tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73828852065977325002024-03-18T23:17:16.297-04:00Living Arrangements (an Organizing Blog)Creating Space and Time for the Things that Matter Most!Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-469764957121188972015-04-17T13:57:00.000-04:002015-04-17T13:57:31.746-04:00Free Books on Amazon!!!As of April 17, 2015 the Kindle books below are listed for free on Amazon. Get them before this deal runs out! <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pinch-Like-Mean-Spend-Money-ebook/dp/B00R28N3MK/ref=sr_1_187?ie=UTF8&qid=1429293339&sr=8-187&keywords=free+kindle+books">http://www.amazon.com/Pinch-Like-Mean-Spend-Money-ebook/dp/B00R28N3MK/ref=sr_1_187?ie=UTF8&qid=1429293339&sr=8-187&keywords=free+kindle+books</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Smoothies-Weight-Loss-Delicious-Cravings-ebook/dp/B00OPFMCJS/ref=sr_1_90?ie=UTF8&qid=1429293036&sr=8-90&keywords=free+kindle+books">http://www.amazon.com/Smoothies-Weight-Loss-Delicious-Cravings-ebook/dp/B00OPFMCJS/ref=sr_1_90?ie=UTF8&qid=1429293036&sr=8-90&keywords=free+kindle+books</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Tactics-Everyone-Disaster-Prepping-ebook/dp/B00VQUVP6G/ref=sr_1_81?ie=UTF8&qid=1429293036&sr=8-81&keywords=free+kindle+books">http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Tactics-Everyone-Disaster-Prepping-ebook/dp/B00VQUVP6G/ref=sr_1_81?ie=UTF8&qid=1429293036&sr=8-81&keywords=free+kindle+books</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Off-Grid-Living-Sufficiency-Freedom-ebook/dp/B00VVLQMH2/ref=sr_1_67?ie=UTF8&qid=1429292970&sr=8-67&keywords=free+kindle+books">http://www.amazon.com/Off-Grid-Living-Sufficiency-Freedom-ebook/dp/B00VVLQMH2/ref=sr_1_67?ie=UTF8&qid=1429292970&sr=8-67&keywords=free+kindle+books</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Beginners-Anxiety-Happiness-Depression-ebook/dp/B00VJ2U76K/ref=sr_1_218?ie=UTF8&qid=1429292770&sr=8-218&keywords=free+kindle+books">http://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Beginners-Anxiety-Happiness-Depression-ebook/dp/B00VJ2U76K/ref=sr_1_218?ie=UTF8&qid=1429292770&sr=8-218&keywords=free+kindle+books</a><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_952098146"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Remove-Negative-Thinking-Mindfulness-GirlBizMind-ebook/dp/B00QXU9AQG/ref=sr_1_219?ie=UTF8&qid=1429292511&sr=8-219&keywords=free+kindle+books">http://www.amazon.com/Remove-Negative-Thinking-Mindfulness-GirlBizMind-ebook/dp/B00QXU9AQG/ref=sr_1_219?ie=UTF8&qid=1429292511&sr=8-219&keywords=free+kindle+books</a>Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-19333148589047111192015-03-10T17:52:00.000-04:002015-03-14T18:35:59.889-04:00When There Was Time for Me . . . <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_fYtt95yZKhehyphenhyphen2EIThCkJijsLR3AIvyNQay-8dqqKujc54XTTe5eiDSzRDEgBJcPWlBLl3zHY_3LvXbeI2qYeg4PO1FAXG9e0Srovw4ysRjAoRbtcDoBgfWtq-mct3OVZNLiHL4Bnf5/s1600/charcoal+hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_fYtt95yZKhehyphenhyphen2EIThCkJijsLR3AIvyNQay-8dqqKujc54XTTe5eiDSzRDEgBJcPWlBLl3zHY_3LvXbeI2qYeg4PO1FAXG9e0Srovw4ysRjAoRbtcDoBgfWtq-mct3OVZNLiHL4Bnf5/s1600/charcoal+hands.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>Before there was Teddy and Sydney, before there were piggies going to market, drippy noses to wipe and miniscule adorable clothes to fold, I used to do things - things like draw. My favorite media was vine with black pastel, and I had the most fun with mark making. There's something about those purposeful slashes, jabs and squiggles - it was like kickboxing with a crayon. I loved the way my nails were never quite clean, and my hair smelled of charcoal dust, and my clothes were crusted with rubbery eraser bits. I would get so deep into projects that it was my sustenance - literally so - because I would forget to eat food. If I did eat, I didn't taste it. Sleep would not come until I got to a 'good place' to stop. Many times I woke up face down on the paper, in a panic that I may have drooled on the result of my 11pm inspiration. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Was I any good? Maybe? Sometimes? But that's immaterial anyway. The quality of work (or lack thereof!) never really mattered. What mattered was the act of creating something from absolutely nothing. Now you see a blank sheath of 80 lb. cotton rag . . . . but now . . . now you see <em>stuff</em> on it. It was really quite empowering. Maybe that's why I didn't drink in high school. Drawing made me feel high enough.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Like many people, I had many interests. I liked to run for the joy, and the challenge, and of the wrung-lung sweat of it. I would run in weather so cold it felt like needles were piercing the back of my nose. I also played violin. I played tennis. True, my only decent hit was a totally unintentional, but rather wicked, backhand spin, but it was fun! I sang alto and mezzo in various choral groups, and took classical voice lessons just to see if I could do it. I wrote bad lyrics, and even worse poetry. Not because I had to. Just because. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL55By5cf1WT6SflOhBMOSmriOksfD4vJNQyz3zvZGJ-PvO6D99AFqhGb6r7tGjuHcGard0lnzcWL2QrY116ZH3Z2MAoHkJ6VcIazALpwa7VCblBS5WdPVYnJyABIJajGhVx627FKebsP4/s1600/sleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL55By5cf1WT6SflOhBMOSmriOksfD4vJNQyz3zvZGJ-PvO6D99AFqhGb6r7tGjuHcGard0lnzcWL2QrY116ZH3Z2MAoHkJ6VcIazALpwa7VCblBS5WdPVYnJyABIJajGhVx627FKebsP4/s1600/sleep.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>No matter where I was in life, I made time for enjoyable things that required nothing more than the volition, the compulsion, to create or do something. Not for praise or accolades or money. Just for personal fulfillment. I've always answered that sensory and visceral call. In fact, nothing has ever come between me and some form of self expression - not a failed marriage, a move to a big city, demanding jobs, situational depression, caretaking for my grandmother, going back to school as an adult, or marriage to great guy. Nothing. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
That is, until I had two beautiful, sweet, funny, heart-of-my-heart kids. Wow. That sounds so unjust . . . as if they are the cause of this disconnection with myself. They are not. In fact, they have opened up new pathways of love and happiness I didn't know possible. But the truth is, I'm too tired to create the way I used to. And exercise? The very word gives me a headache. Raising children (with my helpful and involved husband) knocks me flat on my very un-tennis-y butt every darn day. Is this in some way evidence that I'm not a natural-born Mom? Others make it look so easy. Maybe I'm not that good at it. I don't really know the answer, but I try. I begin each day brimming full of optimism like a 1990's motivation poster: Live life to the fullest! Live, love, laugh! Today is the first day of the rest of your life!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Somewhere in the day, like around dinner time, the positive mantra changes to something like: "Stop telling me to live, 1990's Motivational Posters! I'm eyeballs high in living! "<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Kidding aside, at the end of 15 hour home day, I'm an empty cup with the handle falling off. Don't get me wrong- I do my best, and hope the parenting books I'm reading will keep my children out of therapy. But it takes all I have to parent. There's really not much left of me for me. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
All the books talk about the importance of 'you time' so that parents have other things to look forward to. So I have these good intentions for creative time. I've got the supplies. I have ideas. Oh I have tons of ideas. I even schedule creative time in my planner. But the most I can manage after the last child is asleep is an adult beverage, and a hot marinade in the bath tub. (A tub, that I wish with all of my being, was a sensory deprivation tank. I am <em>not</em> kidding about that.) When I feel sufficiently numbed by the water, I let it drain, and I imagine all the stress of the day going down with it. <i>That feels good</i>. Emptying with it is yet another opportunity to do something creative. <i>That doesn't feel so good</i>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Just about every bath is bittersweet in this way for me. *sigh*<br />
<br />
<br />
But then, there'll be a glimmer of what the future might be like. I compare it to a sun streak in a dark forest, or better yet, a sun streak in an abandoned building (the abandoned building is of course, a metaphor for my head.) Perhaps I got enough sleep the night before, or the kids were especially helpful and sweet to each other. . . . let's just say the planets were aligned. And the result is I crafted, or edited photographs, or wrote this. Very. Blog. When that energy rushes through me I feel like a rooster who needs to crow. I feel invincible. Confident. Worthy, like I have something of value to contribute. Do I have something of value to contribute most times anyway? Yes, sure, don't we all? But try telling that to the right side of my brain. It's very hard of hearing. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I've accepted that life is full of trade offs. I don't expect that it will be this way forever. In fact, if I want the best for my kids, then I would be doing them a favor by letting them see my most authentic self. I want to give them and my husband that. I want to give them more than paltry weak shafts of light, but high noon, in your face, Vitamin D springtime sun. If I can provide a good example, perhaps when they have families of their own, they will naturally reserve time just for them to do what they love. We all need this attention to ourselves to rejuvenate, to stay sane.<br />
<br />
<br />
I've been reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fringe-Hours-Making-Time-You/dp/0800723481/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426211354&sr=8-1&keywords=the+fringe+hours" target="_blank">The Fringe Hours: Making Time For You</a> . The author has very convincing arguments in favor of doing a little for yourself each day - much more if you can swing it. At this chapter in my life, I can't do the things I used to do in the <i>way</i> I was used to doing them. But I can give myself a half hour a couple of times a week. Maybe there's a way to include the kids on a few projects. It's a start . . . . and hey look - there's that light again . . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhplabk_NZT68pU-p1fSjExd_E6FnV0vf9ZqRIUZoUz8FCcDRoena6w9o0tu6LUyT08epUwoAbc2dPccdV2CT8V6I1-eZev7ONFKKBNKIkRUkLjr9PPI4PHnjYn1NxRHNiedzrthJqfDJ/s1600/sliver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhplabk_NZT68pU-p1fSjExd_E6FnV0vf9ZqRIUZoUz8FCcDRoena6w9o0tu6LUyT08epUwoAbc2dPccdV2CT8V6I1-eZev7ONFKKBNKIkRUkLjr9PPI4PHnjYn1NxRHNiedzrthJqfDJ/s1600/sliver.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-66544504528403169762015-01-10T14:46:00.000-05:002015-01-10T14:46:26.578-05:00Say No to Something This Year!<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time Management coaches, including myself, like to spout the maxim: "If you are saying yes, you are also saying no."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meaning: when you agree to take something on, you are saying no to all the other possibilities that could fill that part of your day. It's meant to help us realize that time is finite and has a limit, so choose carefully how you want to spend it. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have four large areas I'm working on this year. In order to give those goals the time they deserve, I have to let go of some stuff - physical things that take time to maintain, and various other things that sap my resources. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Baby Gear and Clothes</u></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a yard sale last year and got rid of a great pile of baby stuff, but I kept back the expensive items in the hopes of selling it on Craigslist or EBay. I never got around to it, and watching it gather dust made me feel like a procrastinator with a capital "P". Once my brother and sister-in-law announced they were expecting, I gave it all to them. I said No to setting up and monitoring online accounts, meeting strangers, packaging, mailing and an undetermined profit. I said yes to clear shelves, happy relatives, and the very satisfactory feeling of being of assistance to people I love.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Plants</u></span></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2WgPZhoImima1Pmfctk1UQZHDuv3eyIn-C08cGhPwCTqsGK8j28I18pws-oHAccHDRHT54jbHp1GbIyOj264EeYIGXC8SMhVF3OxOit1zae8sAkoKE6UrR9eiC-Xe_ui32HHtpod3YqG/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2WgPZhoImima1Pmfctk1UQZHDuv3eyIn-C08cGhPwCTqsGK8j28I18pws-oHAccHDRHT54jbHp1GbIyOj264EeYIGXC8SMhVF3OxOit1zae8sAkoKE6UrR9eiC-Xe_ui32HHtpod3YqG/s1600/003.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my neglected little jungle fights for survival no more!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used to give my plants a lot of attention. I obsessed over their bugs, and gave a lot of thought to organic fertilizers and chlorine-free water. When the kids came along, I gave away the big lush plants because they were being destroyed by chubby and curious hands. The smaller plants were moved to my office dormer behind a gate to save them from Child 1 and Child 2. Since then, the care given to the plants has been sporadic. Many times over the past four years I've saved them from pitifully drooping to robustly thriving again. This fall I got busy and the specter of death looms over them again. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm also going to dig out two sickly looking rhododendrons and an ever green that was damaged by snow last year. