Q: Label each box using a permanent marker: One "Keep", one "Sell", and one "Charity". Also get a large, lined garbage can into which you can throw things that you don't want to keep, ready to sell, toss or donate. Set a timer, and don't start more than you can finish in your allotted time. When the timer rings, make yourself stop, clean up, and then take at least a 15-minute break so you don't burn out. You can always decide to do another round after the break is over but you will probably be relieved to have to break. Later, you probably will change some of the items in each box, or move them to another box, but that's after you've had some time to think. In each room make three piles on the floor, matching the labeled boxes. Pick up an item, decide which box to put it into, and toss it into the box. keep the things you need in a place where you will find it easily. For example, by the phone in the kitchen area, keep pens, extra paper and scissors. Make sure everyone in the family is aware to return things back after they use them. Look around and enjoy the neat and tidy area that you probably have not seen for months, or perhaps years. Scrub off grime from surfaces, remove cobwebs and repaint drywall if necessary to make a clean and cozy room.
A: Bring home three big boxes from your grocery store. Set a time limit for the session, say 15 minutes to one hour. Make three piles on the floor, to match each of the marked boxes. Tackle one room at a time. Find a place for everything. Clean and vacuum the room.

Q: Watering the soil deeply but infrequently is the best way to keep apple trees healthy. During the first two growing seasons, plan to water the tree deeply about twice a week. Don't water the tree after it rains, since this can cause it to become waterlogged and create rot around the roots. If the leaves look dry and wilted during the growing season, you may need to increase watering. Check for signs of drought during the hottest times of year. As the tree gets older, water near the edges of the perimeter of the branches, since the roots grow outward and not downward. Mulch helps to regulate the temperature around the base of the tree, keeping it from getting too hot or too cold. It also provides nutrients as it decomposes and keeps weeds from growing. Use a few inches of straw, wood chips or compost as mulch. Place the mulch in a wide circle around the base of the tree. Don't pile the mulch in a "volcano" shape around the base of the tree; rather, there should be a "donut" shape to keep the mulch from covering the tree's bark. Mulch will rot the bark, which can attract mice and hurt the tree. A young tree doesn't need to be heavily pruned. For unbranched trees, also called whips, you can prune back 2-3 feet after planting. For other trees, remove dead branches as necessary. Then, start shaping the trees the year after planting. In order to direct growth into a few healthy branches, you can use a few techniques: Rub off low-growing buds so that they won't grow into full-sized branches. If you want to slow growth and promote fruiting, bend a branch down horizontally (without breaking it) and tie it to a stake in the ground for a few weeks. Trees will require regular pruning to remove crossed or dead branches and promote good circulation. Cut away upright stems that grow high in the tree, and remove stems that are weak or droopy. Deer, mice, rabbits and insects may be attracted to your apple tree. Keep your tree safe by protecting it in the following ways: Keep deer out with fencing around your property Keep mice and rabbits out by installing wire mesh around the base of the tree. You can also avoid putting mulch right at the base of the trunk to discourage rodents. Keep maggots away from fruit by trapping them with hanging balls coated in a substance called "tangle trap" throughout the summer Keep the leaves and fallen apples cleaned up to avoid attracting pests
A: Keep the soil evenly moist. Mulch around the base of the tree. Don't prune too much until the tree is well established. Deter pests from damaging the tree.

Q: Although it almost goes without saying, you should avoid any physical activities or duties at work that worsen (or are the source of) your chronic pain. If you find that work is exacerbating your pain, speak to your boss about alternate duties you could take on, or look into any disability insurance that you may be eligible for if you need to take time off to recover (or if you are no longer able to continue in a certain line of work). For instance, if you have a back injury, you should avoid activities that involve heavy lifting (as well as avoiding positions that trigger your back pain, such as sitting or standing for long periods of time). If you have an injury such as carpal tunnel syndrome, you should avoid activities such as typing and ongoing computer use that may worsen your symptoms, if at all possible. If you are struggling getting around your home (such as climbing the stairs, getting in the shower, or using the toilet) due to chronic pain, you may benefit from modifications to your home that can make these day-to-day tasks easier in light of your pain-related disability. Occupational therapists (OTs) are specifically trained to make modifications to your home environment to optimize the ease with which you can perform day-to-day tasks. Your family doctor can provide you with a referral to see an occupational therapist. Having a formal referral may allow you to receive insurance coverage for OT services. You can also look up occupational therapists in your area and arrange to see one privately. However, seeing one privately (without a physician's referral) is unlikely to qualify you for coverage. Depending upon the underlying reason for your chronic pain, surgery may be very helpful in alleviating or reducing your pain. It may diminish your reliance on pain medications, both OTC and prescription, and it may help you to regain function that you did not have previously. Speak to your doctor to see if surgery is an option for you. If the source of your pain is a specific area of your body such as knee pain or shoulder pain you may be eligible for arthroscopic joint surgery to "debride" (clean out) the joint and to hopefully reduce the abnormality that was causing the pain. If you have more generalized chronic pain, a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon experienced in conducting surgery for chronic pain may be able to help you.
A:
Avoid activities or work duties that exacerbate your pain. Consult an occupational therapist to modify your home environment and thus reduce triggers of your pain. Consider surgery to resolve the underlying issue.