We’ve all seen it! You’re in the grocery store picking up your weekly food fix, when right there in the produce aisle between the apples, and organic tomatoes you hear a child pitching the loudest fit ever! You try not to look. You try not to judge. While all the while thinking to yourself, how could a parent let their child act like that? But, what if that screeching child belongs to YOU?
Many more grocery stores are jumping on board with this service. Some stores offer delivery for a nominal fee, while others have the “pick up” option, where they pack it right in your car. I’ve had groceries delivered a number of times and let me just say, how wonderful! They delivered my groceries right on my kitchen counter, and did not even accept a tip. Plus, I was able to shop online, browse items, save lists and go back later to complete the order, and schedule the day and time I want it delivered. Another plus to online shopping is that you can easily stick to your list, without being coerced to impulse buy, and let’s not even talk about the fact it forces you to make a list and plan out meals and what you need in the first place! I also love that you can see exactly how much you’re spending before you hit “order complete”.
In the event that you have to actually take your kids with you into a store, be prepared, and set expectations ahead of time. Seriously, the person who decided to put a Duncan Donuts inside the supermarket is a GENIUS! A little bribery goes a long way. “Boys, we are going inside to buy the items on this list. If you can be good listeners and good helpers the WHOLE TIME, we can stop and get some munchkins on the way out” (and a much needed cup of coffee for mommy for completing this task with these little darlings in the first place). It’s a win for all!
Have a list, arranged by aisle so you don’t have to back track for the items you forgot – and have the kids help you read the list, if they’re able. And bring snacks! There is nothing worse than a hungry kid pulling everything they see off the shelves and throwing them into your cart, then throwing a fit when you tell them no. Give them snacks to keep them busy, diverting attention to all the yummy things on the shelves. Bring some books, play I Spy with food items, and absolutely check the wheels on the oversized, quite obnoxious, race car shopping cart that you’ll no doubt be banging into the shelves with, for the duration of your trip.
When I was first asked to be a “mommy blogger”, truth be told, I had never heard of the phrase. After a little digging I found out it’s, by definition, “a mom, who blogs” ~ how original! I guess I qualify. Being a stay at home mom to two young boys, 4.5 and almost 2, my days generate a lot to blog about, though I never really took the time to do it all that often. So when this opportunity came to me, after initially thinking, where will I find the time to do this, I then thought, this is just what I need!
Part of my new year’s resolution, in addition to my annual vow to get more organized, was to take more time for me, to do something that I enjoy that does not necessarily revolve around the day to day operations of running a household and raising a family. Don’t get me wrong, I love being home with my kids and being there to engage in every step of their development, but the thought of writing something that someone can read and actually gain something from, that does not consist of talking about myself in the third person, like Elmo does, makes me almost giddy with excitement! My hope is that in the blogs written in the days and months ahead, someone will obtain something positive from reading them. Whether it be a handy tip that worked for me that day, a remark made jokingly that made you laugh, or simply just confirmation that some of the struggles you go through are universal among other moms out there, my goal is to make you want to return to read more.
So here’s to a new year and new beginnings. I am glad to be joining the Organize to Revitalize team! Got a question or topic you’d like to talk about? Let me know!
Happy New Year!
This is a super special post because it’s just for YOU! I know that in a tough economy, we all start “tightening our belts” and we spend less. Yes, things are a little bleak right now, but if you still need help with getting organized and are not quite ready to shell out a few bucks for a professional organizer, have no fear, the experts are here!
In honor of Get Organized Month and because of the yucky economy, I asked some organizer friends of mine to share a few tips that almost anyone can do on their own at home or in their office. I hope you find these tidbits helpful, and that they give you a nice jump start on getting organized in 2009. Many thanks to all the experts who participated!
Kim Oser of Put It Away! [DC Metro Area]
“Carry a trash bag from room to room & grab 20 things/day that need to be discarded. It gives them a start and less distractions.”
Erin Doland of Unclutterer [Washington, DC]
“Read Unclutterer for [free] daily tips and tricks on home and office organizing.”
