Organizing

It’s a good time to start exercising.

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I read Dear Abby in the paper this morning and found out that this is National Women’s Health Week. She gave information about a free Health and Beauty Kit that was being offered by the FDA. You can sign up for this kit to be mailed to you. The site was very slow this morning but I was able to request the kit. There is a limited amount of them so if you are interested then you may want to check it out as soon as possible.

May is a good month to think about our health. There are lots of web sites that can help you lose weight, exercise more, or get interested in different activities. The Flylady site has started a Walk around the World for her moving in May.

America on the Move (AOM) is another good site to check out. It is geared towards women, men, and now they even have a family section. I did it a few years ago where I kept track of my steps with a pedometer and posted them on the site. I had to do so many steps during a six week challenge. They send you reminders plus give you tips on how to cut calories. Since I have put on a few pounds this winter I think I will sign up again for another six weeks.

Time to get moving!

Janice Scissors https://cutclutterwithscissors.com

It’s a good time to start exercising. Read More »

Garage Sale Season is starting.

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Do you like to go shopping at garage sales? Do you like to set up your own garage sales? Or do you hate shopping at them and hate having them?

There are strong opinions on both sides. They can be great places to pick up items you need at a good price. In today’s economy that is becoming even more important. At the same time, because of the great bargains they can contribute to your clutter overload. If you tend to buy things because they are a bargain yet you really don’t need the item then it is probably not a good idea to shop garage sales.

If you are thinking of having a sale to make some money on all your things then you need to think it out carefully before doing it. The TV shows makes it look easy and profitable. They also have large crews to handle all the work. And it is a lot of work.

If you want to have a garage sale to clear out a lot of clutter at one time then you need to plan carefully for it. You need a date set, preferably with someone else or the neighborhood. Then you want to have a plan in place to get rid of the things that don’t sell. Some charities pick up and other you have to drop it off there. Any money you make will be the icing on the cake. Once all the clutter is off your property; sold, charity, or trash, then you will feel a sense of accomplishment.

Tell me what you think about garage sales.

Janice

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Garage Sale Season is starting. Read More »

Attacking the Spring Weeds

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With all the rain and cool weather in the Midwest this spring the weeds have had a field day in my landscape beds. Since I don’t like using chemical weed killers that leaves only two other methods to fight the weeds. There is good old elbow grease and there is the use of a thick layer of mulch.

Well, I use a thick layer of hardwood mulch. The only problem I have with the mulch is the weeds in my yard love it! They don’t grow from beneath it but sprout on top and then send their roots down deep into the cool, moist soil underneath. So much for mulching cutting down the work.

That leaves good old elbow grease. So to prevent myself from getting overwhelmed I have devised an easy plan of babysteps. I have a five gallon paint bucket that I got from my painter. You can buy these buckets at the hardware store but I like to reuse and recycle as much as possible.

I take this cleaned out bucket along with my gloves, weeder, and a small tarp to sit on and go out to weed. When the bucket is full I am done for the day. It only takes about 10 to 15 minutes to fill the bucket. It is amazing how many small weeds can fit in a 5 gallon bucket.

I do this as many days as possible, weather permitting. I usually get the weeds under control by the time the warmer weather hits and their rapid growth slows down.

It’s a constant battle every year and makes moving to a condo very inviting.

If anyone has suggestions or a better idea I would love to hear it.

I’m starting a weekly newsletter with tips on decluttering and organizing. You can sign up to the right of this post. I do not like spam or email clutter and will use you email address only for these newsletters and other emails from me.

I have also set up my website. It is in the infant stage right now but please go check it out at; https://cutclutterwithscissors.com. If there is specific information about decluttering you would like to know more about, please leave a comment here or email me at janice@cutclutterwithscissors.com.

Thanks,

Janice

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Stimulus Checks on their way.

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If you are expecting a stimulus check then check out the government schedule to find out when you may receive it. Of course, back in March when the government announced they would be sending this check to stimulate the economy I don’t think they expected gas and food prices to climb like they have. Most people will probably use the checks to pay for those items or put it in the savings for a rainy day. The way the economy is going that rainy day could come at any time.

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” ~ Hans Hofmann (German Painter, 1880-1966)

“The trouble with simple living is that, though it can be joyful, rich,
and creative, it isn’t simple.” ~ Doris Janzen Longacre

Janice

Stimulus Checks on their way. Read More »

Spring Cleaning Continued

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I was reminded by a reader that I had promised to declutter my desk and take another picture. I did get the top of the shelves cleaned off right away but I didn’t get to the main area or the cubby holes. I think because I had not made it “perfect” yet I put off taking another picture.

Well, today I am posting the before picture taken on March 28, and one taken this morning. I have also taken one after setting the timer for 15 minutes and clearing off the desk top. It’s a work in progress, just like most things in our lives. And that’s a good thing! If everything was always in it’s place then there wouldn’t be any “living” going on there.

March 28, 2008

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April 24, 2008

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April 24, 2008 after a 15 minute clean up.

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Although it’s warm outside, it’s also cloudy and rainy again today. Sometimes it is hard to get in the mood to spring clean when the sun isn’t shining. Maybe it will still show it’s face today and I can tackle some more decluttering.

Mark Twain grew up just north of St. Louis and this quote says it all about the weather in the Midwest.

“In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours.” ~Mark Twain

Janice

Spring Cleaning Continued Read More »