I know it is here somewhere ....

IKEA has some great commercials showing a few reasons why being organized is beneficial. Watch and enjoy!



Here's the post from the past for more laughs (click here).

Enjoy the day!

What have you searched for in your home?

Be a GlowWorm (or another version of awesomeness)

"We are all worms, but I do believe I am a glowworm."
~Winston Churchill


This quote came across my random quotes of the day and it made me chuckle a bit. If you think about it, it's the perfect way to think about yourself.

We're all the same, though if you can think of yourself as special, unique ... heck, let's just say you're a ROCKSTAR!

Keep that mindset throughout your day, repeat it to yourself. It's not being pompous or self-centered. This is your own fun little mantra for the day. No one needs to know about it but YOU.

I bet you will begin to feel more confident, walk with a little swagger or bounce in your step because you are believing in yourself.
Nothing is more powerful than yourself.

C'mon, give it a shot.
Whadda got to lose??
You Glowworm, Rockstar, Diva, Empress, Ruler, Guru you.

Who are you?
"Today, I believe I am a _____."

Procrastination ... So Easy, So Fun, So ... ah, What was I doing?

Getting distracted is sooooo easy to do.

Huge fan of SQUIRREL ... of losing focus from time t-SQUIRREL! ... to time.

Ellen DeGeneres did a little bit on her struggles in getting organized and how procrastination leads you down the distracted path of whatever you are attempting to accomplish.



Now that I've spent the last hour or so watching the rest of Ellen's standup, I can get back to business ... uh, what was I doing?

One favorite quotes from Ellen (on hands-free devices):

"If you need both of your hands to do something,
I'm thinking your brain should be in on it too"
What are you procrastinating from doing?

It's OK ... You can say "No"

What?!
No time.
Too busy.
Other stuff to do.
... Are you crazy?!

Yeah, we all gotta work to pay the bills, though you should take care of yourself first. Take a moment and evaluate your commitments. Look where your time is being spent vs. what benefit are you getting from it. It's OK, be a bit selfish. This moment is all about you baby!


Let's look at a week: (warning math lesson ahead)
24 hours/day = 168 hours/week
168 hours/week - 56 hours sleeping/week = 112 hours/week 
(8 hours/night sleeping)
112 hours/week - 40 hours working/week = 72 hours/week
72 hours/week for everything else that is life.
WOW! I hope you are making the most of your time.

You can't do everything. You can try, though you will certainly burn out at some point likely resulting at screaming at your kids for leaving their mud covered soccer shoes on while running through the house like monkeys 
(not like that ever really happens).

It is OK to say 'No.'
Here are a few tips on saying 'No:'

1. You deserve to take priority. Take time for yourself. Make sure you give yourself some free time to pamper yourself, just relax, or work on a hobby. Perhaps it is only 10-15 minutes, better than zero. In our home, my boys know that "if mommy is not happy, no one is happy."

2. Do not make excuses for 'no.' People respect honesty and hate hearing excuses. Treat yourself right and you can't help but treat others right too. If you need to use humor to lighten the 'no', do it!

3. Do not make commitments you're not prepared to keep. Saying 'no' is only a refusal of that particular request. Taking on a task that may overwelm you will only result in added stress in your life and resentment toward the commitment. Much better for you to say 'no.'

4. Remember you don't have to give a reason. We don't give reasons when we say 'yes' so why should we have to give a reason for saying 'no.' A simple 'I appreciate you asking, but no thanks' will often do the trick. Kick your guilt to the curb!

5. Set limits. If you are only available to help for 4 hours on Saturday, tell them that and stick to your limits. Keep in mind to be firm but polite. You need to recognize how much you can reasonably do.

6. Delegate. If nothing else works or you begin to feel a bit a stress building, remember to ask for help. Perhaps delegate some of your commitments to others. Delegation is the key to being a good leader. Break up things among family members, friends, organizations, or co-workers. Allow others to help you.

I guess if all else fails next time someone asks you to do something you really don't want to do, and feel like you can't come up with something quickly, just tell them "Oh, I'd love to, but Angie said No." 
I'll take the heat for you.

What did you say 'No' to?

