Did you know that some people actually like to organize? Even more mind-boggling is they make a career out of it!

I was contacted a few months ago by professional organizer Meighan Meeker of Simply Put Organizational Solutions for the Home. She recently left a successful career at The New York Times and moved to Colorado to dedicate herself to her real passion: helping others get organized.

I held off doing this giveaway until January because getting organized is a popular New Year’s resolution, along with losing weight and learning to use chopsticks (note: the latter resolution is the only year I have ever actually stuck to one).

Meighan has been a professional organizer for five years. She specializes in closet organization, senior downsizing, corporate relocation/moving, home renovations, space planning, staging, home or office organization and more.

I had Meighan over to my house to survey the disaster-that-is-my kitchen. Something you should know: hiring a professional organizer is kind of like childbirth. It’s humiliating in the beginning as you let it all hang out but the rewards are out of this world.

I watched in astonishment as she transformed my kitchen into a functional entity. I am finally able to find things in my pantry and she talked me down off the ledge that I did not, in fact, need three junk drawers. And best of all, she worked with what I already had. I was on a tight budget and was concerned that I would not be able to afford the coolest organizational amenities but we compromised by using items such as Tupperware and Ziploc bags.

As my husband watched us organize, he wryly commented, “Wow, Amber. I didn’t know you had it in you!”

Before Meighan’s guidance, neither did I.

To learn more about Meighan visit her Web site, MeighanMeekerOrganizer.com, where you can find additional tips on how to get organized in the New Year.

I am thrilled to offer a free three-hour organizational session to one lucky mama who lives in the Denver Metro area! To enter, simply email us at giveaways@milehighmamas.com with “Simply Put” in the subject line. Please include what area of your home needs some organizational help. Contest deadline: January 8, 2009.