Fall 2001 Newsletter:

The other day my three-year-old granddaughter, Anna, saw a Christmas tree.
"Christmas!" she screamed for joy, jumping up and down.

Hmmmm, cynical adult that I am, I wondered: Why can't adults feel that same excitement? Sigh. We usually do, until that joy is quickly dashed by the "have-tos." I have to: buy cards . . . buy stamps . . . sign cards . . . mail cards . . . shop for gifts . . . wrap . . . deliver . . . shop for food . . . cook . . . bake goodies . . . attend parties . . . find "extra" time to spend with family and friends . . . attend school and/or church plays . . . plan parties . . . invite guests . . . clean the house . . . decorate the yard . . . decorate the house . . . decorate the office . . . decorate the cars . . .and the list goes on and on. "Keep it simple," some experts say. Yet other experts have us believing we must make homemade everything -- from paper, to ornaments, to an 18-tiered cake to please all 300 dinner guests at our "should have" party.

There are days at my house when it feels as though no notebook is thick enough for my own task list, and no calendar has large enough squares for all the entries. I want to bring back that "keep it simple" approach. I'm now saying NO to many of the above have-tos. When writing down my expectations, many gleaned from the media about the "perfect holiday," I clearly see that no one, unless you count Martha, can do it ALL. I'm now setting MY priorities and crossing off low priority tasks. I've read that this holiday season people are staying at home more, doing crafts and other family activities, and getting back to the reason for the season. I too get great pleasure at being a "home body," and in keeping things simple -- I hope you do too. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Holiday Cooking:
During the holidays I'm buying more precooked items. I'm cooking only simple recipes. I mix up batches of cookies and freeze them before baking (with the cooking instructions written on the freezer bag). Whenever I want, I can quickly bake a batch. Ah, aromatheraphy and snacks!

I consider cooking turkey as simple. I've cooked them, all with excellent results, in a wood stove (not recommended unless you have a pickup truck of wood!), a microwave (best using a temperature probe, which they don't make any more), in oven cooking bags (resulting in a moist, tasty bird), basted and basted and basted in the oven (same results but more trouble), and nowadays my favorite method, plopped in a roasting pan and shoved into the oven. I stuff my turkey with handfuls of fresh herbs, celery sticks and onion quarters, spray the outside with cooking oil, and sprinkle a few herbs all over. Towards the end of cooking I cover the legs with foil tents to keep them from browning too much, and I baste the bird once with the drippings and a dash of white wine. The wine adds an extra flavor to the gravy, too. Being a true southerner, gravy is a must and I find it's easiest made in the microwave. My columnist pal, Jann Malone, offers this tip: Don't wait until the last minute to make the gravy. Instead, make it a bit ahead of time and pour it into a thermos or coffee carafe until serving time.

Since I must cook a lot, due to my food allergies, I've learned that it's easier to "binge cook" whenever possible. After all, pulling out the ingredients and cleaning up afterwards takes most of the time, so why not do that part only once? You can also save money on your electric bill by first checking the baking temperatures, then cooking as many items as you can cram in the oven at one time -- including that night's dinner.

When entertaining I choose a simple menu, and never try new recipes for that meal! A few weeks before the date I write the menu, pull the recipes, make a grocery list, and decide when each item will be cooked. On cooking day I just check the list and watch the clock. For larger get-togethers I even list the serving dishes and gather them together before the event. I also prepare everything I can beforehand. This is easy to do by cooking items during the week, while preparing my regular meals. Here are a few more quick tips:

• Never enough table space for a large gathering? Hose down the picnic
  table, let it dry, and bring it indoors. Cover with a pretty tablecloth.
• Cover the table with a new, pre-washed white cloth, and have everyone trace their hand print and sign their name on it. Use washable fabric paints or a pen available at craft stores.
• When using paper cups for a large, informal gathering ask the kids to write each guest's name on a cup with a paint pen, and then decorate the cup
  with paint or stickers.
• Clean a candy-making pot by filling it with water and bringing it to a
  boil. The leftover candy should dissolve in the water so it'll pour right out.
• The price of turkeys usually lowers for the holidays. Worried about wasted
  leftovers? Have someone at the meat counter saw the turkey in half. Freeze
  one halve, and roast the other according to its weight.
• Pull out those duplicate cookie cutters and spray them with gold or silver paint. They make great holiday ornaments, napkin rings, and even act as bows on gift packages.
• Giving cookies as gifts? Make one large cookie! Roll the cookie dough out on a pizza pan, decorate as desired, and bake. You'll save so much time you can make several.
• Fill a sugar shaker with powdered (confectioners') sugar and use it to quickly give a special look to finished cakes, pies, or cookies.
• A fast and easy way to decorate candies is to place melted, tinted candy coating into a zip top bag. Cut a small corner from the bag and drizzle the coating over the candies.Remove odors in the kitchen by filling a small cup half full of vinegar. Leave the cup on the counter overnight to absorb the odor. The next day pour a box of baking soda into the drain, then follow with the vinegar -- the mix will clear and deodorize the drain.
  

Holiday Shopping:
As for shopping, it's well-known that I love to shop. The shopping could get me into budget-trouble, since it seems I always find great bargains for me. How to keep the spending in check? First, make a gift list (divide by categories: men's gifts, kid's gifts, etc.), stick to it, buy early, then, stay out of the stores! I keep a register of charged purchases so I'm not (too) surprised in January.

I love to buy gifts on sale after Christmas, but like many of my clients I tend to either forget where they are or forget what they are. At least this year I knew where they were! So, as I dug thru the boxes to pull out the gifts, I made a list of anything I wasn't giving. I stapled this list to my November, 2002 calendar for quick reference next Christmas.

Speaking of gifts, please don't just buy "stuff." I see far too many gifts that are just crammed into closets. The items cost my clients, since they're paying me to either talk them into getting rid of them, or to find somewhere to stash them (because they feel too guilty to toss them). These gifts are not lousy gifts, they're gourmet foods and other cool stuff, but they're unwanted and unused. Remember, it's the thought that counts, so put a bit of thought into it. If unsure what the person would love, give something practical. In a "Dear Abby" column some suggestions were prepaid phone cards, magazine or newspaper subscriptions, stationery and stamps, or gift certificates, my favorite! There are so many choices at the larger stores, and my personal favorite is a gift certificate to a store like Lowes because
of the wide variety (one year I chose a bird feeder; the next year a garbage disposal).

