Stairs are so dangerous, if cluttered. I fell and seriously injured my back and spine on my wood stairs, after I slipped on a sweater I had forgotten, that I had placed on the stairs. "Floors first" is the safest and easiest place to start. But I would add clearing Everything off all stairs, to prevent dangerous falls, is the single most important place to start.
You are so right! Stairs with things on them are so dangerous! Especially if you have mobility issues anyway. I include stairs in my definition of floors, but I should have mentioned them directly. Thanks for the excellent reminder!
I used to keep old prescription glasses just in case I might need them, but I actually never used them again. I found a local church that takes them, tests them to determine the prescription, then distributes them to people in need through a mission program in which an eye doctor comes in to assist. Now I never hang on to old glasses. I donate them as soon as I get new glasses.
I found the energy to clear out over 100 large and heavy books for someone who wanted them for charity. Dragged all of the heavy bags downstairs, but collection was delayed by a day and they were taking up valuable space. I went to step over them and promptly fell over! Only injury was a cut and bruised finger (which ironically wouldn't have happened if I hadn't been so zealous in sorting them), but now over 100 books lighter and happy that I made a determined start on them!
I did something similar recently. A friend of mine works in a psychiatric hospital and said they never have enough books for the patients. I went home, looked at my bookshelves, realized I hadn't read a paper book since I started using Kindle, and I donated two big boxes of paperbacks.
@@JimmieHammel Well done! Great how an 'appeal' for help prompted us both to tackle a job that wasn't top of the list for removal. The bonus is that the house loses some weight!
One day when picking up Chinese take out, the young woman complained that people kept taking the pens. Since covid, my bank asks you to take any pen you use. I cleaned out my excess pens ( including those from the bank in my purse) after testing them and delivered them the next time I picked up my take-out order. She was so happy she gave me a package of cookies I didn’t need or want. 😂
I have a funny story about a remote that just happened to me. I gave my mother an AC unit that I wasn't using and she needed one. I told her that it had a remote but I wasn't sure where it was and I would look for it. The next day she called and said when she installed it she found that the remote was taped to the back. LOL I forgot I previously organized this for future use! So I've changed my habits but now my brain has to catch up.
I'm going to buy a fire blanket. I was recently staying with a friend when a fire started on the stove. I was surprised how scared, shocked and unprepared we were. My girlfriend put baking soda on the fire after we couldn't find a lid that fit. A blanket would definitely work great. I think I'll buy a fire blanket for my girlfriend and another for my Dad too. Thanks Gayle and Ed. I love listening to you both. 😊❤
Old sheets which aren't badly worn can be used by learning sewers to test a pattern's fit as a "mockup" practice piece, (after all that fabric is free). Sewers will turn old pillow cases into bags, covers, quilts, doll items, etc.
I found that an old twin, single or bunk size fitted sheet makes a good cover for a park picnic table. It doesn't have to be weighed down and you can throw it in the wash.
We were trying to thin out the mugs to our favorites & then realized that a specific dollar Tree mug is the perfect measurement for for my morning tea. So we bought three more. We’re keeping the favorites to use for something else…. I know people who would get rid of the favorites, but we like them. If we could find the teapot, we could use ALL the favorites….It’s here somewhere or in the garage…Maybe we need a an new teapot…
I became so concerned I’d start a fire, I replaced candles with the battery-operated type that flicker and used them as night lights in the bathroom after recent surgery.
In the UK it’s mandatory for childminders, (looking after children in your own home) to have a fire blanket by the hob in your kitchen. Part of the statutory inspection is checking you have a proper fir blanket in place. It’s a very effective method to put out a fire! No longer childminding but still have mine.
