Professional Organizers have had mixed feelings about a new show called "Hoarders" on A&E. The show seems to have brought out the best and the worst in us!
Each episode features two people with hoarding issues, and the Professional Organizers and psychologists who help them clean out their homes in a two-day time period.
The good thing is that it may help some viewers realize that they are hoarding and encourage them to contact a professional.
The bad thing is that very few projects with hoarding clients are completed in two days. Most hoarding clients need months or years to clean out and to overcome their challenges. The organizing team works in conjunction a therapist who requires the client to attend regular therapy sessions.
I know it's hard for TV producers to spend a year following a person's journey, but I wish someone had the courage and patience to document the long-term advances a person struggling with hoarding can make. Maybe it would help potential hoarders catch their habits before their houses became unsafe.
copyright Sara Long 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Are You Prepared?
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has designated September as National Preparedness Month. What does this mean to you? It’s a great time to evaluate your readiness for emergencies and natural disasters.
A good way to start is to make an emergency supply kit, which may include these items:
• Water (one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation)
• Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food, and a can-opener if necessary)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert (and extra batteries for both)
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit that includes sterile gloves, sterile dressings, cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes, antibiotic ointment, burn ointment, adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes, eye wash solution, a thermometer, and your prescription medications and prescribed medical supplies
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes/wipes and garbage bags
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
Visit www.ready.gov for more information, such as additional items for children and pets, family emergency plans, emergency information services, and volunteer opportunities.
copyright Sara Long 2009
A good way to start is to make an emergency supply kit, which may include these items:
• Water (one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation)
• Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food, and a can-opener if necessary)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert (and extra batteries for both)
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit that includes sterile gloves, sterile dressings, cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes, antibiotic ointment, burn ointment, adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes, eye wash solution, a thermometer, and your prescription medications and prescribed medical supplies
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes/wipes and garbage bags
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
Visit www.ready.gov for more information, such as additional items for children and pets, family emergency plans, emergency information services, and volunteer opportunities.
copyright Sara Long 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Back in Business
After giving birth to my first child in July, I'm ready to get back to work! The only thing that has changed is my schedule. Due to babysitters' availability, I'm only offering on-site organizing services on evenings and weekends at this point. I am still available to do "virtual assistance" work from home, though, such as filing, data entry, etc. So, give me a call!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Looking for Purse Solutions?
Here are links to some purse options out there:
The Purseket: http://www.purseket.com
Purse-Brite: http://www.purse-brite.com
Butler Bag: http://www.butlerbag.com
Ikea "Komplement" Boxes: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90050590
(They're great to create sections in big purses, tote bags, and diaper bags.)
copyright Sara Long 2009
The Purseket: http://www.purseket.com
Purse-Brite: http://www.purse-brite.com
Butler Bag: http://www.butlerbag.com
Ikea "Komplement" Boxes: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90050590
(They're great to create sections in big purses, tote bags, and diaper bags.)
copyright Sara Long 2009
Clean out that Purse! (Or briefcase, or wallet...)
Your purse is like your sidekick. And what superhero would want a sidekick that’s bogged down and messed up? Superheroes, it’s time to clean out your bags! (Men can also use these tips for wallet clean-up, especially tips one and four.)
1. Take everything out of your purse and wallet. Separate items into these categories: A. things you use daily, B. things you use several times a week, C. things you use less than once a week, and D. things you hardly ever use. Be honest with yourself, and consider not carrying items in categories C and D. Your purse doesn’t have to look like a drug store. Unless you live in Antarctica, you’re probably going to be able to get something within a reasonable amount of time, either from a store or from another person.
2. When shopping for organization items, don’t get stuck in the “accessories” section. If you can’t find what you need with the purses, wander over to the makeup, office supplies, electronics, or men’s sections of the store. Makeup bags make great catch-alls for small items, and they come in a variety of colors and sizes. Pencil cases, notebook pouches, and plastic envelopes are great for storage. You may find slimmer wallets and card-cases in men’s accessories, and camera and phone pouches may be just what you need to store gadgets or little whatnots.
3. Be smart about switching from purse to purse. If you like to change purses to go with your outfit, try to keep your necessary items together. Pursebrite and Purseket offer easy-to-access pocket systems that can be moved between purses. Makeup bags may also be a good size, and plastic envelopes and notebook pouches are great to hold papers and coupons. Give your purse a break, though: if all of your items can’t fit into a smaller purse, go back to step two and re-evaluate.
4. Schedule a time to clean out your purse. It would be great if you could find a few minutes each day to purge your purse. If not, scheduling twenty minutes a week to clean out your purse will save a lot of time and aggravation throughout the week. It always felt good to me to clean out my purse on Friday afternoon, to transition from the workweek to the weekend. Sunday night may feel good to you, or maybe before an important weekly meeting or activity.
copyright Sara Long 2009
1. Take everything out of your purse and wallet. Separate items into these categories: A. things you use daily, B. things you use several times a week, C. things you use less than once a week, and D. things you hardly ever use. Be honest with yourself, and consider not carrying items in categories C and D. Your purse doesn’t have to look like a drug store. Unless you live in Antarctica, you’re probably going to be able to get something within a reasonable amount of time, either from a store or from another person.
2. When shopping for organization items, don’t get stuck in the “accessories” section. If you can’t find what you need with the purses, wander over to the makeup, office supplies, electronics, or men’s sections of the store. Makeup bags make great catch-alls for small items, and they come in a variety of colors and sizes. Pencil cases, notebook pouches, and plastic envelopes are great for storage. You may find slimmer wallets and card-cases in men’s accessories, and camera and phone pouches may be just what you need to store gadgets or little whatnots.
3. Be smart about switching from purse to purse. If you like to change purses to go with your outfit, try to keep your necessary items together. Pursebrite and Purseket offer easy-to-access pocket systems that can be moved between purses. Makeup bags may also be a good size, and plastic envelopes and notebook pouches are great to hold papers and coupons. Give your purse a break, though: if all of your items can’t fit into a smaller purse, go back to step two and re-evaluate.
4. Schedule a time to clean out your purse. It would be great if you could find a few minutes each day to purge your purse. If not, scheduling twenty minutes a week to clean out your purse will save a lot of time and aggravation throughout the week. It always felt good to me to clean out my purse on Friday afternoon, to transition from the workweek to the weekend. Sunday night may feel good to you, or maybe before an important weekly meeting or activity.
copyright Sara Long 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
