Using the KonMari Approach for De Cluttering Your Cavendish Home

                                                                  POST UPDATED 9-5-17

Does it seem like a number of people you know have read or use some aspect of “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by the Japanese author Marie Kondo? Many are finding it a very easy way to de clutter and kept it that way. 

In a nutshell, the idea is to only keep things that “spark joy” when you look at them, and say “Thank you,” as you discard everything else.  You only keep the things you want in your home, your space will be cleaner and you will feel happier in it.

The process is simple. Gather all items in a similar category, such as clothes, books, or paper, regardless of where they appear in the house and put them in one location. Start sorting.

When you pick up an object ask one question-does it spark joy? If it elicits a response from feeling nothing to “hate it”, discard it for recycling if possible at the following locations:

• Area thrift stores: Black River Good Neighbor , Chester-Andover Family Center , SEVCA or Wag Sales at the Springfield Humane Society

• Planet Aid Boxes: Bins are located in Chester, Springfield and Claremont. Check Find a Bin for most convenient location. 

• Give Back Box Program: Goodwill and Amazon have teamed up for the Give Back Box program. After removing items from the Amazon box, a user fills it with clothes, accessories and other items you want to donate and then visits GiveBackBox.com to print a free shipping label. The box can be dropped off at the post office or UPS or picked up. Donations go to the closest Goodwill participating in the Give Back Box program.

• Repurpose: Can’t bear to part with various clothing items? Repurpose them into other practical uses, such as shopping tote, rag rug, sweater mittens, pillows and more. Check out the following links for more ideas: 11 Innovative Ways to Repurpose Old Clothes or DIY Upcycling Clothing

 • Goodwill Industries Goodwill reuses, repurposes and recycles clothing, household goods, computers, small appliances and others materials. You can donate items at 230 North Main Street daily 8-4 in Rutland. Unlike other thrift stores, Goodwill has a workforce development and job-training component. Their philosophy is “a hand up, not a hand out.”  

• Cavendish Transfer Station:  Many items can be recycled for free at the Cavendish Transfer Station. Please check the website for more details. 

THE KONMARI METHOD

1. Tidy in one shot, as quickly and completely as possible: Set a deadline, such as sort clothes on Saturday morning. It’s a special event, not something to do everyday.

2. Sort by category, not by location: Having everything in one place makes you not only aware of how much you have, including duplications, but how much of it you don’t use and even if it’s weighing you down.

 3. Is this necessary for me? Does it “spark joy?”: If it’s necessary, such as tax returns for the last seven years or medications, it’s a keep. For everything else, hold it and ask yourself if it sparks joy? Does it make you happy? When you pick up an object and it elicits a response somewhere between feeling nothing to “hate it”, thank it and let it go. For those necessary items, they benefit you in some ways and in time can generate more positive feelings.

"Never decide to keep something because it 'might come in handy.' An item may be good, useful, and even beautiful, however if it only seems like it should make you happy, but it really doesn’t, then it’s time to thank it and say goodbye. That’s right, say 'thank you' to the item... It will help you feel better about the decision you’ve made, and it will help you feel more gratitude towards the stuff you keep."

4. Order of Tidying: Clothes, Books, Documents, miscellaneous items, and mementos. The last one, mementos, is often the hardest so by doing the others first, you’ll have sufficient practice in realizing what sparks joy in you and can make the sort easier.

GETTING STARTED: You might find it useful to read Kondo’s book or watch one of her videos Marie Kondo and New York Magazine’s Wendy Goodman or her talk at Google. While the talks are similar, the question and answers differ. Join Marie Kondo’s Facebook page for lots of tips and ideas. 

HELPFUL TIPS WITH A CAVENDISH TWIST

• Start with easy stuff: Start with non-sentimental categories and work up to the big stuff. Given that it’s the change of season-starting with clothes is a good idea.

• Use the handy Konmari Method Worksheet  to help you decide which categories (clothes & accessories; books; kitchen; paper; hobbies; miscellaneous) to work on.

• Discard than organize: If you start worrying about how you are going to organize the items you are keeping while trying to discard, you will derail the process. Besides Mari has excellent ways to fold clothes and store items so you don’t need to go out and purchase anything.

