Just this morning, I enjoyed making my bed and paused to reflect on the history of the quilt that I use for a bedspread these days. Do you have treasures hiding under your bed or in the closet? If they are your precious memories – why are they hidden under your bed?
By getting this quilt out of the cedar chest and putting it to use – I learned a bit of history about it. When I told my mother I was enjoying using it, she told me she had sent the measurements of their bed back home to her mother in Arkansas so it would be long enough to also cover the pillows.
My parents met during WWII at the Arsenal in Pine Bluff, AR. She worked in the cafeteria and my dad loved to eat – so that was a perfect match. He would come by after his shift and eat a slice of pie and visit. Well, after the war, he brought her home to Waxahachie, Tx.
In a nostalgic moment, I thought about Mother leaving her family and following her heart to Texas. In those days, it was rare to keep in contact by anything other than a letter. The country was still under rations, so they had to provide the ration cards for the sugar to the lady who made the wedding cake.
Reflecting back on just this simple quilt, brought a feeling of thanksgiving to me as I think about all that we have these days. I don’t want to take so much for granted. For a picture of my heirloom, click here
http://www.breakfreefromclutter.com/buried-treasures/
What do you have hiding out under your bed or hanging out unused in your closet? Do a bit of digging and see if you have a few things you can put into use or at least display to enjoy.
If you are storing the things for safe keeping Read More Here…
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Do you ever find fuzzy things growing in your refrigerator? Do you use what is in it, before things spoil or become out of date. I speak from experience here. I have uncovered almost historic food at times in my mother’s freezer. It is time to organize and clean refrigerator.
Aside from the fact that freezer burn makes it gross. It is a waste of money and resources. It seems that everyone is looking for ways to get more value from dollars spent and making the most of your food budget is a priority.
Here are a few ways you can make your food last:
- Store your lettuce in a crisper. You can buy the container at almost any place kitchen ware is sold. Wash the lettuce and put away when you first get home from the market. It saves time and keeps lettuce fresher longer
- Try those perforated plastic bags for fresh produce. I don’t know how it works, but I do know my fruit and vegetables last about twice as long.
- Don’t wash the vegetables if Read More Here…
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Are you open to ideas about saving time and money as your organize your life? It is a frequent topic in conversation these days. Have you considered the Step Down Approach? Let me explain.
The levels of purchases can be arranged in tiers. The first being high-dollar department stores, next discount stores, then factory outlet, consignment store and the bottom tier being a garage sale or thrift store. Imagine your expenses as if they are steps.
If you normally purchase clothing at high-end, try taking a couple of steps down to Read More Here…
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Simple Rules Parents Can Use to Minimize Clutter in Bedrooms
They can’t help it; children are clutter magnets. Anyone in charge of themk knows that kids can create lots of mess, but don’t you love ‘em!
A whole lot of it has to do with their young age: kids are still a bit ego-centric (that is, a bit self-centered), and it’s hard for parents to make them notice their surroundings. If you want to raise an organized child, you have to set rules to help them appreciate being organized.
But what rules can you set for organizing children? Consider the following: Read More Here…
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Ways to Engage the Entire Family in De-Cluttering the Home
If you want to make organizing your home stress-free – and even enjoyable, then you can make it a family affair. Not only will decluttering as a family provide an opportunity for bonding, it’s also an excellent way to instill the value of simplicity, organization and responsibility in children. Taking care of the home is not just a mother’s domain; it’s something that every member of the family – young and old alike – can take pride in.
The following are some tips in engaging family members to help manage clutter in the home:
Assign each member of the family their “zone to defend.”
Divide and conquer is the way to go when going about an extremely overwhelming task such as freeing the home from clutter. Give each member of the family an area of responsibility, a zone that they have to look after and be responsible for. For instance: Joe can be in charge of the garage, Jodie the kitchen. If your family is game for some friendly competition, you may even provide rewards for family members who have consistently and successfully defended their area of responsibility.
Encourage the habit of “raising the alarm.”
Is there a brewing clutter in the living room area? Then it’s best to nip it in the bud! Encourage every member of the family in being vigilant when it comes to watching out for potential clutter magnets. Make them raise the alarm and inform everyone of if they have a discovery and a solution to suggest. This is something that even very young children can take part in Read More Here…
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