Ideas for Clutter-free Gifts

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Christmas presents piled underneath a christmas tree.

Getting close to the holiday gift giving season I thought this was a great time to remind everyone that you can express your love and appreciation for friends and family without giving “stuff”.

I remember many years ago we would see these huge piles of gifts at our family gatherings, sometimes spanning several feet out from the tree.

Generosity is great, but it was ridiculous to see the amount of gifts that people were receiving. I was just as guilty as everyone else in falling prey to the commercialism of the season. Plus, I’m sure many of you have received gifts that you don’t really like but felt obligated to keep and store, hidden away in some closet. So why not provide a clutter free gift this season?

One type of clutter free gift is a donation to charity in that person’s name which helps those less fortunate. There are a number of great causes out there but recently I’ve come across plangifts.ca. With this charity you can purchase, in the name of your giftee, anything from 3 baby chicks (for only $15.00!), a goat or a bunch of mango trees which will provide food and sustenance to a struggling family in a third world country, to clean drinking water or mosquito netting to prevent malaria.

What’s great about this is that in many cases the donation dollars are matched and or hugely exceeded so your dollars actually are multiplied extensively. And, your giftee will receive a personalized card telling them about the purchase made in their name. I urge you all this holiday season to consider a gift from your heart and help those less fortunate.

There are many other charitable options as well, all in different price points.

A gift of an experience is another option and can be one of the greatest gifts of all.  The giftee gets to keep the memory of the experience forever in their hearts. The possibilities are endless and can include event tickets, pre-paid lessons, travel experiences, restaurant gift cards and so much more.

It will make you and the recipient all feel wonderful!

Christmas presents piled underneath a christmas tree.

Christmas presents piled underneath a christmas tree.

Enjoy the holidays and create memories for life.

5 Signs That You Might Be A Clutterer

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You know those old Jeff Foxworthy jokes that start with “You might be a Redneck if…” …..Well, I am going to borrow from that famous line but add my own twist.

basement bursting

Here are the 5 signs that you might be a “clutterer”.

1) It continually takes you a lot longer than you thought to find things.

How many times have you gone to look for something and you know where it is – at least you thought you did. After quite a bit of time you find it only because you have torn the house apart and wasted a lot of time doing so. Now you are even more disorganized with everything strewn about. Being disorganized is a time waster and I am sure you would rather be doing other things than desperately dashing through the house looking for things.

2) You are embarrassed to have company come over.

I get it. When we have company over we want to make a good impression and show a neat and organized household. Who wants to have company – family or friends – over when we have items all over the counters and boxes of possessions piled up on the floor? Clutter will almost always lead to more dust and dirt in the house too because we cannot clean as well as we should. Being disorganized can cause some people to crawl into a shell and become unsocial.

3) You are stressed just thinking about having to get organized.

Stress is a killer, that is a fact. We all deal with stress differently and stress can have an adverse impact on our health. If you are feeling stress or anxiety over the thought of getting organized don’t let it get the best of you. Start with small projects and do a bit each day. Set some time aside for this and you will be surprised at how soon you will start to see results. Reach out for help either from family or friends or from a professional.

4) You or someone you love has fallen or tripped over something that is always out of place.

This is the last thing we want, but there are some people that just don’t know how to get organized and end up stacking things on the floor causing a trip hazard or having so much in a cupboard that items fall out when the cupboard doors are opened. Most common accidents happen in the home so let’s do what we can to maintain a safe environment for ourselves and our loved ones.

5) You are always late, whether it is for appointments or paying the bills.

Running late because you did not record the appointments where they are easily accessible with a reminder? Are you getting those nasty fees or penalties added on to your bill because you were late with the payment? How about those nasty credit card interest charges due to late payments? Ouch!

Being disorganized can cost you time and money. Set up a system so that you are paying your bills on time and keeping money in your pocket, not your creditors.

So, do any of these signs ring a bell for you? If so, you might be a “clutterer”…..

To learn more about how we can relieve your stress and help you breathe again, you can call me at 905-642-5669.

