OverHall IT! 
Vol. 3 Issue 14

Help Me Help Others Get Organized - Please pass my
newsletter on to those you know who might need or like
OverHall IT!
Welcome New Subscribers!
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OverHall IT!
Organizing Newsletter for Your Life
Circulation 7,130
Vol. 3, Issue 14
Publisher: Janet L. Hall janet@overhall.com
http://www.overhall.com
( C ) OverHall Consulting 2002
Administration information located at end of newsletter.
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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. Welcome and Happenings

2. OverHalling and Balance

3. Guest Article

4. Products, Books, and Web Site Reviews

5. Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes

6. Tips for Professional Organizers

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1. Welcome and Happenings
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It's started! The holiday lights are out, the street corners
have trees for sale and Christmas music is already invading
the air waves and this was just a few days after
Thanksgiving! Gobble Gobble! I hope you had a blessed and
wonderful one if you celebrate.

I know I'm very late with this issue but I've been working on
my latest ebook, Get Honest With Your Bedroom Clutter and
FINALLY Get Organized. You can check it out at
http://www.overhall.com/bedroom_clutter.htm

When you visit our site you'll notice a new look. We have
FINALLY gotten our wizard drawn and installed! Let me
know what you think! I think artist, Roberto Ortiz captured my
look pretty good for having never met me. Thanks Roberto

The number two challenge many of you responded to, when
I asked in Volume 3, Issue 8
(http://overhall.com/overhall_it_v3i8.htm ), was CLOTHES
and that, with my real life situation, inspired me to write the
article in OverHalling and Balance column.

We have wonderful guest article by Jeanine Carson to help
you create a holiday to-do list. I hope you enjoy it.

Get organized and ready for the holidays and into the new
year this month by signing up for one of our home clutter
support groups. If you are interested and committed to
getting control of your life and getting rid of your clutter,
please click
http://www.overhall.com/home_clutter_support.htm

Or schedule some one-on-one time with me by emailing
mailto:janet@overhall.com or call 800-687-3040. I'm here to
help you in any way I can!

Thanks for your support and for being a subscriber,
Janet L. Hall, The Organizing and Feng Shui Wizard

******** Stop Saying You Are Going to Get Organized ********

Get Organized TODAY!
Need help with your bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, garage,
paper, time, children, or attitude?
Wiz Through Your Clutter: Home Organizing Audiotapes
http://www.overhall.com/home_organizing.htm

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2. My New Pajamas Made Me Do It!
By: Janet L. Hall
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I never really finished last seasons "switch over" (winter to
summer) of changing around my wardrobe. Generally I will
take the winter clothes out of my drawers, storing those
items in a big plastic bin, and out of my closet, storing those
items in my spare bedroom closet, and move my
spring/summer clothes in. For some reason I never quite
completed the project. And I’ll bet this has happened to you
at some time.

Anyway, my drawers were stuffed, and my side of the closet
was slowing pinning my husbands’ clothes up against the
wall. And since I didn’t take the time to complete the switch
over, I had run out of drawer and closet space.

Now I’m not sure where this next thing I'm about to reveal to
you came from. Maybe because:
=>I wasn’t sure if I was coming or going.
=>I had to endure several surgeries throughout the year.
=>I was overworked.
=>I was tired.
=>I was being neglectful.
=>I just didn’t care.

Now I could continue to analyze this situation I did to myself,
this predicament I had gotten myself into but I’m sure you
are dying to know my secret….right?

Well, here it is, confession of a professional organizer…I
started putting my clean folded clothes in a pile on the floor,
in front of the closet!!! And saying to myself each time I put
clothes in that pile, "I’ve got to redo my closet and drawers."
I’ve said that since end of winter through the end of summer-
- SIX MONTHS! And it's now the winter season again.

Not until two weeks ago, when I went to Penney’s and
purchased four new pairs of pajamas, did I finally decide to
finish the "switch over." Not until two weeks ago did I shake
off whatever had attached its self to me did I plunge all gong-
oh to remove everything in my closet that wasn’t for winter,
everything that was too small; if the button didn’t button and
the zipper wouldn’t zip up without "sucking in" – IT WAS
OUT OF THERE!