Or, give gifts and leave enough of the store tag so the recipient can exchange an unneeded gift for one they can use. Most large stores honor this return policy. Keep gift-giving simple by having groups draw names, by giving "family" gifts instead of individual ones, or by giving to charity. Because I hate wrapping gifts, I've found that this task is easier if the wrap is part of the gift, like linens, storage containers, etc. Or, use gift bags that can be reused.

Here are a few more tips:

• Tape record yourself reading your children's favorite stories. This makes a
  very special gift.
• Have a favorite photo to give to friends and relatives, but it has those
  dreaded "red eyes?" Buy a red-eye eliminating photo pen. They really do work!
• Set aside a special day to help the kids shop for their holiday gifts.
  Listen to seasonal songs during your drive, visit Santa, eat lunch together
  and concentrate on being with the kids.
• Let the kids make bird feeders. Gather large pine cones, spread with
  peanut butter, then roll in bird seed. Add a pretty ribbon and hang outdoors
  on a tree. Or, wrap the cones in plastic wrap and place in a gift box
  (adding a bird book would be an added bonus to the gift).
• Use an inexpensive tree ornament and write the gift recipient's name on it
  with a paint pen. The ornament makes a great gift tag and will become a
  keepsake instead of a throwaway.
• How to wrap something really large, like a car or bike? Place a gift tag
  in the recipient's stocking and run a colorful piece of string from the gift
  tag, through the house, to the gift.
• Ask the kids to cull out video tapes they no longer watch, and give them to
  a charity. Many children's hospitals need children's videos for their young
  patients.
• Dread those holiday parties where you know no one? Be ready with small
  talk questions, like: "What's your favorite holiday tradition?" or, "What
  was your favorite gift?"
• No shipping "peanuts?" Blow up zip-top plastic bags and use as packing
  pillows.

Holiday Decorating:
I love to decorate, but I try to keep it simple. I also prefer to make my efforts last longer than a few weeks. My snowmen look good on the mantle for the entire winter. One year I realized the holiday greenery tucked in amongst my collectibles looked fantastic, so I purchased silk ivy and now leave it year-round. Since I use an artificial tree, I gather fresh cedar and pine pieces from my woods to give the house that wonderful smell.

Outdoors we installed cup hooks on our home's rafters, making it fast and easy to string lights all around the house. To avoid climbing on a ladder, we use a notched pole. The task of "swagging" the artificial garland and lights across the sections of my white picket fence is now easier. I simply labeled the swags for each fence section. Last year, inspired by a HGTV show, I made a tomato cage, wisteria-vine "tree" for the front porch. This summer I used it in the flower garden (soak the vines before wrapping, and be aware that, like most do-it-yourself projects, it looks easier on TV than it actually is!).

Here are a few more tips:

• Put all of the holiday lights on timers. The lights will greet you when you come home at night, and no more hoping out of bed late at night because you forgot to cut the lights off.
• Use simple touches, like a paper lace doily in the soap dish, filled with pretty soaps.
• Use shrub clippings, fresh fruit and/or potted plants as centerpieces.
• Please remember to be extra careful with lit candles. Greenery can become
  highly flammable.

Congrats to Valerie Everly of Stanton California, who wins one of my tip a
day calendars. Valerie's tip for the morning rush hour was:

"After curling my hair in the morning I'm hesitant to leave the curling iron
on the counter, since I have pets. I had a full roll of Scotts toilet tissue
under my sink, so I stuck the handle end of the curling iron in the center,
and it stood up perfectly with no hot iron touching anything. I tried this
with other brands of tissue but some won't work, so I keep a roll of Scotts
under the sink for just this purpose."

Way to go Valerie! And thanks to all of you who wrote me. I'll print your
tips in a future issue of Moore Clutter Control. Keep those e-mails coming!

Summer 2001 Newsletter:

A crisis can cause clutter to accumulate fast. I see this daily, since
most of my clients have been, or are in, some sort of crisis mode when they
hire me. They have no time or energy to organize, and lack the motivation
even when admitting they have to get organized in order to reduce their
stress.

Part of the job as an organizer is to motivate -- to offer encouragement
that there is hope for the clutter and the crisis in their lives; that life
will get better. My analogy is that life is like a book, with lots of
different chapters. So today's cluttered chapter will shift to tomorrow's
organized one.

Well, a few months ago a new chapter in my book of life started.
Hopefully, by sharing it with you, you'll gain a few tips for controlling
clutter (and stress) in your next crisis.

My daughter, a single mom of 2½ year old Anna, called to inform me that
Anna's dad had been killed in an accident. Because my daughter had some
major difficulties, the next week Don and I joined a rising segment of the
population, 2.5 million plus: Grandparents raising a grandchild. Our life
style and priorities shifted in an instant.

Since then I've downsized, reorganized, and prioritized. Frankly, I'm
still working on it, since it takes time and energy to analyze the
problem(s), find solution(s), and fix it (or them).

Part of my problem was storage, or should I say the lack of it? Two
years ago I had the challenge of moving from a larger home to our small
bungalow. With this sudden new avalanche of clothes, toys, and books I had
to quickly squeeze space. I immediately turned our guest room?" which housed
my clothes -- into a tot's room. Just between us, I can't quite remember
where I stuffed my winter sweaters when I hastily cleaned out that drawer for
Anna's clothes!

Ultra-organized me experienced how closely emotions, stress, and
disorganization can go hand in hand. Even while doing what I love (clearing
out, rearranging, and playing with Anna), sometimes the emotions would
explode and in an instant the stress would invade me like a black fog. That
stress caused total exhaustion, preventing me from dealing with the day to
day clutter, so I joined the ranks of "I'll do it tomorrow" clients. But I
soon realized that if I don't deal with the clutter every day, as I did in
the days of yore, it becomes overwhelming.

But I had to conquer the stress first. Along with the stress was facing
the fact that I'm just not as young as I used to be. The option of a daily
nap went to the top of my to-do list.

