Room to Dance

Moving is stressful alone, let alone when you are rushed into it, which is exactly what happened with "Mary." The rushed moved caused her basement to become the dumping ground.








The first area we needed to pick up a bit to be able to assemble a desk. The tricky part was trying to figure out how to put the desk together without instructions. Once that assembled, Mary now had a raise working surface to sort through boxes. Later, her daughters could use the desk for crafting, games or puzzles.








Mary's daughters are big into dance and even has an area in her basement set up for them to practice. Though with the sudden move, the dance floor was the covered in boxes, bags and random household items. Box by box, we sorted through the pile, putting items away as we went. The dance floor was found again and Mary had an idea of what was left in each box she needed to sort through.

Out of all of this, there was one large bag of trash and two boxes of donation items. Mary's daughters will look through their toys and find more to donate. Mary will look through her boxes and find more to trash. In the end, the basement will be back in shape ready for practicing new dance moves and lounging around the TV.

"It's gonna take 13 hours to clean this mess up," Mary thought.
Well, we worked for 3 hours.
She has a bit more work to do, but way less than 13 hours.

What's your favorite type of dance music?

I'm One Mixed Up Chick

A Chimera?
My Greek mythology is a bit weak and had to look up what a Chimera is. Turns out Homer, the legendary greek dude, describes a Chimera as:
"A thing of immortal make, not human, lion-fronted and snake behind, a winged goat in the middle, and snorting out the breath of the terrible flame of bright fire".

You Are a Chimera

You are very outgoing and well connected to many people. Incredibly devoted to your family and friends, you find purpose in nurturing others. You are rarely alone, and you do best in the company of others. You are incredibly expressive, and people are sometimes overwhelmed by your strong emotions.

What Mythological Creature Are You?

Yep that's me.
It's an easy 5 question quiz.
C'mon, aren't you curious to find out what creature you are?

3 People

OK, Enough is enough!

Maybe it is just me, though I am getting vibes from many of us on this big, blue ball as we spin through our universe that life is a bit of a struggle right now. Seems many of us are faced with illness, death, confrontations, struggles, gripes, moans....overall, life seems tough to maintain happiness.

Perhaps it's the winter woes, post-holiday blues or is it just me?......why doesn't matter.
I am going to turn this poor mindset around.

I will make 3 strangers smile today.
My hope is that they will do the same.

Are you with me?

Office Organization Magic

"WOW! You are a magician!"
That's what someone said as they walked near the end of a business office project. The business owner, "Sally," is running around making contacts in the community, juggling her community interests, creating two successful businesses and meeting publishing deadlines. Keeping her office organized can be tricky. To add to the mess, Sally recently made some changes to her office set up and needed to get organized more than ever.

You can see in this before picture of Sally's supply area. Items are everywhere: Office supplies, old equipment, decorations, files, etc. "Do what you have to do to make this better," were the directions given to me.

I began by sorting the items on the desk so I would have a raised working surface. As I sorted I had three piles: Donate, Trash and Recycle. Sally's business uses a lot of paper, so recycling was needed. The Keep items were found homes as I worked.



Eventually, progress was made and Sally's office supply area became organized. No more stepping over boxes when trying to find the extra staples and tape.




Books and binders located on one shelving cabinet. Office supplies placed in another shelving systems. Paper supply grouped together on a third.


And here is all the stuff to be donated:
Old filing baskets, tape dispensers, staplers, chairs, stuffed panda bear and various other office items that have not been used in many years (I could tell by the amount of dust on them). The right half of this pile are boxes of paper that will be recycled or shredded.

Which leaves the trash pile: Six bags, along with a couple boxes, a broken lamp and a large cardboard box.

Sally was just delighted with the project's final appearance.

If an area of your home or office is making you stop and think something negative, use that feeling to grab a garbage bag and start clearing up your space.

What room in your home needs some organizing magic?

