Good Value

How much space are we wasting in our homes? How much does it cost us to store clutter?

Lets look at it by the numbers, rather than as an emotional subject. If a home costs approximately $150 per square foot to build, and a monthly storage locker costs $1.50 per square foot to rent, how much is your clutter genuinely costing you?

Lets say one storage locker, the size of a small bedroom, or 100 sq feet costs$150 per month, plus gst is $157.50. The annual cost of that is $1890. WOW.  

The argument can be made that, "I own my house so I don't pay rent to store my belongings. " Yes, that is true, however, when it comes to selling that house, the bigger the better. Buyers are looking for spacious homes. The more living space the better. A cluttered house of 1200 sq feet can look like an unkempt house of 900 sq feet.  It's a matter of perception. How will your house be perceived? The smaller something appears, the less a buyer is willing to pay. A home that looks open and spacious and well kept will always sell for more money.

What if, spending $500 and less than 10 hours of your own time working with a professional organizing team, could increase the sale price of your home by $3000? Would that be worth it?  That's why it is absolutely critical to de-clutter when planning to prepare your home for sale. It also makes the actual move a lot easier. With clutter sorted and pared down, and items neatly packed away those items are already ready to move. Wouldn't that be great... moving 30% less stuff?

It's a win-win situation when you hire a professional organizer as part of your moving and sales team.

What have I started?

All I wanted was to hang some new curtains. But that meant putting up new and more modern curtain rods. Well, that of course left marks on the walls from the old curtain rods. And since I happened to be that close to the wall, I noticed additional unsightly scuff marks on that wall. So it was in that moment I decided I should paint the wall. Of course nobody thought I meant "now", like that very minute.
The next thing I knew, I had plastic on the floor, a head scarf over my head and there at 9PM I started painting... much to the amazement of my family. When they agreed with my statement "this wall needs a coat of paint" nobody thought NOW.
Once everybody got over the shock and helped move the couch it was an easy job. I had a fresh can of paint I had picked up earlier in the week. Albeit it was for a completely different purpose and not my first choice of colour for the living room. However a fresh coat of white paint sure beats what it looked like before.
Now less than 48 hours later, I have a freshly painted living room wall, new curtains, clean pictures (were very dusty - ick) and am quite proud of myself. It looks good, and I feel even better.
Little CJ has asked, "Mommy, can we do my room next?"
Oh no. What have I started now?

Mondays

I actually like Mondays. For me it's a fresh start. Whatever happened last week is over. What will be this week, is yet unwritten. Sundays, for me, are a day focused on family. Today we spent is at the rink. Both kids had hockey games and then we attended the Wheat Kings game. The Wheaties won tonight. It was the first time in 12 games that they'd won. Not for a lack of effort of course. They'd been very close. Infact the last 2 loses were in overtime shoot-outs. In any case, the broke the spell tonight in commanding fashion. 6-2 was the final score.

So today I hope to accomplish 3 things.  1) make a Christmas t-shirt for my little one. It's actually an easy project with huge results. I simply take one of their favourite drawings or a picture from a colouring book they've finished and scan it. Once their artwork is scanned in, I print it on t-shirt transfer paper, then follow directions and iron it on a clean white t-shirt.  In less than 10 minutes your child is wearing their very own artwork. It never ceases to thrill them at my house.

2) Tidy up the house.

3) Ice the cookies we made this weekend. This task is best done when the kids are in school, so at least some cookies make it into the gift containers.

Here's to Mondays!

A Big Day

Ok, time to take a deep breath. Some sleep would help too. Clarity... and added bonus. Energy? Hardly necessary.  Adrenaline is doing the driving now anyways.

Today's a big day. Likely one I'll remember for a while anyway. I'm opening a new business, and we throw open the doors to the public today. In about 9 hours.

The new business is called Sort & Sell, eSales and Services. What is it? One part "Sort", the other part "Sell".   The Sort is an in-home organizing service lead by a trained professional. The Sell is a small retail space where we will act as a drop off and sales depot for local on-line classified sales.

I've had a lot of great friends helping me out taking this original concept and running with it. Jeff designed the logo that I absolutely LOVE. Shelby did the website so very skillfully. Carli has been taking courses,  studying and training as a professional organizer. Calder, has attended countless business meetings and had to share my attention. So many more who have supported me that I should mention... Des, Greg, Connie, Harry, Marlow, Ashley, Neil. Thank you everybody.

