It’s 1am. 5 hours ago I returned from 7 magical days in Maui. I should be asleep, but instead am sitting in bed…laptop screen on bright. My kids need to awake by 6:30am to get ready for school tomorrow after a long 3 week holiday break. I have little-to-no food in the house, but did manage to scrape together dinner = mac and cheese, nachos, apple slices. I have breakfast items = bagels with cream cheese, cereal, frozen waffles. I ordered everyone a hot school lunch for tomorrow…ummm, today. Just happy I didn’t have to hit up the market tonight. The washer and dryer are humming. I have 2 suitcases emptied of clothing, but full of sand. Dishwasher is running. My email inbox is overflowing. I’m afraid to open my computer and calendars tomorrow to face reality. It’s cold and rainy – a far cry from the 80 degree, sunny beach life we’ve been living the last week.

Life is good.

Or I should say it WILL be good.

Determined 2019 WILL BE incredible.

2018. Oh my God. If I could only have you sit next to me to hear me unleash the whirlwind of a year it truly was. Ugh. I can’t even recount everything that happened. Everything I experienced.

Truly, with the shitty year I endured (the end of my marriage being finalized)….I had so so SO much to celebrate in 2018 as well. A mix of emotions I can’t possibly explain in just one blog post.

To celebrate A BRAND NEW YEAR, on a whim my best friend and I found the most incredible deal for a trip to Maui. We literally booked the trip, packed and were out of town within hours on New Years Day. We left our worries behind for the most incredible week I will not forget.

Ever.

I savored every sunset. Every laugh. Every smile. Every kiss and hug. Every bite of food. Every cocktail. Every argument. Every tear from an emotional, dramatic 8 year old.

Every cup of coffee each morning with this view while working and saying good morning to our bird friend who was missing one foot…

I loved my time with more friends who were also vacationing on the island. So great to finally connect with people I treasure but yet can’t align schedules with at home.

Even ran into a few of my favorite people randomly on the beach.

I return from this trip energized and ready for a brand new year.

On the flights both to and from the Bay Area, I made the most of that time by airdropping photos from my phone to my laptop. You guys are in for some serious organization catch-up. I have projects spanning all the way back to October 2017 that have yet to appear on the blog.

I can’t believe the thousands upon thousands of images that were held captive on my phone all this time.

Not just client projects. Scrolling back I realized I have still yet to share my experience being the keynote speaker in November 2017 for the Professional Organizers in Canada Conference.

Seriously Sam? Really??? Really?!

What about the 2017 Better Homes & Gardens Stylemaker event in Brooklyn?

Nope – that event never made the blog either.

*smacks forehead*

In 2018 I had a short-lived and stressful experience as a Contained Home Organizer with The Container Store. I was too busy to share the projects I completed for their clients…or the story behind why that deal came together and promptly fell apart.

I haven’t had the opportunity to explain my new role with Meredith Publishing as a Field Editor for Better Homes & Gardens Magazine.

*pinch me*

I haven’t shared the experience of the editor of the magazine coming to visit for a week last Fall. A week of driving him around to see client projects and shooting a garage I organized in 2017. The magazine feature is coming this Spring and can’t wait to see it…and share all of the behind the scenes details.

There are podcast interviews not shared.

I haven’t really taken a deep dive into my partnership with Lowe’s…who just added us in for another 3+ months this quarter. Yay!

It’s been off the charts amazing yet also sad this last 15-24 months.

But this is a new year. And I’m embracing the fresh start. A new chapter. Everything positive I have to look forward to. And so much more that I can’t wait to share with you!

2018 may have been the year I went heads down into my work…and also heads down personally as I navigated my way through a divorce (and all the expenses that came along with that – yikes!)…but 2019 is the year I open up and share more. I’m going to be a little more honest and look forward to connecting with you. And reconnecting with myself through writing / sharing here.

I am so grateful to have started this blog nearly 10 years ago. Who knew that when I started writing about organizing all those years ago it would turn into a full time job with contractors. Who knew I would have a 2019 goal of hiring organizers and a personal assistant to help me manage and stay on top of this monster I’ve created.

Scrolling through those thousands of images I had to truly let it all sink in. I am grateful to be where I am.

Even though I am faced with having to sell my home this spring…and move AGAIN (!!!)…and I’m suffering from debilitating stress and anxiety from everything that is yet to come (I mean that – I am awake most of the night in a panic)…

I’m grateful for you. To have you here…joining me on this journey.

2019 is already proving to be the biggest yet. And I can’t wait. Can’t wait to help all of the families who reach out and can’t wait to inspire you….with big and small projects.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season! Ready to kick off a new year on SO…and ready to finally get up to date with blog posts and client projects.

Thank you so much for being here! Should probably go to bed now…it’s nearly 2am. Ha!

Back soon guys!! Happy New Year!!!

xx

Sam