Oh How Embarrassing!

Yes, sometimes even the Organising Guru gets caught out.
This happened to me yesterday. I flew to Sydney for my mothers birthday this weekend. So am writing this from my Sisters home in Sydney, much warmer than Christchurch, that is for sure.
However, I packed and set off to the airport in my car. parked, checked in, went through Customs, did a little shopping then I realised........"Oh Crap" I had left me Mobile Phone in the Centre Console of my car. Now my phone is also my planner and notebook so it is something I like to have handy. it also serves as the lifeline between me and my family when I am travelling.
What to do????
Thanks goodness fro Rina and Tanith from the Air New Zealand International Lounge. Rina reassured me I was not the first, my keys were handed over, directions given to my parking spot and Tanith dispatched to retrieve said phone.
So I have been happily reunited with my Mobile Phone and continued my travels with no further hiccoughs.
So see even Organising Guru can make a faux paus and forget something.
Have a great day

Unveiling "The Accidental Organiser"

Here it is, the most anticipated book of 2008 .......
I am excited and delighted to share with you the cover of my first book, "The Accidental Organiser" which will hit the shelves in NZ on the 19th September.
The fantastic team at Longacre Press have been amazing in supporting me and helping me get to this stage, I thank them greatly for their patience with this first time author.
Random House is distributing this book here in NZ, so it will be on the shelves of your favourite bookshop soon. If it is not then make sure you ask them to order it in.
They say writing your first book is like having a baby, I say the anticipation is very similar, but hey where is the "Happy Gas" when you need it, LOL.

A funny way to end the Olympics !!!

This has nothing to do with organising but I found it quiet a funny way to sign off at the end of the Olympics. A huge thanks to Michelle Robin for sending this through by email to me this afternoon. Enjoy, be warned some are a little risqué.....

Here are the top 9 comments made by NBC sports commentators so far during the Olympics:

1. Weight-lifting commentator: 'This is Gregorieva from Bulgaria. I saw her snatch this morning during her warm up and it was amazing.'
2. Dressage commentator: 'This is really a lovely horse and I speak from personal experience since I once mounted her mother.'
3. Paul Hamm, Gymnast: 'I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father.'
4. Boxing Analyst: 'Sure there have been injuries, and even some deaths in boxing, but none of them really that serious.'
5. Softball announcer: 'If history repeats itself, I should think we can expect the same thing again.'
6. Basketball analyst: 'He dribbles a lot and the opposition doesn't like it. In fact you can see it all over their faces.'
7. At the rowing medal ceremony: 'Ah, isn't that nice, the wife of the IOC president is hugging the cox of the British crew.'
8. Soccer commentator: 'Julian Dicks is everywhere. It's like they've got eleven Dicks on the field.'
9. Tennis commentator: 'One of the reasons Andy is playing so well is that, before the final round, his wife takes out his balls and kisses them... Oh my God, what have I just said?'

"Chore Wars" to the rescue!!

I am always being asked how do I get the family and kids involved in Keeping the home organised and in order. Unfortunately there is no simple answer, but Jennifer Hunter a Professional Organiser from Medford, Massachusetts has shown me a fun possibility.
That si "CHORE WARS" an online game that encourages the family to get involved with the household chores/tasks with gusto and competition.
Thanks Jennifer for sharing your find with us and if you are a family who is looking for a fun innovative way to get things done then check it out.
Go to www.chorewars.com and let the games begin. Have fun!!!

Global Warming and Getting Things Done!!!

