Peace of Mind Organizing

The perfect blend of feline and human talent

3 August 2009

The video of CATcerto, the orchestral concert featuring a composition written around a cat’s piano playing (the cat plays her solo via video) just warms my heart. The music itself, written and conducted by Lithuanian conductor, composer and artist Mindaugas Piečaitis and performed by the Klaipeda chamber orchestra, is gorgeous. Nora, the cat, really seems to enjoy playing the piano and does it with a certain amount of finesse and, I dare say, tenderness.

Here’s the video. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Everything in its (cyber)place

31 July 2009

The adage may seem tired, but it’s true. To maintain order, you need to:

1. have a place for everything and then
2. put everything in its place.

I do pretty darn well with step 1. But I’ve always had trouble with step 2. That means I usually have to scramble to put stuff away if I’m expecting guests. But the messiness is really on the surface (for the most part), so tidying up doesn’t take too long. (Of course, having a place for everything is difficult if you have more stuff than you can store…that’s when decluttering comes into play.)

Today, I had a flash. I have the same problem with my computer that I have with my house. I have a nasty habit of not putting stuff away in my computer. I stated thinking about it as my beloved MacBook was behaving truly sluggishly, which was stressing me out, because I was trying to get something done.

So I decided to reboot. And I realized that rebooting itself would be a time-consuming venture because I had (and I’m not kidding) 21 applications running. And to make matters (much) worse, I had more than 50 windows open in my main browser, Camino. It’s amazing the poor computer could function at all, I was demanding so much of it.

My problem is that I’m always clicking on links, which open new browser windows. And when I finish reading I don’t close them. And if I open a program, I usually don’t close when I’m finished, just in case I need it again (a silly concern). There’s a pretty easy solution: be mindful of closing windows and programs when I’m through using them. It’s a mind shift. It’s putting everything in its (cyber)place.

What got me thinking was the inability to process my computer seemed to be experiencing and the stress I was experiencing as a result is exactly the same thing that happens when physical clutter takes over. You can’t function. You’re stressed. Life’s not good. (It’s also the same thing that happens when emotional clutter dominates your insides, come to think of it.)

I’m going to work on creating a habit of closing windows and programs on my computer when I’m through with them. This simple step will make me more productive, less stressed and (probably) will be good for my computer as well!

Guest post on I'm an Organizing Junkie today

30 July 2009

I am absolutely delighted to be a guest blogger on the popular organizing blog, I’m an Organizing Junkie today. My post is on one of my favorite topics, creating routines to help maintain order.

At the moment, I’m experiencing the effects of having my routines disrupted by my vacation. It’s been hard to get back into the swing of things and be really productive. But my well-established daily routines of clearing off my desk at night, running and emptying my dishwasher, and cleaning the bathroom fixtures are going strong. Every little bit helps!

If you’re not already a regular reader of I’m an Organizing Junkie, you’re in for a treat. Head on over and spend some time exploring the site. There’s lots of great information there.

Got any extra scrapbooking materials?

28 July 2009

If the clutter in your home includes scrapbooking albums and other supplies that you no longer love or will use, I have a fabulous way for you to pass them on.

Vicky Barshis, a Creative Memories consultant, volunteers each year at Camp Sunrise, a camp for kids with cancer. She helps the kids and their families create a scrapbook of their cancer experience. She’s short on supplies this year. Here’s the notification I received (reprinted with Vicky’s permission):

11th Annual Kids with Cancer Camp Sunrise

For the eleventh year, we have the opportunity to help young children with cancer and their families create an album chronicling their journey through the cancer experience—and memorializing the child if he/she doesn’t make it. Every year, our Creative Memories project is the highest ranked event on Camp Sunrise evaluations.

Vicky Barshis is again volunteering a weekend at Camp Sunrise to help the children and families create their album. She is collecting supplies so that every family attending will receive a free album and as many supplies as we are able to gather for them. Last year, every family received a premiere album, page protectors, a trimmer and corner rounder (the retired styles), retired idea books and Start Smarts, adhesive, one or more pens, and an assortment of paper, die cuts, and stickers. (Many of these families have very limited incomes and/or budgets severely strained by caring for a child with cancer, so this is a HUGE blessing for them!)

The most needed items for Camp Sunrise: Premiere albums and page protectors, tape runners, black pens, and paper. Any other donated supplies will be divided among the families. This year, we also offer a limited number of PicFolio Milestones albums with Milestones decorating kits. Cash donations are also accepted and used to fill in any additional supplies for the gift packages.

This is a great opportunity to not only help others, but to clean out old supplies and items obtained inexpensively at conventions. Cash donations are also helpful and will be used to provide additional items at cost to fill in any gaps. All donations are tax-deductible as donations to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and The American Cancer Society.

Donations are needed by the end of July; they can be mailed or dropped off any time at Vicky’s house in Crestwood, Missouri. Contact Vicky at VBarshis@aol.com to make arrangements.

Note from Janine: I know how much easier it is to part with things if you know they’re going to a good cause. This is a great cause!

Home from vacation

23 July 2009

I’ve been in the Pacific Northwest visiting my parents for the last week or so. I took along my computer, fully expecting to do a little blogging, but got caught up in the combination of family activities and not really thinking about work, so there’s been pretty much radio silence from me.

My parents live in Walla Walla, Washington (I grew up there), where we enjoyed lots of sun and hot temps (three digits!). Walla Walla has become a flourishing wine region, so I had a little fun visiting some tasting rooms and enjoying some truly delicious wine.

Here’s a photo of downtown Walla Walla. Quaint, isn’t it?

I fly home to St. Louis today, arriving tonight, and tomorrow will work on re-entering reality. I’m hoping it won’t be too difficult since I have a few deadlines at the end of next week and really need to get focused!

I have to admit that I’m really looking forward to seeing my husband, dogs, and cat and sleeping in my own bed. And I can’t wait to do laundry, put my clothes away and start living with a full selection of clothing options.

I hope to blog tomorrow and get my regular blogging schedule back up and running!

We have a winner!

13 July 2009

On Tuesday of last week, I posted about organizing my food-storage containers and offered a free set of Rubbermaid Easy Find Lid containers to one lucky commenter.

The giveaway closed yesterday at noon, and using a Random Integer Generator, I drew the number of the winner, Sherrie Guthrie, of Kemptville, Ontario, Canada.

Thanks to everyone who entered (and those of you who doubled your number of entries by tweeting about the contest). Thanks so much to Jim Deitzel of Rubbermaid for offering the set to be given away. I so enjoyed doing this, I’m going to try to do more giveaways in the future!

Great advice on having it all

10 July 2009

This fabulous blog post from Unclutterer really resonated with me. Its writer, Unclutterer Editor-in-Chief Erin Doland, is one of those folks who really seems to have it together. It shines through in her writing. And it feels very apparent when you spend time with her in person.

I follow Erin on Twitter (where she’s erdoland). I’m always amazed when she casually mentions doing something amazing. (Including stand-up comedy(!), if I remember correctly.) In this great blog post, she outlines her system for living a remarkable life.

Erin has a book coming out in November called Unclutter Your Life in One Week. This post should really whet your appetite for it. I know I can’t wait to read it!