All summer clothes were sorted through with the same zeal!
Besides being too tight or uncomfortable, out went: things I
didn’t wear last year, once loved colors or prints, anything
itchy, that didn’t fit properly, or I just decided I didn’t care for
any longer also got added to the pile that had now grown
into a mound!

I even called my husband in, before he went off fishing, to
quickly eyeball his clothes for anything he might not have a
need for or want to donate to my "cause" He has less
clothing, no pj’s or all the other under clothes and
accessories us females own. With little effort, boom, boom,
boom, he was finished.

Downward to my shoes, knowing I had pairs of high heels I
had not wore in ages (remember, I’m human just like you),
and I never would wear again because I don’t want to wear
high spiky heels EVER again were tossed onto the mound.
Any shoes that: gave me a blister, tightened like a beaver
trap towards the end of the day, on days when it was very
hot or when my feet would swell from whatever reason.
OUT, OUT, OUT they went! Any shoe or boot, if they had
EVER caused my feet, legs, or back to ache after wearing,
they were out of my closet, my space, and my life.

As I changed the music CD to "Born To Be Wild" and poured
myself a "fake" glass of wine into a beautiful wineglass, I was
back to tackle my drawers. I had one large drawer with
beautiful, expensive, "tiny" lingerie. Oh what memories! And
who was I kidding – I hadn’t been able to wriggle into some
of those beautiful silk and lacy memories in years – time to
finally let go – I was finally READY!

On to my sock drawer which held white socks, black socks,
and a variety of colored socks. Hey, 95% of the time I always
wear black socks! SO with that reality and honesty I tossed
over to my pile all the colored socks except the black pairs
and a few white pairs.

I also had a slip, camisole, and scarf drawer. Now I very
seldom wear a dress anymore, so how many slips did I
need?! I kept a long on, two short ones, one black and one
white, one long half slip, one white and one black camisole,
and added the rest to the HEAP along with all the scarves
that I had told myself I’d wear one day.

With two drawers left – the old flop them in and bind them up
– bra drawer - and my pajama drawer that also contained
some long john shirts and pants and those warm, booty sock
things with traction thingies on the bottom of the feet – and
some had holes!

Any bra that was too small, too tight, or the straps slipped off
my shoulders – so annoying – or that contained wire was out
of the drawer and into the trash!

Last but not least the item of clothing that started this
ruthless no if, ands, or buts about it, won’t stop till I’m
finished, it’s all going TODAY – it was time to step up and
take control of this "getting out of hand" clothes piles – the
Pajama Drawer. The instigator, the motivator, the reason for
this mountain of clothes on my bed. I had wanted some new
pajamas and Penney’s was having a sale. I brought four new
beautiful pairs of pajamas, and there was no place or space
to put these divine items. Now they have a home and check
this out...I was so ruthless that all my summer casual clothes
now fit in one SPARE drawer instead of my plastic bin!

Don't forget to check our Bedroom Clutter Ebook for more clothes and bedroom organizing tips at http://www.overhall.com/bedroom_clutter.htm It's our special this month.

*****************Home Clutter Support Group *****************

If you're ready to FINALLY get organized, we're ready to
help you and get you signed up for our learning
and support groups for home clutter.
http://www.overhall.com/home_clutter_support.htm

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3. Making a List and Checking it Twice
Tips for Getting Organized During the Holidays
By: Jeanine Carson

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The holidays are not only fast upon us, they are here! If you
are at the point where you are feeling overwhelmed or just
need a jump start, consider the following tips to help you get
organized during the holidays:

Cards

Write the year next to each name in your address book to
note who you sent a holiday card to. This is especially
helpful if you only do a few cards at a time.

Buy seasonal stamps early (the post office usually starts
selling them at the end of October).

Pre-address your envelopes and mailing labels using the
computer.

Decorations

Designate separate storage boxes for holiday decorations
and wrapping supplies and label them accordingly (e.g., by
location-indoor living room, outdoor front lawn, OR type-
candles, ornaments, etc.)

While decorating inside, place the items you have out all
year into your storage boxes and replace them with your
holiday decorations until after the holidays.

Food

Keep a separate recipe book or file for holiday food you
usually make and can add to as you find new recipes. This
eliminates digging around for the special holiday cake or
dressing recipe you use only once a year.

Keep a list of standard pantry items if you are a baker (e.g.,
the staples like flour, sugar, vanilla, etc.) and start stocking
up before the holidays.