I then divided my day to day tasks between "things to do while Anna's
awake," and "things to do while Anna's asleep" I made sure to add tasks
that bring stress relief, like cooking. Luckily, Anna is fascinated by the
process, and is quite the helper as a banana-masher and
oiler-of-cookie-sheets! Also a stress reliever for me is gardening. So now
our flower beds are gorgeous! Exercise? Well, since I needed more flowers
than usual, I'd pull Anna in her red wagon to the hardware store in town,
where she'd pick out the flowers she wanted me to plant. Tell me that's not
exercise!

I can testify that humor reduces stress, too. When I pay attention to
day to day living I find a lot of humor. I'm developing a whole new stash of
funny stories, and sometimes they even result in new tips. Like the day a
friend explained how to use the hair dryer to dry the moisture button in
Anna's tinkle tune potty, to hush the nerve-grating "Old McDonald's Farm." I
already knew that whacking it over the commode wouldn't knock all the
moisture out to shut it up!

It wasn't long before I also saw why so many parents are running on empty
and stay exhausted. There are too many choices of things to do, along with
lots of guilt if we don't let the kids do it all. Add that to our task list
of many "should do's," in addition to the "have to do's." Saying no to these
many demands, and to the people demanding them, and picking and choosing
amongst the options is indeed difficult. Carving out time for family and
self should be a priority, since this down time is what I consider a
requirement for a less stressful and more organized life.

I can testify that you are certainly not alone with your clutter. Anyone
and everyone can become overwhelmed with stuff. But, you can become more
organized when you admit there's a problem, analyze it to find out the root
of the problem, and find ways to attack it.

Hmm. . . naps, reading, cooking, eating, gardening, and laughing. After
the initial adjustment, struggling to learn the concept of living one day at
a time, and getting a grip on the clutter, I see what a great life it is!
If you're currently in a crisis mode please keep the faith that this chapter
of your life book will end, and a new chapter will begin at any time. And
personally, with my new chapter's lessons firmly in place, I'd suggest taking
a nap first!

Here are some travel tips that may help you to conserve your time and energy
on your next trip.

* If you belong to a HMO check your policy for the steps required for an out
of town emergency. List the steps, numbers to call and your insurance info,
and carry it with you!

* When packing use zipper bags to separate items in categories. I have one
for sink items (toothbrush, etc.), bedside items (small flashlight, earplugs,
etc.), shower items (shampoo, razor, etc.), and one for "might need" items
(first aid kit, medicine, etc.). I know these zipper bags are not as
attractive as those nice cosmetic cases and toiletry kits, but they're a lot
lighter when dragging luggage around.

* Pack a few empty plastic bags to separate clean clothes from dirty ones
during the trip. Bonus: Pack the bags under wrinkle prone garments to protect
them (these items are packed last, placed on top to avoid unnecessary
wrinkles). Unpack your bags immediately at your hotel room, even if the
beach beckons! Rolling garments prevents wrinkles, too. Stuff your shoes
with socks, hose, belts, etc. and put the shoes on the bottom of the bag.

* Remember when packing: Less is more. Remember, if you need something
(casual) you can probably find it at your destination?" and it gives you a
great excuse to shop. Wear your oldest socks and undies and toss them after
wearing. You'll have suitcase space to pack all those new tee-shirts.

* Flying? I place dry cleaners plastic bags at the bottom and over the top
of my packed items, in case my checked luggage sits out in the rain (or snow)
while they're waiting to load it. The bag offers some protection from the
moisture. I pack a zipper bag with the absolute necessities (meds,
toothbrush, best jewelry), and place it at the top of my carry-on bag. If
there's no room in the overhead bins and I have to check the bag I can
quickly grab the most important/valuable stuff and keep it with me. And, I
always carry snacks and water (filling up my water bottle near the boarding
gate so I don't have to lug the extra weight through the airport).

* Remove all old airport destination tags off luggage before checking it, and
make sure your ID is on the bag. Have a card with your address, plus the
address and phone number of your destination inside the bags. It will help if
bags are lost or picked up by mistake (that happens. To help prevent that,
since everyone has the same black bags, put a bright luggage strap on
your's).

* I hate purses and prefer to travel light. If I decide not to wear a fanny
pack, I'll stuff my money and charge card in my pants pocket when sightseeing
(or shopping at flea markets). I also stuff a few tissues on top of the money
just to make sure it stays secure in the pocket. I also divide any larger
bills and fold them separately so I don't have to pull out all my money at
once.

* Before setting out on a road trip I fold my map so only the section of the
area I need is visible, or I cut out the section I need. I then clip it to a
clipboard or into my day planner to keep it manageable. I mark the route
with a yellow highlighter so it's easy to see. But if there are any
complicated exits, etc., especially in a large city, I write the directions
and usually refer to them when in that area.

* Pack a tote bag to lug home your shopping treasures! Speaking of
shopping (which you know I love), don't spend your money on stuff that will
just become useless clutter. Buy something you need, can use, and/or just
love! I have some wonderful and useful garments that act as my souvenirs and
bring me happy memories each time I wear them.

Sometimes, when you finally get one area organized, you find you've
created another (altho perhaps smaller) problem area, sort of a domino
effect. But keep in mind that many times it works in reverse: fixing one
area will domino to help fix other problem areas! Here's a typical example:
Due to a small kitchen I kept my kitchen linens in the linen closet.
After Anna moved in I found myself streamlining space, and eliminated a few
unneeded kitchen gadgets that were stashed in a drawer. This opened up space
for the dish cloths and towels. That left space in the linen closet.
I also needed to move the cleaning supplies out from under the kitchen
sink. How about to that vacant spot in the linen closet, and place a screen
door hook high up on the door for safety? That done, I peeked in my bathroom
vanity drawers, and suddenly had visions of a toddler with shaving cream,
shampoo, liquid soap, extra toilet paper, makeup. . . Makeup? Yikes!
The toilet paper was placed in a wine basket (holds 6 rolls!), and
covered with a lace doily. The other stuff was moved up to a high wall
cabinet, which was a bit crammed so I added turntables for the meds, makeup,
etc. Yes, I even culled out some of that old makeup....and those hotel soaps
and little bottles of shampoo (homeless shelters really do appreciate these
unopened items).

