This has been the oddest week. I took my laptop in to the shop to be cleaned up and dusted off. This was Tuesday, and it is now Friday... no laptop still.... I hate it when people TELL you that they will have something done within a certian amount of time... but then don't fullfill their end of the bargin...

I have had my laptop for about two years and I thought it was time to get an overhaul. Not having my stuff has really sucked! It's amazing what not having my computer has done to me... I have been working off our home desktop and have not been enjoying it very much...

However, in an effort to look at this as an opportunity to get things done that I don't normally do... I am giving you my 25 things to do when you don't have a your computer...


1. Clean out my google reader (every day).
2. Organize my pictures (on the home pc) for my next print order.
3. Clean every inch of my house.
4. Organize my client files.
4. Discover iGoogle (my hubby says I have been drinking a little too much of the google cool-aid)...
5. Sort though magazines to go to the dentist office.
6. More playtime with the kids... extra trips to the park.
7. Find new color pages for the kids.
8. Follow up on inactive clients.
9. Update my Facebook activity (talk about a huge time taker... I could spend all day here...)
10. Discover a new social network... to be continued...
11. Watch a little of Keeping Up with the Kardashians (kind of like Rock of Love... it's the train wrech syndrome).
12. Start a new research project.... to be continued...
13. Find new connections on Linkedin
14. Find new connections on Plaxo (no luck yet there...)
15. Connect with a few old friends via long, long email.
16. Wrote a dozen hand written cards to some old friends (did you know that postage is going up again?)!!!
17. Cleaned out my laundry room.
18. Caught up on all the laundry (told you it would haunt me Laura).
19. Summer cloths came out of the bottom drawers and got them into rotation.
20. Finished up my newsletter.
21. Cleaned up my pantry.
22. Finished the mending (three shirts with buttons, one pair of pants and a dress hem, I hate mending!) 
23. Caught up on all my magazine reading.
24. Cleaned out my cookies.... and finally...
25. Did a blog post about all the stuff I did.

As you can see, I did quite a bit of clean up and finishing up of things that have been sitting on my task list that haven't gotten done, but are now done. Hopefully next week I will be back plugged into my little flat friend whom I like to call "Betty."

P.S. A happy, happy mothers day to all of you moms, moms to be, moms in laws and grandmoms. We have a big job and we deserve more than just one day to be relieved of duty.... have a super day!

        

Last Sunday, we went to a birthday party for a friend of my oldest sons who was turning 5. What was so funny about this type of event is that, it's not just five year olds attending this party... the range of kids was from 12 months to 10 years old (about, I can't remember how old Hannah is) which makes for some crazy planning.

Why is it when it's time to have cake and ice cream the kids will actually crawl up your person to get their piece?

This tip of the week is courtesy from my friend Laura (not org-junkie Laura)....

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SERVING ICE CREAM:

When serving ice cream, about an hour before the guests arrive, dish up a scoop of ice cream into cupcake paper sleeves and place them on a cookie sheet in the freezer until it's time to serve. Not only do you not have the mess, but it's super fast getting out the cake and ice cream...

I would have to bet, if I know Laura, she got this tip from Family Fun Magazine... a treasure trove of ideas for family fun!


*picture downloaded from flickr- atf300

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Recently, I started keeping a list of ideas for blog posts. It kind of helps me stay inspired when I am trying to find something to write about (not that I have a problem ever finding things to talk about, but everyone has an off day).

This morning, as I was looking for some inspiration, I came across this title "fitting into the box that doesn't fit you". I of course couldn't remember exactly the context of what that meant when I wrote it, but it got me thinking...

How often do we try to fit into a situation that doesn't fit us?

It's often (almost always), that when working with clients we come across these items that I get the... "don't remember why I bought that, but it sure is cute" answers from them. Sometimes even when working with clients that have time management struggles, I ask the question of why they committed to a group or project and you get the... "I thought it might be fun or my friend did it, so I thought I could too..."

My mom always used to say to me... if your friend jumps off a bridge, does that mean you have to?

How does this relate to organizing you ask? I am getting to my point, really I am...

When trying to get organized we are plagued with the questions that are so hard to answer... the "hows and whys" of why we have the things we have... sometimes the questions are too hard to deal or we don't understand so maybe we give up, and try to get organized next week or maybe we will get to it later.

Deciding who we are and what kind of life we want to lead will give us the definition we need to move towards getting organized and living the authentic life. Getting organized is a process of change and choices... with each choice comes results (some good, some bad).

Are you getting the results from the box you are in right now? What is holding you back from living your authentic life?

