When I asked the question about the most messy areas of your homes, one runner up was a disorganized main entry hallway.
This is a commonly cluttered area because it’s the first place you walk into – it’s where you take off your coat and put down your things after you walk in the door – it’s where stuff tends to accumulate and get disorganized. Everyone has different “drop zones” in the house (sometimes it’s the kitchen table,) but the entryway often contains a random array of things such as rain boots, pet supplies, mail, keys to unknown locks, clothes, handbags, shopping bags, and various other items that are on their way in or out of the home. Keeping an entryway organized is challenging especially if you have kids! Read More…
I asked you: The one place in your world that was always messy, and you candidly answered!
There were some vastly different answers, obviously all of your circumstances vary, and what you need to get organized is different. Some of you are single, some married, some have children some don’t, and your home and work environments differ. But when we tallied up the responses, there were three definite “winning” areas. And you may be surprised to learn which is at the top of the list when it comes to organizing your life. Read More…
Educating ourselves about our ancestors empowers us with knowledge to live more fulfilled lives.
Before 1977, roots were something we had if we lived in one place for a long time. But Alex Haley’s epic TV series, gave the word a whole new meaning for Americans. Haley’s “Saga of an American Family,” got us all wondering about our genes, heritage and previous generations.
In schools across America this February and March children will hear about Black History and in particular Women in History and the Empowerment of Education.
Wikipedia describes education in broad and general terms as: “the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next.” And that: “it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts.”
“Living a more organized life is like driving safely: we need to be mindful of the traffic and look in the rear view mirror, before we decide what action to take in order to arrive at our destination on time and in one piece.” ~ DorothyTheOrganizer Read More…
Words cannot truly describe the palpable emotions at The Grammys last night! It was a night that I will never forget! I felt the sadness surrounding Whitney Houston’s tragic demise. I felt the joyful anticipation of all the honored artists. But most of all, as LL Cool J said, I felt the universal healing power of music prevail throughout the whole event.
Singing was probably in Whitney’s genes, as the daughter of famed Gospel Singer Cissy Houston and cousin of the legendary Dionne Warwick, but Whitney’s heart and soul drove her to organize and perform concerts to raise money for The Whitney Houston Foundation For Children Inc, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the United Negro College Fund and donate royalties to many other causes. Read More…
Glenn Close and Mia Wasikowska in Academy Nominated Albert Nobbs
In this Academy Nominated film about the risks of being true to oneself, Albert Nobbs, Glen Close’s character decides to organize his life around his values: financial security, love and long lasting companionship are his goals.
As the story unfolds, we can’t help but feel compassion and empathy when we learn why Mr. Nobbs has lived his life as a man. Like many of us he has more than a well pressed suit and a bowler hate in his closet: like many of us, he has a few skeletons lurking there and must deal with them if he is to achieve his goals and live a truly fulfilled life.
The climax of the film left me asking myself why, when life is such a high stakes game, do we continue to not live our truth. Why, when if we only gave others the opportunity to understand us, they probably would, do we hide our insecurities, tragedies and fears. Read More…
"Cupid draw back your bow and left your arrows go..." ~ Sam Cooke
On Valentine’s Day the whimsy of a chubby cherub boy flitting about with a bow and a quiver full of magical arrows is a very romantic notion, but when it comes down to the nuts and bolts of it, finding a partner is kind of like the super information highway: Information rules! And time, contrary to the song, is not on our side.
Consumers rank Match, eHarmony, Chemistry, PerfectMatch and Spark as the Nation’s top 5 Dating Sites. What do they all have in common… a personality profile questionnaire assessment. So maybe finding, (and keeping) the perfect love, (and shouting it from the highest hill), might involve just a little organization on our part.
We spend time and energy organizing practically every other aspect of our lives – why not our love life! Read More…
Thank you all for taking the time to support my “adult prom night” – I mean my upcoming evening at the Grammy’s. I must say interacting with you about what I might wear, whether I will walk the Red Carpet, deciding which driver is taking me, understanding the proper traffic flow for drop offs, picking up THE tickets…..all of it is reminiscent of my high school prom.
Some of you may remember your own sweet days back in high school – perhaps some of you did not have a chance to enjoy such Cherished Memories. I loved my time in high school and loved the people around me too – classmates, teachers, and townspeople. I came from a very rural town in Wisconsin and spent most of my time with my best friend, Andrea, and my really tall boyfriend, Steve – creating memories that live with me daily and make me laugh. I also find I’m incredibly grateful to these dear friends – we grew up together, got in trouble together, and still remain friends.
Because it’s Valentine’s Day soon and I’m all full of gushy loving memories of those around me and those no longer around me, I feel a strong sense to remind you to take note of your sweetheart’s life and stories. Some of you know that I interviewed my mom and learned her life story – which is the greatest gift I could give – well, I mean get. Wait! I really did give her the gift of “Cherished Memories” (which can be found at DorothyTheOrganizer Store) – but the truth is, in spending time with my mom, I was the one who got all the goodies, the understanding, the gift.
Love shows up in many ways and I happen to think that honoring someone’s life and taking time to listen to their sweet stories is one way to really provide the proof that you are interested in them (husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, lover, parent, child) – we all like to feel important. This Valentine’s Day, I wish to send love and gratitude to my high school sweethearts and friends, Andrea (and her husband Rod) and Steve (and his wife Tara). Wouldn’t we all have a blast at the Grammy’s this Sunday?
Perhaps we are trying to communicate our emotional needs – in a roundabout sort of way – get things done around the house or just “save” our husbands from “forgetting” about something that has fallen off their radar, but we may come off as nagging.
Some would say it takes two to tango. But we don’t often hear of nagging husbands because women, experts say, are more conditioned to feel responsible for the smooth running of home and family life. However, this vicious dance can spiral out of control when a naggee retaliates and the nagger feels the need to repeat themselves, yet again, in order to be heard.
Whatever the reason, nagging is an enemy of love, according to the Journal of Family Psychology, and increases the risk of divorce. And the more organized you are, the less you may be able to stop giving those “gentle reminders,” especially if your partner is a “Last Minute Larry.”
How are your communication skills? Do you need help improving them? Read More…
“Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” ~ Marilyn Monroe
In Sex in the City, when Carrie Bradshaw accepts Mr. Big’s marriage proposal he asks her: “Should we get you a diamond? “No. No.” she responds. “Just get me a really big closet!”
What woman doesn’t fantasize about a larger – better organized closet? I had a client call me in a panic once because her husband was threatening to throw out all her shoes! A little drastic, but I’m sure there are a few husbands out there who can relate to the closet space conundrum. Read More…
Having a Super Bowl Party? It doesn’t matter who you root for, the ads and the half-time show make Super Bowl parties fun! And the great thing is they are typically casual – just grill up some burgers, make a chilli crock pot, or build your own pizza! A few chips and dips, and jolly it up with a selection of beers that reflect the names, the mascots, or the hometowns of the competing teams and you’re all set!
If you haven’t already got your invites out – SomeEcards has some great SuperBowl-centric invitations, Evite, or Paperless Post will send personalized invites. Decorations are optional, but most party stores will have banners and such, or you could just go with paper plates and napkins in team colors.
I’m gonna share ten simple tips to help you do a quick, effective cleanup so your home is ready to receive guests and then you’ll be all set! Read More…
#hoarders @AETV tomorrow 9/8C Book lovers Claire & Vance sleep in little burrows carved out of towers of their books. See it to believe it!! 4 hours ago
When I asked the question about the most messy areas of your homes, one runner up was a disorganized main entry hallway.