Hi Gayle and Ed! electric cords- most scrap yards will take them to recycle, but the cords need to be separated from other things (ie aluminum cans, etc). if a person lives near a scrap yard, or is willing to drive to take stuff, its an option. And they do pay you based off the weight. A heads up for the ladies out there: don't be surprised if the at the scrap yard you get looked at funny- i quickly learned that they aren't used to seeing women bring in things, as the 2nd time i went they had remembered my name and then explained that they don't see many women! 😂
A couple I know had their house burn down. A decorative candle was knocked over by a cat. The husband was out, and the wife was disabled in a wheelchair. Somehow she did escape but a terrifying experience.
Speaking about excessive cords hanging around that we don't need....I remember throwing out a whole medium sized box of them a few years ago, because for one, I didn't know what any of the cords went to, and second, I didn't know what else to do with them. The box wasn't a real small box of cords either, there were a whole lot of them in the box!
I sorted out my stash of greetings cards and found 3 cards with no matching envelope and no less that 70 envelopes, all sizes and colours with no card !!!
I always bring home the freebies from conferences and take the usable things to the women's shelter. I just toss the rest. Too bad they don't give away nice sheets and blankets.
When it comes to fixing things, don't just give a deadline to someone with adhd. We wont remember. Make a designated time on their calendar, fir WHEN they are to fix it. Make it VERY specific. And help them where you can. Dont passive aggressively punish them for having a brain that cannot help being time blind, or forgetting intentions. ,
Of course this is not about punishing someone with ADHD. The point about not doing the repair is most people aspire to repair, but don’t actually want to spend their time repairing. They say they want to fix but they would actually rather do a million other things than that repair. I advocate speaking the truth to yourself, admit you don’t really want to do the chore of repairing something and stop saving it.
I used to do jewelry parties and I still have tons of brand new jewelry. My neighbor likes to give me jewelry. I have a stack of jewelry gift boxes with these gifts. I will,probably keep them until we no longer live next door to each other.
@@Plethorality at some point I will work on selling the jewelry yes but not my priority right now. I have a list of other things to do before I spend time and energy trying to sell stuff.
....:) Miss Gayle----What do You think of TV Shows Like 'Extreme Hoarders', etc....????.....Where a Psy. Doctor is even Needed to Help the Person Re-set their Mind and Behavior...!!!!!.....
Someone who is diagnosed with Hoarding Disorder definitely needs professional care and support. The clinical diagnosis of Hoarding Disorder is defined as: “People with hoarding disorder have persistent difficulty getting rid of or parting with possessions due to a perceived need to save the items. Attempts to part with possessions create considerable distress and lead to decisions to save them. The resulting clutter disrupts the ability to use living spaces (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).” Their brains are wired differently and they need the support of someone trained in this area to help them navigate their emotions and resistance around letting go of things.
Those shows are great motivation. I feel so bad for the hoarder having to get rid of so much stuff in such a short time. Which reminds me that the better way is to work on it little by little so it never gets that bad.
I watch Hoarders but the episodes that really irritate me are when they blame a traumatic event for prompting the hoarding and force the person to relive the trauma as if that will fix it. Often people who experience trauma are prescribed anti-depressive medication, and some of those anti-depressive medications have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as a side effect. That is NEVER mentioned. The trauma is blamed, not the medications.
I asked the man who comes to check our fire extinguishers at work to show me exactly how to use the fire extinguishers. I bet you could ask your local department for a demonstration or something. I know that the local firemen here will come out to seniors houses to change their fire detector batteries for them, so maybe they would show you how then. (Outside tho... The powder is messy)
Stairs are so dangerous, if cluttered. I fell and seriously injured my back and spine on my wood stairs, after I slipped on a sweater I had forgotten, that I had placed on the stairs. "Floors first" is the safest and easiest place to start. But I would add clearing Everything off all stairs, to prevent dangerous falls, is the single most important place to start.
You are so right! Stairs with things on them are so dangerous! Especially if you have mobility issues anyway. I include stairs in my definition of floors, but I should have mentioned them directly. Thanks for the excellent reminder!
I used to keep old prescription glasses just in case I might need them, but I actually never used them again. I found a local church that takes them, tests them to determine the prescription, then distributes them to people in need through a mission program in which an eye doctor comes in to assist. Now I never hang on to old glasses. I donate them as soon as I get new glasses.
