I want everyone to raise your right hand now and repeat after me. I, state your name, solemnly swear to go easy on myself when it comes to organizing my life! I know, I know your desk is a pile of papers or you can't park your car in the garage because of all the stuff in your life. Well great news! You can do it slowly but surely and I'll tell you why. My first job on television where I wasn't killed in a Styrofoam boulder earthquake was as the carpenter on a show called 'Clean Sweep.'
I was the guy who built all of the storage solutions, organizational shelving etc... etc...and here is what I learned. First, practice organization on that drawer we all have in our kitchens that have as follows. Keys from homes or apartments you have not lived in for over a decade. And, Coupons from stores that aren't even in your town. Also, Rubber bands and lots of them. Paper clips. Hair. Pet brushes and buttons. Oh, let's not forget take out menus. Take that drawer and dump them out on the kitchen table and separate it into three categories. Keep, toss, and sell. Pretty self-explanatory right? Keep the stuff you really need. Throw out or toss what you don't. And sell what you can.
On our show, that was usually a garage sale, which is a great way to part with things that you still have attachment to but you know you must get rid of. For some reason attaching a monetary amount to your Grandmothers boots makes them easier to get rid of. Don't ask me why, it just does. Use this technique with your purse, wallet, garage, attic, etc... start small and work your way up. It works, I did it for one hundred and twenty shows and man you should see my garage!
Organize Your Life (But Go Easy On Yourself)
Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. Thanks for all the great help. I have used the toilet repair instructions! And I did it all by myself, well mostly, husband helped too! Thanks
Love watching you
Suzee at 12:24PM on Feb 7th 2008
3. My husband is pulling out the bathroom floor right now. It was rotting. He refuses to call a professional. It's just a mess right now and all I hear is drilling and sawing. Afraid to look.
Sure wish you could take a road trip to So. California to help us. I'm a good cook!
Thanks
Tanya at 11:40AM on Feb 18th 2008
4. Please Eric, please come to my condo and fix anything that needs to be repaired; i cant do it because of many health problems; money no object; i need to sell it. So please have pity on me.
Love your shows Sarita
sarita at 5:54PM on Feb 18th 2008
5. Eric please come to my condo and repair anything that is needed. Money no object. I cant do it myself because i have many health problems and i am an elderly female, Please help.
Love your show
Sarita
sarita at 5:51PM on Feb 18th 2008
6. Hi Eric,
you have a great show. I enjoy watching it. you have a wonderful sense of humor, kind of nutty. I do some home improvements on my own. My newest project that I'm going to give a try is my main bathroom. There are full length mirrors 180 degrees around the room, Saphire blue small tile floor, a light fixture that looks like three mini chandeliers rusting, a sink base cabinet that's falling apart. it leans alittle to the side. I have to get someone to remove the mirrors, They're at least 8 feet tall and who knows whats behind the wall. I have tiled before, so I know I could do it, but I never did plumbing except for washer replacement, or installed a sink base cabinet, I also have a medicine cabinet but I don't want to replace it so I will have to fill in the hole. I have to learn how to spackle and tape, put in a cabinet and plumbing, i know how to sand and paint. but I don't have a garage or the proper tools , I do have a hand saw and a mitter box. can't hire a contractor, have to do it myself or ask a friend or two for help, Do I even have any friends? Husband is not handy. and I'm sure there is a hole behind the cabinet because snakes, mice and those ltttle furry things get in. But, I think I have them contained. I duct taped it. Do you have any videos that would help me. Except for the tiling painting and sanding, everything else will be a first. Oh and I need a new bathroom door. Would you say I'M going to be WAY OVER MY HEAD! worst yet I don't know when I can start this project. i purchased the house like this. not my taste.
MaryAnne at 10:00PM on Feb 27th 2008
7. youre adorable!!!thank you for helping all of us wtih projects who think we can do it, and get overwhelmed in the process... by the way.. i have this bathroom Im putting in my attic.. the plumbers left me with a hole in my floor that I havent been able to look at for months... if you're in the mood for another lost soul who's in over her head...
Gigi
JolieBest at 9:54AM on Feb 29th 2008
8. Dear Eric, Sometimes its easier when someone knowledgeable shows you the way. You are one of those "sometimes" and we ladies thank you with much appreciation.
Judy at 9:53PM on Mar 6th 2008
9. Eric,
I see you are sponcered by GMC. This is great. A great American company. Next time you do a show get rid of that JAPAN jacket with the Japanese War Flag on it. As an American and growing up during World War II I think you are insulting all Americans and GMC. If you can not afford a good jacket maybe we can take up a collection for you. Be aan American and be proud of it.
Fredrick Ghofulpo at 7:33PM on Mar 28th 2008
10. Man, you are a dangerous dude. Your 1/2 truths are misleading. First the "outside" fuse box is gone. It's usually now inside and it's a "breaker box". The two wires that you called "positive" and "neutral" is really "Load" and neutral. If you are going to tell it know what you are talking about,
Tom at 6:53PM on Apr 9th 2008
11. The "Jap" flag issue I agree with. The half truths that you spread is also a point. Learn "terminalogy" of what you are talking about.Labeling a wire "positive" in an AC circuit is dumb. Have you heard of "load" and "Neutral"? The term "fusebox" is out dated, try "Circuit Breaker box" or breaker box. Fuses no longer meet codes under the "NEC".
Tom at 6:54PM on Apr 9th 2008
12. I am a professional arborist certified by the international society of arboriculture and currently work at a major university in Florida.
