Practicing what I preach

Here is another link to a cute bunch of organizing ideas.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/clever-organizing-tips-to-rein-in-the-chaos#.ki49lDqej

You might wonder, "does she REALLY do all of that at her own house?" Well, yes. It does depend on the situation. I do not force it upon a cranky teenager, just as I wouldn't walk into someone's house or office and start to "fix" their mess without being asked. I organize what drives me crazy in my life and let the "lessor evils" go. I can only help someone if they want me to and are ready. But please know, most of what I do is observe and listen. I try to get into the person's head and see the patterns that would be the simplest and most comfortable for the person to keep in place when I walk out the door.

I am a visual learner. If I can't see it, I forget I have it. That means I need to see clearly all that I have at a glance. This explains my hook obsession. I use the walls in my house to hang everything where I can see it.

Want to know what your learning style?

I found a quiz that can help.

http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles.shtml

Your surroundings are a reflection of your insides. If you look around right now and think, " Holy crap my insides must look like the Apocalypse!" Well, it is not true. You just need some encouragement to find out about yourself. You need a chance to fall in love with yourself as you are right now. When you are ready, we will both know. It will just click.

Message me, I would love to help out.

The Spring Meltdown

After Spring Break the schools are filled with students who are, to be blunt, OVER IT. 

The average student has some serious spring fever. But what about those dealing with special needs and developmental issues?  The pressure of testing and the change in daylight savings time can lead to an academic disaster. What is a parent to do? With eleven weeks left in school, many of us are out of steam. Can you imagine how the kids feel? Well, let me help you with that. I can sit down with your family and help you develop some fun, low stress systems to help you get through end of school. Organization isn't about stuff, it's about you. What does your family need to get out the door in the morning? More than that, what do you all need to get food on the table AND get home work done AND get chores done so that laundry, cleaning and errands don't pull you under. 

Every year at this time, our house, with all the unique, special needs kids, resolute personalities and stresses, had to refresh and get VERY creative. I have had many wonderful people in my corner to be resources and comfort in this effort. Years of research and survival can now benefit you. Message me to get a free consultation if your home. The front lines of your struggle will help reveal what you need to not only survive, but thrive and find the blessings in the uniqueness of your family. The conversation is free, the implementation will be priceless. 

Happy Organization Day!

I know they have a day for everything, and today, is National Organization Day! Along with helping people decorate their offices and homes, I offer organizational consultations and services. But! Organizing your stuff is only part of it. Organizing the habits and time of a family or office is just as important. This blog post is for the teachers out there. Especially one in particular. Lindsay Lester, at my youngest's middle school needs breakfast for goodness sake! Teachers have for decades trusted dinner to slow cookers and been better for it. I have lots of great posts for that in the future, but not today, folks. Let's talk the most important meal of the day. I give you, Egg in a Cup.

I have seen many incarnations of this, but mine throws in an extra punch of protein.
Egg in a cup
2 eggs
2 Tbs fat free half and half
dash salt
dash pepper
two strips of turkey bacon
the amount of cheese you feel like

First, grab your coffee cup of choice. Sometimes I rinse out the one that has been holding my caffeine earlier. Spray generously with cooking spray. Crack the two eggs in and add the half and half. You can use milk if you like, the half and half happens to be sitting out from my previous caffeine binge. Whisk and put in the microwave for 60 seconds. Take out, add the salt and pepper, and microwave another 60 seconds. At that point I take it out and do another "Time Trick". I get kitchen sheers (clean regular scissors will work) and cut up little pieces of turkey bacon right into the cup.  I do that with some things while cooking for a short cut. You don't have to clean a cutting board that way. (But do wash the scissors afterwards, because gross). Stir, Microwave another 60 seconds. Now, here is the convenient part. It takes a bit for this to cool off, so grab your cup and a spoon and jump in the car and start your day. Even a cup with a lid would be helpful. Mrs. Lindsay could even nosh on this WHILE doing her crossing guard duty. As I said, this creates less mess to clean up, even until the end. Fill the coffee cup with water and microwave for 2 minutes. The egg funk will some off very easily. I recommend filling with water regardless as dried egg is a beast to scrub off.
Do you have your own space or time problem? Contact me I will see what I can come up with. And please, like my business page, Amy Madison Design. I promise to keep the tips coming!