Making the News!

Organized Solutions has made the news......Again!!

The Sylvania Advantage in Sylvania, Ohio did this little article on me.


This is my 6th publication in 1 year.

Dang!

I must be doing something right.

Thank you Sylvania Advantage.....you ROCK!

Anyone out there want to help me go national?

8 Random Facts About Me

I have been challenged by a fellow blogger, JYankee, to come up with some facts about me.

So, let's just jump into this:

#1: I hated kindergarten.
I would cry about going to school. I don't know why I hated school, I just did. My mom tells the story how I would have my feet and hands on either side of the door to the bus. She would be pushing me and the driver was pulling me onto the bus.

#2: I grew up in a mobile home.
You have no idea how embarrassing it was. No one ever teased me about it (except my ex husband). Though I knew how I was viewed. I had a great home and a wonderful neighborhood. No, this is not a picture of my home.

#3: I have been to the lowest point on Earth.
I have swam in The Dead Sea. I have a picture of me sitting with my legs crossed, floating in the water. It was crazy! Then I covered my entire body in the black mud, let it dry and showered off. My skin felt so soft.


#4: I have pulled off some great
practical jokes.
-Blacking out a computer monitor screen with an overhead.
-Signing up someone for a Jehovah Witness visit at 6 am.
-Swapping all the keys on a keyboard.
-Taking all the light bulbs out of our apartment before a college roommate came home....oh, there are more
These may not seem great, but their impact at the time was huge.

#5: I am afraid of the dark.
When I was a kid, I was certain there was an alligator under my bed. I would LEAP out of my bed if nature called in the middle of the night. Today, I cannot go into a haunted house. Even though Halloween is one of my favorite holidays (I know weird).

#6: I'm afraid of needles, too.
My body just freaks out around them: cold sweat, pounding heart, clammy palms, forgetting to breathe. When I had cancer, you'd think I would have gotten over it. My boys immunizations are tough for me to go through. At least my fear did not get worse. No tattoos for me. I would like to be able to donate blood.

#7: I'm really not all there.
One permanent tooth never grew, tonsils gone, a few lymph nodes biopsied, gallbladder extracted, complete hysterectomy and I am certain I have lost several braincells along the way.

#8: I can only print when I write.
When I was in 7th grade, Miss Bumpus was my Language Arts teacher. (Never understood the difference between Language Arts and English, but I digress) She was ruthless with my handwriting. Everything had to be in "cursive" and I did not make my R's quite perfect enough for her. My homework would be riddled with little circles around all my imperfect R's, papers graded with an "F." Aaaaahh!!
Ever since, I print everything.

That's it. 8 random facts about me.
Now, as I understand it, I must tag 8 people.
1. Leasa
2. Debby
3. Sandy
4. Scott
5. Louise
6. Tracee
7. Pud
8. Debra

Play along if you wish. Just remember what happened to the kid in the neighborhood who never wanted to be "it" and ran home crying when he was "it."

Wanna play? Give me 3 random facts about you?

Everything in Its Place

Having a home office has become almost a standard today. I really am not sure why, but nearly every home has at least a home office area set up.

I remember growing up, every month my dad would sit down at the kitchen table with this metal box and pay all the bills and balance the checkbook in one night.

I guess now, the computer has taken over the role of that metal box.

Add in the many home based businesses today, and having an organized home office is a necessity.

That is where I come in.....

Judy has an area set up in her home for taking care of the household bills, as well as, helping a family member with the paperwork of that business. She felt the area was "out of control."


Stacks of papers on a folding table in her living room, tables with more papers in the middle of the living room, and a projection TV that can't be used with all those tables everywhere. Things just seemed everywhere for Judy, with nothing put away.

So, I proposed bringing in an unused file cabinet Judy had into the living room. All the papers on the folding table were either placed into the cabinet or pitched. Along with papers and items on the other tables and desk.

Judy's dog and cat seemed to find the living room a more inviting place to hang out. It has been quite a while since she watched a movie in her living room. Perhaps tonight, Judy will do just that.

I am so glad I was able to help Judy feel better about her home.

What area of your home do you need organized?

Fun Blogs

It is going to be a gorgeous hot summer day today!

Working really is not in my plan today, so I thought I might introduce you to some interesting blogs that I have come across.

The Center For Improved Living
Everyday TCFIL will post a new daily action to make life just a little better. All you have to do is participate and see where it takes you. Complete any action at anytime. The Center for Improved Living aims really high!

Things Look Like Things
A unique way of seeing the world and weaving stories connecting one part of nature to another. Downright amazing pictures!

Word Imperfect
An obscure dictionary word is chosen. You invent a wacky meaning.

Left Behind at the Fishbowl
People leave stuff behind and it is posted on the internet.

Ask Pud
Pud is an expert in many things including money, sex, business, arts, music, food, fashion, technology, nightlife, travel -- almost everything except sports.

Connect with I
The interactive web series about a young man whose life is taken over by a video blog.

