May, 2011

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Get There on Time, Never Early!!

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

The latest article from ADDitude Magazine arrived in my email today.

“Always Late? The Professional Organizer’s Tips for Arriving on Time”

is a great article by one of our local NAPO-Ohio organizers, Tiffany deSilva, owner of Order and Balance.  Tiffany’s background is in counseling and it shows with her 1-2-3 punch that gets right to the root of our tardiness problem.

Tardy is a nice way of saying LATE!!

In her 7 tips, Tiffany addresses these causes of tardiness – not setting a realistic departure time, not allowing enough time for travel (especially in rush hour traffic!) ,  an aversion to being early and bored – and more!

Check it out. I know you will find a way to improve your “on time” stats.

Book Review: Sync or Swim

Friday, May 20th, 2011

My clients are always asking me questions about organizing emails, computer files, etc. My standard answer is that for continuity, these files should have the same organizing structure and file headings as their paper files.

Jeff, my Project Manager and Information Technology (IT) Director husband, says that advice is a little simplistic and perhaps unrealistic given the amount of emails and digital information we now receive daily.

Since I don’t love computers and other electronic devices, I have decided I will refer my friends and clients to this little book: Sync or Swim.

I like that it will be delivered digitally to an electronic reader (there is some justice in this techno-crazy world of ours!)

Authors Allison Carter and Judith Kolberg are well-known leaders in the organizing industry. They have compiled best tips on managing everyday technology from over 70 professional organizers around the world.

At the low price of $6.99 for the Kindle edition of Sync or Swim, you are sure to get your money’s worth in ideas that will save you time & money and make your life easier!

Product Review: Reusable Grocery Bag Organizer

Friday, May 13th, 2011

At the 2011 NAPO Conference I fell in love with a new concept in green.

You know those mesh grocery bags that cut down on plastic waste if only you could remember to bring them with you to the store? The answer is a stylish Reusable Bag Organizer™ that will make it a pleasure!

Totebuddy

 

 
Tote Buddy™ is an organized, flat, and beautiful way to always have the bags at hand. Just leave one set of handles out when you Velcro® the Tote Buddy™ flat. Other women will ask you where you found the beautiful bag hanging on your arm.

The tote is reinforced so you can stand it in the child seat, attach your shopping list (long sticky note is perfect!) and you are set to maneuver through the aisles grabbing what you need. You only need music and you will look like you are doing the “shopping cart” dance. Ha!

After you empty your groceries at home, you will be motivated to load up your Tote Buddy™ and put it in your car for the next trip – because you now have a plan and it is stylin’!

This company donated reusable bags to CraveDC for their kick-off event on September 1st, 2010. I’m hoping they will be the next product found at Target or Whole Foods. Until then we will have to order our Reusable Bag Organizer™ online at ~ www.TheToteBuddy.com ~.

To what extent are you going green? Leave me a comment below with your best tip.

Rantings about Motherhood

Monday, May 9th, 2011

Do I have to point out that mothering is hard work? I don’t think so.

These are only a few of the many hats we wear as moms:

  • Staff nurse
  • Chauffeur ♦ Laundry service ♦ Reminder service
  • Teacher
  • Tutor
  • Coach
  • Playmate
  • Counselor
  • Chef
  • Dietician
  • Psychologist
  • CEO
  • Interior designer
  • Groundskeeper
  • Bookkeeper

“Based on a survey of more than 28,000 mothers, Salary.com determined that the time mothers spend performing 10 typical job functions would equate to an annual salary of $117,867 for a stay-at-home mom. Working moms ‘at-home’ salary is $71,868 in 2010; this is in addition to the salary they earn in the workplace.”

At Salary.com you can find out how much you personally are worth as a mom. Fill in variables such as how many pre-schoolers or school-aged children you have, what zip you live in, what jobs you fill at home and write yourself a check.

A mother averages 90-100 hours on the job per week and 6.5 hours of sleep per night. No wonder mothers feel exhausted much of the time. You get up and hit the ground running just to stay in one place on the merry-go-round.

I cannot say the job is thankless. There are some great perks like:

  • snuggling on the couch
  • hearing, “I love you, Mommy!”
  • watching a toddler’s delight as they experience nature
  • feeling pride at new accomplishments – like sticking out tongue for the first time.

What I can say is that thanks come less often in proportion to age until your child moves out of the family home.

A tribute to the love parents feel for their children is the fact that we don’t kill them during the teenage years. I speak softly and am not quick to anger; yet, even I found myself breaking a (flimsy!) yardstick over my son’s head when he would not stop back-talking.

An article I read while at the DR’s office sustained me through those years. To summarize: be glad when your children oppose you verbally and physically because they are perfecting their ability to stand up for themselves when they leave home. My children are experts at standing up for themselves.

One of the best rewards for parents, specifically moms, is to see maturity blossom in their adult children. These adults are not clones of either parent, but their own person. I was amazed to see the child I considered shy becoming a strong woman and leader. The clown became an intelligent, compassionate man. Maybe the yardstick worked?

Once children move out of the house, suddenly Mom and Dad become much wiser. Finally, you get to hear those young people you have sacrificed for say – “Now I understand why you did that.” Or “Thank you for giving me the freedom to make my own decisions/mistakes.” That makes it worth it all!

That’s why I welcome this yearly opportunity to nudge our children into giving us props. When my children ask me what I want for Mother’s Day, I say “Just send me a mushy card and write on it why you are glad I am your mom.”

Yes, we made and (continue to make) mistakes. Our actions have love at the center.

So to all moms AND to the schoolteachers, choir directors, aunts, uncles, and youth leaders who became partners in raising godly, responsible adults, I say…
You are awesome! You may never know the full impact of the difference you have made in that young person’s life. May God bless you, because we can never repay you for what you have done.

P.S. Thank you, Mom.