tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66339807211577839642024-03-16T17:09:37.226-04:00Organizing by STYLELisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.comBlogger850125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-12131488708262707432024-02-29T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-29T00:00:00.138-05:00The Right Fit<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdXthWWM8Q_USvJMkAg6c96AUgmKOOejxbb4z9BmChX2-dpWyKib6rLdWOwPMYDvR9Pkot1GY2-mCiO-9I6hG5-s0PpTUCRQNPqeaxS1gd0KZgelJlx-JbGrgqsmU6pRLELPbyVEancFC-RP8mCYcS7zKKdOfGDejwtcEu6dhQkYuYfy9Jm8FdAw8SM0/s940/Thursday.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdXthWWM8Q_USvJMkAg6c96AUgmKOOejxbb4z9BmChX2-dpWyKib6rLdWOwPMYDvR9Pkot1GY2-mCiO-9I6hG5-s0PpTUCRQNPqeaxS1gd0KZgelJlx-JbGrgqsmU6pRLELPbyVEancFC-RP8mCYcS7zKKdOfGDejwtcEu6dhQkYuYfy9Jm8FdAw8SM0/s320/Thursday.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px;">I’m an Apple girl: iPhone, iPad, MacBook. Last week, when <a href="https://l2hess.blogspot.com/2024/02/y-is-for-yuck.html" target="_blank">I accidentally created a too-close encounter between my MacBook Air and a glass of iced tea</a>, I never considered replacing my dearly departed computer with anything but a new MacBook Air.</span><p></p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Actually, I'm pretty brand loyal in other areas, too. Exhibit A: my collection of Kate Spade handbags. Exhibit B: Multiple pairs of shoes with the same name inside (Kate didn't win that contest). Exhibit C: My daily Starbucks run at which I order the same drink 95% of the time.</p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I could go on, but I won't. The thing is, I know what I like. And, when I find something I like that <i>works</i>, I stick with it unless I'm given a good reason not to do so. Sticking with what works is an easy way to combine something functional with something that brings me joy, not to mention that it makes shopping more efficient.</p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This comes in very handy when it comes to organizing — in fact, it’s what organizing by STYLE is all about. </p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So why do we persist in using things that <i>don’t </i>work? </p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I have a personal list of exhibits here, too. Exhibit A: file cabinets. Exhibit B: binders. Exhibit C: any container that hides what’s inside (unless I can put a label on it).</p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">For years, I tried to make myself fit into those boxes. These were the tools I grew up on, the ones that were readily available and used by other people whose opinions I valued. But, as it turned out, these tools failed me.</p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Do me a favor. Go back and read the last sentence of that last paragraph again.</p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The <i>tools</i> failed <i>me</i>. They may be perfectly fine tools, but they weren’t the right fit for me. Since then, I’ve found replacements — tools that are a better fit for the way I think and the way I organize.</p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It’s exactly that kind of fit that keeps me brand loyal. When a tool works, fits my lifestyle, and is within my budget, it’s a win-win situation. When that delicate balance is no longer met, it's time to look elsewhere, guilt-free and judgment-free. </p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Maybe even splurge a little.</p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In the end, buying a succession of inexpensive tools that don’t work can be as costly as just buying the right thing — the one that works for us — in the first place. And, when we find that right thing, we might even want to stock up.</p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Especially if it goes on sale.</p><div><br /></div>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-21619755673613402542024-02-06T15:46:00.002-05:002024-02-07T01:37:08.093-05:00X is for Excited (Sort of)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCg4sNLZweVCiNsyntKQWJNuCcZDU2yqbw-Bn1S_l3Gjah0nCCm_m5NhDeJXxQ1eJDGzj3eZHj4L2pSm_uCbpOA7vY-o6qIbp6_tgoiRb_YnuQ89nXxSuaIAHLSOIDi4zX72rzZ5ml_bEk_kwEAz9GG_JrAgI0yhvMRE5naiVEknz7hEiu_V5nLnLhTmM/s940/PSC%20alphabet%20posts.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCg4sNLZweVCiNsyntKQWJNuCcZDU2yqbw-Bn1S_l3Gjah0nCCm_m5NhDeJXxQ1eJDGzj3eZHj4L2pSm_uCbpOA7vY-o6qIbp6_tgoiRb_YnuQ89nXxSuaIAHLSOIDi4zX72rzZ5ml_bEk_kwEAz9GG_JrAgI0yhvMRE5naiVEknz7hEiu_V5nLnLhTmM/s320/PSC%20alphabet%20posts.png" width="320" /></a></div> <i>I wrote this post yesterday afternoon, then promptly posted it in the wrong place, a mistake I discovered late last night.</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Sigh.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Apparently it wasn’t just my to-do list that didn’t go according to plan :-j</i></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm one week into the semester and I'm already breaking promises to myself. <p></p><p>Tuesdays were supposed to be a "light" day with respect to schoolwork. While today hasn't exactly been a super busy day, I blew right by my time guideline early in the day, and I'm not finished yet.</p><p>It's not that the workload is overwhelming. It's that I have lots of ideas and I actually have time to look into them. Maybe even implement a few.</p><p>For a change.</p><p>Writing was on today's calendar and, with the exception of this blog post, that's probably not going to happen. I <i>could</i> switch gears and switch tasks, but I kinda want to follow these new ideas for my classes and see where they lead. </p><p>Undisciplined? Maybe. But, the truth is, I work better when I follow my heart. Enthusiasm is a catalyst that augments my energy and that's a resource I don't want to lose. </p><p>So, it's off to my web search. Today, I'll be applying my creative energy to my classroom work and, as for my writing, tomorrow is another day.</p><p>I promise.</p><div><br /></div></div>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-35499994222154092842024-02-01T14:28:00.004-05:002024-02-01T14:28:58.930-05:00Imperfect But Improving<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0r16TNVGLs8B4hn7hrrO9HyRqrzsBAhlGQx22yhj1Aa5zavGCWK0hkEIsnK5cNbYkJiqq1-Evm3LxahZ_jedNM9RJcaKurKvoTFfZ_8WrbBYLL9k83YHDk8zM4ioATHevtpDwVOKxvz_pkoF8MRChRxg7UbUV2K_ezkzjbX5MzqrpJ6ZkwrhRl9h7i9U/s1080/OBS%20ThrowbackThs.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0r16TNVGLs8B4hn7hrrO9HyRqrzsBAhlGQx22yhj1Aa5zavGCWK0hkEIsnK5cNbYkJiqq1-Evm3LxahZ_jedNM9RJcaKurKvoTFfZ_8WrbBYLL9k83YHDk8zM4ioATHevtpDwVOKxvz_pkoF8MRChRxg7UbUV2K_ezkzjbX5MzqrpJ6ZkwrhRl9h7i9U/s320/OBS%20ThrowbackThs.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <i>This post from 2019 connected very nicely with my current situation. A lot of this fits together with <a href="https://heartoftheark.fireside.fm/35" target="_blank">a podcast I recently guested on</a> and <a href="https://l2hess.blogspot.com/2024/01/plan.html" target="_blank">a post I wrote on Monday for The Porch Swing Chronicles</a> about using my time wisely in a semester where I'm teaching fewer classes. In addition, it is, I hope, a good reminder to all of those who entered February with little progress on that New Year's resolution to get organized. </i><p></p><p><i>There's still time. There almost always is.</i></p><p>I used to be embarrassed by the state of my house often. It wasn't terrible -- just cluttered and very, very lived-in. My <i><b>I need to see it</b>/<span style="color: orange; font-weight: bold;">drop and run</span> </i>styles were in evidence in many places and on many flat surfaces. Having visitors required either hours dedicated to finding homes for things and putting them in those places or a frantic dash through the house to grab and stash.</p>These days, I'm embarrassed a lot less often. If you were expecting me to say I'm never embarrassed, I hope you're not shocked or disappointed. The fact is that knowing about organizing -- and even writing about organizing -- is different from doing it.<br /><br />When it comes to organizing (and keeping things uncluttered) the "doing" is often hampered by real life obstacles. Things like time, space and conflicting priorities lead us to take shortcuts that feel comfortable in the moment (like dropping and running, cramming and jamming or putting things somewhere), but that lead to piles and clutter we end up having to tackle later on.<br /><br />Organizing is not a one-and-done process. (Wouldn't it be wonderful if it were?) Balancing what comes in with what goes out in a timely fashion requires consistent time and attention. As long as both time and attention are plentiful, things go relatively smoothly. But, when we get busy or overwhelmed or other priorities emerge, it's easy for things to pile up. Quickly. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wfUC5vszBXk/XNN5niua0vI/AAAAAAAAIcc/tfTIxI2xUAwu-Cr_lfAiMpZnH0n_Gy4vgCLcBGAs/s1600/books-25159_960_720.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="615" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wfUC5vszBXk/XNN5niua0vI/AAAAAAAAIcc/tfTIxI2xUAwu-Cr_lfAiMpZnH0n_Gy4vgCLcBGAs/s320/books-25159_960_720.png" width="273" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/vectors/books-stacked-pile-stacks-25159/" target="_blank">Pixabay</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div>Tomorrow is my last day of classes for the semester. This week, I've emerged from the grading cave long enough to tackle a pile or two and create some clear space. Because I have workable systems in place, it's a fairly easy process, but it still requires time and attention. Fortunately, each clear space motivates me and reminds me that I know how to do this. I just need to have all of the tools -- including the intangible ones -- at my disposal.<br /><br />When it comes to organization, no matter how much I learn and how much I write about it, I remain a work in progress. Some days, it's hard not to see this through the lens of failure -- as though simply understanding what I need to do will get the job done.<br /><br />But it won't. Although knowledge alone is insufficient to keep my surfaces clear, there is one piece of information that helps me keep things in perspective -- one that I remind myself almost daily.<br /><br />It's a process.</div>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-43847766407059526242024-01-18T00:00:00.001-05:002024-01-18T00:00:00.149-05:00Dueling Guidelines<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5I1sAt7Q79cNC84dQiZPXN8j7t50uWPI4-CH2gl9QeOFq1yBTAON1Qn-p3OD1e4RHcCfubKAYT8nZGmTUA1kZypbDNdDZZTzR46JTyGejv8Ife0SoCLNXrf3a_l4CzlSNOSuhUVu5EP62ZXdkjbX1YbSCgLIvC8KRuRWBv5Vo0ERlO0n5Wnyh_ncsmFE/s940/Thursday.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5I1sAt7Q79cNC84dQiZPXN8j7t50uWPI4-CH2gl9QeOFq1yBTAON1Qn-p3OD1e4RHcCfubKAYT8nZGmTUA1kZypbDNdDZZTzR46JTyGejv8Ife0SoCLNXrf3a_l4CzlSNOSuhUVu5EP62ZXdkjbX1YbSCgLIvC8KRuRWBv5Vo0ERlO0n5Wnyh_ncsmFE/s320/Thursday.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> When it comes to the "Let it go!" step in organizing by STYLE, each of us faces our own challenges. For some, it's an emotional attachment to our possessions, for others, it's the expense of an item that no longer serves us, and, for those raised with a "waste not, want not" mentality, it's the idea that we might actually need this thing some day.<p></p><p>Or perhaps a combination of any or all of these three, depending on the item in question.</p><p>Recently, I've become aware of a particular collection of my own that falls into that last category (no, it's not the collection of containers in my basement -- that's old news). It's boxes and packing material.</p><p>As part of a generation that had to go to the grocery store to beg for boxes whenever I had to move, I've had a hard time parting with boxes for quite some time. When my daughter went to college, I hung on to even more. Who knew when she might need them to move, or when I might need a "just right" box to ship a care package?</p><p>I duly weeded out the boxes (as I promised my husband I would) after she graduated from college but, in the past few years, I began saving more packaging materials to go inside the boxes. And, since these years encompassed the pandemic, there were a lot more packages from which to choose.</p><p>Ironically, this new habit was due, in part, to my ongoing resolutions to use less paper and plastic. I couldn't keep merchants from using plastic airbags, but I could make sure they got re-used instead of just tossed away. And, while I was delighted when the boxes that held my purchases were filled with paper instead of plastic (thank you, Kate Spade and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/NikasHome/page/FBB8FEBB-63D2-4B71-8AB2-350D83613F7F?ref_=ast_bln" target="_blank">Nika's Home soy candles</a>, among others), I began saving that, too.</p><p>A few weeks ago, I noticed that my collection was getting out of hand. I duly rounded up the bubble wrap overflow (did I mention the bubble wrap?) and corralled it into a large bag. Setting it aside, I promised myself I'd do something about this. Soon. </p><p>Yeah. Soon.</p><p>Last weekend, as we took down the Christmas tree and organized the ornaments, I went in search of the right materials to upgrade a system that amounted to organized, and then I gave up and tossed everything into the last bin. </p><p>Who am I kidding? I knew exactly where to look. </p><p>In the basement, I quickly located the perfect box (a lidded box I'd saved from a basement overhaul over a year ago) and the perfect packing materials. When I was finished, I was pleased with my system for the first time in a very long time. The box full of leftovers had been replaced with a neatly packed (and cushioned) box of ornaments.</p><p>If you're cringing, thinking I took this as evidence that I didn't need to get rid of my "collection," you can relax. I did not, in fact, succumb to the positive reinforcement that threatened to override my judgment.