5 Recycled Items That Will Get You Organized

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After watching a recent news show regarding the amount of waste that each of us creates that ends up being in land fills (and a lot of that should be recycled!) I decided to write about some of the everyday items that we toss in the garbage that could be re-purposed and used to help keep you organized.

This post is not intended to give you an excuse to hold onto items you no longer need and keep clutter, but as a means to getting you some organizational products at no cost and help the environment at the same time!

Tin Cans

Empty them and throw them out, right? If you need to get organized on a budget, there are literally dozens of uses for these, from pencil holders to can planters to bathroom containers and more.

For the DIY peeps out there, get creative and wrap some decorative paper around the tin cans for a home office pen and pencil holder. You can also decorate some tin cans by glueing some rope around them and you have a holder for toothpaste, tooth brushes or whatever. I have even seen people using empty tin cans for cutting shapes out of dough for baking biscuits and cookies. Get the kids involved and spend quality time creating items for the home and for gifts.

Luggage and bags

vintage suitcase decor

I recently came across an old suitcase that belonged to my father. You know the kind I am referring to – the old style hard case with the silver locks. I was going to donate it until I saw where someone had repurposed something similar by turning it into a storage container that rested at the foot of a bed. What a great idea and a great place to store additional blankets or pillows. You could even mount a small one on the wall for decoration or as a guest room vanity.

Ladders and window panes

I have talked about this before but old wooden ladders just don’t get used anymore and a lot of you have them kicking around the house or garage. They make a great storage and organizational system for books and collectibles in the home or even for flowers in the garden.

I myself have taken old wooden window frames and hung them outside around the perimeter of my pergola. Our vines have grown through them and they look great. You could also mount them to a fence for another decorative look and even use them to hang and organize your garden tools.

ladder bookcase

Old chairs

I have an old chair in my dining room that I have turned into a corner unit to hold a few decorative items for display. Depending on your decor this could work well for you too. I have seen some people shorten the legs of an old decorative chair and used them as night tables too! mini dab rigs

Glass bottles

How many bottles do you place into the recycled bin each week? Have you ever thought of reusing them as candle holders or for potted plants? The handyman in us can use our favourite empty bottle of wine and cut the top off to make a candle holder after sanding the edges. Spray painted mason jars make great planters or holders to organize almost anything.

Before tossing items into the recycling bin or trash take a moment to think about reducing and reusing before you recycle. Some of these tips will help keep you organized and can be fun to create useful items for gifts for family and friends.  Remember to be realistic too…….no sense in keeping items around for that project you may get to in the next 6 months……that just cause clutter.  if you have the time to manage a DIY project now, go for it.  But if not, no worries as you will always be able to find any of these items easily and little or no cost.

You don’t always need money to get organized……just a little creativity and some discards around the house.

5 Important Tips to Organize Your Fridge

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Organized-Refrigerator

Refrigerators have become quite the techy device these days. They have everything from clocks to ice and water dispensers to even televisions built in. You can have top freezers, bottom freezers and even hidden doors inside, but when it comes down to it your refrigerator is there for storing and keeping food fresh. Here are five tips for keeping your fridge organized.

Don’t overdo the bulk buying

1) Buying in bulk and freezing for later use is a great way to save money but keep in mind that all food has a best before date and freezer burn can set in so don’t overdo it when buying in bulk. Items stored in the freezer are best stored in clear plastic freezer bags or plastic containers. Glass is not the best container for freezing foods as it cannot mould to the item like freezer bags can (removing any air from the bag). In some cases the glass can be more susceptible to breaking when cold.

Prevent cross contamination

2) Crispers are normally used for fruits and vegetables – one for each. You should also use one drawer for raw meat to ensure it is totally separate from other foods and that no contamination can take place. In the event anything drips from any raw meat it will be contained to the drawer to prevent cross-contamination. Don’t forget to wash the drawer used for raw meat frequently.

Deodorize?

3) Use a deodorizer in your fridge. You have seen all of those commercials touting the use for baking soda. Just put a box in your fridge and let it soak up the smells. I have a better idea. Keep the baking soda for baking and clean your fridge out when it starts to smell. An odour coming from your fridge is an indication that something is going bad. Is it not better to address it right away then to have something get worse creating a problem that will be tougher to clean later? Better yet why take the chance of something contaminating another item in your fridge and causing your family to fall ill.