There are so many great blogs out there.
That's all I have today.
Time to hit the beach!!!

What fun blog have you come across?

Rosemarisms (part deux)

On Mother's Day, I posted a few quotes my mom, Rosemary,
is famous for saying (click here).
Here are a few more to ponder. Enjoy!

1. "Make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."
Take what you have, as bad as it may be, and make it beautiful.

2. "Choose your battles, win your wars."
You don't have to win every confrontation.
Allow for a bit of a loss, to gain in another area.

3. "I'm getting out my skinnin' tool."
My boys think this "skinnin" tool exists, but they are not quite sure.
Usually stated when they are doing something not quite appropriate.

4. "Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda"
You can't live your life in the past. Move on!

5. "Been there. Done that."
No explanation needed for what you are going through. I understand.

6. "Men get old really fast."
Technically, my grandma said this to my mom. But, my mom told it to me. Either way--Beware, men get old really fast.

That's all I have today.

Been working my butt off, today is a play day!

Any words of wisdom?

Long Distance Help

From Charlottesville, Virgina to Sylvania, Ohio there is 554 miles, nearly 8.5 hours driving--one way.

My client, Joanie, lives in Charlottesville, Virginia. Her mother's home is in Sylvania, Ohio. The home Joanie grew up in. Joanie's mother recently passed away and left her with a home filled with 50+ years of items and memories.

The task at hand is huge. Selecting items to take to Charlottesville, some to a nephew for his new apartment, others to donate, maybe sell some items and, finally, those many items to be trashed.

Prior to Joanie's return to Toledo for this project, boxes were collected and placed in the garage. I have helped Joanie make contacts with a moving company, estate sale company, a resale store, a real estate agent and a home repair individual. Also, recommended some great places to eat in the Toledo area.

"Angie, without your knowledge of the people I need, I don't know how I would accomplish this task."

I have spent two days working with Joanie with one more day scheduled before she returns to Charlottesville, Virginia. The house will not be cleared. Everything to be moved will be tagged, items for resale are in two closets, items for donation are in the garage to one side and the trash in another area.

Joanie and her friend, Rose, have spend nearly a week working clearing out this home. One thing they both have come to understand: We all have too much stuff.

We all need to be concious of this fact.
We all need to go home get a bag and remove the items we are not using.

What did you gather from your home and remove?

Investing in Your Business

Keeping a business organized is tough.

You have to work on making connections, building relationships, gaining clients/customers, paying bills and, oh yeah, make money at some point.
Organization may not be near the top of your list of things to do.

That's OK if your workspace feels comfortable.
You can find everything that you need quickly.

Great!

BUT, if your workplace feels stressful, draining.
You spend time searching for stuff, getting frustrated, losing time.

This loss of time takes away from you making connections, building relationships, gaining clients, uh oh.....Now, you are losing money.

Getting Organized = Business Investment
Before helping a client get organized, I must to listen to the clients needs and wants. Find out why I am there. Once I know that, I make it all happen.

Today I helped a business owner gain some energy and time by getting organized.
BEFORE vs. AFTER
























My client was delighted to meet me and she was thankful I came into her world.

WOW! I really love my job.

What have you spend time looking for in your office?

More Random Thoughts

It's summer time.



Tough to work when we have beautiful sunny days.



My mind starts thinking..........

1. Can a woman with a double mastecomy go shirtless?

2. If you don't have integrity, what do you have?

3. Pedicures ROCK!!

4. I can do anything.

5. You don't have to be powerful or well-known to make a difference.


6. If swimming is such great exercise, what's up with whales?

7. You just can't hang up on people like you use to with a cell phone.

8. Everything matters.

9. I need to call my roommates from college.

10. How does each of my boys eat twice the amount of food I eat?

11. I don't know what my boys are doing in the basement. Sounds like they are having fun.

12. I wonder what ever became of my first childhood friend, Ricky Matthews?

13. Rock The Block is going to be a blast tonight!

14. Water fights are fun.

15. I need to go play with my boys.

Get outside today.

Have some fun!

Emotional Abuse

I was emotionally abused in my marriage.

There I admit it.
I feel embarrassed, angry, weak and strong by making that statement.
My friends and family will attest what a devastating affect my ex husband had on me.


For years I believed I was "Fat, stupid and ugly."
I couldn't wear skirts because they made my legs look fat.
I couldn't wear ponytails because my face didn't look right.
I couldn't believe there was any value in my engineering degree.
I couldn't talk to my friends or mom because. (there was no reason)

I was left alone and crying on the bathroom floor every time I found out I was pregnant. It was my fault for getting pregnant.

It was my fault my husband failed his medical board exams.
It was my fault my husband had an affair with his secretary.
It was my fault my husband drank too much.
It was my fault my family was boring.
It was my fault for giving up on the marriage.

Though I stepped away and began to rebuild myself 3 years ago,
a moment can bring back all abuse I endured in that relationship.
It also makes me incredibly thankful for getting away from that abusive relationship.

