Donating Clothes & Toys After Christmas

You house just became a crazy place again didn’t it?  Now you have all these NEW things to find places for!  I will be many of you still have new clothes sitting in boxes full of tissue paper, still not put away. The drawers are full, closet is full… where will they go?

Toys sitting on the floor because the toy box or shelf is already over flowing with toys. Right?

Now.. I want you to be totally honest with yourself here.  I want you to go look at that closet, those drawers, those toys.  How many of those things have been sitting there, untouched for months? Maybe even years.  We all do it. We hold onto things.  That dress that looked so awesome, 50 pounds ago; that baby toy that we got and loved for your son that is now 10 years old. You know what I mean. It’s difficult to give things up.

Now, I want you to think about that family that has a father who lost his job, or that single mom who is working two jobs to help feed her three kids, that family that had a fire (probably in the news in the last week huh?) and lost everything.

                                                             (picture from google picasa)

Look again at your closet…. think about those who can really use those things…. look at those toys…. think about those kids who got absolutely nothing for Christmas.  Can’t you make some room in your house?

Selling Them?

I know of many people and hear many people who plan to sell everything.  I understand that, I get it – but… how long has that plan been in place? Have you ever executed it? Have you gotten that ebay store going like you keep saying you will?  When can you have the garage sale? In the summer… 6 months away?

Garage Sales - I have had garage sales in the past, I think they can be great. I can always use the money too. If the time of year is right, you have the motivation and time to do it… great – great… get ‘er done! If you can’t have one for months, then forget it.

I say – donate it and take the tax write off.  Help others and clear your house NOW!

Where do you donate?

Good Will
Local Shelters
Check with your Church or a local church
Check with your local Food Pantry
Check online for many resources

This is a food pantry that isn’t far from me.  I had a friend who used to work here. Most donate their time.  They had food that they gave out to those in need.

They also have a clothing thrift shop.  As I remember anyone could come in and purchase the donated clothing & toys at very low cost and for families in need, things were free.

Here was the pile of clothing and items that people had donated that the staff had yet to go through for the day.  You can’t see, but that pile was up to about my waist. Awesome!

When Donating 

Please don’t give them broken toys or toys missing pieces
No torn or damaged clothing (if you can’t wear it because of damage, others can’t either)

Donate and feel good, knowing you have just helped yourself and your family (by creating needed space, teaching valuable lessons to your children, helping with taxes, doing the right thing) and also knowing you are helping those in need.

When you think of Autumn what do you think of?

Living in Ohio the air gets cooler and crisp and all the colors of Autumn start emerging.  We haven’t really started getting leaves changing colors yet, but there are other sites and colors that we are seeing now.

On the way to our farm today we stopped by a local orchard and it really put me in the mood for fall.

We didn’t go apple picking (not time today) but there sure are orchards near by us to do so if we wanted to.

Mums, pumpkins, and apples…

 Pumpkins.. and more pumpkins

Pears – we bought some of these, they are so sweet and juice!

Their peaches are awesome, but we didn’t get any on this trip.

Don’t you think of corn for the fall?  You know, indian corn to decorate with and corn stalks?

I never used to appreciate fall, but I have come to love it.  My husband really loves it.  He isn’t a fan of the heat…. so as soon as the cooler weather comes in, he is one happy camper.

How To Make It A Learning Experience

I am sure we have all been there…. cart is almost full and the tantrum of all times happens because you said no to a package of cookies.  You have a screaming kid in your cart, walking beside you on the floor or possibly by this time; laying on the floor kicking their feet!

What’s a mom to do?  Do you just keep going while they are pitching their fit in the cart or do you ignore them and walk to the next aisle hoping they stop and get up to follow?  Do you spank them and have everyone think you are a child abuser and glare at you threatening to call child services?  Do you try to talk to them reasonably, hoping they can hear you over their screams? Or do you pick them up, grab your purse and leave you cart and go home?

Ok… next case scenario –  You are trying to shop and keep your kids near you as they are running up and down the aisles playing games with each other, making noise and not listening to you at all.

I’m sure there are very very few moms who have not had to deal with these dilemmas.  I’ve been there…. believe me!

There are a couple suggestions I can give you before things get to this point.  (Read at the bottom if you want to know how I would personally handle the above situations – but not everyone will agree)

My thoughts are that kids are bored, they want your attention and right now that grocery list, cart and mission of getting in and out of that store are main things on your mind; and they don’t have your full attention.   They want to be a part of the mission.

So – make them a part of it.

I started this with my kids and have carried it on more with the triplets.  I met Dave when the triplets were three and half years old.