I found the energy to clear out over 100 large and heavy books for someone who wanted them for charity. Dragged all of the heavy bags downstairs, but collection was delayed by a day and they were taking up valuable space. I went to step over them and promptly fell over! Only injury was a cut and bruised finger (which ironically wouldn't have happened if I hadn't been so zealous in sorting them), but now over 100 books lighter and happy that I made a determined start on them!
Great job, but sorry about a fall on the way out!
I did something similar recently. A friend of mine works in a psychiatric hospital and said they never have enough books for the patients. I went home, looked at my bookshelves, realized I hadn't read a paper book since I started using Kindle, and I donated two big boxes of paperbacks.
@@JimmieHammel Well done! Great how an 'appeal' for help prompted us both to tackle a job that wasn't top of the list for removal. The bonus is that the house loses some weight!
One day when picking up Chinese take out, the young woman complained that people kept taking the pens. Since covid, my bank asks you to take any pen you use. I cleaned out my excess pens ( including those from the bank in my purse) after testing them and delivered them the next time I picked up my take-out order. She was so happy she gave me a package of cookies I didn’t need or want. 😂
Great match up of supply and demand!
Awesome idea!!!😂
That’s cool and heartwarming
Yes, getting ready to order fire blanket & fire ladder = had on my list for a while now.
I have a funny story about a remote that just happened to me. I gave my mother an AC unit that I wasn't using and she needed one. I told her that it had a remote but I wasn't sure where it was and I would look for it. The next day she called and said when she installed it she found that the remote was taped to the back. LOL I forgot I previously organized this for future use! So I've changed my habits but now my brain has to catch up.
Lol! That’s funny!
I'm going to buy a fire blanket. I was recently staying with a friend when a fire started on the stove. I was surprised how scared, shocked and unprepared we were. My girlfriend put baking soda on the fire after we couldn't find a lid that fit. A blanket would definitely work great. I think I'll buy a fire blanket for my girlfriend and another for my Dad too. Thanks Gayle and Ed. I love listening to you both. 😊❤
Old sheets which aren't badly worn can be used by learning sewers to test a pattern's fit as a "mockup" practice piece, (after all that fabric is free). Sewers will turn old pillow cases into bags, covers, quilts, doll items, etc.
I found that an old twin, single or bunk size fitted sheet makes a good cover for a park picnic table. It doesn't have to be weighed down and you can throw it in the wash.
We were trying to thin out the mugs to our favorites & then realized that a specific dollar Tree mug is the perfect measurement for for my morning tea. So we bought three more. We’re keeping the favorites to use for something else…. I know people who would get rid of the favorites, but we like them. If we could find the teapot, we could use ALL the favorites….It’s here somewhere or in the garage…Maybe we need a an new teapot…
I became so concerned I’d start a fire, I replaced candles with the battery-operated type that flicker and used them as night lights in the bathroom after recent surgery.
Yep on candles = i use battery-powered candles, but have 2 real candles for emergencies that were given to me.😊
"Wear it for a day or send it away" - I heard this is a saying of professional organizers "Done & Done"
In the UK it’s mandatory for childminders, (looking after children in your own home) to have a fire blanket by the hob in your kitchen. Part of the statutory inspection is checking you have a proper fir blanket in place. It’s a very effective method to put out a fire! No longer childminding but still have mine.
Cool! I learned something new this show!
Super 'triangular system' from Christine! Thank you. G Ire
Hi Gayle and Ed!
electric cords- most scrap yards will take them to recycle, but the cords need to be separated from other things (ie aluminum cans, etc). if a person lives near a scrap yard, or is willing to drive to take stuff, its an option. And they do pay you based off the weight. A heads up for the ladies out there: don't be surprised if the at the scrap yard you get looked at funny- i quickly learned that they aren't used to seeing women bring in things, as the 2nd time i went they had remembered my name and then explained that they don't see many women! 😂
I had heard of fire blankets but never actually considered it for some reason, but I will definitely look into it
A couple I know had their house burn down. A decorative candle was knocked over by a cat. The husband was out, and the wife was disabled in a wheelchair. Somehow she did escape but a terrifying experience.