Keep circulation flowing

4) Don’t overload the fridge. Air needs to circulate inside the fridge to keep items at their freshest. I know this can be a challenge around the holidays or parties but try not to jam the fridge. You have to be able to easily access whatever you need.

Dates

5) Don’t forget those best before dates. Go through your fridge at least twice a month and toss anything that looks or smells like it should be tossed. The best before date is really a suggested date but when that date comes up keep a close eye on those items or simply toss them to be safe. When you put leftovers in the fridge be sure to put the date on the container so you know how long an item has been in there and avoid those science projects.

Tip : Did you know that apples emit a certain gas that can cause certain vegetables to ripen early? Keep fruits and vegetables separate for freshness.

If your kitchen is causing your stress, call me now for your free telephone consultation an we’ll  transform your life.

3 Clever Ideas To Store, Protect & Organize Your Memories

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As we downsize or inherit or just live in smaller quarters, most people are challenged with how to organize and store their memories and treasures.

Here are some clever and creative ways to keep those memories alive without taking up all your precious real estate and creating clutter.

Memory Jar

I just recently created a “memory jar” for a client whose spouse had passed away. We took items of particular meaning and arranged them in a jar that is displayed on a shelf in the living room. It is a very special memento of a very special and beloved person that can be seen every single day.

Memory Jar

Why keep mementos of special people or events in your life hidden away in a box or bin in the basement rarely if ever to be seen?

Take this idea and apply it to just about anything – people, vacations, events. For instance, my husband likes to bring sand and a couple of sea shells back from vacations that we have taken. We put the sand in the jar, mark the shells using a Sharpie with the names of the cities we visited and we have one jar with all his memories.

Photo mania

Photos are always an issue when we’re de cluttering and organizing a home. I can’t stress enough the need to toss or give away all those old pictures that either you don’t look great in or you have forgotten who is in the picture. And what about all those blurry photos? Why are you keeping those? The rest can be stored either in a photo box (rather than a bunch of binders) or even yet kept on a CD, memory stick or even in the cloud for easy retrieval. Of course print and display those pictures that are really special to you. pjk

Treasures

Do you have your wedding dress tucked away somewhere or an old childhood blanket? What about dad’s old favourite sweater? I will bet these items rarely, if ever, are looked at. How about creating a memory blanket with some of these souvenirs that can be used as a throw or a decorative piece that you can actually see and be reminded of those items or occasions.

Don’t worry if you can’t sew, there are plenty of seamstresses or shops out there that could do this for you at a very reasonable rate.

There are so many other creative ways of storing your precious memories, from scrap books to journals to even creating your own website. My dad passed away not too long ago and I am so disappointed that we did not think to get him to write down or dictate to us some of his stories and memories of his life to pass on. Get creative and start some of these projects to reduce your clutter and to share and preserve your precious memories.

Don’t leave them in the bottom of a cardboard box in your basement or garage to disintegrate, get destroyed and lost forever!

5 Steps To Organize Your Garage For Spring

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Finally! Spring is here! It has been a long time coming but I hope in your part of the country spring is starting to show signs of arrival. My husband was just out in our garage sweeping it out and my thoughts turned to all of you that are going to turn your garage from winter storage to spring and summer use.

Garage After Organizing

Here is my checklist to help you along in this task.

Take a general tour

1) Start with a general tour of the garage to get an idea of what needs to be done. You don’t want to get started and realize it is a very big job and get discouraged. Not too bad? Great! Looks like a big job? Enlist the help of your spouse, kids, your neighbour or a professional.

Give yourself time

2) Set the time aside. If it looks like just a tidy and upkeep job then set aside an afternoon to get things done. Otherwise plan a whole day to get it done. If you finish earlier so much the better.

Get ready, go!

3) Get started. Take stock of everything you have and start to sort into three piles – keep, toss and donate. The donate pile is your easiest as most charities will pick up donations or you can drive them to your favourite local charity site and drop them off. The items designated as toss must be sorted according to your local trash pick up regulations. Items such as paint, chemicals and fluorescent tubes must be taken to a special disposal site that you can easily find on line. Now we are left with the items you wish to keep. Sort these items into piles – garden equipment, automotive supplies, sporting goods, etc.