</p><p>I also didn't get rid of everything. </p><p>My husband came to my rescue, though, promising to take the paper off my hands and make sure it got recycled (something I'm pretty sure our local waste company does <i>not</i> do). He promised me he knew exactly where to take it, and that place was <i>not</i> the trash can</p><p>Next, I sorted through what remained, finding homes for everything, and going back to a basic guideline I use often, but had failed to comply with this time around. Once those homes are full, I cannot acquire anything new.</p><p>In other words, I reduced my stash in two ways: some I used (for the ornaments) and some I recycled, both in keeping with my resolutions to reduce my use of paper and plastic. The rest I stored, with two additional rules. The first is really sticking to the rule of adding nothing new to a space that's already full. No room? Out it goes.</p><p>The second? A hard "one in/one out" when it comes to boxes. If the perfect box lands on my front step, I can only keep it if I recycle an imperfect equivalent.</p><p>Sometimes, "Let it go!" is an easy step: things that have gone bad, things past their prime, things we no longer feel any attachment to. Other times, our unwillingness to follow that seemingly simple guideline can catch us by surprise. If you, like me, find yourself in the second situation, a few simple rules might be just what you need to keep things from taking up more than their fair share of your living space, and buying yourself some time to consider what's necessary and what's not.</p><p>Meanwhile, be patient with yourself. It's a process.</p>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-35717136001521399962024-01-11T00:00:00.001-05:002024-01-11T00:00:00.146-05:003 Keys Thursday: 3 Tips for Keeping that Organization Resolution<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRLRw88fYhbAU_rWnf9G-QxfWuOStlhaUKT8GZMyL9ijjNKODstFG_iWEfgLo0r6EtVNXyIokcUR9Bkji-eDpd06jyZPdnr0yxs4aXMorjIhWxCxSS9Kgs81A9J9wycPKK1GzPNRQFvYOhxgtToHEIxqvHgz9bzGyQOkX1yuvqpJVdLoDX7HwJ19oh6Q/s1080/3%20Keys%20ThursREV.final.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRLRw88fYhbAU_rWnf9G-QxfWuOStlhaUKT8GZMyL9ijjNKODstFG_iWEfgLo0r6EtVNXyIokcUR9Bkji-eDpd06jyZPdnr0yxs4aXMorjIhWxCxSS9Kgs81A9J9wycPKK1GzPNRQFvYOhxgtToHEIxqvHgz9bzGyQOkX1yuvqpJVdLoDX7HwJ19oh6Q/s320/3%20Keys%20ThursREV.final.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Did you make a resolution to get organized in 2024? If so, how's it going?<p></p><p>If you're struggling, don't despair -- that's a <i>big</i> resolution. And no, I'm not being condescending.</p><p>Making a resolution to get organized without getting specific about how you're going to do it is like saying you're going to make a chocolate soufflé without a recipe (unless, of course, you're a professional chef or someone who has made numerous chocolate soufflés).</p><p>Getting organized is an ongoing process and it's one that can be daunting, particularly when we live with other people. Here are a few suggestions for key ingredients for your organization recipe -- a few organizing basics, as it were -- whether you're starting from scratch, or trying to right a resolution that's gone off the rails. </p><p><b>Organize in a way that works for you and do it unapologetically & non-judgmentally</b>. Some of my best organizing solutions have arisen from using typical tools in atypical ways, and some of my biggest frustrations have come from trying to make a tool that "works for everyone else" work for me. No one tool works for everyone, and no one person has the organization magic bullet. The only system that's sustainable is the one we create for ourselves. (Oh, and this goes for our kids, too).</p><p><b>Don’t put it down, put it away. </b>Clutter really <i>is</i> the enemy, but it doesn't build up on its own. Instead, it arises when we leave one thing out so we'll remember to do it, and that one thing becomes three, or seven, or ten. Or, it perpetuates itself when we set one thing down because we don't know where it should go. When we find things a home, one that makes it as easy to put things away as it is to put them down, we take power over clutter. When we learn to catch ourselves in the act of dropping and running, we forestall clutter altogether.</p><p><b>Take small steps. </b>Have you abandoned your resolution because it's all too much? The good news (and the bad news) is you're right. It's a lot. Truly, the best way to "get organized" is just to start somewhere, preferably in a spot where you can see improvement with just a small investment of time (an hour or less). Making a dent is motivating, and that motivation carries us forward, giving us the confidence to tackle bigger tasks and get bigger wins.</p><p>Oh, and one more thing: ditch perfect. Trying to make a home that a family lives in, works in, plays in, and yes, cooks in look like a picture out of a magazine is a recipe for failure and frustration. Sure, it's important to be able to find what you need when you need it and to have space to work and plan and dream without being distracted. But, if we spend all of our time chasing clutter, we have no time to work and plan and dream.</p><p>Organizing means balancing what comes into our homes with what goes out of them. Some days, the scales will tip in our favor. Other days, our kids will take out every toy they own, we'll drop the mail on the counter because we're too tired to deal with it and everyone will leave their shoes out for someone to trip over.</p><p>And the world will not end.</p><p>Organization is a part of life, and living is more important than being perfectly organized. But, when we have the right recipe, it's possible to have our life and organize it, too.</p>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-69972702121266307572024-01-05T12:47:00.001-05:002024-01-05T12:47:29.251-05:00I'm Dreaming of the Perfect Planner<p><br /></p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsAvRUfBlEWbVLlLnl_YYhb27oRzW4YQSTY5yjZ5j-VRXHICz5GlNl7e5_8XC4fI4jTi5sut6cqVeCsY7Hczm-8eaNpX0fb7xRg9Civ4e2iaTGdq9BkNWnJgHr93LOgUZD9RUFg1RAqkDuVD2IJxndQJpVybIm5RuXEplA7fmjYRAzPZYS9XToNlR770/s1080/OBS%20ThrowbackThs.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsAvRUfBlEWbVLlLnl_YYhb27oRzW4YQSTY5yjZ5j-VRXHICz5GlNl7e5_8XC4fI4jTi5sut6cqVeCsY7Hczm-8eaNpX0fb7xRg9Civ4e2iaTGdq9BkNWnJgHr93LOgUZD9RUFg1RAqkDuVD2IJxndQJpVybIm5RuXEplA7fmjYRAzPZYS9XToNlR770/w200-h200/OBS%20ThrowbackThs.png" width="200" /></a></i></div><i><br /> I've been asking myself what day it is for the past two weeks and, this week, with New Year's Day on a Monday, I remain confused. I'm going to leverage that confusion, though, and post on a Friday this week, on one of my favorite topics: planners. </i><p></p><p><i>If you haven't yet bought a 2024 planner, I urge you to splurge a little. A couple of years ago, I did just that, purchasing the planner pictured at left. Two years later, I ended 2023 in the middle of Volume 5 of this planner. I can't imagine using anything else. It has exceeded my expectations and I don't intend to switch unless I can no longer get my hands on a new one. </i></p><p><i>As you make your planner purchase, consider not just what you need, but also what you want. For me, having a place to put all my lists while still keeping them separate from my daily priorities has been a game-changer and a time-saver. And, having learned this lesson from my planner purchase, I've carried it over to other planning purchases as well, most notably the notebook in which I create and assess my monthly goals.</i></p><p><i>Sometimes, just any notebook or planner will do. Other times, a specific choice becomes an essential tool.</i></p><p><i>What does the inside of your dream planner look like?</i></p><p><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sG3HHUhh_j4/YSv-DAyWgxI/AAAAAAAALMo/0aqME4D5j20Q9mBYwagZl15gAX0T-iCbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s483/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-08-29%2Bat%2B5.35.07%2BPM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="348" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sG3HHUhh_j4/YSv-DAyWgxI/AAAAAAAALMo/0aqME4D5j20Q9mBYwagZl15gAX0T-iCbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-08-29%2Bat%2B5.35.07%2BPM.png" width="231" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">katespade.com</td></tr></tbody></table></p> I recently bought a new planner. I didn't need a new planner. I have plenty of planners. <p></p><p>Yes, planners. Plural.</p><p>But it was pretty. And undated so, theoretically, it will outlast my current planners.</p><p>Did I mention it's pretty?</p><p>Shallow as that sounds, I really don't judge a planner by (just) its cover. In the end, while pretty was a key factor, the interior layout sealed the deal. Each page has room for my daily schedule, three daily priorities, and a to-do list. There's also room at the bottom to note food and water intake for the day, should I so desire.</p><p>I don't. I keep track of that on my phone.</p><p>My hope was that having my schedule, priorities and lists bound into a book, I'd reduce the ubiquitous flurry of papers that litters my desk, and I would (almost) never need to dig to find my to-do list. </p><p>So far, so good. I still jot down notes on random pieces of paper from time to time, but I'm developing the habit of adding those items to the list in the book, usually the same day. In addition, I'm learning to keep the book close at hand in the evenings, when to-do list items pop into my head.</p><p>After purchasing the planner, I discovered that the pages are perforated, making it easy to pull out an unfinished list and tuck it into the next day's page, rather than re-writing it. I haven't yet done that, but it's nice to know it's an option. </p><p>Truth be told, no matter how useful it is, this planner was a splurge. I saw it, I liked it and, although I didn't buy it right away, I bought it in spite of the fact that I didn't need it.</p><p>Am I sorry? Not a bit. It has much more room than the pages I was previously using for my week-at-a-glance cheat sheets (but the flip side of that is that it also takes up more room than those single sheets). As it turns out, that's an unexpected bonus. I rarely fill every line in the to-do list section of the daily pages, and my daily schedule isn't usually lengthy enough to fill that section either. The resulting white space is calming, reassuring me, in a way, that although my day was busy, it wasn't overwhelming.</p><p>Not on paper anyway.</p><p>Organizing is a practical process. If the tools we use aren't up to the task, we need to replace them. But, from time to time, we all need a tool that's pretty <i>and</i> practical because that combination can make organizing not only fun, but a habit as well. </p>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-89944311380331715852023-12-28T00:00:00.001-05:002023-12-28T00:00:00.139-05:0024 Ways to get Organized in 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOWPVZk86tL8Rwzj9PHdxVFo2kdEcbOqzuOeHV5cUEFpj-Zqq1NxinzaHYfWJmRiOJ0S76ZelpTCe9yi5yh3OMstpW1Pm2koJCRHOt2UGsdsAa41xkXQSjTUomzzM-V339SH5kfA6-0s78wyGxHZx8LkfG5HVGK14Jly1ggzQyzghkVtUZd7XthV_NZA/s1080/OBS%20ThrowbackThs.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOWPVZk86tL8Rwzj9PHdxVFo2kdEcbOqzuOeHV5cUEFpj-Zqq1NxinzaHYfWJmRiOJ0S76ZelpTCe9yi5yh3OMstpW1Pm2koJCRHOt2UGsdsAa41xkXQSjTUomzzM-V339SH5kfA6-0s78wyGxHZx8LkfG5HVGK14Jly1ggzQyzghkVtUZd7XthV_NZA/s320/OBS%20ThrowbackThs.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <i>This post from last year has been updated to the proper number of goals (24) for the upcoming year. Good luck!</i><p></p><br /> If you're like me (and much of the rest of the world), you made some sort of resolution to get organized in 2023. Because I write about organizing <i>and</i> have time off from the middle of December to the middle of January, I've made a lot of progress on my organizing endeavors. <p></p><p>But still, I focus on what remains to be done, not the least of which is the pile of items made homeless by my recent organizing projects. </p><p>Some days, I look around my house and see a lot of organizing successes. Other days, I'm overwhelmed by all of the clutter that seems to collect and proliferate as soon as I look the other way.</p><p>That's when it's time to take small steps. Whether you've exceeded your 2023 organizing goals, or can't even remember what they were, you're sure to find one task in the list of 24 tasks below that can help you jump-start your organizing for 2024. Some are one-and-done tasks (at least for this year), while others may turn out to be starting points for larger projects. Remember that it's okay <i>not </i>to do it all one sitting. The key is to take small steps and to remember one thing.</p><p>It's a process.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>24 Organizing Projects for 2024</b></p><p>1. Decide what your perfect planner looks like inside and out. Then, splurge on one that comes as close as possible to your ideal.</p><p>2. Clean out the junk drawer.</p><p>3. Clear off surfaces, clean them well and put things back mindfully, putting back only the things you choose to return.</p><p>4. Collect all the homeless items littering surfaces in your home and put them in one container. Put a sticky note with the date on the lid, and put that container in an accessible but out-of-sight location. In a month (or longer if you prefer), donate or toss anything remaining in the container. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnTCpOiWV0iQd0iQEm2iAfloDhAHM14G-g_2mTdObURG5MNTdGz53Jea8L2Z5WZxGa6K9HcDgukzlOfg_hYb5-xV02YN_yuBBv8ehgztkCv6snUlV7-l3SlPuVB3zHmcXt8r7DedoOvr6Jy2K5fWuc0ymPdXKo8dzmYnh7wNjw-h38483E9T2SzMX/s300/STYLE.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><p></p><p>5. Dedicate 15 minutes to decluttering a space that annoys you.</p><p>6. Stare down a container that's not working and consider why you are using it. What do you love about it? What do you wish it had that it doesn't? </p><p>7. Sort through the thickest file in your file cabinet and get rid of anything you no longer need to keep.</p><p>8. Change the shelf paper in one of your cabinets.</p><p>9. Clean out your underwear drawer and get rid of anything you'd be embarrassed to be wearing if you ended up in the emergency room.</p><p>10. Stand in the doorway of the room you spend the most time in. What decorative touch or organizing project would make the space a little better?