Here You Are and Here I Am

Welcome to the blog of my former life.  What does that mean?  Here's a short overview....

In 2000 I started my very own organizing business.  I was also working a full-time job.  One year later I had my first child and then my second arrived two and half years later.  I made the decision to stay at home with my kids but continued with my business, which was great because I was the boss, right?  I could make my own schedule and be there for my kids.

Before I knew it, my youngest was in 4K.  Boy! Did I had plans!  I was so excited for this new chapter that I had organized and planned out!  Well, God had a different plan.  He blessed us with a surprise; our third child.

Since I said I was going to give you the short overview, I'll get to it.  I made the decision to be a full-time stay at home mom.  I closed my business and it took me two years to do it.  It was hard to let go, but I know it was the right choice for me and my family.

I think there is still a lot of useful information on this blog and so I'm leaving it up.  You may come across some old posts and references about teleclasses and workshops in here.  I wish you luck in your organizing adventures and who knows, maybe I'll be back some day.

Paula      

Where Have I Been?

So, it's been over a month since I've posted. Have you been wondering what I've been doing? That's OK if you haven't, I'll tell you anyway.

This last month or so I've been doing the mom thing. Our little Lia is now 6 months old! She, like her older sister, does not stop moving. I'm not complaining (out loud), but she has my attention. My older two are also keeping me pretty busy with plays, practices and after school activities. Lucky for me, I have a great group of friends that keep me sane and laughing.

On the organizing side of things, I had the opportunity to speak to a group of fabulous women last week in Delafield, WI. The Lake Country Women's Club invited me to speak on The Five Steps to Getting Your STUFF Organized.

On the home front, I'm busy putting together our summer schedule. I'm so glad that I kept last year's calendar; it's all too much to remember. I'm also actively protecting our free time. It goes by too fast!

Get Your Closet Organized

Organizing a Kid's Closet: The First Steps

Organizing a Junk Drawer

I Was on TV! Get Organized in 2010

I couldn't resist sharing my exciting news. I spent this morning doing organizing segments for the morning show on Fox 11 News out of Green Bay, WI. It was a great experience and I had lots of fun. Angela Kelly, the reporter, did a great job helping me feel comfortable.

Click HERE (or see video on sidebar) to check out tips for:
-Kid's Closets
-JUNK DRAWERS
-Master Bedroom Closet

Ready to make your daily life easier and less stressful?
Subscribe to Paula’s FREE Monthly Newsletter to help you take the steps to getting organized! When you subscribe you will also receive Paula’s FREE gifts: 5 Must-Know Organizing Tips For Busy Moms and The Clutter-Free Gift Giving Guide. Click HERE

New Baby, New Life

So I've trying to think of a creative way letting my readers know about the arrival of our new baby and at the same time adding some thoughtful organizing tips to go along with it. My brain just is not there yet. So.............

Baby Lia arrived this week. She is dearly loved by her big sister and brother. So much so that I am seriously considering developing "Who Gets to Hold Lia Now" schedule.

From the first day home, I quickly got a taste of what being a mom of 3 (that just sounds strange to hear) will be like.

I realize that this is a major transition period in our lives and so things will seem off balance from time to time as we all adjust (especially my 5 year old son). I anticipate some unnecessary things will fall to the way side and our family priorities will be the focus. - Hey, there's that hidden organizing thought.

We have been blessed.

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Camping and Organizing

We took the kids camping this weekend. I like camping, but one weekend a year is just right for me.

I remember as a kid setting up the tent in our backyard. I loved getting everything just right. Not much as changed and I'm now in charge of packing everything up for the weekend-what a surprise, right? In fact, my husband now knows that’s my job and ‘lets’ me do it.

When we get to the site, he sets up the tent and I unpack the rest and get stuff set up. My 7 year old daughter loves to help me. Half way through the weekend, I do a “reorganizing of the site” and my husband just rolls his eyes at me (I can’t help it!). I’ve also learned to let a lot go and just enjoy the time with my family. The kids are going to remember the fun stuff, not the tidy campsite.

Life Transitions

Today's post will be more "Thoughts" than "Tips." A while back I talked about transitions in life in relationship to organization. In that post I said, "It's important to recognize that [changes in your life] will play a role in organization..."

I would say that I am venturing into a new season of my life. If you read my newsletter, you know that I have just finished my 6th year of being on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Chapter of the the National Association of Professional Organizers. Honestly, I am thrilled to be done (for a while), but I will miss it (just a bit).

Here I am with Missy Putnam (Vice President), Roberta Schneider (President), Me (Immediate Past President with a silly smile on my face) and Jenny Rushizky (Member at Large).

