Now that Spring has Sprung

Now that spring has sprung, it is time to start thinking about getting your house in order. Does that mean de-cluttering? Deep cleaning? Maybe both?

People tend to get confused as to the difference between a cleaning service and a professional organizer. A common misconception is that they are one and the same. Incorrect. Cleaning is about getting out the mops, sponges, bucket, vacuum, and removing the mold, dirt, pet hair and grime. Organizing is about reducing clutter and developing and maintaining systems to keep your home and ultimately your life organized. So before you start your spring cleaning you may want to consider decluttering, either by yourself or by hiring a professional organizer.

At House to Home Organizing many times we hear people say “all I need to do to get organized is to throw things out.” Incorrect again. Decluttering is not about throwing things out. Decluttering is about the following:

-picking an area of your house you want to organize

-gathering all the like items together

-reviewing all of them

-making decisions as to what to keep, donate, sell, recycle or trash

-figuring out where and how to store what you are keeping (shelving, bins, baskets, drawer organizers etc…)

Sounds easy right? However, for many this can be a daunting task. For example, think about your attic. Years of build-up, and out of sight out of mind items have accumulated. Who really wants to work in the attic reviewing years of keepsakes, holiday décor, gifts from relatives and old papers? This is where hiring a professional organizer can really make an impact.

Closets are another area that can be a big challenge. Switching out seasonal clothing may be a time to ask yourself a few questions. How long has it been since I wore it last? Realistically will I ever wear it again? Is there a reason it has been tucked away hiding in the back of my closet? Maybe it is time to purge and donate. Also, anything with a rip, tear or stain should go to fabric recycling.

Spring is also the time to consider organizing remote areas like the garage. The garage is an easy catch all for accumulation and clutter. Many homeowners end up with multiple tools, excess gardening supplies, buckets of old toys, automobile accessories etc… For example, sometimes there is so much clutter that homeowners end up purchasing multiple tools they already own because they just can’t find the first one. Hence, 10 hammers, 17 screwdrivers, 20 beach shovels and buckets, you get the point. By organizing and purchasing systems like garage shelving and plastic bins  you can create dedicated areas in the garage and you will be able to easily find what you need.

Organizing is about time. Something busy home owners do not have a lot of. Hiring a professional organizer will give you a jump start and teach you methods to properly declutter without regret.

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If you want to try it yourself here are few tips:

-start slowly. Maybe start in a small area and dedicate 2 hours

-keep a trash bag and donate box nearby (save trips for the end so you can stay focused)

-things you are keeping put in clear plastic bins so you can see what is inside

-label the outside of all the bins (use labels or notes with tape so you can reuse the bin later)

-working with a family member can be difficult. Maybe ask a friend who likes to organize if it is something you don’t want to do alone

- make it fun put on some music!

Reward yourself when done, maybe a cup of coffee, ice cream cone or a new shirt to replace the one you just donated.

Smile and happy organizing!

Guest Post - How To Store Your Golf Clubs At Home

How To Store Your Golf Clubs At Home: 3 Strategies To Reduce Clutter and Free Up Space

We all know space around the house is limited - and finding appropriate space to store golf clubs is no exception to this rule.

There are generally two issues that will occur: finding enough space and making sure the golf equipment is stored safely, so the golf clubs stay in mint condition. Overall, the general consensus is to store golf clubs in a dry room at moderate temperature.

Yet this is often easier said than done: we all know that it can be much more complicated than that, especially if you have a lot of clubs. In this article, we will share our top three tips on storing golf clubs, and how you can make the most of your home’s storage space.

Let us begin with the first one.

Only Store at Home an Optimized Amount of Golf Clubs

The first mindset you should have on golf club storage is that you are only allowed to bring 14 different clubs to a golf course. So, arguably the best way to optimize club storage at home is to first, only purchase and bring home the clubs you will actually need. Yes, some golfers might need different club sets for different courses, but doesn’t mean you need to have over 50 clubs stored at home.

With so much new equipment released virtually every day, it is understandable that the temptation to expand your collection is high. If you do have unlimited budget and unlimited storage spaces, that shouldn’t be a problem. Yet, we all know that’s not the case for the most of us.

So, what’s the optimal club sets we should have (and store at home)? Here is how I will recommend it:

For Beginners/High-Handicappers

A very forgiving driver or a 3-wood, as most high-handicappers can’t hit a driver and they can replace it with an easier to hit 3-wood

7-, 8-, 9- irons

4-, 5-, 6- hybrids to replace the hard to hit long-irons

Putter, a mallet one with plenty of forgiveness

A pitching wedge

For Mid-Handicappers

A driver

A 3-wood

6- to 9- irons

4- and 5- hybrids to replace two long irons

Sand wedge & pitching wedge

Putter

For Low-Handicappers/Tour Players

A driver

A 3-wood, or you can replace it with a more versatile 2-hybrid

3- to 9- irons

Gap wedge

Pitching wedge, lob wedge, sand wedge

Putter

Store Your Clubs In Your Bedroom

The first places that come to mind to store your golf clubs might be your pantry, your garage, or other dedicated storage spaces. Yet, there are several disadvantages with this practice which make us actually strongly recommend other, more appropriate places around the house.