Farting and Organizing ... it's all good

So, my youngest son walks up to me and says:
"Mom, I think getting organized is like farting."
"Um ... why is that?", as I snicker (oh, you laughed too)
"Because both make you feel good after you do it."
~wise words from a 10.5 year old boy.

With two boys, we live daily on hourly fart jokes.

Getting organized truly does make you feel better.  

You can breathe easier.  

You're less stressed. 

And, you're out enjoying life.  

Find some time, even 5 minutes, each day to focus and become more organized.  Need some guidance on where to start?

Try these Challenges.

“Don’t take life too seriously.
You’ll never get out alive.”
Bugs Bunny

(note: In 21 years,  Bugs never dropped a fart joke)

What made you laugh today?

Arrg ... It's a Treasure Hunt Matey!

Beautiful sunny days.
Warm solid hugs.
Laughter of kids playing outside.

Those a a few things that pop into my head that make me feel good. I've been playing a little game lately by myself using everyone that I come across during the day. From the moment I wake up in the morning with my boys, to the person pumping gas across from me, onto the guy in the car that cut me off, and the lady I held the door for as she entered a store.

The game is simple.

1.As you come across people during the day, acknowledge at least one positive quality that they brought to you.
2. The object is to find that quality that you find attractive.
3. As soon as you identify it, write it down.

Examples from my list:
Made me laugh
Said "thank you"
New client excited about working with me
Helped me make a connection
Taught me patience
Cooked a great meal
Beautiful eyes

This "game" will result in a list of qualities you treasure.
Treasures you desire in your life and business.
These traits are perfect for you to have and attract.
You are limited by only how much treasure you can amass.

As you acknowledge more and more positive treasures in your daily life, the negative events become smaller and smaller. Until they become simply a minor bumps in the road and perhaps create a moment for you to enjoy the little bumpy ride in life.

Spend a day on your personal treasure hunt.
What qualities did you find for yourself?

Just Some Random Thoughts

Ever get a bunch of random thoughts in your head and wonder why the heck am it thinking about this? Uh ... well ... I do (don't judge me).

Here's what is tumbling out of my head:

1. Think about where you want to be right now, what are you doing to get there?

2. Teaching your kids how to ride a bike is one of the greatest joys in the world.

3. If you could be any animal, what animal would you be?

4. Laughing everyday is key to success.

5. I LOVE jealous, mean people. Proves to me I am doing the right thing.

6. Life is precious, why waste it doing something boring?

7. Go to college.


8. Hong Kong Phooey IS the #1 super guy.

9. Everything in moderation is good.

10. Live life with no regrets.

11. You cannot fault honesty.


12. Why do we still need warnings on plastic bags?

13. Cheaters = Losers. Stay away from them.

14. If you are told, "Wow, you're cheap." Time to raise your rates!

15. Nothing better that people watchin'

16. F=ma

17. When in doubt, ask for help.

18. NEVER SETTLE!

19. Mountain Biking after a thunderstorm is Fantastic!

20. Don't be judgemental of others.

21. Singing to Meatloaf Videos with an electrical cord is perhaps the best night of my life!

That's the list I came up with.

What are your 3 random thoughts right now?

I'm a Sensational Woman!!

Recently, this professional organizer here had the distinct honor of being featured on Writing Without Periods blog as part of the Sensational Woman Saturday posts. This is a great blog with fun little observances on life and every Saturday an amazing woman is featured and asked 5 questions.

Please visit the original post and check out the other sensational stories. For now, here are my answers:

Angie, how young are you?
I'm nearly 41 1/2 years old (yes, my half birthday is coming up on September 5th and we will celebrate with cake.)

What a great idea. I need to celebrate half birthdays too. More celebrations, I say.
What type of work do you do?
I'm a Professional Organizer, Rocket Scientist and overall Superhero to my boys.

You're a rocket scientist? So am I. And a Superhero? Yes!!
What do you do in your free time?
Because I'm a single mom of 2 boys (12 and 9.5 years old), and a business owner ... I sleep. Seriously, beyond having fun with my boys. I love to scuba dive in crystal clear water, golf on sunny days, laugh with my friends, dance 'til my feet ache and falling asleep on a beach.