Determine storage

4) Determine the type of storage system you require. At the front of my garage I have a resin 5 level storage shelf where I keep my gardening supplies roller blades, automotive cleaning products, etc. I have each shelf labelled so anyone in the house knows where to put things once they have been used. I have even assigned a spot for my husband’s empty bottles…… who wants those old bottles hanging around the house? All of your shovels, rakes, etc. can be hung on a wall with any one of many systems that are available, or just by using a 2 x 4 strapped securely in place with a few hooks.

Clean sweep

5) Get rid of the winter dirt. Now that everything is up and out of the way you can give the floor a good sweeping and cleaning to get rid of the dirt and salt that has fallen from the car over the winter. Some of you may even want to put down an epoxy coat on the floor to protect the concrete and reduce the dust.

Do it again in the fall. Don’t forget to take anything that can freeze out of the garage and into the house in the fall. That is a good time for another cleaning before winter sets in.

I know most men are itching to get back into the garage to clean it up and to get back into their “tinkering”. Follow the steps above to get your garage cleaned and organized for the spring and you’ll be back in there for fun in no time!

5 Reasons To Hire A Professional Trained Organizer

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I get asked once and again, from not just prospective clients but from a lot of other people as well – “Why hire a professional organizer? I could do that myself.” In fact, many of our client’s well intentioned friends who feel they are organized say this to our clients without truly understanding what we do and how we do it.

The fact of the matter is that trained professional organizers for which this is a full time business are highly skilled professionals, often with a background in either psychology or sociology and communication. Most skilled professional organizers have the training and expertise to not only implement the basic principles of organization, but also to provide creative solutions, maximize space, have a ton of credible resources and have the ability to address some of the underlying issues and challenge some of the distorted thinking that comes with being chronically disorganized.

cluttered filled hall

Here are 5 basic reasons to hire a professional organizer.

Time & money

1) We will actually save you time and save you money. Lots of it. Everybody’s time is worth something. If you are performing the work yourself you are not doing something else whether it is going to work, enjoying extracurricular activities or just plain relaxing. We are trained and have the expertise to develop and implement solutions to chronic disorganization. As such we can successfully complete an organizational task in a much shorter period of time.

Success

2) Being disorganized costs you. I’m not talking just money here (although that still factors in).  I’m talking success. How much time do you waste looking for things? Are you paying interest charges on bills because you paid late due to not being able to find the bill? Is your clutter or disorganization affecting your marriage or straining friendships?  Are you missing out on opportunities?  Are you less productive?  Do you appear disorganized at work leading to missing out on promotions? Is your child’s disorganization affecting success at school?

Some people become embarrassed to have company if they feel their home has become out of control or they feel that visitors may be judging them based on the surroundings rather than as who they are. A professional organizer will de-clutter, organize and create a system to maintain a clutter free and less stressful life.

Projects

3) We can help you tackle those projects you have been putting off.

You know those projects that you have been putting off because you feel it is too much of a task for you or think it is too large for you handle? We are ready willing and eager to get at these projects. They are our Disneyland! Once complete you will feel that a heavy load has been lifted right off your shoulders. You will breathe easier, feel less anxious. You will want to use that space, that valuable real estate that you have worked so hard to pay for. And who knows, maybe even invite guests over that have not visited for some time due to your embarrassment of your home.

Coaching

4) We are your organizing coach. Sometimes you just need a gentle push to get you going or to guide you through the steps to complete the task. We are there with you all the way for as much or as little as you need us. Do you have a small room or closet that needs attention? Great! A larger room that will take more time? That’s good too. We have seen and done it all and no job is too large or too small. We just want to help.

No Judgments

5) We are non-judgmental and unbiased. Is your place a mess – in your eyes? Do you still have your childhood toys? Paper everywhere? A ton of stuff from a family member who has long since passed on? You can’t see the floor because of all the stuff?  Perhaps your basement is unusable space?  No problem. We are there to help and to get you organized with compassion and gentle guidance, and set up with a system to make your life easier. We are not here to judge but to develop and implement solutions for you.

