I often hear people bemoan the fact that someone has not replied to their email.
They assume the other person is purposely avoiding them. What?!
Sure, it’s possible that they are snubbing you. But it’s far more likely that their lack of response has nothing to do with you in any way. Don’t take it personally!
Before YOU get upset that someone hasn’t replied to YOUR email, consider the many reasons why this might be the case (paying special attention to #14).
Do you enjoy puzzles and games?
If so, great! If not so much, allow me to remind you how many different types of puzzles there are!
To name just a few:
Here’s a list of related Org4life blog posts, and the current status of my own gaming and puzzling life, for anyone who is curious, including the type of puzzle that frustrates me the most. (I originally drafted this post with National Puzzle Day, January 29, in mind, but have expanded it to include games, which surely outnumber puzzles in variety.)
I’ve contributed a lot to this worthwhile blog carnival!
As part of my celebration of 15 years in the organizing biz, I’ve put together this list of my 15 best blog posts for you. (Oops, I already couldn’t resist sneaking an extra one in with a link!)
What makes a blog post one of my “best”? Well, I chose them all for different reasons, but it could be that… (more…)
Chicken Caesar Salad with homemade croutons
Remember, I am not a cook. Or, well…maybe I am now? I have stripped fresh rosemary leaves off the stem, butterflied chicken breasts, whipped up pan sauces, cooked green beans in a frying pan and steak in the oven, made my own condiments (aioli, teriyaki sauce), and performed many other culinary feats. I can see a little bit more now why people like to do this cooking thing (smells great, tastes delicious, creative, meditative).
It’s been over six months since I subscribed to the Hello Fresh meal kit service, but I’ve taken time off here and there. I love being able to pause the plan when I want to. I have to pay attention to the delivery schedule, of course, to make sure I’m not charged for or sent a box I didn’t want, but they’re reducing the cut-off time from seven days in advance to five to make it easier.
When professional organizers argue, it’s often just a matter of semantics. And when I say argue….well, that’s just semantics too. Disagree and misunderstand might be more accurate terms. We are, mostly, a congenial and supportive bunch! Sometimes we don’t even truly disagree, but we’re playing devil’s advocate; or exploring a new twist on an old theme for the sake of a great blog post title; or forging a new market niche by using a unique phrase.
The reason for this post is that I imagine the public, and new organizers, must sometimes feel confused. “Hey, wait a minute, this experienced organizer is saying just the opposite of what I always thought, and the opposite of what this other respected organizer said!?”
Here are some examples: (more…)
Here is a roundup of my top 10 blog posts of 2015:
Hazel’s tiny house CLICK TO ENLARGE
One upon a time, when I was a poor, starving, college student, I lived in a tiny house (small t, small h), which is not the same as living in an adorable Tiny House. Have you seen them? Tiny Houses are usually no more than 400 sq. ft, often hand-built, craftsman-style, sometimes on wheels, and largely off the grid. They are for people who want to decrease their impact on the earth and who don’t have a lot of stuff. Here are some links to give you an idea:
See links below for viewing full-sized.
Ever wonder how organized and productive you really are?
Not sure if you need to hire a professional organizer?
Ready for a fun new way to test your skills?
Let’s play Organizing & Productivity Bingo!
I don’t work a lot with students. But, last year I re-pinned something awesome I found on Pinterest, created by my colleague Geralin Thomas, owner of Metropolitan Organizing.
It was a post called Setting Up a College Dorm Room.
Ironically…sadly…frustratingly, it has become MY SINGLE MOST OFTEN re-posted pin! (Sigh…of all the other things I’ve created myself and posted…) So, I’m just saying, that’s how I know that college students LOVE THESE IDEAS!!!!!! (more…)
Are you familiar with the phrase “herding cats”? It refers to an attempt to control or organize entities which are uncontrollable.
Client's cat Joey. P.S. We decided to keep him!
Well, here are some fun and easy ways to organize with, and for, your cats at home:
Decorating With Cats
A pretty cat is the best accessory! Casey's toys are stored the same way you can hide kids’ toys — in attractive, yet functional, baskets.
George approves of my new area rug.
Containerizing Cats
Callie and Casey are enjoying their extra large cat traps...er, I mean shoe boxes!
George is testing one of my favorite organizing supplies, clear plastic shoe boxes.
Hiding the Evidence
Disguise your litter boxes as storage containers. The bottom boxes are ordinary storage bins. The ones on top are Clevercat top-entry litter boxes.
Use old litter pails to contain…um, unpleasant odors. You can decorate them if you want. I just labeled mine.
Keeping Kitty Off Your Keyboard
Look familiar?
George is in a box, elevated by another box.
This was my idea for keeping a client’s cat (Tommy the Terror Tabby) off of her jewelry-making workspace. Warning: NEVER tell the cat what the box is for, or it will NEVER sit there!
Two-pronged strategy: 1) a comfy basket RIGHT NEXT to the computer, and 2) tape to discourage trespassing while simultaneously allowing me access to the keyboard.
3-tier IKEA RASKOG cart placed right next to desk.
Nice basket, right next to computer, in the sun, with view of hummingbird feeder. Ahhh!
Letting Them Help You
(Because why fight it?)
George helping me with office paperwork.
Casey helping me organize my closet.
Emily helping me clean out my fridge.
Client’s kitty Huan Huang (which means Yellow + Happy in Chinese) helping us sort and purge. I won’t tell him what the label says if you won’t!
George helping me fix a broken chair.
How do YOU organize with, and for, your cats?
Please share with us in the comment section below!
Featuring: George, Callie, Casey (RIP), Emily (RIP), Tommy the Terror Tabby, Joey, and Huan Huang.
Category: It’s my blog and I can write what I want to.
Related posts:
Hits & Misses: 12 Things I’ve Tried So You Don’t Have To
In Praise of Clear Plastic Shoe Boxes
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Copyright 2014-2015 by Hazel Thornton, Organized For Life.
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