The DC area got hit with a “huge” snow storm last night that continued until this morning. Well, it was huge by DC standards but sorta small compared to the storms we used to get in New York when I was a kid. I heard that the Boston area got up to 2 feet of snow last night. Now, that’s a storm.
Still, the blanket of snow we got here was a beautiful sight and I thought I’d share some pictures with you…just for fun…
Beautiful trees in my backyard
My backyard...a winter wonderland!
My dog having fun in the snow =)
Snow capped trees line the street
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We all know that children don’t come with instructions, as convenient as it would be if they did. But one thing they do come with is an overabundance of STUFF! No matter what ages or stages your children are, I can say with great certainty that there are no shortage of items you will possess, as a means to keep your children happy and entertained. I can remember needing 2 cars to transport the gifts from a small baby shower my mom had for me. Two car loads, and my little bundle was not even born yet! And as your children get older and you perhaps have more than one child, you tend to accumulate more stuff, spanning different age ranges, to again keep your children happy, and yourself sane ~ okay, partially sane.
I can’t tell you how often I would look around at the items in my house pondering the question, HOW DO I ORGANIZE ALL THIS STUFF? Over the course of the next few weeks, I am going to be highlighting several approaches and tips to organizing all the things that enter your home, as a result of having children. I am currently embarking on my own Project Organization and I am asking you take the journey with me, that is, if you are brave enough to confront talking Elmos and more plastic pieces than should ever enter one’s home in any lifetime.
So, are you up to it? Let’s get started!!!! I am going to take a Clean Sweep approach to this, minus hauling all your children’s belongings onto the front lawn ~ doing so could likely result in a very traumatic experience for the little darlings in your life. This may sound very basic, but sit down and go through everything. Yes, EVERYTHING! If it’s broken, has missing pieces or poses a hazard in any way, TOSS IT! If your child has outgrown it, no longer uses it, or quite frankly has never liked it from day he got it, it has to go. If you plan on having more children, you can pack away any items you can reuse for the future. When packing them away, make sure to label the contents so you know what’s inside. If you’re pretty confident the baby train has made it’s last stop, there are many options to getting rid of things that are in good condition that you no longer need. If you know someone expecting, or with children, ask them if they want it. You can also donate it to many local organizations in your area, and get a tax write off for it. Another option is to make a few bucks by utilizing sites like Ebay or Craigslist, which really aren’t as intimidating as they sound. There are even places out there that will take your stuff and sell it for you, if you don’t have the time or energy to do it yourself. Finally, put aside the things you want to keep. Don’t be a hoarder. If you don’t have a use for it in your home, as cute as it is, or as much as it reminds you of your own childhood, GET RID OF IT!
This first step is usually the hardest. Try to get past the nostalgia of it all, and be prepared going into it that it can and will be hard! Taking pictures is a great way to preserve memories, and it only takes up a minimal amount of space on your computer, instead of precious real estate in your home.
I think we have established a good starting point here. Once we get through this step we’ll be ready to move on to the “fun” parts, which will ultimately lead to creating a FUNctional space to play for you and your children. I do hope you’ll join me on this journey. Are you game? Let me know if you’re up for it, and how this first step is going ~ I really want to hear from you!
Everyone has been to or thrown a party at one time or another, right? Just last weekend I threw a Daytona 500 themed party for my husband’s birthday, and my sister-in-law suggested I blog about it. Okay, truth? What prompted her to say that was when she noticed, while I was setting up the food, that I had post it notes inside the dishes arranged on the table, noting what was going to be placed in each of them. Perhaps I should have removed the post its before any of the guests arrived, but I didn’t really think much of it. Doesn’t everyone do that? How do you know if you have enough dishes to serve your food, and enough room on the table to fit the overabundance of food that you’re likely to have?
While I absolutely LOVE entertaining, I do admit I turn into a crazy lady prior to every gathering, however big or small. Just ask my husband. He knows at what point to help out and take directives, and when to steer clear of my obsessing about the most minute details, that ultimately no one will notice except me, and my mom, of course, who is admittedly just as crazy as I am. Hey, I have to get it from someone, right? I have gotten a lot better over the years in my party planning, and have fine tuned a system that works well – the key to any successful party is PLANNING!
