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This week is FLYING by for me--how about you? I LOVE the cool beginning to summer AND it’s peony season!!!! We’re welcoming Mary (Hi!) this week, we’re so happy you’re here!  In keeping with our PLAN for clearing out clutter in 2017, this month we are going to handle... The Garage If you’ve just joined us and want to take a look at the previous one-space-a-month plans, click below for the details: Jan--Master Suite Feb--Kitchen Mar--Family Room Apr--Linen Closet May--Kids Stuff You can start anytime--just jump in and catch up at the end! Let’s open the garage door and assess…just take a peak. I know! You’re busy and it’s so easy to just “put it in the garage”.  (If you don’t have a garage, this is your month to catch up on previous projects OR help someone you love with THEIR garage OR lay in a hammock with a good book and a cold beverage--up to you!) Garages are often a catch-all for gardening equipment, sports items, recreational items, tools and cast-off items. Oh, yes, and the CARS!!!!!! 28% of Americans park in the driveway because their garage is used for storage. So, let’s make some room for the cars this month! Set yourself up for victory by blocking off a chunk of time, “losing” your phone--except for the before and after pics ;)-- and gathering sturdy black bags or boxes to sort and/or remove items. Start small and go for one shelf, one category, or pull out the “easy to donate” items first. OR, sort items by category--keeping “like with like”:
Use the Clutter Clearing Checklist to guide the process. If you need another copy, let me know, we will get one to you in a flash! Hey, some tunes wouldn’t hurt! How about Queen for inspiration? Then the neighbors will KNOW you’re serious! Get focused and coach yourself through the tough decisions-- “Do we need it?” “Do we use it?” “Are there multiples?” “Is it broken?” (Broken items either need to be repaired (set a time frame) or trashed.) The garage is one of those spaces where storage products can support your efforts. DO NOT purchase until you’ve done the editing work because you will not know what you need! There are many wonderful storage systems that can help with chaos and keeping the space organized. Open, sturdy, ADJUSTABLE shelving works very well for the categories of Gardening, Smaller sports/rec items, Power tools, tool boxes, bins for kids’ toys, and Automotive items such as windshield wash, motor oil and car-washing items.  Depending on what your needs are there are MANY ways to store bicycles, tools, lawn chairs, kayaks, etc. All storage decisions depend on what you are keeping. Here’s my favorite DIY for balls--just bungee cords attached to the shelf frame:  When you’re done, arrange to have a pick up for your cast-offs or take them yourself. DO NOT put them back in the garage for later, I know, it’s tempting.
Now pull your car in, Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, isn’t that better? Maybe pulling the car in is enough of a celebration... However, I would like to suggest something a little more fun than that--how about an evening with Bruce Springsteen? (Just got the new book for my birthday--LOVING IT!) However YOU like to celebrate--go for it--celebrating IS the secret fuel to continuing this process. DO NOT SKIP! Will you let me know how your garage project goes this month? Where is it EASY? Where are you getting stuck? I LOVE hearing from you and would be happy to talk you through a tough spot, if you’d like… Lots of Love, XO Jane PS: if you’re inspired to share this post with a friend, I would be so honored, thank you! PHOTO CREDIT: peony--Janice Laufenberg
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Jane Antonovich
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