Now, I am the "Crazy Angie" my friends and family knew, and missed, for years.

I am proud to have an engineering degree.
I am proud to be an incredible mom.
I am proud to have two amazing boys.
I am proud to be an engineer.
I am proud to have a successful business.
I am proud to have a wonderful family.
I am proud to have all my friends.

I love to wear skirts.
I love to wear ponytails (though my hair is short now).
I love my family. They are far from boring.
I love my friends.
I love my job.
I love me.

I feel better sharing these thoughts with you.

Thank you.

Neighborhood Roosters

Today around 6:30am, I was brought quickly out of my slumber (likely with the rest of the neighborhood) by Jacob screaming his head off,
"MATTHHEEEW, STOP IT!"
Then there was silence.

The wonderful summer tradition of sleeping in a tent in our backyard began last night.

As the boys came into our home, I was still upstairs in bed attempting to wake up from the early morning screaming roosters.

This is what I heard:

Jacob: You know that game we were playing in the tent.
Matthew: Yeah.
Jacob: Let's go play that again.
Matthew: No.
Jacob: Why not?
Matthew: Because you stepped on my eye.
Jacob: Well, in the NEW game, I won't step on your eye.

I busted out laughing!
I could not stop.

What a FANTASTIC way to start off the day!

I will take an early morning wake up call, if I laugh to tears before I get out of bed.

What are your summer traditions?

Sex?? (Part 2)

Way back in January (click here),
I wrote about a statistic I had learned:

IKEA's customer survey found
that 31% of people said:

"They were more satisfied after cleaning out their closets than they were with sex."


When working with my clients, I attempt to mention this statistic.
I am nearly always able to work into our conversation.






"Survey says!"



Well, Organized Solutions has done a customer survey.
I am pleased to announce that more than 80 percent of my customers agree that getting their home and offices organized is more satisfying than sex.

IKEA may have polled a few more people.
The people I asked did not know I was polling them.
I am still baffled by the beauty of this statistic.

BOTTOM LINE: Organized Solutions helps people feel better about their Homes and Offices.

....Did I mention I can help people feel better than sex???
C'mon, your smiling and laughing with me.

Windsurfing and Steely Dan....What is next?

The universe is lining up for me lately.
It's crazy. And I am LOVIN' IT!!

Saturday I went out to Maumee Bay State Park for a bike ride and chillin' on the beach. Turns out there was a windsurfing competition going on which was fun. I came home with a board and two sails and it did not cost me a penny. The guy said someone gave him his first board. I have sailed a few times, loved it! Now a few more pieces and I will be mastering it this summer.



Now last night, my friend Kim and I had plans to go to the Steely Dan concert at the Toledo Zoo.

We did NOT have tickets to this sold out show at 5pm, but we had every intention of being at the show.



This is how we acquired tickets the day of the show:

-I had called Jennifer at the Toledo Free Press referring Kim to her for advertising.
-Jennifer called Kim to set up a meeting.
-Kim mentioned to Jennifer our intentions to go to the concert though no tickets.
-Jennifer has a friend with TWO EXTRA tickets!!
-Kim calls the friend and the tickets became ours at 6pm.
-We go to the show and stand along the side aisle.
(I had to be able to dance)
-Some guy walks up to us, we chat, he ends up offering
his two seats in the 7th row!

We went from NO tickets to 7th row tickets in 3 hours! WOW!!

I can't wait to see what happens tomorrow.

What is your serendipitous tale?

Chatting with Men

I have done many presentations. Some educating potential referral sources about what I do. Some talking to potential clients about how they can organize their home.

Today, I was in Monroe, MI talking to some of the residents at Marian Place an independent apartment living facility for senior citizens. I toured one of their rooms and spoke for about 20 minutes, suggesting some steps to organize their apartment.

When I walked into the room, I was a bit nervous.
Not because of speaking.

Because there were 15 men and only 2 women?!

The majority of my clients are women.

When I speak, women are those present.

(maybe a man was dragged along with his wife)

First thing I thought--Uh Oh! This is going to be different.

Then, I remembered some points from Jeffrey Gitomer's "Little Green Book of Getting Your Way." (great little book for any presenter)

Started chatting up "the boys" prior to starting my presentation.

Man, we had some fun talking about getting their apartments organized.

It was one of my best presentations.

I will be back there next week helping one of the men and another one next month.

How do you handle a surprise in your audience?

Garage Surprise

I love surprises!

For me or someone else, it is just exciting.

Today I helped "Willy Billy."
(My client's nickname.)



He wanted to surprise his wife by getting their garage organized. I guess she didn't think he would ever get it done. His garage was not too bad. Willy Billy wanted help tearing down some old shelves and installing new ones. Plus, we built with some ceiling storage with 2x4s and plywood. (yep, got to use my studfinder, power drill, & heavy hammering)


Willy Billy's wife is in Arizona for a few more days. When she gets home and opens up the garage, she is going to have a surprise waiting for her.



I can't wait to hear about her reaction.

What surprise have you helped a client with?