If you can't listen to one more decibel!

Do you have drums that serve as an end table? What about the clarinet and flute under one of the beds? Dust off your musical instruments and visit www.mhopus.org to learn how you can donate used instruments that will be donated to underfunded music programs.

That will make music to your ears this holiday season!

Sight for sore eyes

www.uniteforsight.org collects and distributes non-prescription sunglasses to people in Africa.

It's a great car but it doesn't start!

If you are sick and tired of looking at that car that needs to be fixed here are a few ideas for donation. We have one more month in 2009 for tax purposes and donations.

www.bbbs.org is Big Brothes Big Sisters that will pick up your vehicle and sell it to benefit their organization in your area.

www.habitat.org doesn't just build homes. They also will accept your vehicle for donation.

www.diabetes.org also is in the vehicle donation business.

Why hoard books when there are so many left to read?

Books and Media are a common "pile" in most of our homes. You will be surprised at the additional space that will open up when you become decisive and honest with yourself about the true chance of reading those stacks of books. How many times can you watch Beauty and the Beast?

www.glpinc.org is the global literacy project that collects books for worldwide distribution

www.projectnightnight.org collects children's books to fill a tote bag with a stuffed animal and blanket for a homeless child

www.kidflicks.org supplies children's hospitals with age appropriate DVD's

Do we really need 12 basketballs?

Sport equipment tends to grow like kids. Within the next 30 days more equipment will fill our overstuffed garages. Be proactive and clear the clutter in preparation. These web sites are so very appreciative of your generous donation.

www.iloveschools.com teachers post a wish list of sporting goods for their schools

www.sportsgifts.org will accept any type of sporting equipment and uses the proceeds to fund community sports programs

www.nikeuseashoe.com Nike recycles all brands of used athletic shoes

www.recycledrunners.com helps you recycle used athletic shoes

I'll wear it once I lose twenty pounds!

Clothing that hasn't been worn in the past twelve months has a 20% chance of ever being worn again. With that in mind, here are web sites that will make your heart sing with joy that your clothes will be going to a good home!

www.dressforsuccess.org is a non-profit that supplies women in need a suit for a job interview

www.careergear.org is a program for men's work clothes

www.donatemydress.org is the avenue for formal prom dresses

www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org collects bridal gowns and accessories to sell to fund final wishes of women with terminal breast cancer.

www.patagonia.com will recycle worn-out fleece into new clothes

www.soles4souls.org accepts gently worn footwear and distributes through out the world

Home goods that need a new home

This time of year is a great time to "Clean House" and contribute items that you no longer have space or patience for.

www.pets911.com are desperate for blankets,towels, and linens for animal cages.

www.nationalfurniturebank.org provides furniture to victims of natural disasters.

What better way to make a difference at this holiday time of good will towards mankind.

Electronic Recycling just feels good!

Need to get rid of old electronics to make room for the shiny new model that Santa will deliver?

http://www.worldcomputerexchange.org/ is a non-profit that will donate your laptops and desktops to disadvantaged youths in over 65 countries.

www.Earth911.com/electronics can locate the closest electronic recycling center in your area.

http://www.cristina.org/ is a national foundation that links electronics to those in need within the USA.

http://www.ncadv.org/ accepts used cell phones and distributes to victims of domestic abuse.

http://www.gamesforheros.com/ ships handheld electronic gaming systems to our troops over seas.

http://www.getwellgamers.org/ distributes video game systems to over 40 children's hospitals in USA.

How old is this?

Do you really know the correct age for the condiments in your pantry or refrigerator? Here is a handy guide to measure how long is too long:

http://www.stilltasty.com/

Sorry for the lapse in blogging...

I know that I haven’t shared the events of the past few months with all of you. Please excuse the redundancy if I have. My youngest son Addison (age 16) was diagnosed May 29, 2009 with ALL Leukemia. I have created a care page with frequent updates and pictures of our cancer journey if you are interested.

http://www.carepages.com/carepages/TheAddieCakeChronicles

I have continued with my Organizing Business and am eager to work. I am fortunate to have family and friends that can help out with Addie when I am away from home. We have been blessed that Addie has a great prognosis yet the treatment will last three years. His attitude has been over-all very good yet some days seem very long. This week he is at camp through MD Anderson . He will begin a Home Bound School program this fall. We are not certain when he will be able to return to school.

We appreciate your prayers and please let me know if you or someone you know if in need of a Professional Organizer. My passion for organizing is helping me through this personal crisis.

I hope you have relaxed and enjoyed this summer. I send my best wishes to you and your family!

