Worry Wednesday - Wake up call

For those of you who are worried about their parents being a hoarder, collector, or living in a place filled with items that are just collecting dust - it might be time to offer some assistance and start cleaning and organizing their home, because you know what is going to happen if you don't.  YOU WILL INHERIT THEM.  It's a scary thought but I am sure some of you have watched those reality shows that features this type of a habit or personality.  It's very sad to say that my sister and I did experience this for the first time when my father passed away and then during my mother's last few years.  We said to ourselves that we will never do this to our children.  Some of you maybe so lucky if your parents are the type that is organized and keep a very clean home without a lot of items that are useless and taking space.  You are probably wondering why I am writing about this - it is a reminder to everyone who reads this blog, it's a wake up call, maybe do your own cleaning in your own place, or at work, or your children's place, or your parents home.  If after reading this, you can actually say that you are not worried because everything is in perfect order, then you can relax, and enjoy your weekend.  Don't wait for spring, summer or maybe next fall.  Winter months is probably the best time to do this because it's too cold to do anything outdoors.  Here's some tips that might be help you get started:

• Start small, like books, CD's, DVD's, magazines, jewellery, make up,etc
• Do one room at a time - make sure you are ready to let go
• Sort for Garage Sale or donations or recycle/garbage
• If undecided - try to remember when was the last time you used it (this applies to shoes, purse, clothes, kitchen stuff)
• If you decide to keep things, organize, label and date (it will remind you when the last time you went through these items)
• Do not ask friends or relatives if they want your stuff - they will end up collecting them, most likely they don't really need them anyway.

While helping my mother in law organize her home, I found a book - BITS & PIECES. This book was published in 1971 and I thought I would share some of the interesting quotes:

• The most valuable gift you can give another is a good example.
• Be kind. Remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
• You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.
• The best way to forget your own problem is to help someone solve his.
• Temper is what gets most of us into trouble.  Pride is what keeps us there.
• Cooperation is doing with a smile what you have to do anyway.
• Wouldn't it be nice to be as sure of anything as some people are of everything?