Am workign my way through canned goods, need to get started on the hoard of indian spices........
The problem that I see with a fire blanket is that you have to get very close to the fire in order to throw it over the fire.
Just got an Instagram ad for fire blankets. Someone is listening. 🙂
Speaking about excessive cords hanging around that we don't need....I remember throwing out a whole medium sized box of them a few years ago, because for one, I didn't know what any of the cords went to, and second, I didn't know what else to do with them. The box wasn't a real small box of cords either, there were a whole lot of them in the box!
Doom stands for 'don't organize, only move', according to your previous video
Thanks for the reminder!
I sorted out my stash of greetings cards and found 3 cards with no matching envelope and no less that 70 envelopes, all sizes and colours with no card !!!
I always bring home the freebies from conferences and take the usable things to the women's shelter. I just toss the rest. Too bad they don't give away nice sheets and blankets.
When it comes to fixing things, don't just give a deadline to someone with adhd. We wont remember. Make a designated time on their calendar, fir WHEN they are to fix it. Make it VERY specific. And help them where you can. Dont passive aggressively punish them for having a brain that cannot help being time blind, or forgetting intentions. ,
Of course this is not about punishing someone with ADHD. The point about not doing the repair is most people aspire to repair, but don’t actually want to spend their time repairing. They say they want to fix but they would actually rather do a million other things than that repair. I advocate speaking the truth to yourself, admit you don’t really want to do the chore of repairing something and stop saving it.
I used to do jewelry parties and I still have tons of brand new jewelry. My neighbor likes to give me jewelry. I have a stack of jewelry gift boxes with these gifts. I will,probably keep them until we no longer live next door to each other.
Could you sell some of it? Jewellery can go out of fashion pretty quickly.
@@Plethorality at some point I will work on selling the jewelry yes but not my priority right now. I have a list of other things to do before I spend time and energy trying to sell stuff.
....:) Miss Gayle----What do You think of TV Shows Like 'Extreme Hoarders', etc....????.....Where a Psy. Doctor is even Needed to Help the Person Re-set their Mind and Behavior...!!!!!.....
Someone who is diagnosed with Hoarding Disorder definitely needs professional care and support. The clinical diagnosis of Hoarding Disorder is defined as:
“People with hoarding disorder have persistent difficulty getting rid of or parting with possessions due to a perceived need to save the items. Attempts to part with possessions create considerable distress and lead to decisions to save them. The resulting clutter disrupts the ability to use living spaces (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).”
Their brains are wired differently and they need the support of someone trained in this area to help them navigate their emotions and resistance around letting go of things.
@@TheClutterFairy ....Wow...Ok, Thanks for Your Insight.....!!!.....:)
Those shows are great motivation. I feel so bad for the hoarder having to get rid of so much stuff in such a short time. Which reminds me that the better way is to work on it little by little so it never gets that bad.
I watch Hoarders but the episodes that really irritate me are when they blame a traumatic event for prompting the hoarding and force the person to relive the trauma as if that will fix it. Often people who experience trauma are prescribed anti-depressive medication, and some of those anti-depressive medications have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as a side effect. That is NEVER mentioned. The trauma is blamed, not the medications.
I asked the man who comes to check our fire extinguishers at work to show me exactly how to use the fire extinguishers. I bet you could ask your local department for a demonstration or something. I know that the local firemen here will come out to seniors houses to change their fire detector batteries for them, so maybe they would show you how then. (Outside tho... The powder is messy)
Would be a great program for the local senior center to offer each year.
@@TheDriftwoodloverEven better would be an event where people could practice using one themselves!
We had an easy call on fridge - it just died.