Sincerely,

Val

Free shredding is available at Community National Bank, at 5123 Bellaire Blvd. They will shred up to 100 pounds of paper per person for free. They will be open from 9am to noon this Saturday, April 18th only. Call 713-664-4777 for more information. This may give you an artificial deadline to dig through your closet and attic before summer arrives.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Home-Organization-Tip---Use-Your-Digital-Camera-to-Change-Your-Perspective&id=2154436

Putting your house up for sale is a great yet radical way to clean and organize your home. If you are not ready for that big step simply take pictures of each room to analyze constructively.

This article is a great reminder about the correlation between dust and clutter. Your allergies may not be effected by the spring pollen but the dust on your collectibles.

http://ezinearticles.com/?id=2134050

This link illustrates the fact that the "Dollar Store" can be your best friend in organizing your child's closet as well as yours. This article is recession friendly!

http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/storage/closets-shelves/dollar-store-closets/

This is a great article that reiterates the silver lining of saving money. Cutting back on storage units can help your bottom line. Selling unwanted items can line your pockets with cash. No need to move if you create more space. Replacing items that you currently own is a waste of your time and resources! During trying times like this every penny counts.

http://ezinearticles.com/?id=2055546

These are the top twenty ways to get started with organizing any project.

http://www.organize.com/top-organizing-tips-2009.html

This is a great room by room checklist if you need help with the question, "How do I start to become better organized?

http://www.organize.com/organizing-checklists.html

Turbo Tax has an excellent tax checklist for 2008. This will help you stay organized whether you calculate your own taxes or hand off the information to your tax specialist. Always check first with a professional as to what you need to keep as permanent records.

http://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/tax-planning-and-checklists/5572.html

March is almost here. That means Tax Day is quickly approaching. Here is a great article reminding us of the changes for Taxes 2008.

http://personal.fidelity.com/misc/framesets/iwarticle.shtml?pagename=IW0902taxsaving

So, how is your New Years Resolution to Organize going?

http://ezinearticles.com/?id=1983826

This link is a quick tough love kick in the pants if you need to quit procrastinating in cleaning up your clutter. We have all heard this before, but many of us are in denial about making decisions.

Are you needing help with an aging parent but don't know where to start?

Run don't walk to the nearest Walgreen's pharmacy and ask for the Senior Guidance Directory. It is a comprehensive source of assistance to help you navigate the sandwich generation issues.
This directory is also available at http://www.srguidance.org.

We all know that 911 in for Emergencies, but what is 211?

It is the United Way Information and Referral number for elder care. Speak with a specialist 24/7 with your questions. They are here to help you in this difficult time.

https://www.houstontx.gov/health/aging is the Harris County Area Agency on Aging. Their number is 713-794-9001. This is an excellent resource for Caregivers in Houston.

https://www.h-gac.com/human-services/aging is the local contact for all the counties in the Houston area. their number is 713-627-3200. If you are a frustrated caregiver needing help, this is a great source of help.

http://onlineorganizing.com/ProductsCategory.asp?category=books

Great web site if you are looking for books or products to assist you with Organizing.

http://www.organizeit-online.com/index.php

Here is one of my favorite organizing products web site.

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahandfriends/pwalsh/20080725_oaf_pwalsh_archive

This is a table of contents page for all of Peter Walsh's shows on Oprah. You can even listen in to the conversation. This is a great resource for recycling ideas and motivational inspiration to begin the new year, new you.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/taxchecklist.aspx

This is a comprehensive tax checklist for tax year 2008. This will save your sanity and time when you begin preparing your taxes.

http://housekeeping.about.com/od/getorganized/u/getorganized.htm

This is the most comprehensive article on creating an organizing plan if you are truly committed to "Getting Organized " as your New Years resolution. It takes you step by step to achieve law and order in your home or office.

http://housekeeping.about.com/od/getorganized/qt/taxfiles.htm

I hate to bring this up but Tax Time is here. I know you are starting to gather all your tax documents in one file, right? This article is a quick list of the most common categories for tax preparation.

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-10-Universal-Laws-to-Getting-Organized&id=1820404

If you follow even three or four of these laws you will feel more organized and motivated to continue the quest of order in your life.

http://ezinearticles.com/?6-Personal-Organization-Tips-That-Will-Save-Your-Life!&id=1713073

Okay, maybe these tips won't save your life but they can't help but improve the quality. Who hasn't heard, "A place for everything and everything in it's place"? It does save time when you can find any item within a few seconds, versus a temper tantrum that can take minutes if not hours.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Ten-Tips-For-Organizing-Your-Bathroom&id=1672042

Great tips on organizing your bathroom. Just tossing expired products will open up more space than you can imagine!