Gifts

If possible, send gift certificates or order on-line to avoid
standing in line at the post office.

Ask for boxes at stores beginning in October.

Get the date from the post office of the last regular mailing
date in December (to reach them by Christmas) and mark
your calendar to have things shipped at least a week prior to
that date to avoid extra fees and late presents.

Buy gifts where they offer free gift wrapping and even free
shipping. If you have to wrap your own gifts, buy decorative
bags or boxes so all you have to do are the labels.

Keep a record of gifts given and received to carry over from
year to year (tracking this on your computer is an efficient
way).

Including gift ideas and costs can also be helpful.

For children’s gifts, designate a specific color, bow color, or
wrapping paper to each child, so handing out gifts is easier.

You can consolidate many of these holiday tips in a Holiday
Notebook. Use a 3-ring binder with tabs and a zipper pocket
for swatches, coupons, etc. You can designate a tab for
gifts (including an envelope for receipts), a calendar/timeline
(for tasks and events marked on the appropriate days),
recipes, decorating ideas, etc.

For a free copy of a holiday timeline, contact NorthStar
Organizing Services at 407-481-9993 or at
mailto:northstarorg@cfl.rr.com

Finally, if you really want to be bold and scale back your
holidays, check out Simplify Your Christmas by Elaine St.
James. This is a wonderful, easy-to-read book about
simplifying and truly enjoying the holidays.

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Jeanine Carson, owner of NorthStar Organizing
Services, an Orlando business providing organizing services
for homes and offices. Let Jeanine help get your clutter
under control and systems in place so YOU can be more
efficient and productive. Contact Jeanine today about her
services by calling (407) 481-9993 or
mailto:northstarorg@cfl.rr.com

***** Have You Gotten Your * Tickle * For The Day? *****

Check out the secret organizing tool that ALL organized
families and successful people use on a daily basis at
http://www.overhall.com/tickler_file.htm

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4. Products, Books, and Web Site Reviews
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December Special: Get Honest About Your Bedroom Clutter
and Finally Get Organized Electronic ebook at
http://www.overhall.com/organizing_special.htm

E-Books and Books:

Do you have a teenager in high school or already gone off to
college?

I've discovered a wonderful new book by Denver
Psychologist Andrea Van Steenhouse called Empty Nest
Full Heart that can help you to deal with the difficult
emotions before during and after your son or daughter (and
you) makes that difficult transition.
http://www.kickstartcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?AFID=45217&u=www.emptynest.biz

My Internet Marketing buddy and friend, Rick Butts has just
started a fabulous new site, Ebook Source where he offers
many different e-books to choose from:
Internet Marketing, Management and Leadership, Self
Help/Personal Development, Fiction, Entrepreneur, Sales,
and Too Cool to categorize. Please check them out at
http://www.kickstartcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=45217

Jeffrey J. Mayer, president of Succeeding In Business, and
author of many books, has an E-Book, "Winning the Fight
Between You and Your Desk," that I highly recommend.
This inexpensive ebook is filled with humor; Are you a
Pilamaniac? to step-by-step instructions on Creating Master
Lists, Master Files, and Your Master File Drawer. I urge you
all to download this inexpensive but very informative ebook
at:
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=25003

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5. Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes
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>>Many actresses won't wear a dress that's not original, but
they'll take a secondhand husband.

>>It's easy to tell when you have a bargain --- it doesn't fit.

>>When a man has torn socks and buttons missing form his
shirt, he should do one of two things --- either get married or
get a divorce.

>>A dear old lady in Montana says she's worn the same
dress so many years it's been in style five times.

>>The clothes that make a woman break a man.

>>There is one good thing about pants that are too tight ---
they teach you not to drop anything on the floor.

>>It isn't the clothes that make a man stare; it's the women
in them.

>>You're never fully dressed in the morning until you put on
a smile!

*********** Clean Up Your Computer TODAY***********

Running out of space on your hard drive?
Don't know how to do backups?
Want to save your documents to a different media?
Get the ebook everyone is talking about:
How-To Clean and Organize Your Computer is
available at http://www.overhall.com/clean_computer.htm
52 Pages with Screen Shots so you can easily see where to click.

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6. Tips for Professional Organizers