Blog - Page 4 of 26 - Getting it Together

How To Organize Your Music?

Do you have more than one place to play music?

Are you keeping CD’s just in case? Just in case are the three deadliest words.

Would you like to streamline your music once and for all?

I did just that while we were in quarantine.

I personally have all my Cd’s downloaded on my computer which are also on my iPod.

I have a Google Home. And I have free music on my phone.

Way too much!!

All the cd’s went to donate.

The iPod is in the closet for travel and may find its way to donate before long as I can use my phone. What are your thoughts on that?

Check out this short video by Getting It Together on How To Organize Your music

https://youtu.be/34TFNWgsld8?t=6

And for fun, check out this short video from 10 years ago on How To Organize Your Cd’s

https://youtu.be/YQmnUsOZt2w

By organize|2020-07-21T19:14:08+00:00July 21st, 2020|Home Organization, Organization Tips|0 Comments

How To Organize While in Quarantine – Part 4

Are you wondering when life will get back to the way it was?

Are you trying to adjust to our new normal? I know I am.

I had a couple of areas in my condo that needed addressing. My school yearbooks. I’ve moved them three times over the years. Never again! They take up valuable real estate and I don’t look at them. What’s the point of keeping them?

Check out this short video on How To Organize a While in Quarantine part-4

And then let me know your thoughts by commenting below.

PS. If you need help organizing your home or have any questions for me, feel free to email me directly at rowena@gettingittogether.ca

By organize|2020-07-06T19:08:13+00:00June 23rd, 2020|Home Organization, Organization Tips, Organizer|0 Comments

How To Organize In A Quarantine – Part 3

We have been in self-isolation/quarantine for three months now. For many of you, this has been a very long and hard road with not only trying to home school your children, work from home and prepare meals every single day.

Check out this short video by Getting It Together on How To Organize For A Quarantine Part 3. Then read on for the TOP 3 helpful tips.

Tip 1: Always cook in bulk. Even if you’re making a roast dinner, prepare extra vegetables and potentially turn the leftovers into a stew which can be frozen in single servings.

Tip 2: Have a menu plan for two weeks at a time. Rotate that menu plan for the first two weeks of every month followed by a different menu plan for the last two weeks of every month.

Tip 3: Keep things simple and healthy.

PS: Are you still finding it a challenge to cook? Check out my new services where I will come right to your kitchen and prepare healthy freezer meals for you and your family. Contact rowena@gettingittogether.ca for rates and bookings.

PPS: Check out these two exciting podcasts where I was a guest on Heart Sells Podcast based in Germany.

231 Getting IT Together with Rowena List

232 Making Space For Magic with Rowena List

And when you are done with all this insight, please check out

https://www.facebook.com/HeartSellsPodcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOk7tVeHsgaoyJnV9iJfRTg

Share the LOVE by sharing this blog

By organize|2020-06-07T20:52:25+00:00May 25th, 2020|Home Organization, Self Care Organization|0 Comments

How To Organize In A Quarantine – Part 2

Check out this short video on How To Organize In A Quarantine. Part 2 then read my talented Toastmasters friends Poem.

Staying at home, being quiet can bring out some of your talents and creativity. It sure did for this person, don’t you think?

Corona virus poem

As I sits here in self isolation away from my friends

I think of what I can do until the quarantine ends.

I look all around me there’s plenty to clean

I could scrub and disinfect until all is a gleam

Or I could go out to shop buy things that we need

But the shelves are all empty so unlikely to succeed.

Its funny how toilet paper is so popular these days

There must be some people using it in unimaginable ways.

People are staying at home and learning to cook

Using an internet recipe or an old recipe book

I look out of the window thinking what should I do

And that’s when I see sky in a beautiful blue hue

Outside is so sunny , so warm and so bright

I decide to go out and enjoy all the light.

I sit on the front porch in my adorondack chair

Looking out on the street I see something quite rare.

The neighbor is out with his kids all in tow

Other families are biking all in a row

There are joggers and skaters and kids towed in a cart

Of course they are all keeping 6 feet apart

Another neighbor I haven’t seen for some time

Walks by, gives a wave and hopes all is just fine.