There were now two partially empty bathroom vanity drawers. Plus, the
cabinet side of the vanity was empty. It held a gallon jug of bottled water
until Don put a filter onto the water line. So in went the bag of cleaning
rags (the bag helps me to keep the number of rags to a minimum!), which
cleared a new spot in the linen closet!

Hooray, now for my big problem area -- where can I stash craft supplies?
While kept to a minimum, they are an unattractive stack even if they are
semi-hidden in a corner. There's a file box with ideas and painting
patterns, and a tackle box filled with paints and brushes. Ok, and the shoe
boxes of quilting supplies.

Where do I use these supplies? In the dining room. In there is a large
display cabinet, with a cabinet underneath filled with my table linens. I
simply moved the linens to that empty space in the linen closet, and put the
craft supplies in that cabinet!

So the domino effect is a natural occurrence during an analytical
organizing session! I encourage you to get up the courage to play dominos!
Happy organizing!

Summer 2000 Newsletter:

WOW, are you in shock when you look at the calendar? I am--over half the year is gone! I guess it is true that time flies when you're having fun.

I've really enjoyed the summer. Because my first teleclass--to future residential organizers--was such a hit, I'm booked to do another one on September 14, on organizing the home. I'm hooked on teleclasses and plan to take a few, too! Nothing like learning in the comfort of your own home (no dressing up, no makeup!). Also fun is e-mailing the wonderful people who send tips and enter my web site contest. It really makes me want to realize my "dream" to buy a small motor home and travel across the states--meeting people, holding classes and organizing. Ok, and doing touristy things, too!

Sometimes my "fun" activities are also hard work. Sometimes cleaning out a client's closet is equivalent to lifting weights! And hubby Don and I love to do remodeling projects. Many are learn-as-you-go, like our last project.

Ever notice how those projects on HGTV only take a few hours to complete--when our projects take months? This one was all my fault, so I can't complain. It started like always--me sitting on my back steps watching the sun come up and having coffee. And planning--projects, tasks, etc. One cool morning I sketched out a nice little brick-paved patio, out in our back yard but as I sketched in the table, a glider, the grill, a hammock, a potential swing . . . well, let's just say that patio wound up being real B-I-G! How big? I laid more than 1,200 brick pavers (in Virginia's humid 90+ degree heat, I might add), but that was the easy job. Don shoveled and wheelbarrowed 12 tons of sand from the driveway to the patio. This was after we built the arbor--with some additions when we found it just wasn't sturdy enough. Of course the patio looks great, and the hard work almost forgotten as we enjoy sitting out there. Now, where did I leave my sketch pad?

The most fun of this summer was the past couple of weeks, as I unexpectedly ran "Camp Nana." Our 19-month-old grand baby Anna came to visit. Whew--how DO you moms do it???? Instead of lying around watching soaps and eating bonbons, you run at full speed, watch Barney, and eat the crusts from the peanut butter sandwich--right? I fell into bed each night exhausted, sometimes after having an afternoon nap! But then she returned home, and our house no longer has that cluttered, playroom look. Frankly, it seems bare. And much too quiet. I guess I could continue my nap-taking--maybe in that new hammock?

Guess I'd better write some new tips first. Enjoy them, and come back soon!

Toddler Tips from "Camp Nana"

• Frozen grapes were a big hit with Anna, who was teething. Anne Durham of the beautiful Founders Inn in the Virginia Beach area shared this tip: To avoid a choking hazard slice the grapes in half, lengthwise. Do the same with hot dog franks--don't slice them in little circles. Thanks Anne!
• Frozen cheese sticks were also a great hit. As was my "tent" over the dining room chairs.
• But an empty paper towel cardboard tube is still the best toy ever made. PS: save those tubes for school-age kids to bring their art work home.
• If you buy special crackers, chips or cereal for the grandchildren's visits, keep them fresh by storing in the freezer or fridge. The same for cookies--but this works best if they are hidden well in the back of the freezer.
• I quickly learned to place a small post-it note pad and pen in every room. This was the only way I could make to-do and/or shopping lists, since we were always on the go.
• Routines make life easier. It only took us a few days to find one that suited us both. Grandpa Don baby-sat one day while I attended a business meeting, and I left him a schedule down to the smelly "di" (Anna's word)! My daughter was in total disbelief that Anna had "a schedule." But then, she's always in a hurry, always running late, quick to say "yes" to every request, etc. Watching her I thought that if adults don't operate under some sort of schedule how can the kids?
• When you're shopping for those cute little expensive sheet sets for children--you know, the ones with the popular TV or movie characters on them--you don't have to purchase the whole set. Just purchase the pillowcases. The kids will still have the look but at a much cheaper price.
• When making pancakes put the batter into a clean ketchup bottle. Just squeeze out the amount you need--no more mess and the pancakes will always be the right size.

Contest Winner: Lise Schleicher! See her tip below.

Sewing Room Tips from my Readers: thank you thank you thank you!