If you have an organizational task for which you just don’t  know where to start, call me now for a free telephone consultation and we can chat.  No judgments.  Just solutions.

Spring Cleaning & Downsizing Your Home

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Every year thousands of older adults face the decision of whether to downsize to smaller living accommodations or to stay in their existing homes. For some the decision to downsize is made for them due to serious illness or perhaps the death of a loved one. Sometimes the comfort and safety of people comes into play. But regardless of the reason, the upheaval and relocation can be traumatic. My experience in this industry has clearly indicated that it is even more so for those over the age of 65.

sunny condo

For example, I received a call from a gentleman whose mother was living alone and had recently injured her leg falling over piles of newspapers that she had collected. He was concerned for her health and safety due to the amount of belongings and clutter that she had accumulated. He wanted to move her into a condominium and was looking for assistance in helping to sort through a lifetime of her possessions. He had no idea where to start.

Safety first

Safety is usually the first thought that comes into mind when considering downsizing. Home location and its construction are very important issues to consider. A few questions you may want to ask yourself are: (i) is the home easy to get around in? (ii) can the maintenance of the home be easily managed by the occupant? (iii) how close is the home to local shopping centres and banks?

Limitations regarding the physical abilities of the people in the home are also relevant and need to be considered. Can basic personal hygiene be handled? What about manoeuvrability in and out of the bathtub or shower? What about memory issues as it relates to safety? Leaving a burner lit on the stove or a pot boiling over can be a potentially dangerous situation.

Let the idea of downsizing marinate.

If you know an older adult who should consider downsizing, it’s best that you introduce them to the idea slowly. Many well-meaning family members may push too hard resulting in more resistance. Sometimes it’s helpful to suggest to your parents that they may wish to make the decision of moving to a smaller home when they still can. Sometimes illness or injury, like that of my client, ends up making the decision for you and you are then forced to move when perhaps you don’t feel ready.

Emotions play a role.

Adult children often don’t play an active role in the downsizing process due to other obligations. And that`s okay. The stress and tension can be very high for all members of the family and it’s often best to call and hire an experienced professional organizer to assist and make the process run smoothly and act as project manager.

Adult children often feel a lot of turmoil when long time family possessions are sorted and pared down. I have personally seen the upheaval of emotions cause conflicts among family when these conflicts could easily have been minimized by initiating a few simple organizing and downsizing strategies to be prepared.

For me, working with older adults is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. We don’t just work for our clients, but with them, side by side, hands on coaching, motivating and encouraging. Working collaboratively we`ve helped clients make decisions on what to keep, what to pass on to family or others and what to be discarded.

The preparation of a move to a smaller home is the first step of a fresh start, a new chapter in your life and perhaps an even greater adventure! Preparation is key to a successful downsize so that precious memories can still be treasured while streamlining for a simpler and more efficient lifestyle.

If you know anyone who could use professional guidance and assistance in the downsizing process we are here to help. Call us now to learn more.

I Smell Spring! Get Your Home Organized!

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In our part of the country it’s been a long and cold winter. In fact, over the Family Day weekend in February the temperatures dropped to the minus mid-twenties and with the wind it felt like -35. It definitely has been one of the coldest winters in recent memory and boy are we ready for the arrival of spring!

Signs of spring

Here is a list of things we’re going to do in our home to prepare for the arrival of one of my favourite seasons:

Goodbye Winter Wear

1) As the weather starts to get milder and I start to smell spring in the air,  I always organize our home for the next season and go through the heavy winter coats to see what still fits, what is worn and for the adults what is still in style. Anything that is longer in style or doesn’t fit can be boxed or bagged and dropped off at your local charity.

Anything that is very worn, stained or damaged can be bagged for trash. In some cases you may be able to take some gently used, nor longer worn items to a consignment shop but keep in mind that they only take winter items in the fall, not in the spring. They also have to be in great shape Don’t take it personally if they won’t accept your things.

2) Pull down those boxes of scarves and mittens, pull out all of the boots and do the same thing. Anything not needed can be dropped off at a donation location for those that may need them next winter. Kids grow out of boots quickly and are always in need at charity organizations for those that cannot afford new footwear for their own kids.

