S.O.S. Blog #9 - 12/17/10

A couple of weeks ago I decided to bake a cake for my NAPO-MN holiday party. Not a big deal to most people, but something I haven’t done for years. While standing in the baking section of our local grocery store, a friend of mine (about my age and also divorced) stood behind me scanning the shelves of cooking oils opposite the cake mix section. Embarrassed, I admitted to her, “It’s been so long since I bought a cake mix, I don’t know what to choose.” She laughed and said, “That’s nothing. My oven is heating at home so I can bake brownies and I don’t even have 1/2 cup of oil! What kind am I supposed to get anyway?”
We reminisced a minute about how well-stocked our pantries used to be when we had children and spouses at home. Life has changed dramatically for both of us and, apparently, in ways we hadn’t anticipated or even recognized until that day.
For many of my clients, the clutter that has accumulated is because of changes in their lives...divorce, marriage (combined households), children moving in/out/in again, new jobs, parents aging/dying/moving into smaller homes, aging themselves, etc., etc. It's essential to give yourself time to adjust to these alterations, and to give yourself credit for the many accomplishments you're making every day.
Before long, a mess can become overwhelming - and depressing! One of the things I love most about being a professional organizer is helping others to feel better about their space and, in turn, themselves. Sometimes it just takes a nonjudgmental, objective person to guide you through the process of breaking the Huge Job of clearing a room or sorting piles of papers into manageable pieces. And, I’ve found we can have a lot of fun together while we’re at it.
Each year I write new lyrics to classic melodies as my holiday gift to other PO’s and my clients. If you’d like to see this year’s version, go to this link: www.4shared.com/document/HDwgg3_Q/SOS_Auld_Lang_Syne.html
Also, if you’d like to take advantage of my S.O.S. BOGO special that ends Dec 31st, contact Susi@MessDistress.com.

S.O.S. Blog #8 - 07/19/10

Since my mom’s death last year I’ve been helping Dad send out greeting cards. The birthday/anniversary list Mom and I created for them years ago has really simplified the process. Since I have all the dates stored in a database, it’s easy to update information as names are added or deleted from the list. Also, I print return address labels - in chronological order - and apply them to Dad’s calendar. He’s been able to manage his own correspondence because the labels remind him of upcoming occasions. It’s fun to see Dad now applying systems that I’ve used for years. He chooses the cards, writes his message, and addresses the envelopes once or twice a month. Then, in the stamp corner he writes the date the card needs to be mailed. When that day arrives, he simply covers the date with a stamp and drops the card in the mailbox. He really hardly needs my help at all!

Positive Spin Tip #8: To set up your special occasion system, make a list by month of birthdays and anniversaries you want to acknowledge. Then, reserve a day during the last week of each month to write out next month’s cards. Be sure to have a specific place to store the cards until they are mailed. Of course, you can also use a virtual reminder system. I love www.Plaxo.com - a safe, online address book that sends reminders when someone on your list is having a birthday. You can even send free greeting cards for any occasion from their website. I especially appreciate the future mailing option that let’s me customize greeting cards and choose the date to have it emailed to my friend, relative, client, or coworker. If you need help getting your list organized or would like to have labels printed for your calendar, just let me know. S.O.S. offers a variety of services, including organizing your correspondence. Contact Susi@MessDistress.com