National Get Organized Month

January has been deemed by the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) as Get Organized Month. A national event dedicated to raising awareness of the benefits of getting organized and hiring a professional organizer to help you get it done.

The Toledo Free Press has been kind enough to publish an article on this annual event with a bit about me.
Thank you Toledo Free Press, you ROCK!!

What area of your home are you organizing?

Signs, Signs, Everywhere There's Signs

Say What?! has been kind to bestow upon me more blog love. While traveling through Australia a couple years ago, I began taking pictures of stuff that made me think, "Hmmp...that's odd and funny."

Here are a few of my favorite ones, but please visit Say What?! to see the original post.









Thanks Say What?! for the chuckle today!

What odd thing have you seen recently?

I've Gotta Vent

The Bad has reared his ugly head.

My boys spent the weekend with their father, he worked on Saturday. Jacob had a birthday party for a classmate on Saturday, but he didn't go since his father was working. (I know doesn't make sense)

When the boys returned home Sunday night, Jacob's eye was pink, swollen and gooey, father made no comment as he walked away. Then I placed my hand on the back of Jacob's head, my palm is cover in blood!

Turns out Jacob banged his head around lunch, it's now 6:45pm.
I call up The Bad to find out what the heck is going on?!

All this must be some sort of figment of my imagination, because The Bad tells me none of this is happening, then proceeds to call me a "stupid b@t?h." Considering the source of the comment, I'm silent. Slowly, quietly and calmly I state, "I just want to know what kind of father are you?" and hang up. (remember, The Bad is a doctor)

Matthew goes to my mom's. Jacob and I head to the ER.
He's got a 1.5 inch cut to the top of his head (stiches not needed) and pink eye.

There is so much wrong with this story.
All that matters is my boys are home,
Jacob is happy and
I did not lower myself.

What do you want to vent about today?

50 Random Facts

Been awhile since I posted some random facts about me. I found this list at Soul's blog and thought I would answer them about myself. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.


1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
Ooh, I'm so tan

2. How much cash do you have on you?
$110

3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR?
Floor!

4. Favorite planet?
Mars. Standing joke in our home is Uranus, but I have 9 and 7 year old boys.

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?
Oh, my cellphone was crushed by a car while crossing a busy intersection to get some of the delicious Arby cheesecake bites. It was hysterical! That phone gave me nothing but hassle....though to answer the question: I have no idea.

6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone?
"Shake Your Booty" means a girlfriend is calling, though "Dueling Banjos" always makes me laugh when I hear it.

7. What shirt are you wearing?
long sleeve red shirt

8. Do you label yourself?
Yes, Adventurous Angie. I am one damn fun person!

9. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently wearing?
uh oh, barefoot.

10. Bright or Dark Room?
Depends, I'll go with bright since I'm ready to get moving.

11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you?
Never met her in person. She makes me laugh and because of that I like her

12. What does your watch look like?
Never, EVER, have I owned a watch.

13. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Sleeping

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say?
"Thinking of you." He always makes me smile

15. Where is your nearest 7-11?
I have no idea.

16. What's a word that you say a lot?
I seem to be saying "delightful" a lot lately.

17. Who told you he/she loved you last?
My son, Matthew.

18. Last furry thing you touched?
Rocky, Jacob's guinea pig

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days?
Beer and various drink concoctions while vacationing

20. How many rolls of film do you need developed?
Do they still make film? None

21. Favorite age you have been so far?
It used to be 22, though 38 was awesome and I got a feeling this 39 coming up is going to be phenomenal.

22. Your worst enemy?
I don't feel I have enemies. Perhaps my mouth, sometimes I speak my mind a bit too much.

23. What is your current desktop picture?
Beach scene from Cancun.

24. What was the last thing you said to someone?
I miss you!

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be?
Cash baby! Then I could buy a plane to fly.

26. Do you like someone?
Yes.

27. The last song you listened to?
I don't know, though I can't get "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night out of my head.