</p><p>11. Go through the medicine cabinet and get rid of anything that's expired. Make a list of what you need to replace.</p><p>12. Go through your makeup and/or toiletries and get rid of anything that's expired or that you haven't used in a year or more (3 months for eye makeup). Make a list of what you want to replace.</p><p>13. Take stock of your towels. Decide how many need replacing and buy one new towel a week until you'd be satisfied offering any of the towels in your closet to an overnight guest.</p><p>14. Set aside an hour to take stock of the place in your house that most needs organizing (kids' rooms don't count). Make a plan for tackling it an hour at a time.</p><p>15. Take everything out of the cabinet under the kitchen (or bathroom) sink. Clean the area and return only the products you actually use. </p><p>16. Stand in the doorway of your bedroom. What is one thing you could do to make it a more peaceful haven? </p><p>17. Have everyone in the family go through his or her sock drawer. Toss anything that's too small, falls down, has holes, or is too pilly, dingy or faded. Set aside socks without a mate and determine how long to continue the search and/or if any of the singletons can be put together to make an interesting pair.</p><p>18. Make sure all the pens in your go-to writing or messages spaces write, and all of the pencils have points and erasers.</p><p>19. Take everything off one shelf of one closet. Wipe down the shelf and put back only the things worth keeping.</p><p>20. Go through all the purses, tote bags, and backpacks and discard any that are past their prime. </p><p>21. Go through all the purses, tote bags, and backpacks and stock those you regularly use with the essentials: hand sanitizer, tissues, lip balm, a writing implement and small notebook, etc. That way, no matter which one you grab on the way out the door, you'll need to add only your wallet and keys and you'll be good to go. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnTCpOiWV0iQd0iQEm2iAfloDhAHM14G-g_2mTdObURG5MNTdGz53Jea8L2Z5WZxGa6K9HcDgukzlOfg_hYb5-xV02YN_yuBBv8ehgztkCv6snUlV7-l3SlPuVB3zHmcXt8r7DedoOvr6Jy2K5fWuc0ymPdXKo8dzmYnh7wNjw-h38483E9T2SzMX/s300/STYLE.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="300" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnTCpOiWV0iQd0iQEm2iAfloDhAHM14G-g_2mTdObURG5MNTdGz53Jea8L2Z5WZxGa6K9HcDgukzlOfg_hYb5-xV02YN_yuBBv8ehgztkCv6snUlV7-l3SlPuVB3zHmcXt8r7DedoOvr6Jy2K5fWuc0ymPdXKo8dzmYnh7wNjw-h38483E9T2SzMX/s1600/STYLE.jpg" width="300" /></a>22. Work together with each child in the house to organize one space according to their style. </p><p>23. Take everything out of the refrigerator. Toss anything that's expired. Wipe down the interior and put back only the food people actually eat.</p><p>24. Stand at the entrance to your home. What is one small touch you could add that would make you smile every time you walk in?</p><p><b>BONUS ITEM: </b>As you put away your holiday gifts, practice one in/out. Got a new sweater? Get rid of an old one -- or another article of clothing, if you prefer. </p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-84619400239620131812023-12-21T00:00:00.001-05:002023-12-21T00:00:00.137-05:00Perfectly Imperfect<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0D61RQLPAUtc970foHXI9baIFeFkkz03YFuaWuoBGNJQXzvsepmQ0Yb4QumDgbTWLmC3ycRxSAS_VB_Q1mX1c5k74Re2_0j1Ac0Ojjo2otIq0tMOXPaZPNrY9N0nqZAtmI7qyLh3bHY2_Dq_UniBudsMlE3Y_iTUIKBtCNLUSvMnQybRMxE7CbAOC7gg/s940/Thursday.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0D61RQLPAUtc970foHXI9baIFeFkkz03YFuaWuoBGNJQXzvsepmQ0Yb4QumDgbTWLmC3ycRxSAS_VB_Q1mX1c5k74Re2_0j1Ac0Ojjo2otIq0tMOXPaZPNrY9N0nqZAtmI7qyLh3bHY2_Dq_UniBudsMlE3Y_iTUIKBtCNLUSvMnQybRMxE7CbAOC7gg/s320/Thursday.png" width="320" /></a></div> When my editor told me they'd decided on <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Know-Thyself-Imperfectionists-Guide-Sorting-ebook/dp/B07RHQGKMC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=PILGP4B0BRES&keywords=Know+thyself+hess&qid=1702674439&sprefix=know+thyself+hess%2Caps%2C185&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Know Thyself: The Imperfectionist's Guide to Sorting Your Stuff </a></i>as the title of my book, I was less than enthusiastic. I'm terrible at titles, but I know when one grabs me, and this one didn't. It was, after all, quite a mouthful.<p></p><p>But, what the title did do was nail the essence of organizing by STYLE, giving us (writer and reader alike) permission to embrace the imperfection in the process. With an overall goal of keeping our house in order and being able to find what we need when we need it, we can carry out a plan that yields results that align with the mission of tidiness. </p><p>In thinking about organization in this holy season, it occurs to me that there's an interesting parallel here. Jesus's arrival was perfectly imperfect; perfect, in the sense that it occurred exactly according to God's plan, and imperfect in many ways obvious to mere mortals. An immaculate conception. A pregnant woman whose husband was not the biological father of her child. Birth in a stable, followed by a run for their lives. </p><p>Yet, none of this stopped Jesus from carrying out the plan the Father had in mind for Him. His mission to save us from death was unhindered by the imperfection of the world around him and he remained true to his mission despite myriad obstacles placed in his path. </p><p>Makes keeping our houses tidy sound like pretty small potatoes. </p><p>My point here is not to equate an organized life with the life of our Lord but rather, to point out that we, too, are here as a part of God's plan. Like our Savior, we have been given missions that sometimes align with <br />the world and sometimes run at cross-purposes to it. Some days, we count as successes and other days, our efforts seem to make very little difference. </p><p>But it's the big picture that matters. </p><p>Day by day, Jesus walked with his family and his disciples. He told stories, he healed the sick, and he made sacrifices beyond what we can comprehend. He traveled paths we can only imagine, recognizing the power of each moment even in times that yielded despair.</p><p>Christmas is a bittersweet season for many of us, but it's filled with opportunities to find magic amid the chaos and to appreciate that imperfect settings and situations contribute to the big picture of life. Like life, organizing is a process made up of small moments of success alongside setbacks, conflicts, and things that don't make much sense to us mere mortals. Some days, it can be a bit like trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle with no lid and a few pieces missing but, if we persist, the end product might be a thing of beauty.</p><p>Even if it's imperfect.</p><p>This season, cherish each piece, remembering that it's only one part of a much larger whole.</p>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-21339765904142197942023-12-15T16:16:00.004-05:002023-12-15T16:17:32.107-05:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Need a gift? Making a New Year's Resolution to read more or get organized? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;">To order, contact me at L2Hess@comcast.net with "$5 paperback" in the subject line.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbTlKCBGByFoa_5piymeKAOGcK5me325KYd09OV19RqTThtpf19y09X6g6XAbcfVXn4R4VeV3GxtRPwo1ajs9pyXm_CCGibDPV3C60NgcoHwZS14GcVN1MDYSHEkdOw4DlfakMB4HnTu1u3gEsDc920i6UfDgE1nRE-ULkbl8HPxJqxRwYTXsA52493w/s1080/$5%20paperbacks.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbTlKCBGByFoa_5piymeKAOGcK5me325KYd09OV19RqTThtpf19y09X6g6XAbcfVXn4R4VeV3GxtRPwo1ajs9pyXm_CCGibDPV3C60NgcoHwZS14GcVN1MDYSHEkdOw4DlfakMB4HnTu1u3gEsDc920i6UfDgE1nRE-ULkbl8HPxJqxRwYTXsA52493w/s320/$5%20paperbacks.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i> (*Shipping and handling additional; prices in effect while supplies last).</i></b></span></div><p></p>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-81240803503710774452023-12-07T00:00:00.001-05:002023-12-07T00:00:00.141-05:00Organizing for the Holidays<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTXWnrCrE6rt6AglZZRpNqyuvYGMd8JfvOaXyts2AmbJlrGiPNjhHxIMlg6VZq_hafOZtJx_U1-PRZa0y7TvCIbXJwCUDmy4Ey-cAeIbLD3JV1b9i1j0YLCdAtiQyuZjezZCQeofHv69zRo736y2OG8j-yE6Wjs9rFt-7lNf9saVhNDnu2LSMXw_MbMA/s940/help%20an%20author.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTXWnrCrE6rt6AglZZRpNqyuvYGMd8JfvOaXyts2AmbJlrGiPNjhHxIMlg6VZq_hafOZtJx_U1-PRZa0y7TvCIbXJwCUDmy4Ey-cAeIbLD3JV1b9i1j0YLCdAtiQyuZjezZCQeofHv69zRo736y2OG8j-yE6Wjs9rFt-7lNf9saVhNDnu2LSMXw_MbMA/s320/help%20an%20author.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> If organizing is about balancing what comes in with what goes out, the holiday season can make us feel doomed from the start. No sooner have we finished giving thanks for all that we have than we start to acquire more. Gifts. Decorations. Food for future feasts.<p></p><p>If you have more storage space than you need, congratulations - this is probably not an issue for you. But if you, like me, feel maxed out when it comes to places to put things on a regular, run-of-the-mill weekday, all of these Christmas acquisitions can feel overwhelming.</p><p>At our house, the Christmas decorations are stored in the crawlspace off the master bedroom. This means that as I begin to pull out Christmas decorations and all the trimmings and trappings, they inevitably invade the space in my house that should, arguably, be the most tranquil. I wish I could tell you that I have a wonderful solution for coping with these interloping, festive, baubles but the truth is that it comes down to the same thing it does during the rest of the year: making sure our styles lead the way.</p><p><b>Take small steps.</b> In order to minimize the amount of space that all these Christmas goodies take up in our bedroom, I take decorations out a few at a time. I have a red basket that I use to store the decorations I like to start with each year and that’s the first thing that I take out. Once I put up the decorations in that basket, I can use it to store anything that I’ve replaced during the decorating process (which also makes putting things away easier when I “un-decorate” in January). When I put the basket back in the crawlspace after putting out those first few things, I can take out a few more decorations. Decorating the house slowly makes it a little more festive each day.</p><p><b>Store presents according to your style</b>. <b><i>I need to see it or I know I put it somewhere</i> </b>organizational style? Don’t put everything in plain brown boxes! That’s a sure recipe for digging through the same container over and over again. Instead, consider the type of storage that works best for you during the rest of the year. If you’re trying to keep things covert, maybe do stick to the plain brown cartons that the gifts arrive in, but put a brightly colored sticky note on the outside of each one to signify whose presents are in which box. No need for covert operations? Use clear storage bins so you can see what you have. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Cram and jam </i>organizational style<i>? </i>Stick to one large container for storage, but consider subdividing it so you don't have a pile-up inside.</p><p><b>One in- one out.</b> Opportunities abound to practice this! As you buy new decorations (or put them away), replace anything that’s become tired and worn (or a safety hazard). In addition, anything that doesn't make the cut this year probably won't next year either. Toss it, donate it, or recycle it now to create space. Cool stuff under the tree? Consider what you can do without now that you have all those fun, new things. </p><p>The Christmas season brings wonder, joy, and stuff. We can't control all the stuff but, if we keep our styles in mind, we can keep some of it neatly under wraps.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpMGByEUlzc3HALNz0HMKhx6z00mc5TQEWOLE8N7Z8S4Gh-rNEaZ_ENsoshdY0J_QvMx46jkBlXlX6dFpCz15nLR5ng65hvdDtg_NWBgJ78GfdbbAtSQPSeMqlhviUKpORv_3Kb05vyhvj2eHeD4h69IL1BhQjOVhILIpgSahxQpDlJadNATg13LXY_s/s960/presents-1893640_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpMGByEUlzc3HALNz0HMKhx6z00mc5TQEWOLE8N7Z8S4Gh-rNEaZ_ENsoshdY0J_QvMx46jkBlXlX6dFpCz15nLR5ng65hvdDtg_NWBgJ78GfdbbAtSQPSeMqlhviUKpORv_3Kb05vyhvj2eHeD4h69IL1BhQjOVhILIpgSahxQpDlJadNATg13LXY_s/w400-h240/presents-1893640_960_720.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/presents-packages-gifts-boxes-1893640/" target="_blank">qimono via Pixabay</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-2493001425536538832023-11-09T00:00:00.004-05:002023-11-09T00:00:00.153-05:00A Plan is Just a Blueprint<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbyMXV2wZyOVCjXjcgVaNp2pAkWqqGLiLEKCex5Hbf0DBBqohJBkFG91fvM0_04i-7Pzgn7Mb_in_b63Wksh9LBB90tfuR9BR0BinbWKhfg-RE7dhE5RYqSS1s8zFCrMBa85RcQyPUS5kgrbXOwrcfSWNsSr0ecXlNOEJTULqZ0Z2FeuTceQ3IPy6J34/s940/Thursday.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbyMXV2wZyOVCjXjcgVaNp2pAkWqqGLiLEKCex5Hbf0DBBqohJBkFG91fvM0_04i-7Pzgn7Mb_in_b63Wksh9LBB90tfuR9BR0BinbWKhfg-RE7dhE5RYqSS1s8zFCrMBa85RcQyPUS5kgrbXOwrcfSWNsSr0ecXlNOEJTULqZ0Z2FeuTceQ3IPy6J34/s320/Thursday.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Every plan seems great at the outset. Excited by the possibilities, we jump in. If all goes well, we’re treated to a lovely honeymoon period during which we have the enthusiasm of a scientist who has proven her hypothesis – or so I imagine, as I’ve never embodied any scientific role (but I have watched a lot of <i>Lessons</i> <i>in Chemistry</i> this week).<p></p><div>Then, we hit the wall. Sometimes it’s a gentle tap, a miscalculation. Or, we get busy, and the day is over before we make good on the promises we made to ourselves. Or maybe those promises slip our minds and, when we remember them, we correct course and get back on track.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Other times, we run into the wall full force or, perhaps, repeatedly, missing our target over and over and reeling from the impact. </div><div><br /></div><div>The plan itself, contrary to popular belief, is not the important part. The important part comes when we hit the wall. Do we remain stunned and discombobulated? Limp away and make excuses? Pick up the pieces, put them back into something—anything—resembling the original plan (or a revised version) and move forward?