I'm Not The Only One

A daunting task is to organize, where do you put all this STUFF and why the WORLD am I keeping it. 

I recently moved my tools from a tool bucket into something else that was more efficient.  Now what to do with this bucket.....Oh I know, I will put all those papers in it and purge about 5 or more items a day.  The rule is to put things either away or shred.  I've done this before with a pile of papers and it actually works well.  

Sometimes I will get stuck on something that has no home and/or maybe it's a keep, so it goes in an envelope labeled MISCELLANEOUS.  Or it should say I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THIS.

Below is a video Vlog from Artistic Expressions, on tackling a disorganized room.

GOOD BYE CRAP!!

After opening a draw or two, to see taxes, receipt books, bookkeeping books, utility bills etc etc etc, all from over 20 years ago, I was glad for the annual Shred Fest 2014.

 

I bagged it all and carried two big bags.....DAMN PAPER IS HEAVY....to Cadman Plaza to shred it for good.

I got off at High Street Station (as per the instructions), BUT I got off on the wrong end. 

 

After stopping a few times to get across the park I made it.

I dumped it all in the bin along with others, but I must have seemed like a kid at Disney Land, because they were asking "Is this your firs time?" "No, just so excited to get rid of this, CRAP".

When the bin is full, it's wheeled away and loaded up onto the truck.  He even had to climb up on the side to help the paper fall into the grinder faster.

We peered through the little window and watched our crap turn into.....I don't know what it turns into, just glad to see it gone.......GOOD BYE CRAP!!

Old Photos...Here's An Idea

I have so many photos, which are in boxes and boxes.  I thought I would use them as wall paper, guess this is what it would look like. 
I found these ideas on Pinterest.

 

Let's Do It Again

I just received the Harlem Needle Arts Newsletter.  It's time to rid yourself of unnecessary papers you are holding onto utility bills, credit cards, bank statements, canceled checks, etc, because you don't want your identity stolen, the Shred Fest is for you.  See the list above to help you compile your crap.....oh sorry documents.

I participated in the Shred Fest in 2009 and it was an absolute joy to rid myself of all this stuff I had been holding onto. If you are caring for an elder, who unfortunately are prime targets of identity theft, this would be a good time to help with the paper clutter.  

Visit the website, there are locations all around the city, Shred Fest 2012.

Living to Loving: Beaded Ceiling Fan

Roz has been given a boost on her quest to de-clutter and create a beautiful living space with the installation of my new light fixture. Of course, with almost everything she's done on this "Living to Loving"  journey, the "chandelier" is an original piece made up of items bought over the years, intuitively knowing that it would work into her plan. 

In her words:

"I purchased the beaded, wire mesh candle holder, that evoked a middle eastern/Mediterranean flavor and had it converted into a light fixture. Even earlier,  I bought a simple, inexpensive ceiling fan, quite boring actually but I knew that liked ceiling fans and I could make it work. Then after painting the ceiling and getting ready to install lighting, Eureka, hit! I thought, I could combined the two if I could get the person with the knowledge and vision to make it happen, and I did. I painted the drab brown of the fan's blades a reddish copper color that matched my crown molding and sprayed painted the shiny brass of the fan's drum a brown crackled metallic to coordinate with metal base of the candle holder. My favorite, talented and professional contractor extraordinaire, Noel Murray connected both pieces into one seamless unit, got the electrical components connected and working and voila, see the finished product in images and video."

Ecker

Here in Lindsay Park we got free new windows.  When we first got the notice, I was in turmoil.  Can I refuse them, I won't let the workers in, I don't need new windows these work fine, and what about my air conditioner......  I went on an on in my head.  It didn't matter, we were getting new windows.

The process: Move your crap from the windows so the workers can get in there.  When I start moving stuff, there is the realization, that I have just tooooo much stuff.  My apartment is more like "Architechural Indigestion".  Ugh Ugh Ugh.  So the window project made me re-examine the stuff I've held onto.

 At 6am there was movement in the hallways.  At 7am there was a knock at the door "YOU HAVE 15 MINUTES TO GET OUT!!!" "CONTROL YOUR CHILDREN AND GET OUT".  All of us (neighbors) hurried down the hallway, into the elevators, and looked up at the building to watch (photo above).   After a few minutes I just prayed and went to breakfast.

They worked fast.  By 2pm it was done, we were allowed back in the apartment 3pm.

Some of the neighbors complained, whined, and there have been accusations of theft.  I wasn't going to sing with that choir. 

In the end, the Ecker windows are very nice.  Opening and closing them is easier, there is a screen built into the window, which will keep the anything flying out (birds, flies, mosquitoes, etc).  With all the windows open, it cooled down the apartment very nicely.  I made these curtains (above), also thinking of other window treatments, and I have to paint.  