• If you use boxes or baskets to store smaller items and need to divide the container, make the dividers out of foam core (available at office supply stores and many discount stores).
• Store rolls of ribbon on a dry cleaner's pant's hanger--the kind with the cardboard. Slip the cardboard off the hanger, slide the ribbon onto the cardboard and return to the hanger. Hang in a closet or on a hook on the wall.
• Store skeins of embroidery floss on those cardboard, dry cleaners' pants hangers, too. Sort by number or color--whichever is easiest for you! Thanks Lise Schleicher!
• On each piece of fabric pin a small note with the measurement. You'll quickly know if you have enough for the project or garment you'd like to make. Thanks Deborah Berry!
• When you clean out your sewing area (yes, you should), stop pushing around the same old "junk." Don't keep wasting your time on stuff you don't want or need. Donate books, magazines, and excess fabric to charities. Thanks Annette Mitchell!
• Salvage a large chest of drawers and paint or decorate as desired. Use it to store fabric and/or projects. Thanks Nanny!
• Nanny also had a Grannie Dress up Party. She had her grandchildren help her to sort out buttons, snaps, velcro and other notions. As their reward she gave them the boxes of stuff she discarded (I bet their moms were thrilled!).
• Finally, Nanny uses a laundry hamper labeled "Mending." She keeps the hamper inside her sewing room, and says it's easier to sit down and mend several items at once. She even has a tip jar at the pickup spot! That would never work at MY house.
• Many people--including me--use this tip: Purchase an inexpensive (but large enough) tackle box and use it to store thread, notions, etc. Need several? They stack well, too.
• Keep a silverware caddy--the type with a handle in the middle and compartments on each side--beside your sewing machine. Store scissors, seam rippers, rotary cutters, small rulers, pencils, etc. in the caddy. The tools will be easy to find. Thanks Judi Casias!
• Store fabric in uniform clear plastic boxes. Separate the fabric by colors/prints/solids/types. Thanks Shirley Tanaka and Betty Harrison!! I used this tip for a while, for my quilting material (usually one yard or less). I would lay the box on its side, and place the folded fabric in the box, with the folded edge facing out. When the box was filled I turn it right-side-up and have a nice neat row of my fabric--easy to find what I needed when I needed it. I just switched to a three-tired drawer system on casters. The drawers are clear plastic, and about the same size as the other plastic boxes I used. My theory is I can easily roll this unit in and out of my laundry closet--my only storage space near my sewing machine. Stay tuned to see if it works or not!
• Joyce Lewin was shopping when the clerk asked her if she'd like to keep the hangers--the short kind with clips, that hold shorts and skirts. The packrat in her (her words, not mine) said sure. She put them to use in her sewing room (officially making her NOT a packrat since she's using them!). She clips finished quilt blocks on a hanger and hangs it on a hook on the wall. This keeps all the blocks together, and they don't get mixed up with other fabric. She suggests using these hangers to clip several different pieces of fabric together when planning a quilt. Hang it on the hook and stare at it awhile to see if you like the combination! Thanks Joyce!
• If you'd like to hide your sewing machine cabinet, just place a round table top or piece of wood over it, drape a tablecloth (or fabric!) over it and you have a great end table. Thanks Victoria Huerta-Smith!
• Katy Scotthas has her sewing center in her dining room (me too!). She purchased three coordinating lidded wicker baskets that fit underneath her credenza (remember to always measure your spaces before shopping for organizing products!). Katy stores fabric samples in one basket, spool & bobbin boxes, books, patterns and kits in another and in the third basket keeps all the buttons, scissors, etc. Now Katy is looking for a way to camouflage the ironing board. Hey, I found an over-the-door hanging board at WalMart and put it in the closet. It's smaller than a regular board, but that gives me an excuse to not iron big items--right?

NEW CONTEST:

You know it's true: Once school begins the holidays are right around the corner. Send me your favorite holiday tip. I'll post all of the tips right before the holidays, and put your name into the drawing basket to win a free calendar! I look forward to reading your tips. . .

E-mail me:patsmoore@verizon.net your favorite tip. At the end of each month I will pick one and send the winner their choice of a free tape: 100+ Tips For Organizing the Holidays or 100+ Tips For Organizing the Home

Come back next month when you'll find a new edition of "Moore Clutter Spring 2000 Tips:

Spring has sprung! I love snow but my timing was way off this past winter. During January and February I was on the road doing spouse programs on organizing the home. While I didn't worry about traveling to and from the speeches in Louisiana and Texas, I was a bit concerned about the weather I'd face in Missouri, Nebraska, Indiana, Kansas and Iowa. Hubby Don said "You'll never make it home between trips," thinking I'd be snowed in these cities. He was wrong. The weather kept me out of my hometown (Richmond, Va.)! First there was a major snowstorm, then ice, and finally fog.

From a people-watching standpoint it was quite interesting, and I understand the airline's term "distressed passenger." During those two months I even learned the names of everyone on the weather channel!

Here are a few travel tips I learned:

• Always call the airlines and check flight times the day before and again, before walking out the door. One of my return flights was moved up several hours--to 6:00 a.m.--and the airlines left a message on my home phone. Hello, but I wasn't home.
• Always carry snacks. One flight was canceled with mechanical problems and we were told to "hang around the gate until they got us another plane." Once boarded we were delayed 45 more minutes at the gate. Then we sat on the runway an hour. Feeling guilty, I munched on cheese stick and apple slices snack (an extra tip: slice apples and put in a zip-top bag along with lemon juice). Murphy's law: the delayed flights are never the ones with food, even if rebooked on a flight with food. On one flight I was given the last seat--first class--and thought my luck had changed. Until the pilot said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we expect a rough flight so everyone, including the flight attendants, must stay seated the entire flight."
• If you check all of your bags on the return trip keep a zip-top bag with emergency stuff (medicines, makeup, etc.). Once I checked everything except a shopping bag filled with antique glassware. The East Coast was fogged in and all airports were closed. On a positive note, it is possible for your luggage to beat you home.
• Lighten your carry-on with zip top bags instead of a big toiletry bag. My bags were in categories: bedside items (flashlight, lotion, ear plugs, etc.); sink items (toothbrush, etc.); Tub items (shampoo, etc.); and medicine/first aid items. Made it easy to pack and unpack, too.
• If you have connections (are there direct flights anymore?), before going to the airport check online for additional connections so you'll know what time the next flight is, if you miss your connection. This reduces that mad dash through the airport and that sinking feeling when you finally get to the gate to watch the plane pull away. (O'Hare has a remote section: F--the pilots call it "F for far away.")
• If you don't like the powdered creamer hotels provide with the coffeemaker, pack an envelope of dry milk--it tastes fine.

I also learned that bags are much heavier on the return trip. I have "organizing withdrawal" after going two weeks without organizing. Grand babies grow faster when you're not around. It does pay to be early for flights, speeches, appointments, etc. And, clutter piles up on everybody when you don't have the time to deal with it every day.

Here's hoping you have the time to control your clutter--and to enjoy the spring weather!

Thanks to everyone who E-mailed their favorite organizing tips! The winter winner is Bunny Therens of Ohio. Bunny's tip: "When raising my eight kids I had a chart labeled with all the places the kids went--playground, a neighbor's, etc. Under each label was a hook. Each child had an ID card with a hole punched in it. As they left the house, they'd hang their ID card on the corresponding hook. So if I wanted Donnie I'd find his tag on the playground hook and know exactly where he was." Thanks Bunny! January 2000 Tips:

Here's a New Year's Toast: "May all your worries this year be as short-lived as your New Year's resolutions!"

