Roxanne just let me know the email I'd sent after I spoke at your meeting went to her spam folder. I'd sent it from my business email, so yours may have been blocked also. So I apologize if you didn't receive this info earlier.
Hi Everybody,
After the meeting, I realized I hadn�t addressed the issue of mail/papers/stuff accumulating on the kitchen counters. I few ideas on that: Make files for all the info that is now piled on the counters. That may include files for: bills to pay, (if you have lots of medical bills, you may want a separate file for each child�s med bills & EOBs/insurance info), phone calls, errands, kids schedules, catalogs, info to file, etc. Try to sort the mail daily, putting it in the appropriate file or recycling it. (If you often have mail that should be shredded, having a �to shred� file to store that mail until you can get to shredding may help. Store in a desktop file box on the counter or a wire vertical file organizer in a cabinet or wall mounted magazine rack or wall file pockets. Have another container/basket for things that belong elsewhere. At least once a week put everything back where it goes. If the items that accumulate are children�s things, that could be a weekly job for a child.
More thoughts on the mudroom (or lack of mudroom). Is there space for hooks and a shelf or containers for shoes, hats, mittens, etc? (Either right inside the door or in the garage.) Maybe hooks could be mounted on the door. Or use an over-the-door purse organizer (like a shoe organizer, but bigger pockets so children�s boots will fit) for boots, shoes, hats, mittens, etc and put hooks on a wall.
To address some comments on evaluations:
How do you get mentally prepared to organize? Do whatever helps you:
q invite a friend to join you � it�s always nice to have someone to talk to, give opinions, & make the work go faster
q listen to your favorite music as you work
q after you complete your goal (work for 2 hrs or get the dresser organized or sort through that pile of papers) reward yourself � have dessert, read a book (not a child�s picture book), watch TV (not Barney), go for a walk
q trade with a friend � she takes the kids while you organize, than you take her kids while she has a break.
Once you get started people find it much easier to keep going. It�s just the �where to begin?� phase that can be overwhelming.
How do you find a home for everything? Be creative � using vertical storage: shelves & wall space so you don�t use floor space. Use under bed storage. Store seldom used items on shelves in the basement or above-head storage in the garage. Wal-Mart & Target have wire racks that you put in kitchen cabinets that give you an extra shelf. Hanging pots & pans opens up more cabinet space. There are plastic 3-drawer units that fit under the sink in the bathroom for more storage. Store toys behind the couch or other furniture or in ottomans that have storage (Target has those). And lets face it, not all homes have enough space. Young children have lots of big equipment that takes up space.
The most important thing to remember is you want to be organized enough that you can find most items in your home the majority of the time, organized enough that you have some time to enjoy your children. Don�t shoot for perfection. As Karen said, you want your home to be comfortable.
I�ve attached the grocery list in 2 forms. They are the same list: one is printed portrait and the other landscape. The portrait works well with a small clipboard and the landscape with a full size clipboard. For those of you that weren�t at the meeting, I suggested you change the list, customizing it for what your family buys. It takes a bit to get used to, but is worth it. Because the items are grouped by category like at the store, you don�t get to the end of the store and have to go back for what you�ve missed.
The Tips for Organizing Children�s Spaces is the same flier you received at the meeting. Throw the paper away! If you want to refer to the info, now you have it on your computer. I don�t want to be adding to your clutter.
I�ve also attached suggested time to keep records.
Thanks for allowing me to speak to your group. I hope you were able to find an organizing idea or two that would work for you. I know your time with other adults is valuable and appreciate that you spent it with me! Feel free to contact me with any questions, ideas, suggestions.
Have a great week,
Pam 
