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By Elaine, February 23, 2010 9:05 am

Time to open the video vault again…

In this video you will learn the 3 easy steps to a more organized kitchen. By eliminating clutter and putting everything in its place you will have time for more important things in life…. like family and friends.

The first crisis of the day usually happens in this busy room…are you prepared!

This room has so many purposes…. its a Mudroom, recycling depot, homework center, restaurant….

• Be Prepared for the task as hand, have supplies on hand.
• Sort items asking these important questions. Do I love this item? Do I need this item?
• Give everything a Home.

Organizing Today Saves Time Tomorrow!

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By Elaine, February 3, 2010 11:49 am

Becoming a WAHM(Work at Home Mom) certainly was not what Linda thought it would be…laundry…cooking… entertaining kids all day and worst of all….looking at the disorganization 24/7. What happened to the dream of making money while the kids were at school and meeting other women over morning coffee? Was it the fact that she could not see the kitchen counter tops or perhaps that she could not get at the computer to update her blog. It seemed that confusion swirled about her all the time.

Mary was lonely, in a way that her stuff could not satisfy anymore. The shopping was not filling the void. Actually the stuff was getting in her way, her cluttered existence was making her feel a bit embarrassed….embarrassed enough that she stopped having friends over. It was as if all her stuff had turned on her instead of making her happy it was holding her back. The comfort of the stuff had become the enemy…an enemy that was now holding her hostage in her own home.

Over the past six years I have had the privilege of helping women just like Linda and Mary women who are fed up and want a change, but aren’t quite sure how to get it or even where to start.  When people hit the wall I get the call, sometimes! I am proud to be in an industry that is in its infancy, with just  under 6000 members  globally, it is a community of experts that empower people like Linda and Mary every day. We are skilled, we  are compassionate, we care about people in a way that makes our hearts ache some day….

Here is the part that bothers me that I have to share… how many of you have hit the wall and can’t afford in-home services but need someone to show you what to do, and not just tell you what to do. Oh, you probably have a few magazines or books and have watched some TV shows where someone will tell you how to get organized by making it pretty …is that real? This is old school… it is a world where people tell other people how to live and what their house should look like. It is old school when you live your life with advice from people who tell you that they know what is best for you.

Want to join a Revolution? An Organizing Revolution?

Over the past two years I have seen the word revolution and not just in the news. In the June 2008 issue of O magazine, Oprah declared we’re starting a beauty revolution. Dove had the shocking youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U evolution which is one R short of a Revolution. I was glad to be able to share that with my teen daughter.

Are you tired of letting people drive the bus in your life? Want back in the driver seat?

Remember organizing is not necessarily how it looks…unless you are PMS-ing and yes the look will bother you in a way that could hurt people….but usually  it is how it feels and functions for you and the people you life with!

The time has come, the evolution of the internet, technology and a couple of  maverick Professional Organizers saw a need and felt compelled to fill it… there is a solution!

For the past five years we have researched and are sharing the solution! How would you like to have someone show you what to do, and not just tell you what to do?..in the privacy of your home, instantly, anytime of the day, when you are ready to take over the driver seat…in a way that is clear and concise…in a way that allows you to create the solution that is best for YOU!

Organizing Connection a company I co-own with Kim Eagles that offers just that solution…a series of instructional home organizing videos that will REVOLUTIONize how you get Home Organizing Help. These online videos will show you how to organize, not just tell you…so…I have to ask…are you ready to join a Revolution????

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By Elaine, January 30, 2010 11:15 am

Not the Nirvana that “Smells like Teen Spirit” but the kind of Nirvana that Buddha described as ” the perfect peace of the state of mind that is free from craving, anger and other afflictive states”.  This may be a bit deep when the topic of organizing is on the table but really….perhaps it does go that deep?

Ok…warning….I am going to get all wordy here…I love words so humor me please.

Lets talk about the afflictive state, afflictive being something that is disruptive or troublesome.

Well hello…not being able to find your stuff, being late for everything and living in chaos…is that not an afflictive state.