Do not prune your trees as Eric S explained in his tree pruning video. He obviouly is a total moron and doesnt know what he's talking about
jason at 9:26PM on Apr 9th 2008
13. ------------ERIC STROMER----------TOTAL B.S.
TAKE THE "TOILET FIX": his statement of "make a couple of more minor adjustments here" IS THE B.S. PART OF THE PICTURE. LOOK AT HIS HANDS IN THE VIDEO ....... CREAMY WHITE! HE IS A FRAUD! NOTHING MORE THAN ALL OF THE OTHER TYPICAL HOLLYWOOD B.S.
BOTTOM LINE: be ready for "LEAK AFTER LEAK" AND PROBLEMS FROM THE VALVE, THE VALVE LINES, THE TOILET NOT FLUSHING PROPERLY DUE TO SEVERAL OF THE OTHER "MINOR ADJUSTMENTS", ETC.
IT'S TELEVISION FOLKS! SO PEOPLE LIKE HIM AND HIS ADVERTISERS CAN MAKE MONEY OFF ALL OF YOU "PANSIES" THAT WATCH MOVIE STARS!!!
Russell Dark at 4:40PM on Apr 17th 2008
14. I am a25yr,s + electrician in the trade.I work on every type house wiring from small habitat for humanity homes to multi-million$$$ homes.I like the fact your helping people do things themselves.electricity is not one of your strong points.A battery drill should never be used on a finish as it damages the finish.The ground wire you convienantly stuffed into the box should beaddressed asone of the most important conductors of the wiring system.If attached to the metal box with a10/32 ground screw,then should be attached to the green or bare conductor of the lt. refer to video of track lt. instalation. dimmers create heat inside the wall and can cause damage to wires such as old linen covered onductors ,can cause shorts and burn down your house,especially if no ground is attached to dimmer. *** the ground acts as a path back to the panel.this causes the shorted wire to follow back to source (panel),creating heat enough to trip the breaker befor damage is done towiring and thus stopping apotential fire in your house. Iget very upset when people dont understand this it is so important.please consider this info befor you put out this info on electric instrallations. thanks gene
Gene Cook at 7:54PM on Apr 19th 2008
15. Eric,
I am a retired union painter and I have to tell you that your video on Painting a wall is way off base. First off you paint all the trim first then you cut in the walls one at a time and then roll them. Egg shell or any glosss finish will flash if you cut in the whole room then roll the walls. The reason to do the trim firsst is that it is easier to cut a straight line on the wall next to the trim than it is to try and cut a line on the small edge of the trim.
Your explination on holding the brush was a good one though. When rolling a wall you should apply lots of paint from the top of the wall to the base and roll it out well. If you apply paint only in a 3 or 4 square foot area again you will have a problem with the paint flashing. What is paiant flashing? It is acondition that is caused by the cut in and the roll whereone is dryer than the other. Both surfaces (the cut in and the roll area) need to be wet to avoid the paint from flashing.
Don't worry Eric, only union trained professional painters will know. Well now the ones that read this posting will also know. Kep up teh good work.
Billy at 8:20PM on Apr 24th 2008
16. Eric,
Do you have any tips on hanging sky-hooks? I can't keep mine attached!
Thanks,
John Henderson
John Henderson at 11:34AM on May 1st 2008
17. I love your show. Whenever I happen upon it with my remote, I always watch.
rose at 11:46PM on May 27th 2008
18. Well Eric,
I have to tell you that .....
YOU ARE REALLY COOL!!!
I am a Project Manager for a interior designers firm in Orlando and I love the job and I am ready to learn all I can from you. I am presently working on a project at the Orlando International Airport and we have limestone flooring " that we are sealing prior to installation" and we are having real hard time cleaning it. Oh did a mention we are using an epoxy grout, it's so messy....
Can you please help me please!!! Luvdeb
deborah Lynne Bowles at 5:43AM on Jun 5th 2008
19. Eric,
I liked the little video I watched about planting water saving plants and mulching...however ... nothing was mentioned about planting butterfly friendly plants....our butterflies are in serious trouble..and they need us to plant their host plants to survive...everybody plants the nectar flowering plants....but they need the host plants to lay their eggs on to reproduce. Monarchs only lay on one species...the milkweeds. For more info about this and people to interview for information, please visit our, Association For Butterflies website. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call me ... 661-589-4435 .... MaryAnn
20. Eric, I love your show and have enjoyed your work since you were on the "other" show. My question: Where can I view or at least read the text of your June 14, 2008 "Over Your Head" episode in which you covered floor renovation -- staining a cement floor.
Dora Hernandez at 6:02PM on Jun 25th 2008
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About Me
Eric Stromer, host of HGTV´s ´Over Your Head´ and author of ´Do-It-Yourself FAMILY´ was named one of the "Sexiest Men Alive" by ´People Magazine´ with good reason. Stromer pulls off that perfect combination of construction know-how, comedy, and great looks in a seamless package that appeals to men and women alike. AOL Home is thrilled to feature Stromer's original DIY, home improvement videos.
1. organizing sucks, but it's the greatest thing ever. One thing that i tried to organize all the time was my wallet, but i always found myself stuffing more thing into it, then it could handle. one thing i didnt like was keeping all my gift cards and reward cards in my wallet. but this past xmas season, i heard on the news about this company that manages all our gift cards and loyalty points (www.leveragecard.com). it's totally free. the coolest part is they pay you interest on the cards you have registered. another tip i suppose.
charlie at 6:06PM on Jan 24th 2008