Julie Bestry of Best Results Organizing [Chattanooga, TN]
“For big projects, like closet organizing, invite a friend over to play “What Not To Wear”. Organize the closet together, putting one person in charge of sorting (by item, then even by color) and then everyone can weigh in on those 80′s shoulder pads. Over a few weekends, cover everyone’s closets (finishing with lunch or snacks), then take a group day to take all the items to charity, consignment, etc. and have a great lunch and/or spa day out. ” *Only 1 of Julie’s 3 tips is listed above. Leave a comment at the end of the post if you’d like me to email all 3 tips to you.
Krista Simor Colvin of Organize in Style LLC [Portland, OR]
“Girlfriend! Grab a friend + Sign up for the VIP membership of The Shebang!”
Stephanie LH Calahan of Calahan Solutions, Inc. [Peoria, IL]
“The biggest challenge that most people have in their office is figuring out what to do with the piles of paper. Here are 8 questions you can to help you make decisions…”
“Does it require any action by me/us? If an item requires action (a phone call to make, a report to write, an outfit that requires altering) then it is an “ACT.” Keep everything that requires action in one location, so that when you have time, you will be able to go through and check the items off the list!” *Leave a comment at the end of the post if you’d like me to send you all 8 of Stephanie’s questions.
Allison Spitzer Carter of The Professional Organizer [Metro Atlanta]
“Get phone coaching or internet/webcam coaching with a professional organizer which can cost less, and will provide an accountability factor – someone to be accountable to. This will get you to make an appointment to organize. Making time to get organized is as important as getting the know-how.
If you can’t afford a professional, pick your most straight-forward and compassionate friend who will tell you the truth about what you need. It is often easier to help organize someone else’s stuff because you don’t have any personal attachment. On the same note, practice organizing by helping someone else, then do the same for yourself.”
Grace Brooke Banovich of Your Efficiency Specialist [Sonoma County, CA]
“One can also join a local support group. The groups can be at no-cost or fairly inexpensive. The support from others and knowing you are accountable to the other members can be great motivators. One could also coordinate a ‘sorting’ party. This would be similiar to a ‘painting’ party. Friends could gather for drinks and munchies while sharing stories and sorting papers, toys, tupperware, and clothes. Split the duties up and have some fun!”
Monica Gaie Premo of Practically Perfect [Macon/Warner Robins, GA] “The hard part for many people is deciding what to do with everything. Set boundaries to help you make decisions faster. Boundaries can be with your time, papers, and stuff. Set a timer and work until it goes off. Every bit of progress helps.
Routines and habits also put boundaries on your time and tasks. Pay bills on Fridays, run errands on Tuesday, straighten your desk while your computer boots up or restarts, do the most important task BEFORE you check your email. Understand that every system needs maintenance to keep working. Set aside time to maintain your systems and space when you get it organized to keep it working for you.”
Deb Lee of D. Allison Lee Professional Organizers [DC Metro Area]
The final tip comes from me! This one is definitely not rocket science and is quite simple. If nothing else, just do a little bit every day. Start out with 15 minutes a day and do your organizing activities when your are most alert. This will make that really large project seem much more manageable. You’ll be happily surprised by how much you can get done if you attack it a little bit at a time.
Some changes have been happening around here and there’s a new face on Organize to Revitalize! Well, her face isn’t all that new to me…we’ve known each other for a few years now. In fact, I knew her before her two kids came along.
So, why is she here, you ask? Well, because she’s a mom and she can reallygive the “mommy perspective” on maintainingorder and keeping life on track. Besides, she’s got a great personality, too. So, here she is…make nice with OTR’s newest family member, Jaime Maerz.
So, how will you answer this call to action? President Obama is encouraging everyone to Renew America Together and there’s so much we can choose to do to positively impact not only our own lives, but those of others as well.
Perhaps you’re considering what you can to help the environment. Maybe you’re thinking of volunteering at a shelter orsoup kitchen. Could you volunteer to be a Big Brother or Sister…or spend more time with an elderly person you know?Maybe you’ll pick up litter in your neighborhood or take the advice of DC’s own Green America and become a responsible shopper. Will you reduce, reuse, and recycle more?
Whether you’re a professional organizer or not, will you help someone who needs help clearing out the clutter so they can live a healthier life? …and, if you are an organizer, will you incorporate more green practices in your business…or consider taking on a pro bono project?