• Don't set yourself up for guilt by making too many unrealistic New Year's resolutions. Make one or two--while going through your calendar scheduling in dates/times to do the steps needed to accomplish this goal. Then stick to your schedule!
  
• So one of your resolutions is to be more healthy. Why not start with drinking more water? Tips I use make it easier to swallow. First, add a small amount of fruit juice to each glass of water. It's quite tasty. Also, if you constantly keep a filled glass nearby--on your desk, in a sports bottle in the car, by your TV watching chair--you'll find you automatically sip at it.
  
• When you pack away the holiday decorations, pack in categories. For example: one box might contain all the living room decorations; another box the dining room decorations. The outdoor lights can be boxed together; another box holds the tree lights. Label the boxes!
  
• As you store those boxes of decorations, stack them in order of use. The items you use later in the season go in storage first, with the items you use first going on top or in front of these. Next season you can quickly grab a box and do a little decorating at a time--in order.
  
• January is National Clean Out Your Closets Month. Need a way to increase your storage space in just a few minutes? Pull out all the empty clothes hangers! Then find a spot to store them until needed--in a small box on the closet floor, hanging on a hook or on a special spot on the rod.
  
• January 10th is National Clean Off Your Desk day--it's in there somewhere. A quick tip to reduce the size of the pile on top of your desk: take a few minutes and pull out all those catalogs, books and magazines. They're a pile-thickener and increase the visual frustration that "All this stuff is work I have to do." Keep these off your desk at all times--perhaps standing them up in a basket, or place on book shelves. Oh, you haven't read them and don't want to get them mixed up with the ones you've read, and keeping them out is a constant reminder? Simply stick a post-it flag on the items not read, then store with the others.
  
• January 13th is National Clean Out Your Computer day. Yes, this is a time-consuming one. No quick tips with this one--just do it, backing up info as needed.
  
• Before shoveling snow spray the shovel with non-stick cooking spray. The snow won't stick!
  
• Clean out your medicine cabinet, tossing all expired and "unknown" medications. Make a list of general first aid and over-the-counter medications that you need to purchase. Find a first aid how-to chart and stick it on the inside door of the medicine cabinet or linen closet. Experts say move medicines out of steamy bathrooms. Some of my suggestions are: first aid items and/or general medications in a medicine cabinet in that powder room near the kitchen; on turntables or in small boxes or baskets on shelves in the linen closet.

My first trip of the year was research for tips for better home management. Have you ever wondered what new home products are being developed? Well, I've got the scoop. How about a special closet that dries boots, mittens, hats and coats? Or, a computer in the kitchen that does all the computer stuff (including checking your e-mail) AND runs the house--with a washable keyboard and a monitor that neatly folds up underneath the upper kitchen cabinet? Where was Pat? Thanks to ClosetMaid's Keith Bergmaier, I attended the International Home Builders' Association's Trade Show in Dallas, Texas. WOW is all I can say about a (private) show of 21 acres of exhibits, and over 70,000 attendees. Curious? HGTV will air a special at the show in March--watch your local listings.

Quick Tips. . .

• After Valentine's Day and Easter stock up on discounted chocolate goodies. Cut them into pieces and freeze in labeled zip-top bags. Use whenever the baking mood strikes (this only works if you hide the bags out of sight of the other family members).
  
• When a recipe calls for "dot with butter" you can cut the fat (and save money) by using less butter--just shave small pieces off a stick by using a potato peeler.
  
• Stop workshop clutter by mounting an old toilet paper or paper towel holder on the wall, or inside a cabinet door. Use it to hold those miscellaneous rolls of tape.
  
• Cooking in cast iron pots and pans allow the food to absorb some of the beneficial iron. But those of us who inherited grandmas' pots know how yucky those outside, encrusted sides are. Clean by spraying the sides with oven cleaner, let stand an hour, then wash, rinse and dry thoroughly. NEVER put cast iron in the dishwasher.
  
• Reduce baking time by keeping a half-cup measuring cup in both the flour and the sugar canisters. You can scoop and measure at the same time.
  
• My favorite airport tip: Pack food! I freeze juice-boxes to use as ice for a small, insulated lunch bag. I put chicken salad (believe me, tuna is too smelly) in a yogurt container--so I can toss the container when finished (nothing like doing dishes in a hotel sink). I add hand-wipes (now available individually wrapped), box of raisins, fork and napkin. I also have an empty water bottle in my tote bag. Right before boarding the plane, I fill it up at the water fountain to prevent carrying all that weight (hey, even 16 ounces can get heavy at a large airport!).
  
• My favorite packing tip: Pack earplugs (comfortable foam ones are available in WalMart in the sporting goods section). You never know when the TV next door will blast all night.

I have definitely joined the national trend of simplifying your life! Finally, with new grandbaby Anna's help, I convinced Don to move to a wonderful small rural town. And, according to HGTV, by purchasing a 1945 bungalow we also joined another national trend--the nostalgia one.

In May--ironically "National Moving Month," we packed up several big U-Hauls (believe me, it was a surprise to me, too). Talk about a professional challenge! This is a house with NO storage. Ok, one 3' and one 5' closet, and 2 kitchen cabinet sets. So the past few months I've been getting MY house under control! First I put many of my tried- and-true tips to work. Then, I tapped into my creativity. Finally, I tapped into other people's creativity--asking a lot of questions and doing lots of research. Here are some of the tips I've learned!

Quick Tips. . .

• Many kids and pets like to unwind toilet paper off the dispenser--especially when you're on the phone! Prevent this by squeezing the new roll before placing it on the dispenser. This crimps the tube so it's harder to roll (also reducing the paper-use by other members of the family).
  
• Sharpen dull scissors by cutting through several thicknesses of folded aluminum foil.
  
• Make a reusable ice pack: In a quart size, zip-top bag mix one cup rubbing alcohol with two cups water. Squeeze all the air out and store in the freezer. The mixture won't freeze solid--making it perfect to fit around knobby knees, elbows, etc.
  
• Would you like to hide unsightly electrical cords that run along the baseboard? Purchase a shower rod cover in a color that will disappear against the baseboard, and pop over the cords.
  