</div><div><br /></div><div>So often, when we change plans, adapt them, or revamp them, a little (or big) piece of us considers that a failure. We failed to stick to the plan, to follow through, to make good on our promise to ourselves. Part of that assessment (the follow-through part) may be true, but the first part (the failure part) is not. Every time we return to the plan, whether we pick up from where we left off or move on in a different direction, we are succeeding. </div><div><br /></div><div>Not only that, we are winning. Life is full of plans and obstacles and, while the latter is inevitable, the former is a mark of optimism. We believe we can change, succeed, press forward, and doing so despite the obstacles (or because of them) is a win, not only for the plan, but for hope, joy, growth, and life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or maybe even organization. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, keep making those plans, and changing them, adapting them, and even abandoning them when what looks good on paper doesn’t work in the real world. A plan is a promise to oneself to dare to change, and every life needs a little daring in it. And every time we make a plan, follow a plan, or revise a plan, we grow a little bit.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>And isn't that the whole point of the process?</div>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-46102201495425652882023-11-02T00:00:00.001-04:002023-11-02T00:00:00.161-04:00Containing Your Styles<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGidHqrM5F5P6lFIpBg7NsOz7f3Y3llsjUZoytW0cg-EyI4Mn6Wb0_lBG8l6RonqsRn_I9Qus26McLwOVgYAQ0DCYgSVpFHLK8HOT5m1O-zba4mNaXjJaw0fheS3AmrESxuGgvsAj1Tzdh8g6rapt8eyqmju5BEFIephSLhF5_Zy70fZWz_ltLkFHzSQ/s1080/OBS%20ThrowbackThs.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGidHqrM5F5P6lFIpBg7NsOz7f3Y3llsjUZoytW0cg-EyI4Mn6Wb0_lBG8l6RonqsRn_I9Qus26McLwOVgYAQ0DCYgSVpFHLK8HOT5m1O-zba4mNaXjJaw0fheS3AmrESxuGgvsAj1Tzdh8g6rapt8eyqmju5BEFIephSLhF5_Zy70fZWz_ltLkFHzSQ/s320/OBS%20ThrowbackThs.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; text-align: center;">Containers come in many shapes, styles, colors, patterns and textures. Some are functional, some are fashionable and some strive to be both. Large, small, lidded, open, clear, colored, round, square, rectangular....the choices can be overwhelming.</span><p></p><div style="min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Despite their variation in appearance, all containers have just three components: form, function and style. <b>Form</b> refers to the size, shape and physical attributes of a container, including features such as lids and sections. <b>Function<i> </i></b>is exactly what it sounds like - the purpose the container will serve once you get it home. A container’s <b>style</b> comes from its aesthetics - color, texture, pattern, attractiveness.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">All of these attributes matter. How <i>much</i> each one matters depends on what needs to go into the container and -- you guessed it -- the personal and organizational styles of the person using it. Your mission will be to try to find containers that will help you to create systems that are <b>both appealing and functional</b> so that they’re easy and fun to use and maintain. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mTPpyfnubu0/VQmk7L1eR2I/AAAAAAAACik/weqUznMS-Os/s1600/6101400_1_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mTPpyfnubu0/VQmk7L1eR2I/AAAAAAAACik/weqUznMS-Os/s1600/6101400_1_1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>I love stuff</i></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">If you're an </span><b style="font-style: italic;">I love stuff </b>organizer,<i> </i>t<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">he key to containing your belongings </span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">lies in corralling both collections and odds and ends. </span><b style="font-style: italic;">I love stuff </b>organizers may<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"> see the containers themselves as collectibles, or as ways to house or display items of importance -- or perhaps both. This tendency to collect things usually means the more you</span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"> like a container, the more likely you are to use it. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qchzr06iMuE/VQmk7QAknnI/AAAAAAAACiE/OmI4gi1Vxh0/s1600/6843210_1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qchzr06iMuE/VQmk7QAknnI/AAAAAAAACiE/OmI4gi1Vxh0/s1600/6843210_1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><i><span style="white-space: pre;">I l</span>ove stuff </i></b>folks often prefer open storage and unique containers that allow them to see what they have. But, since too much visibility can turn into visual clutter (think about the difference between one sheet of paper on a desk and haphazard piles of papers), it’s important to strike a balance between what’s gets displayed and what gets put away. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">For the</span><i style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"> <b>I love stuff</b></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>person, container selection is a breeze because almost any type of container works<span style="font-family: inherit;">. Clear, color-coded or labeled containers with or without lids can all work well. Clear containers let you see which valuables are inside, while color-coding and/or labeling can be a visual reminder of what goes where. You may also like unique containers </span>because of their aesthetics; in addition, the uniqueness of the container may serve as a visual remember of the location of your valuable stuff. <span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">You may want to match containers in terms of color, size or style, or decide on a color scheme or other unifying theme, especially if you want to mix and match containers. The key is to come up with a combination that allows everything to be away, but still visible and/or accessible.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sNLUo2e3EYM/VQmlWLM6SEI/AAAAAAAACis/b3WlINfdD6U/s1600/6613050_1_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sNLUo2e3EYM/VQmlWLM6SEI/AAAAAAAACis/b3WlINfdD6U/s1600/6613050_1_1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>I love to be busy</i></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Time is at a premium for the <i><b>I love to be busy</b> </i>person, which means the best containers are those that require as few steps as possible. If you're an </span><i><b>I love to be busy</b> </i>person, you<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"> may benefit from subdivided containers that allow you to see at a glance what’s missing as you hurry from one activity to another. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Separate storage for each activity (e.g. a separate bin or bag) can also be helpful because this prevents items that are needed for one activity from getting mixed in with materials for something else. Like their </span><i style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>I love stuff </b></i><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">counterparts, </span><i style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>I love to be busy</b></i><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"> people may also like clear, color-coded or labeled containers that help them keep track of the minutiae of their varied pursuits. And, depending upon their organizational style, they may be able to use each of them with equal facility. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Z2iCz_J_Qw/VQmk7Ap1zTI/AAAAAAAACiA/R97YnRPBDB0/s1600/6612310_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Z2iCz_J_Qw/VQmk7Ap1zTI/AAAAAAAACiA/R97YnRPBDB0/s1600/6612310_1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>I need to see it</i></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; white-space: pre;">The name says it all! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anything you can do to appeal to the visual will help you if </span>your<span style="font-family: inherit;"> style is </span><i style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>I need to see it</b></i><span style="font-family: inherit;">. As a </span>general<span style="font-family: inherit;"> rule, open storage (no lids) is best</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> because it helps the </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">the </span><i style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>I need to see it</b> </i><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">person</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> put things away without putting them out of sight,</span><i style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">preserving the need for visual prompts. Clear, labeled or color-coded containers can work, too, for the same reason - they provide visual cues as to where things go. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Whereas those with other styles can be coerced into putting their belongings into drawers and closets, <i><b>I need to see it</b> </i>organizers will resist this. For them, the line between visibility and visual chaos is very, very fine. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><b>I need to see it</b> </i>folks, like their <b><i>I love stuff</i> </b>counterparts, often enjoy a visually stimulating mix of containers -- colored, patterned, unique -- and this variety can help them remember where they put things, making it easier for them to make the transition from leaving it out to putting it away. Avoid monochromatic color schemes; without visual variety to remind you where you put things, you'll quickly become frustrated and return to leaving everything out where it can be seen.</span><br /><div style="font-size: 12px;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RtuiCpHAEuc/VQml2GwHxDI/AAAAAAAACi0/hmWRUmGZ-rA/s1600/6612100_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RtuiCpHAEuc/VQml2GwHxDI/AAAAAAAACi0/hmWRUmGZ-rA/s1600/6612100_1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>A word about size</b></span></span><br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Remember how you used to buy your kids clothes with “room to grow” when they were little? Regardless of your style, you can use the same concept when determining the right size for a container: Choose containers that are the right size for what you currently own, with a little space for future acquisitions.</span><br /><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jqsAnBF1O00/VQmk7sJUj6I/AAAAAAAACiM/lJCKlJoR9yk/s1600/7911560_1_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jqsAnBF1O00/VQmk7sJUj6I/AAAAAAAACiM/lJCKlJoR9yk/s1600/7911560_1_1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>All of the containers on today's post were found on tenthousandvillages.com.</i></span></div></div></div>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-63421751682418454652023-10-26T12:41:00.001-04:002023-10-26T12:41:08.817-04:00Maximalism and Organization<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwgM4xy-2qTNtCjOfv0UT2ZbXDyo09fsSKYUvPk5OTRdt_rPE5g9vhhNWcL4LxRvnfsYtqJ4C0pR5dsQYWD9evXCyax9ACq8njHnS_fAIekHAGfVMD3aED3eUFUf8ZjedlumxUCeL4Z0iazOcmBZvv36JC4uo_q9jpll36XiHG-ENzCe659tk81rhwM0/s940/Thursday.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwgM4xy-2qTNtCjOfv0UT2ZbXDyo09fsSKYUvPk5OTRdt_rPE5g9vhhNWcL4LxRvnfsYtqJ4C0pR5dsQYWD9evXCyax9ACq8njHnS_fAIekHAGfVMD3aED3eUFUf8ZjedlumxUCeL4Z0iazOcmBZvv36JC4uo_q9jpll36XiHG-ENzCe659tk81rhwM0/s320/Thursday.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> I was flipping through a magazine yesterday when I came across a layout of a table set in a cacophony of colors and patterns — an example of maximalism, according to the piece.<p></p><p>I’d never heard of maximalism. After a few minutes of pondering, I went to my favorite search engine, where I discovered the maximalism is indeed a design style, exemplified by the idea that more is more. More colors, more patterns, more quality and quantity, according to one site.</p><p>As you might have concluded by my use of the word “cacophony” in the first paragraph, this style does not appeal to me, but that’s immaterial. There are lots of styles that don’t appeal to me; that doesn’t mean that they should be banished from anywhere except my own home. But another question quickly arose in my mind.</p><p>Does maximalism have a place in organizing?</p><p>Since decluttering and downsizing are both key parts of keeping our stuff under control, it would seem that the answer would be no. “Let it go” is, after all, one of the key elements of STYLE, which would seem to indicate that more would <i>not</i> be more when it comes to organizing. When we have too much stuff for our space, minimizing what we have would seem to be called for. And once we have gotten that quantity under control, we need to store all of those things.</p><p>And that’s where maximalism might just come into play. While the function of a container is arguably its most important attribute, the look of the container plays a role as well. We’re more likely to use -- and perhaps even more motivated to use -- things we find attractive. Colors, textures and patterns can add a lot to a space and can also serve as visual reminders for what goes where.</p><p>Recently, I bought a new tote bag. I didn’t need it but this particular item (which, not coincidentally, matches my favorite planner) kept calling out to me and so, when it went on sale, I splurged. Every single day when I pick up this bag and take it to work, it makes me happy. Part of the reason for that is that it distributes the collection of miscellany that I carry back-and-forth to work quite nicely, making it easy for me to haul what I need to from place to place. </p><p>But honestly? One of the biggest reasons that I like it is because it’s pretty -- a black tote bag with white polka dots that adds a lovely pop of pattern to solid outfits. </p><p>Do I change my tote bag, swapping it out each day to find one that matches my outfit? I do not. On its own, this tote bag works well for me on both an organizational level and an aesthetic one. Consequently, some days, I'm a walking example of maximalism as my tote bag bounces on my hip alongside a patterned sweater, jacket, or pair of pants. </p><p>Hmm. So much for my personal ban on maximalism.