Theme
The first place to start is to simply decide what type of party you are having. What is the occasion? Is there a theme you’d like to follow? A specific character? Color scheme? Once you have a theme, all the other details will be much easier to decide.
The Details
When are you having the party? Date? Time? Place? How many people? What are you serving? Catering vs Cooking? Paper invitations vs. Evites? Know your limitations in planning the details. For example, if you know the last time you made those chicken wings, they took you 4 hours of intensive labor and tasted like burnt rubber, call the wing place up the road and order a tray. Or if you are working on limited time, and a strict budget, forgo the paper invitations and do an evite. However, if paper crafts are your forte, go for it. You’ll have super cute invitations, and most likely be likened to Martha Stewart for your effort and talent.
Start your lists
Now that you know the “whats”, you have to figure out “how”. I find it extremely helpful to create a list, several actually, arranged by things you need to do and things you need to purchase. For example, make a list of the food you will have, and from that make a list of either places to order it, or a shopping list of ingredients you need to make those items. A separate list might include paper products or decorations you may need to buy at the party store and goody bags (if it’s a children’s party). Include on your lists a time line too, a “by when” to have these things done. Don’t wait until the last minute, because unplanned things can happen, and it’s always best to have a cushion for the unexpected.
Get your house ready
If you are having the party at your house, be sure to give it a good cleaning, only to have to clean it twice as hard after the party is through. Remove clutter, and things you would not want misplaced. If children will be attending, remove toys with small parts that may easily become misplaced, and no doubt upended, when the children get a hold of them. Even better, have the party somewhere else and alleviate the mess!
Above all, have fun! Party planning does not need to be stressful, and anyone can do it. Don’t be afraid to solicit help from anyone offering, after all, it will be one less thing you have to do. You can take the pointers above and make them as simple or elaborate as you like, depneding on the type of party you are having. You don’t need to be a creative genius to pull it off, you just need a plan (and perhaps a few cocktails for your efforts) close by.
What are you celebrating at YOUR next party, and how are you getting ready for it? Do tell!
Party On!
There’s some new stuff happening at the OTR blog. First, a new blogger, Jaime, jumped 
on board (no, I didn’t drag her on board), and now we will be doing regular interviews with folks we classify as “busy people.” Yeah, I know, we are all busy but these people are REALLY busy with ten balls in the air, a couple plates spinning, a regular gig, and side gig…with kids…or pets…or both! We will be talking with them about how they keep it together, and find out if they really stay organized or if they struggle a bit.
So, over the next few weeks, we’ll be doing video interviews and plan to post one a week starting by the end of March. If you’re a “busy person” and want to be interviewed, let me know!
*Update: One video post a week turned out to be a very ambitious goal, so we’ve decided that one every month is more manageable and won’t interfere with our productivity. =) -Deb, 5.11.09
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I’m sure you’ve heard me mention a thousand times how my Twitter (and Facebook) friends always come through for me. I ask a question and they always respond – and they’re quick about it, too. No waiting for feedback…almost instant gratification. Well, I’m still singing the praises of the folks on Twitter because today I DIDN’T ask a question but I got great information anyway! How cool is that?!
You know how I’ve been trying to be more “green” both personally and with my business? Today, while on Twitter, I learned about a new way to continue “greening.” Is that a word? Is that the correct use of the word? Anyway, I digress. Here’s my point — There’s a cool way to get rid of all that electronic stuff piled up around your home or office, you know, the CPU that you don’t want to get rid of yet because you might have sensitive info on it or your very first 50 lb laptop that you’re sort of sentimentally attached to? Maybe it that’s CRT monitor from 1986 with a huge backend…or your old car phone. You know, the stuff that’s taking up much needed space and creating clutter?
Want to know how to get rid of all that clutter and be a bit enviro-friendly? At the risk of annoying my PC friends, I’m going to tell you about a APPLE’s electronic recycling program. Don’t worry, I’m still a PC girl but if there’s good news out there, I’m gonna share it. I love that Apple is committed to helping the environment and that it’s enhanced it’s recycling initiative to include a computer take back program. The cool thing about this new “green” thing is that it’s FREE! …and free is really good in tough economic times.