There’s gardeners outside pulling up weeds

Others are mowing , pruning and planting some seeds.

One kid is up climbing so high up a tree

Reminds me of childhood. Oh I was so free.

The sidewalk and roadway has pictures of chalk

A man and his wife take their dog for a walk,

Its refreshing to see the neighborhood so alive

I guess Covid 19 brought everyone outside.

And that’s when I realize that in this odd Spring

Its teaching us to appreciate some simpler thing

Like being a good neighbor, family member and friend

We’re in this together until this pandemic’s end.

Written by AM of Coquitlam BC Canada

Permission to use was granted.

PS: We are 4-6 weeks in quarantine. Have you checked off several of your “To Dos”?

If not, why not take advantage of a FREE over the phone coaching call with Rowena.

Check out www.gettingittogether.ca to book your time.

In the mean time subscribe to her Facebook and YouTube

https://www.facebook.com/rowenalist?ref=profile

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMcjOCWSWaIBtw9CR3cLxfg?view_as=subscriber

By organize|2020-06-07T20:52:31+00:00April 27th, 2020|Home Organization|0 Comments

How To Organize For A Quarantine

From one minute to the next, things are changing and they are changing fast.

I think we are all sitting on pins and needles just waiting for the next bombshell to drop.

In the mean time, it is important to stay positive and carry on as best we can.

We are all going to be tested. Our patience, our attitude and our compassion to name a few.

What would you do if you were forced to quarantine or if it was suggested you self-quarantined?

Check out this video on How To Organize For A Quarantine

Before and after ideas for organizing:

Let’s all stick together to make the most of this situation.

Kindness makes the world a better place.

If you are stuck at home and have always wanted your FREE over the phone discovery session, now’s the time to book it. www.gettingittogether.ca

By organize|2020-06-07T20:52:31+00:00March 23rd, 2020|Self Care Organization|0 Comments

How to Reduce Your Fast Fashion Imprint

Do you buy based on price or need?

Fast fashion refers to an unsustainable apparel-making method that produces inexpensive clothing rapidly in response to the latest style trends.

It’s destroying our environment!

Check out this short video on How To Reduce Your Fast Fashion Imprint then read on for Getting It Togethers Top 5 Tips

Tip1. Buy less clothing. How many pairs of black pants does a gal need? How many five-dollar T-shirts does a kid need? Buy what you need not what you want.

Tip 2. By higher quality clothes that will last longer. If you’re creative you could always make some things.

Tip 3. Invest in timeless, core wardrobe pieces that you can build around.

Tip 4. Take the time to research what you are buying, where it’s made and by whom. Companies like forever 21, Walmart, and Joe fresh support slave labour in places like Bangladesh where the worker is only making $68 a month. This is not even a living wage in their country.

Do the math:
$5.00 t-shirt, = 50% goes to the retailer
25% goes to the brand
25% goes to the overhead, manufacturing and then labour

Tip 5. Wash your clothes less often and stay clear of clothes that need to be dry cleaned if it all possible. Washing clothes takes years off it’s life.

Together we can make a difference if we at least all try to do our best to stay away from as much fast fashion as we possibly can.

Share the love by sharing this link.

PS: Is your wardrobe a closet or museum? Needing help getting organized? Contact www.gettingittogether.ca for a FREE over the phone consultation.

By organize|2020-06-07T20:52:31+00:00February 18th, 2020|Home Organization|4 Comments

How To Meal Plan Like A Pro

Are you like most people, too tired at the end of the day to even think about preparing a healthy meal?

Have you lost your creativity in the kitchen?

Would you like some go-to dishes that every family member will gobble up?

Watch this short video on How To Meal Plan Like A Pro and then follow Getting It Togethers’ Top 5 Tips

Tip 1: Organize your kitchen. There’s nothing worse than trying to prepare meals in a disorganized cluttered kitchen. How can you get anyone to help you if they don’t know where the items are and you don’t know where they are? Set aside time to donate all the kitchen items you’re no longer using. Clear out all the expired food items in your pantry and fridge. Put all non-kitchen items in their proper place.