28. What time of day were you born?
Wednesday, 8:55am (yes, I know the exact time and day I was born)

29. What’s your favorite number?
Five, because it fits on one hand.

30. Where did you live in 1987?
Monroe, MI the first half. Then onto West Lafayette, IN -- Go BOILERS!!

31. Are you jealous of anyone?
No, I don't have time for jealousy.

32. Is anyone jealous of you?
Maybe.

33. Where were you when 9/11 happened?
I was rewiring my basement lights in my Royal Oak, MI home.

34. What do you do when vending machines steal your money?
I consider it a donation to the greater good.

35. Do you consider yourself kind?
Absolutely

36. If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be?
I am terrified of needles. No tattoos for this chick!

37. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?
Italian, it's sexy.

38. Would you move for the person you loved?
My gut is telling me no.

39. Are you touchy feely?
No, but I do like to touch and feel.

40. What’s your life motto?
I have two: "Laugh everyday" and "No regrets"

41. Name three things that you have on you at all times?
Cellphone (except when crushed), a smile, a thought of what fun is next.

42. What’s your favorite town/city?
I love where I live. Sydney, Australia was spectacular.

43. What was the last thing you paid for with cash?
Taxi ride.

44. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it?
Last week, a thank you card.

45. Can you change the oil on a car?
Yes. Change a tire, too.

46. Your first love: what is the last thing you heard about him/her?
I heard my ex-husband's finally engaged. It's about time.
Time to pay the piper baby.

47. How far back do you know about your ancestry?
8 generations on my mother's father's side through the civil and revolutionary wars back to England. I've traced all our ancestor lines back to the immigrant relatives from Europe. Very cool history!

48. The last time you dressed fancy, what did you wear and why did you dress fancy?
Last month, Christmas dinner party.

49. Does anything hurt on your body right now?
Nope

50. Have you been burned by love?
Once.

Thanks Soul for the blog idea. You ROCK!!

Pick three of these questions:
What are your three random facts?

Pretty Purple Pinkies

Pinkie toes that is!

Two weeks into 2008
and I'm on vacation.
Damn fine start I'd say!

Hey, a friend of mine needed someone to fill a vacation spot. I can't turn a friend away in a time of need. I'm really doing a good deed ... right?

New swim suit
Fresh Pedicure
Latest Cosmopolitan magazine
.... and my laptop is staying home!!


Sand and sea will surround us, the ocean spray will be on my lips and we will be laughing our butts off every day!! Oh there will be stories. Some to share and others not.

I'll be back in a week.

Where in the world do you want to escape to?

Hello ... CBS Survivor

The package is good to go ... again.

I don't watch that much TV,
though I am a Survivor junkie.
At this point, I cannot quit.

It may seem ridiculous, but I must continue to apply to be on this show. Not submitting my application would drive me nuts because it is admitting defeat. Once I set my mind to do something, it must get done. I am a driven person and, quite likely, a bit off.

So, you've seen it before.
Here it is again.


This time I asked my friends to help me with a few questions. It was interesting to see what they said about me (all good - Thank you friends!)

I put a bit of attitude into many of the other questions, probably because that's me. One that just made me laugh was:

"If you could hold any political office, what would it be and why?"

My answer: President of the USA - Because I would have my own plane and helicopter to take me places. Plus, there are likely some really nice, fluffy pillows in the bedroom.

I will be in Chicago around March, then LA April/May, then off to a "remote location" for 7 weeks June-August. Speaking engagements can be scheduled around December 2008. (Hey if you can't imagine the outcome, why play the game!)

What political office would you hold and why?

Closet Organization on 13ABC

Here's the clip of me on 13ABC-WTVG news, Toledo:



At the end of the video Lee Conklin states,
"On to the junk drawer next."
Hmmm ... I'm thinking that is an excellent idea.

What area of your home would you like to see me organize?