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's time to put the ragtag flora and fauna in a compost pile, except I'm not doing that yet (another thing I'm saying no to this year.)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Bill Paying/Budget</u></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My husband is going to take this over, and after 8 years of doing it, I'm so ready to pass the baton! With his involvement, we'll do much better with budgeting our daily expenses, and planning for the kids' education and retirement. I can continue to support our endeavors by staying within budget, couponing, and maintaining/increasing the value of our home with improvements, and generally being creative and thrifty. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>TV, Internet, Social Media Distractions</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like TV, and I cruise Facebook like it's Main Street on a Friday night in a small town. (Is there AA for this stuff?) But besides a little non-quality relaxation, what does it get me? There are so many other things I want to read about, so many interests I want to explore. But I have a hard time letting go of my screen fixes, because they're easy go-to's</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> when my brain needs a coffee break. So this year, I'm employing the concept of Appointment Viewing; I'll make a special date with Downton Abbey (PBS) and Outlander (Starz). And I've got a timer with an annoying buzzer to lessen the time suck effect of social media. I already know I'll fall off the wagon with Big Bang Theory and Friends reruns. But the times I DO succeed will be worth it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does saying no get you? Some good stuff, like time and energy. The less responsibility, physical stuff, and negative energy you have weighing you down, the more freedom you have. When you say no to ancillary demands, you can say yes to what matters to you. Your potential is boundless, possibilities are without borders, and your ability to do something meaningful is suddenly unlocked. Maybe you want to go back to school. Maybe you want to write the next great American novel. Maybe you just want get your hands dirty in a garden, treat yourself to regular massages, or spend quality time with your family. But to do so, you must say no to things that are tethering you. What will you say no to, so that you can embrace what it is that you <i>really</i> want?</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-74323315001360354682015-01-08T14:49:00.000-05:002015-01-08T15:02:26.144-05:00I'm an Organizer, and My House is Messy!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When people learn that I'm a Professional Organizer and Time Management Coach, some times they'll respond with a sort of bright-eyed awe: "Your home must be perfect!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Why, yes, my house is perfect. But it's not what they think.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I smile and say: "That depends. What is your definition of perfection?" Then they throw certain phrases around, such as "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">everything in its place, neat and tidy, children playing with one toy at a time, no dirty dishes in the sink, no piles of paper", etc. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, I've got news to share and I'm not one bit ashamed. A good portion of my house is MESSY a good portion of the time. Sure, it frustrates me, but I've sort of temporarily made my peace with it. Here's how and why: </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>It's Not Forever</u></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The kids are 3 and 4. I would love for them to read quietly in a corner sometimes, but they are not those kind of kids. They are spirited, boisterous, inventive, and man are they busy! Their games look like elaborate barricades rivaling the French Revolution, involving every item in the house that isn't nailed down. We straighten up twice a day together, so they are learning to weigh whether its worth it or not to dump the Lego bucket again. But it only takes a few minutes of play for it look like a cyclone of Dust Bowl proportions just blew through. I can only hope it gets more manageable as they grow, and not worse!</span></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFeSMVAhqMFY9D-XtbZ-PckS7qNMwQu_ySKBLFH6LLY9bs4e_GW-oYPp3zqIowBYMaxErDmUKwjWVG_th5vxNh5_FWIP2VkI7krT-_8E1fXO62Jb2X-aeQR8XexSGesd7jl6exfx4EUkJ/s1600/IMG_20150107_220649_947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFeSMVAhqMFY9D-XtbZ-PckS7qNMwQu_ySKBLFH6LLY9bs4e_GW-oYPp3zqIowBYMaxErDmUKwjWVG_th5vxNh5_FWIP2VkI7krT-_8E1fXO62Jb2X-aeQR8XexSGesd7jl6exfx4EUkJ/s1600/IMG_20150107_220649_947.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guest bed turned boat. The giggling captains are buried near the stern, port side.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>There's 3 of Them, 1 of Me</u></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have a 3000 square foot house (too much I think!) and I'm the only party interested in straightening and cleaning it, and I'm at it every day. I used to think this isn't fair, especially since my husband finds time to relax more than me. But the big picture is that we function well as a family unit, and each of us brings different talents to the table. Steve works full time and is an involved parent. He also searches for recipes, cooks every single delicious dinner, and shops for it too. Those kind of trade offs make us an effective team, especially since we hire no outside services to help us. That said, I can't keep up. It's a big house that I straighten, but I straighten it alone.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>It's a Choice</u></span></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7YEY1j6t6lG969G2Ri6MHGj2woMpUgMKb44-ifdfIC-r7b3g2oY1QZVfMpXTZvwiHK3wtsKzJg8Kl6zq1_OXGLnUiYYFBqqpV6ZvR62S9zJogtk07kqBLb6HkpQhF_KLY9MUKOs_TDkG/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7YEY1j6t6lG969G2Ri6MHGj2woMpUgMKb44-ifdfIC-r7b3g2oY1QZVfMpXTZvwiHK3wtsKzJg8Kl6zq1_OXGLnUiYYFBqqpV6ZvR62S9zJogtk07kqBLb6HkpQhF_KLY9MUKOs_TDkG/s1600/023.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">art class - mixing colors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I admire people who have made it a priority for a neat, company-ready house. My mom did it, and so did my grandmother. It was a matter of pride to do so, and I applaud these super ladies! But simply put, that kind of fastidiousness not one of MY priorities at this time. It doesn't even make the top 10! In this household, I wear every hat imaginable, including running a small business, home improvement, and homeschooling (until they are of public school age.) It is with deliberation that I choose how best to spend my resources to get things done. So do I stress over the flour still on the floor from baking cookies with little people? Not much. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>The Day Has to End</u></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are times that I'm stretched so thin, I could work well into the night every night and still have things to do. However, I don't think that would be physically possible for me. Many is the evening that I fall asleep flat on my face <em>still fully dressed</em> at 9 p.m. It wasn't like this when I was 25 - I had much more energy. Now I'm 45 and there's a limit to my output. So to keep things balanced, I have taken a page out of my husband's book, and that is: the work day ends after we put the kids to bed. It's the only way we can stay borderline sane, and it works. After we say goodnight to the kids for the umpteenth time, I might take on something outlandishly crazy like wash my hair. And if I want to read, work on a creative project, blog or do any thing else for myself, this small window of time is when I can squeeze it in.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So getting back to the intro, what does organized look like? What you see in magazines, on social media sites, and in books on the subject, is a picture perfect IDEAL. Some people actually live this way and are delighted to do so; some achieve it right before company arrives. In a way, I'm grateful for this crazy idea that we have to live containerized lives because it compels people to call me for my services! However whenever I can, I encourage my clients to forget this pre-defined ideal of organized perfection. I recommend they concentrate on getting organized <i>enough</i> - enough to pay bills on time, find anything quickly, get out the door with minimal effort, keep a schedule that allows them to work on their dreams, purge the old, tired, ugly stuff for new energy, etc. I help them create a balanced life they can maintain. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't let the media, or a lifestyle guru, or anyone else dictate what organized looks like. Being organized is about living with purpose. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my mind, living with purpose IS perfection. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think there will be a time in the near future when the physical chaos of our own home will shift to something more manageable. I do believe that neat(er) spaces foster creative energy, and provide soothing and calm places of relaxation. Until then, yes, my house is messy, but none-the-less perfect!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-33489760888033771152015-01-06T15:48:00.004-05:002015-01-07T06:53:35.490-05:00Hello 2015, Bye Bye Holidays (Yes, All of Them)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChxiFY8H72VHrdqAoNynOYv6LzOwtINA4B4tD0ssAwYbJqcFdQBpkq-bWYGpRzOU0mipDSSy8qCnivpGQGJveeJviFuFf4_5SjSuC0XhHEIUrnVlMb0CYpQ7gy0hbR2aYyUWO98P38UoG/s1600/dead-christmas-tree-28413628+dreams+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChxiFY8H72VHrdqAoNynOYv6LzOwtINA4B4tD0ssAwYbJqcFdQBpkq-bWYGpRzOU0mipDSSy8qCnivpGQGJveeJviFuFf4_5SjSuC0XhHEIUrnVlMb0CYpQ7gy0hbR2aYyUWO98P38UoG/s1600/dead-christmas-tree-28413628+dreams+time.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a kid of five, I remember two generally unkempt homes in our neighborhood that had gigantic colored holiday lights up all year. In some places the wires sagged away from the roofline, and the same bulbs went unrepaired season after season. My young mind wondered why all the other houses on the block managed to keep up appearances, but not these two?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I see houses like this now, I'm far less judgy. Perhaps an elderly couple or disabled person lives there with little family nearby to help. Perhaps the family works so much that repairing and taking down lights is beyond what they have time for. Perhaps they ARE just lazy, but even so, those are their choices and none my business!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No matter what is the reason for the season, most people who celebrate ethnic, religious or secular holidays realize there must be a close to it at some point. Otherwise it wouldn't be singled out or special. Just like graduates put away their cap and gown, and brides carefully store their gowns, so too the holiday trimmings and decor need to find their way back into boxes until the next time around.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />So when is the right time to take it all down? Here's a rough guide: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Christmas Revelers</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some time after "Isn't our tree BEAUTIFUL?!" . . . . but definitely before "Oh, look at our kindling." Fire hazard aside, you know it's lost it's appeal when you stop watering O Tannenbaum. Might as well send it to it's final resting place before it turns into a crispy brown husk. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the beauty of an artificial tree is that they're so EASY to dismantle, right? Are you really going to try to call it your President's Day tree?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some choose to take down their Christmas-specific decor relatively early and leave up the tree and lights til the day after Epiphany, January 6. At this point, the 12 Days of Christmas are officially over. You <i>could</i> stretch it out more, but it would really be hard to top 12 Drummers Drumming. It's okay to let it go - the season will come back in about 11 months.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Chinese New Year Celebrants</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Up to February 18, clean or purge thoroughly and literally, symbolically throwing away the old, the icky and the bad. But after February 19 cleaning and purging is no longer good! Keep every speck of dust, or you might accidentally throw out any hopes for good luck!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Hanukkah Merrymakers</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Usually soon after the 8th day of Hanukkah. In 2014, the last day was on December 24, so put that dreidle away before the kids misplace it again! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Kwanzaa Observers</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kwanzaa lasts for a week and ends January 1. Soon it will be time to put away the green, red and black, but keep the 7 Principles alive all year!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Pagans</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If Spring doesn't come this year, you must have neglected to toss your greenery before Imbolic on February 2. Tsk tsk! Forget the groundhog, I'm blaming you :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Thanksgiving Feasters</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fall is waaaay over. The harvest is long past. The horn of plenty is empty of its bounty. On the other hand, if your gourds have sunk in on themselves, you just might be growing penicillin!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kidding aside, even those hanging on to the last vestiges of holiday cheer are probably getting a little antsy for closure. Whether you do it a little at time or in one fell swoop, you will feel better. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And after the initial shock and surprise of seeing how uncluttered the living room looks, come back here for more tips and tricks on uncluttering everything else!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Photo Credit: dreamstime.com</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-59391564613120396272015-01-05T14:21:00.000-05:002015-01-31T22:37:31.787-05:00Plan for 2015 - Priorities vs. Real Life<br />
