ABC's of Organization

B - buy. Buy only after careful consideration.
If you had known what you would spend over a decade dry cleaning that sweater in the back of your closet, would you have purchased it? If not, use that knowledge to make better purchases in the future.
Consider the cost of maintaining, cleaning, insuring and storing the next item that gives you the "I want's." Is it still a bargain buy?
Should you measure the space you intend to fill with the new item? Is it possible you already have something that will do the job just as well?
How often will you use the new item? If only once or twice, can you borrow or rent one?
In any case, it is good advice to shop around before making any major purchase. There are many sites which offer price comparisons. One site even tracks prices before you buy: http://www.priceprotectr.com/.
Are you in the majority of people - those who have made more purchases that they regret than lost items which "got away" due to inaction?

Rain getting in the way of summer plans? Have a picnic in the living room in bikinis. Roast marshmallows over the stove. Dance in the rain!

ABC's of Organization

A - accept. Accept your limitations.
I took piano lessons as a child, at least until my parents grew weary of nagging me to practice. Truth was, I had read a passage of The Amityville Horror and was sure that the pig was watching me through the window on the opposite side of the room from the piano. I remember being relieved when I would hear the buzzzz of the stove timer telling me I was through for the day.
I will never be a concert pianist.
What false dreams, or dreams of others (your mother, your father, your six-year-old self) are you holding onto? Release yourself from them.
Or perhaps you save every newspaper and magazine that crosses your threshold, certain that the secrets to your success can be found within. Or perhaps you have many interests as verified by your massive, dusty book collection.
You'll never have time to read everything that interests you. And, libraries (and good friends) lend books for free!
No need to hang onto the exercise equipment that bores (or sores!) you. Let it go.
Today, I ask that you accept yourself as you are, but also as the better person God knows you can be. Accept your limitations, but strive to be all that He made you to be.

Make it count

If you haven't made plans for this weekend, let alone this summer, don't wait any longer. Kids don't expect grand schemes - camping in the backyard creates memories just as well as an expensive trip out of state. If you need inspiration, flip through Family Fun magazine at your local library. Or, pick up a copy of Kathy Peel's The Family Manager's Guide to Summer Survival book.

Winner announced

The Clutter Cutters honors the work all mothers do on a daily basis to nurture their families. On May 8, we randomly selected one follower of this blog to win a copy of Kathy Peel’s book Desperate Households. Aj of Colorado Springs was the winner! She is the mother of three and was thrilled to be chosen. Congratulations, Aj!

April & May FunShops-free!

April 14, 6:30pm Simple Spring Cleaning @ Connected Cup, 6071 E. Woodmen Rd.

May 18, 6:30pm Dinner made easy @ DreamDinner, 5578 Powers Center Point.

RSVP requested, but not required. Call Cari at 338-9677.

Woodmen Edition's Kate Jonuska finds value in organization

At your local library, helpful information isn’t only found in the stacks, on a shelf or between
book covers. Valuable guidance can also be found in person, specifically in the persons of
Cari Pemberton and Linda Reinberger, certified Family Manager Coaches who provide free
organizational workshops for the community at local libraries. “This really is a service to
hurting families,” said Pemberton, who was recently named Director of National Outreach
for Family Manager Coaching and has been a professional organizer since 1992. “By dealing
with these issues in a free, convenient way, family managers — typically moms, but not
always — can take home strategies which can be implemented right away for the benefit of the
whole family.”
At a recent meeting at the Briargate Library covering tax preparation and battling paper
clutter, participant Jennifer Bell admitted relief that she’d found such help. “I think I can feel confident that I’m not by myself in this mess and I can find a good jumping off point,” said Bell,
who has recommended the free workshops to friends and family. “Yes, there may be piles
of paper everywhere, but you can get back on track. It can be done.”
Topics of past organizational workshops, which are usually conducted monthly, include
“The Busy Mom’s Guide to a Happy, Organized Home” and “Preparing for an A+ School
Year” as well as guidance with holiday-season preparations, organization products, staging
your home for sale and more.
Pemberton has conducted adult education programs at the Briargate Library since the
branch opened, and Reinberger has expanded the workshops to the Rockrimmon Library, as
well. Both believe that sharing their wealth of professional knowledge with families is a
genuine public service, especially in trying economic times. “How many of us think about
the cost of storing, insuring, cleaning and maintaining all of our possessions? Downsizing
and staying organized really does help families save money,” Pemberton explains. In addition
to creating value for your pocketbook, becoming organized can also add valuable time to
stressed-out schedules. “The end goal of organizing is to free time and resources for
more important matters,” Pemberton continues. “Being able to find your car keys instead of
searching for 10 minutes twice a week translates into more time for parents to spend on
what really matters — reading another book to their child, or just catching another 20 minutes
of sleep.”
Over-scheduled and overwhelmed, it often takes an outside voice of reason to get a
family back on track. If you’re interested in hearing that voice at one of Pemberton or Reinberger’s free sessions, upcoming workshops include “Kids Home Alone” at 10:30 a.m. March 16 at the Rockrimmon Library and “Downsizing: Organized Moving” on March 31 at the
Colorado Springs Senior Center, 1514 N. Hancock Ave.
The coaches also offer six-to eight-week intensive workshops— including “The Busy Mom’s
Guide to a Happy, Organized Home” study group on Thursdays through April — and one on
one family mentoring. For more information, visit Pemberton’s Web site at http://www.thecluttercutters.net/ or Reinberger’s site at www.OCDllc.biz. For details about the Pikes Peak Library District’s wide range of other adult programs, check out http://www.ppld.org/.