Organize the Whole Shebang

The BIG Christmas Un-Do

 

 Oh me oh my-O.... How do such beautiful decorations turn into such dread? Seriously... it all looked so festive + merry and now it seems to be SO chaotic + messy.

I feel this way every year.... so mark my own words here's how I deal with it. The following was a lil' diddy I wrote in December '07. Cheers!

OK.. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this.  I've poured myself a cup of coffee, farmed out one kid to a neighbor, garnered two more to play with one in her room and I have just settled in to write out my to do list. 

You see, I've been spinning my wheels all morning feeling anxious about the toys everywhere-and I mean everywhere, the holiday decorations are bugging me, and the dishes and treats are all over the kitchen island.  Then I paused, sipped a cup of joe, and got back to my roots.  I'm a list maker.  I am in control when I've got a list to follow.  A plan, a simple little plan.  Here goes...

1. farm out kids
2. put on some music
3. pick up trash + recycling throughout house
4. start in the kitchen: wash + put away all dishes + holiday dishes + holiday place mats
5. tackle holiday wrap- gather ribbons to save for next year, flatten boxes, store away
6. put away my gifts + my husbands (kids have to do their own tonight)
7. grab a shopping bag or box and place "replaced" items in box to donate- (like my old blow dryer and sheets)
8. Bring the holiday totes inside, place one in each room.  Gather up keepers.  Place cast-offs in the donation bag.  Return to garage + await husband's return to put backup on shelving.
9. Tempt the little girls with a treat if they help take down the ornaments and place in the boxes.
10. When girls get bored, join them for a treat then return to the tree project.
11. Get bored working on the tree project and call husband to find out when he'll be home.
12. Call husband and ask him how to make that great little holiday cocktail he poured me while wrapping all the presents.
13. Make cocktail, call girlfriend to tempt with holiday cocktail if she'll help finish the tree project or watch me finish the tree project

VOTE for The Shebang! Best Time Management Expert [she's not like the others :) ]

The Shebang isn't like the other Time Management Plans... She may be a finalist for the Los Angeles Organizing Awards with the likes of David Allen, Franklin Covey, and Julie Morgenstern but she marches to her own beat in a pair of cute shoes!

In fact she doesn't really consider herself a Time Management Expert... She's more of a Lifestyle Expert. She's talks you off the perfection cliff, tells you to simmer down and take it one month at a time. She professes people over perfection, and to slow down + enjoy the journey. But the description fits, so she's going with the flow.

Best Time Management Expert*: An individual organizer or organizing firm primarily devoted to helping others effectively streamline and prioritize projects, tasks and responsibilities.

And that description is what The Shebang! lifestyle management plan is all about girlfriend.

• With Shebang 101 you prioritize your daily, weekly, + monthly routines.

• The She Monthly Project is based on tackling Self, Home + Endeavor projects on a rotating monthly basis, while taking a break every quarter to revisit your Shebang 101 routines + tackle your Seasonal Shift List. Because you CAN DO IT ALL... just not in 1 day or month!

• And Maintain the Shebang simple keeps you sane!

The Shebang! would love your support as Best Time Management Expert... She's quite the underdog but she's a sassy lil' bugger that knows a girlfriend just needs a plan + swift kick in the spanx now + then! 

To Cast Your VOTE click here and look for:

Best Time Management Expert: 
Krista Colvin, Organize in Style

p.s. You'll be asked for your email, if you would like to avoid being on their mailing list be sure to click no on the bottom of the screen.

Thanks Chica!

Monday on AMNW: Organizing your Holiday Projects [aka Christmas clutter]

 

 

I hope you can join me live on AM Northwest as I share my tips for organizing all your holiday clutter. From Gift Wrap to Cookie Sprinkles... I've got you covered + in control! 

Tune in Monday, December 7th 9am, KATU2

For those of you outside of the Portland area I'll most definitely post a link right here on my blog as soon as it's up. And voila here it is.... click here to view the segment

In the mean time... you may need this tip: 

THE BEST hiding place for Christmas presents! click here