I love your attitude, especially the dancing part.

What are five things a Rocket Scientist and Superhero can't live without?
I'm gonna' skip mentioning my boys and friends because as a woman, life without our kids or girlfriends would be empty and obvious choices.
1. The ocean waves crashing on a beach - 9 yrs until I retire to my "shack" on a beach. Make me an amazing business offer now and I'm outta here!
2. Music - I'm a 60s hippy chick to the core. Music makes all things better and brighter. If it's got a beat, and I can dance to it, I love it!
3. Sex - yeah, I said it. You know deep down you feel the same, too.
4. Rrrrr, I hate to admit it. My Droid - This little device can do anything. It's downright the most perfect electronic contraption ... Ever!
5. Turtle cheesecake - I don't eat it every day, though I would eat it every day if there were no consequences.

Love answer number 3. Honesty rules.

What age do you feel?
I always think of myself being 21. Just an amazing time, before life got really complicated with careers and kids. Though my latest visit to Cedar Point (Ohio amusement park) reminded me how old I may have become. At first, I thought "Man, they really need to tighten the bolts on these roller coasters." Then I realized, the coasters are great. I am getting old. (bummer).

Age is all in the attitude.

What keeps you young?
My quest to absorb life and squeeze every drip out of it.

What does a personal organizer keep in her purse?
Dumping out onto my floor we find: a pen, wallet (ooh, money), business receipts, lip gloss and stick, Velcro strips (odd, where are those from?), business cards, lip balm, grocery list from last week, Bed, Bath and Beyond coupon that expired 3/31/2010 and a notepad.

You, a desert island and….
Matthew McConaughey. I really know nothing about him or his ability to survive a deserted island. Simply going for eye candy here. I'm guessing watching him build us a shelter would be pretty sweet.

What’s your motto for life?
No regrets.

Thank you Mary for thinking of me as a Sensational Woman!
I think you ROCK!!

Who is a sensational woman in your life?

But Angie Told Me to Say "NO"

Summer is whizzing past us here, you're out have a great time hanging with your friends, road trippin' with family, or just chilling by the pool or beach.

What?!
No time.
Too busy.
Other stuff to do.
... Are you crazy?!

Yeah, we all gotta work to pay the bills, though you should take care of yourself first. Take a moment and evaluate your commitments. Look where your time is being spent vs. what benefit are you getting from it. It's OK, be a bit selfish. This moment is all about you baby!

Let's look at a week: (warning math lesson ahead)
24 hours/day = 168 hours/week
168 hours/week - 56 hours sleeping/week = 112 hours/week (8 hours/night sleeping)
112 hours/week - 40 hours working/week = 72 hours/week
72 hours/week for everything else that is life.
WOW! I hope you are making the most of your time.

You can't do everything. You can try, though you will certainly burn out at some point likely resulting at screaming at your kids for having grass/mud covered feet while running through the house like monkeys (not like that really happens).

It is OK to say 'No.'
Here are a few tips on saying 'No:'

1. You deserve to take priority. Take time for yourself. Make sure you give yourself some free time to pamper yourself, just relax, or work on a hobby. Perhaps it is only 10-15 minutes, better than zero. In our home, my boys know that "if mommy is not happy, no one is happy."

2. Do not make excuses for 'no.' People respect honesty and hate hearing excuses. Treat yourself right and you can't help but treat others right too. If you need to use humor to lighten the 'no', do it!

3. Do not make commitments you're not prepared to keep. Saying 'no' is only a refusal of that particular request. Taking on a task that may overwhelm you will only result in added stress in your life and resentment toward the commitment. Much better for you to say 'no.'

4. Remember you don't have to give a reason. We don't give reasons when we say 'yes' so why should we have to give a reason for saying 'no.' A simple 'I appreciate you asking, but no thanks' will often do the trick. Kick your guilt to the curb!

5. Set limits. If you are only available to help for 4 hours on Saturday, tell them that and stick to your limits. Keep in mind to be firm but polite. You need to recognize how much you can reasonably do.

6. Delegate. If nothing else works or you begin to feel a bit a stress building, remember to ask for help. Perhaps delegate some of your commitments to others. Delegation is the key to being a good leader. Break up things among family members, friends, organizations, or co-workers. Allow others to help you.

