Simply Organized Life

Your 2nd Chance: Chinese New Year

2012-01-23T12:42:00.000-05:00

10 Chinese New Year Resolutions (photo credit: rootsbd.com)

I love fresh starts. There is something wonderful about the possibility of starting new.

In the January edition of "Your Simply Organized Life" (subscribe for free here) I wrote a little about new year's resolutions, including a couple of my own. However, I am finding my excitement over the new year start to wane.

Life happens and it is natural for our enthusiasm to fade. For myself, the last two weeks have been extremely busy with preparing and presenting two seminars and unfortunately, tending to a sick child. The latter never occurs at a convenient time.

Since today is Chinese New Year, I see the notation on the calendar as a second chance to clear the clutter and start afresh on my goals for the new year. I am not demanding perfection of myself, just progress in the right direction.

The best thing about fresh starts is that we can do this any time. Maybe the year of the dragon is your time!

Carolyn Anderson-Fermann is a public speaker, organizing expert and founder of Simply Organized Life. On Friday, February 3, 2012 Carolyn will be presenting "Downsizing Your Life" with Ann Arbor Rec & Ed. There is a $25 fee for this public event. Register with Ann Arbor Rec & Ed.

Holiday Returns

2012-01-09T15:54:00.002-05:00

Carolyn making a holiday return at REI in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

This past Christmas, Santa brought my family a few items that were not just right.

With all of the extra stuff that the holidays brought to our home, things were getting a little cluttered. Leaving the packaging in place, I separated the items we really did not need.

Then I went about gathering the receipts that I could obtain and scheduled making the returns in my calendar.

Between appointments last week, I made my returns and even found a couple of bargains, making sure I did not bring more into the home than I left with.

Overall, the process was super easy, especially at REI in Ann Arbor, Michigan where a fellow shopper agreed to snap a photo of me with REI team member, Matt (pictured above at left).

I did not have the receipts for a couple of items, but it was clear where they were from. Both stores offered me a gift card credited with the lowest item price. In one case, the store credit was so low that I did not feel it was worth it to make the return (this item went into my re-gifting box). However, I accepted a gift card from the other store and will make a point to use up the credit for something that we need in the near future.

In many cases gift cards or gift certificates do expire. Be sure to make a point of using up those gift cards in the next few months, before they expire or get lost in the shuffle.

Carolyn Anderson-Fermann is a public speaker, organizing expert and founder of Simply Organized Life. On Saturday, January 14, 2012 Carolyn will be presenting "Simply Organize the New Year: 5 Simple Strategies to Keep Your New Year's Resolution" at the Women's Health and Fitness Day in Ypsilanti, Michigan, a free event.

Packing Up the Holidays

2012-01-02T11:33:00.000-05:00

Carolyn Packing Christmas Ornaments

In a previous post on accepting imperfection during the holidays, I mentioned that my husband is a get it done sort of guy.

Normally, we leave our Christmas tree up beyond New Year's Day, but my husband decided that in 2012 it needed to be done on New Year's Day. Hence of the photo of me at left packing up ornaments yesterday.

Here are some tips for packing and storing seasonal treasures such as Christmas ornaments, menorahs or other holiday items to avoid damage and allow for easy access.

For seasonal decorations that will be stored in a basement, attic or garage I like to use 66 quart or smaller clear plastic storage totes (a corner of one of my totes is shown in the photo). If you already have similar sized totes or boxes, please use what you have before buying any additional items. I find that totes larger than 66 quarts become too heavy and do not fit easily on most shelving units. Cardboard boxes work just find, but will not protect from moisture, bugs or rodents.

As you pack up from the holidays, wrap each item individually with bubble wrap, tissue paper or newspaper. Use what you have on hand. As you might see in the photo, I like to reuse the boxes and bags that many of our ornaments came in. Always label both ends of the tote, preferably with a removable label so that the box can be re-purposed if need be in the future.

When you are packing up the holidays, think of Stephen Covey's Habit #2 from the bestseller 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, "Begin with the end in mind." Pack up your holiday decorations in a way that you want to find them when the holidays roll around again.

Carolyn Anderson-Fermann is a public speaker, organizing expert and founder of Simply Organized Life. On Saturday, January 14, 2012 Carolyn will be presenting "Simply Organize the New Year: 5 Simple Strategies to Keep Your New Year's Resolution" at the Women's Health and Fitness Day, a free event.

Stress Free Holiday Tip #10

2011-12-19T11:30:00.000-05:00

Toy Soldier in Chicago

Tip #10 Have Fun

The holidays are now upon us. This is the time when we all have a choice. As a recovering perfectionist (see holiday tip #8) I have to remind myself that I can choose to stress over all the little things that might need to be done. Or I can make another choice and focus on having fun with my family these next two weeks.

After a few bumps in the road, I have chosen to have fun. Only the really essential tasks will make it onto my to-do list and calendar, while the others can wait.

I have decided that what I have done thus far is enough. Those last few gifts that I did not purchase can go on the list for birthdays. The stockings will be hung as a family activity, but the other decorations can stay in the box until next year (note to self, start earlier next year). What my family really needs is for me to be present and not stressed out.

So, this holiday season, please remind yourself to be really present with your family. Most likely, it is the experiences, not the stuff, that will be remembered years from now.

Happy Holidays!

Carolyn Anderson-Fermann is a public speaker, organizing expert and founder of Simply Organized Life. Carolyn will taking a break from blogging until the New Year. On Saturday, January 14, 2012 Carolyn will be presenting "Simply Organize the New Year: 5 Simple Strategies to Keep Your New Year's Resolution" at the Women's Health and Fitness Day, a free event.

Stress Free Holiday Tip #9

2011-12-12T10:37:00.008-05:00

Tip #9: The Reason for the Season

As I near the end of my 10 Tips for Stress Free Holidays, it seems time for contemplation over why we do all that we do during the holiday season.

No matter what faith or what holiday you will celebrate this season, I hope that you will take time to remember why you celebrate. At the end of the day and the end of the holiday season, that is what matters most.

I know that finding time for yourself or any type of quiet contemplation can be difficult at this time of year. In my home there is still some decorating to be done (if I so choose), shopping, wrapping and finishing up that photo book for my mother that I started way too late.

However, I truly believe that if you take a few minutes out of each day to ground yourself during this busy season, you and your family will benefit tremendously. This can be done alone, with your family or with a group.

One of my clients makes a point to wake up early before her family for quiet time. Many of us choose to worship with others in a spiritual group. In my household, opening up an Advent calendar and eating the chocolates inside is an evening ritual that includes a chance to remember why we celebrate Christmas in our family.

Whatever holiday you are celebrating this season, be it Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzah, the New Year or something else, take a few moments out of each day to remember the reason for the season.

Carolyn Anderson-Fermann is a public speaker, organizing expert and founder of Simply Organized Life. Carolyn will be speaking on "The Secrets of a Simply Organized Life" this Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at the Dexter United Methodist Church monthly soup and salad dinner.

Stress Free Holiday Tip #8

2011-12-05T11:43:00.007-05:00

Tip #8: Accept Imperfection

True confession time....My name is Carolyn and I am a recovering perfectionist.

Fortunately, I have a team at home reminding me daily that perfectionism is not the way to go. My husband is a get it done kind of guy. You know, done is the new perfect. My young children teach me that what doesn't matter, doesn't matter. And the big dog gives lots of love while making sure the house has that lived in, dog hair everywhere, feel.

The holiday season has a way of bringing forth the perfectionist in nearly everyone. Even my husband was intent on finding the perfect tree this past weekend at a local tree farm. We found and cut down a lovely imperfect fraser fir that now graces our home with mismatched ornaments (all the fragile ones at the top).

The thing about holiday induced perfectionism is that it causes more stress at an already stressful time. If we can accept that things will not be perfect at the holidays or any day, we can relax and enjoy the blessings that we do have.

Carolyn Anderson-Fermann is a public speaker, organizing expert and founder of Simply Organized Life.

Stress Free Holiday Tip #7

2011-12-02T12:56:00.004-05:00

Tip #7: Clutter Free Gifts

As we get closer to the holidays it is natural to feel a little pressure to get that "perfect gift" for a family member or friend. Rather than rush out to the mall or the nearest big box store, consider gifts that are both useful and clutter free.

What is a clutter free gift?
I consider clutter free gifts to be anything that the person receiving has requested, can use or will not take up much space. This can include consumable items such as food, home spa items, bird seed, or basically anything that will be used up in the months ahead. Clutter free gifts can also include services such as organizing, oil changes, snow removal, spa treatments or any kind of service that offers gift certificates. Charitable donations were also mentioned in stress free holiday tip #6.

A clutter free gift does not have to cost anything but your time and can be homemade. A friend told me that she (along with her siblings) prepares and gives complete frozen meals to their elderly parents. What a wonderful way to share and care for someone you love!

A note about gift cards
Gift cards are great, but are not always clutter free and some do expire. When working with clients, I often stumble across unused gift cards. Please be sure that the gift card is for a store or restaurant that the person frequently visits and that using the gift card will not add more clutter to their space.

Being organized is not about being perfect. In my next post I will write about accepting imperfection during the holidays and every day.

Carolyn Anderson-Fermann is a public speaker, organizing expert and founder of Simply Organized Life.

Stress Free Holiday Tip #6

2011-11-30T10:03:00.005-05:00

Tip #6: Ask for It

My intention with this holiday tip is not to focus on material gift giving or to make demanding requests of family members. Instead, the intent is to get away from giving meaningless gifts or worse yet, something that might be considered clutter.

The truth of the matter is that most people stress over holiday gift giving. This tip is meant to eliminate some of that stress both on the giving and receiving ends.

By letting your loved ones know what you want for the holidays you help them give a gift that will be appreciated for years to come. Furthermore, what you might want for the holidays may not be material at all. This is especially true for our older relatives that probably have everything that they need, but just want to spend some time with family.