Make a Shopping List for Them

Make them your grocery helpers.  Make a list for them and let them help you shop.  It can be done at most ages.

Toddles – Preschool

They can be young this young.  They don’t have to know how to read.  When they are that young, draw pictures after the word.  Write “Bananas” and then draw a banana.  Just put two or three things on their list.  Explain to them what they are looking for and they let them know they have to help you find them.   When you do find the item, let them get out of the cart to get the item off the shelf.  Help them put the item in the cart and explain they have to get back into the cart before you can go to look for the next item on the list.

Kindergarten – 2rd Grade 

Put 3-5 items on their list.  Print the words and the kids have to first sound out what the word is.  We usually did this in the car on the way to the store.  So now they are also learning how to read.  Let them carry their own list and a pencil so they can mark off the item on their list once they find it.  Again, let them pick out the item and place in their cart.  You can also start teaching them about finding the best deal.  Show them the prices and help explain how to read them. Help to show them which is more or less expensive and let them know why you are picking the item you are picking.

3rd – 4th Grade 

You can add a few more items on their list by now.  They should be doing more reading and sound be able to sound out and read the items themselves.  Continue to work on helping them understand the math involved in grocery shopping.  ”Which is the better deal Alex? The gallon of milk that cost $4.00 or the half gallons that are on sale for $1.50 each?  You can also start teaching them about coupons and how they work.

5th-6th Grade 

You can easily give them up to about ten items on their lists now.  Let them write their lists as you rattle off what each of them will get. I normally have my full list written and then pull off items that I know are a little easier to find or items that I know won’t be too confusing for them.   You can give them a couple coupons to go with their items, and also tell them to look for the best deal.  They would come back to me and ask at times, telling me the store brand vs. name brand prices if they weren’t sure. We would figure out the math problem together and I would make them solve it.  LOL.. we were doing this one time this summer, over an item and the man beside us looked at the kids and said, “Schools already in session huh kids?”  They laughed, but they don’t look at it in a negative way. They think it is fun.
The triplets have been doing this since they were three (at least when they shop with me.  We have heard from people who work at our small town store that when they are with their mom, they don’t behave real well for her, and they are different kids when they are with their Dad and me. By the way – she does not do this with them at all.)  Since they know how to behave in the store (with us) I full trust them with their own carts and lists and they can go on their own.  They know if there is any messing around or running of any kind in the store they lose the privilege of getting to do this. (I have no issues.. they love helping)

The other day we went in and the triplets had their own carts (pics I took as we were walking into the store.) and I had my own cart and list.  We ended up spending almost $150 in groceries (we needed a lot, my boys were coming to visit) but we were in and out of that store in about 25 minutes! It was awesome!

Older + 

Just keep increasing responsibility and math skills, using coupons etc..

Can I tell you this will solve all your problems in the store. No…. but if you give it a chance and try it several times, you might find that it will help.  Oh… and especially when they are younger and you are making out their lists.  Try to find things spaced at beginning, middle & end of the store. If they have all three items in the first aisle.. you might be in for a bit of trouble again as they get bored.

I’d love to know how it goes if you try it. Remember it might take a few times before they will respond.

Ok.. now for my personal solutions for taking care of the tantrums in the stores.  

Let me first say that I hate to see parents bribe their kids to behave. “I’ll get you a treat when we get to check out if you behave.” What I SO often see (and I saw this all the time as a pediatric nurse) was the kids acted like hellians and mom still gives them the treat at the end because she is more afraid of the next tantrum that will ensure if she says “No”.

I would sometimes get my kids a treat at the bakery or register if they were good, but that decision came at the end, by me… not used at the beginning of the trip as “incentive” to make them behave.  But I certainly would never “reward” poor behavior.

I use a point system.  The kids will get a point for poor behavior. But they can then lose those points for good behavior as you go on with your store visit.  Each point can be whatever you choose it to be. When my four boys were young, it was spankings when we got home.  I’m sure many of you aren’t advocates of that… and that is fine. That is your choice.  This was mine.  (By the way, I don’t think any of my kids ever had to get more than one spanking by the time we got home, because they would be good and lose the points if they earned them) .

For the triplets, since they are my step children, I have never spanked them and never will.  Dave has only spanked them a couple times since I’ve known him and that was for very serious issues.  He only has to raise his voice and that is enough for them to behave. But I have sent them to their rooms for misbehavior. I don’t put up with it.

I also use the 1-2-3 method for discipline.  With my older boys if I said the number three… it meant a spanking.  With the triplets I haven’t used this as much, but it would mean time in their room.