</p><p>When we struggle to get organized or stay organized, we need tools in our arsenal that make the task fun. And if that means choosing a wide variety of non-matching containers, each of which we love for not just its function but its beauty, then it seems silly to quibble over whether or not things match. And, if we also happen to have a style that is visually driven (<i>I need to see it</i>), and/or benefits from using distinctive or unique organizers (<i>I know I put it somewhere</i>), crossing "it matches" off our list of attributes might even be an advantage.</p><p>While I lean more toward minimalism than maximalism, and you won’t find me espousing the joys of bringing as much stuff as possible into my home or setting up a row of containers that don’t at least complement each other in terms of style or pattern, I definitely see the potential value of maximalism, particularly with it comes to choosing storage systems. I have two caveats, though: there can't be so many containers that we can’t remember where things go, and the look of the container shouldn’t outweigh its function.</p><p>Beauty is, after all, in the eye of the beholder. And Organizing by STYLE is built on the idea that each beholder should be true to his or her styles.</p>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-53034007085563110912023-10-12T00:00:00.001-04:002023-10-12T00:00:00.168-04:004 Things to Consider Doing This Fall<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbpfXcPKKPl0fsFsYm9Qm2heWTNvoyBOPAdptoi5AZaNjx7iUKLzRHHYSHkLcuc9PgBU4PIeNYfCcHO5_SG9SR4meLiipC1bAzpJtwdoBUE1vluorOOvzEECo8muABk-wtp97kLrhkQUGay9gjjo9AyxFed_0l9ZyWCu2KYVmbI3TCJLABocisZRyTAY/s940/Thursday.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbpfXcPKKPl0fsFsYm9Qm2heWTNvoyBOPAdptoi5AZaNjx7iUKLzRHHYSHkLcuc9PgBU4PIeNYfCcHO5_SG9SR4meLiipC1bAzpJtwdoBUE1vluorOOvzEECo8muABk-wtp97kLrhkQUGay9gjjo9AyxFed_0l9ZyWCu2KYVmbI3TCJLABocisZRyTAY/s320/Thursday.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> I have always loved this time of year -- the time when we return to classrooms and learning and all things back-to-school. For one thing, back-to-school coincides with fall, which is my favorite season (even if my allergies protest). Second, it's a great excuse to freshen up our supplies of notebooks, writing implements, and all things stationery. <p></p><p>But, perhaps best of all, the start of a new school year feels like a fresh start. We talk about spring cleaning but, personally, I feel more motivated to get my house in order in the fall. Here are a few of my favorite fall organizing tasks, inspired in no small part by the <a href="https://orgbystyle.blogspot.com/2023/08/ooh-look-its-on-sale.html" target="_blank">spend-free week</a> I wrote about a few weeks ago.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Switch the closet from summer to fall</b>. Living in Central Pennsylvania, I find that this happens gradually because summer temperatures often persist well into the start of the school year. But, since I work in education, it also happens organically as I pull out clothes to wear to work, only to discover they no longer work. I often don't recognize that items that are too big, too small, too tired, or too blah are taking up space in my closet until I pull them out to wear to work and immediately discard them. Making the donation box the next stop for those pieces I threw on the bed in frustration before leaving the house helps to ensure that my closet is up-to-date. Or, at the very least, it means I won't keep reaching for the same sub-par items because they'll no longer be there. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Try something new. </b>As a big fan of the one in/one out rule, I saw an opportunity in all of those discarded clothes. I've been subscribing to a clothing box for seven years (my present to myself when my daughter started college and I needed a little empty nesting pick-me-up) but, lately, the boxes have looked more like the donation pile than wardrobe staples. So, I decided to try another service. I loved the first box (which I got to try with a $20 credit) and I could put a few new pieces into my closet guilt-free because I'd made room for them with all those clothes that went from closet to me to bed to donation box. If you're not into clothing, you can try something else -- a new hobby, a new class, a new hair style (or color), a new organizer...the possibilities are limited by only your imagination and your budget.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Unsubscribe.</b> While you're weeding the closet, why not weed out your email inbox? When I did my spend-free week (actually closer to two), I don't know why I was so surprised that most of the incoming junk mail was an obstacle to modest spending (via an invitation to spend or donate money), but it was an eye-opener. I never want to miss a coupon or a sale but, if I don't need something, not buying it is cheaper than any sale. And, if I need it, I know where the store (or website) is. Meanwhile, all of those emails are simply temptations that wear us down. The first one is easy enough to delete, but the more of them we see, the more likely it is that we'll click (and buy). If I unsubscribe, I don't see them, making me less likely to buy things I don't need.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Buy a little peace. </b>As a rule, I don't set up notifications for apps. My phone dings, buzzes, and plays songs often enough as it is. But a long time ago, in the interest of being conscientious, I set up notifications for my work mail. They're visual, not auditory (they pop up on my Home Screen or Lock Screen), which makes them less distracting, but do you know what would make them even <i>less</i> distracting? Not having them at all. So, in late August, I bit the bullet. I turned the notifications off, and I don't miss them at all. Now, I check email on my own terms and, because I'm not distracted by newsletters, announcements, and junk mail, I do it less frequently and more efficiently.</li></ul><div>In his book <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/When-Scientific-Secrets-Perfect-Timing/dp/B076MBR89W/ref=sr_1_11?crid=2LT3WL6NXPMMK&keywords=When&qid=1696709190&sprefix=when%2Caps%2C266&sr=8-11" target="_blank">When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing</a>,</i> Daniel Pink talks about opportunities for fresh starts. For me, I think the back-to-school fresh start is the best one of all.</div><div><br /></div><div>What will you do to organize your space, your life, or yourself this fall?</div><p></p>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-52267363331046507382023-09-28T17:35:00.004-04:002023-09-28T17:35:44.753-04:00The Gift of Time<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJWn1X2kdBHGuAGXIC7v5oZv1bljFGM5PuJ0AnGOua4nMEEmp2TQFWOpzhdVtBSVOxkNbaY8jh8QJldDcU3lmrMwv3rU8lwqmHBbCzxE-Xigf35Up-00UyZ4TWq0DSFvwm9izQCzEAVXOqen8gVWek9OQgiGomjbiEQWXX0HEwbPhBwW_V7vGYBdlrzk/s940/Thursday.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJWn1X2kdBHGuAGXIC7v5oZv1bljFGM5PuJ0AnGOua4nMEEmp2TQFWOpzhdVtBSVOxkNbaY8jh8QJldDcU3lmrMwv3rU8lwqmHBbCzxE-Xigf35Up-00UyZ4TWq0DSFvwm9izQCzEAVXOqen8gVWek9OQgiGomjbiEQWXX0HEwbPhBwW_V7vGYBdlrzk/s320/Thursday.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <i>Today's post is a crossover post, building on the one I posted on <a href="https://l2hess.blogspot.com/2023/09/windfall.html" target="_blank">The Porch Swing Chronicles</a> earlier today.</i><p></p><p>This morning, the unexpected happened. I came downstairs to check my computer before work only to discover that a power outage on campus had delayed the start of classes until at least 10 a.m. While I didn't yet know if that would affect my 11a.m., I still had a decision to make. </p><p>And emails from three students already awaiting that decision.</p><p>My choice? I gave us all the day off. Sort of. I gave them an assignment, and I dug into my virtual pile of things to be graded.</p><p>The plan? Work all morning and write all afternoon. </p><p>That was almost three hours ago. As I write this, I’m halfway through my plan. Actually I’m sitting in line at the Starbucks drive-through, awaiting my turn to pick up my BOGO Thurs-yay drinks. </p><p>A day off and double the caffeine.</p><p>From here, I’ll go home, finish grading a set of quizzes, post this blog, and dig into the writing that has consistently gotten drop-kicked to the bottom of my to do list. </p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">If someone gave you an unexpected day off, how would you spend it? Would you organize a cluttered space? Tackle a long-neglected task? Truly take the day for yourself?</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">The gift of time is a beautiful thing -- one we often wish for and rarely receive. Yet, in our desire to be responsible, we sometimes use up that gift, rather than savoring it for the wonder that it is. And, when we do savor it, we sometimes feel guilty for “wasting” time or “not being productive,” forgetting that taking care of ourselves is perhaps the most productive thing we can do.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">The gift of time is one of the loveliest things we can receive. Personally, I plan to </span>make the most of every minute.</p>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-84477332188852966892023-09-13T00:00:00.000-04:002023-09-13T00:00:00.135-04:00Let it Go?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEV8-QkdH98IOPYi6LWErV0o0d35vxhXZXxdaBYegPJdCxLp9i9XcaXg1ZGEswlx5SbZvvHfX2iSXO24v3Y1FTAKRygvR5l_Fof2CpS_8HEV4x0ZywMH4MAhZKlv29N_UE-JyJEExssGYnNB8-Zdrhn63VvJvtzQ_x1MP5g81IcXen8zIC_GLz7p5Ov-U/s800/true%20confessions.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEV8-QkdH98IOPYi6LWErV0o0d35vxhXZXxdaBYegPJdCxLp9i9XcaXg1ZGEswlx5SbZvvHfX2iSXO24v3Y1FTAKRygvR5l_Fof2CpS_8HEV4x0ZywMH4MAhZKlv29N_UE-JyJEExssGYnNB8-Zdrhn63VvJvtzQ_x1MP5g81IcXen8zIC_GLz7p5Ov-U/s320/true%20confessions.png" width="320" /></a></div><i>This post from pandemic days reminded me that, sometimes, hanging on to things "just because" can be a good thing. </i><p></p><p><b>True Confession #26: Sometimes, it pays to be a packrat.</b></p>On Monday night, (day 41 of self-imposed exile, for those of you keeping score at home), I pulled the lid off my signature scent (a fancy way of saying my only bottle of perfume) and the nozzle came off with it. Securely wedged inside the lid, it wouldn't budge, leaving me with a nearly full bottle and no way to spray it. It was late, so I went to bed, saddened at the thought of wasting all of that perfume.<br /><br />The next morning, I got up and took another look. Nope -- no miracles. Still inextricably wedged inside. I twisted the little strip of gold that remained at the top of the perfume bottle and the spray mechanism came loose.<br /><br />Okay, good. I wouldn't have to waste the perfume. But where was I going to pour it? My mom used to have one of those vanity trays with the glass bottles for various fragrances, but those were long gone.<br /><br />Wait.<br /><br />I pulled open the top drawer of my dresser and there it was.<br /><br />The old bottle.<br /><br />There was only whisper of liquid left, but the most important part remained. I quickly pulled off the lid (gently this time), unscrewed the spray mechanism and, I'm embarrassed to say, got ready to pour.<br /><br />Yeah, there was an easier way. I swapped the mechanisms and returned the old bottle to the drawer, exceedingly happy about a very simple thing.<br /><br />When I saved that bottle, I had no really good reason. A faint aroma still lingered, so I tucked it in my dresser drawer as a sort of glass sachet.<br /><br />Yeah. No good reason to keep it and pretty much every professional organizer on the planet would tell me to toss it. But I kept it because I wanted to and now I'm really glad I did.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCv1BOBlDX4/XrLX_60wGkI/AAAAAAAAJZs/O30XdTtpNmUMddgsSqBuAl12u73MYZWXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/itsaprocess4.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCv1BOBlDX4/XrLX_60wGkI/AAAAAAAAJZs/O30XdTtpNmUMddgsSqBuAl12u73MYZWXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/itsaprocess4.png" width="320" /></a></div>Sometimes, we save things for a good reason. Other times, we just want to. We can't keep everything we've ever owned but, despite the fact that something borrowed should always be returned, something old doesn't always need to end up in the trash. (When it comes to something blue, I'll let you decide).<br /><br />Has an all-but-empty perfume bottle led me to contradict <b>L</b>et it Go! (The L in STYLE)? Quite the opposite, actually. <b>L</b>et it Go! has always been about letting go of things on your own terms. If something has meaning or use and you have room for it, keep it. If its time has passed or it's not worth the space it will take up, perhaps it is time for it to exit your home, whether via donation, yard sale or -- dare I say it? -- the trash.<br /><br />Now that I think of it, I'm not sure why I tucked that old bottle back in the drawer. Habit, I guess. Perhaps it's time to go back upstairs and apply my own rules. Its usefulness has passed (it consists of a non-working mechanism atop an all-but-empty bottle of perfume) and, if no further fragrance lingers, there's really no reason to keep it. And getting rid of something old makes way for something new or, perhaps even better, yields clear space.<br /><br />But that's another post.Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-651202987110221142023-09-07T00:00:00.000-04:002023-09-07T00:00:00.168-04:00The More Things Change....