|
Senior News April, 2005 Vol. 24. No. 4
Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.
|
|
|
Humboldt Senior Resource Center Back issues Table of Contents
Plus in this issue catch more news, opinions, features, book reviews, and event calendars.
Pick up a copy today! Better yet, subscribe and never miss an issue! Brought to you by 
|
Remembering Spirit - An Organizational Experience by Jessie Wheeler I heard an announcement several times on KHUM radio about a contest to get organized. On the last day to enter, I heard Cliff interviewing Claire Josefine, who, with Barbara Browning, sponsored this contest. Claire said, "There is someone listening right now who needs these services, is procrastinating about entering this contest - and procrastination is what caused their clutter." That's me. I grabbed my Polaroid, took some shots of the dump that is supposed to be my office, wrote a letter about my desire to organize and to write about the huge pile of historical documents and ephemera from 90-plus years of my family living in Bridgeville. Once I entered the contest, I realized that if I won, I would be putting one foot on the road to my dream of getting this project together. If I were able to get my office organized and develop a writing area, then I would have to get off my procrastination and get busy. I was selected as a finalist. If I won the organizers would show up, throw their hands in the air and declare a disaster. Would I have to throw my good stuff away? Would I have to separate the games, videos and collectibles from the paperwork? Where would I put them? I won - and the fears attacked. Saturday arrived quickly and the ladies were here. I told them of my fears and they were wonderful. Claire took on totally re-arranging my office space with such an efficient method I couldn't believe it. Barbara set up a sorting space in my living room and started bringing boxes out to sort through. I had several empty labeled boxes around my chair and started filling them. My biggest fear was losing track of where things were. Incredibly, when they were done, I could walk into the office and see everything. I learned some tricks for tackling other rooms, and then, my storage unit. I am now able to start seriously working on my history project, as I have space to work in. I am addicted to collecting stuff and know I probably have not been cured, but I feel like I am in recovery. I would like to say to anyone who feels like they are trapped in terminal clutter, there is a way out. It's not impossible. Claire Josefine can be contacted at www.humboldt1.com/~organized and Barbara Browning at www.orderwithin.com. They can work miracles. Jessie Wheeler lives in Eureka. She is a member of the Senior News Editorial Advisory Board. Her e-mail is pioneer@saber.net. |
Senior News