I have also finished up a two year course that I was taking through my church called the Bethel Series. I become a Christian about 4 years ago and this class has helped me play catch -up, as I like to say. I so enjoyed my time and I learned so much! But, I won't miss the tests and the studying.

Finally, here's the biggest major life changing event, we are having baby. Yes, I am pregnant. We have two children who are 7 and 5. We were happy with two but, obviously God has great and wonderful plans that I can't even imagine (in my state of shock and 2 months of sleeping).

Through all these changes and adjustments, I have found myself to be reflecting on what's really important. Major life changes do that to you. I have eliminated clutter from my schedule and our home. (It must be a nesting thing, right?) I have focused more on my priorities and left the smaller things fall away. I'm OK with saying no to invitations and commitments.

I truly believe that organization is a tool that helps you make time for what's important in your life. There will be bumps along the way but there will also be opportunities - opportunities that can change your life. What IS really important to you and your family? Are you making time for that? If you aren't, what is one thing you can do today to help make that happen?

We Made It!

Just a quick post to say our family enjoyed our first Disney World vacation. Thanks for all the great tips you shared with me. The weather was great, except for the first day. We arrived and it was in the mid 50's and windy. I'm used to that weather living in Wisconsin, but I was hoping for a heat wave once we got to Florida. It did warm up and the sun felt great!

The kids had a great time and so did we. It was a lot of walking and waiting as expected. The food was pretty good and the rides and attractions were wonderful. Our 7 year old loved the roller coaster rides and our 5 year old kept asking when we would go back to the hotel to swim.

Now it's back to the old routine. Did I tell you I don't like to do laundry? That's the downside of vacations, but I'll take it. Luckily, I have a pretty clear week to recover.

Blogs to Note and 7 Things I Like

I've been blogging for just over a year now and I have to share some of the blogs I visit and the wonderful women I have "met".

Arlice Nicole over at A Woman'$ Worth is a sweetheart! She's on top of helping keep your financials fit and fabulous.

Look to A Woman'$ Worth to keep you informed on the world of work, financial news, tips, resources, strategies, expert advice and more to lead you on the path to a life full of wealth today, tomorrow and for many generations to come.

Michelle at Eight Helping Hands and Kelleye at Helleson Quest gave me this award.

Michelle at Eight Helping Hands is sharing her gardening tips right now. I am in awe. I have to admit, my gardening ambitions have decreased as my children have increased.

Kelleye at Helleson Quest has a great sense of humor as she shares her family stories and insights.

Here are seven more blogs I like reading.

1. The Creative Junkie
2. Celebration Ideas Online
3. 24/7 Moms
4. Today's Housewife
5. Happy Making
6. Living Proof That God Has a Sense of Humor
7. A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That~my real life friend~

Here are seven things I like.

1. Naps
2. Spring
3. Receiving flowers
4. Hearing moms' organizing success stories
5. Chatting with friends
6. Laughing
7. Learning
   
   

I LOVE What I do! Take a Look for Yourself

You would think that being a professional organizer, I would post more pictures of my handy work. I get SO excited when I work with my clients. It's interesting actually, they are overwhelmed and I'm excited for the possibilities. I love seeing their satisfaction and hope. I have the best job!

I'll make a point to share more pictures, but in the meanwhile, you can check some out here:
http://www.stuff2borganized.com/services-BApics.asp

7 things you may not know about me

Marcia tagged me for this one.

1. My house is not perfect. I had to list this as #1 because I get asked that ALL the time. Nope, it isn't. I'm organized, but not perfect. I can't stand clutter, though. I bet you already knew that one.

2. I am a 2x All-American in Track and Field. I ran sprints and relays at UW-Stevens Point, Division 3. OK, it's not D1, but I think it's cool-especially since I don't run any more. I never understood the running for enjoyment thing.

3. I love to play with Legos.

4. I'd rather do an impromptu gathering rather than one that is planned out ahead of time. Yes, you read right. There's something about just getting together with friends and not worrying about all the extra and insignificant details.

5. I have been doing my business since 2000 and I am 33 years old. I'm proud of that one. Not my age but owning my own business starting at 23 and still doing it. I do it "part-time" because I have two small children who come first, except when I'm right in the middle of a good blog post.

6. I can have a very sarcastic sense of humor at times and I can be sassy.

7. I snowboard with my husband. That's not too exciting but I couldn't think of anything else.

I'm tagging Dore, Sarah, Heather, and Creative Junkie.

Paper Organizing for Busy Moms ~ A Virtual Workshop

Are you a busy mom who struggles with all the papers, bills, mail, and the kids' stuff that comes into your home everyday? Do you have piles of papers on your kitchen counters?