I guess if all else fails next time someone asks you to do something you really don't want to do, and feel like you can't come up with something quickly, just tell them "Oh, I'd love to, but Angie said No." I'll take the heat for you.

What did you say 'No' to?

Just SCREAM!!!!

When was the last time you screamed?

I'm talking:
-eyes closed
-fists clenched
-teeth exposed
-neck strained

Screaming is a great way to release a TON of energy from your mind and body.

You might think this is crazy, but I'm telling you it is awesome!

Close the windows, crank up the radio in your car and belt out the loudest noise you can conjure from your inner soul until your throat hurts.

... yeah baby!

How great do you feel now?

Free Hugs Toledo

I love helping you organize your homes and lives, though my ultimate goal is to make your day brighter and happier.

Free Hugs Toledo is a fun event which we create smiles and joy by a simple
no-strings-attached hug.
Free Hugs Toledo, Ohio
prior to the Mud Hens game
(and Crystal Bowersox singing our national anthem)
Friday, May 14, 2010
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one.
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one.

Thank you John Lennon for "Imagine."

Thank you U2 for "One."
Challenge yourself to make the day brighter for someone. If hugging isn't your thing, perhaps a beautiful compliment or simply hold the door open. By making a stranger's day shine, you shine too.

Need more Free Hugs?
Check out our first Free Hugs Toledo video .

When was the last time you hugged a stranger?

A Book of Tales Like No Other

I'm writing a book.
Crazy.
And it is NOT on organizing.

The working title is:
"Tales, Trials & Turmoil of Divorcing a Nimrod"

Simply documenting the experiences over the past 5 years. None of the stories are made up. These are actual events that unfolded. Many of them are frankly embarassing that they even occured. Some are infuriating and upalling. The fact of the matter, they happened.

A few of the potential chapter titles:
The Fax Machine
The Popcorn Incident
My List
Driveway Chicken
Cookie Dough and the 16 Page Document
Yeah, I've Got Three Holes
Soccer
“Co-parenting” … Ha!
The Drop-n-Flop
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
An Overpaid Nanny
Make-up Parenting Time
A Few Dollars More
Exotic Vacations

At first, my ex-husband's actions got the best of me. Now, I'm pretty much just sitting back kinda watching the train wreck unfold before my eyes. Reaching in my box of popcorn, sipping on my Coke waiting for the next chapter to unfold.
... and takin' notes along the way because Hollywood just can't come up with this stuff.

Oh, thinkin' I might like Jennifer Aniston to play me, perhaps, Christopher Walken to play him.

Open to all of your suggestions for book title, chapters and other ideas.

What story should you tell?

Organizing a Drawer is about as fun ... SQUIRREL!

Getting distracted is sooooo easy to do.

Ellen DeGeneres did a little bit on her struggles in getting organized and how procrastination leads you down the distracted path of whatever you are attempting to accomplish.


Now that I've spent the last hour or so watching the rest of Ellen's standup, I can get back to business ... uh, what was I doing?

One favorite quotes from Ellen (on hands-free devices):
"If you need both of your hands to do something,
I'm thinking your brain should be in on it too"
What are you procrastinating from doing?

Teacher I need a Break From Organizing

Let's take an organizing break with a simple question you can ask people you come across all day long. It's a great way to peak inside someone's life:

Who is your favorite teacher?

Mine is Mr. Straub, high school physics.

This man is legendary, even has his own Facebook group page started by past students. He inspired me to think outside (no box required), never took attendence because figured you had something important to do, threw out tests when the class failed because he failed, believed you could answer "yes" to multiple choice questions and so much more .

Physics is around you everyday day of your life. Mr Straub taught you how to use it to your advantage. F=ma can solve pretty much any problem in life.

Thank you Mr. Straub for everything.

You Rock!!

What did your favorite teacher teach you?

Ask This Organizer Anything

Oh, this is going to be fun!

Here's a great little feature that will allow you to ask me ANYTHING.

You may have a question about organizing your closet or kitchen, perhaps not sure how to purge your garage or basement, or maybe you just want to know something obscure like: "If you could have an endless supply of any food, what would you get?"