You should also ask others what they want for the holidays. If your friends and family respond openly, this tip can save you time, frustration and money---especially if you happen to be a last minute shopper.

There will be people that readily tell you what they want. Then there are others that will say something like "oh, I don't need anything" and you know well they will expect a gift come holiday time. For these more challenging folks on your list, look and listen for cues they might give you regarding something they might need or be able to use. A donation to their favorite cause may be just perfect.

By sharing our wishes with our friends and family during the holidays, we get away from frenzied holiday shopping and focus on what is really important during this special time.

In tip #7 I will share my ideas for clutter free gifts.

Would you like more tips on surviving the holidays without a big mess? The December 1st edition of "Your Simply Organized Life" delivers. Sign up here and receive a free gift.

Carolyn Anderson-Fermann is a public speaker, organizing expert and founder of Simply Organized Life.

Stress Free Holiday Tip #5

2011-11-23T16:06:00.004-05:00

Tip #5: Declutter

I have written about prioritizing how you use your time and money during the holidays. Now it is time to discuss how you use your space during the holidays. Leading up to Thanksgiving, I have been helping many clients declutter their kitchens, family rooms and dining room tables. It is great fun and the rewards are plenty.

If you plan to decorate for the holidays at home or in the office, all of your beautiful decorations will be overshadowed if clutter abounds. Now is the time to declutter. This can be very empowering. Not only will you make room for those beautiful decorations, you will also make room for new gifts.

Making Room for Decorations:
Holiday decorations are usually displayed in the most public areas of a home or office. These are the areas that you want to look nice for visitors throughout the year, but especially at the holidays. If you are overwhelmed by clutter in these spaces, focus on one area at a time that you plan to decorate. For example, if you want to decorate your staircase banisters, focus on clearing the steps of any clutter.

Making Room for New Gifts:
This tip is great for anyone that expects to receive a gift during the holidays. Have you ever heard of the "one in, one out" rule? This is a way of achieving equilibrium in your space. If something new comes into your space, something old must go out. This simple rule can keep clutter from taking over. By letting go of some things before the holidays, you can free up space and share with others that may be less fortunate. It is also a great lesson to teach children.

Getting and being organized is a process, not an event. For continuing tips on decluttering, sign up for my monthly e-newsletter "Your Simply Organized Life".

Carolyn Anderson-Fermann is a public speaker, organizing expert and the founder of Simply Organized Life.

Stress Free Holiday Tip #4

2011-11-18T10:39:00.004-05:00

Tip #4: A Financial Plan!

One of the biggest stressors in life (not just at the holidays) is money. My 10 Stress Free Holiday Tips will help you keep spending in check this holiday season. If you are able to follow these tips, or even some of the tips, you will feel better for it come January 2012.

Rather than calling this a "holiday budget" I like to call it a plan for financial success during the holidays. The goal is not to add to debt in January! You can do this by being in control of what you spend and save this season.

Each of these 10 Tips builds upon the tip before it. By keeping it simple (Tip #1), creating a plan (Tip #2) and using a calendar (Tip #3) you are prioritizing how you want to spend your time this season. You also need to prioritize how you spend your money.

The first step is to determine the overall amount that you can afford to spend on the holidays without adding to your debt in January. Once you have your "magic number" you need to break down your spending plan into categories. This should include not only gifts, but also extra food, decorations, utilities, and travel expenses to name a few.

The difficult part for most people is sticking to the plan. If you find you are a little too freewheeling with the credit card, you may want to make an envelope with cash for each of your categories. Another alternative is to purchase prepaid credit cards for in person or on-line shopping. It is okay to use your regular credit card, as long as you can pay for all of your purchases when the bill comes.

The next post will focus on making room for wise purchases by decluttering your space.

Carolyn Anderson-Fermann is a public speaker, organizing expert and the founder of Simply Organized Life.

Stress Free Holiday Tip #3

2011-11-14T14:18:00.004-05:00

Tip #3: Use a Calendar!

If you have been reading my blog posts, subscribing to the "Your Simply Organized Life" newsletter or have attended any of my seminars; you know I am a fanatic about calendar usage. I don't care if you are the CEO of a Fortune 500 company or a retiree, in my humble opinion EVERYONE needs to use a calendar daily.

Hopefully, most of you are already using some sort of calendar or planner in your daily life to keep track of personal, professional and family appointments. It does not matter what type of calendar you use (paper or electronic) but I recommend using one calendar for all appointments if possible. If you are not using a calendar, now is a good time to start.

To avoid overbooking (and going crazy) during the holidays, put all of your appointments on the calendar. This includes the company parties, family gatherings and even your kids' holiday events. Be sure to ask your family members about these events and if you will be required to bring anything, dress a certain way or in general make any preparations. Remember, to say "no thank you" to events that do not fit with your holiday plan. This is the difference that will keep you stress free!

If any of your scheduled events require preparations, check to see if they fit with your holiday plan. If they fit with your simple holiday plan (i.e. it is something you want to spent time on), schedule time in your calendar for those preparations and do not forget to schedule driving time! For example, if you want to attend your company holiday party, but do not currently have the appropriate attire, schedule time in your calendar for shopping in person or on-line.

If the scheduled events on your calendar require preparations that do not fit with your holiday plan (i.e. it is something that you do not want to spend time on), try to outsource or avoid those duties whenever possible. For example, if your child needs treats for the school party and you are clueless in the kitchen, schedule time with your child to purchase or order an alternative. It can still be homemade, just not from your kitchen (ask me about my cupcake lady anytime).

With so many service providers available these days you can outsource just about any holiday task from baking, to decorating, to even sending your holidays cards (I have a great system for holiday cards). The key is to make sure that you can afford to outsource holiday tasks. In my next blog I will write about making a financial plan for the holidays!

Carolyn Anderson-Fermann is a public speaker, organizing expert and founder of Simply Organized Life.

Stress Free Holiday Tip #2

2011-11-09T14:19:00.005-05:00

My last entry covered Stress Free (or at least less stress!) Holiday Tip #1: Keep it Simple! In that blog we mentioned creating a holiday plan which leads us to...

Tip #2: Plan, Plan, Plan!

Once you have decided what is important to you for simple holiday celebrations, you need to create a plan to make it happen.

Going through the holidays without a plan is kind of like driving in the car without a map or GPS system. I know, many of you will resist this metaphor with the logic that you do not need a map for somewhere you have already been. But if you got lost (i.e. stressed or sidetracked) the last time you went through the holidays, a plan for this holiday season is going to help keep you from getting in a wreck (i.e. overdoing, overspending, and regretting it come January).

You can create a simple holiday plan, by writing down what you want to do this holiday season and scheduling time to do those things on your list. You do not need a fancy notebook or special paper, but you should have your calendar nearby for scheduling time. Any paper or calendar will do, or if you are a techie, you might want to do this on the computer.

Next time we will talk more about using a calendar for scheduling both holiday events and tasks!

Stress Free Holiday Tip #1

2011-11-04T09:21:00.004-04:00

Tip #1: Keep it Simple!

Complexity adds stress. It is that simple.

The key to avoiding stress during the holidays is to keep things simple. I know that is easier said than done especially with all of the media messages, stores all decked out and expectations from family and friends. However, with frugality coming back in style, I believe simple holidays are a breath of fresh air for many.

One of the ways to keep things simple is to focus only on the things that you enjoy during the holidays. This may take a little thought, as there are so many things we do "just because". Think about what you and your family enjoy during this season and why. For example, if you enjoy putting up a tree is it because the way the tree looks when you are finished or is it because your kids have so much decorating it with simple things? Asking yourself these questions, will allow you to focus only on the enjoyable elements and keep it simple!

As for those things that always stress you out (and maybe you never seem to get done) if it is not necessary, eliminate it from your holiday plan. What!? No holiday plan!? We will talk about making a simple holiday plan next time.

Carolyn Anderson-Fermann is a public speaker, organizing expert and founder of Simply Organized Life.

Organizing for Stress Free Holidays

2011-11-02T16:04:00.005-04:00

Yesterday the November 2011 edition of Your Simply Organized Life hit in-boxes. In it I provided 10 simple tip for stress free holidays.

From my perspective being organized is an essential element in enjoying the holidays and living well every day. My 10 tips for stress free holidays do not cost anything and will help you save time and money during this busy time of the year.

1. Keep it Simple

2. Plan, Plan, Plan

3. Use a Calendar

4. Make a Financial Plan (and stick to it!)

5. Declutter Your Space

6. Ask for What you Want (and ask other what they want)

7. Give Clutter Free Gifts

8. Accept Imperfection

9. Remember the Reason for the Season

10. Have Fun!

Over the next few weeks I will be elaborating on each of these 10 tips at the Simply Organized Life blog. Please join me as we prepare for stress free holidays (or at least holidays with less stress)!

If you are in a crunch to get your house in order before Thanksgiving, check out November's special and schedule your complementary telephone consultation today with Carolyn to learn more. Please also feel free to sign up for my newsletter, Your Simply Organized Life. You will receive a free gift just for signing up.

October Seminars

2011-10-05T09:47:00.009-04:00

October will be a busy month for me with three seminars, including my first "international" seminar in Windsor, Ontario, Canada!

Carolyn will be traveling to Canada on Saturday, October 15th to present "The Best Organizing Tips for Busy Families" at the 33rd Annual Multiple Births Canada National Conference. Parents of multiples certainly need all the help they can get.

On Monday, October 17, 2011 Carolyn will be presenting "Organizing Tips for Small Business Owners" at the Women Making Connections Fall Empowering Conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Come out, network with wonderful women business owners and learn practical tips for making the most of your time.

Register now to join Carolyn on Friday, October 28, 2011 for "Five Habits of an Organized Office" with Ann Arbor Rec & Ed. If you have an office at work, at home or on the road this seminar is for you. Learn five simple habits to keep your office organized for optimal efficiency.

