Why Your Efforts to Organize Don’t Work

You followed the tips you heard about. You purchased all sorts of organizing containers. You even solicited input from your family. Yet you’re still having trouble keeping things in order. You just can’t understand why the tips don’t work for you.

They won’t work…unless you understand one thing…

The tips are general suggestions, advice and ideas recommended to guide only. And until you learn to tailor them to the personal habits and actions of you and your family, they’ll never work.

Consider these three TIPs:

Tip #1: Use a tray by the door for convenience and to eliminate clutter

Tip #2: Keep a waste basket in every room to encourage tidiness

Tip #3: Every home should have a junk drawer; it’s valuable space

Now consider these three MYTHs:

Myth #1: A tray by the door eliminates clutter

Myth #2: A waste basket in every room eliminates clutter

Myth #3: A home’s junk drawer is valuable space

Are they the same? It depends. Each one could be a great tip…or a disappointing myth; depending on how you use it.

Now see how you can turn the myths into helpful tips for you and your family.

Myth #1: A tray by the door eliminates clutter

This is a myth because it encourages dumping without order. With bowls, trays or other basic containers, people have a tendency to lay items on top of what’s already there. 

Solution: Dividers help reduce pile-ups. If your family needs a catch-all by the door, consider a sectioned basket or a small drawer divider to keep sun glasses, wallets, keys, etc. It’s neat, tidy, and affords a quick glance and even quicker pick-up of your things on the way out.

Myth #2: Keep a waste basket in every room

This is a myth because just one waste basket may not be enough.

Solution: If you have a waste basket on one side of the room, and find yourself constantly removing candy wrappers from the accent table on the other side of the room, guess what, you need a wastebasket near the table (as well as an eye on who’s eating all the candy). And don’t just move the one that’s already in there. If that’s being used too, keep it there; apparently it’s in a handy spot. You should have as many as necessary for the family.

Myth #3: A home’s junk drawer is valuable space

First, let’s get something clear…a junk drawer is a place most people keep those pesky little household items that don’t have a real place in the home. Keep in mind though, that if an item is really junk, it should be trashed, not stashed. Ok, now that that’s out of the way…The reason this is a myth is because even the so-called junk needs to be retrieved sooner or later.

Solution: Treat your junk drawer like your space by the door and organize your items for quick access. The junk drawer only has value if you can find its contents when needed. 

Remember, a tip can become and remain a myth until you make it work for you. So if you try a suggested tip, but find it doesn’t work, before you give up on it completely, do a quick analysis of your personal situation. Tailor the tip, then try again.

If it still doesn’t work after that, you have my permission to trash it. Just don’t trash your efforts with it. Keep at it, stay open to suggestions, and you’ll find a solution to all your organizing needs.

New Year, New Space

Whether or not we enjoy doing it, cleaning and organizing tends to add a positive boost to our personal surroundings. Especially as we begin placing our environments back into some kind of order after the busy holiday season, which makes January the perfect time to begin. But as the desire to arrange, sort out, and de-clutter our stuff comes to mind; so do concerns over needing to spend a lot of money to do so.

Don’t fret. Just take a peek at a couple of shelves in my office and see that you don't have to sacrifice your wallet to get order, style, and personality in your space. 

First, I purchased paper and photo storage boxes  to hold miscellaneous items such as pictures, letters, extra business cards, color pencils, etc. (retail prices ranged from $4 to $5). I labeled the boxes to easily locate the contents. 

  

On the top shelf, the container holding the scissors is an old SOUP CAN. (See close-up below) 

 I covered it and one of the magazine holders in scrapbook paper that matched the purchased, printed box on the second shelf and bottom shelf. (Soup Can $0.79; 3 sheets of Paper $0.25 each)

The printed box on the second shelf as well as the box on the bottom shelf were both purchased from a craft store (one was $3.95 and the other was $4.95). I used silver spray paint on the small baskets (on top of the printed box) to coordinate with the other containers in the room. I also painted the flower pot silver to match.

And just look how well everything goes with the lamp I purchased for $4; and I didn't even have to paint it. 

These storage items keep my shelves organized and add an overall pleasing look to my office.

