Family Fun

Summer Clutter

Before I talk about summer clutter I want to first apologize to anyone who may have sent me a comment during the last couple of months that didn’t get posted here. It seems that all comments ended up in the spam folder and I forgot to check them. After 15 days the blog company (WordPress) automatically deletes the spam so any legitimate comments before that time are lost. I’ll be checking the spam folder daily so please feel free to leave a comment or share an idea or suggestion. Thanks.

Now, to get to the summer clutter.

Today I was going through the Target weekly ad and noticed some items that are destined to become clutter. First there was the ad for the ingredients for s’mores. I love roasted marshmallows squeezed between crisp graham crackers with melted Hershey bars oozing out. What caught my attention in this ad was the 4-pk s’more skewers. What happened to the wire hangers or long handled BBQ fork? Unless you have s’mores several days a week why would you take up the drawer space to store such a specialized item?

On the next page I saw an item called a Bubble Generator. It’s a battery operated bubble blower. What happen to the small bottle of soap solution with the bubble blowing wand? When my boys were small they loved to go outside and blow bubbles. They would see who could blow the most bubbles or the biggest ones. There is no challenge with a toy doing all the work.

On another page I did see an item that was not clutter when my children were young. It is the Wham-O Slip ‘N Slide. They spent hours in the summer heat running, giggling, sliding, and cooling off with that toy. It was also an easy toy to pack away when they were through with it for the day. Just roll it up. That was a good thing because if it was left on the grass too long you ended up with a large brown area in the middle of the yard (it happened a few times).

Sometimes the specialize tools and toys can actually take the fun out of the activity instead of adding to it. If they are not fun over the long haul they sit on the shelf and become clutter.

Do you have summer items that have become clutter? Please share your story in the comment section. (I promise I will check for legitimate comments daily.) By sharing our experiences we can all learn to avoid adding clutter to our homes.

Janice

https://cutclutterwithscissors.com

http://twitter.com/jlscissors

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Travel Clutter

Decluttering Tip Newsletter – Travel Clutter
Volume 2, Issue 22
June 17, 2009

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When we travel, especially for vacation, we encounter two forms of clutter. The first is what we pack to take on our trip and the second is what we buy to remind us of the trip.

How many times have you thrown extra clothing into the suitcase just in case you may need it. If you pack this pair of pants then you have to pack that pair of shoes. After all, the other pair of shoes that are packed for the other pair of pants won’t look as good with this pair of pants. On and on it goes until before you know it you need another suitcase to carry all the extra clothes. Traveling on vacation shouldn’t be a fashion show. It should be about comfort, convenience, and simplicity. Less really is more when it comes to packing for vacation. Less time spent worrying and dressing just right means more time site seeing or relaxing.

A simple way to pack what you need and only what you need is to write out what you plan to wear each day. You will have day clothes and evening clothes. There should be plenty of overlapping. One pair of shoes should be worn with multiple outfits. Shorts or pants can be worn more than one time. Just wear a different top.

Once you have written down what you plan to wear for the whole trip you can create a master list of clothes and other items. This master list will help you pack only what you need. It’s like going to the grocery store with a list so you don’t forget anything or buy too much that is not on the list. Make a list for each person in you family to help everyone to pack light.

The second form of travel clutter comes when we start buying or collecting souvenirs to remind us of the good times we had on the trip. The coffee mugs, wall plaques, sea shells from the beach, and T-shirts, all have a tendency to end up in a drawer or storage closet. If you use them and they remind you of the fun, that’s great. If not, then they become clutter. Take pictures instead and put them in a scrapbook (digital or hard copy) to be enjoyed later. Those are less likely to become clutter.

Keep your suitcases packed lightly going and coming back home. Focus on the sites and sounds and fun times of your trip, not your wardrobe or souvenirs.

How do you travel lightly? Please share your ideas and suggestions in the comment section.

Feel free to forward this tip to family and friends who might benefit from it.

To a lighter load along the way.

Janice Scissors
https://cutclutterwithscissors.com
http://twitter.com/jlscissors
http://cutoutthebreastcancer.wordpress.com

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Summer Vacation Planning

Have you planned your summer vacation? Are you going on a big trip or just a few mini-vacations this year? Are you going to be staying close to home this summer because of the economy?

If you have decided you are not going anywhere this summer it doesn’t mean you have to be bored to death and do nothing. We always think the grass is greener on the other side but many times there are lots of fun things to do in your own town or at least a close neighboring town.

Check out the websites of your city or surrounding cities. They usually list attractions that tourists would be attracted to. Gather the information in a notebook and become a tourist in your own town. Plan ahead for places to visit in good weather (parks, zoos, other outdoor attractions) and not so good weather (museums, theaters, other indoor attractions). Keep your camera ready and have fun. No more boring weekends.

What kind of fun things do you do during summer vacations? If you have some great ideas you would like to share with me and all my readers then please leave a comment and let me know. Thanks.

I have posted the June 2009 Newsletter on the blog. There are some website links listed with ideas of what you can do with your families during the summer. Check it out.

Janice

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St. Patrick’s Day Crafts

Today I was doing some research for my next tip newsletter. Because it is National Craft Month I was researching ways to use some of those craft supplies that are laying around.

Since St. Patrick’s Day is next Tuesday I didn’t want to wait until then to send you the links to do crafts with your children or for yourself. Find some projects where you can use some of the supplies you already have on hand. That will help declutter them.

http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/st-patricks-day/

http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/stpatricksdaycrafts.cfm

http://www.familycorner.com/dir/Family/Holidays/St_Patricks_Day/Crafts/

Decluttering things doesn’t always mean you have to get rid of something. Sometimes it’s a matter of using those things in a productive and fun way. That takes them off the clutter list.

Have fun making some of the St. Patrick’s day crafts.

If you aren’t already signed up to receive my free weekly Tip Newsletter then please do so on the right sidebar.

If you have any comments or suggestions for St. Patrick’s Day crafts please leave a comment. Thanks.

Janice

https://cutclutterwithscissors.com

http://cutoutthebreastcancer.wordpress.com

P.S. Check out my articles on eHow.

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Halloween Decorating Time

Yesterday I noticed that many homes are showing signs that Halloween is not far off. Actually it is only 18 days away. It will be here before you know it.

Since my children are grown and out of the house I haven’t had anyone pressuring me about decorating. If you have younger children I’m sure you hear about it all the time. If you haven’t started yet, like me, then now is a good time to start. …

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