Do you need an organized speaker for your event? Carolyn has availability from November 2011. Give me a call at 734-646-4177 to learn more.

One Small Thing at a Time

2011-09-26T09:33:00.010-04:00

When people find out that I am a professional organizer/organizing consultant, they often make comments like: "Your home must be perfect" or "You must have everything labeled perfectly". While I would never hesitate to let a surprise visitor inside my home; I am often busy like you and I share my home with a husband, two children and a 70 pound shedding dog. Perfection is not the goal. Having a clean, livable home where we can find stuff is.

The fact of the matter is that maintaining organization takes a little time and a little effort. For the most part, with daily tidying up things stay fairly organized in my home. There are those areas that get messy and need some attention from time to time.

My latest mini-project (that took all of 5 minutes) was the area where I keep shopping bags and grocery bags. Let me preface this by saying that, yes, I do employ reusable bags often, but not always. In our home we reuse a lot of stuff, including shopping bags, grocery bags and plastic bags.

The "bag shelf" had become completely overrun with bags, packing paper and even a few kids' toys shoved in at random. To organize this area, I took everything off the shelf. Note, that I didn't try to organize the whole room, just one shelf. This is important. Then I sorted the bags into two categories: grocery bags and all other bags (i.e. shopping bags and reusable bags). All the rumpled bags were put into recycling and kids' toys returned to their proper home. Here is the result:

This is not fancy or even labeled. It is just a shelf where I can go to when I need a bag.

During this process, I came up with a lot more grocery bags than you see here. If you have an over abundance of grocery bags, like I did, check with your local food pantry to see if they can reuse them. Faith in Action took my extra grocery bags. Here are two volunteers stocking the shelves at the Dexter, Michigan location, which is currently in need of crackers for the food pantry. They also have a facility in Chelsea, Michigan.

In addition to the blog, I also publish a free e-newsletter that is distributed on the 1st of every month. Sign up today to receive the October edition, where I will provide tips on what to do with all those receipts.

Mom 2 Mom Sales in Dexter and Saline

2011-09-19T11:57:00.010-04:00

With school in full swing and fall upon us, there is no better time to clean out those closets, get organized and make a little extra cash while doing it. This coming Saturday, September 24, 2011 there are two Mom to Mom sales being held in the Ann Arbor area, specifically Dexter and Saline.

Head out to Dexter's Cornerstone School at 7480 Dan Hoey Road bright and early Saturday morning. The Cornerstone Parent Teacher Group (CPTG) Mom to Mom sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The entrance fee for adults is $1 with all proceeds benefiting the CPTG. For those of you with children's items to sell, there are still a few tables available. You can reserve your table by contacting Kathy Fletcher at 734-637-9646 or kathyfletcher@chartermi.net.

From Dexter drive over to Saline's Mom2Mom Consignment sale at Liberty School on Saline-Ann Arbor Rd. This sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a consignment Mom2Mom sale--a little different than the "normal" kind. All toys and clothing must be dropped off by Friday, September 23, 2011 with prices marked. The items will then be aggregated by type and size for re-sale. Any unsold items can be picked up at the end of the sale or donated, if you choose. There is a $1.00 admission fee at the door. For more details on selling or shopping, please check out the website at www.mom2momconsignmentsale.com

Monday Musings

2011-09-12T14:07:00.007-04:00

Mackinac Island, Michigan---Fall 2010

Despite all of my good intentions, it has been a long time since I have posted to the blog and summer is rapidly slipping out of our hands here in Michigan.

After such a hot summer, I welcome fall, my favorite season of the year. I recently discovered, however, that many busy families dread fall. They are stressed by new schedules, the deluge of papers from the school and the general busyness of it all after the supposed lazy days of summer.

Here are three quick tips to address the stress families feel in fall:

1) New Schedules---Times of transition and change can be difficult for adults and children alike. For many readers this may be the first full week with kids back to school. Remind yourself it might take another week or two to adjust to new schedules. In the meantime, pull out your calendar and put EVERYTHING in it. Your calendar is your time management bible.

2) School Papers---This is where nearly everyone struggles. The problem with paper is that it just keeps coming at you, ready or not. The trick is to have a few simple systems in place and keep ahead of that paper monster. Designate one place for incoming papers and take 5 to 15 minutes daily to file, act upon or toss those items.

3) Busy Days---Mahatma Gandhi once said that "There is more to life than increasing its speed." I always joke that my clients have much more interesting lives than myself and there's a lot of truth in that joke. My clients are often the folks that hold up our communities: the go-to people in the schools, churches or synagogues. They are wonderfully kind people, who sometimes take on too much. Remember, to take a step back and slow down life a little if you have inadvertently taken on too much.

I hope these quick tips will help you feel just a little less stressed this fall. For more free tips and a free gift, sign up for my monthly newsletter at Simply Organized Life.

Home Office Organizing Tips

2011-07-15T14:58:00.002-04:00

Even if you do not own a business, nearly everyone needs a home office (or kitchen corner).

Last week, I wrote a guest blog for Entrepreneurial America titled "Home Office Organizing Tips for Solopreneurs". If you own a business, these tips will help you be a success in your chosen field. Non-business owners can glean a few tips for the home office as well.

Entrepreneurial America is a blog for those in business and contemplating their own business. It is edited by my good friend and former business school classmate, Amber Clark.

Insurance Paperwork Filing

2011-07-06T11:43:00.003-04:00

Getting rid of items that are no longer needed is a key strategy to getting organized. However, sometimes it can be difficult to know what to toss when it comes to paperwork like insurance policies. These are the items that we tend to hang on to, citing "what if" scenarios.

The folks at Freedom Filer, a "self-purging" document storage system, say that it is generally alright to get rid of old insurance policies if you've received a new one, unless one of their following circumstances apply to you:

If you have a claim pending, hang on to the expired policy and any related paperwork.
If you think there may be a claim filed in regards to something that happened during the life of your old policy, keep the policy documents.
For businesses, it doesn't hurt to keep all policy paperwork through the life of your business.

*Remember, always check with your CPA or attorney about what legal paperwork to keep and for how long.

Organizing Resources

2011-06-24T10:12:00.005-04:00

In my last Dexter Patch blog post, I wrote about "Being Organized". For my clients and myself the level of organization in our spaces fluctuates with how busy we are, our health and our level of motivation for any given day or week.

Being organized is not about being perfect. To me, being organized is all about taking small, easy steps every day to maintain the level of order we need to thrive. If we skip a day or two (or a week) it is easy to literally pick up where we left off.

If you are struggling with being organized, resources abound! I just found out this morning that this Simply Organized Life Blog was included in a list of "Best 50 Blogs About Reducing Clutter" with the comments "These great little tips will transform your life!" I am honored to be listed among some of the leaders in my industry. I hope each of you reading will find a little gem to use in your daily life.

In addition, on August 26th at 10 a.m. I will be returning to the Dexter District Library to present my seminar titled "Downsizing Your Home: What to Keep -- What to Toss!" This seminar is for anyone who thinks they might have too much stuff in their home. Best of all, it is free.

Please send your comments and questions. I would love to hear about your organizing journey!

Free Downsizing Seminar

2011-06-14T21:28:00.004-04:00

So many of us want to simplify our lives, but don't know where to start. You do not have to make a move to downsize your home and simplify your life.

Carolyn Anderson-Fermann, founder of Simply Organized Life and a NAPO Golden Circle Member, will present the following seminar at the Dexter District Library in Dexter, Michigan on Friday, August 26, 2011 from 10 to 11 a.m:

"Downsizing Your Life: What to Keep - What to Toss"
No matter what stage of life you are at, it is difficult to downsize, especially in our "super-sized" culture. Making do with less does not have to be a struggle. In fact, life can be more peaceful without the excess clutter.

In this seminar, Carolyn will provide simple tips to guide participants through the process of downsizing your home. Whatever your age or situation, this workshop will give you some helpful direction to set goals and time-lines when deciding what to keep and what to toss.

There is no charge for this seminar, open to the general public.
Sign up at the Dexter District Library.

Organizational Seminars

2011-05-26T15:07:00.005-04:00

This summer, Carolyn will be presenting two great seminars through the Ann Arbor Rec & Ed on organizational strategies. These seminars are excellent opportunities to get organized this summer at a fraction of the cost of one-on-one consulting.

"5 Habits for an Organized Office" will be offered June 28th from 6 to 8 pm, and is perfect for anyone with an office, either home or corporate. This seminar offers advice on how to maximize your efficiency while minimizing office clutter.

"Tame the Paper Monster" will be offered July 15th from 10 am to 12 noon, and is a hands-on seminar that offers guidance in sorting through your own household and personal paperwork, helping you to reduce clutter and manage your documents.

For more information on both of these great opportunities, check out page 24 of the Rec & Ed Summer Catalog and the seminars page of the Simply Organized Life website.

*Photo from the Ann Arbor Rec & Ed website: http://reced.aaps.k12.mi.us/reced.home

Other Container Options

2011-05-24T14:14:00.008-04:00

The sistema container sets mentioned in April's post are a great way to containerize and manage food storage. While the system mentioned can be found at Sur la Table, Macy's also carries a similar line of storage containers by Martha Stewart that are a great way to organize your kitchen and pantry. Additionally, don't overlook Gladware containers for reusable food storage!

You can use any of these options to containerize - that is, to stick to a few stackable sizes of storage containers. Pick a couple sizes that you'll get the most use out of; ones that can fit a variety of sandwiches or leftovers. Stack lids and containers together, and you'll have a clutter-free way to store and save a wide variety of foods.

When searching storage options online, don't forget that customer reviews can be especially helpful in finding the right type of containers for you!

New Blog

2011-05-24T10:06:00.006-04:00

I am pleased to announce that I am now also blogging for Dexter Patch. Click on the Dexter Patch link to read my introductory blog on Being Organized. This is another outlet for tips and tricks from a professional organizer. I will continue to contribute to this blog, the Simply Organized Life Facebook page and my monthly newsletter Your Simply Organized Life.

