Right on Schedule

Today's post is a re-post. Last night, I eked out a rough draft of today's blog post, but this morning, I got a feeling of familiarity that went beyond my reticence to take the tree down. Sure enough, when I checked last January's blogs, I discovered that I'm right (and write) on schedule.

This year, as I contemplate my reluctance to let go of the warm glow of Christmas, we are four days deeper into January than when I wrote the post below. This year, all that remains is the tree, the nativity and a sparkly mistletoe crystal that makes the kitchen less drab. This year, my husband took advantage of the last of the warmer temperatures to take down the outside light and he dismantled the tree in the back room on Saturday (much to my disappointment -- but since he was on a roll, I didn't complain...much). This year, our "main" tree, as it were, is back in the mudroom (where it belongs), but otherwise, the story is much the same.

Maybe this is part of our tradition.

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We have not one, but two Christmas trees still up in our house. The outside lights are still up as well.

And you know what? I'm in no hurry to take them down.

Most of the Christmas decor has been dismantled, thanks to my industrious husband, but these two trees linger, gently lighting the rooms and creating a warmth inside that counteracts the polar vortex temperatures outside.

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This is our first year for multiple trees. It's not as though we live in a mansion -- the trees are a mere two rooms (two-and-a-half, if you count the hallway) apart -- one in the dining room, one in the former playroom-turned man cave. The latter is a small tree, about four feet tall, and a perfect fit for the back corner of the room, as long as you scoot forward a bit on the sofa. Our "main" tree is in the dining room, which is probably the room in our house that sees the most traffic. Both are artificial, in deference to my allergies.

Every morning, the first person up (usually my husband) turns on the dining room tree. Later in the day, I turn on the tree in the back room. And every time we turn them on, I smile -- something I also do with fair frequency every time I pass by them.

It's not as though the house will be bare once the trees go. For probably a decade, I've been putting up snowmen when I take down the Christmas decorations. Most years, they give way to Valentine's Day decorations and, if I'm still motivated when those come down, bunnies and flowers and pastels for Easter.

And it's not as though I'm clinging to Christmas. I'm happily ensconced in a new year, moving forward, making plans. Those plans just don't include taking down the trees  -- at least not yet.

If it weren't totally ridiculous, I'd probably leave the trees up until spring. By then, longer days, more sunshine and warmer temperatures would make them obsolete. Mother Nature would be warming and lighting even the corners and crevices of the house, and soft, comforting lighting would no longer be a bring-your-own-lantern deal.

But in reality, the trees' days are numbered. the deeper into January we go, the more obsolete they become. And one day soon, I'll know it's time.

Until then, I'll enjoy the ambient glow of one of my favorite seasons for as long as I can because before I know it, it will be time to groan about dragging out the very decorations I don't want to put away.

Merry New Year.

Launching a New Wednesday Feature: Organizing by STYLE

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January is a month for organizing. Tricks, tools and even sales abound, but if you don't know how to organize in a way that works for you, it's easy to waste both time and money.

Contrary to popular belief (and the glut of organization books on the market), organizing is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. "Obvious" tools such as binders and file cabinets really don't work for everyone, and can even be a hindrance instead of a help. Unfortunately, if you're one of the people they don't work for, it's easy to jump to the conclusion that you are the problem.

But I disagree with that conclusion. I believe that everyone has the capacity to get organized and that the trick to success lies in finding a method and tools that match the way you think -- marrying your personal style and your organizational style to create a process that underlies the way you organize everything.

I've spent a lot of time in the last eight years reading, writing, teaching and speaking about organization, and I've decided it's time to bring that information to my blog. Beginning next week, my Wednesday posts will have an organizational focus, and on Saturdays, I'll share an article, book or website that has to do with organization. Like my Friday Freebies, the Saturday posts will be a quick read, but all of them will contribute to the organization conversation.

Those who know me well may be chuckling (or even rolling on the floor laughing) by now. After all, even I have joked that my credibility as someone who knows anything about organization would be completely shot if anybody walked into my house unannounced.

But, it's for just that reason that I am a credible source. Naturally organized, but incredibly busy (and

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therefore ostensibly messy), I know what it is to struggle with organization, even when you think you've found the answers. To put things in a safe place, only to never see them again. To be ridiculously over-organized in some areas, and woefully under-organized in others. To make a to do list only to leave it on the table, or have it get buried under (a pile of) "visual reminders."

So let's do this. Let's get organized together, even if our baby steps go both forward and backward.

Better yet, let's get organized with STYLE.