Having just passed the anniversary of 9/11 we should all be aware of the fact that disaster can strike anywhere. The question is "are you ready"?
Everyone should be prepared for an emergency. Whether it’s the loss of power and electricity (which could last for days) or a hurricane, earthquake or other natural disaster…. Or a terrorist attack…
Being prepared is not an “option” anymore. Even if just the electricity went out…and you happen to have an “all electric” home….would you be able to survive? Do you have enough food to last you for a few days? What happens if all the stores are closed?
These are just some things to think about….. especially if you live in a remote area and don't have quick access to a store.
There are numerous websites and articles that tell you to be prepared to survive for at least three (3) days if an emergency occurs. The “72 Hour Kit” as some people call it.
Besides the basic kit, you also need to have an emergency plan in place. Below is a basic list that will give you some ideas to get you started (there are numerous variations of this kit).
Basic Kit:
Water – one (1) gallon per person , per day for at least three (3) days
Food – 3 days supply of non-perishable food. Some ideas are: soup mix, granola bars, trail mix, crackers,
peanut butter, beef jerky, fruit cups….
Plastic / paper – plates, cups, napkins…
Radio – battery powered
Flashlight – with extra batteries
First aid kit – basic kit
Whistle
Can opener
Garbage bags & plastic bags (various sizes)
Sleeping Bag
Blankets
Clothes – for three (3) days
Shoes
Coats & rain gear & cold weather gear
Personal hygiene products such as: shampoo, lotion, razors, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, feminine
products, sunscreen…..
Wet wipes
Toilet Paper
Sewing Kit
Paper & pencils
Matches / lighter (in water proof container)
Cash
Basic tools (wrench, pliers, scissors….)
Maps
Water purification tablets (or Chlorine Bleach)
Hand Sanitizer
String / rope / cord
Cooking appliances (portable stove with fuel….)
Some things (like medications…) cannot pack ahead of time…so have a checklist prepared for those items.
Checklist for supplies that need to be packed last minute:
Prescription medication
Infant formula
Pet food
Family documents (passport, birth certificates, identification cards, bank info, insurance info….)
Watch
Games for kids
Start thinking about how you and your family would handle an emergency….and start planning for it today…before that emergency strikes.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Monday, September 26, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Organizing Your Purse (Briefcase / Backpack)....
You can admit it... your purse (or briefcase or backpack) is a bottomless pit. You throw things in there never to be seen again. We all do it...admit it!
Everything we have is important so we have to keep it. The problem is that we don't have an endless amount of space in our purse (briefcase or backpack).
There are a number of things that we could or should do on a regular basis. Clean it out! Take a few minutes, yes only a few and empty the entire thing. Shake out the dirt and bits and pieces of things that have accumulated on the bottom.
Separate everything into piles, just like in your home. Must keep, goes somewhere else, garbage.
All of those receipts that you just threw in there need to go into a file or somewhere else. It's a good idea to keep a small envelope in your purse just for receipts so that they don't end up all torn up or lost. When you buy something that you might need a receipt for (such as clothes that you might want to return or appliances....) put it into a receipt file. At least once a week go through that envelope and put the receipts in your permanent file or check it against your credit card statement and then toss it.
There are a number of great purse organizers in all sizes that have a lot of different sized pockets that let you keep your purse organized and clutter free. I have a number of them in different sizes that are great to use in all kinds of purses, briefcases, backpacks, luggage and more. Or you could just use Ziplock plastic bags for things like makeup and other small things that might get lost in your big purse.
Being able to find things quickly in your purse makes like so much easier. And you all know that by cleaning out your purse at least once a month you will lose a few extra pounds of weight that you really didn't want anyway!
Happy Organizing!
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Everything we have is important so we have to keep it. The problem is that we don't have an endless amount of space in our purse (briefcase or backpack).
There are a number of things that we could or should do on a regular basis. Clean it out! Take a few minutes, yes only a few and empty the entire thing. Shake out the dirt and bits and pieces of things that have accumulated on the bottom.
Separate everything into piles, just like in your home. Must keep, goes somewhere else, garbage.
All of those receipts that you just threw in there need to go into a file or somewhere else. It's a good idea to keep a small envelope in your purse just for receipts so that they don't end up all torn up or lost. When you buy something that you might need a receipt for (such as clothes that you might want to return or appliances....) put it into a receipt file. At least once a week go through that envelope and put the receipts in your permanent file or check it against your credit card statement and then toss it.
