A Brilliant tip from a New Client.

I love it when  I get new clients, it is a privilege to be invited into someones home and help them get it organised. For many clients it can be a scary and intimidating experience, however they very quickly learn that here at Totally Organised we get it, and it is OK!
Asking for help is often the hardest part, soon followed by letting a stranger (albeit a friendly one) into your space and to handle your stuff. Fortunately the experience ends in a great, fun, positive and upbeat manner.

It is always an experience when I also learn new things and add ideas to my plethora of tips and ideas. Yesterday was one of those days when I was shown the most fantastic idea that my New client had developed and put together since the earthquake. She has said it is OK to share it with you.

We all talk about our disaster kits and grab and go bags etc, everyone has differing ideas and thoughts. Much of the time the question of where to keep your kit is a biggie, and there are various ideas. However "Mary"* (Name changed to protect the brilliant), has hit the nail on the head.

THE WHEELIE BIN:

 Yes, brilliant I know and so, so simple and now we see it obvious as well. Mary has purchased a Wheelie bin that is a different color from the ones used for Rubbish collection (hers is red), and it is stored outside her home.

The wheelie bin is weather proof, large and on wheels. perfect for a disaster kit. In her wheelie bin Mary has, large water containers full with fresh water, first aid kit, blankets, gumboots (anyone who has experienced liquefaction will know why), shovel, torches, batteries, blankets.
Here is a list of other items that will fit:
* Blankets
* Sleeping bag
* Small tent
* Non Perishable food
* Solar Shower
* Wet Weather Gear
* Small gas bottle and cooker

The possibilities are endless.
It is perfect for the following reasons:
* Being able to store outside allows for the event of your home collapsing and your kit not being stuck inside.
* Does not take up valuable storage space inside your home
* Portable, regardless of how heavy it may be - water containers weigh a lot- you can still roll it.
* Large in size so you CAN store a lot in it.

So I am heading to the nearest storage shop and getting me one of those wheelie bins. I will store it close to the home, and fill it with the necessary items that we have come to know and love here in Christchurch, following our recent Earthquakes. I suggest you should go and do the same. Because you just never know when you may needs it.

A huge thanks to MARY* as well for your brilliance and ingenuity.

EARTHQUAKE - Rethinking how we look at our STUFF!

The range of the 7.1 Magnitude Quake

As many of you know, we had a massive 7.1 Earthquake here in my hometown, Christchurch, on the 4th September 2010. It was an incredibly frightening and leveling (no pun intended) experience. Since the main JOLT we have also endured over 2500 aftershocks ranging in magnitude from 1.5 - over 5 on the Richter scale.

Suffice it to say, things in Christchurch have changed, it is no longer the same city it was before September 4th, and it's citizens also have been changed forever. As a Professional Organiser I have taken particular interest in the change of attitude to "STUFF", I am talking about material possessions we all have in our environment. I have observed and asked people about how they feel about their possessions, and if anything has changed. The responses have varied but their has been one common thread, that is that Stuff really does not matter as much anymore.
I know my own personal feelings in the days immediately following the quake included the desire to get a huge rubbish skip and strip my home of everything but the basic necessities. They were no longer important and in fact many seemed to be an intrusion on my space and home, I have spoken to many others who feel the same. One even said, "What is the point keeping all this stuff, when you can wake up in the morning and it is all destroyed?".
When I have spoken to people who have lost previously precious and sentimental items, many almost seem nonplussed about them now, where as there would be no way they would have discarded them prior to September 4th. They are grateful to have a bed to sleep in and a roof over their heads, as we have many displaced families now in Christchurch as a result of their homes being deemed uninhabitable.
Another this I have been seeking information on is how many people are rushing out to replace items destroyed and damaged in the Earthquake. Interestedly there are few who are shopping up big, they are using insurance payouts to replace items they feel are important in their home like re-framing pictures, replacing TV's, new bed and crockery etc. Most are opting not to replace "luxury" or "entertainment" items like Wii, Playstations, ornaments and the like.
As for shopping, people tend to be heading to the Malls less than pre-quake and retailers have been reporting a decrease in sales, as people spend their money on necessities rather than luxuries. Maybe the malls are underpopulated as the raw experience of the 7.1 magnitude quake make being in an indoor mall undesirable at the moment, this will change. Every aftershock over 4.5 rekindles a sense of fear in most residents, and it is something you think you are OK with then you have a big shake and you are emotionally back to square one (but that is a whole other blog post)
This has not been a scientific survey, just my observations of how people have managed STUFF in the past 2 months. As we lead up to the busy Christmas season it will be interesting to learn what the big selling items in Canterbury (Quake region) are and if the amount we spend at this traditionally boom time.
What is obvious though is we are all now looking at our STUFF in a new light, embrace it and simplify, this is a lesson everyone can learn from this experience.

Reno Here I come!

Well tomorrow is the big day that I fly out to Reno, Nevada, USA via Auckland and San Francisco.
Anyone with kids will probably understand the somewhat sick, apprehensive, stomach flipping anxiety that I am beginning to fee about being so far away from my family.
Fort hose of you that do not know my kids are. Grace 13, Samuel 9 and Ben 8. They will be capably looked after by my fantastic husband Pete and a sitter until Sunday. You see my Husband is off to Asia for business, so the kids are "home Alone" till Tuesday, JUST KIDDING....
The amazing Margaret is coming to keep things in order till Tuesday AM when I come home.
Yes it is a flying trip.
So I will do my best to blog a little while in Reno and I promise that future blogs will be more about helping you get organised than my serious case of anxiety and nerves at being away from home. You see I think I am a control freak and hate not knowing what is going on in my little nest, LOL.
So sit tight hang on and get ready for some amazing Organising advice and ideas on my return.
Cheerio.
W