When you print photographs that will be organized in photo boxes and albums OR when you inherit old photos, if you know the people in the photo, always write their names on the back. I think many of us have inherited precious old photos, and are not sure who the people in them are. That's very disappointing.

This fabulous reader tip was submitted by...
Stella Eames
(of North West Kent Family History Society)

I'm a huge proponent of making all aspects of Christmas, and life in general, as organized as possible. Nobody needs extra stress.

That's why, this year during Black Friday week, I offer something very special...a nice discount off ALL Get Organized Now! products...like Goodbye Clutter, GON GLOW, the I'm Finally Organized Toolkit, etc. AND 3 bonuses to help make this holiday season one of your most organized yet: the Get Organized Now! Christmas Planner, 101 Christmas Decorating Ideas ebook, and Creating a Stress- Free Christmas eBook.

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Hi Maria!

I have just finished reading and enjoying the July edition of Anything and Everything and learning lots as usual.

I loved the piece about folks trying to compete with magazine layouts, because I have found it to be true. Those photos are always staged to look wonderful, but give readers whose houses are homes (and I stress 'homes,' thus lived in), ideals the average homemaker is unable to achieve. I realized this many years ago, and, as you suggest in the article, take parts that fit my lifestyle and so keep an achievable goal in mind.

Inspired by you, I am finally getting under way with reducing my clutter, and am finding it very therapeutic. I get great satisfaction in working at this a bit at a time, as I have a lot to be done. Because of my advancing age and poor state of health, I sometimes need help to get things accomplished.

Thank you for publishing Goodbye Clutter Goodbye Clutter and Anything and Everything. I find both of them inspiring, and am happy I decided they would be positive in my quest to reorganize and declutter.

Submitted by...
Penelope Smith, Australia

A GON Reader Asks

My mother-in-law, who lives in Texas, invited herself to stay with us for a week that includes Christmas day. I reluctantly accepted this without a word, not wanting any arguments to ensue over the holiday season, although my husband and I have had words over this.

It's not that I'm being mean. It's just that she could be a bit hard to have over for one day, never mind an entire week. She criticizes what I do, and insists on helping with everything. Sometimes, I just like to do things alone and in my own way. Maybe I'm being selfish.

Anyway, do you have any recommendations so that I could actually enjoy my holiday despite my feelings about this?

--Stressed Out in Seattle

Maria Gracia Responds

Hi Stressed Out in Seattle,

It can be very tough when someone invites themself to your house for a full week, especially when you prefer they hadn't. You're not being selfish to want the holiday season that you envision. On the other hand, your mother-in-law may feel that if she's making the trip in from far away, she might as well stay for the week, instead of just a few days...and maybe she would otherwise be alone for Christmas.

See how the upcoming visit goes, and if you still feel the same way afterwards, be sure you and your family make plans for next Christmas ahead of time. This way, if your mother-in-law invites herself again, your husband can say, (because it really should not be your responsibility in this case) 'We're thrilled you can join us for Christmas Day...and maybe even the day after, but we have other plans the remainder of the week. Maybe you can stay for a longer visit in the summer during a less busy time of the year?'

To help you enjoy your holidays this year, with your mother-in-law in town:

1. Give her tasks to accomplish. Your mother-in-law may be less likely to criticize you if she's busy working on some holiday tasks. Perhaps you can put her in charge of baking, or watching your kids (if you have any) while you shop, or helping you organize the holiday menu. Let her do it her way without input, unless she asks. This way, she feels useful and she's helping you out.

2. Address the criticisms. If your mother-in-law criticizes you, sit down with her and have a heart-to-heart. Tell her you enjoy having her over, but it makes you feel bad when she downplays your efforts or style. Cite specific references so she knows what you're talking about. She may not even realize she's doing it. This may not necessarily end the issue, but hopefully, it will reduce it. Maybe you can have a code word between both of you, so that if it begins again, you can quickly use the code word to alert her. It probably would not hurt, if it continues, to have your husband speak to her about this as well.

3. Plan alone time. Set some 'alone time' aside. Determine when these days/times will be, and tell your mother-in-law, for example, 'On Tuesday, I have to leave the house to take care of some personal errands, so you'll be on your own for these two hours. Is there a movie I can set up for you on Netflix, or an appointment I can arrange for you at a nail salon during this time?'

4. Set the ground rules. Just because your mother-in-law is there, doesn't mean that everything you do has to be done her way. If you have a certain method you use for making the gravy and that's how you want to do it, stand firm, but be kind. 'It's so nice of you to suggest that, but I prefer doing it this way.' That being said, maybe you could bend a bit here and there, just to keep the peace and to make her feel included.

Most of all, try to be patient and take deep breaths. I hope some of these suggestions help...and I hope your family can enjoy the beauty of this Christmas season in a peaceful manner.

Maria

GON Top 10: Attending a party? Here are the top 10 items I stash in my purse...
getorganizednow.com/topten-party-purse.html



GON Featured Video: Ellen's Thanksgiving Seating Strategy...this is seriously funny how

getorganizednow.com/video-thanksgiving-seating.html



GON Storage: 3 Clever Uses for Inexpensive Magazine Holders...
getorganizednow.com/storage-magazine-holders.html





Dirty Little Secret: When a task or project seems overwhelming, here's what I do
getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-task-project-overwhelming.html



Mini Challenges: 7 Days of Gratitude and Appreciation for this season of Thanksgiving...this is what our mini challenges are about this week.
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In ADDITION, on our home page, you'll also find lots of NEW and featured STUFF including...

Social Media Spotlight: Refrigerator magnets: 'art' or 'clutter?' Let us know
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Theme of the Week: Thanksgiving. Check out our home page quotes that reflect our theme.
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FEATURED Web Poll: Of those listed, what food is your favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner? Take our web poll on our home page and let us know
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November Monthly Checklist: Late fall and early winter...the perfect times of the year to get your home and life organized.
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As long as we know in our hearts what Christmas ought to be, Christmas is.
--Eric Sevareid


I'd love to hear from you.
Comments, suggestions, or just to say hello. Just REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

getorganizednow.com

Black Friday Sale and Bonuses...
This Only Happens Once a Year

If you've been wanting to get organized, it's a great week to do so because our Black Friday sale on ALL of our organizing products is in session...starting today and ending on Monday, November 27th at 11:59 p.m.

Here's what's yours this week when you purchase any item in our store:

1. $10 Off your order. Here's the COUPON CODE: GONBLACKFRIDAY

After you place the items you want in our online shopping cart, you'll see a coupon code field. Enter GONBLACKFRIDAY in this field, and click APPLY. $10 will be taken off your order. Visit:

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PLUS, you'll get ALL of these great bonuses with your order:

2. Bonus 1: The Get Organized Now Christmas Planner: The essential tool to help you get and stay organized for a stress-free, enjoyable holiday season. 50 essential holiday planning forms that cover holiday planning, shopping, gift selection, decorating, invitations, meal planning, and much more. Also includes my 101 Holiday Tips and Ideas for an organized, stress-free Christmas.

3. Bonus 2: 101 Christmas Decorating Ideas ebook: Tons of ideas you can use to make your home more festive for the season

4. Bonus 3: Creating a Stress-Free Christmas eBook: There's nothing like the holidays to bring out the stress in all of us. But getting through the holidays with your sanity intact is possible...especially when you apply these strategies

All three of the above bonuses will be automatically emailed to you within 24 hours of your order. Visit:

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