Tracy

Silly is the new sexy

 Posted by Tracy on September 15, 2010  General  No Responses »
Sep 152010
 

Recently I was walking in Ikea with a client. And next thing I know, the guy had a little skip in his step while singing an old Wiggles song with lyrics that go like this, “Cold spaghetti, cold spaghetti, hot potato, hot potato, mash banana, mash banana.” Seems silly and ridiculous right? But if you’re a parent, I guarantee that most of you reading this blog would agree that at some point during the week you find yourself singing either silently or out loud some kids song. And guess what else I can guarantee? You like it. And I would almost bet if you are holding back, that you wish you had the cajones to sing it out loud in public.

I think acting silly in front of others can be rather sexy. The reason is simple. There is a certain confidence that comes with behaving in ways that others would be concerned with what are people thinking about them. Making a total jackass out of yourself. Now that’s hot. I don’t care if you are dressed up like the dad from the Incredibles or you are rolling around in circles at a outdoor festival (friend’s boyfriend actually started doing “teddy bear rolls” in front of a bunch of people at an outdoor event in a very well to do area), if you let you be you and the onlookings of others doesn’t phase you, that’s just flat out HOT!

This same client’s wife showed me a video of the Aquabats singing a song on Yo Gabba Gabba. I swear I’m in love with the lead singer. Ladies, check these guys out and discover a new level of hot Aquabats singing, “Cool pool party” . Those tight blue uniforms, dance moves and mask. Are you picking up what I’m putting down? Continue reading »

Shift Happens

 Posted by Tracy on September 8, 2010  General  No Responses »
Sep 082010
 

So somewhere in the past few months Paris has made a pretty big shift in her way of being. This shift has shown up in her behaviors, her communication, her humor, her dancing, the way she’s thinking and her creativity especially in the problem solving department. Her maturity is being demonstrated for example by her not going into argue mode the minute I tell her no on every single thing. Or telling her friend that was back talking me that she needs to “show my mother some respect”. She’s been waking up easier, doing things before she is asked and calling me out if I’m driving too fast, playing my music too loud or swearing. As irritiating as it can be to be put in check by a third grader, it puts a smile in my heart and a pat on my back every time she does because it feels like a good work mommy moment.

Because she’s coming from a less combative, more calm, more open, loving and cooperative place the tension between us is lessening. I know this will sound awful to say, but I think all parents can relate. Parenting, especially as a single parent has been less than enjoyable throughout the years. Don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t change for the world having my angel, but it sure has been a lot more work, pain, tears and heartache then I ever thought motherhood would be. I always wanted kids. In fact, I use to think I wanted five. But this little bottle rocket changed all that. And then, of course, it makes me look at my mom and think how the hell did she raise four of us. Three totally on her own. Now that’s a Wonder Woman.

But I’m finally really starting to see the rewards of my efforts. She was so cuddely with me last night. My heart was pounding with unbrideled love when I looked into her big, hazel eyes and freckled face last night to have her tell me how much she loves me. And then when she calls me mama, I am at her mercy. Continue reading »

Teach your kids how to de-clutter and let go

 Posted by Tracy on September 1, 2010  Organizing  2 Responses »
Sep 012010
 

Do you have an issue with letting go of things? Well, guess what? Chances are so will your kids. We all know that kids, for the most part, learn their behaviors from their parents. Cluttering, disorganization and hoarding is no exception.

They will watch you not putting things back where they belong and they will learn that setting up their environment so that it is easy to live and work in isn’t important and making life harder is the way to go. If they hear you justify holding on to something by saying, “I might need it someday” they will learn that getting rid of anything means being deprived later which instills fear and lack of trust. If they see you wearing clothes that don’t fit, need mending or not a complimentary style and they will learn that putting their best foot forward doesn’t matter. They look at all of the items that you buy that are more than what you need and they learn that having a lot of stuff is what living is all about. So I think you get my drift. Your kids are watching and if you are a clutter bug and can’t let things go easily then your kids may grow up having the same problem.