There are a number of great purse organizers in all sizes that have a lot of different sized pockets that let you keep your purse organized and clutter free. I have a number of them in different sizes that are great to use in all kinds of purses, briefcases, backpacks, luggage and more. Or you could just use Ziplock plastic bags for things like makeup and other small things that might get lost in your big purse.
Being able to find things quickly in your purse makes like so much easier. And you all know that by cleaning out your purse at least once a month you will lose a few extra pounds of weight that you really didn't want anyway!
Happy Organizing!
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Making Organization Part of Your Routine
Being organized is not easy for everyone. Some people even think it's not important. But organization makes everything run smoother and makes people a lot less stressed. If everything is in its place and you can find things easily you are less likely to be running around frantic and you are not yelling at your kids or spouse. Sounds logical doesn't it?
Yet a lot of people still resist the idea that organization makes life easier. It's not a fad. It's a way of life.
Being organized takes practice. It takes time. Just like any other new learned process it doesn't always come easy to some people. It sometimes takes months of "forced organization" to become a part of your everyday routine.
But knowing where everything is and being able to find things easier and quicker is such a simple concept that most people don't realize how much of a difference it really makes in your life.
Try getting all of your clothes, your lunch, your briefcase & purse ready before you go to bed at night. You aren't wasting time in the morning making decisions about what you are going to wear. Your briefcase & purse are right there so you don't have to search for them. You've saved yourself time and frustration in the morning, a time when you really don't have a lot of it to spare. You get out of the house on time instead of running late. You are less stressed.
A simple experiment. A simple example of how organization can make a difference in your life.
Now take that example and use it in the rest of your life. Your work. Your living spaces.
Organization can have an impact on all of the parts of your life. Just learn to make it a part of your life and your will have more time for other things.
Happy Organizing!
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Yet a lot of people still resist the idea that organization makes life easier. It's not a fad. It's a way of life.
Being organized takes practice. It takes time. Just like any other new learned process it doesn't always come easy to some people. It sometimes takes months of "forced organization" to become a part of your everyday routine.
But knowing where everything is and being able to find things easier and quicker is such a simple concept that most people don't realize how much of a difference it really makes in your life.
Try getting all of your clothes, your lunch, your briefcase & purse ready before you go to bed at night. You aren't wasting time in the morning making decisions about what you are going to wear. Your briefcase & purse are right there so you don't have to search for them. You've saved yourself time and frustration in the morning, a time when you really don't have a lot of it to spare. You get out of the house on time instead of running late. You are less stressed.
A simple experiment. A simple example of how organization can make a difference in your life.
Now take that example and use it in the rest of your life. Your work. Your living spaces.
Organization can have an impact on all of the parts of your life. Just learn to make it a part of your life and your will have more time for other things.
Happy Organizing!
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Monday, August 29, 2011
Hoarding Is Still Out There
A lot of people think that Hoarding is starting to go away because more people are now aware of the problem. But it's not.
I have been getting a lot of emails and phone calls from families of hoarders that are looking for help. They worry about the health and safety of their family members. And they should worry. But it's not only the physical health problems that they worry about. It's the psychological problems and how they affect the family.
Many people out there have family members that are hoarders but it's still a well kept secret. Because if they told someone then their friends might think that they too have mental health issues. But it's not something to be ashamed of. Just as you can't control your family and friends in other aspects of their lives, you can't control people that have hoarding issues.
They have to be the ones that ask for the help. They have to be ready to try and change their lives. They have to be willing to part with some of their possessions and clean up their homes.
It has to be on their terms. If you or a family member just go into their home when they are not there and clean up and throw out what you term "worthless garbage" you will cause severe emotional harm to that person.
It is a hard concept for families and friends of hoarders to understand. But just going into someone's home and taking their possessions - no matter what the conditions of those possessions are - you will cause emotional distress.
How would you like it if they came into your home and took your stamp collection or your Hummell collection or your 50 pairs of shoes because they thought it was a waste of space and money? It's not the same you say? Well, to hoarders it is.
Everyone has a right to their "things". Unfortunately, hoarders "things" can cause them harm because of the quantity of things. And because the quantities are out of control and can cause physical harm. And because hoarding can cause isolation.