• Use oven mitts when pruning roses. You may look odd but the thick mitts will protect your hands!
  
• When it's hot outside store that bottle of sunburn relief, moisturizing cream, etc. in the fridge. They'll be cool and refreshing when you need them!
  
• Store sliced apples in pineapple juice in the fridge. It's a handy snack for the kids--and you!
  
• I love antiques. One of my favorite items is my grandmother's enamel kitchen table. Formally used in our family room, the legs were cut down for a coffee table. When we moved we needed it for the kitchen, but we needed storage too. On one of the many trips to Lowe's we found four small upper cabinets. We bolted two together, side by side, then bolted these two "couples" together, back to back. The tabletop was bolted to the top of the cabinets and painted. It's a perfect island, the table has pull-out leafs for a quick meal on bar stools, and the cabinets provide lots of storage.

In January and February, 2000, I'll be in the following cities--should you need a "house call". Just e-mail me!

New Orleans, LA; Wichita, KS; Indianapolis, IN; Lincoln, NB; San Antonio, TX; St. Louis and Branson, MO; Des Moines, IA; Fredericksburg and Norfolk, VA.

Moore Talk. . .

The holiday season is here! Take a hint from Santa--make a list and check it twice! This one little task sounds too simple to work, but believe me, it can save you tons of time. Who wouldn't like extra time--any time--but especially during the holidays?

Of course, the trick is to keep your list(s) where you can find it, when you need it! I personally adore my day planner--it offers ONE place to write and find everything and anything. From business to personal: appointments, goals, journal, wild hair ideas, books to read, car mileage, birthdays, tax payment due dates....well, you get the picture. If you don't use a day planner a notebook, steno pad, etc. will work as long as you keep it out from under a pile of stuff. Perhaps you need one with a fluorescent orange cover?

Since I'm constantly juggling different tasks--like searching for tips for the WW column, doing speeches, organizing clients, managing a household, etc., I separate my lists into groupings. Example: errands/shopping, tips, speech ideas, travel schedules, etc. I also use master lists--like one for packing speech props and a basic packing list for traveling--so I don't have to rewrite the same thing. I move these master lists in my day planner to the day it will be needed, or drop in an appropriate file (Example: I have a speech in New Orleans in January. When it was booked I started a file for the group, and dropped my master travel packing list and speech prop list in there. I've added my travel info, city map, speech ideas, etc., as soon as the info is gathered.)

Your list-book should go everywhere with you so you can check it at any time. For example, on errand day it saves me time and money when I check my list before leaving, and arrange my "route" accordingly. But, after I'm out if I find myself with extra time I can quickly recheck my list to see if there's any other stop I can add.

My favorite list? It's the MUST HAVE list. Periodically I clean out my closets, giving items I no longer wear to charity. During this task, I jot down anything that I need--like a blouse to go with a skirt I love, or a skirt to replace the one that shrank in the closet. Now, during the holiday season, is a great time for you to make such a list--then hand it over to your spouse! Be sure to tell them they owe me, since I made their shopping for you so easy! Happy holidays!

Moore Quick Holiday Tips:

• Purchase a stack of stamped postcards at the post office. For only 21 cents you can send a personal greeting that's so quick and easy you'll never miss another special occasion! Use stickers or stamps to jazz the cards up--I bet the kids will help. These cards also make great gifts to give, perhaps bundled with a colorful pen and tied with a pretty ribbon.
  
• Divide your gift shopping list--or at least code it--into groupings such as "Men's," "Toys," "Household items," etc. When you walk through the men's department while shopping, you can quickly scan the list for any items needed. No more backtracking!
  
• If you like to decorate for the holidays by hanging exterior lights every year, this year make it easier for the years to come. Instead of using a small nail to hold the lights, use a cup hook--and leave them (the hooks that is) up all year. If the lights aren't too high you can use a pole--with a notch cut in one end--to lift the lights on and off the hooks.
  
• Set up a gift wrap center and stock everything that's needed. Store wrapping paper standing up in a small, tall trash can, in an inexpensive hanging garment bag, or in an under-the-bed box. I found an adjustable ironing board is a great, back-saving place to wrap all but the largest gifts.
  
• When wrapping gifts use a glue stick instead of scotch tape. Use children's art work as wrap.
  
• Look at your calendar BEFORE it fills up and schedule in some fun time for you and the family. Not the "have tos" or "shoulds", but the "want tos." Honor these appointments--learn to say no (write NO on a post-it note and stick it on or near the phone). Ask family members, "What would you like to do during the holidays that we usually don't have time for?"
  
• If you do a lot of cooking during the holidays try the assembly line method. Chop all the nuts, onions, celery, peppers, garlic, etc. at once, storing what you don't immediately need in the fridge or freezer. Binge-bake several batches of cookies, candies or breads at once and freeze. You'll save time and stress--since you're doing these smaller tasks when you have time to do them, not at the last minute when you "have" to do them.
  
• Dread going to spouse's office party, cause you're an introvert and have no idea what to say? Before going think of questions--people will ramble on and on if given the chance! How about "What's your favorite holiday tradition?" or favorite childhood memory, or best gift, etc.
  
• Do you have a huge gift opening gathering? Before it begins give everyone a large shopping bag with their name. After they unwrap their gifts and do the proper oohs and ahhhhhs, they can place the gift in their bag. When it's time to go home there'll be less confusion. And no more gifts accidentally tossed out with the wrapping paper (that was an accident, right?).
  
• Snap a picture of people using their gifts. The snapshots make great thank you notes.

Happy Holidays! I hope you're as excited as I am over the upcoming Holidays. Yes, I know many people dread them, and I've had my share of Scrooge-like moments. However, the older I get the easier it becomes to say NO to some of these outlandish expectations (please don't tell "the" Martha I said that!).

