Random Acts of Kindness

Happy New Year to our dear friends and customers!

May the coming year be one that focuses on giving

of ourselves, our time, and our love.

Soup's On Saturday!

Visit our office on Saturdays from November through February and enjoy a free cup of soup!

We say, "kill the chill" !  Warm up from the nose to the toes with our delicious homemade soup. Our Saturday office hours are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Stop by and take advantage!

It’s just our way of saying, “Thanks for allowing us to serve you!”

Jumpstart January for an Organized Year

At Organizedhome.com, Cynthia Ewer shares some excellent tips for getting the New Year started right!

Jumpstart January for an Organized Year

By Cynthia Ewer

Editor, Organized Home

Face it: it's January. Dreary weather is matched only by the dreariness of a house stripped of holiday decorations. Children slog through the great dull stretch between New Year's Day and Spring Break, no longer distracted from their schoolwork by the excitements of the holiday season.

December's crowded calendar gives way to January's social slump. Video rentals soar as comfy sweats replace dress clothes on Saturday nights.

Take heart! There's another side to January!

The freshness of a new, un-scribbled calendar. The clean lines of household furniture, freed from December's tinsel, trash and clutter. The sweet silence of a second cup of coffee after the children mount the school bus. The delicious feeling of energy to spare, energy released, but not expended, by December's holiday frenzy.

Tap that energy to get organized in the New Year!

In January, we look forward and we look back. January's two faces provide a natural opportunity to accomplish several crucial organizational tasks. Give in to January's offerings, and you'll bear organizational fruit the whole year long.

Update the Address Book

Look backward: a piled-up heap of Christmas cards, letters and photos. Look forward: a treasure trove of information about loved ones, friends, and neighbors old and new.

Reassess the way you keep this important information. Still scribbling and scrawling in a battered old address book? Perhaps this is the year that you invest in a shiny new planner or build a computerized address book for the first time.

Computer pros may move up to a more powerful, more versatile contact manager, and the better to keep in touch with those they love. Another option: create a Household Notebook family organizer using our free printable calendars, checklists and forms.

Schedule an address book update. Sit down with planner, computer, and that big box of holiday greetings. You may read to your heart's content, but you must make note of new addresses.

Star any names whose holiday cards that were returned because of an incorrect address. During the year to come, be on the lookout for a new address. Friends are too important to lose for want of an address!

Double-check telephone numbers. Make a note of new FAX numbers. E-mail addresses make it easy to keep in touch with far-flung friends --- so note them in your address book, too.

Keep in Touch

Don't stop there! These are people you love. Christmas cards contain lots of valuable information. You'll never again bumble and stumble over the telephone, desperately trying to remember what an old school friend named her newest baby, if you add a line for "Children:" listing names and birth dates of those precious little ones.

Make special note of those who've lost family members in the last year. Erasing the "Mr. and . . ." part of an address is a sad chore, but a misaddressed card from an out-of-touch friend can create a small but intense freshet of grief for the newly bereaved.

You've looked back. Now, look forward. Begin a list of "Letters to Send", sparked by those cards or letters that move you to respond as you read. Writing just one letter a week for the next year, you can treat over 50 of your friends and family to a special gift --- an unexpected letter from you, written at leisure and just because you want to! Schedule weekly letter-writing to tighten the ties that bind you to loved ones.

While you're polishing your address book, think about the last five times you looked up phone numbers in the phone book. Pizza delivery, a child's school, a volunteer co-worker? Add just those five listings to your address book to save time and energy in the coming year.

Fan through the phone book, while you're at it, and add any scrawled or circled numbers you find: if they're in the address book, they'll survive extinction when new phone directories replace the old in the spring!

Paper Pile-Up

Address book buffed? Turn to files and paperwork. [Mind you, I'm making an assumption here: that you're not preparing your tax return in January. If you are, what are you doing reading this? You're already organized!] For most of us, a bit of preparation in January will save hours of April agony.

First, look backward. As you file this month's phone bill, scoop up and sort last year's receipts. Clump them together with a big paperclip, and if you're really motivated, place them in a brand-new file folder, marked 2007 Receipts. Come tax time, you'll be grateful for this bit of sorting.

Look forward: is this the year you'll use computer tax preparation software? Purchase the advance editions now, send in the cards, and you'll spare yourself a frantic April 14 search for the state tax add-on to your program.

Is this is the year you begin managing your money by computer? January 1 is such a nice, round date. Resolve that you'll set up your bank accounts this month, when your bank statements arrive. Somehow, starting to use Quicken or MS Money isn't quite so significant in June or October --- and no month has free time like January.

When those bank statements arrive? Take the time to sort them, by year, placing last year's checks in your "Taxes" file, and creating a new place for this year's checks to live.

One last January paper tip:

Open your checkbook. Write the New Year (2012) in the date line of your next 20 checks. By the time you come to the end of your pre-dated checks, you'll have made the transition to the New Year.

 Look forward and make life easier. Look backward and avoid old mistakes. January has two faces --- and both will help you Get Organized for the New Year!

Tips for Holiday Decoration Storage

HOLIDAY DECORATION STORAGE

Tips to Save You Time, Space and Money

by CC Isole

Each year, the holidays are a bustle of activity! As much as we look forward to and adore the season, we despise the part that requires us to pack up all the trim and decorations when the season comes to an end.

