Want to go to design school?

I didn't set out to be a professional organizer- in college I majored in social work and then psychology. I worked in human services for almost ten years, mainly with the elderly population. And then my entrepreneurial spirit kicked in full gear and I decided to put my Type A personality to good use and help people become more organized. That was back in January of 2007 and I haven't looked back since. I really enjoy helping people create order from chaos.

One of my favorite parts of the organizing process is interior decorating. I enjoy helping people make a space attractive and comfortable to them. The more inviting a space, the more likely a person is to keep it organized and uncluttered.

I have found a great site for interior design training. Through comprehensive correspondence courses, you can obtain training and certification in interior design and feng shui. I have sent off for more information about the courses that Sheffield offers. I am a firm believer in continuing education and online/correspondence courses are the only type I have time for with all the things I juggle.

Here are some details about the program(s) at Sheffield:

Sheffield began as an interior design school in 1985, and then expanded its course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui and Wedding and Event Planning. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, they have trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

Sheffield's offices are located in the heart of Manhattan, between Grand Central Station and the United Nations. This location, in the design capital of the world, allows them to hire faculty members who are among the top professionals in their field.

So, if you are looking to break into this fulfilling career path, be sure to check out all your educational options, including Sheffield.

Happy Learning!

Melissa Multitasking Mama

Energizer Battery pack Giveaway

I am giving away the new Energizer lithium batteries (valued at $12.00) on my mama blog. The giveaway ends tomorrow March 31, 2009. Click here to enter. Good luck!

Melissa, Multitasking Mama

Menu Plan Monday

Another week, another meal plan! Here is what my family will be feasting on this week, how about yours?

Monday- Ham, Cabbage and Potatoes (one-dish meal)

Tuesday- Leftover night

Wednesday- Steak Subs with onions/peppers, baked potato

Thursday- Ham and Bean soup (using leftover ham from Monday), bread and butter

Friday- Breakfast for dinner- french toast, bacon and grits

Saturday- Eat Out

Happy Menu Planning,

Melissa Multitasking Mama

Menu Plan Monday

Are you menu planning yet? You should be!! Here is my menu plan for this week:

Sunday- Pork Chops, Potatoes Au Gratin and corn

Monday- Chicken A la King over biscuits (this is a great recipe from a Southern Living magazine years ago, yum yum)

Tuesday- Lentil Stew, cornbread

Wednesday- BBQ Pork Sandwiches, cole slaw and french fries

Thursday- Salisbury Steak, mashed potatoes, green beans

Friday- Spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread

Saturday- Shrimp Salad in whole wheat pitas, tater tots

Cinnamon Pecans

This is an easy recipe from the lead singer of one of my favorite contemporary Christian bands, MercyMe (Bart Millard) and can make a great homemade holiday/hostess gift.
Cinnamon Pecans

1 bag pecans White egg yolks

Cinnamon Ziploc bag

Sugar

Heat oven to 250 F. Put egg yolks into mixng bowl (two yolks per bag of pecans). Add pecans and stir. Get Ziploc bag and put three small spoonfus of sugar and cinnamon into bag. Add pecans into bag and shake. Put pecans on baking sheet and cook for fifteen minutes. Allow to cool completely before placing in plastic bags for gift giving!

Spray 'n Wash Giveaway

Over at my mama blog I am hosting a giveaway for the new Spray 'n Wash product- Spray 'n Wash Bright and White. The giveaway ends tonight at midnight (Friday March 20, 2009). Click on the link to Musings of a Multi-Tasking Mama and enter. If you do laundry this giveaway is for you :-)



Happy Laundering,

Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama

Review: Personal Medical Organizer

I enjoyed reviewing a great product developed by The Organized Assistant, Janet Barclay. As a professional organizer, living with chronic illness, organizing medical records is a topic I like to research and stay on top of. Before receiving Janet's product, I had my medical information neatly filed in an accordian file that I carry to various doctor/lab/specialist appointments. Now that I have implemented her easy to use system, I carry a much smaller (and less attention grabbing) three ring binder.

Here is what I like about the Personal Medical Organizer:

It is user friendly. The booklet was emailed to me in a zip file that included 3 .pdf files. One was the index, the next instructions and the third the actual organizing product.

The flow makes sense so it is easy to add information to the booklet once you have put your personal medical organizer together.

I also appreciate that the booklet includes an area for keeping track of medical expenses. With tax time looming, the need to have your medical information organized and accessible is reinforced. Today, I had an appointment with my doctor. I was able to take the receipt from the receptionist and slip it right into my binder. All the information I need in one place.

There is a place to list your contacts, medical history, medications, paperwork and documentation of expenses. There is also a place to indicate if you are an organ donor or not as well as a slot to keep a symptom diary. This would be especially helpful if I were to have a medical emergency. My husband would be able to grab the organizer and the emergency personnel would have up to date medical information at their fingertips.

Check out the Organized Assistant's website for ordering information.

Happy Organizing,

Melissa, Multi Tasking Mama

Menu Plan Monday

There are more Menu Plans available at The Organized Junkie.

I can't believe it is menu plan posting time again. Is it just me or did last week fly by? This week is going to be equally busy so I am thankful I have a meal plan to keep us from wondering what's for dinner and eating out a lot.

Monday- Chili and corn bread

Tuesday- Kielbasa with cabbage and potatoes (Happy St. Patty's Day)

Wednesday- Meatball Subs, french fries and corn

Thursday- Baked Chicken, mashed potatoes, dressing and peas

Friday- Fried Ham, garlic noodles, carrots

Saturday- eat out with family

Sunday- Hamburgers, tater tots and green beans

What are you eating this week?

Happy Meal Planning!
Melissa, Multi Tasking Mama

Oganizing Products on the Cheap!

I found some great products at the Lakeside Collection. I buy things from them often because their prices are so reasonable. Here are a few of their current offerings that are great for organizing and decorating your hope, chic and cheap!



These storage boxes are 6.95 for the set with out windows and 7.95 for the set with windows. What a steal- I prefer the ones with windows, especially for kids rooms so that they can see what is in the box.



This print and store recipe binder is awesome! I have ordered one for myself because I can't think of a better way to get rid of the cookbooks gathering dust. A 7.95 it is a steal and includes a 3-ring binder, 30 decorated 8x11 papers, 30 PVC-free sheet protectors, 8 tabbed dividers and a storage pocket.

And, last but not least words on the wall are all the decorating rage these days but can be very expensive. Lakeside Collection offers affordable options that rub on quickly and easily. 5.95 folks! Can't beat that! Here is an example:



Happy Shopping!
Melissa Multitasking Mama

Menu Plan Monday

Join us here for more Menu Plans.

I have been neglecting to post my menu plan but I have not been neglecting making the menu plan for our family. It is vital to our family grocery budget as well as my sanity.

So here is our menu plan for this week:

Monday- Baked Burritos, spanish rice (this is a very inexpensive and easy recipe. Take prepackaged burritos and cover with a can of green enchilada sauce. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.) Easy, quick and cheap- just the way I like it :-)

Tuesday- Pork Stew (crockpot), biscuits

Wednesday- Stuffed Peppers, whole wheat bread and butter

Thursday- Shrimp Alfredo, green beans, garlic bread

Friday- Beef Stirfry over brown rice

Saturday- Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

Sunday- Eat Out

Do you menu plan?

Happy Organizing,
Melissa Multitasking Mama