So at this point you may be asking how do I stop my kids from aquiring the same behaviors I have when it comes to stuff? And the answers are simple. Model organized behavior and start teaching them now how to let things go. Continue reading »

Get organized for the school year

 Posted by Tracy on August 25, 2010  General  No Responses »
Aug 252010
 

Can you guess the three words that bring parents so much joy and so much stress at the same time? Back to school. Every parent knows that the start of the school year means their kids won’t be in their hair as much but along with that life becomes much more chaotic. The easy going, free flowing days of summer get replaced with the structured routines of preparing lunches, signing permission slips, making sure homework gets done, parent/teacher meetings and getting to school on time.

What’s the secret to getting through the school year without feeling like you want to run away and join the circus? I think you all know what I’m going to say. Yep. Get Organized. Well my name is Miss Organized after all so of course I would say that.

At this point, it’s probably un-realistic to plan a major overhaul of your home but there are a few organizing strategies you can put into place to make your world feel a little more in control. Let’s start with meal time. Continue reading »

When should you start dating again

 Posted by Tracy on August 11, 2010  General  No Responses »
Aug 112010
 

Recently I was asked to write a blog about how long after seperating should you start dating again. That has been a question on my mind too and although I don’t have an exact answer I can give you, I do have my thoughts around the topic.

I once had a client tell me I should wait till Paris is 16 to start dating again. Of course, every time I looked at this person all I can see was Jack Nicholason in the shining look in her eyes. So needless to say, I didn’t take her advice to much to heart. I think the first thing to look at with this question is the word should. There is no other word in the dictionary that repels me more than this word. Anyone attempting to tell me what I “should” do immediately gets met with my invisible wall and it goes in one ear and out the other. The unfortunate tragedy of the human race is when we operate our lives based on the shoulds of others.

With that in mind, I would say rather than thinking there is a defined set of rules that you should adhere to, think of it more along the lines of guideliness that are in alignment with your values and help you get what you want from life not what someone wants or think is best for you. For example, maybe you are someone (myself included) that has put off marriage because you are not going to settle just because you are in your 30′s and still not married yet. I’ve been lucky in that I haven’t received too much direct pressure on this issue. But, society itself creates a sometimes unspoken pressure on women to be married. And if we aren’t, well then something is deemed wrong with us. Or maybe you are someone that decided to leave the relationship because you were experiencing emotional and mental abuse. And rather than listening to some of your friends and family tell you that you should stay together for the sake of the children even though you both are miserable, you opted to take you and your children away from the situation to create a happier life. Continue reading »

But your freckles are so cute

 Posted by Tracy on August 4, 2010  General  No Responses »
Aug 042010
 

Paris, my daughter, is an almost 8 year old with bright red hair, a huge smile, big hazel eyes, more sass than Punky Brewster and Pippi Longstocking combined and has the cutest set of freckles I’ve ever seen. I remember when I saw her first freckle on her nose around the age of 5 I was so excited because I knew it was only a matter of time before she got them and I also knew she would look even more adorable with them. I have freckles and started developing them around the same age I think.

I never remember not liking my freckles till I got to be around 12 years old. I just remember looking at a beauty book that my step grandmother had that I think dated back to the 1950’s and there was a section in there on freckles. They were suggesting that having freckles wasn’t a good thing for the beauty department and said that you can use lemon juice to fade them. So, believing everything I read at the time, I doused my freckles in lemon juice, thinking they were ugly, in hopes they would go away but nope. Those little brown spots were here to stay.

I’m not exactly sure at what point I grew to love my freckles and started appreciating that they made me look a little different. I had an ex point out once the freckle I have on my lip that I was actually embarrassed about and say how much he loved it. That may have been a turning point in my acceptance of my freckles. Continue reading »

Could you be creating a future clutterer?

 Posted by Tracy on July 28, 2010  General  6 Responses »
Jul 282010
 

I am a Professional Organizer. The earliest memory of organizing is at 12 years old. Yes, I was one of those weird kids that actually found cleaning and organizing just as fun as playing. The point is, I’ve been doing this for a long time so not only do I understand the best ways to get organized but I have become very skilled at understanding the emotions that drive clutter behavior. And I have seen that there is almost a formula that can predict if there may be future cluttering tendencies based on how a person was treated in their childhood in regards to their stuff.

Through working with my latest wave of clients, I have seen some common themes pop up. Issues with controlling parents, boundaries and trouble with decision making.

Here’s the deal with disorganization and clutter. Outside of brain disabilities like ADD/ADHD, the majority of clutter and disorganization stems from the influence a parent or parents had over a person and their stuff in their childhood. Continue reading »

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