Now is the time to finally do something about it! Save the date on Saturday, January 31, 2009 and join me for Paper Organizing for Busy Moms ~A Virtual Workshop.

I will be by your side virtually for this unique half-day workshop as I teach you how to take control of the papers in your home and life.

Throughout the workshop there will be a series of four live teleclasses with instruction and after each teaching session you will then be able to apply what you have learned right away during your in-home organizing session!

Not only will you learn how to use my 3-T Plan to forever get rid of your paper piles, you will also learn how to set up your own Household Action Center so you can find what you need when you need it, AND LOTS MORE!

You will also get:

--The Busy Mom's Paper Survival Kit ($68 value)
--Paper Organization for Busy Moms Workbook and Reference Guide ($38 value)
--All the downloadable teleclass recordings from the day ($59 value)
--2 months of complementary membership in the Busy Moms Get Organized VIP Circle ($38)

Plus, when you register by December 22, 2008, I'll send you the Household Binder with tabs and forms, plus other free goodies valued over $80!

Find out more about this unique Virtual Workshop and register now at http://www.stuff2borganized.com/events/PaperOrganizing/!

Time: 11:00am Eastern -3:00pm Eastern
Where: On Your Telephone and In Your Home
Cost: Only $137! Less than a quarter of the cost to hire me privately!

Join me on Saturday, January 31, 2009. Now is the time to take action! No more excuses in 2009!

P.S. What a great clutter-free Christmas present to ask for or give to yourself!

November's Give Away! Time

For my second-ever give away, I have decided to give the gift of time. Great clutter-free gift, right?

I am giving away two complementary registrations ($29 value) to my next teleclass, Making Time for What's Important, taking place on Thursday, November 13 at 8pm Eastern/ 7pm Central.

Two lucky winners will learn the secrets to:

• Having more free time to spend with your family and friends
  
• Being more efficient so you can spend less time on household tasks and more time doing those things you really want to be doing
  
• Achieving the balance in your life you desire

Find out more about the class here.

All you have to do is sign up for my monthly newsletter (see sign up box on right) and then contact me to let me know you would like to be entered in the Teleclass Give-Away.

The deadline to enter is Wednesday, November 12th at 3pm Eastern/2 pm Central. I will put all the names in a hat and draw two winners. If you win, I will notify you by email and send you the teleclass information, class handouts and forms no later than 6pm central that day.

PS. Even if you can't make the call, when you register for the class, you will receive all the information and the down-loadable recording of the class. Take the class when it's convenient for you! Register today at Making Time for What's Important.

Got Stuff? Get Organized!

When I started my organizing business in 2000, I choose the name Stuff 2b Organized (TM). Sometimes I wished I hadn't picked a name that requires explanation, like "It's the # 2, then the letter b..." So what was the thinking behind the name?

Everyone has "stuff". Our stuff can be things, paper, activities, thoughts, etc. The more stuff we have, the more stuff we have to take care of. It seems like almost everyone I come in contact with has "stuff that needs to be organized".

-"I need to get my papers organized."

-"I want to organize my craft room."

-"I wish I knew how to organize the stuff in my garage."

So as my tag line goes, "Got Stuff? Get Organized ! (TM) " You'll be happy you did!

Only 6 More Days!

On Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 10:00am Eastern/11:00am Central I am holding a free teleclass, 5 Organizing Tips That Will Help Make Your Daily Life Easier and Less Stressful, and I hope you will join me and other moms who are ready to learn:

--Why clutter happens and how to stop it
--How to break any organizing project down
--Tips and Ideas to make the most of your time
--What to do if you get stuck

This event is FREE, but you must register to be able to attend.

Find out more and register!

P.S. If you can't make the call, that's alright! If you register for the call, I will send you the link for the down-loadable recording.

Stuff 2b Organized's Free Teleclass: 5 Organizing Tips That Will Help Make Your Daily Life Easier and Less Stressful

Fall is a great time to get your home organized! The kids are back in school and the holidays are just around the corner. Join me for this one hour, free teleclass on Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 10:00am Eastern/11:00am Central where I will share five organizing tips that will help you get your home organized.

Imagine if you could accomplish your goal of organization before the New Year!

Find out more!

P.S. If you can't make the call, that's alright! If you register for the call, I will send you the recording.

"I'll Get Organized When the Kids Go Back to School"

Is this something your tell yourself every fall? If yes, I want to help you get started and succeed at reaching that goal.

I have taken my five favorite organizing tips for moms and compiled them into one special report just for all you busy moms, 5 Must-Know Organizing Tips for Busy Moms!

If you would like to sign up to receive this special report and my complimentary monthly newsletter filled with organizing tips, articles and announcements, just use the sign-up box on the right side bar or visit my Stuff 2b Organized website.