So, here’s how it works…
Old Computers. If you buy a Mac, you can send them your old computer and monitor – even if it’s not a Mac. Nice, huh? So, buy a Mac and send the old one back.
Click here for details.
Old iPods. Got iPod clutter? Apple will take ‘em back – any model, any amount. Keep your latest model and kick the rest to the curb…well, kick ‘em over to Apple’s curb.
Click here for details.
Old Cell Phones. Remember those huge, gray flip phones that used to be so popular? If you still have one, PLEASE send it to Apple. They’ll take any mobile phone regardless of who manufactured it. Click here for details.
By the way, thanks to Daily Green Project (@greenproject) for the tip on Apple’s free recycling program!
Did you remember that January was Get Organized Month? In honor of GO Month, the girls at The O Myth, Brandie & Krista with guest host, Ellen Damaschino, decided to have a live chat last Friday…AND I WAS ON THE SHOW!! Can you tell I was excited to being one of the panelists?? Of course, I wasn’t the only one on the show. My organizer friends Allison Carter, Lorie Marrero, and John Trosko were also featured.
We had a great conversation about the myths of hiring a professional organizer. Wanna know what we said? Click on the Blog Talk radio “play” button below (white arrow inside the black circle) to find out! Of course, if you love the tips we shared, be sure to tell your friends and post to Twitter and Facebook.
Many thanks to the O Myth gals for having me on the show, and congrats to Krista for being a nominee at the LA Organizing Awards!! =)
A recent trip to the doctor’s office this past week, with a very miserable child, prompted me to write this next blog. Having kids, and just in life in general, it’s always good to plan ahead. It’s not always a guarantee that things are going to run smoothly, but it usually helps. Sometimes, however, you may not have the time to plan for every situation that may arise, and that’s why I find it extremely helpful to have my “bag of tricks” ready to go at all times. The central location of my bag, a black Kenneth Cole tote at the moment, though it does change often, is in the trunk of my car. I won’t mention what else is housed in my trunk, as it’s often the center of ridicule by my husband, who insists there could quite possibly be things living in there. But it never fails, when I pull out my bag of tricks at the most desperate of times, he remembers instantly one of the reasons he married me.
So what’s in a bag of tricks, you ask? Well, it’s kind of like a diaper bag, but way more fun! Infants don’t require a whole lot to keep them entertained. They are often easily amused by the people and places surrounding them. Have a pacifier or two accessible, give them a rattle or soft toy, and be sure you have a bottle or boob handy, and they’re good to go! Diaper bags are more fun to look at with their cute prints and patterns, then the contents they contain. But the older your children get, the more creative you need to be with keeping them entertained, especially when you’re in public and want to prevent a scene, or keep your sanity.
So, let’s start with a few of the basics, a few diapers and wipes, a travel pack of tissues and Wet Ones. I usually keep a change of clothes in the trunk (yes, along with the living things mentioned above) just in case. Portable snacks are also a good distraction, a juice box, some pretzels rods or goldfish, whatever your child likes to nosh on. Lollipops, too. Okay, not the healthiest of choices, but for those special occasions, or a good behavior reward, it could be just what the doctor ordered. Now that the basic needs are covered, let’s pack a little fun in our bag. The dollar store and the cheapie section in Target when you first walk in, are your friends. Get to know them! They are great for coloring books, stickers, art stuff, books, mini puzzles, even travel-type games. Look around, and see what you can find. Highlight’s High Five magazine is also great to throw in, if you have preschoolers. At the end of each issue, they usually have a portable game or activity that my son loves. And often just a notebook and some markers or crayons, washable, of course, can provide hours of entertainment. Tic Tac Toe, funny pictures, even just taking advantage of a teachable moment and writing letters and numbers can pass the time like you wouldn’t believe. Because these things are in your “bag” and they don’t play with them everyday, it’s like a new treat every time you pull it out. And if it’s fun, they will look forward to the activities the next time you’re out.
I am happy to say my bag of tricks worked wonders in the doctor’s office, and that my son is finally on the mend, after a very long week. Which brings me to a final “must have” in your handy, dandy bag of tricks. PURELL! Do you have any idea how many germs are out there? Never leave home without the hand sanitizer, or your Bag of Tricks!!!
What’s in you Bag of Tricks? I’d love to know!
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.
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