But that does not mean that you rush in to "save" them. It takes a person with experience in the many aspects of hoarding to be able to help a hoarder. And it usually takes a variety of people to help a hoarder and that may include a professional organizer, a therapist, a social work and a variety of other people.
Hoarding is a complex issue. It can't be solved by simply "cleaning out the house".
As a Professional Organizer I take my education very seriously and have acquired the following certificates:
Certificate of Study in Chronic Disorganization
Certificate of Study in Basic Hoarding Issues with the CD Client
Certificate of Study in Understanding the Needs of the Elderly CD Client
Certificate of Study in Basic ADD Issues with the CD Client
Certificate of Study in CD Client Administration
CD Specialist - Level II Certificate
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
I have been getting a lot of emails and phone calls from families of hoarders that are looking for help. They worry about the health and safety of their family members. And they should worry. But it's not only the physical health problems that they worry about. It's the psychological problems and how they affect the family.
Many people out there have family members that are hoarders but it's still a well kept secret. Because if they told someone then their friends might think that they too have mental health issues. But it's not something to be ashamed of. Just as you can't control your family and friends in other aspects of their lives, you can't control people that have hoarding issues.
They have to be the ones that ask for the help. They have to be ready to try and change their lives. They have to be willing to part with some of their possessions and clean up their homes.
It has to be on their terms. If you or a family member just go into their home when they are not there and clean up and throw out what you term "worthless garbage" you will cause severe emotional harm to that person.
It is a hard concept for families and friends of hoarders to understand. But just going into someone's home and taking their possessions - no matter what the conditions of those possessions are - you will cause emotional distress.
How would you like it if they came into your home and took your stamp collection or your Hummell collection or your 50 pairs of shoes because they thought it was a waste of space and money? It's not the same you say? Well, to hoarders it is.
Everyone has a right to their "things". Unfortunately, hoarders "things" can cause them harm because of the quantity of things. And because the quantities are out of control and can cause physical harm. And because hoarding can cause isolation.
But that does not mean that you rush in to "save" them. It takes a person with experience in the many aspects of hoarding to be able to help a hoarder. And it usually takes a variety of people to help a hoarder and that may include a professional organizer, a therapist, a social work and a variety of other people.
Hoarding is a complex issue. It can't be solved by simply "cleaning out the house".
As a Professional Organizer I take my education very seriously and have acquired the following certificates:
Certificate of Study in Chronic Disorganization
Certificate of Study in Basic Hoarding Issues with the CD Client
Certificate of Study in Understanding the Needs of the Elderly CD Client
Certificate of Study in Basic ADD Issues with the CD Client
Certificate of Study in CD Client Administration
CD Specialist - Level II Certificate
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Monday, August 22, 2011
Getting Ready for School
It's almost time for the kids to get back to school. Most parents are happy, kids, not so much.
But the end of summer vacation is drawing to a close and parents and kids have to get back to their reality. That means getting up on time, getting dressed in something other than shorts and t-shirts, having their backpack and homework plus all of their signed parent notes all together and in their backpack.
Sounds easy enough. Yet the usual scenario is more like chaos with stressed out parents yelling at their kids for not being ready on time and kids yelling because they can't find their shoes or their favorite shirt.
So get a head start on being organized for the school year by talking to your kids about the upcoming start of school. Make sure that you have gone over a list of what they need, from clothes and shoes, to backpacks, lunch bags and school supplies.
Then their is "the schedule". Make sure that everyone is on the same page as to the upcoming new schedule. Getting up earlier, getting ready on time, who needs the shower when... yes, some people have to plan out a detailed scheduled to make things run smoothly. Unless of course everyone has their own bathroom (we all aren't so lucky).
If you have your backpack from last year, make sure that it is cleaned out and ready to go (this should have been done at the end of last school year, but if it wasn't now is the time). Make sure that there is a "place" to put backpacks and anything else the kids might need to take to school. A cubby for each child by the door or hooks or whatever works for you. But have a designated spot and make sure that the kids stick to it. There is no reason that they should be scrambling every morning looking for things.
Now is the time to talk to the kids about a new "organized" procedure for the school year. Make them unpack their schoolbags every night and go through any notes that you, the parent needs to sign, have them do their homework and immediately put it back into their schoolbag and then put the schoolbag by the door (or the designated spot).
By implementing an organized routine you have a better chance of not getting that phone call about the missing homework or the missing permission slip.
Kids need structure. They need a routine. And so do adults.
Being organized makes mornings much easier and stress free.