Ceiling Fan Project

Jacob and I had a fun little project tonight,
swapping out his old ceiling fan for a new one.

When I asked Jacob what he wanted for Christmas this year, he said Imaginext, Guinea Pig supplies, Nitendo DS games, etc. He also asked for a new ceiling fan. (odd?) Well, this fan has always bugged him. It worked just fine, though it was pretty small.


I finally got to Lowes and picked out a new ceiling fan for Jacob last week (no, I didn't put a ceiling fan under our Christmas tree). Afterschool today, Jacob and I began our project. It is important to me to work on home improvement project with my boys.

We talked about:
-the importance of shutting off the electricity
-how difficult it is to figure out how to get the old one off
-what each part is for on the new ceiling fan
-how to connect the wires (again, why the electricity is off)

The coolest part is having Jacob throw the breaker, him run upstairs and see his new ceiling fan working, lights and fan. SWEET!

We celebrated our accomplishment by getting some pizza.
(the old fan will be added to the boys garage sale in spring)

I love being a mom!
It's days like today that make all the stress being a single parent minuscule.

What is a story about your kids that takes your stress away?

Are You Organized?

While surfing the internet, I came across a list of 'ways to tell if you are organized.' I've modified it a bit. Some were just downright an insult to most people's intelligence.


The first thing I thought of when I read the original list was Jeff Foxworthy's "You Might be a Redneck" spiel.

So, without further adieu:

You Know You're in an Organized Home When...

1. You can direct someone else to something and they find it.
Before many of us took the first step in this journey, we could never remember where everything was. When you begin to become organized, there is a place for everything. Not only can You find it, You can direct a friend or family member to its location and they can find it on the first try.

2. Preparing for taxes no longer involves a month long search for all of your paperwork. No one likes doing their taxes, though death and taxes are certain in life. When you are in an organized home, your files are set up where each piece of paper that is relevant to taxes has been stored properly. When it is time tax time, it is a matter of grabbing the correct folders. Saving you time and frustration.

3. You know what is in your home for meals.
How many times in the past have we all stood in front of the open refrigerator trying to figure out what to fix for dinner? In an organized home, you have a meal plan, whether for the week. You are able to put your meal plan together because you know your freezer and your pantry contents. No more wondering what is available to fix a meal you want to eat, no more using the open refrigerator to cool down the kitchen, and no more ordering pizza for the 2nd time in a week.

4. You know your schedule. In an organized home there is a central calendar with everyone's activities clearly noted and color-coded. You know at a glance when anyone has to be anywhere. No more confusion.

5. You are able to entertain with minimal preparation. Yes, having guests over for a last minute party is possible. It is not only possible, but when you are in an organized home it is an enjoyable experience. You not only know where your serving pieces are and what your menu is, but you are able to relax and enjoy your guests.

6. Clean up takes a few minutes here and there. When you are in an organized home, you are able to keep up with the housework and maintaining a clean house is a matter of establishing routines. A routine is easier to start and easier to maintain.

7. Your flat surfaces stay clear. When you are in an organized home, you no longer have to worry about piles toppling over onto the floor--just one more flat surface-- because your organized home has the filing, recycling and all other `piles' in their proper place.

8. You can move freely from room to room in the dark. In an organized home, there is no need to put nightlights in every available outlet just to avoid injuries. When everything has a place and is in its place, you can move about freely--even in the dark.

9. You have time to enjoy yourself. Hobbies and other activities renew, refresh, and reinvigorate you. In our busy lives we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves. In an organized home you have time to take care of yourself.

10. Your whole family can get ready and out the door in less than one hour every day. In an organized home, lunches are made, backpacks are packed, permission slips are signed, and clothing is set out the night before. Your 9 year old will not be screaming at you to sign, yet another, homework assignment chart as he rushes to the bus stop (not that it has happened in my home).