MMMMM, Global Warming?????? This is the 4th time this winter we have woken to have a beautiful blanket of snow covering our suburb.
This is the view from my kitchen window at 7.30am. The boys school is closed and Grace cannot get the bus as the road is closed. Also it seems our Sky TV is also not working due to "Atmospheric Conditions". So I ask you where is this global warming. Here in NZ we have had phenomenal Snow Dumps on our ski fields and the temperatures are definitely lower than last winter where we had no snow at home and the ski fields had their worst year in ages.
So how do I go about my business today. Well it starts with cars being turned so we do not need to reverse down our steep hill driveway. My husband has safely made it down the hill, so it will be my turn next. I hate driving in snow!!!!
I am planning to keep the 2 scheduled appointments I have this morning and then hope I get up the hill when the time comes to head home.
This afternoon will be the perfect time to pack up my office. This job is well under way and it has been fun sorting through my home based office and seeing how much unneeded stuff even I keep in my office. Then I need to sort Home stuff from "Totally Organised" stuff.
So if you find yourself in a situation where you are stuck at home due to weather or some other strange phenomena then make the most of it and tackle those less than favourable tasks. You become your own captive audience so make it work for you, I certainly plan to.
Some things you can do when you are stuck at home:
* Clear out your junk drawers
* Write some letters to old friends
* Sort out your wardrobe
* Sort out your bookshelves
* Download music onto iPod
* Do the ironing
* Clean out the linen cupboard

Sometimes the strangest times can be the most productive. However if you are stuck in the type of situation I am today with too much snow, get out there and have fun in it as well.
The toboggan has just come out of storage and my kids are blasting down the drive, I had better go join them.
Keep warm and have a great day!

Taking the Plunge!

I have exciting news on the business front. I am running away from home as of the 1st September. I have been running my business as a home based business since I started in 2003. However that is about to change. I will be relocating to a fabulous office with a couple of other previously home based businesses.
We have all known each other for over 15 years and decided that for cost and productivity purposes we are going to pool our resources and brains and share an office. We have found a fab space with room for 3 workstations and even space for a relax zone.
I am incredibly excited to be moving from home based to office based. There are many reasons for this excitement. One of the biggest is the increase of motivation that comes with being around other motivated and creative people. The team I will be sharing with definitely fall into the category of "Life Assets" for me. They are the type who when you are with them you feel good about yourself, feel like you can take on the world and be successful in everything you try.
My new office colleagues are the type of people we all should seek out when we want to have great positive vibes around us. These are the type of people you need to seek out and spend time with in order to attract more success into your life.
Now the big decision is do we call this space "The Think Tank" or "The Office"?????
If you want to know more about what I mean by "Life Assets" get hold of a copy of Septembers edition of HER MAGAZINE and read my article on "People Clutter", a phrase I have coined for all those people that do not serve a positive purpose in your life, and who you need to deal with. Also it helps you to identify those people who are "Life Assets". I first wrote about "People Clutter" in this blog some months ago, Check it out
Well I had better zip off and start packing up my home office and get ready for the move. Any Takers to help me out!!!
I promise a piture of the new office after we move in on September 1st.

Curveballs - How to dodge them

Be prepared, Be prepared, be prepared.
Life throws curve balls, and we need to be prepared in order to catch them on the fly. I have had an interesting couple of weeks that has demonstrated the importance of this preparedness.
As you know from my post last week I was in geelong with a friend recuperating from surgery. This week I am doing my civic duty in a court case, yep Jury Duty. I can say no more about that except, it was not the type of lottery I would want to win often. This civic duty is likely to last more than 1 week.
So these are two real curveballs. As those of you who know me, also know that I have my business, family and life in general to juggle as well. So was I prepared?
YES, is the answer. here are some things you can have in your life to make sure things run smoothly when you are not where you normally would be.
* Have great childcare lined up, with back up options as well.
* When travelling always print out your confirmations. (take note Mercure Geelong), who claimed I had not booked when I went to check in, I had my email confirmation to show the stroppy receptionist when they questioned me.
* Keep all your mobile devices well charged, Pack your chargers and an adapter if required as well. Mobile mini chargers are great for carry on and handbags.
* use a slow cooker/crock pot - this has made meal preparation a cinch whilst being in court all day. Still having dinner on the table when I get home.
* Do not forget to laugh. there is always someone worse off than you in this world and at least you are not 6 foot under. Take a deep breath and just get on with it.
* hug the ones you love when you can. Every opportunity you get.
These are just a coupe of the things that have served me well over the past 2 weeks. Not so much practical "Organising" tips, but real life helpful things that can make the difference between a great curveball and one that knock your teeth out.
Keep Smiling, I will resume normal service sometime soon. but I am always here if you have a question.
PS: Annette, I will be answering your Organised travel question very soon.
Cheers
W