Organizing Medicine

2011-04-26T10:50:00.005-04:00

Here's a great little tip for organizing medicine. I came up with this while packing for our March trip to Atlanta and ever since have been asking myself why I didn't think of this sooner.

My favorite organizing product, has to be zipper bags like the quart size one shown at right. I only buy two sizes: quart and gallon, thus eliminating baggie clutter.

The bag in the photo was put together as a travel kit and went in our carry on. I have since kept it together at home. This basic kit of pain/fever reducers contains:

A note card with my children's names, weight and dosage on each side.

Ibuprofen and acetaminophen for my children.

Marked syringes to measure and administer the children's medicine.

An ear thermometer.

Ibuprofen for myself and my husband.

The note card has been really helpful in not confusing the kids' dosages in a moment of worry over a sick child. In addition, I have everything I need in one place when I need it.

For more organizing tips, sign up for my monthly e-newsletter "Your Simply Organized Life" and "Like" Simply Organized Life on Facebook.

Food Storage

2011-04-01T11:15:00.004-04:00

February and March 2011 were busy months for Simply Organized Life. I have been helping lots of clients get organized in their kitchens, home offices, kids' rooms and storage areas.

In March I got away with the family for a few days, joining my husband on a business trip to Atlanta and staying with family in the area. We visited Stone Mountain, the Georgia Aquarium, and one of the area's many malls where I discovered these sistema containers (photo at left) in Sur La Table.

While I do not need any new food storage containers, the sistema containers are BPA free and the lids snap on tight. Currently I use Glad containers with interlocking lids for food storage and Japanese bento boxes for my kids' lunches. The bento boxes have two tiers and a locking lid similar to the sistema containers.

Saline Mom to Mom Sale

2011-02-21T08:52:00.002-05:00

As a parent of young children, I occasionally enjoy the Mom to Mom sale format that is popular here in Southeast Michigan. Recently I have noticed a new concept in Mom to Mom sales that can benefit both sellers and buyers. The consignment or department store format allows sellers to drop off items beforehand for resale and buyers have the benefit of presorted items.

Theresa Ferenczy sent me this listing for an upcoming consignment sale in Saline, Michigan:

"Mark you calendar for Saline's first Mom2Mom Consignment Sale on March 12, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be held at Liberty School in Saline (7265 N. Ann Arbor Saline Road). This is a great way for parents to clear out closets and make some extra cash. No more sitting at a table all day and selling---you price your items, drop them off on Friday, March 11, 2011 and we sell them for you on Saturday, March 12, 2011. For shoppers everything is in one room and sorted by gender and size. There is a $1 admission fee."

Filing Car Paperwork

2011-01-30T14:47:00.002-05:00

When it comes to paperwork, knowing what to keep can be tricky. When it comes to vehicle documents, knowing where to keep it throws an additional wrench into even the most well-organized plans. FreedomFiler, a document-organizing system, offers these tips as to how to save and file* vehicle documents:

Your current proof of registration, proof of auto insurance, and any emergency contact information belongs in the car (the glove compartment is a great place for this!)
Paid registration renewal notices can be organized with your other tax documents.
The title for your vehicle should be kept in a safe spot, and organized in a file with other long-term documents.

*Always check with your CPA or attorney for advice on what paperwork to keep and for how long.

Donate in Dexter

2011-01-17T09:15:00.003-05:00

Looking for another reason to let go of some clutter? The Dexter, Michigan Knights of Columbus will be accepting donations for their annual rummage sale on the following dates and times:
Thursday, January 27, 2011, 1~6 p.m.
Friday, January 28, 2011, 1~6 p.m.
Saturday, January 29, 2011, 10:30 a.m.~4 p.m.
Sunday, January 30, 2011, 10:30 a.m.~4 p.m.
The Knights of Columbus will not accept furniture, computers or large exercise equipment.

Labels for Kids

2011-01-04T09:54:00.005-05:00

After scoffing at the need for professional labels for my kids' belonging, I broke down this morning and purchased a "Party Pack" of Name Bubbles for each of my kids. Hopefully, these labels will live up to my expectations, as they are quite expensive.

Up until now, a Sharpie Laundry Pen or my Brother P-touch labels have been sufficient. However, labeling shoes and clothes without tags gets tricky. I also hate to deface items that can be passed on. I am hoping these labels, particularly the laundry labels, will stay put for my kids and be able to be removed when the time comes for the items to leave our home. Besides, they are a lot more stylish than my handwriting or a P-touch label.

New Year's Resolutions

2010-12-26T20:32:00.003-05:00

Whether your New Year's resolution is to visit the gym more often, or perhaps to organize your home, now is the time of year to start thinking about it. The Wall Street Journal recently had an article about keeping resolutions, which you can find here. The article emphasizes the fact the willpower alone is not enough to accomplish resolutions; you must reshape your daily habits.

Additionally, it helps to take many small steps toward your goal, as opposed to larger, more difficult leaps, and to visualize your desired end result. That way, you can be well on your way to a more productive, and hopefully, organized, New Year!

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

Ann Arbor Seminars

2010-11-30T09:09:00.004-05:00

For several years now, I have been conducting seminars with Ann Arbor Rec & Ed. It is a wonderful way to meet members of the community and share organizing tips with a wider clientele.

Beginning with the Winter 2011 catalog, Ann Arbor Rec & Ed will no longer be charging a higher fee for nonresidents registering for classes. At the same time, the Rec & Ed catalog will be distributed to more surrounding communities.

Look for my new class on Coping with Electronic Clutter in the Winter 2011 catalog. Looking forward to meeting you in Ann Arbor!

Donate Gently Used Coats

2010-11-16T16:28:00.002-05:00

Thanks to the generosity of our community, Reinhart Realtors in Ann Arbor, Michigan has provided thousands of winter coats to local agencies. Please join Reinhart in this effort through your donation of a coat in good repair. Through the month of November, please bring your coats to any Reinhart sales office or Reinhart Sunday Open House. All coats will be professionally cleaned and distributed locally.

Press Release

2010-10-30T15:05:00.001-04:00

Press Release
For Immediate Release

Saturday, October 30, 2010

January is Get Organized Month:
Simply Organized Life to Provide Two Free Seminars on January 21, 2011

January 2011 will mark the National Association of Professional Organizers’ (NAPO) 7th annual Get Organized Month (http://www.napo.net/news/go_month.aspx).

Getting organized is consistently one of the top 10 New Year’s resolutions and household paperwork is where many struggle the most. Carolyn Anderson-Fermann, founder of Simply Organized Life and a NAPO Golden Circle Member, will present the following free seminars in Dexter, Michigan on Friday, January 21, 2011.

“Tame the Paper Monster”, Dexter District Library, January 21, 2011, 10 to 11 a.m.
Do you have stacks of household paperwork lying around your home? Are you overwhelmed by the thought of sorting through these papers, but know there are important documents buried in the piles? In this seminar, Carolyn will provide simple tips to guide participants through the process of sorting, decision-making and purging the backlog of household paperwork.
There is no charge for this seminar, open to the general public.
Sign up at the Dexter District Library. For more information about the Dexter District Library go to: http://www.dexter.lib.mi.us/

“Drowning in Paper?”, Dexter Senior Center, January 21, 2011, 1 to 2 p.m.
If you do not know where to begin looking for important papers in your home, this seminar is for you. With the average American consuming about 24 reams of paper per year, it can be a struggle to keep up with household paperwork. In this workshop, Carolyn will provide easy steps to gain control of and maintain paper organization.
This free seminar is open to all ages.
Sign up at the Dexter Senior Center. For more information about the Dexter Senior Center go to: http://www.hvcn.org/info/dexterseniors/

Free Shredding on October 2, 2010

2010-09-28T12:13:00.004-04:00

De-clutter with Recycle Ann Arbor this Saturday

Citizens and businesses are invited to bring up to 100 pounds (three banker boxes) of papers per vehicle to shred at no charge at the Recycle Ann Arbor Drop Off Station, 2950 E. Ellsworth Road on Saturday, October 2nd, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

All papers will be recycled. Consumers are encouraged to bring their sensitive information to be shredded, including confidential documents, check stubs, bank statements, credit card offers, and old tax records.

The event is hosted by Washtenaw County and made possible by the generous donation of staffing and mobile shredding trucks from Allshred, a Toledo-based recycling company.

There will be a $3 charge for additional boxes of papers; however large quantities of papers will not be able to be handled at this public event. For more information, read the press release on Recycle Ann Arbor's website.

To learn about recycling and shredding events in your community, click on Earth911.

Children's Resale Shops

2010-08-17T14:03:00.006-04:00

Resale shops not only are great places to look for a bargain, but they also offer a way to make some extra cash while simultaneously cleaning out your closets! Children outgrow clothes so fast that it's easy to end up with bags of things that no longer fit, as well as toys and books that are no longer used. Instead of letting these unused items accumulate, why not try taking them to a local resale shop? Some of the items in highest demand, according to the resale chain Once Upon A Child, are clothing, specifically things like outerwear, costumes, and sleepwear, all kinds of electronic and activity toys, puzzles, furniture and bedroom equipment like changing tables, and other products like strollers and swings. Gather up your excess and outgrown children's items and clean out your home by visiting one of several Ann Arbor area resale shops:

-Once Upon A Child; with locations at 4559 Washtenaw Ave. in Ann Arbor and 5804 N. Sheldon Drive in Clinton. This chain specializes in the resale of brand-name products, all of which are screened for safety and quality before resale. Visit their website at http://www.onceuponachild.com/ for store hours and more information.

