GON Reader Letter #1
This Helps in Corralling "Too Much of a Good Thing"
Maria,
Just a suggestion for the collectors out there. Depending on the size of the collection, divide it into 4 sections (boxes with lids if possible) and mark each box with a number. Start with #1 and display the items in that box. In 3 months, pack those items away and bring in box #2.
Each time will bring a feeling of excitement in seeing old pieces. When you do this, you may also find that friends think you have purchased new items and take a greater interest in the collection.
I have found that this helps in corralling too much of a good thing and the fun is in changing out your environment.
-- Barbara, 80 years old and still
learning
GON Reader Letter #2
A Fun Way to Reuse Old
Maps
Maria,
A fun way to reuse old maps: they can be used as unique wrapping paper. You could
even put circles or highlight places you have traveled, or maybe where the gift inside came from.
-- Carole Bernard, Avon CT
GON Reader Letter
#3
I Had to Tell You About a Happy Organizing Day
Hi,
Maria,
I had to tell you what a happy organizing day I had. It was dark and raining outside, so I set the day aside to do an indoor project. The project was to tackle an abundance of unorganized papers used for teaching.
Following your advice, I put on some pleasant music and gathered the supplies: pen, scissors, stapler, two large standing file boxes, labels, trash bags, and a stack of file folders. Then the fun began, searching the house for all of the stacks of miscellaneous piles of papers in various rooms, over-stuffed notebook/binders, and some related folders from a
stuffed filed cabinet.
I spread everything all over the living room floor. Hearing you speak in my ear, “File, don’t pile,” I picked up one paper at a time, deciding how important it was and made a pile for each category.
When there were enough papers in one category I labeled a file folder and dropped it into the box.
It got easier with time. At the end, there were three bags of trash to burn, a large stack of hobby research to give to a friend, and I emptied 6 fat three ring binders so
there's a large supply now of document protectors.
It was delightful to find not only things I’d forgotten I had, but things I didn’t realize I had! It will be so easy now to find, access, and carry what is needed. If only I had a system like this in place years
ago, having a home for every paper! Thank you for sharing your ideas over the years.
Best wishes,
-- J. Laymon