Tip 2: Clean all surfaces. Kitchen counters are not designed to be a dumping zone. Make sure all counters are scrubbed down and your kitchen is ready for food prep. Be sure to also clean as you go. There’s nothing worse than a big mess to clean up after a nice meal.

Tip 3: Select your top 10 favourite meals. Things that the whole family will enjoy. Is it stew, pasta, fajitas or chicken casserole? Most households rotate their top 10 meals throughout the course of the month. Look over the recipes and see what items you need to purchase and make your shopping list.

Tip 4: Prepare in bulk. When you bring home your fresh produce, wash it, cut it up and put it in containers. This saves precious time when it comes to meal prep. Select a two-hour slot in your week where you can cook in bulk and freeze. Maybe you could make a huge pot of pasta sauce and your neighbour could make a big stew and you can share. Cooperative cooking.

Tip 5: Clear the clutter from your mind. Once the clutter is cleared from your mind, it makes room for creativity. This doesn’t mean you have to cook like a French chef, it just means your mind is open to put together a healthy meal for your family. Consider deep breathing on the way home from work or a walk with a friend or spa like music.

PS: Would you rather not cook at all? One of my new services is to come into your home and prepare healthy meals for you and your family. Contact me for all the details. www.gettingittogether.ca

By organize|2020-06-07T20:52:31+00:00January 14th, 2020|Home Organization, Organizer, Recipes, Time Management|0 Comments

What To Do With Your Burnt Out Christmas Lights

Check out this short video on What To Do With Your Burnt Out Christmas Lights and then read on for fabulous tips from Product Care.

Burnt out Christmas lights? Recycle them!

At this time of year, British Columbians are unboxing their Christmas decorations, including lights. We all know that annoying feeling when you plug in the string lights and the bulbs are no longer working. Many people don’t know what to do with that pesky string once it’s reached the end of its useful life. Thankfully, they can be recycled.

Highlights

You can recycle all kinds of string lights in B.C – from retro-style incandescent strings to LED garlands which twinkle and blink – Product Care Recycling, Christmas Lights Blog
40 million light bulbs have been diverted from landfill by Product Care since 2010 – Product Care Recycling, 2018 Annual Report
Usage of energy from Christmas lights in B.C. has increased 15% since 2012– B.C Hydro, From Grinch to Griswold 2018 Report
57% of British Columbians put up Christmas lights, almost half of which put up three or more stands – B.C Hydro, From Grinch to Griswold 2018 Report

In addition to string lights, our program accepts all kinds of lighting products from fixtures (think chandeliers, desk lamps, etc.) to burnt out light bulbs including fluorescent tubes, halogen bulbs, CFL’s, LEDs, and more.

Check out Product Care’s full list of accepted products and find a location near you that accepts them online. Recycling your Christmas lights gives their parts a new life, rather than adding to our landfills. After lights are dropped off at a collection site, they’re transported to authorized recyclers for processing – right here in Canada. Machines are used to break down the products into component parts (e.g. precious metal, glass, plastic) and harvest the materials that went into the products in the first place.

Thank You to Kristina Charania
Marketing & Design Coordinator
productcare.org

P.S. Give yourself or someone you love with the gift of a clutter-free 2020 and contact us today for a free over the phone consultation.
www.gettingittogether.ca

By organize|2020-06-07T20:52:31+00:00December 10th, 2019|Home Organization, Organizer|2 Comments

Important Documents. What To Keep. What To Toss.

Would you love to be paperless? Do you keep every “so called” important piece of paper?

There is so much fear around getting rid of “important” documents. Let’s unpack the myths once and for all.

Take a quick look at this video On Important Documents. What To Keep. What to Toss. Then read on for more tips from Getting It Together.

Get rid of ATM slips that are more than a month old once you have checked them against your bank statement which is hopefully online and paperless.

Get rid of manuals and warranties for cell phones you no longer own. And any other out dated expired warranties.

Get rid of loan papers to the car you no longer own.

