Planning

Happy July 4th!

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It’s been beautiful weather here all week but of course it is pouring down rain today. So much for walks in the park or barbeques. Maybe it will stop long enough this evening for the firework shows around town. I hope the weather is better where you are.

If it isn’t do you have a plan B in place? If you are looking for things to do if the weather has interfered with your original plans then check out these sites. There are crafts, games, and fun facts about the history of our country. There are plenty of ideas to keep your children, grandchildren, or even your inner child busy.

http://holidays.kaboose.com/july-4/

http://fun.familyeducation.com/fourth-of-july/holidays/32874.html

I also want to let you know I have completed my eBook, “Best Tips From 2008”. I have taken the best newsletter tips and blog tips from last year and put them together by subject. Through out the year I jumped around from subject to subject according to the time of year and also to present a variety of tips.

Now if you need help with paper clutter all the tips can be found within a few pages. If you are getting ready to travel on your summer vacation then check out the chapter on travel tips.

Here is a brief list of some of the chapters: Paper Clutter, Garage and Garden, Clothes, Travel Tips, School Routines, and several more.

This is a free eBook for all subscribers to my newsletters. If you are a subscriber already then you should have received an email from me with the link for the download.

If you are not a subscriber then it is easy to become one. Just sign up on the right sidebar in the blue box where it says “Send Me Tips! to start receiving the newsletters. Every week you will receive tips to help you declutter and organize your home and life.

After you sign up you will receive the link for the eBook.

Have a Happy Fourth of July!

Janice

https://cutclutterwithscissors.com

http://twitter.com/jlscissors

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Struggling with Clutter

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Decluttering Tips – What area do you struggle with?
Volume 2, Issue 23
June 23, 2009

This past year I’ve written about many areas where I struggled with clutter. Most of my readers seem to have the same problems. But I was curious. What areas do you struggle with?

Over the years I have read lots books, researched online, and talked to many people about how to control clutter. I’m always willing to share my knowledge (this newsletter, website, blog). I am also always looking for new ideas and ways to control the clutter in our lives.

I have come up will several questions and would love to hear your opinion on them. Please leave your answers, ideas, suggestions, in the comment section.

Here are the questions.

1. What areas do you struggle with and would like some tips on? Kitchen, clothes/laundry, children’s toys, paper clutter, sporting goods, garden/lawn tools, holidays, gifts received/given, or any other area.

2. Do you like receiving the newsletter or would you prefer a more interactive media like my blog where you can post comments or ask questions? This way you can also contribute ideas from your experiences.

3. Do you like my monthly newsletter with the website links for different holidays and events going on during the month? You can always check out the current month newsletter on the sidebar of the blog.

Decluttering is an on going process. Life doesn’t stand still. My home always needs constant decluttering and organizing to keep it under control. Than being said, it rarely gets more than 15 minutes away from being clean, not perfect, but respectable.

Please a comment on the above questions. This way we can help each other learn to have a lighter load along the way.

If you would like to receive the blog updates in your email box please sign up on the side. This is a separate sign up from the newsletters.

Thank you,
Janice Scissors
https://cutclutterwithscissors.com
http://organizebythemonth.com
http://twitter.com/jlscissors
http://cutoutthebreastcancer.wordpress.com

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Summer Heat and Mowing the Lawn

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From an early age we are told to finish what we start. And many times this means completing one task before starting another. Sometimes it just can’t happen that way.

It’s hot out here in the Midwest. And it’s suppose to rain again. The grass loves all this rain. Heat, rain, high humidity, and wet tall grass that needs mowing is not my idea of summer fun. But it has to be done.

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So today I decided to apply the 15 minute strategy to mowing the lawn. First I did the front which is a lot smaller than the back. Then I came inside, drank plenty of water to replace all that came out as sweat, and cooled off for a while. I worked on an article I was writing, again using my 15 minute strategy and a timer.

A little while later I went out and mowed both sides and part of the back. I’m back on the timer and blogging here. I’ll go out in a little while and finish it up.

Some days are just 15 minute days. And sometimes I am totally amazed how much can be done this way. I wish I could finish most tasks in one continuous stretch of time but I don’t function that way. Using a timer helps me hyper focus on the task at hand. A “to do” list helps me stay on track and reminds me to keep going back to the tasks I start so I can eventually finish them.

The timer beeped so it’s time to move to the next task on the list.

Have a good day.

Janice

https://cutclutterwithscissors.com

http://twitter.com/jlscissors

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Travel Clutter

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Decluttering Tip Newsletter – Travel Clutter
Volume 2, Issue 22
June 17, 2009

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When we travel, especially for vacation, we encounter two forms of clutter. The first is what we pack to take on our trip and the second is what we buy to remind us of the trip.

How many times have you thrown extra clothing into the suitcase just in case you may need it. If you pack this pair of pants then you have to pack that pair of shoes. After all, the other pair of shoes that are packed for the other pair of pants won’t look as good with this pair of pants. On and on it goes until before you know it you need another suitcase to carry all the extra clothes. Traveling on vacation shouldn’t be a fashion show. It should be about comfort, convenience, and simplicity. Less really is more when it comes to packing for vacation. Less time spent worrying and dressing just right means more time site seeing or relaxing.

A simple way to pack what you need and only what you need is to write out what you plan to wear each day. You will have day clothes and evening clothes. There should be plenty of overlapping. One pair of shoes should be worn with multiple outfits. Shorts or pants can be worn more than one time. Just wear a different top.

Once you have written down what you plan to wear for the whole trip you can create a master list of clothes and other items. This master list will help you pack only what you need. It’s like going to the grocery store with a list so you don’t forget anything or buy too much that is not on the list. Make a list for each person in you family to help everyone to pack light.

The second form of travel clutter comes when we start buying or collecting souvenirs to remind us of the good times we had on the trip. The coffee mugs, wall plaques, sea shells from the beach, and T-shirts, all have a tendency to end up in a drawer or storage closet. If you use them and they remind you of the fun, that’s great. If not, then they become clutter. Take pictures instead and put them in a scrapbook (digital or hard copy) to be enjoyed later. Those are less likely to become clutter.

Keep your suitcases packed lightly going and coming back home. Focus on the sites and sounds and fun times of your trip, not your wardrobe or souvenirs.

How do you travel lightly? Please share your ideas and suggestions in the comment section.

Feel free to forward this tip to family and friends who might benefit from it.

To a lighter load along the way.

Janice Scissors
https://cutclutterwithscissors.com
http://twitter.com/jlscissors
http://cutoutthebreastcancer.wordpress.com

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Summer Vacation Planning

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Have you planned your summer vacation? Are you going on a big trip or just a few mini-vacations this year? Are you going to be staying close to home this summer because of the economy?

If you have decided you are not going anywhere this summer it doesn’t mean you have to be bored to death and do nothing. We always think the grass is greener on the other side but many times there are lots of fun things to do in your own town or at least a close neighboring town.

Check out the websites of your city or surrounding cities. They usually list attractions that tourists would be attracted to. Gather the information in a notebook and become a tourist in your own town. Plan ahead for places to visit in good weather (parks, zoos, other outdoor attractions) and not so good weather (museums, theaters, other indoor attractions). Keep your camera ready and have fun. No more boring weekends.

What kind of fun things do you do during summer vacations? If you have some great ideas you would like to share with me and all my readers then please leave a comment and let me know. Thanks.

I have posted the June 2009 Newsletter on the blog. There are some website links listed with ideas of what you can do with your families during the summer. Check it out.

Janice

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