Tell Your Story

Confessions of a Professional Organizer (I’m organized enough, and not one bit more)

By Hazel Thornton | February 1, 2019 |

Clients are always amused and relieved to learn that I have my own organizing issues to deal with at home. I tell them, “I’m organized, not perfect! Whoever said I was perfect?” If you and I both have a pile of clutter on the kitchen counter, the difference between us is that I know it’s…

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Mom’s Boxes Part 7: Sharing family history with my family

By Hazel Thornton | December 3, 2018 |

Shhh! Don’t tell my family, but I’ve finally figured out what I’m giving them all for Christmas. “What?” you ask…with bated breath… Why, The Gift of an Organized Family Tree, of course! “But wait…you’re an organizer, and a genealogist. Haven’t you already shared your family history with your family?” Well…yes and no…

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Mom’s Boxes Part 6: Sometimes Organizers Need Help Too!

By Hazel Thornton | August 6, 2018 |

You didn’t think I was finished with Mom’s Boxes, did you? Ha ha ha! Noooo! In fact, I haven’t done a thing on this project since my brother left in December to spend a year in Japan. ←These are a few of the resulting categories: Cassette tapes, Mini photo albums, Grandma & Grandpa’s letters, Ephemera…

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Do You Follow Doctor’s Orders?

By Hazel Thornton | July 23, 2018 |

I twisted my knee last fall. (Note: This post was originally written in 2013, but now I’m working on rehabbing my ankle.) I saw a doctor for knee pain and was already on a Rx anti-inflammatory, which masked the symptoms and made it seem not bad enough to see the doctor again. But a few…

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WHY I Love Chores

By Hazel Thornton | May 7, 2018 |

WHY do I love chores? OK, I don’t. Not really. But hear me out…. I LOVE having someone else clean my house. But, for the most part, I prefer to clean it myself for various financial and Zen reasons. I’ve often thought of housework and exercise as the cheapest forms of therapy. Whenever I feel…

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Is your kitchen counter messier than mine?

By Hazel Thornton | April 16, 2018 |

← This is my kitchen counter. If you think it looks like THAT at all times — not a bit of clutter; complete with fresh fruit and flowers — you will either be disappointed, or relieved, to learn that it also looks like THIS on a regular basis →              …

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Mom’s Boxes Part 5: The Old Man of the Mountains

By Hazel Thornton | December 18, 2017 |

READERS: This is the sort of story I intend to write more of over the next few years to share with my family. It’s also the sort of story I encourage you to write about your own family! It doesn’t have to be fancy, with footnotes and such. Just capture the memories for future generations. This…

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The mystery of family resemblances: Who you think you look like?

By Hazel Thornton | October 30, 2017 |

I’ve long been intrigued by family resemblances. I also love the genealogy TV show, Who Do You Think You Are?, which inspired my blog title. I wrote this post for APPO (Association of Personal Photo Organizers), and I’m sharing it here so you can enjoy it too! Click here to read the rest of the…

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Mom’s Boxes Part 4: Grandma’s Lawn Chairs

By Hazel Thornton | October 16, 2017 |

I wrote this blog post for The Photo Managers (when it was called APPO), but it’s essentially Mom’s Boxes Part 4, since I found most of the photos in Mom’s boxes. Photos keep memories alive. And they tell the story of a family over time. They show how it grew and how it changed. Some…

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Mom’s Boxes Part 3: Trip down memory lane

By Hazel Thornton | August 28, 2017 |

My brother, Mike, and I have agreed there’s something about going through Mom’s boxes that we hadn’t fully bargained for: Going down Mom’s memory lane includes going down our own memory lanes. This can be heartwarming, and great fun…and also embarrassing, sad, and exhausting. It feels like my life is flashing before my eyes in…

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Hazel's Books

Cover of " What’s a Photo Without the Story? How to Create Your Family Legacy"

What’s a Photo Without the Story? How to Create Your Family Legacy

Cover of "Go With the Flow! (The Clutter Flow Chart Workbook)"

Go With the Flow! (The Clutter Flow Chart Workbook)

Cover of "Hung Jury: The Diary of a Menendez Juror"

Hung Jury: The Diary of a Menendez Juror

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