It is funny, I was out to dinner this weekend with three of my four older boys (two in from out of town) and we were all cracking up. I forget what they were doing, but I asked them to stop and they kept up (joking around… nothing bad.. I was cracking up too). Then I said.. ok…  ”One…. Two…  ”  and they immediately stopped and said…”On No.. Mom is counting!”  and of course we all cracked up again.

Do You Have an Old Time Pottery Store Near You?

Hopefully you do! If you’ve not been there before, then you need to go! You will find a massively big store that has just about anything you could need for your home.

Be sure to give yourself plenty of time! This is not a store that you zip in and back out of quickly. I don’t know if I have ever spent less than an hour in here.  Oh wait… yes I have. I had to run in to get some extra baskets one time and spent only about 15 minutes in it. (But that was an exception)

One thing about Old Time Pottery stores is that merchandise varies in each store.  They buy huge quantities of merchandise (hence the good prices for some high end products) and they get new shipments in each week. This is one of those stores that it really pays to shop frequently! And if you see something you really like, don’t hesitate to buy it, because there will be others who like it as well…. and it might not be there next time you go to the store!

Ok, so you know many stores like that right? But do they also have discounted prices on everything? That is why it is so fun to go to Old Time Pottery.
I have made many trips there recently. I used plastic baskets from there for my pantry, refrigerator and freezer reorganization.  These are the ones I used on my pantry, I got red ones for my ref. and freezer.

I also got some wire organizers that I used under my sink, and pantry and also plastics cupboard.

It isn’t your fancy-smancy store.  It is very basic. Grab your cart and start your adventure.

There is a little bit of everything.  I love all the baskets they have there.

But I have recently been there for items to decorate in my dining room.  (You’ll see those in a later post when I show you my finished dining room….but if you watch the video close you’ll see what I got on the check out counter) Here are a few other fun things you’ll find at Old Time Pottery (that you haven’t already seen in my video)

They also have a contest going on. You can see rules for the VIP Old Time Pottery card contest below (hint…. it can earn you five extra entries into this contest! Double whammy goodness!)

To Enter to Win 1 of four $25 gift card to Old Time Pottery!!!

Tell me: If you have an Old Time Pottery Around You. Which store (or state if you don’t want to be specific)  If you don’t know go to Old Time Pottery and plug in your zip code to find out. (sorry, no online sales – in store only) **Be sure to come back here and leave me your answer in your comment. Your e-mail has to either in your comment or on your profile.

FOR EXTRA CHANCES TO WIN:

**Each of these HAS to have a separate comment to win. The winner is picked using Random.org. It just goes the number of comments….not by what you say.

1) Go to the Old Time Pottery Web site and sign up to be a VIP OTP (Old Time Pottery) shopper. No purchase necessary. You will register and then you can print out a coupon to take to your OTP store to enter. You are entering to win a $50 gift certificate! (They are picking weekly winners) This promotion is good until June 17th. (5 extra entries – add 5 comments)

2) Subscribe to my Organize with Sandy blog This is for 1 chance to win!

3) Follow me on Twitter @OrganizerSandy (Leave me your twitter name) 1 chance

4) Stumble one of my posts for 5 extra chances to win. (tell me which post. Post 5 comment entries)

5) Tweet this out up to 3 times a day. You can use the tweet button at the top to make it easy. ( Pls leave your url link) 1 chance for each tweet.

Please keep in mind I approve my comments. So you won’t see them right away. Never fear!

See lots of way to enter!!

This contest will run until 11:59pm est on Wednesday , May 25, 2011  *THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED*

Any comment that comes in after the above time will be deleted. This is open to US mailing addresses only. Must be 18+ to win.  One person per mailing address only. Winner will be chosen by Random.org

You will have 48 hours to reply to my e-mail if you are picked as the winner, or else I will go on to the next winning number.

I was given a $50 gift card for Old Time Pottery, but this in no way swayed my opinions.  I was talking about going to Old Time Pottery on my past posts, before they contacted me.  The pictures and videos and opinions are my own.

I was lucky enough to be able to go to the most sought after conference of the year. The Disney Social Media Moms Conference in Disney World!

I wanted to bring the family in the worse way this year. But after doing the finances and seeing what it would cost us all to fly here, and eat and stay at least 1 more night (in a less extravagant hotel), we realized we just couldn’t swing it. Ugh!

So I came by myself and Zippy Sandler from Champagne Living is going to meet me here tomorrow and have fun with me and the rest of the gang.

I got in today (March 17th) and came to the Grand Floridian Resort. omg! This place is beauuuttiiful!

This has always been one that I have seen when I have been to Disney and thought to myself, wow…. I’d love to stay there!  lol (yippee!)

