Orderly Oasis Professional Organizers LLC is a residential organizing company dedicated to helping frazzled families dig their way out of clutter.
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- Location:
- Troy, MI, 48084
- Phone:
- (248) 709-2608
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Garage: Before and AfterCreated on November 9, 2008 at 1:46pm
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- Reading Wednesday Fall 2009 Se...
The Comfort of Your Own Home (and C...
Wednesday, September 2 at 8:00am
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- Reading Wednesday -- Week 8 -- A Perfect Mess 4:46am Oct 21
- Finding the Right Words for Goals 5:33am Oct 19
- New Year's Resolutions Already? 5:07am Oct 16
As any little kid can tell you, Santa and the elves have plenty of storage space at the North Pole. But for the rest of us mere mortal moms and dads, the shopping frenzy from Thanksgiving to Christmas always brings a lot of "stuff" that needs to be temporarily stored away from curious eyes. Where do you put it? Do you ...always find it again?In the past, I've tried various things to help with temporary North Pole storage:Upper shelves of a large closet. The shelves are mostly empty all year long except for gift-giving occasions. I can't reach them readily (and neither can the kids), so it makes a great place for extra stuff.Inside opaque storage containers. I have multiple 18-gallon plastc containers that I use for a group camping trip in the summer, that are empty in the winter, so I have stashed Christmas stuff in there. Added bonus: I can sort the kids' stuff into the bins as I buy it, so I'll remember what I bought each kid and can "even-out" as needed! (With four kids, I sometimes get discombobulated about these things!) Had items delivered elsewhere. Some larger items I had stored at my parents. I ordered online gifts for out of town relatives and had them shipped directly to their address.Stored items with a friend or neighbor. Added bonus, the friend wrapped it, too! It's good to have nice friends. Used the trunk of the car. This only works if you have a fully enclosed trunk -- not-so-great in a minivan -- and not a great idea to be driving around with expensive items for a long period of time. Stored stuff temporarily in the garage and attic. Made sure that the stuff could tolerate the temperature and humidity fluctuations, first though!Bought smaller or less stuff. Before I buy, I try to envision where the items are going to "live" at my home. For me, everything has to have a "home" (even if it doesn't always get there all the time). So if I can't picture where that jungle gym playset with combination slide and trampoline will fit in the kids' room before I get it --even though it's really cute and on sale-- I won't get it. How about you? How do you deal with the influx of gifts? You may also be interested in: Clutter-busting questions to ask as you shop.
No Reading Wednesday this week! Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday preparations (in the US anyway!) We'll see you back here next week on December 2 for the Fall 2009 series wrap-up.Happy Reading!
Orderly Oasis LLC
Organizing a last minute Thanksgiving party http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-28197
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Thanksgivingis here andfor whatever reason, you're not quite ready yet. Maybe something happened and you're suddenly hosting a group of people for the holiday. Maybe work was really busy this month. ...
Orderly Oasis LLC
Home organizing checklist before company comes over http://www.examiner.com/x-28197-Detroit-
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There are lots of things to do to get your home ready for company. Here are some ideas that can help make sure you haveeverything under control.
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Soon we'll be gathering with family or friends. For many people this is a positive event filled with football, fun, and lots of carbs. For many others, however, this day is filled with stress, anxiety, depression, sadness, and anger. Will so-and-so cause a scene again? Will that ...person be there? I just can't stand being in a room with that woman for more than a minute! What if she cooks that traditional dish that I don't like? Will we have to be crammed in front of a too-small TV to watch America's Thanksgiving Parade and the Detroit Lions?How am I ever going to get all these items cooked and served on time with 50 people looking over my shoulder?This is the first (or second or 25th) holiday without ... and it's just not the same.How can you plan ahead to organize your response to a not-perfect situation? Several ways come to mind.Change nothing. You could do what you have always done in the past. Maybe that's positive or maybe it's negative. Complain. Cry. Whine. Beg. Stew. Simmer. Glower. Gloat. Boast. Yell. Ignore. Share. Discuss. Embrace. Laugh. Giggle. Guffaw. Chuckle. Enjoy. Politely decline the invitation. Sometimes avoiding a potentially toxic situation is best for your own well-being. (This may work best if you have not already committed to being there and someone is counting on you to bring a dish or has already prepared food for you. Otherwise, it may cause more trouble for you down the road!) Instead, do something that brings you joy. Spend time with people who support you and make you feel good about yourself and your life. Try "Acting As If". Sometimes when you're faced with a daunting task, it's best to try something positive that you have control over -- even if it's awkward at first. Try acting as if you are happy being there. "Act as if" you were a particular happy person you look up to. How would he or she act in this situation? Look for some positive in the interaction with someone. Ask a niece or nephew how school is going. Help someone in the kitchen. Acting as if you are happy will help your brain to actually think you are happy. Take a Smile Break-- Set your watch for a regular time (like every hour or sooner if you are truly miserable) - excuse yourself to another room and SMILE. Yes, smile. Move the corners of your mouth upward, crinkle the eyes, show those teeth and hold it there for several seconds. Picture a little twinkle in your eye. Then think about all the others who read this doing exactly the same thing right now. Physically, becoming aware of the feedback that your face is giving and then changing it will change the chemical reactions in your brain -- at least for a little while. No one needs to know that you did this, but you will know that you have created a little bubble of happiness for yourself... and that you can continue to do so! Holidays can be fun or they can be dreaded. You can organize your response ahead of time and stick to the plan!