Our recommendation is to store your golf clubs in your bedroom, a study or other rooms with enough storage spaces you frequently use.

Why? There are three things you should definitely avoid with golf clubs: physical scratches, heat, and moisture.

If you store your clubs in a warehouse or even worse, your car trunk, the clubs can pick up physical dent or nicks from bumping with each other or with other things inside the warehouse.

Heat is also an issue if you are storing your clubs in your car trunk, especially if you park your car outside. Heat can cause the glue under your grip to break down. A garage, on the other hand, often has issues with build-up moistures.

If you have a  big collection of golf clubs (which we don’t recommend, see our first tip above), you might also forget some of the clubs stored in your garage or warehouse, since you don’t visit those rooms often.

So, storing your clubs in a room you frequent has two main benefits : first, you won’t forget about them and can check their condition frequently. Second, by having your clubs where you can see it, they can remind you to play more often.

Choose a Proper Golf Bag

No matter where you store your golf clubs, you will obviously need a golf bag to place your clubs (or several, if you have more than 14 clubs). Since we have agreed that storage spaces are limited and hence, valuable, the ideal golf bag is the one that allows you to store as many golf clubs as possible, yet has the least volume.

Here are some we will recommend:

Callaway Golf 2017 Org Cart Bag

A relatively compact golf bag with 12 x 10 x 35 inches dimension and only 5.8 pounds of weight (without your clubs), yet offers plenty of storage spaces and pockets with Callaway quality.

The most interesting quality of the Callaway 2017 Org Cart Bag is the 14-way organization system, complete with full-length club dividers. So, you wouldn’t have to worry about clubs banging with each other during transportation or storage.

Ogio Golf 2017 Press Cart Bag

A key highlight of the Ogio Golf 2017 Press Cart Bag is how it is very reasonably priced, so it is an excellent choice for those with limited budget. Yet, the bag offers plenty of storage with eight-way organization and full-length dividers.

Regarding compactness, it is only 8-ounces with 10.5 x 13 x 37 inches of dimension. There are also 9 additional pockets to store other golf equipment.

PING Golf Men’s Traverse II Cart Bag

PING is of course, one of the most prominent names in the world of golf equipment, so quality is definitely not a question with the PING Traverse II Cart Bag. As with Callaway Org Cart Bag above, it also offers 14-way organization system, and the full-length dividers are made from air-meshed and cushion polypropylene material able to withstand high impact.

It is still relatively compact at 36 x 10 x 14 inches, but is slightly heavier at 8 pounds. An excellent choice for those looking for a high-end golf bag.

Jordan Fuller is a golf enthusiast who loves to spend days on the green, interacting with other players. For the last 25 years, he's been a key member of the Nebraska golf community, helping and assisting players of all levels near his home course near Omaha. Recently, seeing that many golfers were facing the same challenges, he started his own golf website to help golfers become better players.

Interview - Oasis Senior Advisors

A large percentage of our clients are caring for an older parent. Often we are called in to help make space for a parent to move in with their adult children or we help older adults downsize as they prepare for the next life stage. We spoke with Paul at Oasis Senior Advisors to provide additional options for caregivers because just like House to Home Organizing they don't believe there is a one size fits all solution for caregivers.

For the stressed caregiver what is Oasis?

We give the caregiver the information they need to have confidence that they are making the best decisions and creating the most appropriate plans for their loved one.

If someone wants your help, how do they begin?

Families can call us at 475.619.4123 or email at TheDoyles@YourOasisAdvisor.com to schedule a free consultation.

Finances are always an issue for the older adult, how much do you charge?

We are a free service. There is never a charge to the family for our services.

Do you help all seniors, despite the level of care required?

We offer solutions for all levels of care. We connect seniors with resources for whatever care needs they may have and make referrals to everything from medical equipment for the home, to home care, to Assisted Living and Memory care and to Skilled Nursing Facilities.

What happens when an older adult doesn't have family members who live close?

We are national company with 60+ franchises in 26 States. Working together seamlessly with our colleagues around the country we make sure that families are able to care for a loved one from wherever they may live.

In your experience what are the biggest challenges facing older adults in our community?

It’s very difficult for families and older adults to make plans and decisions on the best care without information about all of the resources available. We try to educate families on all the options available to them and the best practices in providing a safe and enriching environment for their loved one; whether that be at home, Assisted Living, Memory Care or Skilled Nursing.

Interview - Fit4Mom of Fairfield

Many of our clients come to House to Home because they not only want to take back control of their space, but they often want to take back control of their lives. Exercise and staying healthy can be hard for busy people and when you add kids to the equation forget about it. We spoke with Courtney at Fit4Mom for one possible solution to finding the right balance.