• Don’t let guilt be your guide: Holding onto items that you don’t use, let alone bring joy, no matter who gave them to you, isn’t useful. Thank them for being a reminder of someone’s generosity towards you and then pass them on. Remember, the Cavendish Town Wide Tag is always the last Saturday in July. Both individuals and organizations find this is a good way to make extra money.

• Use the Cavendish Transfer Station to get rid of stuff and recycle including E-Waste: Outdated computers, old printers and other electronics that are taking up space.

• Use the Cavendish Community Garage Sale Facebook page  to sell or get rid of things you no longer want. It’s Free.

• Pass on the Sentiment: While a family heirloom may not spark joy in you, it may be very appreciated by another member of the family. Pass it on.

• Do it all at once: Set aside a day or a weekend and do a category all at once. The transformation is amazing.

• Don’t show your family what you’re discarding: If you do, they’ll start taking things out.

• Everything needs a home: Once you have finished discarding, you can start the process of organizing. The best way to maintain a sense of minimalism is to have a dedicated spot for everything.   It makes both tidying and finding things a breeze (reduces stress) and also makes it easy to see when you are starting to amass again.

• Stack Vertically When Possible: When you pile things on top of each other, the stuff on the bottom gets crushed. Staking vertically treats items with respect.

• Use the videos to Learn to Fold Clothes: There are good videos to watch in order to learn how to fold and store clothing, which are easier than reading about them. Check out Illustrated Guide to the KonMari Method of folding clothes

• Don’t bulk up: In general buying in bulk isn’t a great savings for many –it goes bad before getting to use it and/or it can be a major source of clutter.

• Don’t hold on to Paper: Thanks to computers, you only need to keep taxes and other necessary documents and papers that require action. Place any sentimental items you come across in the sentimental box to be dealt with last so that you can move through the papers swiftly. Remember paper can be recycled for free at the Cavendish Transfer Station. For those who tear things out of magazines, start a Pinterest Board instead.

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

School Kids Stuff: If you see that a piece of artwork, or an exam or a paper, is something that produces pride for the child, you should not get rid of it. In fact, you should display it, as it gives joy to the whole family. But if you find that the artwork (etc.) is more important to you than it is to the child, perhaps it’s time to get rid of it.

 These sorts of items are similar to gifts from family members or other loved ones, the true joy in experiencing these items is felt when the painting or paper is brought home, and you see that your child has such great pride in the piece. And you share that moment together. When that feeling of pride is diminished, or maybe they now feel more strongly about some other works, say thank you to the artwork for the weeks or months of pleasure it has given your family, and let it go. I know that sounds strange for some people, but try it, it really works.

 For school papers and exams, store them neatly in a binder. And for smaller sculptures or figures, if these truly give you and your family joy, you should definitely display them, perhaps on a little shelf in your living room, which is dedicated to the works of art and crafts from your child. I always tell my clients and readers that no matter what an item is, if it brings you joy, you should put it in a place where you will see it often. But be sure that when the time is right and you don’t feel that the piece sparks joy in your or your family anymore, don’t be afraid to get rid of it. Just be thankful for the time your family had with that piece, and love the “new stuff” even more. Marie Kondo on the Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up — With Kids

Getting Kids to Tidy: Start with the Marie Kondo on the Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up — With Kids

Take the Cavendish Internet Speed Survey

There is something you can to help increase Internet speeds in Cavendish. 

In order to provide the State with sufficient data to help Cavendish qualify for Connectivity funding, so that the entire town has high speed Internet, Cavendish Connects is conducting a survey on actual speeds. This is a two-step process:
 
STEP 1: Before beginning this survey, please go to www.bandwidthplace.com to test your internet speed. After going to this site, click the word "Start" on the large orange odometer-like circle left-hand side of the screen. The site will test your speed and then give you a download and an upload speed. Please jot down these two numbers as you will need them for the survey.
 
STEP 2: Take the survey
 
We would like to conclude the survey by October 19, so please take a few minutes and check your bandwidth now and then take the survey.
 
Thank you for your efforts and please email us at cavendishconnects@gmail.com with any questions!