Check out our web site. www.sortandsell.ca

Cheers!

Many good things

The light at the end of the tunnel is temporarily unavailable. Please contact your system administrator.

Yep, it's been that kind of day.

I'm not sure what to write. Does anybody really want to hear me drone on about a challenging day when each and everyone has their own obstacles to overcome?  No. So, rather, in the spirit of the season... a season of good wishes, gifts, friends and family rejoicing... I shall rejoice. And rejoice with a list of my favourite things.

In absolutely no order whatsoever:

A hug from my child, for no apparent reason.
Blueberry pie.
When the truck starts and it's so cold that you believe for a second that it might not actually start.
Bailey's Irish Cream
Gingerbread Latte from Starbucks
A note from my best friend.
Crab legs with lots of fresh lemon.
Words of encouragement.
Clean sheets
A sloppy kiss on the cheek from my horse. Always makes me giggle. For a creature so huge, he's gentle.
A card from my dad.
Lunch with my husband.
A bargain.
When hard work is rewarded.
$5 in a coat pocket.
A challenging game of scrabble with a friend
The Bahamas.
My uncles
A close hockey game.
Baby pictures of my kids
That my mom texts
Hanging out with my brother
Chocolate turtles.
Making cookies
Photos. I love photos
Peacefully sleeping children


Thanks. Now I feel better. Hope that light comes on again soon.

The Junk Drawer

My junk drawer finally had its day. I opened the ugliness and tackled it head on. Sure, there were some random treasures, like a walking tour book for the architectural and historical treasures in our city, but most of it was junk. I guess that's why it's universally knows as THE JUNK DRAWER.

It was my 5 year-old who was most amazed by what was in the drawer. We found a couple marbles, a tiny sewing kit and several tokens for the local arcade. There were coupons that had expired in 2006. Yikes. Had it really been that long?

Once the treasures were picked over, and as much as the useful junk salvaged, we unceremoniously dumped the rest and wiped out the drawer.

Reconstruction included several little shallow dividing baskets. One for pens and pencils, another for coupons and tokens, a third for pins and paperclips.

Most importantly, we felt we had accomplished something great. In 15 minutes we tackled that hidden junk and made it livable, useable space again. We were so proud, we  showed it to the other members of the family the minute they walked in the door. Everyone rejoiced in the fact we found 3 pairs of scissors. Yes, the ever elusive scissors have been found - and given a place of honour now, in their own basket, in the not-so-junky Junk Drawer.

Small steps I say... small steps! LOL

The far reaching impacts of tragedy

In this last week, several Manitoba families have been devastated by three tragedies. The first was near Selkirk. A young woman was the victim of a drunk driver who hit her.  This car crash took her life just a little over a month after she was married. She did not live to see her first Christmas with her husband.

The second tragedy was near Steinbach. A father rushed back into his burning home to save his 13 year old son. While his wife and three other children had made it out safely, the father went back in. The father lost his life while the teenager remains in critical condition. The mother and young children were physically unharmed, though they remain in shock and in a state of crisis and homelessness.

The third tragedy, another horrific car crash. This one on a snowy road, near the Manitoba/Saskatchewan border. A car, attempting to pass another, went head on into a vehicle carrying a family of 6 home from a child's sporting competition. The mother and father were killed on impact. Two of the children escaped with minor injuries, the other two are in critical condition in hospital. A 5th son, a 19 year old man, was not travelling with the rest of the family. He vows to care for and raise his siblings.

The only common element is the incredible sorrow and devastation to the families and their friends and loved ones. As nothing more than a fellow Manitoban, and media witness to the tragedies, I can honestly tell you I have a heavy heart. As a mother, the pain I feel for these families is real. Though there is nothing I can really do for anyone, but keep them in my thoughts and prayers and be ever mindful and vigilant in the protection of my own family.

I have hugged my children more this week than they are used to. I've professed my love for them and given my vow to treasure and protect them to the very best of my ability. Some things are beyond control. Some tragedies immeasurable.

Great Inventions

When I say great inventions, I"m not talking about electricity or the dual flush toilet, I'm talking about just the simple little things that make a mom's job easier.

