Let Patty Do It

Welcome to the Let Patty Do It News and Tips Newsletter issue number 14.

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 great end of the year as we head into the 2007 holiday season.

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For this newsletter, I thought I would share a couple of questions that I am frequently asked.

How long does it take?
Are you disorganized or are you a pack rat? For some people it’s just a matter of identifying a place to put things. For others it’s having far too many things to put in any one place.
Identifying the best place for something is fairly easy-“tell me the first place you would look for this if I asked you where it was?”
Sorting and purging, however, can be a long process because we (you and I) need to figure out why those stuffed animals from high school, 20 years ago are still so important to you. I suggest a 1 to 3 hour appointment to give you an idea of whether you are just looking for function or whether you need someone to help you let go of old baggage. It’s usually apparent within the first 1½ hours whether you’re ready to get organized or not. Many clients comment that while it is difficult to get rid of things, having an outside viewpoint is very helpful. And sometimes people have said, “I’m not as ready to do this as I thought I was and that ends our session. Most times they call back to say they’re working slowly on their own and call me for advice.

Is organizing a good gift for my Mother-in-law or anyone who is not you?
Not usually. Some people are happy to be surrounded by their stuff. You would be hurting their feelings or worse by giving them an organizing gift certificate. I do offer gift certificates, but only when the receiver is on board with the process.
Is there a right or wrong in organizing?
Yes there is. But the most essential part of the answer is ‘there is a right way or wrong way for you’! What is absolutely perfect for John and Jane Doe may be a disaster for you. That is the reason hiring an experienced professional is a good idea.
Here is an example that will help answer the question. Do you like to monitor the time your kids are playing video games? Then maybe keeping the games on the top of your closet is the right place. A professional organizer will ask the pertinent questions about how your space functions and most importantly how you live.
My job is to keep you focused and making the right decisions.

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If you’re getting ready to sell your house or just ready to get rid of a lot of stuff, what will you do with it.
If you have a lot of stuff and want to go to the trouble of having a garage sale, this could be a good option for you. I’m not a big fan of garage sales, so I recommend donating to one or more of the very worthwhile charities out there.

Charities have gotten more specialized, so be sure to check on what they will and will not take.

http://www.jewelsforhope.org/ Jewels for Hope is a Children’s Diabetes group that accepts costume jewelry to sell in their gift shop.

http://www.heritagecleaners.com/CompanyInfo.asp
http://www.the-gatheringplace.org/youcanhelp.html#helpwomen You can drop off children’s’ and women’s clothes at any Heritage Cleaners for the Gathering Place

http://www.dressforsuccess.org/affiliate.aspx?pageid=1&sisid=117 Dress For Success Assisting women reentering the work place

Note* You can find these places on my web site under Charitable Donations on the Resources page.

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Staging
Here is a great thought from Joanne Lenart Weary.

If you were to putting your listing on EHarmony or Match.com, before you posted your photo, you would get a haircut, change your clothes, put on makeup and basically do the best with what you had. You might still be 20 pounds overweight and have a few wrinkles but you would make an effort to show yourself in the best light. If you were having a dinner party, would you do the dishes and clean the house first? Would you set your table extra special to make an impact on anyone attending your party? Well, selling a house is like having a party or going on a date, you want everything to shine and look it’s best. You don't want people distracted by the pet odors, dirty windows and laundry lying on the floor. Staging a house is putting its best foot forward.

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Take a look at my new, updated website. My web designer has been putting in a lot of hours to give me more features and a different look. Let me know what you think!

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I am offering the first of many products for sale on my website. I LOVE these!! I now give them to my staging clients as a staging gift, but sometimes one set is not enough. If you haven’t used furniture glides before, be prepared to be astounded. I can move a television armoire with TV and all the electronics that go with it, BY MYSELF, with these glides. They’re great to leave under TV Cabinets so when you get a new piece of gear, it’s easy to slide the piece out and add or replace and slide it back!

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I’ve also added a link on my web site to Real Estate Colorado for some of the properties that I have currently staged. I work with wonderful realtors, who know their business and know the value of staging. Take a look—they range from owner occupied to empty.

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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 holiday season!

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Fun Quotes

"I intend to live forever, or die trying."--Groucho Marx

"Everybody is ignorant. Only on different subjects."--Will Rogers

"Oh, would that my mind could let fall its dead ideas, as the tree does its withered leaves!"-- Andre Gide

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This is an opt-in newsletter only. It is never sent to anyone except by request and the list will not be sold or shared with anyone. Should you wish to be removed from the email list, you can simply use the link at the bottom of the email to change your account or opt-out entirely.

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