I teach people that, before they can control their clutter (or stress), they have to analyze what's causing it. Realizing that much of the Holiday pressure comes from: TV commercials (buy,buy,buy), sitcoms that make life look so perfect, and the fact that work and day-to-day tasks still go on even during the Holidays, here are some of the changes we made at our house to reduce the stress and to better enjoy the season:

• Deck the halls might mean poking a few pieces of boxwood or ivy over the dust on the shelves (not only am I decorating but I don't have to clean until January!). There were even a few years, due to other stressors, that we decided not to put a tree.
• Silent night: Well, that's due to the trip from the dinner table (after tossing the pizza boxes of course) to the fireplace to settle down with from-a-carton eggnog and from-the-bakery cookies.
• Gift giving? We persuaded our family to draw names, reducing that "have to buy" dread (there are 30 presents under the average tree). We give boring but useful gift certificates (nearly 15 percent of all Christmas gifts are returned). We give yard sale toys bought in July to grandbaby Anna (the average American spends more than $700 on Christmas gifts).
• Dashing thru the mall: I admit I love people watching (usually at a mall) a few days before Christmas. Not to gloat--usually I shop, too, for unexpected, fun items (on sale!).
• Wrapping gifts at our house mean reusing the same boxes--lids wrapped separately--since we both hate: to wrap, to spend on such uselessness, and to fill our landfills (the amount of wrapping paper used could circle the earth 12 times? And in 1995 $2.7 billion was spent on gift wrap).
• Visions of sugerplums mean that, due to my food allergies, I started baking weeks ago. My freezer has all kinds of goodies in it--stuff I can actually have!--ready to grab at a moments notice.
• Traditions, other than a few family get-togethers, mean we mostly do whatever we're in the mood for and have the energy for, instead of being pressured to do the same old thing year after year. One tradition is "no guilt" if we're too tired to party.
• Entertaining means having fun, not stressing out. We ask people to bring a dish. When I cook I stick to simple, tried-and-true recipes. Instead of parties we like to get together with other couples, and go to dinner or to see Holiday lights.

These are some of the choices we've made in our life. It's not always stress-free around here, but there is a lot less stress, which allows us to enjoy each moment. And that is my Holiday wish for you!

Holiday Tips: 2000

Sidestep Stress:

• Avoid double-booking with a large calendar hung in a central spot. Ask that all family members to write in their activities. Don't fill the calendar with obligations or activities that can be postponed to after the Holiday lull--save those time slots for Holiday activities.
• Afraid your guests might enter that "junk" room? Just decorate the door like a large package, and place a "tag" that says, "Do not open until Christmas." That should stop them!
• Create a master list of all tasks you need to do. Jot down everything as you think of it--perhaps even keeping small post-it notes and a pen in each room to collect your thoughts as they occur. Transfer tasks to your daily to-do lists.
• Delegating will give you time to focus on what you love the best: If you love to bake and hate to wrap gifts--but your best friend loves to wrap gifts and hates to bake, why not swap jobs?
• Get enough sleep. If not, you'll be stressed and/or irritable and can't enjoy the Holidays.
• One big open house with finger-foods and punch is usually less stressful than several smaller parties. Or, a un-decorating party with friends, and serve leftover goodies.

Decorating Details:

• Plug decorative lights--indoor and/or outdoor--into timers. The lights will automatically come on--greeting you when you return home after dark.
• Save egg cartons. They'll be handy to store fragile ornaments after the Holiday season.
• Place candle holders in the freezer to remove hardened bits of candles--the wax will become brittle and pop right off. Prevent new candles from sticking to the candleholders with a dab of cooking oil inside the holders. Clean dusty candles by wiping then with alcohol.
• Make a wreath base from peg board cut to the size and shape desired. Instead of using glue, use the pegboard's pre-drilled holes to attach greenery, pine cones, etc. with floral wire.
• Extra cookie cutters can be sprayed gold or silver and used as tree ornaments or napkin rings.
• Use a solid colored sheet or tablecloth as a tree skirt. Gather the sheet around the tree and turn in the edges to give it a rounded look. If you have a live tree, the larger size of a sheet will catch fallen needles when you remove the tree from the house, saving clean-up time.
• Make a handy tool to install exterior Christmas lights: Use a yardstick or broom handle and cut a notch in one end. Use the notch to lift lights up to the hooks or nails.
• Or, use red and green plastic clothespins to hold exterior Christmas lights onto the gutters.
• Don't feel like you have to decorate every little spot. Only decorate the main areas where everyone sees.
• Keep flower arrangements simple: Group potted plants like Poinsettias, and set inside containers that match your decor. If the plants are too short for the container grab a can of food to act as a riser inside the container.

Dashing thru the Dough:

• Purchase a few inexpensive ½ cup measuring cups. Store one in the canister of flour and one in the sugar canister. Use the cups to both scoop and measure.
• Cook up some big batches of family favorites, and freeze in meal-portion sizes. Items like soup, chili, spaghetti sauce, etc. come in handy when you're rushed during the holiday.

Organizing Gifts:

• Whenever possible have gifts wrapped and/or shipped from the store as you purchase them.
• Traveling afar? Don't lug the gifts--have them shipped. It's usually worth the extra cost.
• When traveling by car prevent the bows on gifts from becoming squished--carry the bag of bows along with you and add them to the gifts at the last minute.
• No idea of what to buy friends? Don't--instead invest time instead of money--get together for a fun meal, or a movie or a trip to the museum.
• Keep a bright red or green folder in a handy place, to hold all the holiday receipts. If an item has to be returned you'll know exactly where the receipt is.
• Measure gift wrap like the department stores do: use a piece of string to measure the gift box, then use the string to measure the wrapping paper. Faster and less waste, too.
• If your family attends several gift-giving events, wrap the gifts for each event in a different color or pattern paper. Or, stack the gifts in separate corners under the tree.
• An ironing board makes a great gift wrapping table, except for larger items. The board can be adjusted to your height--preventing a backache.
• Shop your attic or storage area for great gifts! Many times a family "heirloom" makes a fantastic gift. If you no longer love it, there's a good chance that someone else will.
• When shopping wear a fanny pack and leave your purse at home. Your back will appreciate the load lightening, and you won't have to keep up with the purse as you juggle packages.

Misc. Tips:

• To remove pine sap from hands rub butter or margarine on the sap, let sit for a few moments, then wipe off with paper towels.
• Never miss a great photo: Have a camera loaded and ready to shoot whatever happens, at whatever time.
• Before using those Styrofoam peanuts for shipping spray them with an antistatic spray. The peanuts will be more manageable. See more Holiday Tips in the archives!