I recently took a stroll down memory lane and browsed through some of my newsletters from
all the way back in 2008. I came across a few reader tips that are just as helpful today as they were back then. Timeless gems worth sharing again!
GON Reader Letter #1
The Great Laundry Escape
When I bring a load of laundry home from our vacation home (or any other laundry load, for that matter) I never spend any
more time in front of the washer or dryer than I have to. I put the clothes in the washer, press start, and then I flee.
When the cycle is done, I return to quickly transfer the clothing to the dryer. Then I flee once again.
The ONLY time I spend in front of the machines is to fold. Then I immediately put away or place the laundered clothing in the garage to take back to our vacation home.
Honestly, it seems like I do not
spend any time on laundry...and this is from a person who hates to do laundry but must since there's no one else!
-- Karl Jenkins, Phoenix, Arizona
GON Reader Letter #2
Odd Days, Even Smiles
When my two children were younger, they were assigned an "odd" or "even" day. When it was their day, (i.e. July 16 is the even child's day), they got to sit in the chair they chose, control the TV remote, and relax after dinner. The 'odd' child would have to clear the table, feed the dogs, etc.
Most arguments were solved by themselves simply by going to the calendar to see whose day it was.
-- Mary Dolan, Rensselaer Falls, NY
GON Reader Letter #3
Letting Go, Holding On
As a 60-plus year old, living in the same house 30-plus years and having inherited more than my share of treasured "stuff," my home was in desperate need of purging. Yet, I found it so difficult to part with all those things that were memories to me.
My solution was to give my grown children what was meaningful to them, then use a camera to photograph everything I could part with, and let those items go.
It gave me such a sense of
well-being to know that I could just bring up the photo of a treasured item on my computer,
I felt like I hadn't really gotten rid of it. From a small beginning, I gained courage and have been able to dispose of many other things.
-- Cynthia Gray, Portland, OR
GON Reader Letter #4
Memory Catcher Binder
I sometimes feel like I will NEVER get all my scrapbooking up to date. However, until I get caught
up, as events take place, I collect all the ticket stubs, programs, pictures (once I print them) and any other miscellaneous items. I write up a few paragraphs about it, maybe with quotes from others and put them all in an acid-free
sheet protector. I also write up a few paragraphs describing the occasion and maybe with quotes from others. These sheet protectors are all kept in chronological order in a binder until I am ready to scrapbook.
The journal is great because it was written while the memories were still fresh in my mind.
-- Kathleen Voss Petyon, CO
GON Reader Letter #5
Jewels on Display
I recently attached a cork memo board to the inside of my wardrobe door. It's about 24 by 18 inches and fits just perfectly. Then I took some drawing pins (the ones with the long head on them) and pushed them through. I now use them to hang my costume jewelry, necklaces, bracelets and long earrings. It not only organizes them perfectly but also reminds me to add a nice accessory to my outfits.
-- Elayne Tuite, Dublin, Ireland
GON Reader Letter #6
Put It Back, Get Time Back
The one thing that has made a huge difference to my house is putting things away after use. If I have finished reading the newspaper, I put it in the recycling bin, not on a chair. If I take my shoes off, they are put away, not left on the floor. If I am finished with a pen, I put it back in the pen
holder.
This saves so much work later, and keeps the room looking neat and tidy. It also means I can find things easily, so it saves lots of time.
-- Robin Banks, Canberra,
ACT, Australia
On another note...
Check out my new, carefully curated list:
Smart, simple tools for handling paperwork, filing, computer tasks, and keeping your workspace at home (desk, home office area, kitchen work station) organized!