It doesn't take much. Just use your imagination and creativity when thinking about what’s needed to get your things in order. Containers, boxes, hooks…whatever…don’t have to be deemed ‘organizational’ in order to work. If it looks like it could work, get it, use it, and find a way to make it suit you. 


Remember, it's your space.

~~~~~Tell Tammy~~~~~

What have you re-purposed for organizational purposes? Leave a comment below.

How to be the Perfect Party Guest

This time of year, finding yourself the recipient of numerous invitations to holiday celebrations is expected. With all the holiday parties you’ll be attending with family, friends, and co-workers, you want to be sure you remain a candidate for repeat invitations and not become an addition to the ‘Never Again’ list that Hosts make out after the party. So brush up on your social etiquette and become the perfect party guest at any party, not just the holiday party. 

Honor the invitation

If it says to RSVP, then do so, and do so immediately. If you wait, you are now giving your host an added task of calling to find out if you’ll be there. If the invitation says, “Regrets Only”, then inform your host only if you WON’T be there. And if there is no RSVP request included in the invitation, it’s still nice to let your host know if you cannot make it.    

Plan ahead

Once you’ve decided to go to the party and after you’ve RSVP’d, place the date and time on your calendar and make all the necessary home and family arrangements. Don’t call the host at the last minute and ask if you can bring your children because you don’t have a babysitter. 

Arrive on time and…Bear Gifts

You don’t like to wait on late-arrivals and neither does anyone else; so don’t be that person that’s holding up the dinner party or who comes in and snarls at the picked over table of appetizers.

Bring your host a gift, but don’t make it flowers. They’ll have to excuse themselves to tend to them and even if the flowers are prepped in a vase, there’s always the question of where to place them…still a distraction for the host. Don’t bring a gift of food, either; the menu has already been established. If you want to contribute food for the party, call your host and offer ahead of time. Candles are nice to give; maybe even a ‘good’ bottle of wine. Just don’t ask, “Hey where’s that bottle of wine I brought?” If you want to open and drink it, then it wasn’t really your host’s gift, was it?

When the Party’s Over

Find your host/hostess, thank them and express your pleasure of the evening. Then leave. Don’t overstay your welcome and don’t try to be the last to go. It’s a party; not a sleepover. Show compassion to your host by remembering all the energy it took to make this a nice event for you and the other guests. Your host needs rest and you don’t want to be the one to prevent it.

After a couple of days, send a nice ‘thank you’ note (yes, it’s still socially correct).

This holiday season, remember these little details and secure your spot on the GOOD GUEST LIST for years to come. 

Include Everyone in Your Holiday Celebrations
Want to start a new tradition this year? How about making your Holiday Season a diverse one? 

Some people have family members who choose to follow a different religion than the rest of the family. Some may adopt the cultural habits of others. Embrace those differences. Find out more about them. Celebrate the uniqueness of all during this holiday season.

After all, this is the time of year to express peace and good will toward all, right?

Listed below are a few things you can do with and for family members, friends, and anyone else within your circle of acquaintances whose values, beliefs, cultures, or traditions are different from what you are accustomed to.

• Invite your friend to a dinner/celebration and ask them to bring their favorite dessert or a dish that represents their culture or tradition.  
• Involve the kids. Have them research a culture or religion different from your own and share an interesting fact during dinner. The family can vote for the most interesting fact learned.
• Understand that a need is a need in any walk of life. Combine your efforts and give to a charity in the name of both your religions.

Opening up to the differences of others will not minimize the importance of our beliefs or values in any way. Instead, it creates deeper connections through the sharing of ourselves. It gives us another way to grow and learn from each other. Remember, to share is to care. (Excerpt from my book, "Creating Bliss ~ Better Living In Seven Steps"

Remember, it’s not about your way or mine. It’s not about traveling in only one direction in life. It’s about inclusion, involvement, and support; and sometimes even adaptation. It’s about connecting to expand in all directions of life.

So introduce some new traditions into your family celebrations. Bring family and friends closer through the respect and acceptance of all. Do this and give the gift of love to all; the gift that’s understood and accepted in any culture or religion.

