Organize the Whole Shebang

Receipts Galore

So... you ignored my post about staying home and avoiding the crowds on 'black friday'..... and now you are already up to your elbows in receipts. Take a moment to find an envelope, label it December 2007 and tuck it in your handbag.  Place all those gift receipts in one location for easy access when you need to register a product or do the dreaded returns on the 26th... because yes, if you hit the shops the day after Thanksgiving you are bound to get back on the horse that threw you and hit the shopping on December 26th! 

For you wise and less adventurous online shoppers.... print those receipts and place in a file folder labeled December 2007.

Change and Change again...

Both my husband and I are/were frustrated that every time one of us needs a spoon, fork, knife and the other person is blocking passage.  The utensils are located below the cutting board, which also happens to be the counter space for prepping food.  It's a pain.

I've wanted to move the utensils to another drawer, located near the kitchen table and the dishwasher... sounds easy enough to just move it on over.  Not soooo easy.  The utensil holder is too large for the drawer.  It's difficult to find a smaller utensil holder... but I was determined and found one at Target.  Fit perfectly, looked good, drove us crazy.

I sooo thought it would be a great solution.  My husband thought it was just the right solution.  After about a week we agreed it was annoying...  Hey we're good with change, but this turned out to be a change that really wasn't for the better.  I figured it may just be habit, and gave myself another week and a half to adjust.  Nope. Nada. Nicht. 

Last night I changed it back. Just a little reminder that even though it appeared to be the perfect solution... in practice it was not.  And that's okay.

Your lil' Picasso

This is the solution for storing all your lil' Picasso's artwork and their report cards!  Stacey Fenley is the founder, creator, smart mom, and former teacher behind this solution! 

There are a couple of styles... I prefer the All-in-One as it can hold the artwork for both of my children.  I've got a link to her site over on the left column... They may seem a little pricey, but they are made in the u.s. and really hold a ton of artwork.  Not too mention they do solve the problem of where to keep it all!  Keep it in the hall closet or under the staircase for easy access.

I do want those mamas to realize that you will probably be the 'keeper' of this forever... I just don't imagine your grown son wanting to store it in his loft apartment! 

You can score 10% off when ordering if you click on my name or company name on the sales affiliate menu... it will basically cover the shipping the cost of this massive oversize storage case!

The hustle and bustle of it all....

I use to think it was fun to hit the stores the day after Thanksgiving... now I think it's a little crazy!  One of my girlfriends loves it... I loathe it.  The last thing I want to do is shop with a million other people.  I'm good to hunker down with another slice of pumpkin pie and call it good!  What's your take...

Thanksgiving!

Cheers to all of you!  I hope today finds you with those you care the most about.

This is my favorite holiday... it's all about family, friends, and my mama's pecan pie!  This year is especially wonderful as my big brother... and I mean big... he's about 6' 4" will be there with his new wife and their beautiful baby girl.  The Simor family is now complete.....

Function meets Fabulous- task clips from knock knock

   I adore these little task clips!  I'm not sure if you can read what they say.... To File, To Read, To Do, To Send.  They are great for those of you that are pilers.... it's a simple way to 'organize' your piles so that you really do know what's in that pile!

Practically Perfect in Every Way-I just LOVE Mary Poppins

I Adore Mary Poppins, she’s practically perfect in every way.  About this time last year I met Mary Poppins.  Well, I ran after her at Disneyland and introduced myself!  Now, I’ve been to Disneyland umpteen times as I grew up in a nearby town.  But this was the first time that I got to meet Mary live.  I was tickled pink, a bit misty eyed and full of all the pixie dust that The Happiest Place on Earth musters up.   I mean….  I was Mary Poppins for Halloween back in grade school, I still have my hand made doll of her complete with white gloves and the flower hat…. I believe that a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.

I ADORE her… and here she was right in front of me full of attention.  I was able to contain myself and ask her a very important question… one that mom’s around the world want the answer to.  “How do you do it, how do you get the kids to clean up?”  She ever so politely responded, “Everything must have an element of fun”.  God, I love this woman… she is soooo right.  No one wants to pick up, but a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, in the most delightful way……

I asked my husband to take a photo of us and went along my merry way, as did Mary.  This past week Mary popped into my morning horoscope: Productivity ebbs and flows.  You’ll have your Mary Poppins moment, though, and a “a spoonful of sugar” really will help the ”medicine go down.”  Try to attack all work in the spirit of fun.  So off I went and fabulous things happened that day…. I can picture Mary peering down from the sky; umbrella in hand smiling at me… her work was done.

The Hall Closet

    I remember reading Mommy Dearest.... the wire hanger scene still haunts me!  Treat yourself and your coats to some wooden hangers.  They really aren't expensive... Target has a set of 20 for $14.99.... usually in a box on the bottom shelf near the other hangers...

You will see immediate improvement... your coat shoulders will thank you and you'll get a chance to reacquaint yourself with your 'collection'.... take the time to donate those cast-offs.... toss them in the passenger seat and you won't forget about dropping them off at the local charity drop.

The Ladies are Coming! The Ladies are Coming!

The Ladies are Coming!  The Ladies are Coming!

Here they come… they’ve come to save the day!!!!  I love the ladies!!!!  Every other Friday I the “ladies” come to clean our home.  Every other Thursday I run around picking up and recruit the rest of the family to join in. On Friday night we celebrate by going out for dinner (we mustn't mess up the ever so clean kitchen). 

Working women NEED help…  and hiring some cleaning help is a small task yet has BIG effects on your psyche and your marriage.  A cleaning service is less costly than couples therapy!  I know you; you’ve ‘tested’ your spouse… by leaving their dirty socks where they dropped- how many days did you last before YOU picked them up?!  How edgy did it make you?

How do you tackle the big projects or little ones for that matter when you’re focused on dirty sinks, scummy showers, and dusty furniture?  My house is a complete dirt disaster about 2 days before the ladies arrive.  But “oh well”  I can let it go because I know my super hero ladies will arrive in 48 hours to save the day.  Then I retreat to my office to get some work done.

I am surprised how many women feel guilty hiring someone to help.  Whether it’s a cleaning service or an assistant to support your business.  A man would hire both and within the first few months of obtaining their home or their office-no doubt.

So busy women…. Get it together… hire some good help and keep doing what your doing… working hard, managing a family, home and business!

Catalog Clutter-there is hope!

Did you see on the news... read about it in the paper... there is a new on line service allowing you to opt out of receiving catalogs that don't float your boat... and keep the ones that inspire you!  www.catalogchoice.com 

You can also opt out by calling the customer service number on the back of the catalog.  They will ask for your customer number (also printed on the back) and take you off the list.  Keep in mind many catalog companies print issues months in advance so it may take a couple of months to notice they have dropped you.