You were soooo excited to have a walk in pantry when you moved in. Finally, more space for your dry foods, cans, appliances and even those H-U-G-E chocolate fountain and fondue makers the kids made you buy!

You thought everything would be so organized. Then reality happened. And now, here’s a few challenges which are so obvious:

• Your boxes and spices are falling over those aggravating wire shelves. And you hate when spice packets fall through…

The holiday season (and especially Thanksgiving) is the best. We’ve been hosting Turkey-day 23 years and running with our “weird family.” The reason I say weird is all 20 of us get actually get along. No judgmental family members chiming (‘er butting) into your life telling you what you “should” do. Fantastic food including my sister in laws “Greek stuffing.” My sister Venera brings her famous cheesecake. Rose makes cranberry…

Lou Slangen immigrated to the United States from Holland as a young man with 2 simple suitcases, a boat-load of dreams and the perfect formula for success. He exuded passion, persistence and eventually found the perfect partner for his journey – his wife Linda.

He and Linda raised 4 kids while moving around to multiple cities during his journey. He led large sales teams for a multinational healthcare products firm - rising to become the…

You decided to host the big holiday gathering. Now you’ve come to your senses and the reality of this big-time commitment is slapping you in the face! You’re saying to yourself, “Oh crap (OK – you’re using some ‘choice’ swear words, but this is a family-friendly blog, so I cleaned it up) my house is a cluttered disaster!”

Your mind wanders to the ‘state’ of your guest bedroom, your pantry and your mudroom entryway (areas your guests will…

After you dropped Jack off to start his freshman year at Ohio State it finally hits you. Unless his older brother Jim or sister Stephanie ‘boomerang’ back you’re finally an empty nester. And since Stephanie is due in a few short months, living in Chicago, and game fully employed (Thank God) the boomeranging child effect is unlikely to happen – at least with her.   

Somehow you thought being transformed into an empty nester would feel more…

It’s fun scrolling through Pinterest looking at glamour closets of stars like Khloe Kardashian. How cool would it be to have a room dedicated to your shoe, purse or jewelry collection (even if you’re jewelry is more costume than real)? 

While you may dream of such luxuries, you have waaaaay too many practical needs to deal with first.

Your son is demanding a new bookbag. Your daughter wants to buy a hot new prom dress she saw at the mall. “It’s…