-Children's Orchard; located in the Colonnade shopping center on 887 West Eisenhower Pkwy., in Ann Arbor. Children's Orchard offers a "M.O.M.S Club," where you can sign up to receive promotions, coupons, and other discounts for buying and selling items at their store. They also have an online store on their website at http://www.childorchstore.com/default.asp

- Grow With Me; a local Ann Arbor "resale boutique" at 2521 Jackson Ave. (in the Westgate shopping plaza). This shop offers three different options for selling items (outright cash payment, store credit at 30% more than the outright cash value, or consignment payment of 40-50% of the selling price) on the days they buy goods (Tuesday - Saturday, 11 am to 4 pm). More information can be found on their website at http://www.growwithme123.com/index.html.

Be sure to check out each shop's specific guidelines for resale online before rounding up your items!

Free Shredding Event

2010-07-21T12:55:00.002-04:00

In an effort to help protect members from identity fraud, the University of Michigan Credit Union is hosting a free shredding day on Saturday, July 24, 2010, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Not only is this a great opportunity to ensure that personal information is recycled safely and securely, but it also affords you with an excellent excuse to de-clutter your filing cabinets or home office.

The event will be held at the credit union branch at 4440 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Members are allowed up to six bags of papers to be shredded on site. For more information please visit the UM Credit Union's website.

Submitted by Ms. Emily Everard, UM Student

Radical Idea for Clutter

2010-07-12T09:42:00.002-04:00

I received a thank you note from a recent seminar attendee with a blog post from zenhabits attached. The blog talks about packaging away your clutter to create a clean slate. It sounds like a great idea in theory, the only trouble is that most folks probably never get to the boxes full of clutter that they packed away.

In fact, the seminar attendee noted that they essentially packed up the clutter when they moved 7 years ago and the boxes still sit in their basement "hidden by new clutter". In my opinion the zenhabits approach just delays the decision making process. Call it clutter procrastination.

Dexter Donations

2010-06-29T13:31:00.004-04:00

Once again, St. Joseph Church in Dexter, Michigan will be holding their annual flea market July 8~10, 2010. This is a great opportunity to donate your unloved treasures. You can drop off items at the Village Parish Center until July 3, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To learn more about what types of items the church is looking for contact Ms. Carol Klutchko at 734-663-0864.

Specials for Facebook Fans

2010-06-05T10:16:00.003-04:00

I am now offering specials on last minute appointments through the Simply Organized Life Facebook page. Check out this week's special and become a fan by clicking on "like" in Facebook.

Hoarding

2010-06-04T16:11:00.002-04:00

These days whenever I tell folks that I am a professional organizer, they have to ask me about the A&E show Hoarders. Generally, my clients are just regular folks with busy lives and basic levels of clutter (basement overflow, an unusable spare room or just an office with too much paper).

In May there was a very good interview with hoarding expert, Dr. Randy Frost, on NPR's Science Friday. Dr. Frost mentioned the OCD Foundation as a good place to find help in the form of therapists.

On a personal note, I only work with true hoarders under the supervision of a licensed therapist and I have only seen about 15 minutes of the A&E show.

AD/HD Conference

2010-05-17T10:30:00.003-04:00

Every year Oakland Community College in Farmington Hills, Michigan hosts the Annual Michael Golds Memorial AD/HD Conference. This year's conference will be held on Friday, September 24, 2010. If you are interested, save the date and look for more information.

Pillows & Bedding

2010-05-05T14:14:00.004-04:00

A seminar attendee recently e-mailed me to ask what to do with old pillows. Unfortunately, charities cannot take old pillows due to health concerns and Recycle Ann Arbor is not able to recycle pillows either. It is sad to say, but old pillows are destined for the trash.

In trying to help the seminar participant find a home (besides the garbage) for her old pillows, I contacted the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) thinking that they might be able to use pillows for the animals.

Kelly Schwartz, HSHV's Director of Volunteer Programs & Operational Support, explained that pillows, sleeping bags or comforters cannot be used by the Humane Society because "they are difficult to wash and disease amongst the animals is a concern for us." She went on to say that HSHV has a need for lots of other gently used and new items. Currently they urgently need towels and small blankets.

Like many local charities HSHV has a "wish list" posted on-line with up to date needs.

NAPO 2010 Conference

2010-04-27T16:24:00.005-04:00

Here I am on April 23, 2010 at the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) Conference in Columbus, Ohio. I had a great time reconnecting with fellow organizers and learning new techniques. My husband also had a great time with the kids at the Columbus Zoo (thank God he didn't loose them!).

Check out the reusable grocery bag that was this year's freebie bag. I love it. It is already on the passenger seat of my car, so I don't forget to use it when I am out and about. If you see me shopping around Ann Arbor, Michigan with this bag, please stop and say "hello".

I have more photos posted on Simply Organized Life's Facebook page. Click on "Like" for more frequent quick tips.

Facebook and Twitter

2010-04-14T14:22:00.004-04:00

I held out for a long time, fearing that Facebook and Twitter would be a huge drain on my time. However, I also felt I might be missing out on something. Look for Simply Organized Life on Facebook and SimpOrgLife on Twitter to keep up with the latest news. During slow times, I will post limited time discounts for Facebook Fans and Twitter Followers.

If anyone knows how to link this blog to my Facebook and Twitter accounts, please leave a comment (note: all anonymous comments will be rejected).

An Organized Closet

2010-04-13T09:56:00.003-04:00

I really enjoy helping clients, especially women, organize their clothes closets. An organized closet can save a lot of time in the morning rush. Having only the clothes that fit correctly and make you feel good can do wonders for self esteem too.

I always try to practice what I preach, so I was so delighted when Amy Cattell of Amy's Elegance by Design came to my home last Saturday to pick up a few items for altering. Amy's main business is designing and creating custom wedding gowns, but she also does a great job with alterations. She is currently working on altering items for myself, my husband and my mom.

When deciding which items to alter, I focus on quality articles of clothing that have classic looks and will remain in style a long time. Items that I may never wear again can be donated.

Article on Hiring an Organizer

2010-04-08T14:05:00.002-04:00

There is a great article in today's Wall Street Journal on hiring an organizer.

Just for Fun

2010-03-12T15:58:00.002-05:00

It's Friday and I finally finished preparing for our annual tax visit to our CPA. The appointment was delayed two weeks due to sick kids, sick parents and my husband traveling on business. We still have plenty of time before April 15th, so all is good.

For fun this afternoon (yes, my life is pretty simple) I checked out a blog I had read about in a parenting magazine. This woman makes little bento boxes for her son every day. Since I lived in Japan, I was hoping for something a bit more Japanese (loosely translated, bento means "lunch box" in Japanese), but it's all fun and good. As for the lady's other posts and photos of her household, it looks like she could use the help of an organizer, especially since several of her 2010 goals include organizing projects.

Exciting Announcement

2010-02-22T14:57:00.003-05:00

Carolyn is now a NAPO Golden Circle Member!

As of today, I am now a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers' (NAPO) Golden Circle. For more on this topic, sign up for my monthly e-newsletter by March 1, 2010.

Selling on Craig's List

2010-01-26T11:11:00.006-05:00

For those of you that read my last posting on "Letting Go of Children's Clothes" I am happy to report that I sold my remaining kids' clothes on Craig's List within the day I posted. The most difficult part was finding a place and time to meet the buyer, but the whole thing went smoothly. I have sold other items on my local Craig's List and have a few tips if you are looking to let go of your things this way and earn a little cash.

Always include a photo. When looking to buy on Craig's List, I won't even click on the item unless there is a photo.

Set up your photos on a clean uncluttered surface (see photo at right). If the background looks cluttered or dirty, I won't consider an item.

Arrange to meet the buyer in a public place. Let's face it, there are weirdos out there and this goes for buyers and sellers.

Ask for cash and list at a reasonable price (similar to a garage sale). Expect buyers to want to negotiate. I think of Craig's List as an easy way to get rid of stuff that has some value, but if I have something really valuable or collectible, I will turn to eBay.

Happy decluttering!

Letting Go of Kids' Clothes

2010-01-20T14:18:00.003-05:00

Since becoming the parent of two kids, I have been surprised at how hard it is to let go of some of my children's old clothes. However, I do let go and as a little consolation for myself I take a photo of favorite outfits on the kids as they start to outgrow them.

Lately, my favorite place to buy (and sell) children's clothing is the Grow With Me Resale Boutique in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I really try to practice what I preach and minimize the number of clothes I buy for my kids. Even though I do not buy or sell much at Grow With Me, they are always friendly and courteous. I should note that they are VERY picky with what they buy, but the stuff they sell is similarly priced and much nicer than the Children's Orchard store in Ann Arbor. Many of the items even have the original tags attached.

Recently I sold (or rather exchanged, because I turned around and bought some things with my store credit) some of my kids' clothes to Grow With Me. They took maybe half of the stuff I brought in and gave me a small store credit. It was easy.

I also recently took some children's clothing to Children's Orchard, as I had sold some maternity clothing to them some time ago. They didn't take ANYTHING and after I got home, I discovered they had lost a couple of small items. When I called the next morning, the lady at Children's Orchard remembered me, but couldn't find the items. She said small things get lost in the shuffle and either donated or tossed. So much for being organized.

So now, after both a good and bad experience with children's resale, I am going to try to sell the remainder of my outgrown kids' clothes on Ann Arbor's Craig's List and see what happens. I can always donate them to Purple Heart or Faith in Action. Next time I will skip the trip to Children's Orchard.

Winter Adult Outerwear Needed

2010-01-12T14:30:00.003-05:00

Now is a great time to take a look at your coat closet and find out what you are really wearing. Wash or dry clean those coats that need freshening up, especially out of season coats that can be stored elsewhere during the off season.

While you are at it pick out the coats that you no longer wear to donate. Currently Ann Arbor's St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop is seeking out adult sized winter coats among the items they normally accept.

Donate Card Tables

2010-01-06T14:01:00.003-05:00

Ann Arbor Rec & Ed is looking for square folding card tables to use for its bridge class. If you have a table that you no longer need, please contact Linda at 734-994-2300 extension 53203 to learn more. Your donation is tax deductible through the Ann Arbor Public Schools.