While it may be tempting to just throw everything into boxes and worry about sorting it out next year, you’ll find regret when one or more of those precious decorations or heirloom ornaments is lost or broken. Everyone who saves their Christmas ornaments from year to year knows that these pretty ornaments are more than just holiday decorations. Most of them are special keepsakes with treasured memories. Some will be kept in the family and passed down from family member to family member for years to come.

As the New Year rolls in and the time to take down holiday ornaments and other Christmas trimmings arrives, shoppers should take advantage of the after-Christmas sales to stock up on the items for their Christmas ornaments and decoration storage needs.  It’s also the perfect time to re-stock ribbons and wrapping papers, or replace worn strings of lights or garland.

Following the tips below will help you save time by getting your decorations organized, so they are easy to find next year.  They will also help you save space by using the right kind of boxes that can be easily organized and stacked.  And lastly, these tips will help you save money by managing your decorations in a fashion that will preserve their quality and extend their life span.

Use Clear Plastic Storage Containers

These are excellent because you can see the contents without the tedious task of labeling each box. You’ll also find that the plastic does a better job than cardboard in protecting the contents from moisture.  And remember, when stacking these clear boxes, begin with the heaviest on the bottom and work your way up to the lightest on top.

Separate Strand Beads and Small Garlands

If you decorate with strands of beads or small garland, you can pack them easily in small plastic shoeboxes. Again, use clear plastic for easy visibility of the contents. To keep the beads from becoming tangled, place individual strands in zip lock baggies, or old socks. You’ll also find that empty paper towel rolls are perfect to wrap strands of beads and garland around.  Simply secure at both ends with a rubber band.

Don’t Stack Too Many Lights in the Same Box

The box will become too heavy and the lights on the bottom could be damaged. Lights can easily become tangled, so individual strands of lights should be bagged separately or wrapped around paper towel rolls or something similar, and placed in plastic grocery bags or large freezer bags. Make sure to dispose of any lights that have been damaged or are not working properly.

Save Space with Re-Shapeable Decorations

Bows made of wired ribbon can be flattened and reshaped next year. Wired ribbon garlands and streamers can be tightly rolled. They don’t need to be flattened unless you need to conserve space.

Don’t Crush Your Wreaths

Wreaths can be stacked in larger boxes but each wreath should be wrapped with bubble wrap. If they aren’t wrapped then they shouldn’t be stacked. Bubble wrap can be purchased where office supplies are sold or from your local self-storage provider. Wreath boxes can also be purchased.

Wrap Christmas Ornaments Properly

Ornaments should be wrapped individually in white tissue paper, or in bubble wrap, if greater protection is needed. Since most ornaments are lightweight they can be stored in large boxes. If you still have the original boxes the ornaments came in, then store them in these and then place them in the storage container.  Old egg cartons make great storage for smaller ornaments.

Protect Christmas Decorations from Moisture

If your climate is humid, using plastic containers may not be enough to protect from moisture. Place packets of silica gel in each container to avoid damage from humidity. Silica gel can be purchased at any arts and craft store. If you cannot find individual packets, you can make your own by wrapping several tablespoons of silica gel in white tissue paper and securing with tape. Several packets should be placed throughout the box.  A simpler solution?  Store your décor in a climate-controlled storage unit.

Guard Against Temperature Extremes

Delicate decorations such as ornaments made with photos or wax can be temperature sensitive. Store them in a climate-controlled area or they could deteriorate, melt or stick together.  Same goes for your holiday candles, or those left over candy canes you are saving to hang on the tree next year.  Try wrapping the candles in old socks or knee-high stockings to prevent scratching.

 Avoid Misplacing Decorations Boxes

Attach a red ribbon or tag to each Christmas storage box. This will make them easy to identify next Christmas if they have been stored with other boxes unrelated to Christmas decorations.  Another idea is to color key the lids or bases of the storage containers you use for your holiday decorations.  This will allow you to easily ID them next year.

Toss the Trash!

Some people have a tendency to hang onto things in hopes that they’ll find a use for it later. Don’t waste space by holding onto old ornaments or decorations that you are sure you’ll never use again, unless there is some sentimental significance to do so.

Your Holiday Linens, Towels, and Rugs

Most of us have a collection of holiday linens, tablecloths, dish towels, bath towels, or small rugs.  An easy storage solution is an old suitcase.  Before packing away, be sure to launder.  If you are so inclined, a couple scented dryer sheets will keep things smelling fresh until next season.

A Few Final Pointers…

Before you take down your holiday decorations to begin packing them away for storage, take pictures to remember the way you have your decorations set up. Then, take everything down in reverse order of the way it was put up.

Save yourself time next year by thoroughly labeling your Christmas decorations. Number the boxes so that you'll know how many you have (i.e. Box 1 of 12). Labeling the boxes this way, also lets you order them according to how they should be unpacked.

Be sure to prominently label the first box to be opened at Christmas. As an example, Box #1 might contain your advent calendar, tree stand, Christmas cards, or whatever you need to begin your holiday decorating.

By creatively organizing your holiday decorations today, you can provide a stress-free and enjoyable start to next year’s decorating season!  

©2011 CC Isole

Season's Greetings!

Season's Greetings to our friends and customers, near and far!

The Evil Crack Candy

Need a quick and easy hostess gift, or some treats for guests who are dropping by this weekend?
You probably have all the ingredients sitting on the shelf.  This one won't disappoint!

Make-Ahead Holiday Breakfast

Looking for an easy, make-ahead breakfast for Christmas morning?  Have guests visiting for the holidays and running out of meal ideas? This is a crowd pleaser every time, and easy enough for the kids to assemble.  Enjoy!