach is better than none. We shall see... Let me know how you are progressing with this task and please, feel free to share any of your good ideas! Thanks for reading! Miriam

Pulling Out One's Hair Won't Solve Anything!

Who has not, at least once, attempted to render themselves hairless in frustration? I sure have! Could be that my hair in itself makes me absolutely batty at times! Generally speaking, it's our schedule that causes my reaction. Every springtime I stress that it will be different, but somehow, it's not to be. I rob from Peter to pay Paul time and again and end up so backed up with reschedules because of schedule changes that I could just scream! There is no one to blame, really, so venting is my only choice. Staying organized and on task are the best tools I can implement for myself to get through my week. I did mention a couple of my tried and trues in my Organize This column this month. The link will follow if you'd like to revisit those ideas. One of my favorite tools for getting through the overscheduled days is meditation. Truthfully speaking, there really isn't a whole lot of time left for that at days' end, but taking a moment for myself and breathing, regrouping and resting my mind can do wonders, creating a gentle shift in my mood and any anxiety I may be feeling from my day. Stillness of body and stillness of mind. It is sometimes not very easy to accomplish but if you have been able to go there once, you can do it again. Short little respites throughout the day are just as useful and very effective in helping us take pause in the day, reprioritize and remind ourselves of the purpose of our day. Even if you are sitting in a car line waiting for practice to end so you can rush off to the next, close your eyes, take a gentle breath and focus your mind on your breathing. Do not let thoughts of nonsense enter your mind. Clear your thoughts purposefully. Focus on the gentle flow of breath, in and out and relax. Do not allow yourself to drift off into sleep but stay focused and aware of your breathing. Do not breath deliberately and laboriously, just natural, gentle breath. I recognize the place when I am at ease and calm and can recognize it quickly when I take a minute for myself. It is refreshing, calming and a great tool for refocusing my mind and shifting my life towards a more manageable pace. This practice may not ease the time constraints on my calendar but it surely helps me to move through the schedule in a more restful way. Something necessary when I spend as much time in my car as I do. Try it yourself. If you find yourself enjoying this minute of thoughtfulness, download some meditations to your ipod, a treat for yourself! Thanks for reading! Miriam

Take a Staycation....and chillax!

Winter always seems to dilly dally and after my first late winter excursion to warmth a handful of years back, I decided I'd never spend the entire winter at home again. Well...we all know the logic of that improbability, life gets so full and time flies and therefore, no rest for the weary. In my Organize This column for February, I pondered the thought of taking a staycation and I am beginning to swear by these little respites. Right about now I can assuredly say I feel a little spoiled! A ski weekend away with my boys followed by a relaxing and somehow equally invigorating weekend in The Big Apple! Certainly a little more expense tied to this getaway but, still, if I cashed out minute by minute, a bargain at any price. There are many deals to be had if you just take a little time and search them out. And oh, how very therapeutic! A great Broadway show at last minute prices, some window shopping at some "only found in NY" boutiques and, of course, an awesome meal at one of my favorite tapas standbys and I had the makings of a great weekend. Our hotel was centrally located and lavish enough to make us feel pampered without breaking the bank. Everyone is working hard to entice guests so the bedding is clean and inviting, the attention to detail is precise and the courteous, attentive staff makes the occasional necessary human interactions pleasant and welcome. I can wander the streets of New York for days simply people watching when all else fails and I have a little time on my hands. Free entertainment! I have yet to locate the naked cowboy...but I'm still looking! Take some time and plan a little getaway of your own. You don't have to go far at all...even the next town over probably has something to offer that you've never experienced. Concentrate on your purpose and intentions. Live in the moment and savor the newness of your surroundings. Take a staycation...and do it soon! And thanks for reading! Miriam http://dailylocal.com/articles/2011/02/27/life/srv0000011019554.txt