Keeping Resolutions

2010-01-05T11:10:00.002-05:00

There was a great article on keeping resolutions in the December 30th Wall Street Journal. Of course, I particularly liked the example of the woman who resolved to get organized. She is quoted as saying "my life is so much easier" now that she is organized. I couldn't have said it better.

Organizing Medical Paperwork

2009-12-03T15:05:00.006-05:00

Today one of my children went to the dentist for the first time. Thanks to Dr. Rice, Mickey, Kathy and Pam for making it such a wonderful experience for both of us!

Along with a visit to the dentist or doctor comes paperwork and sometimes lots of it! Here's what I do to organize the medical paperwork for my family:

1) Each family member has a three ring binder with their name on the spine. Mine is titled "Carolyn Health Care" and is stored alongside my husband's and children's binders.

2) We are basically healthy so one binder is sufficient for our medical, dental and vision records. I like to use Avery's write-on dividers that can be erased and reused, but you can use whatever you have on hand. Here are a couple of photos of my child's binder.

If you visit multiple doctor's or have a lot of medical paperwork, you might need several divider tabs or a binder for each doctor.

3) I organize the papers in reverse chronological order according to the date of the office visit with the dates highlighted in yellow. Sometimes the insurance companies will send explanation of benefit (EOB) paperwork with several visits on one sheet. In that case, I just take a copy or make a note of the coverage on the medical provider's paperwork.

Tips for Sick Kids

2009-11-18T13:52:00.008-05:00

As the parent of two young kids, I am both terrified of the H1N1 virus and know firsthand how easy kids can get sick. When illness strikes, the last thing I want to be doing is running out to a drugstore in the middle of the night. Here are some simple tips for being organized for sick kids:

Make time in your schedule to get your kids and yourself vaccinated. Avoiding illness in the first place is the ideal scenario.

Teaching kids good hygiene can be difficult, especially if you have toddlers. I recently read about a product called Germy Wormy to teach kids to cough into their sleeve. I made my own reusable one by cutting off the top of an old sock. My child left the thing on for about 10 minutes but usually does cough into the sleeve, so I am glad I didn't buy the Germy Wormy product.

Have basic medicine (i.e. Tylenol/Motrin) on hand. I like to keep one bottle upstairs and one downstairs for convenience. When I see one is low, I just add it to my shopping list. I use the notes function in Microsoft Outlook for various lists.

Keep a bottle of Pedialyte or Gatorade in your pantry. Just be sure to watch the expiration dates for safety and to avoid waste.

Have the telephone number for the doctor's office nearby. I keep these numbers in Outlook, but also in a binder in the kitchen for babysitters and when I cannot get to my computer quickly.

Donate Household "Scraps"

2009-11-06T10:26:00.006-05:00

The Scrap Box in Ann Arbor, Michigan is a great place to donate old collections of baby food jars, buttons, craft supplies, coffee cans, corks and other household "scraps". They also take National Geographic Magazines, which I know can be difficult for folks to part with.

The Scrap Box is a non-profit organization that provides craft materials for teachers as well as individual families. What a great way to get rid of clutter and keep it out of landfills!

WSJ Article on Hoarding

2009-10-20T14:08:00.003-04:00

Today's Wall Street Journal had an informative article on compulsive hoarding disorder. The article included a quote from my colleague, Deb Stanley, who specializes in helping chronically disorganized clients. There is also an interesting recording with an interview with Dr. Randy Frost, a psychologist from Smith College who studies hoarding.

E-mail Overload

2009-10-16T16:26:00.004-04:00

Like most people, I find it is so difficult to keep my e-mail under control. Using some of the techniques from my friend and colleague, Randy Dean, I am happy to say that my in-box is at 3 messages today. A record low!

Local Hoarding Fatality

2009-09-23T09:02:00.004-04:00

In Clinton Township, Michigan a local elderly couple recently died in their home. Fire officials believe the couple's hoarding of stuff may have prevented the couple from exiting the home. The Detroit News reported this as "collecting" but from reading the article it appears to me that the couple might have been hoarders. While professional organizers, such as myself can help, compulsive hoarding is a real disorder requiring the help of a mental health professional.

I should also note that most of my clients are not hoarders or people in need of mental health help. The folks that I work with are mostly busy professionals and families with whom life has gotten a little disorganized.

Upstairs/Downstairs Organizing

2009-09-09T19:11:00.005-04:00

I grew up in a small ranch style home, but currently live in a two story home with a basement. It seems like sometimes I find myself constantly running up and down the steps to put things in their proper places either upstairs, downstairs or in the basement.

I recently have had to limit my trips up and down the stairs due to temporary health issues, which has turned my poor husband into a bit of a pack horse. The general rule in our house is that you never go up or down empty handed, but I do not want to create unnecessary trips, especially now when I am relying on my spouse's help.

In order not to forget anything, I have a basket where throughout the day I place items needing to go upstairs and make a list of things I want to bring down. This is working so great, I might continue this practice when my stamina is back.

Goodwill Opens in Chelsea

2009-08-04T10:36:00.004-04:00

Folks in western Washtenaw County have another option for donating household items and clothing. The Dexter Leader and Chelsea Standard recently reported on the opening of a new Goodwill drop off location in Chelsea, Michigan:

"The Chelsea Goodwill CMH center is located at 1167 S. Main Street. The 2,000 square foot location will be open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m."

Organizing Recipes

2009-07-22T10:51:00.006-04:00

In the August edition of my monthly e-newsletter, Your Simply Organized Life (click here to sign up), I will answer a reader question regarding organizing recipes torn from magazines or newspapers.

Here is how I like to organize recipes in my own household. I have a simple one inch binder (shown below) for all the recipes I collect. This limits me from collecting too many that we may never try. If something isn't to our tastes, it gets recycled to allow room for another recipe.

Inside of the binder (see below) each recipe is housed in a plastic sheet. This is great when things get messy or the recipes are not quite the right size. I find this solution to be simple, easy and inexpensive.

Summertime!

2009-07-08T09:53:00.004-04:00

Now that we are fully into July, summertime has officially arrived here in Michigan. My garden is in full bloom and looks so beautiful. The tree peony (photo below) blooms are long gone and have been replaced by lilies and lavender. This summer what are you doing to enjoy life more? Are you slowing down to "smell the roses" or "take in the warm sun"? Or are you finishing up some nagging projects? Remember this time is fleeting, just like the beautiful peony bloom. Take advantage of every day!

Donate Clutter in Dexter

2009-06-22T14:04:00.003-04:00

Here's a great opportunity to get rid of your clutter (err, unloved treasures) in Dexter. Every day this week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dexter is collecting items for their upcoming flea market. Items can be dropped off at the Parish Center in the village.

If you cannot drop your items off this week here are additional dates and times:
Saturday, June 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
June 29~July 3, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
July 6~8, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Book Review

2009-06-15T14:34:00.003-04:00

David Allen's 2001 Bestseller: Getting Things Done

This book has been on my reading list for a long time now. As I mentioned in my May 2009 Newsletter, Your Simply Organized Life, I finally figured out how to use my local library's on-line catalog to put books on hold and work my way through my "Books to Read" list. This is working great for me and it doesn't cost me a dime. Now if I could only read books faster than they appear on my list.

Getting Things Done, or GTD as it is commonly referred to is chock full of tips for organizing your time and your stuff. Overall, I learned some new things and felt the time spent reading GTD worth it; but did find it to be somewhat of a slow read.

What I like about GTD is that it incorporates tips not only for one's work (corporate) life, but also for your personal life. Some of systems David Allen recommends seem confusing and cumbersome (even for a professional organizer!). But there are some great tips to be had from this book. My favorite from page 99 "Keep the Drawer Less Than 3/4 Full" can be applied to organizing almost any physical space.

T-Shirt Quilts

2009-05-29T13:42:00.004-04:00

If you cannot part with those old t-shirts, but do not wear them anymore you can hire someone to make your very own t-shirt quilt. I recently heard of a woman out of Olivet, Michigan who has a business called Too Cool T-Shirt Quilts.

August Shredding Event

2009-05-20T10:53:00.004-04:00

Last week The Ann Arbor News reported that Recycle Ann Arbor's recent free shredding event was met with such success that it will be repeated for the third time in early August. Watch this blog and my monthly newsletter, Your Simply Organized Life, for updates.

Metal Recycling for Cash

2009-05-19T12:17:00.004-04:00

Organizing is like pulling back the layers of an onion. Some of us have bigger onions than others. As an organizing consultant, I am no different. My clutter is just hidden better and my onion is probably a little smaller than most.

That being said, I have been on a slow and steady mission to declutter our garage. My husband told me early on in our marriage (10+ years ago) that the garage was his domain and I wasn't to organize it. This was even before I started organizing professionally.

Since then we have worked together to slowly let go of those things that we do not need in order to make our garage tidier. The previous owner of our home left a rickety metal shelf in the garage. This past weekend we emptied it of our stuff, took it apart and yesterday morning I took it to Razorback Metals in Dexter, Michigan.

Our old shelf was worth only $0.60 for metal recycling, but I had a coupon from the Dexter Leader (I write a monthly column for this local weekly) that gave me $10 for "gas money" by bringing my stuff to Razorback Metals. I still cannot figure out that business model, but I was happy to get rid of that old shelf and walk away $10.60 richer.

Letting Go

2009-05-15T14:52:00.004-04:00

I see the biggest personal transformations in the clients that I am able to work with over long periods of time (6 months plus, about once a month). It is incredibly rewarding both for the client and myself.

This morning during our organizing session one of my long term clients proudly (and rightfully so!) told me about her practice of what I like to call the "one in, one out" rule. She had purchased new drinking glasses and while the new ones were in the dishwasher, she promptly (utilizing the "do it now rule") sorted out the old glasses for donating or recycling. This is something really simple, but something she probably would not have done in the past. Hurray!