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKCRJQPKjwCXWvp4HQhw_FOb_b1N13PQLljQfOtgBnoDtOikUqdsANgcg2pwlSVYiFNbYCV52dTQiLbC4XygOgiB2XEyuIqI3fX_lsCvv-ClJ1Qb8BFpO2ieJoDuhqYmcX4DV4lwoimyA/s1600/four+brownies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKCRJQPKjwCXWvp4HQhw_FOb_b1N13PQLljQfOtgBnoDtOikUqdsANgcg2pwlSVYiFNbYCV52dTQiLbC4XygOgiB2XEyuIqI3fX_lsCvv-ClJ1Qb8BFpO2ieJoDuhqYmcX4DV4lwoimyA/s1600/four+brownies.jpg" height="200" width="199" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What if you have chosen a priority, but keep procrastinating on getting started? How do you know if you if you're ready to commit? Well, I'll share something with you about me. I think about losing weight ALL THE TIME. . . . every time I get dressed. Every time I look at myself in a mirror, or look at old pictures of a physically fit me. If I SERIOUSLY wanted to lose weight now, I wouldn't have just eaten four double-chocolate brownies. (Four very dense, very rich brownies. Holy cow my stomach hurts.) </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The truth is, I just don't want to lose weight bad enough to make it a priority. When I'm ready, I'll shore up what will power I have, and take on anything else needed to get there. I might have to research information on sugar addiction, emotional eating, diabetic predisposition, etc. But I'm just not ready to start the work or stop the behavior. So am I really ready to commit to losing weight? No. I'll just be a squishy version of myself for a little while longer.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BUT I am definitely ready, and for the most part excited, to do <i>other</i> things to support making HEALTH and WELLNESS a priority for 2015. Here are the specific activities I've started:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">drinking more water</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">playing actively with the kids</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">taking vitamins at breakfast and dinner</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">replace caffeinated soda at lunch with water</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">replace sweet snack after dinner with tea</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">healthier snacks for me and the kids mid afternoon (1 new snack a week)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">exercise with the kids as part of our morning routine 2 days a week</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">smaller entrees; more veggies/salad on plate</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can take comfort in the above that I'm not a complete gelatinous lump. But what I'm trying to show by example is that I pretty much know when I'm ready, and I'm guessing you do too. You can feel it in your gut that now is the time for change. You're ready to accept the work it takes to get there. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I really want something, I find myself thinking about it a great deal. Not just in a "oh-I'm-so-tired-of-splitting-my-pants" sort of way, but thinking about what I want to do, in specific, productive ways. I look forward to measuring my progress, perhaps competing with like minded people online. I read about the subject, finding new resources to keep me excited. And I talk about it with friends and family. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What they won't hear me talking about for the next three months is brownies. I've got too many other things I'm working on!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-19981853823026970692015-01-04T10:52:00.001-05:002015-01-08T15:05:01.255-05:00Plan for 2015 - Finances/Bill Paying<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've been following this month, I've hit the subject of Time Management pretty hard. But let's take a mental break from that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's do something quick and easy that will make almost any household run more efficiently . . . such as putting together a bill paying/finances center. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By mutual agreement, I'm passing the torch of managing our finances over to Steve. I am soooooo ready to let it go, and he will bring a new perspective to our budget and lifestyle. But since he will be doing this task at my desk, I want to set things up for him so that everything is at his fingertips. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">INCOMING BILLS</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvy2weCL8SyweF8xj4IdbyKzxD_i_8IiNmT8l8mX-Ca1dupyLg2ytMZ374M9alZGBbrW-VmirgfYkLvb14q3X3Vfl_J8npPJ6WJ0xgSoCTHpHxBZsOYxhQn8sQutrqWp0WPUPp6egfuUP/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvy2weCL8SyweF8xj4IdbyKzxD_i_8IiNmT8l8mX-Ca1dupyLg2ytMZ374M9alZGBbrW-VmirgfYkLvb14q3X3Vfl_J8npPJ6WJ0xgSoCTHpHxBZsOYxhQn8sQutrqWp0WPUPp6egfuUP/s1600/007.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The mail comes in at the first level, but the office is on the 2nd floor. There is no way we're making extra trips up the stairs that we could avoid. So we separate the bills from the rest of the mail, and put bills to be paid in a hanging wall organizer in the mudroom. Steve grabs the bills when he's ready to pay them. Separating them from the other mail is key: then you don't have to go through stacks of paper and chance misplacing one. Basically, late bills = bad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">EASIER BILL PAYMENT</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We pay almost all of our bills online through our bank. For bills that don't fluctuate, such as mortgage, insurance and loans, we set up on auto pay. For bills that change month to month, we connect to one site, key in the amount and when it should be paid. Boom. Done. It actually takes more time to open the paper envelope of the bill than to pay the bill. I must admit, I resisted online payments for a long time, but that's because I'm old school, and by nature, I tend to be overly cautious. Now I love it. When I have to write a paper check from time to time, the process feels outdated and archaic to me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GO PAPERLESS</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We don't, but you can. I run my business out of our home and need paper copies for taxes, and filing bills is faster than printing out receipts or requesting/printing spreadsheets from all the necessary companies at the end of the year. It would be bliss to give up filing and storing the paper, but perhaps you could enjoy this. It's fairly awesome for the environment, and lowers the overhead of the people you do business with. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FILE YOUR STUFF</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used to have a complicated system of separating expenses into categories, but found it is much MUCH simpler to lump paid bills together by month, using a durable 13-slot separator for the year. If something big is going on such as a renovation, or a very large purchase such as a vehicle, I give it a separate file. But for the most part, the above works like a charm. The 13th slot can be used for income taxes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SUPPLIES AT YOUR FINGERTIPS</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A letter opener, stapler and a box of envelopes are good things to have around. And t</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here is always the occasional bill that requires a paper check. In that case, I've provided a zippered plastic envelope that holds the checkbook/register, stamps, calculator, return address labels, and a pen. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SOMETHING TO HOLD IT ALL</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I use an open fabric covered container that has been around since the 90s - you can tell by the colors! But there are a myriad of ways to do this according to your own preference. Some clients like to use a hanging file in a bankers box or filing cabinet. Some like a hanging magnetic pocket on the side of the fridge. Some like a tray or a binder. It's all good. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the great things about having it all together in one container is that the container is mobile - a nice benefit if you aren't tied to a PC. Bill payers that utilize smart phone/device, or people who write out all their checks, can enjoy the freedom of moving to any space, any time.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbOOxNIuckVsffl-X2BSbb3N3cg4qmXLcNm19CUcrRoE6ORKu7z16KASZayCmWIrEmKlrrYak1-TmXbyoYiqyj0CIgsyCpuKYi3BHyPhwmYErTmKAuot6XMlk1q0KCeNSOOI6J71grTJB/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbOOxNIuckVsffl-X2BSbb3N3cg4qmXLcNm19CUcrRoE6ORKu7z16KASZayCmWIrEmKlrrYak1-TmXbyoYiqyj0CIgsyCpuKYi3BHyPhwmYErTmKAuot6XMlk1q0KCeNSOOI6J71grTJB/s1600/004.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OTHER DOCUMENTS</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also choose to keep a few more files here that just seem to go with receipts, and this is mostly for the ease of filing, and tax preparation. So along with the stuff mentioned, I have manilla folders for our 2015 and 2014 Health Service Account, our 2015 Investment Portfolio, as well as taxes from 2014. And because we will attack our budget soon, I'm temporarily keeping 2014 receipts at hand until we bite the bullet and become more in control of our income. (Perhaps some day I'll blog about that . . . )</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PASSWORDS</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some kind of list or notebook is good to have around with your passwords, usernames and account numbers - all in one place. I used to keep it all in my head, but then I thought: what if I get amnesia or a rare form of mid-life Alzheimer's? How will we have access to anything? (See what I mean about myself - overly cautious.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You'll like how easy it is to quickly pay your bills and get back to something you'd rather be doing!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-62697915141077035032015-01-03T04:00:00.000-05:002015-01-07T06:41:22.226-05:00Plan for 2015 - Set Goals by Working Backwards<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you read yesterday's post, you can see where there are less busy times of the year to meet goals you have set for yourself. During the slower times of the year, will you have enough time to accomplish what you want? How do you find out find out? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today we'll talk about tackling large goals by working with a deadline. It requires planning ahead and some structure, but it's relatively painless. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Hate deadlines? Then think of it as closing the deal. Defining an end to project is imperative, and you need to imagine a cut off point to see if you have time to finish what you've started. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's easiest to describe in a Case Study: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meet Richard. He's a Hotel Furniture Sales Rep and his top priority this year is CAREER GROWTH. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Richard knows that in order to grow his career he needs to support this goal with specific activities, such as expanding his sales line. He wants to do this in effectively within four months. Can he do it? He will work backwards to find out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A simplified example of Richard's timeline might look something like this:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Supporting Activity for CAREER GROWTH - Sell (1) New Line in Four Months</span></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> *January and February - choose new line, meet with key contacts, sign contracts</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> *March - learn the line, develop/practice sales pitch, order sample materials</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> *April - create call list, set up appointments, arrange travel, appointments/follow up</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">To ensure his monthly goals are accomplished, he further breaks down his activities by the weeks of each month, taking into account other things that are going on in his schedule. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">January might look like this: </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> *Jan 1st week - decide most appropriate lines to pursue</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> *Jan 2nd week - research three manufacturers of bedside tables and dressers</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> *Jan 3rd week - (nothing assigned - too busy with NC project, family commitments)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> *Jan 4th week - research five manufacturers of headboards</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He would then break down his weekly activities by days to ensure they happen. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So yes, Richard can feasibly see this through in four months. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By working backwards, it gives you a fairly good idea if you need more or less time to see your deadline through. Maybe there isn't enough time to stick with your original plan, but you can break your goals down into small tasks so that you're still moving forward with your goals. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It's important that every step you need to support that deadline should be included on your calendar. Plan for the year, then the month, then the week, then daily.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