Shall we start with the little cone-shaped "thingys" that sit over your floor vent and dry your mittens? I mean it's just fabulous! In the winter, your kids are coming in the house constantly with wet mitts and boots and hats. Each of these items, can be placed on the "cone-like wire vent topper" and then a short time later, they're dry and good to go again. Now that's a great little thing - even if I don't know it's actual name. I believe it was super cheap to buy, and it hasn't cost me one nickel in batteries, or maintenance plans, or repairs since. It's just some plastic coated wire, bent around in a clever way and built in the size of a floor vent. So simple.... so handy. 

Then what about the little storage containers that you use for leftovers, but all sizes use the same universal lid. Yes! Finally, any lid fits the damn container. Seriously... it's a good thing! Now the cupboard doesn't look like a Tupperware (pardon the brand name reference) explosion. Nothing repelled husbands or children more from packaging or saving leftovers like having to sort through a 200 piece puzzle to find the right lid.  Now, anyone can do it. And you should do it. Reduce, reuse, recycle you know!

Now another little invention that I have a love-hate relationship with is the "Magic Eraser." Those little formaldehyde sponges scare me. But they WORK!! They will clean anything nasty, old, moldy or scuffed. So they really do the job, but even the spelling of the word formaldehyde takes a scientist to put together. So hopefully, the scientist who put this formula together knew what he/she was doing. I just wear gloves, and breath in the other direction, and scrub vigorously. And it works, clean & good as new. I even scrubbed 2 years of puck-stopping off my son's goalie pads. 

In organizing things around the house, I'm in love with the label maker. Want to teach your 8 year old boy where his clean socks can be found? Label the drawer. He can read. Sock isn't a difficult word. And now, labelled, he has no reason to holler  "where are my socks?" at mom every morning. Another of life's great difficulties solved... with a clever little invention. 

Planes, trains and automobiles

When was the last time you took a trip? What was your last great adventure?
A little adventure feeds the soul. There's a trip in every budget, and a budget in every trip. But I have to say the greatest trip I've ever taken was to the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas. That place defines 5 star! There is something to do for every age. And while this resort can be pricy... you can be a high roller or you can be "Sally Super Saver" and still enjoy yourself thoroughly. For the record,  I fall much closer to the Sally lifestyle.
First step to a grand vacation on a budget is to do your research. Plan your dream destination around the travel you have access to. Where does your local airline fly to? Are there train specials? Scour the web for your transportation link. Subscribe to their newsletter. Watch for their sales. Watch their prices weekly to learn their sales and patterns.
Next, research your destination. What is their low season? If your destination is Disney... there are many sites that give their average park attendance in any given week of the year or specific holiday. Remember, the busier it is, the more you will pay to be there, and the less attention staff will have to spend on you.  So, if you're looking for the bargain try to travel when others are staying at home. However, and this is a very important note *** make sure you research and see if there are any specific reasons it is a low season. For example, is it hurricane season?  The rainy season? A cultural or national holiday in the area you are travelling to?  
Once you have your destination and time of year and budget in mind, wait until the offers and specials start dropping into your inbox, and they will.  A little patience will pay off.
In an effort to draw tourists this summer, Atlantis hosted a number of big, no, HUGE named concerts. They hosted Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Katy Perry within 2 months I believe. Yes, each played a concert for hotel guests in a ballroom that held 500 or so guests. Seriously.  We saw Katy Perry. It was amazing!!
In future blogs I'll offer up some of my other favourite bargain tips, but lets just say that my kids had the trip of a lifetime and never even noticed that they were eating granola bars, crackers and snacks that'd I'd brought from home, in between their restaurant meals. I'm sure the money I saved on snacks paid for our concert tickets.
Train travel also has some unbelievable bargains. The VIA.ca website updates their last minute discount trips every thursday. While it may be 2 weeks notice or less, the savings can be 75%.  Grab the kids and go! Play cards and checkers and see the country from a whole new perspective. It's a real adventure.
Travel can bring many rewards. The kids and I made so many memories. We talk and laugh and look at the pictures often.

National Pride

Canada is a pretty amazing country. Count yourself blessed if you've been able to see it from coast to coast. Recently, I took a trip to Montreal Quebec. It was a homecoming of sorts. For me, it all started in Quebec. The daughter of an air force pilot, my family had been stationed in many difference cities & provinces. I just happened to arrive on the scene in Quebec.