If you are ready to let go of some of your old stuff, here's a great general guide to clearing out clutter.

Electronics Recycling Event

2009-05-06T11:19:00.003-04:00

Once again the Ann Arbor Public Schools in cooperation with Apple Computers and the University of Michigan is hosting two events for local businesses, non-profits and residents to safely recycle old electronics.

On May 7 and 8, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. local businesses and non-profits can drop off old electronic equipment for recycling at the Washtenaw Intermediate School District at 1819 S. Wagner Road in Ann Arbor.

On Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. local residents can dispose of old electronics for free at Pioneer High School on 610 W. Stadium Road in Ann Arbor. This is a popular event, so line up early at the Main Street Entrance. Last year the event filled 11 semi-trailers with old equipment and kept an estimated 145 tons of waste out of local landfills.

Ann Arbor Book Festival

2009-04-22T13:36:00.004-04:00

For two years (2006 and 2007) I served on the Planning Committee as Volunteer Coordinator for the Ann Arbor Book Festival. While I am no longer on this committee, current Volunteer Coordinator, Hillary Dorwart, needs your help for this year's Festival. Here's what Hillary has to say:

The sixth annual Ann Arbor Book Festival takes place May 15 - 17. Please volunteer your time and enjoy the community-wide event that celebrates reading, writing and literacy. View the full, exciting schedule at www.aabookfestival.org. Contact the Ann Arbor Book Festival at aabf@aabookfestival.org to volunteer today!

Ann Arbor Mom 2 Mom Sale

2009-04-19T09:54:00.003-04:00

Over a year ago, I wrote about my first experience with a local Mom 2 Mom Sale. These sales are great places to sell the things your children have outgrown or pick up necessities for a fraction of the price of buying new. In Southeast Michigan you can check out www.mom2momlist.com for the latest sales in your area.

On Saturday, April 25th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Ann Arbor Jaycees are organizing a Mom 2 Mom sale at the Best Western on Jackson Road in Ann Arbor. Check out the Jaycees website for more information.

Discounted Office Products

2009-03-31T16:41:00.003-04:00

Approximately 90% of my clients do not need to purchase any organizing products when working with me, but for the remaining 10% I try to recommend products that will truly meet their needs. I should note that I am not affiliated with any products, so there is no conflict of interest.

A fellow organizer in New Jersey brought to my attention this week that Ultimate Office is going out of business. This is a shame, as their products seemed to be of high quality and were truly unique. Hopefully another company will fill the void as many of these products cannot be found at Staples or Office Depot.

Recycling Vacuum Cleaners

2009-03-19T11:01:00.005-04:00

Last week my old Eureka upright vacuum cleaner seemed to be on its last leg. It wasn't surprising since my mom had handed it down to me in the early 90s. I am not sure when she bought it, but I remember her saying once that it was a low end model.

Through a loyalty program I had the opportunity to get a new Oreck XL Classic vacuum for free. This is a great deal seeing that this vacuum cleaner retails for around $300 and in my mind that seems like an awful lot of money to pay for a vacuum.

My new vacuum arrived on Tuesday and I love it! It is so lightweight, adjusts easily between different types of flooring (I vacuum everywhere to save time) and is doing a great job sucking up dog hair.

I had planned to throw the old vacuum in the trash, but felt guilty about the environmental waste. My husband reminded me that Recycle Ann Arbor would probably take the vacuum, as he had recently taken an old copier for my mom and our old shredder for recycling there. I called and they will take the old vacuum for free or at most a $2 fee. Less clutter in my house, reduced waste in the landfill and clean floors! What more could one need for a Simply Organized Life?

Organizing Tips for Families

2009-03-02T15:40:00.003-05:00

This morning I had the pleasure of presenting my seminar titled "Organizing Tips for Families" to the MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) of Northville group (I am in the green sweater). This is a vibrant secular group that meets twice monthly at the First United Methodist Church in Northville, Michigan.

The group has quite a roster of activities including a seminar from Dr. Bob Sornson of the Early Learning Foundation on March 16th and a Mom to Mom sale on April 24th & 25th. They are currently accepting gently used items for the Mom to Mom sale which benefits the group and local charities.

An Organized Medicine Cabinet

2009-02-24T16:01:00.004-05:00

For 2009 I have replaced the "Ask the Expert" feature from my monthly e-newsletter "Your Simply Organized Life" with a monthly organizing challenge. In February I challenged readers to organize their medicine cabinets in three easy steps. This is a simple organizing project that can be accomplished in less than one hour.

Along with readers, I took up this challenge and found six items with expired dates (see photo). It was so easy to take these items to my local pharmacy for proper disposal. It also freed up a nice amount of space in my medicine cabinet.

Click here to sign up for the monthly newsletter.

Getting Out of Debt

2009-02-03T13:21:00.003-05:00

In the last four plus years helping people get organized professionally, I have seen a high correlation between debt and clutter. I recently read in my local newspaper that the Dexter United Methodist Church is offering a course for couples called Financial Peace University based on the teachings of a gentleman by the name of Dave Ramsey.

Interestingly enough, I heard of Dave Ramsey a few months ago from a participant of my seminar titled "Secrets of a Simply Organized Life." Mr. Ramsey's teachings are based on Christian principals, but I think they can benefit folks of any faith. Here is a link to his seven baby steps.

Kindness of Strangers

2009-01-24T09:41:00.004-05:00

Last Sunday my family experienced the kindness of strangers in our friendly little Michigan community. We were all in the car (my husband, child, dog and myself) returning from a visit to my mother about two hours away. Our little one was getting antsy in the car, so we turned on WKAR for the classical music which always seems to sooth our child. My husband, driving, was enjoying the music so much he totally missed the entrance to our neighborhood. Then he seemed paralyzed as to what to do at the next road and ended up pulling into an unplowed side road.

Our car has all wheel drive, so I was not concerned until I realized we were clearly stuck in the snow. Shortly after my husband got out to push and I took the wheel, a kind couple stopped to help us out. Being a professional organizer I really should be prepared with a winter car kit like the one described in this article, but I was not and have never been stuck in 20 years of Michigan winter driving. Fortunately, our good Samaritans were prepared with a shovel neatly tucked into the back of their car. Five minutes had not passed and another gentleman stopped to help push us out.

It really made us feel good that folks in our community are so helpful. We hope we can do the same sometime soon.

Organizing for a Career Change

2009-01-04T14:40:00.005-05:00

I have received some great questions from the readers of my monthly e-newsletter, Your Simply Organized Life (sign up here). This month I wrote about "Feeling Fine in 2009." Here's one reader question and my response:

Q: Do you have any ideas for organizing yourself during a job search/career change?

A: This is a great question, because it is so important to stay organized when searching for a new job or possibly making a career change.

When searching for a new job, I recommend creating an electronic file folder on your computer and a paper file folder (this can be a section of a three ring binder or a hanging file folder) for each position you are interested in. If you are really tech savvy you can skip the paper file, but I find most people still have tons of loose papers to pull together. I like to label the folders by employer name. This way you can customize your resume and other application materials for that particular employer. If you apply to more than one job at an employer, just create sub folders.

As for a career change, this is a much bigger project that should include extensive research and may even require additional training. To get you started, set up a three ring project binder with sections for research, training, etc. As you conduct your search, additional categories will reveal themselves.

While going through this process be sure to manage your time appropriately with goals for each day or week.

Routines

2009-01-02T16:00:00.006-05:00

The holiday season was a real whirlwind for me this year. It seemed to blow in and blow right back out in a flash. While I enjoyed the season, getting back to my normal daily routines is reassuring. Now I seem to have a reasonable handle on the clutter that creeped in during the holidays, including the household paperwork. What routines do you need to reinstate now that the holidays are pretty much finished?

Organized Gift Wrapping

2008-12-14T14:35:00.006-05:00

This afternoon I took a few minutes to wrap two Christmas gifts (shown at right). These are the first of just a few gifts that I will purchase or assemble for the holiday.

I must be honest that I do not really enjoy wrapping gifts and am not particularly good at it, but I do think my tips can help the average person keep their wrapping supplies organized and at hand when they need them.

My strategy at Christmas (and for birthdays) is to buy one jumbo roll of a seasonal pattern that will work for just about everybody. This avoids the clutter of multiple rolls of leftover wrap for the remaining 11 months of the year. If this is too boring for you, you can purchase one pattern for each family member.

For all those odd ball shaped gifts (and for giving gifts while traveling), I use gift bags that I occasionally buy but in most cases I just reuse the ones I have received in good shape. The red bag in the photo contains my gift bags and tissue paper. I also like to reuse ribbons, bows and tissue paper. I keep those items in the tall bag, but as I use it up I will eliminate the tall bag and combine those items with the gift bags. All of my wrapping supplies are stored together in the corner of a closet.

If I lived closer to Royal Oak, Michigan (and if her services were affordable) I would probably give up the gift wrap altogether and use Lisa's Gift Wrappers. Lisa also has a blog with many for tips for gift wrapping.

Financial Organization

2008-12-12T14:58:00.004-05:00

On Wednesday, December 10, 2008 I had the pleasure of presenting a joint seminar on financial organization at The University of Michigan's Center for Education of Women with my colleague, Rob Oliver, of Oliver Financial Planning. I am pictured above (in the middle) with Kirsten Elling, Managing Director of CEW and Rob Oliver. We had a great turnout for the seminar and would like to thank all of the attendees who braved the cold to learn more about planning for financial success.

Organizing Challenge--Make-up

2008-11-20T13:41:00.005-05:00

Today's organizing challenge is to take a good look at your cosmetics. Toss out anything you no longer use and everything over one year old (some doctors even recommend shorter periods). If you are using some old products, this is the week to replace those products with new ones. That's what I did today.