Get rid of outdated mortgage papers.

If you’re comfortable with your computer, get rid of all user manuals as the instructions are online.

It’s okay to get rid of old Wills as long as the person is deceased and the estate is closed and complete. If you’re holding on to your deceased parents or grandparents wills “just in case” it’s okay to shred them and make room for your important papers.

It’s very important to get rid of old Wills if you have updated and written a new Will for yourself or any family members. Keeping these old outdated papers simply confuses people who are taking care of your affairs.

Get rid of old divorce papers if the person you’ve divorced is deceased and their estate is closed and complete.

Get rid of all outdated utility bills once they are paid and you’ve found no mistakes.
Better yet, go paperless.

KEEP:

Keep receipts for big -ticket purchases in the event they are stolen or lost in a fire. This gives your insurance company proof you had the item. I would highly suggest taking pictures of these big purchases and have them with the receipt. Create a file on your computer (which has been backed up) and store the picture of the item along with a picture of the receipt.

Keep active warranties. Have one spot in your home for these.
It’s especially nice to leave these up -to- date warranties for the new home owner in the event you sell your place.

Keep birth certificates, marriage licenses and death certificates for obvious reasons however once a person has past, a family member may like these important documents if they are studying your family tree.

Have a safe place to keep your current Will, POA, estate planning documents and representation agreement. Be sure to let your Executor know where these papers are along with where your safety deposit key is.

Keep current mortgage papers and loan papers.

Be sure to shred all important papers you are getting rid of. Staples charges by the pound to shred. It’s reasonable and secure.

PS : Have you got all your important papers up to date and organized? If not, contact

Marnie Gunther
Notary Public
604-522-8149
www.engmangunther.ca

For all the advice you need to get your Will, POA and Representation Agreement in order. I’d highly recommend her for all the legal paperwork and then I’d highly recommend myself to come in to your home and get those papers organized. 😄

By organize|2020-06-07T20:52:31+00:00November 18th, 2019|Home Organization, Organizer, Organizing Finances|0 Comments

Estate Planning Made Simple – Part 2, By Rowena List, Professional Organizer

My mum passed away on September 4, 2019 at Crossroads Hospice in Port Moody BC Canada. The dragonfly is their symbol. This “just breath” dragonfly is a perfect reminder of how amazing everyone was at the hospice and how important it is to breath.

As sad as it was to lose my mum, the overall experience was less traumatizing because she had all her ducks in a row. It certainly helped having a daughter as a professional organizer.

Check out this short video on “Estate Planning Made Simple, Part 2” then read on for Getting It Togethers Tips.

My mum had a folder that had all of her wishes in it.

Over the years we added to that folder, revised several things and took out things. We had open conversations about my mums wishes. Her service was exactly the way she wanted it. She even had the music picked out. There was no second guessing on my part.

Instead of a guest book, we had a memory tree. People wrote down their special memory about my mum and hung it on the tree.

One of the best gifts my mum has ever given me was her pre-arranged service. This allowed me to grieve while not having to make major decisions about important things like cremation versus burial. And most of it was paid for years ago. Talk about a massive savings.

She had even written her own eulogy and included a picture she wanted me to use for the obituary. I sure wish I could thank her a hundred times over for being so organized, thoughtful and prepared.

Some things to consider when writing your own eulogy are

Your family connections. Father and mother‘s names, including mothers maiden name, your spouse, your children, their spouses and your grandchildren. List anyone else who has been special in your life.
Your date and place of birth. Make sure it is spelled correctly.
Your education, highlights of your life to date, your hobbies, employment, volunteer activities, and any other organizations that you belong to.
And don’t forget to include the highlights from your life and how you would like to be remembered.

Continually add to your eulogy as time goes on. I would suggest reviewing all of this very important information once a year.

Here’s the link to part one in case you didn’t get to read it before.

https://www.gettingittogether.ca/estate-planning-made-simple/

For more detailed information and help with setting up your Estate, contact
us at www.gettingittogether.ca

By organize|2020-06-07T20:52:31+00:00October 21st, 2019|Estate Planning|0 Comments