3) Pull out all of your spring and summer coats and shoes and divide them into piles for each person in the home. Then take those piles and further refine them accordingly to type of outerwear. Go through each item to ensure that they too are still fully functional, not damaged, still fit and for adults not out of style (if you care about fashion).

Again, many charities would love to receive your donations of gently used clothing and with spring almost upon us now is the perfect time to be donating spring and summer items.

Clean Up

4) When it’s time to switch the coats and footwear in the hall closet from warmer to light, take the winter items out and give your hall closet a good cleaning. Out with the dirt and salt from the boots and in with the fresh, lighter coats. I’ll leave the rest of the spring cleaning up to you but you will certainly feel that spring has come when you open your closet to see the lighter garments hanging there without all the signs of old man winter.

Lighten Up

5) In our home we have a heavier bedspread for winter warmth and in the spring we switch it up taking the lighter bedspread out of the bag and replacing it with the winter one. Don’t forget to launder or dry clean your winter bedspread before putting it away if need be.

Spring signals the arrival of a new start for the earth and many homes going up for sale. Consider it a new start for sprucing up your home and getting it organized for sale.  And if you’re not in the market to sell your house right now?  That’s okay.  But take care of these tasks and you will find spring arriving a lot sooner!  Who doesn’t want that?!

If you need some help getting started, call me now for a free telephone consultation.

6 Things You Need To Know to Organize Your Shoes

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Women love shoes! No surprise there, but more and more men are beginning to own and appreciate the look and value of shoes with their collection of “kicks” and even dress shoes and boots.

We all may not have the collection that Imelda Marcos once did but if you have a collection of shoes, are looking for ways to organize your shoes and are tight for space and funds, here are a few things you need to know to help you store and maintain the condition of your shoes.

Original shoe boxes

Some people still use the system of keeping the boxes that the shoes originally came in and then take a picture of the shoes and affix it to the outside of the box. From this they can easily see what shoe is inside the box. This is not my number one choice as photos can fall off, and with the demise of instant cameras people are now moving away from this concept.

Clear shoe boxes

Clear shoes boxes are a great way to keep your shoes in good condition and dust free as well as and organized.

 

They can be kept stacked either in the hall closet or in your walk in bedroom closet and they make it so easy to see what is in each box to save precious time from pulling boxes down where perhaps pictures may have come off the outside of the cardboard ones. This is a good option although could become a bit pricey if you have a large volume of shoes to organize.

Racks & shelving

Shoe racks or shelves are an easy and affordable way to store your shoes. They are readily available from such stores as Canadian Tire and Home Depot, are easy to assemble and can be stacked inside your closet.

closet maid shoe racks

They come is various lengths and with each stack they hold at least 9 pairs of shoes. I personally like the Closet Maid Shoe shelf organizers which are fairly budget friendly.

Hanging

Hanging shoe bags are another great option and amazing at storing shoes a large number of shoes vertically with an excellent price point. Shoe bags are even increasingly being used for the storage of a lot of other goods like make up or wash cloths in the bathroom or shoe cleaning items in the hall closet.

Under bed storage

For those that are challenged by space but still require or want a selection of shoes, there are a number of under bed shoe organizers that are easily stored and retrieved from under the bed. The downside to this is that it is way too difficult to see what you have. The upside is that this is a good way to store off season footwear.

My favourite

One of my favourite ways to store shoes is to use a piece of decorative crown moulding trim installed inside the closet and hang the shoes by their heels.

crown moulding shoe storage

It is practical, easy to install without any tools, and allows for shoes to be up off the floor but yet easily accessible and all within view all the while maintaining the shoes in good shape. You can even easily paint this piece of trim to match any décor.

If you have the space and the funds, shoe storage can be whatever you imagine it to be from complete wall units to specially built shoe drawers. There are many options for many price points so there is no reason not to get organized with your shoe collection.

Shoes are indeed a fashion statement and are not cheap, so decide what system is best for you, protect your investment, look your best and stay organized.  If you need help organizing any space in your home, simply contact me at 905-642-5669 for a free telephone consultation.