I could go on and on, but really, we don’t need a president to tell us that it’s good to do positive things to impact our communities…but we do need to act because Nice thoughts + No Action = Nothing.
~Resources~
- Green America: Action, News, & Resources
- Keep America Beautiful
- Humane Society of the United States
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Covenant House
- Volunteer Match
- Renew America Together
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You know what I’ve been wondering? I’m trying to figure out if there is a date when all holiday decorations should be put away and if that date is different for everyone. I’ve been in a few client’s homes since the holidays have wrapped up (no pun intended) and noticed traces of garland and other sparkly things. For one of my clients, all the sparkly things were still up. Has your date passed or has it not arrived yet?
So, usually when a burning question like “Are your holiday decorations still up?” pops in my mind, I ask a bunch of people to see what they have to say. Actually, three questions popped in my mind and since my Twitter and Facebook friends always come through for me, I checked with them first. The responses were varied and everyone did something specific…or not so much.
On January 7th, here’s what I asked…
(1) Have you put away all your holiday decorations (including xmas cards)?
(2) Are they organized by category (i.e., lights, ornaments, garland, etc.) and in clearly labeled containers?
(3) Where are they stored (e.g., basement, attic, garage, closet, etc.)?
and here’s what they had to say…
1. I took my holiday decorations down yesterday (though the tree was on the curb over the weekend – couldn’t stand the pine needles falling). The cards are still up, though. I was not ready to part with my Christmas wall outside my office, which is quite cute, if I do say so myself. Has an art project I did with the kids, using their hand prints, and all the picture cards we received displayed around them.
2. Not organized by category, but they are in containers with only other Christmas decorations…clearly marked, not yet, but plan to work on that soon.
3. They are stored with all our other bins, in our basement storage area. :)
2) Not organized, one big bin with lights, ornaments, ribbons, etc… is that bad?
3) Attic!
ChristinaJade on Twitter@dallisonlee i have been strictly forbidden to take down the tree before Saturday by a certain 8 year old! then it will get packed back to
SagLady09 on Twitter
@dallisonlee Since “Three Kings Day” is over (which was yesterday), the Christmas decorations will come down today.
I wanna know so please leave a comment!
~Related Information~
Hey, did you know that January is Get Organized Month, otherwise known as GO Month? That’s right, my friends, it’s time to make good on some of those resolutions, especially the one about regaining order in your home, office, or car. Organizers are not the only ones on this bandwagon.
This morning I read Top Way to Waste Money on AOL’s Money & Finance page. AOL polled their readers (3rd year in a row) to find out what they thought were some top money wasters. The responses ranged from buying pet clothing and swimsuits to renting movies. I’m not sure I can get on board with letting it all hang out at the beach, but I totally agreed with what this AOL user had to say:
Duplicate Spending Due to Disorganization
AOL User waterboils Says: “[The biggest waste of money is] whenever I buy something, only to find out in a few days or weeks that I already had whatever it was I just bought. My complete failure to have any real organization system in my life is so bad, I don’t even know half of the stuff I have. I recently gathered all the audio/video cables from the 20 different places I stored them and realized I own enough of them to open a Radio Shack.”
Does that sound like you? Doesn’t it sound better to be organized AND save a few bucks while you’re at it? Well, now’s your chance to start off 2009 on the right foot. Jump on board with Get Organized Month. It’ll set the tone for the rest of your soon to be more organized year. Just keep one thing in mind, well, two actually: (1) choose one or two priorities for the year and (2) tackle them a little bit at a time.
So, what’s your organizing goal for 2009? Leave a comment to let me know.
Oh, one more thing, NAPO-WDCis doing their part for GO Month, too. Several chapter members have 
volunteered to help organize the offices of 40 Plus of Greater Washington, a non-profit that offers peer support and training to those who are unemployed and want to re-enter the workforce.
So, what will this mean for 40 Plus? They will be more efficient, improve their systems, and have easy to find and organized supplies. If they are more organized, then their efforts to help others will be that much greater.
Here a few NAPO-WDC members at a recent open house at the Container Store. Aren’t we a lovely bunch? Can you find me in the picture? If you do, there might be a prize in it for you!
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