I do not wear much make-up or buy many products, but recently realized that some of the stuff I have been putting on my face is quite old. Over the years I have downgraded to mostly drugstore brand cosmetics that I tend to buy at Target. I do use one item from Clinique that I am embarrassed to say was quite old. So today, I marched into Macy's with my old item in my bag and replaced it. I didn't wait for the free gift offer, which is probably a good thing seeing my item didn't cost that much. Besides, who really needs another cosmetic bag with a bunch of samples never to be used anyway.

Reinhart Coat Drive

2008-11-11T11:14:00.003-05:00

News of Reinhart Realtors' annual coat drive came to me twice in one week. This is a great opportunity to clean out your coat closet and help someone in need. During the month of November, you can drop off coats in good condition at any Reinhart sales office or Reinhart Sunday open house. All of the coats will be professionally cleaned and distributed locally. They especially need children's coats. Daytime temperatures have been in the 30s this week. Winter coat weather has officially arrived!

Ann Arbor Job Opening

2008-10-30T14:08:00.003-04:00

Okay, this probably doesn't fall under the usual stuff for my blog, but I figure it's my blog and I can write what I want. Besides this could really help someone in need of a job, not to mention my friend who is looking for an administrative assistant for her office downtown Ann Arbor. Here are the details:

Administrative Assistant for Downtown Insurance Office. 8-5 daily.
College educated, highly detailed oriented and computer skilled.
Challenging position in the financial services industry.
Multi-tasker with great accuracy and ability to follow up to completion on many different tasks every day.
Salary range is $10-12 per hour. No benefits . Bus Pass provided .

On-line Productivity Seminar

2008-10-23T15:24:00.003-04:00

I came accross this on-line seminar earlier this week in a random fashion. This seminar about time management and personal productivity runs for about 35 minutes. There are some great tips to make it worth your time. I particularly like what Eben Pagen has to say about multitasking.

Until last week I had never heard of this guy. It turns out he has made millions as some sort of dating guru. Not something I am particularly interested as a happily married mother, but the guy does know a thing or two about personal productivity. That being said, stick to his free videos and keep you hard earned dollars in your pocket.

Shopping at Target

2008-10-20T14:15:00.003-04:00

Like many of you I shop at Target for household items. Ever since my child was born I find it difficult to get out of the store spending less than $100. This last shopping trip was no different. I did everything right....shopped with my electronic list (and didn't stray from it) and used about $5 worth of coupons. Upon closer inspection I found out diapers and Tide pushed me over the $100 mark. Maybe it's time to downgrade to store brand laundry detergent?

In reviewing my receipt I also noticed that Target is now categorizing items on its receipts. Of course, I love how organized this is and how it will save me time when categorizing my purchases. The categories on my receipt were: baby, cleaning supplies, grocery, health-beauty-cosmetics and home. This is a little more detailed than my normal categories, but it will be easy to combine categories which helps in day to day budgeting. Hopefully, on my next trip the bill will fall under $100.

Free Shredding Event

2008-10-11T10:32:00.005-04:00

As a Washtenaw County Waste Knot Partner, I recently received notification of a free shredding event to be held next week in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Here are the details:

There is a FREE Paper Shredding Event taking place at the Drop-Off Station in Ann Arbor on October 17-18, 9:30AM-4:30PM. This event is open to all Washtenaw County residents AND businesses. There is a limit of 100 lbs per customer, but if you have more than this amount you may call the Drop-Off Station (734.971.7400) before the event to make special arrangements. Please see the attached press release for more information.

This event is sponsored by Recycle Ann Arbor.

Too Many Books?

2008-09-26T12:41:00.003-04:00

I am a big fan of local consignment bookseller Books by Chance; however, they are currently at capacity and cannot take in any more books right now. That is why I was excited to hear about Page Avenue Books. Here's what Bob from PAB has to say:

"Page Avenue Books (PAB), an Ann Arbor-area online bookseller, is on the lookout for more used books to add to their inventory. If youʼre a book-hound tripping over boxes full of donʼt-wanters, or you just inherited your late auntʼs library and have no place to put it, send an e-mail to Page Avenue Books at page.books@yahoo.com. PAB isnʼt a junk-removal service, but theyʼll quote you a modest per-box price for clean, undamaged books. PAB especially likes hardbound non-fiction, collectibles and estates, will consider others. Any books that PAB cannot sell are sent to the Ann Arbor ReUse Center or recycled."

Kids' Clothes

2008-09-15T13:04:00.006-04:00

In the August edition of "Your Simply Organized Life" I wrote about organizing kids' clothes for back to school. My own child has very few clothes and I do laundry regularly. In my opinion this is the only way to go for kids and adults. The clean clothes stay organized and this forces mom (or whoever does the laundry) to keep on top of it (bonus: no mountains of wash to do).

The old adage "less is more" is so much a part of my daily life that I was particularly annoyed last week while shopping at GAP for socks for my child (their socks stay on the kid's foot!). Because I am organized, I knew that my child only needed two pairs to add to the collection of socks for fall.

The saleswoman at GAP was so pushy in insisting that I buy "5 for $10 for only $4 more". Of course I could have easily afforded the extra $4 for three more pairs of socks, but the woman didn't seem to get that I didn't NEED five pairs of socks. I only needed two.

My point is: it's not a bargain if you don't need it. Sometimes we forget this among the bright lights and pushy salespeople at the mall. Hold firm next time you're out shopping.

Travel Tip

2008-09-08T14:58:00.005-04:00

My family and I just got back yesterday from a road trip to Atlanta, Georgia. We were there attending the wedding of the fine young man pictured at right, a cousin of mine. The gray haired man in the background happens to be my brother (I like to tease him about his gray hair).

Today's tip is intended to help you make the transition from a long vacation to "real life" easier. If at all possible, schedule an extra day at home following a vacation. This gives you time to unpack bags, readjust your body to your regular schedule and get back to your normal routines.

We love to travel, but even more, love coming home--especially after a 13 hour day in the car with a small child! Today's transition time has allowed me to throw in a load of laundry, readjust my child to being home and even download photos from the wedding!

15 Minutes of Fame?

2008-08-30T13:15:00.005-04:00

This is a quirky little snapshot of me (center) with Gail Nicklowitz (left) and Carol Kamm (right) at a Women Business Owners of Southeast Michigan meeting earlier this summer. I remember my colleague, Hillary Handwerger, taking this photo but was surprised when it appeared on the WBO website recently. It just goes to show that you never know where you will show up on the web these days.

I was also surprised yesterday while driving by the Photo Generations studio in downtown Dexter. Low and behold there was a big portrait in the window of my two children! Let me know if you are downtown Dexter and see the "boy and his dog photo" in the window. It's our little 15 minutes of fame!

Internet Secretary

2008-08-18T15:46:00.008-04:00

Here's a new concept. Or at least new to me. "Sandy" is a internet based free secretary for daily reminders. You e-mail or text Sandy your requests for reminders and she will get back with you at the appropriate time.

On a totally unrelated note, some months ago I mentioned my friend, Laura Jannika, who is a Creative Memories Consultant. Laura has a new blog titled Power of Flower where she showcases her digital scrapbooking and flower photos. It's beautiful!

The photo above is from my garden and was taken by our friend, Michael, who visited us from Germany in early July.

Fancy Soaps

2008-08-08T14:47:00.006-04:00

This morning I headed out to the Dexter Daze festival in Dexter, Michigan with my child. We had a great time chatting with the vendors, listening to live Caribbean music (who would have thought here in the Midwest?) and stopping at Bearclaw Coffee for our morning snack.

This year there was a new vendor by the name of Paper Street Soap. The folks from Paper Street out of Dundee, Michigan (famous for Michigan's Cabela's location--this is the Midwest, after all) had beautiful wonderful smelling soaps.

The thing is that I am a pretty frugal person (okay, I did spurge on a cup of joe, but packed our snacks) and $7 seems like a lot to spend on one bar of soap, especially when Ivory serves me just fine at about $1.50 for three bars! I wish the folks at Paper Street success in their new business and hope they find lots of customers who, unlike me, are willing to splurge on soap.

Clutter for Charity

2008-08-06T14:33:00.004-04:00

In speaking with a friend of mine today, I learned of a wonderful organization based out of Rochester Hills, Michigan called Project12Baskets. This organization takes the excess (a.k.a. clutter) of donors, donates or auctions the items off on eBay or live and the auction proceeds go to your charity of choice. Businessman, Barry Olson, founded the company leveraging his supply chain management experience to find a new way to raise funds for charity.

The for-profit organization will even take care of entire estates, by coming in with their team, emptying out the home and sending 70% of the proceeds from the items sold to the charity of your choice. Project12Baskets earns their 30% fee only after items are sold. Heirs to an estate need not be bothered with emptying a home and have the satisfaction of knowing loved ones belongings will benefit others. A great solution for busy people.

Community Shred in Ypsi

2008-07-25T16:13:00.003-04:00

This is quite short notice, but I just saw an ad in The Ann Arbor News for a community shred day tomorrow (July 26, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at the Ypsilanti Area Federal Credit Union. This might be of interest to my readers. For more information click here.

Summer Solstice

2008-06-20T15:26:00.006-04:00

It's that time of year again where everything seems to be in bloom, including this rose from my garden. Being organized should give all of us time to stop and smell the roses.

Virtual Assistants

2008-06-18T16:33:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I wrote about my colleague, Laura Jannika, who appeared in Scrap and Stamp Arts Magazine. I don't know how Laura got the magazine to me so quickly, but it arrived in my mailbox yesterday afternoon.

It is quite a nice article and in it she mentions using a professional secretary or virtual assistance for some transcription work. I happen to know Bonnie Myhrum, who was mentioned in the article and has a real eye for detail.

Virtual assistants, or VAs, as they are sometimes referred to can be a great asset for all kinds of projects that you cannot find to do yourself, particularly if you are self employed. To find out more check out the International Virtual Assistants Association.