~~~~~Tell Tammy~~~~~

What is your favorite family tradition? Leave a comment below.

Avoid These Mistakes When Planning Your Holiday Party

Wow! Thanksgiving is over and December is here! Some of you are in full swing getting ready for the numerous celebrations you’ll be invited to and some will even host a few. So it’s the Host/Hostess that we focus on in this week’s article.

While some preparations are obvious, here’re a few areas that will require your attention to ensure your holiday gathering is filled with merriment and fun.

5 Actions to Avoid when Planning The Perfect Holiday Party 

1. Overdoing themes and decorations. Enhance your home with adequate trimmings without overwhelming. Strategically place decorative pieces where they give the best visual effect and lend the proper mood to the area. Make your party the theme; not the adornments. Don’t deck your halls to the point where guests get tinsel-tied each time they take a step. And be sure to arrange some of the decorations above eye level to be enjoyed by all of your guests; not just the first to arrive and the last to leave. Balance your decorations so they are enjoyed by the seated and the standing.  

 2. Overlooking food preferences. Consider all your guests when planning your menu. Provide an array of food and drink choices for everyone; Dieters, Vegans, Drinkers and Non-drinkers. Search the internet for Cocktails, Mocktails, and a variety of other GREAT RECIPES. And if you’re not sure what kind of substitution to make for one of your guests, check with them beforehand. Chances are they’ll be thrilled that you asked, and will be happy to share their favorite recipe with you and others. 

 3. Placing food out and forgetting about it. Try to serve food throughout the duration of your party. Especially if cocktails are offered because your guests will need to “feed” their drinks. Instead of setting everything out at once, have various trays brought out in intervals. This way, food stays fresh and your guests stay intrigued over the wonderful surprises that keep coming. They’ll also stay “upright” since you’re constantly giving them something to nibble on as they sip their drinks (if you know what I mean). 

4. Cleaning only the public areas of your home.    Cleaning only the public areas of your home. Include your personal areas when tidying up your home for your party; even if you plan to entertain in only one room. Don’t leave personal items lying around and clear medicine cabinets of anything you don’t want ‘accidentally eyeballed’ by your guests.

Now, for one of the Biggest Mistakes you can make…

5. Forgetting to enjoy yourself. Give yourself enough prep time to grab a nap or just relax 30-40 minutes before your first guest is due to arrive so you can greet them with a real smile that’s fresh and sincere. Days before your party, arrange for cleanup assistance so it’s not on your mind as you watch dishes stack up. Remember, this party is just as much for you as it is for your guests. So enjoy the fun!

Later, we’ll address holiday party fun as a guest. Don’t miss it!

~~~~~Tell Tammy~~~~~

What festivities are you planning over the holidays?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here’s hoping that you and your family enjoy this special holiday of love and gratitude.

I’m thankful for all the blessings that have been and continue to be bestowed upon me. And today, I’m especially thankful for Daddy’s improved health and I’m hoping he gives us something else to be thankful for by getting released from the hospital today. We’ll see. Good luck, Daddy!

Speaking of parents:

It’s funny the memories that come to my mind along with the aroma of all the ‘usual’ things we eat. The cinnamon and other spices that punctuate my senses also transports Mama straight from Heaven and into my kitchen where her hand is on mine as I stir the gravy, and her cheek right next to mine as I bend to lavishly inhale the Sweet Potato Pie.

Of course, additional family memories crop up throughout the day as we continue to make more memories, but at least for a while, before Michael and I sit down for a quiet midday snack and before company comes, there’s that special moment that’s just Mama and me. And I’m thankful for the memories she continues to give me, even after she’s moved on.

May this Thanksgiving and each day forward be a blessing to you and yours!

Continued Bliss!

~~~~~Tell Tammy~~~~~

What special memories do holiday aromas bring to you? 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

In addition to the obviously apparent things that I am thankful for, like my lovely family, my wonderful friends, my health, and of course, the birth of my new book; I am TRULY THANKFUL for the talent the Creator gave me that leads me to inspire and help others embrace life’s challenges, thus elevating their spirits and mine.