Well, it's hard to believe that it's already 2004. I don't know exactly where the time has gone, but it seems to fly by faster each year!

One of the most common New Years goals made and hardly ever kept is the goal of getting organized. So what we're going to focus on this quarter is setting reasonable and obtainable goals for getting organized and staying organized. We're going to break them down into smaller projects making each task easier and less overwhelming. Follow these simple steps and you will always be de-cluttered, organized and know exactly where everything is.

Before you put all of those holiday decorations back into storage, go through them, if they hold no specific sentiment and are looking tired -- toss them. If you need to replace a few, holiday ornaments and décor items are on sale now from anywhere between 75-90% off the original retail price. What a bargain! But a word of caution, just because it's on sale doesn't mean we have to buy them all! Toss a few and replace a few. Do not toss one or two and buy 10! If you have décor items that you didn't put out this year, ask yourself why? If your answer is I don't know or it's not really my style anymore, donate them to a charitable organization, pass them on to a family member who likes them, or get rid of them. If you didn't miss seeing it out this last year, chances are you won't miss them next year.

I give this section an extra week, because some thought is involved in some of the steps, and you may not know where some of the items below are located.

Track down and gather all of your birth certificates, marriage certificates, passports, wills, insurance policies, savings passbooks, and any other important and/or legal documents. Purchase a small fireproof safe from an office supply store and put the above items inside. Tuck it under your bed or in a closet -- making it easily accessible the next time you need one of these items. This step alone can save you many hours of searching and frustration, not to mention the time and money required to order duplicates.

This is also an excellent time to review your insurance policies. Are your needs the same as they were the last time you checked your policies? Is your coverage sufficient?

Check your wills. Are the people you designated to care for your 3 small children still the people you want to care for your now 3 pre-teenagers?

Check any changes that have been made to your medical insurance plan, and find out if other benefits have been added to the plan. Make sure you know what your plan covers and how it works. It will provide peace of mind if you find yourself in the emergency room someday.

I know you're feeling good about the organizing you've done so far, so for the next 2 weeks, we're going to do "minute clutter managers". When you're on the phone, open a kitchen, bathroom or dresser drawer. As your talking, sort through the items. If you don't recognize them, if it's clear that they are broken or missing a part or better yet, you don't even know what they are, toss them in the trash.

We don't need bent paper clips, caps to missing ballpoint pens, mismatched socks, one slipper or a deck of 29 playing cards!

When you're brushing your teeth, look in one bathroom drawer or your medicine cabinet, if there is an item there you have not used in the last 6 months, toss it out. If there is a prescription that has expired, toss it out. Cough syrup and over-the-counter cold medicines have expiration dates on them. Make-up and nail polish get old and break down. If you haven't used them, get rid of them.

By straightening-up and cleaning out a drawer every time you're on the phone or while brushing your teeth, you will be amazed at how much de-cluttering you can do with little effort!

Put a laundry basket next to each closet door. For the next 2 weeks every time you open the closet door, take a quick glance at its contents. The first thing you see that doesn't fit anymore or you're tired of or you can't remember the last time you wore it, put it in the basket. This is meant to be a quick exercise. You only need to target one item at a time. If you decide to go through the entire closet, that's up to you! I find it more effective if I do it an item or two at a time.

At the end of the 2 weeks, put all the items in large trash bags, and call a charitable organization to pick them up or drop them off. You'll have accomplished a lot in just a few seconds at a time. Your closets are clean and organized and you now have a tax deduction! By the way, this exercise works great for toys, games and puzzles too.

How do you store and organize what's left over? This can be a challenge, so we've again dedicated extra time. The best way to get and stay organized is to use what works for you. Be practical. Take a good hard look at your habits and find a way with minimal restructuring of your personal traits or environment that will work for you. If you're not going to put the lids back on the pretty boxes you have your cosmetics in, try baskets. Clean and uncluttered doesn't mean not in view, it just means things are in their place when you're not using them and the space you have isn't overrun with unused or unwanted stuff.

If your child doesn't want to fold up their pajamas and put them away when they get dressed in the morning, place a hook on the wall inside their closet or on the back of their bedroom door to hang them on. Storage solutions don't have to be hidden, they just need to resolve the issues.

Rolling hampers are excellent organizers. They can hold everything from sheets and towels to more bulky items, and are especially great for kid's rooms.

Another useful tool and organizer is the clear plastic shoe bag. Hung on the inside of the coat closet door, each pocket is ideal for gloves hats and scarves. In a child's room, it's a great place to keep socks and smaller toys.

Just look at each room and determine how the space you have can best work for you. Before you realize it, you know where everything is because it's so easy to put it back when you're done!

Enjoy the fruits of your efforts, life is simpler and de-cluttered, so kick back on the big comfy couch, put your feet up, and relax.

Spring is here and now that you know exactly where your gardening tools and gloves are, grab your hat and I'll meet you out in the yard. Next time, we're going to talk about outdoor decorating and gardening.

Until then, have a safe and happy winter, God bless!

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