I hate Hallmark.

Well, no, I don't really hate them. I just hate the wake of paper that they leave behind them.

Remember, once upon a time, when people used to write letters and cards with actual heart-felt thoughts that they took time to compose?

Well, now the good folks at Hallmark and all those other 'card for any occasion' people make life easier for everyone. You simply purchase and sign your name.

Now, I like that convenience as much as anyone else, BUT it does NOT make it worth keeping the card forever. A name on the bottom of a generic thought-of-the-day card does not signify anything other than the fact that someone remembered your special day. Keep that marvelous thought and for pete's sake GET RID OF THE PAPER!

If someone takes the time to write a nice, long, personal message, by all means, put that card in your Memory Box for future reference.

For most of us, though, the greater number of cards we receive consist of a quick name on the bottom of a Hallmark at the usual holidays. Those pieces of paper are not worth keeping as a memory. Keep'em where you can marvel at the beauty of the art and the kindness of the giver for a week... at most.

Then, keep the thought and pitch the card (into a recycling bin... save a tree, please) so that you keep your space empty and your heart full!

Ya know, Hallmark offers free e-cards... all the thoughts, but no paper!

Tax Time!

It's that time of year again, everyone!

Get those papers out and your calculators too! (or send out the works to someone you trust.)

Remember that the earlier you get going, the sooner you can breathe easy!

Tips to remember:

1. It helps to have a file that you keep going all year round for current receipts that will apply to your taxes. That way all your paper work is ready to go and in one place by the time the season rolls around.

2. In Canada, you only need to keep 7 years worth of taxes. Don't keep them forever! If you ever are audited and you have information pertaining to taxes that goes beyond those seven years, the Canadian government is entitled to audit you farther back, if they desire!

3. Check out the link to Paper Retention on the left for further information!

Happy Tax Season and I wish you many LARGE and Happy Tax Returns!

Something we should all be aware of....

Recently, there has been a lot of concern about plastics in the microwave and in the freezer. The concern that the plastic will leak cancer causing dioxins if used in either freezer or microwave.

While it's true that you should probably avoid heating plastics of anykind (things tend to break down more readily when heated) in the microwave, there doesn't seem to be the same concern for the freezer.

Remember to check your sources. Always.

For the truth about microwaving and freezing plastics, please check out this site at Johns Hopkins.

Now, where are my cheesy nachos and my Chocolate Haagen Dasz.

Important Spring Cleaning Issue

Now that we are coming out of cold and flu season and shelving those old medications, it's important to remember that old or unused meds do not get thrown out in the garbage, folks.

Medicines fall under the catagory of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW).

Don't flush'em down the toilet or wash them down the sink drain. We don't need medicated fish and we certainly don't want everyone else inadvertantly sharing your old meds. When you flush or drain them, your old meds end up in the public water supply.

Think about that.

Ugh.

Old medications can be taken to your pharmacy for proper disposal or contact your city or town waste disposal to find out where the Household Hazardous Waste drop off is located. In Toronto, there are specific days and times when HHW can be dropped off and it's good to be familiar with those times and locations 'cause there's a lot of HHW out there (batteries are another little peeve of mine... old batteries are also HHW.)

Paints, spray cans, toxic cleaning mats and containers... they are all HHW. In Toronto, if you can't make a drop off yourself during one of the appointed times, then wait until you collect a bunch of HHW as it gets used up in your household and call The Toxics Taxi Guys at 416.392.4330.

For further information, click here.

Medicated fish.

Ugh.

Now's the time to really start purging your belongings if you didn't have a chance to do it before the holidays.

All those new things that you acquired at Christmas now need a home. So. Let's start with a couple decision helpers.

1. If you received a lovely new item to replace an old one. Replace the old one. THROW THE OLD ONE OUT. ( Or donate it... but get it out of your space!.) Eg. New jeans with no holes replacing old with holes. New socks? Get rid of the mangier ones that currently reside in your drawer.

2. If you now have multiples of an item. Pick one ( maybe two... but no more than that!). Have three new pairs of mittens? Which ones really tickle your fancy? Which ones will you USE ?

3. Really look at the space that a functional item takes up. Let the space allowable for that item determine how many things you can keep. For example, new kitchen utensils like spatulas etc. Where are they being stored right now? Is that drawer or basket full? If yes, what things can go to make room for the new utensils. DO NOT BUY ANOTHER STORAGE UNIT!!! PURGE FROM THE OLD ONE!

For more information, or for individual help... leave me a question on the blog!

Happy Uncluttered Closets Everyone!

Get Ready Santa, It's a Military Strike!

A fine tip for the Holiday Season:

Don't plan your shopping as a browsing experience in the store. Fighting crowds and trying to think clearly are not two things done well at the same time.

Plan a Military Strike: Pick it, stack it and then buy it!

All those catalogues that come your way at this time of year can be useful!

Now go get comfy, get a pen and your favourite catalogue.

Before bedtime, on the days when you don't have much brain power left, have a browse through a Holiday Catalogue from a store you frequent. Pictures before bedtime... not too hard on the brain. Circle the items you think are worthy or have potential as gifts and write the name of the person for whom you'd like to purchase beside it. Then, dog ear or rip out those pages and make a stack of those ideas keeping all ideas from one store together.

Planning! It's a beautiful thing!

Try to pick a day or time when that store is likely to be emptier. First thing in the morning on any given day, later at night for those stores that stay open until 10pm. Remember Mondays and Tuesdays are likelier to be emptier than Thursdays and Fridays. And of course, if you can, avoid Saturday and Sunday shopping like the plague! AND TAKE YOUR IDEA STACK WITH YOU! Having pictures when you can't find the right words will help if you are describing the item to a clerk. ( It's a good idea to bind your stack and place it right by the front door in readiness for the day you plan to attack that store!)

You'll find staff, on those empty days, more available and friendly and supply much more ample! It all makes for a pleasanter shopping experience!

Happy Holidays!

Wash'em and Stand Clear!

We're into cold and flu season, people! So a few tips on how to stay healthy that I'm sure you know but that always bear repeating:

1. Get thee to your family doctor or neighbourhood clinic for a flu shot! It's free and it potentially spares you or anyone you know from getting certain strains of Influenza!

2. Pretend you are Lady Macbeth. (No... don't hurt anyone in their sleep!) but DO WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY AND THOROUGHLY!

3. Stand 1 metre apart from people when you are sick! Any droplet based disease can't travel that far.

4. Cough or sneeze into a hanky if you have one ( and then see rule #2) but if you don't have a hanky handy, cough or sneeze into your sleeve. That way you don't transfer germs when you shake hands or handle supplies.

Have a healthy winter and check out this site if you need more info!

Welcome to the SpaceCraft Solutions Blog!

Look to this Blog if you have any questions about organizing your space or your time. I'll do my very best to help! I'll also publish helpful tidbits of information anytime I come across them!

Have a glass of bubbly, a truffle from your favourite box of bonbons or a row of 'tough cookies' (If you've hired me, you know what those are!) and help me celebrate the launch!