Like most people conquered by clutter, Susan Flowers' downfall was keeping things of sentimental value, like her sons' T-shirts that she hoped to make into a quilt one day (even though she doesn't quilt).
For the most part Flowers, 47, kept a neat and clean home. But there was madness behind closed doors — the closets, drawers, cupboards and shelves.
"The hidden parts made me crazy," the Niu Valley resident said.
Kelly Galvin, a professional organizer and owner of Organized in Paradise, helped the Flowers 'ohana sort, toss or donate, and organize their belongings. Galvin likens organization to any other major lifestyle change.
"You learn the habits and you do it until it becomes part of your daily routine," Galvin said.
More than a year later, Flowers and her family have kept up with the tidiness and continue to organize their belongings.
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| Learn how to organize
Kelly Galvin, owner of Organized in Paradise, will present free workshops on getting organized: " 1 p.m. today, HomeWorld Pearlridge. 488-1065. " 1 p.m. tomorrow, HomeWorld Honolulu. 543-5300.
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"If you're successful in (organizing), you feel great, you love the results and you just keep on going," Flowers said.
Galvin's nine keys to organization:
• Most clutter is a result of postponed decisions or actions. Handle items immediately or decide what to do with them and you'll avoid developing clutter.
• Buy less, keep less. Having more does not make you a better person, just a person with more stuff.
• As with any lifestyle change, staying organized is not a one-time change. Daily maintenance is key.
• Create a place for every item, and keep it in that place when not being used.
• Keep items where you use them. If you constantly go to another room to get a pair of scissors, get another pair.
• Group like and related items together.
• Containers are an important tool for keeping like items together and limiting accumulation.
•When your life changes, adjust. When the kids outgrow toys or clothes, let the items go. If you stop baking, pass on your pans to a baker.
• Keep only what's useful, beautiful or things you love. Stop keeping items out of guilt or fear of deprivation.
Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8174.
-Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer
Let's have a little heart-to-heart about those old love letters
No more excuses. If you and your sweetheart exchanged and kept love letters over the years, and maybe you have a drawer or shoebox full of them, it's time to pull them out and tell us why they mean so much to you, before you head off to play or work around the house.
We're searching for stories behind love letters for a Valentine's Day feature.
If you'd like to share your letters and your story, write to relationships writer Tanya Bricking Leach at tleach@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8026.
The deadline is Jan. 31.
Watching grass grow? Settle in for a long wait
If you're champing at the bit to get out and fix up that lawn today, you may want to take in a matinee or clean out the garage instead.
Jay Deputy, an education specialist in landscape horticulture and turf in the Department of Tropical Plant & Soil Sciences at the University of Hawai'i, says our warm-season turf grass species are growing much more slowly at this time of year and some even hibernate.
It's particularly slow in areas with cooler night temperatures. Deputy said Bermuda grass can stop growing and turn brown; centipede grass will begin to thin out; and zoysia and sea-shore paspalum stop growing.
"This is normal, and regular growth patterns will return as the weather gets warmer," he said. "During this period of decreased growth, be careful not to put any further stress on the turf. You can reduce mowing frequency, but do not mow at a lower height. Reduce foot traffic if possible, and go easy with pesticides and don't overfertilize."
"This is definitely not the time of year to do any major lawn renovations," he said. "Wait a few more months."
eightOeight provides the sounds for Saturday-night dance hoopla
The local contemporary-funk band eightOeight will host a series of dance parties in the Outrigger Waikiki On the Beach beginning tonight. The seven-member band, from left, is composed of Carl Fidel, Scott Schafer, Ginai, Malcolm Rolsal, N.J. Gottschalk, Tony Trevias and Todd Adamski.
Doors open at 10:30 p.m. today (the event ends at 2:30 a.m.) and each Saturday through April 30 at the hotel's main showroom. Admission is $25 VIP seating (includes pupu and one drink) or $10 general admission (with a one-drink minimum). 923-0711.
Cali-based band to jam tonight
California band Cut Shallow heads this way for a rockin' good time. The hot pop-punk band's debut album, "Watch It Cave In," includes the jams "Collapse," "Sleep It Off" and "When Our Hearts are Wicked." Midnight Ablaze and LimeLight open up this all-ages show, happening from 6 to 9:30 tonight at Pink Cadillac. Admission is $4. www.808shows.com.
Tickets go on sale for Mraz in concert with Makana
His nationwide hits — "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)," "You & I Both" and "Curbside Prophet" — may have been largely ignored by Hawai'i radio stations. But Honolulu fans of singer/songwriter Jason Mraz, pictured, can stop waiting for his rocket to come: Mraz will co-headline a show with slack-key guitarist Makana at the Hawai'i Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12.
Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. today at the theater's box office; call 528-0506. Reserved seat prices are $20, $22.50 and $27.50. Special guest is San-Diego-based singer/songwriter Tristan Prettyman.
Mraz is working on a follow-up to his 2002 debut "Waiting For My Rocket to Come," due in May.
Last chance at Magic Bus weather
Today is the last day to take the youngsters to "The Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm" exhibit that's been parked at the Children's Discovery Center in Kaka'ako for several weeks. The hands-on, weather-themed exhibit is included in regular admission to the museum — $8 general, $6.75 kids 2 to 17, $5 ages 62 and older, free for keiki younger than 2. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. 524-5437.