You will also get a good idea of how much time you have for the other priorities in your life. We'll talk about compartmentalizing and multi-purposing another day. But for now, try tracking one or two long term activities backwards to see how they can become part of your year.<span style="font-size: 13px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;"></span><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-2669542456924922342015-01-02T04:00:00.000-05:002015-01-07T06:41:30.607-05:00Plan for 2015 - Fill in Your Calendar <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So you've staked your claim on 2105 by defining your Priorities! Its a good feeling, isn't it?</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now the ENTIRE YEAR stretches before you to get it done. There's nothing you cant do!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Except . . . not really. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are exceptionally wealthy with no work, family life or obligations, okay - the year is yours. But the average person has a job, some kind of family, a home to care for, a social life and various obligations and commitments. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is this you? It is certainly me, and everyone I know. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But there are pockets of time that are less demanding, and there are routines and old habits you can tweek to support your goals. Therein lies your opportunity for growth. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grab your calendar, because this is where you take a linear look at how you spend your time. It doesnt matter what kind calendar you use (electronic, paper, etc) as long as you are committed to using it, and only it. If you need something temporary to get you through this exercise, click the link below the picture for a free printable calendar for 2015. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4e7WxYymlhPPjMd0pOiBuxx2wqhK96ZBsmBp78zjEp2ydef2lodXsb_4Je0SGXHiPw1dS9XVbueN3UE59SKqP-Wh_fsihqvX_aMafAMO0NvvNz-1gNR8osjgrjrtvTWvrxpVwAgP0lAho/s1600/calendar+pic.png" height="247" width="320" /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/create.html?year=2015">http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/create.html?year=2015</a></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Using the Month At a Glance pages, fill in what time is already assigned. Some possible thoughts to consider: </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Busy seasons at work (Example: for accountants January - May). If your spouse has a busy season, you will too, because you're more than likely picking up the slack. </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vacation(s) and other family events such as kids commitments (sports, dance, karate)</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Work and commute</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Celebrations (Anniversaries, Weddings, Showers, Birthdays, parties/gatherings, etc.)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Holiday preparation</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seasonal property work (Do you maintain a big lawn, or snow blow a long drive in the winter?)</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home projects (taxes, home improvement, budget overhaul, etc)</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Work travel/events. Again, if this describes your spouse, it affects you as well. </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other commitments (religious meetings, PTA, professional groups, volunteering,etc.)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visits from friends and family</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The more involved you are, the more time and energy it requires. This is a good time to ask: is my involvement THAT important? It's okay to let go of some things, or take a break. Try seeing if you can: </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eliminate </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Delegate or teach someone to do it</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lower your standards (at least temporarily)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Postpone it</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hire someone to do it</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simplify the process</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you were able to do any of the above, you just freed yourself up a bit to reach your goals. That deserves a pat on the back!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By now you should be see your true seasons of busyness. Though you can still work on your goals, these blocks of time are not ideal to hyperfocus on them. Think of goals as a roller coaster - always moving forward, but still a series of peaks and valleys. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those other spaces of time though when you're not so crazy-busy, that's when you can put a big dent on your priorities. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, you will see that some of the things you have scheduled will actually HELP you work on your goals, especially if you can tweek them a bit to fit. Vacations and holidays are an excellent time to put FAMILY first. Work travel and professional groups may offer a chance for CAREER GROWTH. Lawn work and house projects provide a form of exercise if your are focusing on HEALTH/Wellness.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another day, we'll discuss daily and weekly schedules. Why? because if there is anyplace that "time keeps on slippin' slippin' slippin'"** - it's there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But tomorrow, we'll talk about how to set a goal and meet it within a reasonable time frame. Most people can't do it willy nilly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Photo credit - timeanddate.com</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**Who said that? Why, The Steve Miller Band, of course! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnlTrq6wLf0">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnlTrq6wLf0</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-44171489317009457352015-01-01T08:51:00.001-05:002015-01-08T15:03:54.095-05:00Plan for 2015 - Define Your Priorities <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2015 has arrived! Regardless of how you rang in the New Year, this is a great day for solidifying what you want to accomplish from the 6 - 12 months ahead. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Think BIG. The marrow of life, what it's all about. It's what drives you, keeps you motivated, helps you grow. Sometimes it's helpful to think of this exercise as defining the things you will not have regrets about later. Or perhaps there are big changes for you this year, and it will demand resources, such as time and energy. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some popular GOALS/PRIORITIES: </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FAMILY</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MARRIAGE/RELATIONSHIP</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">EDUCATION</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CAREER GROWTH</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HEALTH/WELLNESS</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SPIRITUALITY</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">COMMUNITY SERVICE</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">VERY LARGE CHANGE/PROJECT</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How many goals to choose? They're all look important, and are. But just keep in mind you aren't eschewing the other goals by choosing a focus, and that you can change your goals if needed. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most Time Management experts agree that picking 3-5 priorities or goals is optimal. This allows you zero in, and not become spread so thin in your endeavors. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are married, talk it over with your spouse so that you can support each other. Perhaps your spouse is getting a degree, so you may want to lower your number of goals. Perhaps you're both now retired and looking for ways to enjoy this time of life. Perhaps you had a baby and the change was more of an adjustment then you thought . . .then this would be a good time to lower the amount of priorities you're working on until life balances out.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've chosen FAMILY, CAREER GROWTH, and HEALTH/WELLNESS as priorities for the next few months. By necessity I must also focus on a VERY LARGE PROJECT, because more than likely we will move to another home, and our current house must be prepared to sell. There are other areas of life that will still get attention, but they are moving along quite well as is, and at this time don't need constant vigilance. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whew. The challenge is on, and I've thrown down the gauntlet - to myself! You can do the same if you really want to make this YOUR year! Stop by tomorrow for tips on managing your schedule so that you make time to fit in what is most important to you for 2015!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-16729385306101509982014-12-31T14:15:00.003-05:002014-12-31T14:15:26.217-05:00Plan for 2015 - It's Your Life<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow is the first day of the new year. You've probably been thinking about what 2015 has in store for you, what will happen, and how will things be the same . . . . how they will be different. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A lot could just "happen" during the next 365 days. After all, if you do absolutely nothing, life still happens, right? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">But I propose we stop waiting for things to happen. At the risk of stating empty platitudes, I say: Let's take the year by storm! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GASYeKn1-Tr3thY5jhied3ku0Ih2_rglNRTc1gBMIpcSGr5-W_b80MtcWb4OKOnxoDO17A5uycojEEfAsxzJqSjJUDEFG67TTBuzESg4VrmCy-R8jAQCENKT0hM_9rXtbOvG_62Mg9wi/s1600/top+of+summit+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GASYeKn1-Tr3thY5jhied3ku0Ih2_rglNRTc1gBMIpcSGr5-W_b80MtcWb4OKOnxoDO17A5uycojEEfAsxzJqSjJUDEFG67TTBuzESg4VrmCy-R8jAQCENKT0hM_9rXtbOvG_62Mg9wi/s1600/top+of+summit+image.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">How? Well, I'm glad you asked. The following topics are just a few that I will delve into this year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">*Define your goals into something concrete. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">*Develop and action plan to support those goals. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">*Simplify all areas of life that don't directly contribute to your goals. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">*Work with your schedule so that you are not a 'victim' of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">*Boost your confidence by honing skills, increasing knowledge and changing habits. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">*Recover from set backs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">*Plan things to look forward to. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">*Recognize and overcome distractions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">*Organize your stuff, and let go of emotional ties to physical things. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">*Think ahead to avoid crisis management. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Realistically, you won't implement, or even find interesting, all of the above. But you can make much of it work for you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">January is GO month: 31 days to get kick start the year. Every day for the next month there will be a post on this blog with tips and articles to assure this is the year that is DIFFERENT. So, take the advice of Star Trek's </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jean Luc Picard and: "Make it so."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">*Photo credit: This photo had no credit, but it nostalgically reminded me of one of those motivational posters I used to see hanging on office walls in '90s!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-49611666974896608242014-06-30T10:28:00.000-04:002014-06-30T10:31:13.394-04:00What Deserves Your Time?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeUbV1X-b-k9JRn6OiNxgpJMvFJdUNqjC8yfHOYu_oSlEgT0VOURIrKhjBXGgLJXAoIBANjT9bx-v82ocGswudG1Q6grm7TPZ2CA0DCO-tscsXuBcXvEnoLFyH2MIWStQx7FPxdhyP27K/s1600/FreeVectorClockPreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeUbV1X-b-k9JRn6OiNxgpJMvFJdUNqjC8yfHOYu_oSlEgT0VOURIrKhjBXGgLJXAoIBANjT9bx-v82ocGswudG1Q6grm7TPZ2CA0DCO-tscsXuBcXvEnoLFyH2MIWStQx7FPxdhyP27K/s1600/FreeVectorClockPreview.jpg" height="279" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What is the value of your personal time? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When we're working, we pretty much get that time equals money. If we have any concept of time management, we will regularly ask: "what is the most productive and valuable use of my time?"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But what about after hours, our personal time, when we don't have to account to a boss or a bottom line? Is time any less valuable? Most of us would probably answer that is time is MORE valuable, more precious when it is our own. And yet, a lot of it is frittered away. There is a reason the phrase "time suck" has entered our vernacular. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm neither proposing that every minute needs an accounting, nor that it must be so "amazing" that it's social media fodder. It's more about knowing what the big picture is, whatever that big picture is to each of us. It's the marrow of life, what we'll regret or be satisfied with at the end of the day, the year, or at the end of life. Even more so, it's not only about knowing what the big picture is, but living accordingly. Why? Because in the world as we know it, time is a finite and limited commodity. There are only so many personal hours we're going to get in a lifetime, and the clock is ticking . . . faithfully . . . relentlessly on. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So how do you live the life you want? Let's look at Bill. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