It's like I'm a Magic 8 Ball without the shaking.
Sweet.

Thank you to Chris Rumpf, Rumpf Computer Solutions, for finding and sharing this cool little gadget with me. You ROCK!!

You do not need an account to ask me a question and you can ask anonymously.
This little feature will be on located on the right column of this blog.

So ask away .......

Who do you want to ask a question?

Who Are You Again?

This is a self-quiz about yourself. I came acrossed this a while back, though it is a good reminder of facts we should know about ourselves but likely do not take the time to know them (does that make sense?).

So I jotted them down.......Here we go:

Items you must know about yourself
1. Allergies
2. Family health history
3. Credit score
4. License plate number (just ran out to check my car)
5. Passport? (we all need passports to leave the U.S.)
6. Emergency contact numbers
7. A will....please, just go get one
8. Where is your parent's will?
9. Health insurance details ... you don't want to be bleeding profusely and wonder what hospital to go to.
10. Vital health stats: Blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels....get a physical, find your target numbers

NEXT....Items that are good to know about yourself
1. Ring size...OK, this is for us ladies. Guys what would you substitute?
2. Your correct tax form
3. Money or items to be inherited
4. Clothing measurements...always good to give and receive clothing that fits
5. Blood type ... me, A+

FINALLY ... Fun things to know about yourself
1. 3 ways to make you smile when down
2. Strengths and weaknesses
3. Know how to give good directions to your home
4. What time were you born? ... hey, everyone needs a precise astrological chart.
5. Names of the trees and bushes in your yard ... visitors will think you are clever
6. Your mom's/mother-in-law's/best friend's favorite flower.

Take the time and find out some info on yourself.
Write these things down.
You never know when this stuff could be useful.

What did you learn about yourself?

Original vs. Unplugged

Nothing to do with organizing just can't seem to get this song out of my head, usually a post does the trick. My vote is for the original, never really cared for the slowed down, unplugged version. Perhaps you do which is why they are both here.

Enjoy the day!

Eric Clapton, "Layla" original verison vs. unplugged:


VS.


What two song versions do you want to see battle?

Singin' Like A Rockstar

Driving around helping people get organized got me thinking the other day:

Music is awesome.

You can have your very own little concert driving down the road at 70 mph. A certain song comes on and you become Celine Dion, Bono or Pavarotti. It's pretty darn sweet.

Lately I cannot get Rob Thomas's "Her Diamonds" out of my head:

So many great songs out there. This one gets me groovin' right now.

What song gets you singing like a rockstar?

Guilt Jewelry

“Diamonds are a girl's best friend.”
Marilyn Monroe

A little glitz and glimmer, can make you feel so special. It's not needed, but it is very nice to receive a little gift from time to time.

This all changes when the gift is a result from actions taken by the giver that were not ... oh, let's say, on the best terms. Then your wonderful, "thoughtful," gift becomes a guilt token.

Here is my collection of Guilt Jewelry:

Now all of this is not from guilt, though it's all from the same person therefore it's tainted and just feels creepy. It's been sitting in my jewelry box for about 5 years waiting for a plan.

Then I met Jodi Cooke, owner and designer, of The Rock Garden a fine jewelry custom design studio in Sylvania, Ohio. She helped me create this beautiful set of earrings and pendant with extra gemstones for later use in perhaps a ring.

Amazingly Gorgeous!
I'm so excited to be enjoying this jewelry again.
As a friend pointed out, it has a little yin and yang going on which is perfect for my peace-lovin' hippie personality.

Looking forward to sharing The Rock Garden with my organizing clients. So often as we sort through their old jewelry, they just didn't know what to do with their fine jewelry that has lost its meaning and purpose in their lives. Jodi offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy those gems again in new light. She is passionate about creating unique pieces that you will enjoy.

What in your home needs to be recharged?

All We Need Is Hugs

Free Hugs strikes again!
(video from previous hugging click here)

Impromptu hugging took place at the Toledo Zoo's Rock n Roar.
We were hugging all that entered the event, then made our way around enjoying all the live music and dancing.

Good times in deed.

Made a lot of smiles that night.

When was the last time you hugged a stranger?