Expert Tips to Organize Your Home for Fall

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

From the walk-in closet to the kitchen pantry, catch-all spots make all the difference in daily routines – but only if they’re kept neat. Family organizing expert Jessica Litman, also known as “The Organized Mama,” is on a mission to help families declutter and stay organized. She’s sharing her pro tips for getting your home in shape for this busy time of year.

Clear Away Cabinet Clutter: ‘Tis the season for autumn chili, stew, and other comfort foods. That means it’s also time to put your essential slow cookers and pans where you can reach them so that food prep will be hassle-free. “When the weather starts to cool, I swap out summer cookware for winter bakeware,” says Litman. “I put the grilling items in the back of the cabinet and pull the turkey roaster and baking dishes to the front.” For added storage, Litman recommends using a shelf rack or vertical organizer to keep cutting boards and pie pans easily accessible.

Prep the Pantry: Create a system that gives grab-and-go snacks and cooking necessities a home. This will help keep the kitchen tidy amid busy work and school schedules. “Do a pantry cleanout,” Litman says. “Remove everything from the area and wipe down the shelves. Take the canned goods you didn’t eat and donate them to a local food bank.”

Use a combination shelf liner and new containers to restore order to the space. Measure the shelves, cut the liner to length, and then lay it flat. The shelf liner is durable, waterproof, and designed to keep surfaces dry, while making them easy to wipe clean. Use the measurements to determine what size bins will best fit the area. Store crackers, cereal, oats, and pasta in clear labeled containers, and put spices and seasonings in a slim organizer. “Set up items similarly to grocery store shelves by placing like items together,” Litman suggests. “When you do this, it’s like you are shopping in your pantry instead of hunting for things.”

Out with the Old: Before pulling out your fall wardrobe, declutter the piles of “stuff” from the closet. This will make your space seem more extensive and more organized. “Remove clothes from this past season,” Litman recommends. “Look through each garment. If you didn’t wear it, donate, toss, or sell it.” Now that there is more room, hang an over-thedoor shoe rack for rain boots and work shoes and use a closet organizer to store accessories, such as belts, purses, and scarves. Litman also recommends dry cleaning winter jackets now, so they’re ready to wear when cold weather comes.

Find Balance in the Bathroom: Whether it’s the primary bath or the kids’ washroom, make the most of your space by organizing everything into different categories, like towels and haircare. Once everything is grouped, you can decide what will be kept based on the available areas. Use a tray on the counter and bins in pullout drawers.

Litman says to wipe and line surfaces, especially under the sink, before putting essentials away. Antimicrobial agents inhibit mold and mildew growth to protect the liner and will catch makeup smudges and water spills to give the area an extra clean feeling. She also recommends waiting until after the organizing process to buy bins and caddies so you know exactly what you need. Once these organizing projects are complete, your home will be ready for all the fun fall festivities and family gatherings. (StatePoint)

Health Matters

Continued from page 13

• Colorectal screening. Colorectal cancer risk increases with age. Screenings can find precancerous polyps early, so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. The USPSTF recommends colorectal cancer screening for adults age 45 to 75. Though colonoscopy is the most comprehensive test, there are other options you may consider with the help of your provider.

• Bone density scan. USPSTF recommends women aged 65 and older and women 60 and older at increased risk be routinely screened for osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become weak and brittle. Screening may facilitate treatment that helps prevent fractures.

• Eye exam. Routine eye exams can identify early signs of eye disease that are more likely as people age. People with diabetes, in particular, are prone to retinopathy, which leads to vision

Holiday Travelers

Continued from page 11 already thinking about the holidays. “I just booked travel for one family who’s surprising their children on Christmas morning with a trip to Disney World, leaving later that same day! That family was sure to book early to get exactly what they wanted,” said Cady DeBlois, a travel advisor for AAA.

YOLO (You Only Live Once) is Replacing Bucket Lists

After three years of a pandemic, many travelers are tackling their bucket lists now! “I’ve had travelers tell me, ‘I don’t know what my health will be in five or ten years, let’s go abroad this year,’” said Jodi Abata, AAA travel advisor, who frequently books international trips for members.

loss. It’s recommended that people with diabetes have annual retinal screenings.

• Mental health checkup. Many people experience seasonal depression during the fall. Mental health is strongly linked to physical health. Talk to your healthcare provider about your personal and family history. They can connect you with additional mental health resources.

To prevent unpleasant surprises, Sobel suggests talking with your healthcare provider, pharmacist, or insurer about preventive care costs. Fortunately, costs are often covered entirely by Medicare or Medicare Advantage.

Note: The information contained in this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a new healthcare regimen. (StatePoint)

“There seems to be a sense of adventure from more people now. They don’t want to delay travel any longer.”

Europe, Cruises, and Theme Parks Sell Out in Advance

European travel is booming this year, and the holidays will be no exception. AAA travel advisors say touring Christmas markets in Europe is extremely popular, and itineraries sell out in advance. River cruises are also in high demand during the holidays, along with Caribbean cruises. Theme parks are a holiday favorite among families with kids when students are on winter break. DeBlois added, “I’ve already booked theme park vacations for Christmas 2024! That’s how eager many families are to get their holiday plans on the books.” defines pact as “a formal agreement between two people or groups.” We want to focus on the word “agreement.”

More information at AAA.com, or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

A person buys from another person when they feel authentic passion fueled with creativity that is built on trust. Any strong brand is built upon mutual trust. Thus, our brand must be built upon some of these key criteria. When a person has tremendous passion, they have energy, dedication, and enthusiasm in all that they do. When a person is authentic, they are consistent in behavior no matter the circumstances. Moreover, they are real and focus on ethics and integrity. And when a person is creative, they approach life in a different and unique manner. They operate with an “as if” mindset. This means they operate “as if” this could be done or why can’t this be done. So instead of being goal oriented, they are growth mindset oriented. They find a way and never settle for less than the best. This is what the best individual and organizational brands are all about.

Once you can better define what your own brand is about and what you want it to be about, you can determine the ways you want to purposefully grow, change, re-frame, promote, and/or strengthen your current brand position. So, does our brand make a difference? Yes. Does it matter? You bet it does. Our brand makes all the difference for those individuals and organizations seeking to lead the way in 2023 and beyond.

Dr. Ryan T. Sauers is CEO of Sauers Consulting Strategies. For more information on how we can help with individual or organizational sales, marketing, branding. or leadership growth please visit www. SauersConsulting.com or call 678-825-2049

Creativity Corner

page 10 and tap into your artistic potential. Remember that creativity is a process, and it takes time, patience, and practice to cultivate. But with dedication and effort, anyone can become more creative and expressive in their work and life.