For the busy parent, what is Fit4Mom?

FIT4MOM is one stop shopping for the mom looking for a workout, a network of friends for her and her little ones and a supportive village to lean on through all stages of motherhood. As the nation’s leading provider of fitness programs for Moms (Fit4Baby, Stroller Strides, Stroller Barre, Body Back and Run Club) we are dedicated to Strength in Motherhood. Here, women have the opportunity to have a workout and support that is flexible around motherhood! 

How did you get started with company?

I discovered FIT4MOM right after I had my first child in 2011. As a brand new (and slightly terrified) mom, a colleague of mine encouraged me to meet her one morning at the Stamford Town Center for a class for moms and their babies called Stroller Strides. Being slightly skeptical and very nervous, I ventured out with my then 6 week old son. I mean was I really going to get a workout? What if my baby cried or was hungry? Do I need a jogging stroller? I had ALL the questions. And no sooner than the first five minutes of class did I know I found my lifeline as a new mom!

The women were kind, engaging, approachable, knowledgeable, authentic. There were moms with brand new babies like me, pregnant moms and veteran moms who had two or more children. The moms were of all fitness levels (and the workout was accessible for everyone) but most importantly, they were a wealth of mom knowledge and an instant village that I needed as a new mom! Our days and routines began to revolve around getting to Stroller Strides. It gave my baby and I a routine, something to look forward to, a great way to stay active without leaving my him and a place for me to connect with other women.  Four months into this whole motherhood gig, an opportunity to get certified and start teaching Stroller Strides classes arose and I knew I had found a way to extend my maternity leave from my teaching and coaching career.

Fast forward to my son’s first birthday and we moved from Stamford to Fairfield and my biggest concern, “what was I going to do without Stroller Strides down the street?" For a while, I continued to drive down to Greenwich, Stamford and Norwalk (during rush hour) to attend and teach classes and then I got pregnant with my second. As much as I loved my village down in Stamford and Greenwich, I knew I needed one in my own town. We loved Fairfield but the one thing that was missing was Stroller Strides. So at 8 months pregnant with baby #2, I took a huge leap and purchased a FIT4MOM franchise. And this Spring, we are celebrating our 4 Year Anniversary!

Where are the classes held?

We currently have classes 6 days a week at various locations in Fairfield and Trumbull. During the warmer months (typically mid-April through mid-November) you can spot us at Veterans Park or Owen Fish Park in Fairfield and Twin Brooks park in Trumbull. During the colder weather months we hold classes at the Trumbull Mall before it opens (9am – 10am) and the Field House at Sportsplex in Fairfield. 

How does it work with the babies and kids?

During our Stroller Strides and Stroller Barre classes, the babies and kids (ranging anywhere from 6 weeks to typically 4 or 5 years of age) are buckled into their strollers. Each 60-minute workout is comprised of strength training, cardio and core restoration, all while entertaining little ones with songs, activities and fun! You will see the moms lunging and tickling toes, sprinting towards excited little ones ready to give high 5’s and kisses, planking for the duration of “Brown Bear, Brown Bear”, moms singing nursery rhymes as they use their resistance bands and more! Our instructors arrive each day with a functional, total-body conditioning workout designed for moms with kids in tow which means an arsenal of puppets, bubbles, games and songs which allow the moms to leave class feeling connected, successful and energized! No more mama guilt! This class is all about self care in a supportive and encouraging environment. After all of our classes it’s the kids turn to play!  We host weekly themed playgroups for the little ones and when we are outside the kids head to the playground. The moms with little ones get to hang out on the mats and blankets and connect and really make it a full outing each morning.

Which class is the most popular?

Our Stroller Strides and Stroller Barre classes are definitely the most popular as they are the backbone to FIT4MOM.  However, our Body Back program which is our moms only 8 week results based high intensity interval program and our Run Club provide great opportunities for moms who have returned to work or no longer have stroller aged children to take their fitness level to the next level and stay connected to our FIT4MOM Village!

Any interesting tales from the trenches mixing young ones and exercise?

I love this question because no class is ever the same, just like parenting young kiddos! A Stroller Strides or Stroller Barre class is never complete without spilled snacks, a fussy baby, a tired toddler, a sleep deprived mama, a mom who needs to pause their workout to nurse or feed their baby, some spit up or the occasional tears, you name it, we’ve seen it. Beyond the tough moments, you will see kids imitating the exercises and stretches that we did in class, an instructor rocking a fussy baby so that mama can get her workout in, little ones cheering their moms on (or telling them to run faster), little ones meeting and looking forward to seeing their best buddy, and some genuine mom and baby bonding! That’s what makes our classes so unique and special! Motherhood is hard! We are all moms (instructors included) and we get it! We pride ourselves on creating a safe space for all moms and their little ones to come together, support one another and truly provide the strength for motherhood all while knowing that #themotherhoodisreal.