He's a single father, and after some consideration he says his priorities are Career Advancement, Family and Health. Eventually he would like to remarry, but not until he reaches his professional goals and his family life is more settled. He exercises regularly and watches his diet. He does well at his job but probably will not get a promotion until he finishes his Masters. His relationship with his kids is good but stressful at times, and the kids are asking for more attention . . . . attention that he cant seem to find between chores, meal preparation and general household hubbub. With all this on his mind, he looks forward to each evening to when he can shake off the day to play his favorite video game - sometimes until he collapses into bed for the night.</div>
<br />
What Bill is going through is normal, and so is his response. He's overwhelmed and he turns to entertainment to forget about things for while. So while there is nothing wrong with video games (or doing absolutely nothing), his current actions don't line up with what he believes his priorities to be. Gaming makes him feel in control. It's a means of escaping the pressures and chaos of the day, and helps him forget he is not exactly where he wants to be in his career, family life or potential relationship. So gaming for Bill is a Band-aid, not a solution. Does Bill want to add Gaming as one of his priorities (because the time he devotes to it qualifies it as a Priority.) Not really. Bill truly wants his Masters, and he wants a more fulfilling family and professional life. He just doesn't know how to go about it with so few hours in the day. <br />
<br />
What can Bill do? He can examine how he currently spends his time. He does not have to give up gaming. But the amount of time he dedicates to it must change until he achieves the balance he wants. Also, he can tweak activities so that they support two more of his priorities at the same time (multi-purposing.) Simplified, his activities might look something like this:<br />
<br />
PRIORITIES: Family and Health.<br />
ACTIVITIES: Menu plan with kids. Take kids to farmers market and grocery store. Make meals and clean up with kids. Plan and participate in physical activities with kids. Purchase the roller blades kids have asked for (and get a pair for himself). Sign up for locally sponsored family run at the end of summer. Go for a walk around the block or toss a ball with kids after supper/clean up.<br />
<br />
PRIORITY: Career and Education<br />
ACTIVITIES: Prepare better for meetings. Re-enroll in one 3 credit online class. Attend classes/do homework after kids go to bed or on mornings he doesn't jog. Listen to 1 CD/month regarding his trade on the commute to work. Read two pertinent articles a week regarding his work or education. Try to incorporate work into homework.<br />
<br />
PRIORITY: Family<br />
ACTIVITIES: Slowly replace screen time with healthier with quality activities. Strive to be in the moment with kids. Read up on developmental stage of each child. Research suggestions of how to introduce chores to kids (Bill originally thought about hiring a cleaning service, but he has decided to try to tackle this as a family.) Discuss together with ex-wife, then kids, how many extra-curricular activities the kids should be involved in at one time, perhaps cutting back. <br />
<br />
PRIORITY: Entertainment<br />
ACTIVITY: Use gaming as a reward for completed tasks. Look into new (and more effective) forms of relaxation. Invite kids to participate if appropriate. <br />
<br />
Bill may not be able to make all of these suggestions work, nor will he be able to incorporate them all at the same time. But he has a plan of action of his own choosing that fits what he currently wants out of life. For the first time in a while, he's excited about the challenges ahead.<br />
<br />
The absolute beauty of adjusting our activities to line up with our goals, is that our lives tend to go from stagnant and middle-of-the-road, to exciting and purpose-driven. With a little bit of self-examination and effort, we can meet a challenge head on, or make a much anticipated dream a reality. In addition, it keeps things flexible as wants and needs change - and they always do! <br />
<br />
So . . . what deserves your time? Tick . . .tick . . . tick . . .<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-88856410226402163422014-06-14T06:50:00.000-04:002014-06-14T13:42:54.927-04:00Find Your Own Theme Song!Music gives you the opportunity to feel something . . . something that turns the mundane into extra ordinary.<br />
<br />
Remember the days of your misspent youth. . . when <i>that </i>song came on the radio? Remember how it seemed as if everything was sooooooo right? And even now, that same song can transport you back to those halcyon summer days - as if H.G. Wells himself put you in a time machine? That's the power of music.<br />
<br />
If like most people you are inundated with life's To Dos, exploring new music may never enter your mind. You might even forget to crank up the old tunes you loved from a decade or more ago. But if music has the ability to motivate, to elate, to empower . . . . why not use it to your advantage? Have fun while busting through your chores, or exercising, or any activity that could use a bit more excitement! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTg1NTI0MTUxMl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwODE1MzgyMQ@@._V1_SY317_CR6,0,214,317_AL_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTg1NTI0MTUxMl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwODE1MzgyMQ@@._V1_SY317_CR6,0,214,317_AL_.jpg" /></a></div>
Perhaps the answer to tackling that pile in the basement or the mess in your garage is adopting your very own theme song . . . Ally McBeal-style. Why not make a compilation CD of songs that make you feel UNSTOPPABLE!<br />
<br />
Where to begin? Start here! Below is an extensive list of songs from various genres. Some are old, some are new. But every song has something special about it. Prepare to feel upbeat, hopeful, bright, happy or even slightly intoxicated by a great combination of lyrics, melody and beat. (This is perfect time to open your mind to something new - give it at least until the chorus before you move on!)<br />
<br />
There is SO MUCH MORE music out there . . . . . But I had to stop and call it "good enough." :)<br />
<br />
Now go find your theme song, and be FIERCE!<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>32 Flavors</i> – Ani Difranco (folk/alternative)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Accidentally in Love</i> – Counting Crows (pop/alternative)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Bamboleo</i> – Gypsy Kings (rumba/flamenca/pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Becoming</i> - American Authors (modern indie rock)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Believer </i>- American Authors </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">(modern indie rock)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y66j_BUCBMY" target="_blank">Best Day of My Life</a></i> - American Authors </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">(modern indie rock)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Boom Clap</i> - Charli XCX (from "The Fault in Our Stars" soundtrack)</span><br />
<i>Born This Way </i>- Lady Gaga (pop/dance)<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Brave</i> – Sara Bareilles (pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Breakaway</i> - Kelly Clarkson (pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Brown Eyed Girl</i> – Van Morrison (folk/blues/classic rock)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Build a Levee</i> – Natalie Merchant (alternative/pop/folk)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Bulletproof</i> – La Roux (synth, bit pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Champion</i> – RuPaul (dance pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>The Climb</i> - Miley Cyrus (pop)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Defying Gravity</i> – from "Wicked"</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"> Idina Menzel & Kristen Chenoweth, or Glee (Broadway)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Do My Thing</i> – Estelle (R&B, soul, hiphop, reggae) </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Do You Love Me? </i>- The Contours (Motown)</span><br />
<i>Don’t Stop Believing</i> – Journey (80's hairband rock)<br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Epie</i> – Royksopp (instrumental)</span><br />
<i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej04VAktzyE" target="_blank">Feeling Good </a></i>– Nina Simone, or Jennifer Hudson, or Carly Rose Sonenclar, or Michael Buble (jazz/soul)<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Fighter</i> – Christina Aguilera (pop)</span><br />
<i>Firework</i> – Katy Perry (pop)<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHvl6z56zGc" target="_blank">Gang of Rhythm</a></i> - Walk Off the Earth (Indie/alternative)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Get Up</i> – Superchick (Christian/alternative/pop)</span><br />
<i>Girl On Fire</i> – Alicia Keys (R&B, pop)<br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZhQOvvV45w" target="_blank">Good Life</a> </i>– OneRepublic (pop, alternative)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Good Mother</i> – Jann Arden (pop)</span><br />
<i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7HmzwI67ec" target="_blank">Good Time</a></i> – Owl City, Carly Rae Jepsen (pop, electronic)<br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Groove Is In the Heart </i>– Deee-lite (dance, pop, house)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM" target="_blank">Happy</a></i> – Pharrell Williams (pop, dance)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Headstrong</i> – 10,000 Maniacs (alt)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Hey Hey</i> - Superchick </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">(Christian/alternative/pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny3FIHD2qBw" target="_blank">Hey Soul Sister</a></i> – Train (pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9NHpHcVFio" target="_blank">Hey Ya!</a></i> - Outkast (hip hop)</span><br />
<i>Hit The Lights</i> – Selena Gomez & The Scene (electrical pop)<br />
<i>Hold On</i> – Wilson Phillips (pop)<br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Hot Topic</i> – Le Tigre (electroclash, synthropop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Human</i> - The Killers (alternative/indie rock)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7rSv5NvAK8" target="_blank">I Am Not My Hair</a></i> - India Arie (R&B, neo soul)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>I Am Woman</i> – Helen Reddy (70s AC, EZ listening)</span><br />
<i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In-fvpubTrg" target="_blank">I Am Woman</a> </i>– Jordin Sparks (pop, dance, R&B)<br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>I Can See Clearly Now</i> - Jimmy Cliff (reggae, R&B)</span><br />
<i>I Feel Like a Woman</i> - Shania Twain (country)<br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSD4vsh1zDA" target="_blank">I Got A Feeling</a> </i>– Black Eyed Peas (alternative hip hop, dance)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>I Got You (I Feel Good)</i> – James Brown (soul)</span><br />
<i>I Will Survive</i> – Gloria Gaynor (70's R&B, disco)<br />
<i>Independent Women</i> - from "Charlie's Angels" Destiny's Child (contemporary R&B)<br />
<i>Intuition</i> - Jewel (pop rock, folk, AC)<br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>I'm Coming Out </i>- Diana Ross (80s pop rock, R&B)</span><br />