Enjoy the last few days of summer vacation and start your school year on an organized note.
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
But the end of summer vacation is drawing to a close and parents and kids have to get back to their reality. That means getting up on time, getting dressed in something other than shorts and t-shirts, having their backpack and homework plus all of their signed parent notes all together and in their backpack.
Sounds easy enough. Yet the usual scenario is more like chaos with stressed out parents yelling at their kids for not being ready on time and kids yelling because they can't find their shoes or their favorite shirt.
So get a head start on being organized for the school year by talking to your kids about the upcoming start of school. Make sure that you have gone over a list of what they need, from clothes and shoes, to backpacks, lunch bags and school supplies.
Then their is "the schedule". Make sure that everyone is on the same page as to the upcoming new schedule. Getting up earlier, getting ready on time, who needs the shower when... yes, some people have to plan out a detailed scheduled to make things run smoothly. Unless of course everyone has their own bathroom (we all aren't so lucky).
If you have your backpack from last year, make sure that it is cleaned out and ready to go (this should have been done at the end of last school year, but if it wasn't now is the time). Make sure that there is a "place" to put backpacks and anything else the kids might need to take to school. A cubby for each child by the door or hooks or whatever works for you. But have a designated spot and make sure that the kids stick to it. There is no reason that they should be scrambling every morning looking for things.
Now is the time to talk to the kids about a new "organized" procedure for the school year. Make them unpack their schoolbags every night and go through any notes that you, the parent needs to sign, have them do their homework and immediately put it back into their schoolbag and then put the schoolbag by the door (or the designated spot).
By implementing an organized routine you have a better chance of not getting that phone call about the missing homework or the missing permission slip.
Kids need structure. They need a routine. And so do adults.
Being organized makes mornings much easier and stress free.
Enjoy the last few days of summer vacation and start your school year on an organized note.
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Monday, August 15, 2011
Organizing Your Junk Drawer
Admit it. You have a junk drawer. Don't be embarrassed. Everyone has one. Some are just more messy than others.
But today is the day to clean it out. Yes, you have to clean out that drawer. Come on, you can do it.
I know that you are thinking "how did this drawer get like this" or "why is this stuff in here and what is it?". Well, we all keep things. "Because we might need it". Bits and pieces of stuff.
Start by getting a garbage can and putting it next to the drawer. Take out each item and if you can't identify it or it's use, throw it right into the garbage can.
Anything that you think you might really have a use for (be honest) should be placed into a pile on the floor. If you can't remember why you kept the item, get rid of it because you probably don't need it. Next, try to place like items together.
The reason that most "junk drawers" look "junky" is that everything is usually just in one big drawer, all jumbled together. Depending on what you have in the drawer and the sizes of things you will want to get some dividers to keep things more organized.
There are numerous inexpensive options such as small plastic trays or ice cube trays that will do the trick. Any container will do. I have used the boxes that my checks came in as divider trays for my desk. Be creative. You don't need to spend a lot of money for this drawer.
By keeping things confined in smaller spaces within the drawer it will look less "junky".
And try to break the habit of just throwing things into the drawer because you don't want to find a place for it. Your junk drawer should be confined to a drawer, not the entire house.
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
But today is the day to clean it out. Yes, you have to clean out that drawer. Come on, you can do it.
I know that you are thinking "how did this drawer get like this" or "why is this stuff in here and what is it?". Well, we all keep things. "Because we might need it". Bits and pieces of stuff.
Start by getting a garbage can and putting it next to the drawer. Take out each item and if you can't identify it or it's use, throw it right into the garbage can.
Anything that you think you might really have a use for (be honest) should be placed into a pile on the floor. If you can't remember why you kept the item, get rid of it because you probably don't need it. Next, try to place like items together.
The reason that most "junk drawers" look "junky" is that everything is usually just in one big drawer, all jumbled together. Depending on what you have in the drawer and the sizes of things you will want to get some dividers to keep things more organized.
There are numerous inexpensive options such as small plastic trays or ice cube trays that will do the trick. Any container will do. I have used the boxes that my checks came in as divider trays for my desk. Be creative. You don't need to spend a lot of money for this drawer.
By keeping things confined in smaller spaces within the drawer it will look less "junky".
And try to break the habit of just throwing things into the drawer because you don't want to find a place for it. Your junk drawer should be confined to a drawer, not the entire house.
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
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