Are you  absolutely begging for the “6 steps” that will bring Nirvana and banish the “afflictive state”?

Here they are in order; Dream, Plan, Sort, Purge, Re-organization and Maintenance…Simple words.

So how do you put these simple words into action…

On this last weekend of January I would like to share something with you that will help you to reach Organizing  Nirvana. Over the past 2 years I have been working on a collaberative project with Kim Eagles. We have created a series of Home Organizing Videos that incorporate the “6 Steps” that we use every day to help our clients.

Knowing  that geography, finances and privacy issues prevent many of you from being able to access the help that you want compelled us to create something just for YOU.

This series of videos is available today as a download at www.organizingconnection.com

Some of the rave reviews of this series…

had the opportunity watch the Kitchen DVD in the Organizing Connection series and was so excited to finally have such a thorough and straight forward resource to recommend to my blog readers and clients.  The DVD is professionally done and is refreshing and smart.  I so appreciate that it directs you to organizing success by walking you through the organizing process step by step using clear and concise directions.  It’s like having a Professional Organizer at your disposal 24 hours a day, you can’t go wrong! Laura www.orgjunkie.com

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By Elaine, January 27, 2010 10:58 am

As we near the end of January it is time to dust off those Resolutions…now don’t tell me they aren’t dusty…resolutions typically lose their steam long before now…yes I am a realist…that is why I don’t make them…well not in January but that is for another post.

Was getting organized one of your Resolutions?

If so hold on to your hat because you are going to be blown away by ” The Great Organizing Giveaway” , yes I am talking free organizing resources. This is such an exciting opportunity for me and you.  This year, organizing professionals from the USA and Canada, 127 to be exact, are working together to deliver the GREAT ORGANIZING GIVEAWAY.  I’m honored that Organizing Connection was asked to be a part of this first ever event.

Sign up now to get your FREE giveaways

Here is a small sample of the 127 FREE Organizing Giveaways…

Need help with e-mail?

Provided by Paul Burton of Quiet Spacing or on Twitter  @quietspacing — Power Processing Your E-mail is one of the five one-hour programs in the QuietSpacing(tm) Seminar Series created by Paul Burton. Thousands have benefitted from this program by learning how to better manage the dozens of e-mails we receive every day….Get it Now it is FREE

Need help with your Time?

Provided by Susan Lannis of ORGANIZATION Plus! Inc.( Same Company name as my home organizing company…how cool!) or on Twitter @timeliberator — Though we use the words, time cannot be saved or made because we don’t control it – like a river, it just keeps moving along – but it can be liberated. In this report, learn 10 easy ways to rethink time that will help you liberate it to use in a new way – whether that is kicking back or tackling something you’ve always wanted to try…get it now its free

Need help going GREEN while organizing?

Provided by Julie Seibert of Healing through Organization, LLC – Would you like to know where to start organizing and still stay “green”?  This audio program offers eco organizing tips for the home and office…download it now

Need help Organizing Medical Records?

Provided by Janet Barclay(Good Friend and Fellow Canuck) of Organized Assistant or on Twitter @janetbarclay — The Personal Medical Organizer comes with printable forms for you to fill out and place in your own binder. Taking the binder with you to medical appointments can help you make the most of your time with the doctor, since all the information and any paperwork you may need is right at your finger tips…Get your Organizer now

And Last but not Least…Elaine and Kim of Organizing Connection…yeah

Provided by Elaine Shannon of Organizing Connection or on Twitter @orgconnection – The Clutter Code 6 Step Organizing System takes all the mystery out of getting organized.  This set of easy to follow worksheets and the detailed e-book will help you to demystify your next organizing project… get yours now!

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By Elaine, January 14, 2010 1:21 pm

Do you ever wonder why you feel soooo welcomed and warm when you enter some spaces and others repel you like  smelly cheese?

I used to ponder this phenomenon until I started my life as a “Professional Organizer”.

After many years of clearing clutter it is now very clear to me.