Orderly Oasis LLC
Pack your car for holiday travel http://www.examiner.com/x-28197-Detroit-
Orderly Oasis LLC
Clutter-busting questions to ask as you shop http://www.examiner.com/x-28197-Detroit-
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Sales, deals, and doorbusters! Oh my!The ultimate destination for most of your shopping purchases is your house or someone else's. Here are some questions to help youensurethat today's deals do not become tomorrow's clutter.
Listen, my children, and you shall hearOf the Midnight Ride at the mall over near.On the day after Thanksgiving, to the stores will arrivebargain hunters who still seem to thriveon that hard-won sale from last year.She said to her friend, "If we can only make itCredit or cash thru the town tonight,Don't think about bud...gets or needs! Take it!Of the Department Store, as a signal light --One, if by credit, and two, if by cash:And we'll have new doorbusters to stash.Ready to spend and worsen the debtOver every excuse we'll aid and abetFor the children, something we haven't thought of yet!Then she said, "Good night!" to her friend at four,but kept driving on to gather some more.Just as the moon rose over the way,Where another sale beckoningly layThe discount sign! Retailers galore!A phantom thought came with each grab for more.Across the night, opening a door.And a huge black cloud was magnifiedBy its own reflection in the mind.Then she turned the car roundThe budget maintained, with confident treadTo the home, back to bed.So through the next day she slept;And so through the next day peacefully yet,No budget-busting buys did she get.No cry of defiance and not one of fear.No voice in the darkness, no knock at the door.No huge holiday bills echo evermore!Through all our history, to the last,In the hour of bargains and deals and "need"The people will waken and listen to hearThe satisfying withdrawl of that greedand the Midnight-message of this Good Financial Year.With apologies to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Paul Revere's Ride.
Orderly Oasis LLC
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Hostingguests for Thanksgiving dinner can create a flurry of activity in your home.There's somuch to prepare, clean and cook thatorganizing the processcan be overwhelming.Even ...
Congrats you've almost made it to the end of the series! If you've read along with us, give yourself a pat on the back for all your hard work!Before I forget, there will be NO Reading Wednesday NEXT WEEK in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday here in the US. (So much food to cook, so many people coming over. Ack!) We wil...l have our final Discussion Questions on Wednesday, December 2. And now back to our regularly scheduled questions....DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -- It's All Too Much by Peter Walsh Part Two - p. 57 -179.1) In this section of the book, the author lays out a plan to tackle clutter in your home room by room. Did you try any of the ideas? If so, what worked well for you? What didn't work so well?2) Weigh in on the Great Yard Sale and Online Auction Debate: Some people are big fans of garage sales, yard sales, tag sales, flea markets. Some people prefer online auctions. Have you participated in either a yard sale or online auction in the past? How did it work for you? Did you make enough money to make it worth the trouble? Would you recommend it as an option for others?3) One of the key strategies that the author suggests is to "fix a time" for organizing. How often do you typically set a time and stick to it for organizing your belongings? What works well about it? What doesn't work as well?SUGGESTED READING FOR NEXT TIME (DECEMBER 2! No Reading Wednesday for Thanksgiving Holiday) It's All Too Much p. 179 - endHappy Reading!