Cavendish Update: 10/2/15 Telecommunications/SB/News/Events

10//2/15 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Select Board Meeting 10/1/15
2. Cavendish Telecommunications
3. Cavendish Related News
4. Annual Cemetery Tour/Depression and WWII Talk
5. Cavendish Blessing of the Animals
6. Trunk or Treating This Halloween
7. Events
 
1. SELECT BOARD MEETING 10/1/15
At a special select board meeting on Thursday evening, the board approved the purchase of a used Caterpillar 120 motor grader that was previously owned by Burke, VT. This is 2006 model and the cost is $67,500 plus the trade in of the town’s current grader-a 1991 model. Members of the town crew had a chance to try it out and they, along with the Town manager and Assistant Town Manager, who also looked at the grader, encouraged the SB to view this as a good purchase. Funds for the grader will come from the Capital Equipment Fund and it is anticipated that the machinery will serve the town well for the next 5-10 years. A new grader would cost over $300,000.
 
The other item of business was the replacement of the e-waste and universal wastes building at the Transfer Station before “snow flies.” This is actually three buildings strung together and has considerable problems, which the state would like to see replaced. In June the SB voted to have some interim work done, but after talking to contractors it became quickly apparent that it would be “putting a band aid on a band aid.”
 
Assistant town manager, Bruce McEnaney, explained that a replacement building could be moved slightly towards the water treatment plant, thus providing more room for traffic. Using a pre fab 16 X48 pre fab garage from LaValley’s, the cost estimate is $12,300, which does include labor for installation. However, there would be additional costs for wiring and pouring of concrete for both the retaining wall and floor with an overall cost over $20,000.
 
The board requested better pricing and scope of the project at their regular October meeting, which will be on Tuesday Oct. 13.
 
Written minutes of the meeting will be made available at the town’s website.  
 
2. CAVENDISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The Cavendish Telecommunications Committee (Margo Caulfield and Katie Hamlin from Cavendish Connects; Rich Svec and Bruce McEnaney from the Town Office; and Ignat Solzhenitsyn, resident) recently met with Comcast and the State’s Public Service Department’s Division of Telecommunications & Connectivity. Key items discussed at these meetings included:
 
Cell Service: The degradation of cell service that has been taking place in Cavendish over the last several months has been brought to the state’s attention. They are in the process of talking to AT&T, Verizon and US Cellular engineers. One possible reason for the change is due to the upgrade to 4G, which may actually have reduced service to our area. If that is the case, the only real solution is for companies to add towers. Note that state has minimal control over what cell carriers can do, and a large part of when and where they will build towers is driven by profit margins.
 
Internet: There are approximately 20 miles of Cavendish, primarily the northern part of the town, that are not adequately covered to meet current acceptable speeds 4/1 Mbgs. Further, the “VTel fix” has not been what is was expected to be and their grant ended on Sept. 30, which means it’s unlikely additional towers will be erected any time soon. Consequently, there are still areas of Cavendish with no DSL service. It appears that certain census tracts within Cavendish now meet the state’s definition for an “underserved” area. Such designation would make the town eligible for state funding.
 
The 2024 goal for Internet speeds in Vermont is 100/100 Mbgs. Given the carriers currently operating in our town-TDS, Comcast, VTel, Fair Point (Reading exchanges) and cell providers-the most likely provider to meet the town’s current and growing needs is Comcast. They not only have the fastest service available but it is the most upgradeable and by 2017, the company plans to have upgraded their entire footprint to 1 GB.
 
Please note that broadband services (DSL, cable modem, dial up Internet, wireless, satellite etc) are deregulated which means the State cannot compel any company to offer broadband services, nor can they regulate how these services are offered or what companies charge for them.
 
Survey: In order to provide the State with sufficient data to help the town qualify for Connectivity funding, Cavendish Connects will be conducting another on-line survey, where it will be important that respondents conduct speed tests. More information on this will be forthcoming in the next few days.
 
3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
Cavendish Emergency Preparedness: It is unclear if Hurricane Joaquin will present a problem for our area. If you haven’t done so in a while, familiarize yourself with Cavendish Emergency Preparedness information. For up to date information on the hurricane, go to the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center . You can also register with the state’s VT Alert Program, which e-maisl regarding emergencies. 
 
