Dancing Rabbit - Organizing Services

Sometimes, it's about creating what works.

The latest and greatest packing contraption.

The challenge: protecting a dead, brittle bonsai tree so it can go into storage and be used for a future art project.

Available materials: A dog crate, drawer dividers and blankets.

The result: 10 or so minutes of fun, creative problem-solving capped off with a big high-five.

The most meaningful and heartwarming tip I have received...

Yesterday, I helped a man clear out his office desk of 35 years. As we swapped stories about work and travel, and told jokes about the copious amounts of dust bunnies, we found a stack of $2 bills.

"My grandma used to send me one of these every year." I told him.

He smiled at that. He was a banker and wondered how she was able to have so many on hand, for all her grandchildren.

"She probably robbed a bank."

More laughs.

At the end of the day, we said our goodbyes and he pulled out the wad of bills and gave me one, knowing I hadn't received one from my grandma in many, many years.

This work is relational. It's just as much about making meaning with others as it is about managing stuff. I can't wait to share more.

So grateful to have met more elders and resources in my community at this year's Aging At Altitude Expo!

Could not have made this happen without a dear friend coming down from Boston to cover my booth with her great taste in thrift store finds, her time, energy and care. Thanks Sherry!

What to do with heaps and heaps of photographs?!?

My absolute favorite organizing job is photo and document archiving. I've been refining my techniques for over 15 years!

I've created history archives for non-profits, family history files for individuals and giant interactive activities for communities where everyone can share stories and learn together.

Don't just digitize!
Organize :)
More to come on how I get this done!

Me: You know you can't recycle neon-colored paper right?

Client: Noooooooooo! What?! All this time... *sigh* (defeated)

Me: So what are we going to do with this last post-it?

Client: Voila! It will remind me that this bag is not for recycling and that the post-it itself can't be recycled.

Me: Pure genius!

Lower your moving cost...

Do you have lots of little fragile items? A bunch of glasses in your kitchen? Maybe you have your own little Apothecary.

Instead of buying moving boxes, trot down to the local liquor store or Trader Joes. They have free boxes made for carrying glass!

WARNING: Organizing is NOT just about getting rid of things.

It's also about taking time to process and care for what you really love. Then, it's a lot easier to notice what is "extra" and taking up space.

Sometimes, beloved items just need a little extra care.

Here are some vintage threads a client wanted to donate. Since you can't donate heavily stained items, I did a little experiment.

Here's the process:

1) Treat stains with a mix of hydrogen peroxide and dish soap (2:1)

2) Let it settle in.

3) Soak items in warm water and Borax for 5 hours. Occasionally, change out the water as a lot of dirt will get lifted out of the clothes! ***Separate out color items in case the colors run!

4) Put in the washing machine with your normal detergent.

5) Enjoy your favorite things again :)

When you think about it, a filing cabinet, storage unit or a closet can be like a time capsule...here are a couple things, found on a job, that seem to resonate today.