*photo from flickr - big fat rat

        

I have to say, Earth Day should not just be one day a year... it should be every day. Friends and family tease me sometimes about my "quest to save the world one plastic bag at a time", but sadly, it's true... we should be consciencely making an effort everyday to live better... cleaner... greener.

Have you seen the Inconvenient Truth? Scary and weird... but it made me realize even though I am not a big Gore fan, he has a very important point and cause... so points for Al!

I do my best, but by no means am I a 100% green girl (although I do like the color, not on me, but in general). Here are 6 ways I like to make my small contribution to an important cause.

1. I have a compost pot in my kitchen, which then goes into our compost pile in the yard.
2. I use reusable grocery/shopping bags for every shopping occasion.
3. I got rid of (most) the plastic bottles in my house (thanks Ellen)...
4. I recycle every piece of paper in my house... and then some (almost to a point of irritation to my family).
5. I try to buy local products when I can.
6. I have dramatically cut down on my driving (mostly because gas is too expensive) so we will walk when we can.

Even though I live in the land of the green, I am not perfect, but I do my best for my environment... but this is what I really think...

If every person on this earth "tried" to do their best in one small ways - it WOULD make a difference. Don't you think?

What ways do you honor your earth?

        

Wanted to pass along a FREE workshop for those of you looking for kitchen help or maybe some new fresh ideas on organizing your kitchen.... If you are in the Portland Metro Area on May 10th, Storables in Tigard, Oregon will be hosting a free Kitchen Organizing Workshop. It's a great chance to check out new products or get ideas for a future project... not to mention it's FREE! I love free!

For more information check out Storables or you can call them at 503-624-9500.

        

So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it.
- Willy Wonka

I totally love this movie. It's like jumping back into my childhood every time I see it. The lessons to be learned in this movie are priceless (greed, sharing, giving and passion...just to name a few).

I choose this quote because I have been CRAZY busy this week... never enough time in the day!!!! Coming back from the NAPO Conference in Reno and back into the saddle of life has been a tough transition for me. Last year after my first conference, I realized the need to have some time to process all the awesome things I learned. So this year, I did plan some extra time in but sadly, it's never enough. It's been almost a week since I have been home and my things to do list is a mile long.

I started conference off on the right foot for sure this year with leadership sessions and an amazing opening keynote with Peter Walsh. Then knee deep in sessions on marketing, organizing methods and project management... so great! Two of my favorite speakers Patty Kreamer (who by the way, has a blog) and KJ McCorry both kicked butt... again. I took both their sessions last year and was so impressed that I had to see their session again!

As mentioned in my last post (sadly a week ago) we had the chance to meet up with other organizing bloggers... quite a few bloggers are already on my blogroll, but I was excited to meet so many others... and learn about their business/blogs! Two newbies I haven't heard of before were Lissanne (Australia) and Wendy (New Zealand) whom, I have to say were so exciting to hear talk about their businesses, and well... just talk. I love their accents!

A few other locals (or mainlanders) who I will enjoy reading (and would highly recommend to you) are Lorie at the Clutter Diet (I actually have had her in my reader for some time), Janine Adams at Peace of Mind who will be neat to watch, Allison Carter who truly puts the FUN in functional (and who's blog apparently is in a coma but I am going to bug her enough to revive it) and finally Jeri's Blog, who, if looking for products, she is your girl.

There really are so many more, but I am going to save those for my next few posts. I don't want to overwhelm  you either.  I am really looking forward to getting back into my routine and back into the game...

One I can't forget... a little plug for my local blogging gals who, I know I have talked about and must share the link love with as well... Krista at Organize in Style, who truly has her own amazing style and Brandie at The Home Office Organizer... who will one day rule the blogging world.

        

I can't really describe how to even begin. I have been feeling bad that I haven't posted anything while in Reno, but there are so many things I am wanting to blog about but really can't even find a good starting point.

I have had a great time and there have been so many amazing things happening (and getting ready to happen) for me, my colleagues etc., etc. Here is my recap of what is to come in the next few weeks. It's too hard to wrap it all up into one post.. so here is the recap:

1. Organizing blogger meeting of the minds... John Trosko, Monica Ricci, Lorie Marrero, Krista Colvin, Brandie Kajino, Aby Garvey etc., etc., etc.

2. NAPO Awards for Monica and NAPO LA Chapter Organizing Award Show

3. Meeting Aby Garvey... yes, I know she is probably sick of hearing me say it but I am her biggest fan!

4. Peter (or as Krista said... Pee-tah) Walsh and the "little v"

5. My team, my girls and my chapter!

I can't wait to get it all on there... so stay tuned. I was

        

Do you ever see pictures in a magazine or catalog and think... "I want my kitchen to look like that?"


Well, guess what - you can!