11. You no longer have duplicates or triplicates. In an organized home, you know what you have and you don't have to run out at the last minute to buy a tool, or ingredient of any kind simply because you can't find the one you know you have--somewhere! You will not only have what you need, but you will know where it is in your home.

12. You no longer have to pay late fees for video rentals or fines for overdue library books.
In an organized home you have a basket or a box of some kind that is specifically used for rental returns. This basket keeps your returns near the door so that you can grab them to return on your way out the door, in time to avoid late fees.

13. Getting dressed for work or school is quick and painless. In an organized home, the clothing is always in the closet, hung up neatly and arranged either by outfit or with like-things together. When your clothing is hung up in the closet and put away in the dresser you are easily able to select your outfit and accessories either the night before, or when you get up in the morning.

I'm still thinking:
"If you're to drunk to fish ... You might be a redneck."

Can you come up with three:
You know you're __________ when (or if) __________.

Organizing a Closet on TV

Organized Solutions makes another TV appearance this time on 13ABC Toledo.


YEAH!!!


I will get the video posted here asap. For now here is the link (click here)




Big HUGE thank you to Rebecca Regnier and 13ABC news for spotlighting me in their People and Places segment.

Rebecca you ROCK!!!
(Check out her blog if you need a little chuckle in your day)

How many vacuums do you have in your home?

Vision Board

I remember way back in 1991 I brought my first brand new car home and showed my grandma:


"Well look at that. Angie, you always wanted a red sports car and there you have it."
I asked my grandma what she was talking about. Turns out, when I was younger I always had a picture of a red sports car somewhere in my bedroom. I had completely forgot about that.

Last year I created a Vision Board which was tremendously successful for me. Many items on there were achieved: vacations, bike, phone, camera, friends, health, family, business and, yes, romance.

It was be crazy for me to NOT have a Vision Board for 2008. Right?!

I'll keep you posted on my progress.
... and yeah, there's a shiny, red sports car on it, too.

Matthew is creating a vision board for himself. He's 9.5 years old! Maybe when he is done, he'll let me share it with you.

I triple-dog-dare you to put your goals in front of your face this year.
Look at them everyday at least twice.
And see if your goals are achieved.

What car do you want to own?

Enough is Enough ... Get Organized

It is that time of year for New Year's resolutions and perhaps getting organized in 2008 is yours. The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) has deemed January as National Get Organized Month. A national event dedicated to raising awareness of the benefits of getting organized and hiring a professional organizer to help you get it done.

January is the perfect month to get organized and start your new year off right.
Getting organized is one of the top 5
New Year's resolutions people make. Why get organized?
At Home

• Organizing your bills = bills paid on time, no late fees


• Shopping for items you need = not ending up with 10 cans of tuna because they are scattered in your pantry


• Get more done in less time = more time to relax and chill


• Find what you need, when you need it = less stress

At Work

• Bring structure and control to your workplace


• Optimize workflow = increase productivity = reduced stress = happiness


• Motivate your team with solutions to feeling overloaded

So what task has been hanging over your head?
Why not make it happen?
Check it off your list,
Get it done.

Enough is enough .... time to do something about it.

What are you going to accomplish by the end of this week?

All is Great in 2008

Back from my adventure to Chicago and it was delightful. Lots of laughing, adventure and friendship. Thank you Allie!!!!

On the way to Chicago, I listened to Napolean Hill's "Think and Grow Rich." On the way back, Robert Kiyosaki's "Rich Dad, Poor Dad." Both of these books I have been intending to read, though just had not happened yet. The drive to Chi-Town was the perfect opportunity to end the year with some business and self motivation.

Many exciting things are going on in my life and big THANK YOU to you. Your support and blog love is very much appreciated. I am working on my 2008 Vision Board (2007 here) and it will be posted here very soon.

I challenge you to create your vision board. It is a wonderful way to see your goals achieved through the coming year. If you have not read these books, perhaps you should think about adding them to your list.

What are three of your goals this year?