<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismLXgDmpjVmewUiVSWdLtRf7fFANoNxeSGPLM16UWhFjQfiFZ4RKvOwsRnbQAyL7LrVRSJRDJZ5pEQfCpji_dH7U97J2D0ryJEIbeK19JBAStvqFAEmkMIy2OocneYIcBArcrC3_1fO3ee9t1L7Hqgh8iGEaC4jKkgESOgk-2_O3bvrPbNdYv6gzO-cc/s1080/OBS%20ThrowbackThs.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismLXgDmpjVmewUiVSWdLtRf7fFANoNxeSGPLM16UWhFjQfiFZ4RKvOwsRnbQAyL7LrVRSJRDJZ5pEQfCpji_dH7U97J2D0ryJEIbeK19JBAStvqFAEmkMIy2OocneYIcBArcrC3_1fO3ee9t1L7Hqgh8iGEaC4jKkgESOgk-2_O3bvrPbNdYv6gzO-cc/s320/OBS%20ThrowbackThs.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> One of the things I like best about organizing by STYLE is its flexibility. Don't like binders? Try an accordion folder. Not a fan of the file cabinet? Use individual standing files. Have a tendency to cram and jam or put things in a "safe place"? Choose storage that supports what you do naturally -- flexible and/or see-through containers -- instead of "shoulding" yourself into using a traditional tool that frustrates you.<p></p>Another benefit of the flexibility of this method is that it automatically lends itself to change. No matter how perfect the system, it needs to be dynamic in order to meet changing demands, uses and time constraints.<br /><br />Case in point: my school stuff. Each semester, I have things to sort, store and carry back and forth. Old faithful tools -- my planner, which doubles as a lesson plan book, my pencil case loaded with writing implements and office supplies, my pocket folder that houses reference materials for each class -- form the foundation. From there, I add tweaks and tools to fill any gaps that arise.<br /><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FJxNMY3fXoY/WysWg5jdfEI/AAAAAAAAHZA/gbnev7anLoc89ZwoufiBszvp0Kfu2TzmwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/41UTcWhFzVL._SX353_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="355" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FJxNMY3fXoY/WysWg5jdfEI/AAAAAAAAHZA/gbnev7anLoc89ZwoufiBszvp0Kfu2TzmwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/41UTcWhFzVL._SX353_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="227" /></a>A few semesters ago, I added a clipboard to my arsenal of supplies. It came in handy during the first few weeks of class, providing a place to house rosters and seating charts as I learned my students' names, and then I set it aside. This semester, the clipboard has earned its keep, playing a role in my attendance-taking, thanks to a new online system. In addition, I added a single sheet of paper to my clipboard, one that summarizes my schedule and appointments for the week. It's amazing what a big difference that small change has made in bridging the gap between my school schedule and my home schedule. One piece of paper has combined my to-do lists, and appointments for <i>two </i>parts of my life, uniting two separate pieces of the same puzzle.<br /><br />Finding a tool that works is wonderful. Finding one that will grow with the demands and changes of daily life is even better. While it's tempting to wish for a permanent solution to our organizational needs, finding ways to adapt and adjust not only refines our systems, but our overall organizational skills as well. And, since a stagnant life would be a boring life, we might just have to adjust to the one true rule of organization.<br /><br />It's a process.Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-46729858291367301582023-08-31T00:00:00.004-04:002023-09-09T14:03:27.157-04:00Ooh, Look! It's on Sale!<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7p2-LvPOPOdm3qe-W8XxgwEjhyC_JD3jIgwCFAKU0Vs-au3vbfz8EqBGSMv6jHh1cunWS5shJABro6DPgbjf2LQCvYpJTpoK9uwRFnU-gHUIM2KTiDWrR_qosVFI5PI9AbGr8ufeUZ5faUpYGfHXoqmPtyWcb16Bp6jk2jsdWLSgMOr4xQ9GM1zDX68w/s940/Thursday.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7p2-LvPOPOdm3qe-W8XxgwEjhyC_JD3jIgwCFAKU0Vs-au3vbfz8EqBGSMv6jHh1cunWS5shJABro6DPgbjf2LQCvYpJTpoK9uwRFnU-gHUIM2KTiDWrR_qosVFI5PI9AbGr8ufeUZ5faUpYGfHXoqmPtyWcb16Bp6jk2jsdWLSgMOr4xQ9GM1zDX68w/s320/Thursday.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Last week, I bought a Kate Spade tote bag. It perfectly matches my planner (among other items I already own) and, while it had been on sale for about a month, the additional 40% off code in my inbox sealed the deal, the need/want line blurring into oblivion as I reached for my credit card.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Like so many other people, I replaced in-person shopping with online shopping during the pandemic. While the need to do this for health reasons has passed, the convenience remains. Consequently, I’m still buying stuff. Rarely does one receipt go over the top, but do I really need everything I buy?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">I decided to try a little experiment. For the remainder of August (about a week), I would purchase only necessary things.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Great! So…what are necessary things?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Food. I’ll purchase only food. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Great! Does that include eating out, or just groceries? And what about that daily Starbucks?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Hmm…okay. Starbucks is in. Eating out is okay if it’s unplanned and done with someone else so there’s a social element involved. But no fair making new plans that involve spending, at least until September.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">More questions arose. Household items? Home improvement projects? Donations? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">But the biggest challenge presented itself when I innocently dug into my inbox on Saturday morning.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Books. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">OK. That’s easy enough. My TBR pile is quite tall. I recently renewed my library card. There’s no need to buy any more books, no matter how good the price. Delete unopened.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Ouch.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">But the book emails were just the tip of the iceberg. When had everything in my inbox become a solicitation? No wonder my online shopping habit was flourishing. Everywhere I looked there was a sale. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">And I didn’t even leave need to leave my house.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Suddenly, I realized that I hadn’t arrived at this destination alone. I had been “helped” along the way by a burgeoning group of retailers who came to my door, so to speak, on a daily basis. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">This was bigger than a weak moment. This was subliminal coercion. And, as a result, I wasn’t just buying more stuff than I needed, I was also contributing to a growing accumulation of <i>stuff</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">It was time. Taking a week (or maybe more) off from superfluous spending would be the reset I needed to sharpen the habit of thinking before I reached for my credit card. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">But not only is never buying anything fun again unsustainable, it also does nothing to reduce my current inventory, so to speak. Consequently, I need to use a powerful organizing tool already in my arsenal: one in, one out. If a new tote bag is coming, something old is going. Only then will I be able to keep the incoming and outgoing stuff in balance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Yes. I have a plan.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">As I was typing this, a new solicitation landed in my inbox. Amazon caught me looking and decided to nudge me to pull out my plastic. Clearly, I need to pull some of the weeds in my inbox out by the roots and set a new criteria for thinning email. If it's trying to sell me something (especially something I don’t need), it might be time to unsubscribe.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">From there, it was a short jaunt to considering how and when I engage in my online shopping excursions. How many evenings do I spend clearing out my inbox in front of the television? I think I’m using my time well, slotting a less essential task into a down time of day, but it’s down time for a reason. I'm tired. My defenses are low. My feet might hurt, making those pretty shoes the perfect solution to all my woes, and one I deserve at that.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Okay, that's a slight exaggeration, but you see where I’m going with this. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">I bought my tote bag on Thursday evening. By Saturday, having chalked up just one day of not buying stuff I didn’t need, I’d begun to realize that the problem was much more complex than a lack of self-control.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">But it’s not insurmountable. And, from an organizational perspective, it’s a great place to start. Being thoughtful about our spending habits keeps us from filling our homes with things we then need to organize. And, by placing our mindfulness alongside our wallets, we might even be able to enjoy those fun purchases (when we choose to make them) because they happen less frequently.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-family: inherit;">It’s going to be an interesting week.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-27858009080705736372023-08-30T00:00:00.000-04:002023-08-30T00:00:00.141-04:00A Little Ownership Goes a Long Way<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsMirVHyq3KrRYko4wuHj5TR5K6q3hwEYG_26TG_nPO7-PkoAQB232MYsnV_RX-0FhbVrnqQpvKeSKvYwZfC-2BIi_EsBXJjRMI7uqYQL-ZYnnVo78WRad3pctSp6NvzMyfuJu4wXRtEKlcof88IccE8GKzPkDwWXdHT6a5EAtjd8lnDsNJt_HjQ-BY0/s800/true%20confessions.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsMirVHyq3KrRYko4wuHj5TR5K6q3hwEYG_26TG_nPO7-PkoAQB232MYsnV_RX-0FhbVrnqQpvKeSKvYwZfC-2BIi_EsBXJjRMI7uqYQL-ZYnnVo78WRad3pctSp6NvzMyfuJu4wXRtEKlcof88IccE8GKzPkDwWXdHT6a5EAtjd8lnDsNJt_HjQ-BY0/s320/true%20confessions.png" width="320" /></a></div><p><i> As we once again fall into fall and try to keep the home-school communication running smoothly, it seemed like a good time to re-share this post.</i></p><b>True Confession #24: I like to do things my way. </b>Everyone who knows me, along with anyone who reads this blog on a regular basis is laughing at the understatement that is that sentence.<p></p><br />I'm not inflexible. I just know what I like.<br /><br />But this post isn't about me. It's about your kids.<br /><br />As we all spend lots of -- ahem --<i> quality time</i> together, melding home and school and every possession, plaything, or educational material into one big, overwhelming, previously organized space, we may be struggling to keep it -- I mean <b>things</b> -- together. And we all know what we like.<br /><br />And it's probably not happening.<br /><br />Believe it or not, kids have organizing styles too. Sometimes they match ours, sometimes they don't. But a surefire way to keep your kids from organizing their stuff is to disregard their styles and do it yourself (a.k.a. according to your styles) because it's easier. It might be easier (and faster) but, rather than teaching them how to organize, it's teaching them that if they leave things disorganized for long enough, someone else will come along behind them and organize it for them.<br /><br />Sometimes, after the organizing angel has worked her magic (although at my house, the angel is more likely to moonlight as a dad), the children in question have the nerve -- no, the <i>gall!</i> -- to complain about how it was done.<br /><br />Can you believe that?<br /><br />What looks like a serious case of entitlement is often a difference in styles. I'm not promising you that if you ask your children what their styles are that they will magically fall in line and put away every last possession, plaything, and educational material without being asked. But I am suggesting that you ask them what might work for them.<br /><br />Maybe even give them this <a href="https://orgbystyle.blogspot.com/p/personal-and-organizational-styles-quiz.html">very scientific quiz</a> I made up.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-20hPyOKVpyM/XqDfU4Z5BLI/AAAAAAAAJWo/PZUjg7heLlgqrl8Q5BXYo-9hLOLLbgwbACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/child.kasman.pixabay.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="667" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-20hPyOKVpyM/XqDfU4Z5BLI/AAAAAAAAJWo/PZUjg7heLlgqrl8Q5BXYo-9hLOLLbgwbACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/child.kasman.pixabay.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">She might be too young to figure out how to<br />organize on her own, but her big sister<br />probably isn't. (Photo: <a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/child-girl-cuddle-cuddling-hugging-2141106/">Kasman via Pixabay</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table>Teaching our kids to organize most often begins with modeling the strategies that come naturally to us. Some of our kids will adopt those same strategies and develop organizing systems that look like ours and, when it comes time to clean up at the end of the day, they will do so to our satisfaction.<br /><br />Others will not but, when we offer them alternatives, they might develop their own strategies and systems. They might even like the responsibility of caring for their own things when they can do it their way. Even better, it's possible that they've learned a thing or two from all those things that didn't work. With a little encouragement and a lot of flexibility, we can help them develop a life skill while they're still living at home where we can appreciate it.<br /><br />Adults don't have the market cornered on wanting to do things our way. Honoring your child's styles can, in the end, make both of you happy.<br /><br />After all, everyone loves a little ownership.<br /><br /><br />Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-3658639313940884302023-08-17T00:00:00.000-04:002023-08-17T00:00:00.159-04:00Searching for School Supplies (Throwback Thursday)<p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nPUN_5hkpBk/X07uUy2h0tI/AAAAAAAAKHU/iBDBuScW_yYux2MdXI6ZcDnH6-qysI5tQCLcBGAsYHQ/s720/notepad-117597_960_720.