<i>I’m Every Woman</i> – Whitney Houston & Chaka Khan (pop, R&B)<br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39YUXIKrOFk" target="_blank">I’m Too Sexy</a></i> – Right Said Fred (British pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>I Won</i> - The Sundays (alternative, dream/indie pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsRuurcTTSk" target="_blank">Istanbul (not Constantinople)</a></i> – They Might Be Giants (alt rock)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>It’s Amazing</i> – Jem (soft electronic)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Joy</i> - The Sundays (alternative, dream/indie pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHzOOQfhPFg" target="_blank">Just a Girl</a> </i>- No Doubt (rock, pop, alternative)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Just the Way You Are</i> – Bruno Mars ((pop, soul, rock, R&B)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Least Complicated</i> - Indigo Girls (folk)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWRCJhsz5t4" target="_blank">Laisser Tomber Les Filles</a></i> - Frances Gall (ye' ye')</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Learn to Fly</i> - Foo Fighters (alt rock, post grunge)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Let It Go</i> – from "Frozen" by Idina Menzel or Demi Lovato (Disney soundtrack)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Let Your Heart Sing</i> – Tinkerbell (Disney soundrack)</span><br />
<i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3sMjm9Eloo&feature=kp" target="_blank">Life is a Highway</a></i> – Tom Cochrane, or Rascal Flatts (rock, country)<br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>The Long Way Around</i> – Dixie Chicks (country)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Love Shack</i> – The B-52s (dance, pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Love Song</i> – Sara Bareilles (pop)</span><br />
<i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx1_6F-nCaw&feature=kp" target="_blank">A Little Less Conversation</a></i> – Elvis Presley w/JXL remix (dance)<br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Mean Girls</i> – Rachel Crow (pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>The Middle</i> – Jimmy Eat World (emo, alt, indie, pop punk)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Mmmbop</i> – Hanson (pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjPqsDU0j2I" target="_blank">Mr. Blue Sky</a></i> – ELO (British rock)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEoxGJ79PMs" target="_blank">Moving on Up</a></i> - MPeople (dance, pop)</span><br />
<i>My Boogie Shoes</i> – KC & The Sunshine Band (70s top 40)<br />
<i>My Finest Hour</i> - The Sundays (alternative, dream/indie pop)<br />
<i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWfZ5SZZ4xE" target="_blank">New Attitude</a></i> - Patti Labelle (80s pop)<br />
<i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYwCmcB0XMw" target="_blank">New Slang</a></i> - The Shins (indie rock)<br />
<i>A New Day Has Come</i> – Celine Dion (pop, AC, EZ listening)<br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>One and Only</i> – Superchick </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">(Christian/alternative/pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vdILJ8cP5g" target="_blank">Overrated</a> </i>– Ashley Tisdale (pop, dance)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Paradise</i> - Coldplay (alt/piano rock)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Part of Me</i> – Katy Perry (pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>People like Us</i> – Kelly Clarkson (pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Perfect</i> - Pink (original or cleaned up version) (pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5uDY3ItoLs" target="_blank">Pork and Beans</a></i> – Weezer (alt, power pop, pop punk, emo, indie)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Proud</i> – Heather Small (dance, pop)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Raise Your Glass</i> – Pink (pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9aHrgtf2zY" target="_blank">Red Rubber Ball</a></i> – The Cyrcle (60s rock)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FOUqQt3Kg0&feature=kp" target="_blank">RESPECT</a></i> - Aretha Franklin (Motown)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Roar </i>– Katy Perry (pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MknUK3U5JcE" target="_blank">Rock What You Got</a> </i>– Superchick </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">(Christian/alternative/pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Rolling in the Deep</i> – Adele (pop, soul)</span><br />
<i>Royal</i> - Lourde (pop, indie, art pop)<br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbN0nX61rIs" target="_blank">Shake it Out</a></i> – Florence + The Machine (rock, soul)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>She’s Not Just a Pretty Face</i> – Shania Twain (country)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Simply The Best</i> – Tina Turner (60s/70s R&B, pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmKshpLXnxE&feature=kp" target="_blank">Sir Duke</a></i> – Stevie Wonder (Motown)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Sisters are Doing It for Themselves</i> – Eurythmics (British new wave, pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>So What</i> – Pink (pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>A Sorta Fairy Tale</i> - Tori Amos (alt, pop, piano rock)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Stand in the Rain </i>– Superchick </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">(Christian/alternative/pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_izvAbhExY" target="_blank">Staying Alive</a></i> - BeeGees (70s pop, disco)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Strip Me </i>– Natasha Bedingfield (pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Strong Women</i> – Meg Braun (urban folk)</span><br />
<i>Stronger</i> – Kelly Clarkson (pop)<br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Stupid Girls</i> – Pink (pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ0K29K2I1U" target="_blank">Summer of ’69</a></i> – Bryan Adams (80s pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Summertime</i> – The Sundays (indie, pop, jangle)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6WpvBHdk1c" target="_blank">Summertime</a></i> – Will Smith (pop, dance)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Supersonic </i>- Oasis (alt, British alt pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Survivor</i> - Destiny's Child (R&B girl group)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Take Your Mama</i> – Scissor Sisters (glam rock)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Tell It Like It Is</i> – Tracy Chapman (folk)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>That's Really Super, Supergirl </i>- XTC (alt rock/new wave/psych pop)</span><br />
<i>This One’s For The Girls</i> – Martina McBride (country)<br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Three Little Birds</i> – Bob Marley and the Wailers (reggae)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>The Time of My Life</i> – from "Dirty Dancing" Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes (80s pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Think About It</i> - American Authors (Modern indie rock)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRfuAukYTKg" target="_blank">Titanium</a></i> – David Guetta & Sia (dance, house)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Touch the Sky</i> – Brave (Disney soundrack)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7k0a5hYnSI" target="_blank">Unwritten</a></i> – Natasha Bedingfield (pop)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Uptown Top Ranking</i> – Althea and Donna (reggae)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Video </i>– India Arie </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">(R&B, neo soul)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvgZkm1xWPE" target="_blank">Viva la Vida</a></i> - Coldplay (alt/piano rock)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Waiting for Something to Happen</i> - Veronica Falls (English Indie Rock)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CeRWTdYFY8" target="_blank">Walking on Sunshine</a></i> – Katrina and the Waves (English rock, pop)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>We Are the Champions</i> - Queen (progressive rock)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv6dMFF_yts" target="_blank">We are Young</a></i> - Fun & Janelle Monae</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>We Can </i>– LeAnn Rimes (country)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>We Will Rock You </i>- Queen (progressive rock)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>What I Am</i> – Edie Brickel (alt rock)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>What a Wonderful World</i> - Luis Armstrong (60s, jazz)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy6j2LUyh24" target="_blank">When You're Good to Mama</a></i> - from "Chicago" Queen Latifa (Broadway)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Who I Am</i> – Jessica Andrews (country)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Who Says</i> – Selena Gomez (electro pop, dance, teen)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Wild One</i> – Faith Hill (country)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Wishing Well </i>- Bob Mould</span><br />
<i style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">You Gotta Be</i><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"> – Des’ree (90s British R&B)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-I2s5zRbHg" target="_blank">You Know I’m No Good</a></i> – Amy Winehouse (blue-eyed R&B/jazz/soul)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-22174568302210154272014-04-06T07:40:00.001-04:002014-04-08T12:40:00.462-04:00Ultimate List of Things To Do While Waiting<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br /></blockquote>
The average person spends 45-62 minutes a day waiting. For the person who lives to be 70, that's 3 to 5 years of life WAITING. Waiting for trains, appointments, traffic. Waiting for gas tanks to fill, commercials to end and coffee to brew. Even Barney Stinson from "How I Met Your Mother" wants you to wait before you hear a word in it's entirety.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/8Ijk3nepXmM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
That's a lot of waiting.<br />
<br />
In the age of instant gratification, people dislike waiting more than ever. Disney knows the psychology of waiting so well, that it purposely posts overestimated wait time for rides. This is so that guests will be pleasantly surprised that the lines moved faster than they expected. Why do Internet companies continually bombard you with their newly improved speed? Because customers hate to wait. We hate waiting so much that we'd rather read the uninteresting information on a cereal box than enjoy a few quiet moments while eating breakfast.<br />
<br />
<div>
I don't have 'wait rage' ( if there is such a thing.) But those few moments waiting for my turn in the grocery queue feel like an eternity. It's as though real life has somehow removed itself from me, while it's out there, pulsing with possibility. I however, remain cemented and stagnant in '15 Items or Less.' The check out aisle is the perfect metaphor for stasis . . . . weeks of my life I will never ever get back. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gm2w4BlmvD9xZVQ-TfS6HUC-gTj4kbbcoJFgw7cTJKBvOZBKWutOyHJ2-OIkKQWxOoV4C45v64a9y0-bn6FkTlav6oRrUIh0j_AC4GoFCmm_BqFLjS21XrJ2nJJ6fstBpBUYxqNcwTjo/s1600/inigomontoyaihatewait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gm2w4BlmvD9xZVQ-TfS6HUC-gTj4kbbcoJFgw7cTJKBvOZBKWutOyHJ2-OIkKQWxOoV4C45v64a9y0-bn6FkTlav6oRrUIh0j_AC4GoFCmm_BqFLjS21XrJ2nJJ6fstBpBUYxqNcwTjo/s1600/inigomontoyaihatewait.jpg" height="172" width="200" /></a>What's a wait-hater to do? This is one of the few areas in life where multi-tasking is good. Having something productive to do is the best way to stave off that cloying feeling that Time is marching on, and pointing to itself . . . . like it's a watch on a wrist.<br />
<br />
So while at the laundromat waiting for a quilt to dry, I have composed . . . wait for it . . . . The Ultimate List of Things to Do While Waiting.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
General Waiting:<br />
<ul>
<li>Memorize something you think you should know. Maybe: prime numbers past 47, the Gettysburg address, Q words for Scrabble, your spouses SS# . . things that wont really make a big difference in life, except to make you feel ever so slightly smug.</li>
<li>Eat an energizing snack, so that when you're done waiting, you can hit the ground running.</li>
<li>Increase your vocabulary </li>
<li>Read a magazine or a book for fun. Readers and smart phones make it super easy to carry around reading material.</li>
<li>Increase your business acumen: catch up on trade mags, blogs, books, etc.</li>
<li>Doodle. You can even doodle with friends for free <a href="http://omgpop.com/drawsomething">http://omgpop.com/drawsomething</a> (look at the bottom of the web page)</li>
<li>Strengthen muscle groups with isometrics such as glute and stomach squeezes, Kegels and more.</li>
<li>Have a conversation. (Oh no - did I just suggest engaging someone sans technology?)<br />"This is a crazy long line" is a socially acceptable conversation opener. </li>
<li>Give your neck and shoulders a mini massage. </li>
<li>Meditate. You don't have to reach Nirvana. Just pick a focal point and count backwards from 10.</li>
<li>People watch (without being creepy.) Assign them secret identities!</li>
<li>Consult your To Do list to make sure you're on track for the day. </li>
<li>Do one thing to solidify your plans for the week/weekend.</li>
<li>Review your work or study notes. Retention percentages increase within the first 24 hours of learning something the more times you review it. <a href="http://www.byui.edu/get-more/tip-3">http://www.byui.edu/get-more/tip-3</a></li>
<li>Pray. </li>
<li>Clean out your jacket pockets, wallet, purse, backpack or briefcase. </li>
<li>Hydrate with a non-sugary, non-caffeinated beverage (translation: water.) 75% of Americans suffer from chronic dehydration.</li>