The new windows opened me up to new ideas and I survived my first BIG construction job.

Small Home, Big Ideas

I came about this through a facebook friend and I am impressed with what this family of 3 has done so much, with so little.  

I especially love the work space.  It inspired me to do........to do something.

Recycle, Reuse, Re-purpose

Town Square

Recycle, Reuse, Re-purpose, and reap the benefits of a cleaner community.  I am packing my stuff up now and so should you.  You can drop off cleaned, gently-used clothing, shoes, toys, books, bicycles, computers, electronics, phones, and household items.  You can also walk away with as much as you want, which means you need to bring bags, boxes, carts, or your grumpy husband, to help take stuff home. 

The suggested donation is $5.00 and Town Square is a qualified 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution.  Your donation will be TAX DEDUCTIBLE to the full extent of the law.  That should de-grump your husband.

Green Cycle Swaps

Town Square Inc.

April 30, 2011
12pm - 4pm

McCarren Park

780 Lorimer Street

Greenpoint/Williamsburg

For more info:
Town Square Inc.
917.392.8450 
agnes@townsquareinc.com

Organizing Photos

I have sooooooo many photos.  I don't even know who all the people are.  Ugh!!!!!! but I went from this (above) to that (below). 

I'm getting there.

Facebook Miracle 33 Years In The Making

Almost a year ago on Facebook I received a friend request and also asking if I was related to M.Elaine Bromfield (my mom).  I responded back but told her my mom passed in September 2008.  She sent me her condolences and told me how much she respected my mom,  "Mrs. Bromfield was stern but always fair".  I really appreciated hearing that from her. Since then we have posted and commented, which is what you do on FB, and then........

I was sorting through various papers like old articles, canceled checks,  and stuff, I came across a letter that said "To Whom It May Concern".  This usually gets tossed right away, but for some reason I read this letter.  It was a glowing report of a young lady who worked with my mom.  My Mother sited her dedication, responsibility and that she would be an asset to any company.  Over 30 years later and the letter is in my hands talking about my FB friend.  I contacted her and happily sent her the letter.

"Cassandra: I received your mother's letter.  Thank you so much for sending it.  

Who knew that a letter written 33 years ago would so uplifting to me.....

After I read the letter, my partner said that I "was a cool teenager", and a even cooler woman....

Who knew that Facebook would have made this miracle happen!"

I know my mother had a hand in this one, Thanks Mommy.

Yahgie: The Beauty Of Clutter

Yahgie Blog

I have seen clutter referred in many terms but never is it associated with beauty. Here Yahgie (decorator and interior designer), shows me a thing or two, three, fours, through her blog, on how beautiful clutter be.

Read more about Yahgie's Decorating Ideas.

Shoebox Organized, Maybe, Maybe Not Yet

How To Reuse A Shoebox

I just read this article by Kim Ann Curtain of The Coach Shoppe. She is a life coach, with a vision and purpose to empower people to live life abundant, extraordinary, and with joy. I first met Kim at a Constant Contact event (online newsletter service). Cards were exchanged at the meet and greet. As many people should do she called or emailed (can't remember). I asked her "What does a life coach do. Is it a series of 'You can do it' and 'At a boy your a winner'. "
She was kind enough to give me a free sessi0n. My assignment was to give myself a gift every day. Not an easy task if you are so used to doing, going, trying to make it, paying bills, etc etc. You get the idea you are last on the list if you even make it all to the list. It was a good exercise that I still try to practice.
Recently in Kim's blog is a fantastic article about Space Clearing Your Life. Below just one of the steps for making your life sacred. You will get the shoebox reference after reading the entire article.

1.) What does this item do for me energetically?
Ask yourself this question about everything in your space, including pictures and furniture: "Does my energy lift or does it drop when I think about it or look at this item?" According to Karen in her book, Sacred Space with Feng Shui, Learn The Art of Space Clearing and Bring New Energy into Your Life, what usually stops people from clearing clutter is the phrase "just in case." "Just in case, I can never afford or find this again." Which really means preparing for a situation of neediness in the future, it sends a message to the Universe that you don't trust it to provide for you. If you haven't used it in a year or it pulls you down, clear it out; don't let the fact that it's an heirloom, a gift from a favorite relative or friend, stop you! Give it away, throw it away or have someone come and take it away. This will open up space literally and figuratively to allow the things you DO want in your life to show up. You must open up space so that what you want will have room to arrive. "Realize that everything you own holds your attention." Ask yourself is THAT really worthy of your attention?

Read More The Coach Shoppe: Space Clearing Your Life

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