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="676" height="328" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nPUN_5hkpBk/X07uUy2h0tI/AAAAAAAAKHU/iBDBuScW_yYux2MdXI6ZcDnH6-qysI5tQCLcBGAsYHQ/w308-h328/notepad-117597_960_720.png" width="308" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">pixabay.com<br /></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><i style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> From the looks of my email inbox, 'tis the season for back-to-school sales. I</i><i style="letter-spacing: 0px;">f you have official school supply lists to adhere to, s</i><i style="letter-spacing: 0px;">tyle-specific shopping can be a challenge, but it's still possible to do some adapting so your kids can find tools that work for them. Here are a few ideas to get </i><span><span><i>you started.</i></span></span></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Have you ever watched a left-handed person try to take notes in a traditional spiral notebook? It's almost painful. The angle is wrong, the spiral's in the wrong place, and even the neatest handwriting approaches illegibility as fatigue and frustration take over.</span></p><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">That's how it feels to be a non-traditional organizer using traditional school supplies. While everyone around you slides papers neatly onto binder rings or into the pockets of folders, you just never manage to make things work as neatly and effortlessly.</span></div><div style="min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">So...why buy those supplies?</span></div><div style="min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">If you've got a kiddo (or two) at your house whose notebooks and folders look like they've been through a natural disaster somewhere between school and home, there are things you can do to help them adapt their supplies to their styles. </span></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Ways to adapt a binder:</span></div><ul><li style="margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Buy a portable three-hole punch to put in the front of the notebook.</span></li><li style="margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span>Load the binder with page protectors so </span>unpunched<span> papers make it into the notebook. Or, if that's not gonna happen with your </span><span><b><i>cram and </i></b></span><span><b><i>jam</i></b></span><span>mer</span><span> or </span><b><i><span>drop and run</span></i></b><span> organizer, try folder pockets (hole-punched inserts that look like a pocket folder opened up and folded back) or a three-ring acetate envelope with a snap or Velcro fastener.</span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TtLpJKoW6HU/VdSTZNtSbiI/AAAAAAAADp0/t_xzi-9Ovg8/s1600/s0055581_sc7.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TtLpJKoW6HU/VdSTZNtSbiI/AAAAAAAADp0/t_xzi-9Ovg8/s200/s0055581_sc7.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">When I taught Organizing by STYLE<br />to an elementary school audience,<br />I found that clamp binders were a<br />huge hit with <span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">fifth grade boys.</span><br />Photo: staples.com</td></tr></tbody></table></span></li><li style="margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Add a clip to the front of the binder so the day's papers get clipped inside the cover and can be added to the right section of the notebook at home.</span></li><li style="margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Ditch the three-ring binder for one with a spring-loaded clamp. Kids who don't take the time to put stuff into the rings sometimes enjoy putting papers away when they have an excuse to play with the clamp.</span></li><li style="margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Replace the binder with an accordion folder. Choose one that's divided into sections, or one with just one wide, yawning opening, depending on your child's style.</span></li></ul><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">What to use instead of a standard-issue, paper pocket folder:</span></div><ul><li style="margin: 0px;"><span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">A file folder. Like pocket folders, these come in a variety of colors, and can be color-coded by subject. If the papers aren't </span>going<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> to go in the pockets anyway, why create an unnecessary battle?</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Transparent folders that allow kids to personalize them (photos show through the opening) or see what's inside. These also come in a variety of colors, with and without pockets.</span></li><li style="margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">A folder that has top and side access and a tab closure at the top. Multi-colored (again). Never underestimate the value of being able to play with an organizational tool. The more fun it is to put something away, the more likely it is it'll get there.</span></li><li style="margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Clear acetate envelopes with string-tie and button closures. Sold at office supply stores, these often come in multi-packs that make them less expensive per item. </span></li></ul><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FDrbaRZ88wg/VdSRvCMRowI/AAAAAAAADpo/4k_O4iCPQMk/s1600/77711-72052-a02p.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FDrbaRZ88wg/VdSRvCMRowI/AAAAAAAADpo/4k_O4iCPQMk/s1600/77711-72052-a02p.jpeg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">avery.com</td></tr></tbody></table></div>You may wonder if it's worth it to do all this adapting. Don't kids need to learn how to use a binder and get in the habit of putting papers in the correct side of a pocket folder? <div><br /></div><div>Not necessarily. Kids <i>do</i> need to learn how to organize themselves, but saying that they have to use tools that don't work for them doesn't accomplish that. Learning to organize ourselves means finding tools and methods that work for us and that let us put our hands on what we need when we need it without wasting precious time re-thinking someone else's filing system. Using the wrong (for them) methods and tools only convinces kids (and grown-ups) that organizing is something some people can do and others can't, a lesson they're likely to carry with them long after those pocket folders have landed in the trash can. Teaching kids to develop systems that work for them not only helps them learn how to get organized; it also teaches them problem-solving skills and reinforces the notion that creativity can be exercised in everyday situations.</div><div><br /></div><div>And those are some formidable skills.</div>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-78289048406511328082023-08-10T00:00:00.001-04:002023-08-10T00:00:00.166-04:00Auspicious August<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_Z_S4MIyywLrPfIQr6GufziNhrCxZ_r9r4ezWyyXYVUK7p_fXxrGPLVR3eMXvhrI-yhUNovNLTreSlprU9bAwkBt54kDXJgIw-FIFumK5ldcLYKlThlyQtS71bEYuL69wTugDfwZNV59wRa6CnbDUs5wbsnDgOu8rNI-8xeM4hDPraBS65-lakHUd04/s940/Thursday.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_Z_S4MIyywLrPfIQr6GufziNhrCxZ_r9r4ezWyyXYVUK7p_fXxrGPLVR3eMXvhrI-yhUNovNLTreSlprU9bAwkBt54kDXJgIw-FIFumK5ldcLYKlThlyQtS71bEYuL69wTugDfwZNV59wRa6CnbDUs5wbsnDgOu8rNI-8xeM4hDPraBS65-lakHUd04/s320/Thursday.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> As I write this from my perch on a porch at the beach, August is less than a week away, and I'm not ready to flip that calendar page. By the time you read this, it will already <i>be</i> August, and I'm sure I <i>still</i> won't be ready to engage in that seemingly simple action.<p></p><p>Why is it hard to turn a calendar page? Well, <i>physically</i>, it isn't. But, for me, August marks the end of summer and the return to a school mindset. Though classes won't start until closer to the end of the month, to me, turning the calendar page to August signals that it's time to leave leisure behind and begin preparations for the semester that lies ahead.</p><p>I follow enough teachers on social media to know I'm not alone. And, it's not just the teachers who are setting up for success. When it comes to getting organized, the back-to-school season is probably second only to January and its New Year's resolutions. Parents chase down sales and school supply lists, trying to find the right tools at the right price and hoping against hope that this is the year the organizing magic materializes for their kiddos who struggle to put the right paper in the right (or left) pocket of the folder. </p><p>I've written before about <a href="https://orgbystyle.blogspot.com/2020/08/from-vault-organizing-with-kids.html" target="_blank">organizing with kids</a>, but that's not where I want to go with this post. Instead of talking about organizing <i>stuff,</i> I want to talk about organizing <i>life.</i></p><p>I'm not ready for August because I'm not ready to leave the rest, relaxation, and freedom of summer behind. Like the Grinch, I want to stop the school year from coming (or a part of me does, anyway) but, like that green meanie, I can't make that happen. What I <i>can</i> do, though, is carry over a little bit of one season into the next.</p><p>For me, one of the best parts of summer is the luxury of a meandering start to the day: time spent journaling and reflecting. In the absence of time constraints, this process flows into reading, researching, writing, playing games on my iPad, and essentially doing a bunch of stuff I don't really have time to do on a work morning. The thought of switching gears away from all of this and into structured mornings is a large part of what makes me crabby when July turns to August.</p><p>As I thought about it, though, I realized that, instead of getting crabby about having to give all of that up, I can flip the question.</p><p>What part of my morning routine can I <i>keep</i>? How can I carry a little summer sunshine forward into a new semester? And, is there any day of the week when I can actually have it <i>all?</i></p><p>Huh. What a concept.</p><p>And, as it turns out, one that isn't so hard to put into action. The time I spend on my journal can easily be incorporated into work mornings; I've done it before. The extended time can certainly become a part of my weekend mornings and, some days, I can probably squeeze in a little of the reading before work. And, if I can't, I can set it aside to read after work. Just because I do it all in one sitting in the summer, that doesn't mean I have to do it the same way in the fall.</p><p>I hear you morning people suggesting that I simply get up earlier. Ha. Not. Gonna. Happen. I mean, it is gonna happen (I have to get up earlier on work days), but getting up early enough to enjoy my routine all in one piece? For this night owl, that would suck all the joy out of that lovely morning routine. Breaking it into pieces and enjoying every last bite is much more my style.</p><p>You, on the other hand, might feel differently. The swath of summer sunshine you want to protect might be worth earlier mornings, later evenings, or carving out a little segment of time during some other part of the day.</p><p>What is your most treasured part of summer? How can you carry it with you into the new season ahead? Or, is it time to swap it out for something that brings you joy in the new season we're entering? </p><p>Our routines and preferences didn't materialize over night. We crafted them over time, through changes in life and changes in seasons. Sometimes, we need to shake up the routine.</p><p>Other times, we need to intentionally carry it forward.</p>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-23035135648134016692023-08-03T00:00:00.000-04:002023-08-03T00:00:00.141-04:00It's Not Procrastination. It's a Metaphor.<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6V8m5KKIJvbFjsbpTl3cib5IssI7PndNvsBnLS3AfW_0Wa4Q-x8w-vuEo_xpZ0k0qzzSm3eFDSYyl_YxilfnaBUUjzELGu4J8iHS0igu4S66N19JuLWybCoTCooQ1AsOfqhMU7-IJ1y-FyKcR5noDEAeuAru03zW9klOLxAgHFyru8NPoNTCzgUreA4/s1280/luggage-g82e3b43f9_1280.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6V8m5KKIJvbFjsbpTl3cib5IssI7PndNvsBnLS3AfW_0Wa4Q-x8w-vuEo_xpZ0k0qzzSm3eFDSYyl_YxilfnaBUUjzELGu4J8iHS0igu4S66N19JuLWybCoTCooQ1AsOfqhMU7-IJ1y-FyKcR5noDEAeuAru03zW9klOLxAgHFyru8NPoNTCzgUreA4/s320/luggage-g82e3b43f9_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/illustrations/luggage-clouds-rainbow-sun-moon-6255515/" target="_blank">Saydung89 via Pixabay</a></span><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <i>Every once in a while, I write a post that can go either here or over at <a href="http://l2hess.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Porch Swing Chronicles</a>. I posted this one there last week, and thought I'd share it here as well.</i><br /><br /><div> When it comes to packing, I'm a procrastinator. Since my reluctance to actually put things into suitcases <a href="https://orgbystyle.blogspot.com/2023/07/conferring-with-packing-experts.html" target="_blank">sometimes works to my advantage</a>, I've shrugged it off as a workable, if less than ideal, state of affairs. It was only recently, when a sense of frustration descended on me as I was packing for vacation twelve hours before our departure (as usual), that I realized it's not a packing problem at all.<p></p><p>It's an abundance problem. </p><p>Vacation creates a sense of possibility. Vacation means breaking from routine, going somewhere new (or old if you, like me, have a much-loved vacation spot to which you regularly return), and letting go of daily obligations. All of these inspire a feeling of abundance -- abundance of time and of opportunity. Vacations open doors. Packing closes them before we even get to the threshold.</p><p>At home, I can choose to wear anything in my closet on any given day. I can read any book on my shelves, or even order a new one if the ones I own don't inspire me. I can decide to play the piano I've ignored for months, pick up an old hobby that I stashed away in a closet, or change my mind and clean out that closet if I'm so inclined.