Look at the view from my room!

Then out on the balcony

I got a short nap in, but long enough to miss the beginning welcome reception that took place before the presentation.

Off to the Wedding Pavilion I went.  We were given Minnie Bride Ears (loved that!) and got to go into the place where Disney Magical Dream Weddings take place.

There were brides everywhere!

We got to hear the Vice President of Alfred Angelo Wedding Dresses; Michael Shettel speak.  Then we got to see the new Cinderella inspired wedding gown. (although because of where I was sitting, I didn’t get any good shots of the dress.

Look at all the cameras us Social Media Moms have! lol

Walking back with Michael Shettel

We got to hear from Carley Roney from www.TheKnot.com and we also got to see and hear David Tutera from a show called My Fair Wedding. (I’m going to have to find that and watch it now!)

Then we got to witness a vow renewal from a couple that was married here 2 years ago.  She had always wanted a Disney wedding in this chapel ever since she was a girl and saw it looking down from the monorail.

But it wasn’t just any wedding vow renewal. This was a “flashmob” kind of wedding, with dancing down the aisle!

Here comes the bride

It was fun watching a real life wedding.

What I loved was the Cinderella carriage picking them up. How cool!

Wouldn’t this be fun?

Here they go (after fireworks as they came out of the pavilion)

This event was being run my Fronk the Wedding planner and his assistant

Then we were off to dinner on the Grand Floridian lawn.  It was so beautiful there. The families were invited to this event.

So guess who was there for them to see and take pictures with? And those of us who didn’t get to bring our kids…. got to be kids too!

I took this picture of Goofy for my Z. He likes Goofy!

Kim @craftyMamaof4 and I

Here were just a couple pictures I took of the table decorations.

They were just so pretty

Thanks so much Grand Floridian for hosting such a wonderful event!

Does Your Work Place Use Labels?

Does your office at work need some New Year Cleaning?  Do you have the same problems there with people not putting things where they belong?  Using your stapler and not returning it?  Opening every drawer of a file cabinet because you can’t remember what drawer has the file you want?

Personally I feel that labeling makes things easier. Office organizing is so much easier when using labels.  Do I think office work places should label?  Yes!!  Why?  I’ll give you 6 reasons why…

1) It gives a professional appearance
2) There is no question who an office accessory belongs to (stapler, hole punch etc)
3) Everyone will know what is in a specific drawer without having to open them all.
4) It makes more efficient use of everyone’s time. Not so much time is lost hunting in the wrong cabinets or files
5) It makes searching through the files a breeze
6) It makes it clear exactly where to return an item, or which shelf to store your stock on.

Here is an store room that has supplies from a Dr. office. It needs some organization.  It is actually a store room that I organized a few years ago.

I went through and reorganized were things were to go. I did a chart that had a location item, what shelf it belonged on and where it went.  There were several store rooms in this 2 story office and knowing which store room and where it was located was a problem.

What I did was to establish numbers for shelves and names for each store room.  After I had gone through and taken items out of boxes to make them quickly accessible to the Doctors to grab quickly – I reorganized them on the shelves.

What I did use to label was hot pink paper to label the names of the shelves.  I wish now I had used labels from a labeler.  I think it would have just looked neater.

This is a nice desktop label manager from DYMO.  It isn’t too large to carry around with you, but is a nice size to put on a desk.  I think this would be a nice thing to keep in an office, in a place that everyone could have access to it. Wouldn’t it be nice to have your stapler labeled?  No one would take it off your desk anymore! Just little touches like that can make an office run more efficiently.

It could make sprucing up your office or cubicle at work…. really nice!  This is the 3/4″ size tape. Large and easy for anyone to see. Don’t you think it is going to look great?  I know I just finished my home office and I labeled all my files,

So let me know… does your office at work label?  Do they use a label maker or do them by hand?

Disclosure: I was sent the Dymo 360D labelmanger to review (review on the labler will be coming up next week) and keep also compensated for my time. The pictures and opinions are my own.

My Weekly Overview Of What Is Happening On My Other 2 Blogs!

Chat with Sandy

Cold Stone Creamery Hot Cocoa – Nov. 19, 2010

Motorcycle Dogs – Nov 21, 2010

aeternum Cookware by Bialetti Review – Nov. 24, 2010

I did not post anything this week on my Explore Ohio with Sandy blog.  I took a week off for Thanksgiving.  lol

Giveaways!

There is some Good Stuff coming up next week!!!  I will have about 4 giveaways going on at the same time.  I will also be coming out with my Gift Guide – My 10 Favorite items for my Organize with Sandy review site and my 10 favorite items I reviewed from my Chat with Sandy site.