So here I was, an adult, back in my home province. Though attending a conference, there was a little bit of time to explore. Montreal has an absolutely amazing series of tunnels. It's an underground city. You can literally visit thousands of shops and restaurants below ground. It does take a bit to get used to and like the prairie girl I am, felt the need to 'pop up' to the surface every now and again to see daylight and get oriented on exactly where I was.

As a hockey lover, I had a very important event planned and had been looking forward to it all week. It was, to be, the absolute highlight of the trip. The Montreal Canadiens were playing the Ottawa Senators at the Bell Center.  The game itself was pretty 'beige". A 3-2 loss for the Canadiens. But, I will have to say that I enjoyed cheering for the Canadiens, wearing their hockey colours and experiencing hockey in this historic place.

Though, the moment engraved in my brain absolutely has to be the singing of the National Anthem.
So there we were, wearing our hockey colours, standing among 20, 000 hockey fans when the anthem started. The next thing I knew we (myself included) were belting out 'O Canada", the bilingual version. I had goosebumps. 20,000 hockey fans, filled with Canadian pride putting their heart and lungs into our song. I'll never forget it. There, at the centre of Canadian hockey history, a swelling of National pride that I could feel.  Such a good feeling.

Halloween

Ah, another hectic event in the books. My boys had a wonderful time, but most certainly the best part was the participation of their grandparents.

For the first time in over 25 years my father had duties on Halloween night. The apartment he lived in since he and my mother divorced never did permit Trick or Treating. So the last time he participated in Halloween was by escorting me, when I was a child.

This time, he bought the candy and handed it out himself, at his new house.

As a family we had a "pre-game" meal, then got the kids ready in their costumes.  Grandpa and (new) Grandma were both instrumental in getting the kids dressed, photographed and prepared for the fun. I really don't think I could have done it without them. It was a total team effort to co-ordinate 4 detailed costumes, the two kids and all the Halloween "stuff".

I'm going to cherish the photos we took tonight. They bridge the gap between the generations. No doubt in my mind that they reminded my dad of when I was a princess a long time ago...for they, for certain,  reminded ME of when I was a princess.

Take off a layer

I recently had a facial and the technician suggested to me that I was not exfoliating often enough nor deeply enough. It was a metaphor for my current situation. There it was: exfoliate.

Aren't we all carrying around some excess baggage? Whether it's in your personal life, home or work space, don't we all have some excess baggage? 

The facial gave me the boost I needed to get in gear and shed some skin, so to speak. I began to purge my closet. Ugly... ugly.... too big... too small.... too 2005... too blah. You get the point. It felt great. Of course, the biggest stumbling block was the mental price tag attached to the items being discarded. Did I spend too much on it to throw it out? Did I get enough use/value out of each item? 

To get past that stumbling block, all I had to do was as myself... "what is it costing me to hold onto it?" If it's not near perfect, or doesn't make me feel fresh and "glow-y" (like that fabulous facial) I don't need it. Clothes are there to lift your spirit and make you look your best... not to feel guilty, too short or too fat or too blah.  

So donate... the release the old layer of clothes. Let them find a new home. Somewhere else to shine. 

Glow on your own terms. What skin do you need to shed?

Next... I tackle the kitchen.

The Many Hats

Last night I started washing and organizing the winter wear for the boys. Coats, hats and mitts. Mitts, like socks in my house can be a bit of a challenge. The boys, CJ & the older one, have a tendency to play hard and sometimes lose things in the process. As their mom, and household psychic, I try to use my powers to keep it all together.

Keeping it together, can be a challenge. I myself have many hats. I am a business owner, a mom, a wife, a writer, a friend, a daughter, and a frugal shopper.  And a hockey mom. Yes, a Canadian, hot chocolate swilling, cheering, hockey mom. Not one of those crazy screaming hockey moms. Whoa, definitely not. But I am passionate about my boys, their health and happiness. I also love to see them do well and be happy. I work hard every single day to make sure they are happy and getting what they need. Need... big difference from what they want. "Wants" are another topic!

My favourite hat right now is getting to know CJ and having fun with him. He's at the stage where he is starting to figure out who he is himself. Does he like to cook? Does he like to dance? Does he like to dress up? We try to figure these things out together. I let him take the lead, and I try to keep up. Yesterday we baked brownies, last week muffins and cookies. Tomorrow, I understand he wants pumpkin decorated cupcakes...

Right now, it's time to put on my dishwashing "hat" before I report for chauffeur duties.