</p><p>How do I narrow down all the options, especially if I'm headed for a week away where, by definition, I can do <i>whatever I want to do</i>?</p><p><i>What will I want to do tomorrow, the next day, five days from now?</i> And what will I need to wear? How can I possibly prepare adequately for <i>any</i> of this?</p><p>Shut the suitcase, folks, and put it back in the closet. This is just too hard.</p><p>The combination of narrowing the possibilities to a serviceable number while still keeping my options open (and fitting it all into appropriately sized containers) is more than my limited cognitive resources can manage. </p><p>In the end, it's good, old-fashioned cognitive dissonance. Vacation creates a mindset that anything is possible; packing for vacation means foreclosing on those possibilities, or risking being unprepared and not taking full advantage of a window of opportunity that opens much too infrequently.</p><p>So, there you have it. It's not just procrastination. It's also a metaphor for trying to cram as much stuff as possible into a finite amount of space and time. </p><p>Procrastination is sneaky that way. It looks like one thing on the surface when really, it's about much more. </p><p>In the end, no matter how I try to make sense of it, trying to corral abundance into the smallest number of containers possible is an impossible task, as is trying to predict every situation for which I need to prepare (that's also a Mom thing, but that's an entirely different post). And I usually figure all of this out.</p><p>About twelve hours before we have to leave.</p></div>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-55833754678495491352023-07-27T00:00:00.001-04:002023-07-27T00:00:00.143-04:00Love Me, Love My Styles<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GpwBibfCRebyZ108d0Duo89HeM-rpp53boKF7jw2Joh27ownMXw08D5VZxay1SJ3Re2vOng-UaWr2Eh6Wi0l3n3lEPNL_8rJh6q8h9VwvXY2jOVxmZ1osidt6r0fsqYsCQv1n0J-aTNfpq_ZFg9b45F0EVJFW_fz3Fr295D7wBalX4m1bdTBlB32zGo/s800/true%20confessions.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GpwBibfCRebyZ108d0Duo89HeM-rpp53boKF7jw2Joh27ownMXw08D5VZxay1SJ3Re2vOng-UaWr2Eh6Wi0l3n3lEPNL_8rJh6q8h9VwvXY2jOVxmZ1osidt6r0fsqYsCQv1n0J-aTNfpq_ZFg9b45F0EVJFW_fz3Fr295D7wBalX4m1bdTBlB32zGo/s320/true%20confessions.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <b>True Confession #48: Sometimes, it's hard to accept our styles. </b><p></p><p></p><p>Although the heart of organizing by style is embracing our default styles and building from there, let's face it: sometimes, it's hard to let go of what we think we <i>should</i> be doing. When we come up against an organizing challenge and someone suggests a tried-and-true tool like a binder or a file cabinet, we might be comfortable saying they don't work for us, but still a bit sensitive to the eye-roll or argument that may follow. </p><p>I mean, those tools work for everyone, right?</p><p>Only they don't. And finding what does can be a challenge. It can require reconfigurations that we love but others don't understand. (Just ask my husband what he thinks of my open-top files in the family room). It can reinforce the idea that, for us, organizing hasn't always been second-nature.</p><p>Only it can be. </p><p>I've been organizing by style for sixteen years and I don't miss filing cabinets at all. In fact, I've even been known to invite the occasional pretty, visually appealing binder back into my office, provided it follows my rules. And, while I still revert to piling when things get busy or I'm in the middle of an organizing project, it's a temporary stopgap measure, not an organizational system. Most of all, I protect clear space now with a ferocity I didn't know I had when it came to organization, and I'm immune to the eyeballs of my audience when I do so.</p><p>Never come between a Jersey girl and her clear space.</p><p>I know I've said it hundreds of times before, but organizing is a process. But, <a href="https://l2hess.blogspot.com/2020/12/donna-reed-dinner-and-apron-strings.html" target="_blank">the process of accepting ourselves as we are</a> -- whether it comes to organizing or anything else -- isn't always easy or fast. So, let me ask you this: is organizing by style working for you? </p><p>If it is, keep doing what you're doing because it only<i> </i>gets easier with practice.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2YnI1Q_3efA/X8hAyf-yWKI/AAAAAAAAKYQ/UOrZVjbd_3cLIUHPkSUmu2hoQCZ5WCF6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s810/Don%2527t%2Brationalize2.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2YnI1Q_3efA/X8hAyf-yWKI/AAAAAAAAKYQ/UOrZVjbd_3cLIUHPkSUmu2hoQCZ5WCF6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Don%2527t%2Brationalize2.png" width="320" /></a></div>And, while you're at it, tell that inner voice that's making it hard for you to accept your styles (Your parents? Your sixth grade teacher? That girl in your math class who always had everything together and got straight As?) that you've got this. <p></p><p>The more you tell them, and the better you get at this, the more you'll believe it, and the better you'll get at strengthening perhaps the most important organizing tool of all. <br /></p><p>Self-confidence.</p><p>You've got this.</p>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-37606870853701095632023-07-20T00:00:00.002-04:002023-07-20T12:30:14.759-04:00Conferring with the Packing Experts<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciFc0xiPJ7gdtvmdVna5Ql3uep-Vxbc2vhQIgbxFm7rSzgXOI1lFesZUU2dSkrgsakEuNrDpVogSf-hlsYq2_6HxW-QX0muR4g2tE4cARcqR-Iv-nVkieluXkaZ6HBIq6W99Db2ALZvCUdLB4Eq8rxq0slarH2OomS2Xby-zqLsMWnsf0Q1pbuxYASGI/s940/Thursday.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciFc0xiPJ7gdtvmdVna5Ql3uep-Vxbc2vhQIgbxFm7rSzgXOI1lFesZUU2dSkrgsakEuNrDpVogSf-hlsYq2_6HxW-QX0muR4g2tE4cARcqR-Iv-nVkieluXkaZ6HBIq6W99Db2ALZvCUdLB4Eq8rxq0slarH2OomS2Xby-zqLsMWnsf0Q1pbuxYASGI/s320/Thursday.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> When it comes to organizing, there are some ideas that are unique, but there's also a lot of advice that's consistent no matter whose book or blog post you're reading. Last week, I shared a True Confessions post about my packing style and so this week, I thought it would be interesting to see how it stacks up against advice from a travel pro.<p></p><p>The back page of the Summer 2023 issue of <i>Explore Your AAA</i> magazine featured an article entitled "Packing Tips for Any Trip." As I read it, I was excited to find that, over time, I've learned to do most of the things in the article, along with a couple of good tips to remember and/or consider.</p><p>Here's the rundown, with my comments. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #333333;">Give yourself plenty of time to pack. </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">This tip inspired me to write "define 'pack'" in the margin. Like me, the article defines packing rather loosely, including things like making lists and dropping items into an empty suitcase (or, in my keep-it-simple "drop and run" case, a laundry basket). To that I'd add the suggestion of being as consistent as possible in where you jot things down. One master list (or an app, as the article suggests) is much more useful than a dozen random pieces of paper.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #333333;">Create a travel checklist</span></b><span style="color: #333333;"> that details what you'll wear each day. I don't do this because A) I'm too lazy B) I like spontaneity and C) what if the weather changes? (But mostly A). I do, however, try to pack tops that go with multiple bottoms to increase flexibility and because spills happen. At least to me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #333333;">Pack an extra phone charger and a portable power bank.</span></b><span style="color: #333333;"> Yes! And somehow I only remember this about half the time. I need to add a note about this to my pre-packed bag which contains...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #333333;">Travel sizes of grooming items. </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">I have a makeup bag exclusively for travel which I keep pre-packed. There's also a packing checklist stored in the bin that houses that bag. For some reason (stubbornness?) I choose to use that list even less often than I remember to pack the portable power bank. (I always bring charging cords).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #333333;">Stash an empty water bottle in your carry-on that you can fill at any water fountain. </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">Granted, this idea was more appealing pre-COVID, but any time I can avoid paying premium prices for plastic water bottles, it's a win.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #333333;">Put shoes in thin plastic bags.</span></b><span style="color: #333333;"> One of my favorite travel hacks. In addition, any time sheets come in one of those handy drawstring bags, I save them to use for this precise purpose. And, the other day, my new shoes came in their own individual bags (one per shoe, inside the box!). Definitely saving those! As with the water bottle, these hacks are good for the environment, too. I can wash and reuse those bags rather than having to replace the plastic ones which inevitably tear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #333333;">Invest in a set of packing cubes.</span></b><span style="color: #333333;"> Best packing hack ever! I just did this last year and it has revolutionized my packing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #333333;">Tuck a fabric softener sheet into your suitcase. </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">I do this when I store the suitcase rather than when I travel. Either way, a nice-smelling suitcase makes travel nicer, too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #333333;">Stow necessities in your carry-on.</span></b><span style="color: #333333;"> For me, this even includes putting my medications in my purse instead of a suitcase, even for car trips. I don't want to have to rummage through suitcases to find my medications if we get delayed somewhere or if someone has an upset stomach or a headache.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <a href="https://www.aaa.com/tripcanvas/article/12-packing-tips-for-any-trip-CM419" target="_blank"><span style="color: #015782;">online version</span><span style="color: #015782; text-decoration: none;"> </span></a>of the article has two additional tips: preparing for bad weather and tucking in some scented soaps to make a connection between home and your destination. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No matter where you're going, it's always nice to be able to find what you want in short order, whether during the trip, or upon arrival. A little bit of planning helps to ensure that we can spend as much time as possible enjoying ourselves because we need to spend only a little bit of time accessing what we need.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bon voyage!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6633980721157783964.post-85220655687632228802023-07-13T00:00:00.001-04:002023-07-13T00:00:00.140-04:00Planning to Pack<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3PVrxacZYfXsoKXRCEwC0uqKHRSgZMpSP8lubV3VcAGQYt7YLce0w2rUhdLRSvbTeAwysm517ZLujC3teLT9tNJvoUSqpyd_fwCSqiUxun2J7GwjB2GfzELjuzXm6TddOeMcD-hOqPDrUYQJ_ZyNUCzMM4Ju_i1vFaxdk4ElZDyAqR1zlSXpgj_7hgs/s800/true%20confessions.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3PVrxacZYfXsoKXRCEwC0uqKHRSgZMpSP8lubV3VcAGQYt7YLce0w2rUhdLRSvbTeAwysm517ZLujC3teLT9tNJvoUSqpyd_fwCSqiUxun2J7GwjB2GfzELjuzXm6TddOeMcD-hOqPDrUYQJ_ZyNUCzMM4Ju_i1vFaxdk4ElZDyAqR1zlSXpgj_7hgs/s320/true%20confessions.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <b>True Confession #43: I am a last minute packer.</b><p></p><p></p><p><span class="s2" style="font-family: inherit;">It makes no difference how much lead time I have. It makes little difference how busy I am (although that is a factor). When it comes to packing, I am always putting things together the night before we leave.</span></p><p><span class="s2" style="font-family: inherit;">And the day of departure.</span></p><p><span class="s2" style="font-family: inherit;">International trips notwithstanding, my clothes don't go in my suitcase until the last possible minute. I start mental preparations ahead of time, and do lots of laundry basket packing (clean clothes come upstairs and the ones I'm thinking of taking along go into a laundry basket in my bedroom) but rarely do things make it into a suitcase sooner than the night before.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Procrastination is definitely a factor, as is experience, but the most important factor that lets me get away with this is the fact that I have a process.</span></p><ul><li><b>Pre-Pack</b>. With the exception of make-up and medicine, all of my toiletries are always packed. And long before I put anything in a suitcase, I'm making lists and tossing odds and ends into bags (and that laundry basket) so I don't forget to pack them.</li><li><b>Pack as I go/stash it when I think of it. </b>I always pack make-up and medicine the day I leave, immediately after I use it. That way, I'm less likely to forget something I need. At times (like now) when I'm busy, I pull contenders for the suitcase out as I get dressed. One sweater to put on, another to pack. </li><li><b>Develop a routine.</b><span> For me, it's laying everything out on a flat surface where I can see it, which makes it much easier for me to figure out what I have and what's missing. (I also make lists). To my husband, my plan looks like chaos, but it works for me, so I stand by it. Likewise, your plan doesn't have to make sense to anybody else; it just has to work for you.</span></li></ul><div><span>I certainly don't recommend waiting until the last minute to get everything together. But, if you find yourself in that situation, as I so often do, getting it together successfully is possible, e</span>specially if you have a process.</div><div><br /></div><div>More on packing next week as I compare my packing style to AAA recommendations.</div>Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0