The only one up right now is the Card Cubby Giveaway - Check it out.. there is a discount if you buy one too!

The Sales Are Coming.. Are You Ready?

How many of you like to do the “combat” shopping ..as my husband calls it?

I do!!  I have gone Black Friday shopping most years and think of it as fun.  I go alone… I have my list….and my plan in place.

To be successful I think you have to do your homework.

1) Have your list made out of what you want to buy
*No impulse buying when everyone is grabbing a deal

2) Have your BF ads together. (or use your smart phone to access your saved online BF store ads)
*The crowds can over whelm you, mix you up and make you forget things… have them marked and ready to go.

3) Know your plan of attack.
*Which store will you go to first?
*What time does each store open?
*Which stores match prices of items at your other store?

4) Grab your mug of coffee (and I suggest adding a packet of Cold Stone Creamery Cocoa to it..oh yum) or Hot Cocoa and get ready to either head out really early….or stay up really late from the night before.

One of the things I have done the last couple of years (last year I did online BF shopping only...but other than that) was to go to Walmart on the Wednesday before BF.  I knew what I was planning to buy and found out where it was in that store.  Then I would use the other store ads to get that item at the lowest price and purchase it at Walmart.

One year I went to an all night Walmart an hour before their BF sale started. All their specials were in the middle rows covered with black plastic. But most of the items I wanted were not at their sale. I went around filling my cart with items that other stores had on sale (and I had their ad with me) and got all the door buster prices!  I have to admit that the woman at the register wasn’t too happy with me. She called over a manager, but the manager ok’d everything. I had exact items, I was there during the right times and none of my ads listed % off…they were all actual pricing.

Here are my other Black Friday posts from the last 2 years

Black Friday Shopping…Organized 2008
Organize and Prepare for Black Friday Shopping 2009
Black Friday Shopping (online) 2009

You have to watch ads now though, some say no price matching during Door Buster pricing.  I haven’t looked this year.  But I will be checking things out online this year.

Here are a couple Brands and products that you should keep your eye out for.  I’m thinking you should watch your Walmart BF ad to see if they are going to be in there and if so… I recommend these Brands.

Seagate Go Flex Hard Drive
Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker
Elmers Products

Disclosure: The Brands that I mentioned are all clients of Collective Bias.  I was not asked to mention any of these Brands in my post and I do not know for sure if any of them will be in the BF ads – but I do like their products and will be watching out for them myself on Friday.  I just wanted to let you in on that. I am also the community leader for the Cold Stone Creamery Hot Cocoa group in CB.  That one is just a no brainer for me to mention, because I’ve been drinking it myself everyday.. duh!

My weekly update of what has been happening on my Explore Ohio with Sandy blog and Chat with Sandy blog.

Explore Ohio with Sandy

Honey Run Waterfall in Howard, Ohio – Nov.  15, 2010

The Cottage Salon & Day Spa in New Albany, Ohio – Nov. 18, 2010

Chat with Sandy

Extreme Home Makeover in Nashville, TN - Nov. 12, 2010

Sing-a-ma-Gigs Review – Nov. 16, 2010

Airport Screening Being Attacked - Nov. 18, 2010

Thanks for visiting my blogs this week!  I’d love it if you would continue to help me grow.  Feel free to visit me on

Twitter:  @OrganizerSandy

Facebook:  Organizer Sandy Page and Explore Ohio with Sandy

I am also working on a campaign with Collective Bias on Cold Stone Creamery Hot Cocoa and would LOVE it if you would Like that Fan page!

Here’s What Happened This Week on my Other 2 Blogs:

Explore Ohio with Sandy

Sitting Around the Campfire – November 9, 2010

Chat with Sandy

Everything but the Kitchen Sink – Nov. 8, 2010

My New – Old Dodge Neon – Nov. 10, 2010

This has been a busy week for me.  Things have been a little crazy as I am trying to still play catch up from being out of town so much in October.  The kitchen remodel has been a zinger on my house.

I’m hoping next week to catch up my house and catch up my blogs… to lose 50 pounds and be the perfect mom.  What do you think? Unrealistic goals?  lol  (I need to at least catch up my house and blogs)

Extreme Home Makeover in Nashville, TN – Nov. 12, 2010

Giveaways Still going On

Lia Sophia necklace – Ends Monday Nov. 15th, 2010

Lee Jeans – Giving away 5 pair of Men’s Lee Jeans – Ends Thurs. Nov. 18, 2010

Pouchee and Card Cubby – Great gift ideas to help organize your purse