I ran across this website when reading my April issue of ReadyMade (which by the way you can access online in a paperless version). It's called MyHomeIdeas.com, and it is a great place to get ideas for your spaces at home, but the best part is you can save those ideas... vitually!!!


They have what is called the My Notebook where you can store and save those ideas you read in magazines, as well as puruise through hundreds of home ideas to plan out your space. How cool is that!

Well, I am off to Reno... have a super week and I will do my very best to do a post while I am gone. Believe me... it will be hard, being around 3,000 other organizers... and Peter Walsh... will keep me plenty entertained!

        

It's my 100th Post (finally)! So in honor of this post, I thought I would share 100 things...  Things I like, things I love, things I use, things I read, things I well... things that are me! Enjoy!

1. my family #1!
2. my faith
   
3. reading
4. organizing
5. broken in jeans
6. chocolate
7. warm cookies
8. lined baskets
9. photographs
10. warm sunshine
11. magazines
12. frosty glass of beer
    
13. laughing so hard you can't breathe
14. seeing old friends
15. reusable grocery bags
16. magic eraser sponge
17. crock pot
18. birkenstocks
19. the beach
20. convertible cars
21. the wind through my hair
22. chicago, illinois
23. deep dish pizza
24. portillo's beef sandwich
25. mr. blotto
26. ansel adams
27. harry potter
28. left behind series
    
29. gardening
30. jasmine
31. lavender
32. waking up, not being woken up
33. fresh flowers
34. my coach purse
35. the two year rule
36. my husbands smile
37. laughter of kids
38. someone asking for mom
39. movie popcorn (with butter and salt)
40. the last day of school
41. the first day of school
42. smell of a new car
43. a clean kitchen
44. laundry hung outside
45. my momsAgenda
46. russell + hazel dot com
    
47. see jane work dot com
    
48. bobs your uncle products
49. christmas morning
50. the cubs
51. basketball
52. walk in the woods
53. a date with my husband
54. warm coffee in the morning
55. jade plants
56. catch up days
57. recycling
58. digging in the dirt
59. watching paint dry
60. the smell of spring
61. old family movies
62. scrapbooking
63. crafting
64. needle point
65. cleaning carpets
66. picking the kids up from school
67. teaching
68. singing in the shower
69. giving my kids a bath
70. finishing a book
71. oprah
72. making jam
73. garage sales
74. tickling my son(s)
75. falling asleep on the sofa
    
76. ellen
77. elton john
78. donating my time
79. making someone smile
    
80. camp fires
81. star gazing
82. vacations with nothing to do
83. rocking out in the car
84. writing a letter
85. receiving a letter
86. finishing a puzzle
87. giving to give
88. having a happy cry
89. watching my kids grow
90. long phone calls with my sisters
91. turkey chili and corn bread
    
92. mint chocolate chip ice cream
93. making a new friend
94. surfing the web
95. reading blog posts
96. hugging
97. making a difference
98. learning something new
99. my composting pot
100. finally... I am thankful for you, for reading this post!
     

        

We have been on spring break all week long and I have not done a thing but play all week. I have enjoyed every minute of the entire week with my kids having playdates, going to the Woodburn Tulip Farm with Nana, the Children's Museum, and the Oregon Coast Aquarium with friends... boy we are pooped! 

The issue I face today... is the growing list of things I need to do. How do I get back on track you ask? Well here is how I REGAIN control after a week of playtime, vacation and no work!

1. Plan a Catch Up Day
When we plan any traveling vacation, week of day trips it's always important to plan a catch-up day. Take time to a day to get back into the regular schedule of activities and working. Plan a day to be home and with no activities.

2. Plan a Down Day for Kids too!
Kids need a down day too! If it's watching a movie on the sofa, running around in their pajamas for the day or maybe looking at all their new treasures from a vacation, they need time to unwind from a trip or vacation too. It's important to give them a day to also catch up tasks too... putting things away in their room or maybe time for homework, teach those routines at a young age!

3. Work on my Work/Task/Things to Do List
During your catch up day break out your grocery list, task list, things to do list and calendar. Start working through the mail, emails, or paperwork and start writing things down. Once you have a handle on what needs to be done it can be so much easier to work through the tasks when they have been assigned and documented. Start checking things off!

4. Prioritize Your Day
Once you have sorted through all the paper, activities and day to day demands it's important to prioritize what needs to be done, read or completed. Work on the critical items first! If all your laundry is dirty be sure to make that a top of the list item to start your regular routine off right. Stay on track!

Seeing the results you want really can be easy... it's just a matter of taking the time to plan ahead. We spend so much time planning out a vacation, trips or events... make sure to put that much effort into getting back into your routine. It will make the transition so much easier and you won't feel behind!