Windsor & Windham County Residents Falling Behind Economically: Local survey data paired with new census reports say many Windham and Windsor county residents, like many Americans, are falling behind economically. SEVCA (Southeastern Vermont Community Action) has seen a large percentage of local workers’ incomes go down or remain the same over many years. From 1979 until 2013, U.S. per capita gross domestic product grew 73 percent while labor productivity rose 62 percent. But the bottom 90 percent of wage earners saw their total annual pay rise by only 15 percent. Those gains, were largely the result of households putting in more hours at work. They were not being paid more per hour. The “working poor” are keeping two to three jobs but cannot keep pace with the cost of living. VT Digger
 
4. ANNUAL CEMETERY TOUR/DEPRESSION & WWII TALK
The Sunday of Columbus weekend, this year Oct. 11, is always the Cavendish Historical Society’s (CHS) Annual Cemetery Tour. This year CHS  will be doing something slightly different.
 
Starting in February, CHS has serialized Coming Into Cavendish: Memoirs of Philip Tiemann on their blog. Tiemann was born in New Jersey in 1900. He moved to Brook Road in Cavendish, VT from Chatham, New Jersey with his wife Isabel (Carr), and three children Wyeth, Ann and Joyce in 1933. Naming the property Windy Hill, Tiemann wrote of the family’s early years in Cavendish during the Depression through his service in WWII. The memoir was written in 1966, after his wife had died (1958) and just a few years before his own death in 1969. 
 
This year the cemetery tour will be to the Cavendish Center Rd cemetery where the Tiemanns are buried. Prior to the tour, there will be a talk at the CHS Museum about life in Cavendish during the Depression and WWII eras.
 
This program begins at 2 pm at the Museum on Sunday, Oct. 11, and is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margoc@tds.net.
 
5.CAVENDISH BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
On Sunday October 4 the Gethsemane Episcopal Church in Proctorsville will hold its annual Blessing of the Animals to honor of the love and compassion that St. Francis felt toward all creatures on this earth.  Pastor Todd McKee will personally bless each animal brought to the event, be they furry, finned or feathered.  It will be a time to celebrate the bond between humans and animals as well as the value that pets bring into our lives.  The event will be held at 1:30 at Gethsemane Church on Depot St., rain or shine.   Dogs should be leashed, cats in carriers and fish in their bowls. 
 
6. TRUNK OR TREATING THIS HALLOWEEN
A safe and fun way to celebrate Halloween in Cavendish for both kids and adults!  Adults can be Trunk-or-Treaters! Bring your car, decorate the trunk with a theme and hand out candy Kids can be Trick-or-Treaters!  Come in costume, collect candy and vote for the best decorated trunk.
 
Trunk or treating will take place at the Cavendish Town Elementary School Parking lot. Set up is at 4:30 pm on Halloween (Saturday) with Trick-or-Treating and voting from 5:00 to 7:00pm
 
Guidelines for Trunk-or-Treaters: No scary decorations please. Be as creative as you'd like – pick a theme from books, movies, games, hobbies, sports, history, or a friendly Halloween theme. There are lots of ideas online to start your brainstorming. You can even wear a costume to go with your theme! Bring enough treats for approximately 100 kids. FMI: Amanda 226-8113
 
7. EVENTS
Upcoming events for Cavendish include:
• Oct. 3 (Saturday): Annual Blessing of the Animals at Gethsemane Church in Proctorsville. 
• Oct. 8 (Thursday): Compost workshop at the Cavendish Town Office.  
 
For more information on these and other events, go to the Cavendish Connects October Calendar. For regional events, check out the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce Calendar.

Select Board Meeting Agenda 10/1/15

Selectmen’s Meeting, Thursday, October 1st, 2015 in the Cavendish Town Office Meeting Room at 5:00 PM.

................................................................ AGENDA ................................................................

1. Call the meeting to order

2. Review Correspondence

3. Town manager to brief Select Board members on recent developments on the subject of grader replacement and a proposal from Milton CAT for the purchase of a used Catepillar 120H motor grader which was recently turned in as a trade. The manager, assistant and the Highway Foreman will be present to provide further information and comments. The manager will be asking the selectmen to approve of this purchase with trade in of the town’s 1990 CAT 120G.

4. Manager and assistant to discuss possible replacement of the e-waste and universal wastes building at the transfer station.

5. Adjourn