Clutter = Stuck Energy

This is a concept that crosses many industries and philosophies. For the past 7 years as a Professional Organizer I have helped hundreds of people reclaim their homes, offices and their lives from the clutches of clutter. I have witnessed first hand how paralyzing clutter is for people. It distorts our ability to view our life…and to move forward to the life we desire.

I have also been blessed with the opportunity to see how making small incremental changes to remove clutter can suddenly open up the flow of energy or Qi as it is called in Feng Shui. It is like breathing energy into the space or situation.

Take a moment today to look at and really feel what is going on in your space and be honest about what kind of energy is present or not.

By removing things that you no longer need, use or want you will make space for things you do need, use and want to come to you!

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By Elaine, January 13, 2010 9:35 am

Everything is not fine…from the outside it is all puppy dogs and white picket fences but when you start to dig a bit deeper….cutting through the surface…there is a problem…a big problem.

This show really got to me. It got to me in a way that we all need to be gotten to. We need to get disturbed…there is a dark problem cloaking our continent.

It is “The Disconnection of the Family”.

It is hard to say how or when it all began but people we have a problem…and Peter Walsh, life organizational expert, and OPRAH brought it front and center for everyone to see, and I am grateful to both of them for addressing the elephant in the room.

We are drowning in stuff, our schedules are so filled up that we don’t have time to think about the fact that we are so disconnected and most importantly we are AFRAID.

When we stop communicating (IN PERSON) we don’t have to address the real issues.

•    The real reason the house is a mess.
•    The real reason that we are so busy that we don’t have meals together.
•    The real reason our children are out of control.
•    The real reason our relationships are completely disconnected.
•    The real reason resentment and anger has clouded our relationships.

So what are we afraid of…as Peter said “if you open that door it may get horrible”?

It is horrible. We are afraid of admitting that all the stuff and the busy schedules are making us miserable and we don’t know how to get HAPPY back…

Well Peter Walsh has an answer and if you are willing to do the work you can get your “FAMILY” back.

Here is a summary of the “Stripped Down” Challenge. To strip down means to lose anything preventing you from living your best life.

1.       No cell phones or texting
2.       No electronics (e-mail, computers, iPod, TV, microwave, etc)
3.       Prepare and eat healthy meals together
4.       Clean and organize the house
5.       Family must hug and say “I love you” to each other at least one a day

The family that Peter worked with took the one week challenge and in that short span of time the youngest boy had a dramatic change in behavior…to the good.  The oldest boy realized that he did not need to text 7000-10000 times per month. The couple had an aha moment when they realized that she was feeling guilt over not contributing financially to the family and he was afraid that he was not doing enough for the family. All of this happened when the lines of communication were opened…not through a cell phone or a text…but through one to one communication….yes people…they talked.

Take this challenge and make it your own. Place boundaries on the times that you do not use electronics such as at meals times and before school in the am. Pick a game night and enjoy each other. Have 3-4 healthy meal nights per week where the kitchen is the hub of activity and everyone shares the fruits of their labors together. Please…take the time and get your home organized and clean. To quote Peter, “If your home does not bring you peace and harmony where are you getting it from”.  The last one is so critical…tell your family you love them and connect with a hug….who doesn’t love a good hug.

Wake up…we need to help each other. The African proverb made famous by Hillary Clinton “It takes a village to raise a child” is so appropriate for our times. I would also like to add this to it “and in order to get plugged in to our family in a way that connects our souls we need to UnPLUG”.

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By Elaine, August 21, 2009 1:43 pm

Living on the east coast of Canada has been become more adventurous in the past several years. Our weather has become unpredictable to say the least. Winters colder and snow packed, summers wetter and we seem to be getting more hurricane type weather year after year.

In preparation for what may or may not be something substantial we are watching the progress of this weather system. We are also doing a few standard things around the house.

• We have tied down and put away anything that is light that may blow away like pool toys and outside flags.
• For things like tents or screen houses I recommend taking those down.
• Make sure your deck umbrellas are collapsed.

For some other great websites with more detailed Emergency preparedness tips visit;

Government of Canada site

Red Cross – preparing and getting trained