<li>Moisturize your lips, hands and even elbows and knees if appropriate.</li>
<li>Stretch. Cats and dogs do it many times a day. There must be something to that. </li>
<li>Make or confirm an appointment. </li>
<li>Relax and relish in the moment. Nothing is required of you. No one is calling your name. Your thoughts are your own. You are in your own quiet world. </li>
<li>Play a game, but turn off the volume. Even people who are addicted to Candy Crush don't want to listen to you playing it.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0s7qPNrpSnH_quHWsrY4jOWZpUtiGVI5sw7Hu3B5qCQNaKe7_JcaD8assrotLUhEQj9sLJ_CDO9f31lWb7k-6LhpAkywrkrtHGqx7ZN9thPKeY4cEeef49d-Dx2gef65NvIeD-vpDzcT/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0s7qPNrpSnH_quHWsrY4jOWZpUtiGVI5sw7Hu3B5qCQNaKe7_JcaD8assrotLUhEQj9sLJ_CDO9f31lWb7k-6LhpAkywrkrtHGqx7ZN9thPKeY4cEeef49d-Dx2gef65NvIeD-vpDzcT/s1600/download.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
</li>
<li>Breathe. That's right - fill those lungs! This is what oxygen feels like!</li>
<li>Daydream. You weren't allowed to daydream in school, and you could get fired for it at work. But nobody owns your time or your gray matter while you're waiting at the doctor's office. "Dream on, dream on, dream until your dreams come true."</li>
<li>If you're with someone, work on your listening skills .<u><a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/230722" target="_blank">http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/230722 </a></u> (P.S. If you're scripting a response while they are still talking, perhaps there's more work to be done.)</li>
<li>Focus on one of the three most important priorities in your life (family, work, health, relationship, etc.) and think about one thing you can do to enhance that area. </li>
<li>Play games with your kids.<u> <a href="http://www.grandparents.com/grandkids/activities-games-and-crafts/12-games-to-play-while-you-wait">http://www.grandparents.com/grandkids/activities-games-and-crafts/12-games-to-play-while-you-wait</a></u></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At the pump: </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Clean your windshield</li>
<li>Check the tire pressure</li>
<li>Empty the garbage container </li>
<li>Organize the trunk, back seat or glove compartment</li>
<li>Search for petrified french fries and lost chocolate candies with a crunchy shell</li>
<li>Keep a small stiff brush in your console and whisk out the crumbs your vacuum can never get to. Who DOES that? well, um . . . *sheepish grin*</li>
<li>Wipe off your dashboard with the wipes you keep in the car for this purpose, but never use. (If they are dehydrated, add a little water.)</li>
<li>Clip your nails, put on lotion, apply Chapstick</li>
<li>Purchase a beverage or newspaper, get cash from the ATM, say hi to the clerk(s). It's a lonely job they have.</li>
<li>Watch the pump numbers escalate towards infinity. Vow to ride a bike or use public transportation more often.</li>
<li>Clear your head. Take these few moments for yourself to think, or not think. This might be the only time you are free to do so.</li>
</ul>
<div>
At the Laundro-Mat, Doctor's Office, mechanic, etc.</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Study</li>
<li>Read a book from home, or an outdated, germ-filled magazine supplied in the waiting room.</li>
<li>Catch up on emails, social networking</li>
<li>Close your eyes. A catnap might do you some good.</li>
<li>If you're in a place where quiet is the norm or people are working, take your calls outside. You can cross off some calls while being respectful at the same time.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
Long commutes or travel:<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Learn a language. Parlez-vous Francais? Sprechen sie Deutsch? <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.04px;">nǐ huìbúhuì jiǎng guóyŭ/huáyŭ/pŭtōnghuà?</span></span></li>
<li>Rock out with some tunes. Bring your favorite CDs or get a music player converter to hook up an MP3 player or iPod. </li>
<li>Spend some time listening to news radio and learn about what's going on in the world.</li>
<li>Take a quick nap. Just kidding! If you're not driving though, this is a seriously good idea.</li>
<li>No place like the road the improve your road savvy and driver's etiquette. Most people are NOT excellent drivers. In your state do you have to pause for a stopped school bus in oncoming traffic on a four lane divided highway? Wouldn't it be marvelous if everyone knew? <a href="http://www.dmv.org/manuals.php">http://www.dmv.org/manuals.php</a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwkiYFLlION8bTtkMA2j6ElKiY2G-8nxIfawFpkmksyALBuiRkWdUZdWV_rjvi1p77ri7cGnFdxg3MkHSfxbaCipS_csswidDHyNoWrwjtVrIwlZ-oAbxuXbteanrGYAVaxOKKhJmv2mP/s1600/logo.r11168.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwkiYFLlION8bTtkMA2j6ElKiY2G-8nxIfawFpkmksyALBuiRkWdUZdWV_rjvi1p77ri7cGnFdxg3MkHSfxbaCipS_csswidDHyNoWrwjtVrIwlZ-oAbxuXbteanrGYAVaxOKKhJmv2mP/s1600/logo.r11168.gif" /></a></div>
</li>
<li>Call your mother. Call your father. Return just about any phone call you can think of, as long as you can do it safely, and according to your state's laws. <a href="http://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/cellular-phone-use-and-texting-while-driving-laws.aspx">http://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/cellular-phone-use-and-texting-while-driving-laws.aspx</a></li>
<li>Books on CD are great way to sneak some reading in. Libraries lend them out for free and there online sources that let you download them.</li>
<li>Borrow CDs of past seminars from a professional organization you belong to. It's a great way to sneak in some industry know how to advance your career!</li>
</ul>
<div>
At the grocery or a convenience store: </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Organize your purchases into loose categories: freezer, produce, pantry, upstairs, downstairs, etc. so that they get bagged the way you want them. When you get home you (and the kids) can quickly put everything away. </li>
<li>Get coupons in order</li>
</ul>
<div>
At the computer (especially at home): </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiGdtpIJu-VmuH5jelM7zg5cNkFYJnPyEwre5WPjtpLFs87nu8yKssFocDwWJUO8-CUVVb9FBB8rvp7zGRTuGIb6hfuO0cEZEJINF73-A3IVt8VH-HsEddrD02YpwY5YVWYYkIC6WVfQ3/s1600/089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiGdtpIJu-VmuH5jelM7zg5cNkFYJnPyEwre5WPjtpLFs87nu8yKssFocDwWJUO8-CUVVb9FBB8rvp7zGRTuGIb6hfuO0cEZEJINF73-A3IVt8VH-HsEddrD02YpwY5YVWYYkIC6WVfQ3/s1600/089.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></a>
<li>Update your play list. Find a new artist/song. A great song can motivate you all day.</li>
<li>Organize your music by category. Or if you have a lot of crossover music, start an alphabetical system by artist or band name. Some organize their music by mood (Energizing, Relaxing, etc.) or by activity (Work out, Study, Dinner, Party, etc.)</li>
<li>Play a quick game or fill in a few more clues to the NYTimes Crossword.</li>
<li>Take a survey. Some companies even pay you for taking them (<a href="http://swagbucks.com/">Swagbucks.com</a>)</li>
<li>Enter a sweepstakes. Dream a few moments about what it would be like to win that 100k vacation to Morocco.</li>
<li>File a few papers. Clean out old papers in your folders as you go. </li>
<li>Wipe down your desktop/monitor/keypad. </li>
<li>Love on your pets. Love on your kids.</li>
<li>Pay a bill online, or set it up online if you haven't already.</li>
<li>Organize one desk drawer</li>
<li>Clean up desktop icons</li>
<li>Straighten your posture. Obviously it's better for your spine, but it staves off heartburn too!</li>
<li>Delete a program or cookie that has been bothering you</li>
<li>Take a moment to look at your browsing history. How did you spend/waste your time? Then clear your history. </li>
<li>Organize a few of your kazillion pictures. Some do it chronologically. Some do it by event: Sports, Graduation, Anniversaries, Holidays, Vacations, etc.</li>
<li>Empty your office trash</li>
<li>Step away from the computer - you could use a mental break!</li>
<li>Fill out paperwork you've been putting off</li>
<li>Return an email, text message, or a phone call</li>
<li>Get sucked into social media<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwFrWpzWPzSjuc5FENsEfEKC_YfbZ0u9j2QO9nIGNMkj1F3Gt347y1c1dIxC3vGsdxEgCVzGml3V0TqypJzw4-j9u_mrngAzDXbkQ-eljiKml78Bf_gRMvRBBI1Hz8MR__53LVJwRGSIf/s1600/asset.thumbs.up.lg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwFrWpzWPzSjuc5FENsEfEKC_YfbZ0u9j2QO9nIGNMkj1F3Gt347y1c1dIxC3vGsdxEgCVzGml3V0TqypJzw4-j9u_mrngAzDXbkQ-eljiKml78Bf_gRMvRBBI1Hz8MR__53LVJwRGSIf/s1600/asset.thumbs.up.lg.png" /></a></div>
</li>
<li>Do one thing to improve your grooming: trim eyebrows, nails, toenails, nose, ears, brush your teeth, floss, etc. Oh yeah - you're dapper now!</li>
<li>Research. What was that Jeopardy question you got totally wrong, and still cant remember the answer? </li>
<li>Order a product you've been meaning to buy. Amazon really is "the everything store."</li>
<li>Delete old emails if you don't do it everyday. </li>
</ul>
<div>
In the kitchen while coffee brews, the sink fills up, kids finish breakfast, etc.:</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6kgSHMJutcU_kP20YGGMfPwaCPx6Z24sN91D6X7tC0Yr6CeHLxu2DAbsPEPMrwH_Bi_DSqBfkHZqBoXPw3mh4XVLTLK3Hs9qWb5OqRHSm2zFotRNEZ8J-dt0RZ3tAiOLwSbIxTuct9s8/s1600/8+mos+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6kgSHMJutcU_kP20YGGMfPwaCPx6Z24sN91D6X7tC0Yr6CeHLxu2DAbsPEPMrwH_Bi_DSqBfkHZqBoXPw3mh4XVLTLK3Hs9qWb5OqRHSm2zFotRNEZ8J-dt0RZ3tAiOLwSbIxTuct9s8/s1600/8+mos+022.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>
<li>If you are cooking, clean as you go. There will be less to do later when you are less motivated.</li>
<li>Empty the trash</li>
<li>Wipe off one shelf in the refrigerator</li>
<li>Get the mail/newspaper</li>
<li>Stare at a wall. There are no lucid thoughts until coffee anyway.</li>
<li>Update the family calendar/command center</li>
<li>Go through mail over the trash can</li>
<li>Empty/load the dishwasher</li>
<li>Load up the car for the day</li>
<li>Feed the pets. Pet the pets.</li>
<li>Have a mantra, affirmation, or thought for the day? Some say it projects how the day will turn out.</li>
<li>Wash a load of laundry in a.m. At the end of the day you can dry, fold and put away.</li>
</ul>
<div>
The Zen of Waiting is illusive - an Agony in Process. But let's give it chance! It just might be the most productive time of our lives.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-44570186601598321092014-03-14T22:23:00.000-04:002014-03-14T22:23:18.097-04:00Care Giving: Get Organized and Stay Balanced<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4kNWvDh_D0qVyr5b2RMFPMWIowSAgiHitV3oX16J3JuNfxVV3QXQRb0YgJkvyRdimEdphQ7J52xEnvtAHLWYk-so96rdHIfPQ0G_qAMFoHGGpc4KE5Dk1B1SqhMQ_DnKNUtF0v54vBd5/s1600/holding+hands.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4kNWvDh_D0qVyr5b2RMFPMWIowSAgiHitV3oX16J3JuNfxVV3QXQRb0YgJkvyRdimEdphQ7J52xEnvtAHLWYk-so96rdHIfPQ0G_qAMFoHGGpc4KE5Dk1B1SqhMQ_DnKNUtF0v54vBd5/s1600/holding+hands.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even for those who view it as an honor and a privilege,
taking on the care of a loved one can be one of the most challenging
opportunities of a person’s life. What are the chances you, or your children, will
be faced with this life changing event? Fairly
high . . . . because family size is trending smaller, with fewer children to
care for parents, or other family
members. And as the baby boomers creep
toward the fall and winter of their lives, the population of elderly persons
continues to increase, along with the need for some level of functional care.
With the rising cost of professional care, more and more families are taking it
on themselves. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having been a caregiver with my mom for her mother, I can
tell you it rocked our world. Even though I truly felt it was an honor to give
back to my very much loved grandmother, I was not prepared for the gamut of
emotion, the influx of responsibility and information, and the test it put on
family relationships. If you are lucky,
the transition will take place gradually - periodic adjustments will go
smoothly and no one gets burnt out. But
if it happens suddenly, the learning curve is often brutally overwhelming. The best thing you can do for yourself at any
stage in care-giving, is to get organized.
Get organized so that your energy and focus can be spent on what matters
most: you and the ones you love. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Below are a few things to help you get started, as well as some tips on how to stay balanced: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Access to Important Documents: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Medical: medical directives, DNRs, Health Care
Power of Attorney, Living Wills, disability/health/dental/long term care/life
insurance, contact information for all doctors, detailed information regarding
prescriptions. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Personal:</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">will, birth/marriage/divorce certificates, driver’s license, organ
donation, military record, passport/visa, Durable Power of Attorney.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Financial: banking, deeds, loans and bills,
investments.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Final wishes regarding funeral arrangements/wake,
music, passages to be read, who will officiate.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> Some people find this hard to do, and if your patient refuses, trust in your ability to put something nice together when/if the time comes.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Family Meetings/Updates:<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Share this opportunity with others to give back.