Orderly Oasis LLC
Organized Home 101: Where can I safely dispose of expired prescription medicines in Oakland County? http://www.examiner.com/x-28197-Detroit-
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Individuals who want to dispose off unneeded, expired, or unused prescription medications may do so everyWednesday from 8amto4pm at the following drop-off locations:
In the United States, November is a month focused on food and gratitude. You have probably already seen a gazillion recipes for turkey and sweet potatoes. Probably even some sort of count down to the Turkey Day. Since we're still over a week away (and you're not completely frazzled, yet), I wanted to give you a few thi...ngs to consider about your relationship to your stuff -- in particular, all those holiday serving dishes, platters, utensils, and paraphernalia that only comes out between now and Christmas.Don't worry, I'm not going to suggest you get rid of Aunt Irene's china or that special casserole dish from Cousin Petey. But I do want you to consider the following:Nurturing Yourself and Your Holiday StuffThe main idea of nurturing yourself in relation to your stuff (or to people for that matter!) is to surround yourself with things that make you feel loved, special, joyful, beautiful, peaceful, and positive. Does that mean everything has to be brand new, matching, or expensive? Absolutely not! It's the feeling that an item promotes that is important to examine, not the cost.1. Do I love this item, use it, or find it beautiful? If so, take a moment to savor the good memories of the item.2. Is this item broken, cracked, not functioning, or unsafe? You may want to consider why you're holding onto it because it is not bringing you positive results in its current state. In fact, it could even hurt you or a loved one.3. Is this item frustrating to use or shuffled back and forth constantly in the cupboard while you reach for something you use regularly? You may want to consider why you're holding onto it. If that mandolin vegetable chopper makes you mumble words under your breath every time you use it, perhaps it's time to replace it with something more user-friendly. Is there a better place to store the turkey roasting pan that you use only once a year so that it's not in your way for the other seasons? Perhaps some place higher up or farther away?4. Is this an inherited item that I use regularly that carries good, positive memories of my loved one? If so, take a moment to savor the good memories.5. Is this an inherited item that I don't use and I am holding onto it out of guilt, fear, anxiety, or sadness? You may want to consider why you're holding on to it. Something to try if you're not ready to completely let it go: Create a box labeled "Guilt" (or "Fear" or "Anxiety", etc). Place the item in there and leave it there for a certain amount of time (1 week, 1 month, 1 year, etc). At the end of the specified time, re-evaluate the item and see if your feelings towards it have changed. Then you can decide what to do whether it's time to let it go.6. Is this an item that I feel obligated to keep because it was a gift from someone? Gifts are created in the generous act of giving, not inherent in the gift itself. You can keep the generosity moving forward by donating the item to somene who can use it.7. Is this an item that I feel obligated to keep because it was expensive or would be wasteful get rid of it? An item that sits on a shelf untouched is not providing the use, value, or joy that it was intended to when it was created. Therefore, keeping it is wasteful, too. Is there someone else who could use it, love it or benefit from the value in it?Go ahead and surround yourself with your traditional holiday platters, serving pieces, and utensils (and people!) that bring you joy, peace, and positive feelings. You deserve it!
Orderly Oasis LLC
Southeast Michigan coat drives can help clear your closets http://www.examiner.com/x-28197-Detroit-
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Do you have any gently used coats or warm winter gear taking up space in your closets?November is a great time tofreeupsome space at home and help someone else stay warm at the same time.
I was recently enjoying some not-to-be-named-because-I'm-eating-healthier-these-days food made from potatoes dipped in ketchup (Hint: rhymes with "Bench Pies"). Does anyone, besides me, remember that Heinz ketchup commercial (in the 1970s or 1980s?) with the Carly Simon song "Anticipation"? I have that song stuck in my... head - except somehow it morphed into "Procrastination".So as you bob your head along with me in tune to the music (or crave some French fries for lunch), here are some tips for overcoming procrastination in your life today:1. Finish the statement "Procrastination is making me wait for ...." with as many things as you can think of that are put off because you procrastinate. Maybe it's a different job, your peace of mind, having people over to your house, a better time to be happy, more friends, a strong relationship with your family. Are you okay with that now that you've thought about it?2. Finish the statement "Procrastination is making me late for ..." What are you late for when you procrastinate? How often are you late? Take a moment to list them out and see if there's a pattern.3. Chase after some finer day! Look over your statements. Think of one small thing you could do every day to help you reach your procrastination goals.Start on that project you really say you want to do? Leave 15 minutes earlier? Enlist the help of someone to encourage you regularly (and then follow-through)?Set aside 5 minutes everyday to sort the mail?Reward yourself for getting a project done without the last minute cram session?What are you giving up, delaying, avoiding, or gaining when you procrastinate? How will you choose to move forward from here?
How cool that Week 11 takes place on 11/11 and I didn't even plan that! Anyway, on to the questions...DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -- It's All Too Much Part One: The Clutter Problem Intro - p. 561) "In the eighteenth century, an English architect named William Morris wrote that you should not have anything in your house that i...s not beautiful or functional." (Introduction, p. 13) To what extent do you agree with this in theory? How well do you practice it in your own home?2) The author spends a lot of time talking about developing a vision for your ideal home and imagining the life you want to lead and says that without that vision then dealing with "the stuff" won't work. Do you believe that developing a clear picture of what you want can help you, hurt you, or both? Why? Do you have an ideal picture of your own home in your head?3) There are a number of common excuses that people use to keep holding onto things discussed in Chapter Two including:I might need it one day.It's too important to let go.I can't get rid of it -- it's worth a lot of money.My house is too small.I don't have the time.I don't know how it got like this.It's not a problem -- my husband/wife/partner/child just thinks it is.It isn't mine.It's too overwhelming.[Fill in the blank]Which excuse, if any, do you struggle with the most in your own home or life? What do you gain by keeping the items? What do you gain by releasing the items? How does either decision make you feel?SUGGESTED READING FOR NEXT WEEK:It's All Too Much Part Two: Steps 1-3 (p. 57 - p. 179)How to Post a CommentFor full Fall 2009 Schedule, see Reading Wednesday -- Week 1.Happy Reading!
