Welcome to the Let Patty Do It News and Tips Newsletter issue number 12.

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Welcome to my latest newsletter. It has been an eventful year. My business has been absolutely fantastic and I want to take this moment to thank you all and wish you a wonderful summer and terrific second half of the year.

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In Feb. 07 I started to work on my newsletter-yes! it’s work!  Then I slipped on some ice and broke my left wrist and well here it is-JUNE!
Once again (see my personal move newsletter from a year ago), I was thrown into the situation many of you have been in, that started your organizing decline.  The things you can’t do with only one arm!
Many of my clients have had debilitating injury or illness, at risk pregnancy, divorce, and loss of a parent or even loss of a job that derails all the systems that were in place.
Two of the most common problems:  laundry and paper

Idea number one:
You can wear the same thing everyday for a week-DO change underwear daily…
          Or
When you’re trying to pull your life back together, get some help!
There are laundry services that will pick up your laundry, wash, fold and deliver it back to you for as little as $1 per lb.  Maybe that’s not in your budget forever, but to get caught up, make some sacrifices and let them do the work.

Put the laundry away!  A laundry service will wash, fluff and fold, but they will not put the clothes away for you.  This is a problem that many people have and it’s double edged because all that nice clean stuff gets rummaged through and needs washing all over again even before it is worn.  Try using a basket for each family member.  Put their clothes in their basket and take it (or have them take it) to their rooms.  Help them put it away and maybe throw out or donate the things that they’ve outgrown.

Paper:
Mail alone contributes a ton of paper, but what about the kid’s papers and artwork?

Mail:
What’s the worst thing that can happen if you simply sweep all the papers off the table into a trash bag?  A late fee?  Probably. I think if your Mom sent you a birthday check, you probably opened it right away, so---most of the paper is solicitations, ads, and catalogs.  Throw them away. More will come next month.  If that’s too radical, do a Quick Sort for bills and personal letters -  don’t look through the coupons or sale pitch stuff - toss it!

Kids:
Buy an inexpensive portfolio for each of your kids.  Put their names on them and put all their artwork and special paper in the portfolio.  It will need to be sorted once in a while, but it’s all together.
          Or
Assign a cubby to each child-maybe to you and your husband too.  Once a week, have a contest to see who can empty their cubby fastest.

Now that the laundry is done and the table is clear, let’s try to keep it that way.  Buy a bunch of fresh flowers at the grocery store and put them on the table.  Tell your family that nothing is to be put on the table that doesn’t pertain to eating.  Even though you did the work, you’re going to have to remind yourself.  Try keeping the table set even between meals.  I know it might feel funny, but you’re less likely to pile stuff on top of plates.

Try doing the laundry on a regular basis-before it gets out of hand.  Do loads by individual so you can take them out of basket and then put it back it back in the same basket and return it to the appropriate room.

Once the table and the laundry are under control, then you can start thinking about the closets and the toys-there’s always something that needs sorting and purging!

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Remember* Sometimes the best use of your time is to hire a professional!  I would love to help you and I always welcome referrals for which I will give you one free hour of organizing for every referral that you send me that turns into an actual job!

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If you have a group that might enjoy a short presentation about organizing, please call me.  I would love to speak to your group!  If it’s in the South Metro area, I will speak for free!

Have a clutter free Season!

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Fun Quotes

"When you are through changing, you are through." -- Bruce Barton

“Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.”  -- Don Marquis

"Never eat more than you can lift." - - Miss Piggy

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Need help?
Let Patty Do It!
Patty Salam
303-944-0234
email: patty@letpattydoit.com

www.letpattydoit.com