Family members, friends, church family, etc. can do something to help Grandpa (prepare a meal, laundry, errands, mowing the lawn, reading to Grampa, etc.)</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> Or they can help you. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Say “yes please!” to assistance – everyone will benefit.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Dedicate some kind of notebook or binder for all things related to the patient so that it is in one easy-to-access place. There are free sources online of charts and clever ideas to help with schedules, medication and medical information. AARP is a great resource.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Identify action items, and assign each task a
level of importance.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Set priorities
first, taking care of less important details later.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Discuss what needs to be done, by whom, how
often and for how long, how it will be paid for, and at what location.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Embrace the theme of simplification regarding meals, physical space, schedules, obligations and responsibilities . . .all with the goal of making way for new
and evolving circumstances, as well as peace of mind.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Delegate as many of your non-care giving responsibilities as possible. If you're busy with an aging or ill person, every one in your immediate family can learn new tasks and share the load. You may receive a lot of complaining over this, but ask them if they want to be the ones to bathe Grammy. Trust me, they'll get over it.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div>
Comfort and Compassion:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Remember your personal needs.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">You will need to refuel, gain perspective,
and work through any number of frustrations.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Know your limits and respect them.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Lean on the healing power of relationships and
emotional support.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Family nights,
outings, visits from friends, activities, phone calls, or simple conversation
can take both your minds off illness temporarily.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Utilize online tools: from caregiver calendars,
lists and charts to support groups. </span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Not all patients are sweet and cooperative all of the time. My grandmother was an independent woman who, for all her love and humor, could be downright obstinate at the funniest things (like ice cream for breakfast!) Try to keep in mind how difficult is for a person to give up their cherished independence, to rely on others, to come face to face their mortality. As much and as often as possible, include your loved one on family decisions, such as: what movie tonight? which of these three colors should we paint the walls? Ask for input and advice and let them contribute any work they are capable of doing so they feel valued and that they have a solid role in the family. Especially include them about about decisions pertaining to their own life. </span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Break the rules sometimes. Relax together. Laugh! Have a glass of wine or a cup of coffee together. Listen to each other. It will go a long way in gaining cooperation from the patient, and ease your burden as well. </span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Give everyone a generous learning curve,
including you and the patient.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> If perfection or hyper-vigilance is a part of who you are, w</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">ork very hard
to let go in things that don’t really
matter.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">What really matters in this
chapter of your life, and perhaps the last chapter of your loved one, is love.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-62913205644038413052012-03-09T06:15:00.000-05:002012-03-09T06:15:22.177-05:00Psychology of Clutter - GuiltI'm pleased to introduce a guest writer! In this blog entry, my dear friend and fellow blogger, celebrates the success of examining the psychology of clutter. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!<br />
<br />
<em>The Low Level Hum</em><br />
<em>- Laura K. Nicholson</em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>The beginning of the year is always my purge time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something about the gluttony and chaos of the holiday season tends to send me into an organizational rebellion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must donate!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must create some empty spaces!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where do those Christmas presents go?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every year it’s the same gleam in my eye and at least a week spent going through closets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></em></span></div><em> </em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>This year has been different and much more intense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s now March and I’m still full-steam-ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year, I started sorting out not only the “what” of my things….but also the "why."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why did I still have unworn clothing from 1997?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why have I carried around the same unused items through four homes in the last decade?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One night, after a particularly long day of sorting and recycling, I finally looked at myself in the bathroom mirror and asked aloud "What exactly is it that you’re holding on to?" <o:p></o:p></em></span></div><em> </em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>The answer came back quickly and with shocking clarity:<br />
<br />
Guilt.<br />
<br />
Many of the things I've been keeping are scarred by guilt. Guilt over spending too much money...guilt over gaining weight...guilt about the memories associated with the item...guilt over the fact that I didn't get my lazy butt to the post office to return the thing when I knew I wouldn't want it...guilt over the gift that was incredibly thoughtful but I *know* I won't use. There was guilt hiding all over my house! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was usually subtle...like a low-level vibration…a negative hum that I’d ignored for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guilt was there, humming away and tethering me to the spot, making sure I stayed stuck.<br />
<br />
The moment I had the "why", I wanted the "what" gone.<br />
<br />
So I started editing again, but with this revelation in mind. For the past three months, I’ve been antennas-up whenever I consider an item in my home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m actively listening for the hum...feeling for the ugly vibe. If there's the faintest trace of a negative hum, that thing, whatever it is, goes in the donation pile. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve literally donated truckloads of my belongings…and it’s more liberating than I ever could have imagined!<br />
<br />
Even better, I’m finding now that I’m clearing out the tangible stuff (and ridding myself of their psychological ramifications), there are some delightful second- and third-order effects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cleaning is less of a mental hurdle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m eating better and sleeping more soundly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve finally started taking yoga classes (after at least ten years of thinking about it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the more “stuff” I deal with, the more I want to work through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without the low-level hum of guilt and stuck energy surrounding me, I’m finally feeling lighter and more capable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m finally feeling free!<o:p></o:p></em></span></div><em> </em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>…and you can create that sense of freedom for yourself!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a number of online resources that can help you find a path to home organization (like this site!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re interested in reading more about the psychology of clutter, you might also take a moment to look at the Unclutterer’s website (</em></span><a href="http://www.unclutter-organize-transform.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;"><em>http://www.unclutter-organize-transform.com/</em></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>) for some additional insights and references to help you create a home that sings…instead of hums.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-73234648665526933982012-02-17T07:33:00.000-05:002012-02-17T07:33:36.122-05:00Save Time/Money: Give Up Ironing, the Drycleaner, or Both!<u>DRY CLEANING</u> <br />
<br />
Without question, there are some delicate items that MUST have the special care of a good, professional dry cleaner* - I have a few items that I wouldn't dream of handling myself. However, many ready-to-wear items in your closet don't need to go to the dry cleaner every time, and some never at all. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCzvd12q4-sHi7vcD8s7C-MDTZG9Eh6tDgBOV9SYayNyEgaHJhc9UQF1mzsZf183Nnf2oye2QwD2eWaZd7R5t0uX6hEKOc72z5YyNSP1crsaLoOQzMvOP_0WaZL1kbEovFmyIlYD9x1EJ/s1600/Woolite%25202_0%25206ct%2520box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCzvd12q4-sHi7vcD8s7C-MDTZG9Eh6tDgBOV9SYayNyEgaHJhc9UQF1mzsZf183Nnf2oye2QwD2eWaZd7R5t0uX6hEKOc72z5YyNSP1crsaLoOQzMvOP_0WaZL1kbEovFmyIlYD9x1EJ/s1600/Woolite%25202_0%25206ct%2520box.jpg" yda="true" /></a></div>If you haven't heard of Dryel and Woolite -"The Dry Cleaners Secret," they are marvelous products. They are kits that turn your dryer into a dry cleaner, using steam and dry cleaning chemicals to do so. Located on the shelves of stores such as Target and Walmart, they are easy to find and coupons are frequently available online or in circulars.<br />
<br />
Dryel requires a starter kit, which has a special bag that holds the items to be cleaned. Simply follow the product directions, remove promptly and let any wrinkles fall out by hanging immediately. Woolite-"The Dry Cleaners Secret" does not require a special bag. Items can go directly into your dryer, which I find to be especially convenient for larger items like blankets, pillows, winter coats, etc. <br />
<br />
If you like a crisp crease on your dress shirts or pants, simply pull out your iron do so. Using your iron is not so much a time saver, but the money you will save by doing dry cleaning at home is worth the cost. One kit can clean up to 24 items . . . all for under $10. Have you EVER taken 24 items to the dry cleaner and paid only $10? Ive used these products to freshen suits, sweaters, blankets, pillows (including feather and down), jackets, stuffed animals, dresses, blouses, dress pants (including light-weight wool) and skirts. <br />
<br />
<u>IRONING</u><br />
<br />
If Dante wrote <em>Inferno </em>for modern times, I'm convinced one of his nine levels of 'hell' would be ironing. Some people may consider it a relaxing, cathartic exercise. Not me. I avoid it like The Plague. <br />
<br />
By simply hanging your clothing as soon as it comes out of the dryer, you can avoid a mountain of ironing. My husband's work khakis and oxford button-downs, and my knit tops, go from dryer to hanger, with a few wrinkles that drop out after hanging or being worn for a few minutes. On occasion, a collar or a cuff will look a little wonky and I'll press it. But for the most part, the iron gets little or no use. <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_g8m6SAsSsAICvkUSIrqn6Zs6RwOf90-JjZYxhyphenhyphenYYruNl_xb4e3S5rG_3909khlLKsR78vmL9EpF3OD2h4jM9AQVBQvy3PpdKBsVdS1qaJKXbq-57QbYaEDQ4CvqLrfO3yWEOGVqFS8t/s1600/41RprdsyO-L__SL500_AA300_+steam+mate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_g8m6SAsSsAICvkUSIrqn6Zs6RwOf90-JjZYxhyphenhyphenYYruNl_xb4e3S5rG_3909khlLKsR78vmL9EpF3OD2h4jM9AQVBQvy3PpdKBsVdS1qaJKXbq-57QbYaEDQ4CvqLrfO3yWEOGVqFS8t/s200/41RprdsyO-L__SL500_AA300_+steam+mate.jpg" width="200" yda="true" /></a>What if you have a pile of laundry that has a bunch of impossible wrinkles? You can steam them out. I like a product called the Steam Mate, but there are others such as Mr. Steamy and Steam-n-Go. Add water to the sponge inside, toss into the dryer, and within minutes most of your wrinkles are gone. Again, hang immediately to let the soft wrinkles fall out. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
These short cuts are not for your delicate clothing items or for items that have complicated stains. But even if your attire requires the crispest creases with flawless fabrics that hang like a dream, you can lessen the cost and time of maintaining your more casual outfits by learning how to care for them at home. Once you get comfortable using the products, you'll be surprised at how much less money youre spending at the dry cleaner. And once you get used to responding to the dryer buzzer promptly (or using steam to do the wrinkle removing for you) you'll have gained tons of free time by avoiding the iron and ironing board.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">*See the link below for fabrics and special items that SHOULD go to a dry cleaner: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.howmuchdoeseverythingcost.com/costs/how-much-does-dry-cleaning-cost-cost-of-dry-cleaning/">http://www.howmuchdoeseverythingcost.com/costs/how-much-does-dry-cleaning-cost-cost-of-dry-cleaning/</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Both of these sites offer coupons at this time: </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.dryel.com/">http://www.dryel.com/</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.drycleanerssecret.com/">http://www.drycleanerssecret.com/</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-49033075805710733092012-02-16T07:49:00.000-05:002012-02-16T07:49:06.335-05:00Toy Organization: Buckets of Fun!My toddler is two. The baby is four months old. Yet somehow they have accumulated an impressive collection of toys, scattered so thickly on the dining-room-turned-play-room floor that I was in danger of breaking my ankles at just the <em>thought</em> of entering that room. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Don't get me wrong - I don't a mind a little disarray. After all, it's a space for kids. And it seems like exploration and imagination are just no good to children unless its accompanied by loads of wonderful, glorious messiness!!! So for the majority of the day, the toy room is under Little People Management. And at the end of the day, Mommy (that's me) wants to restore a little order to the black hole of play things, sippy cups, shoes, and anything else we might actually want to use in other parts of the house. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And so, I began keeping an eye out for simple ways to loosely organize the room so that my toddler could actually find things without me. It also had to be simple enough for him to begin to learn how to put things away.</div>I was flipping channels one day and landed on a reality show about a family with eight small children - this house had the mother load of toys! While I wasn't that interested in the show, I noticed they installed a wonderful shelving system with colored bins that looks very similar to the cubbies at our son's daycare. When I can afford the investment, and take the time for the three hour drive to IKEA in Chicago or Detroit, I will install those same awesome shelves. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But in the meantime, I still needed something, <em>anything</em> . . . because I'm pretty sure the toys were partying, mating and multiplying during the night. And as much as I'd like to be a relaxed, 'go with the flow' kind of mom, I'm just not cut out for toy Bacchanalia. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">While shopping for recycling bins, I saw these large, brightly colored plastic buckets with rope handles. Perfect for toys in so many ways: They're big. They're lightweight and can go from room to room. They have large openings for kids to easily rumage through or throw toys into when it's time for clean up. They can be repurposed elsewhere in the house when they are no longer needed for toys. And they were $5 each on sale (at Lowe's.)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0LqIj8Fs3ohQZWVlktSMYMKW-5xOVTbiC8hltUcL3b2Cb2QwZBlGeL5PE4dQrCzGCYi7R9XoadvNWSWDYmM3b31MdWtd2J4UsTs88bp4AGQQsmjVs1vvhL2e8xUYFuxEp819hne2TY6v/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0LqIj8Fs3ohQZWVlktSMYMKW-5xOVTbiC8hltUcL3b2Cb2QwZBlGeL5PE4dQrCzGCYi7R9XoadvNWSWDYmM3b31MdWtd2J4UsTs88bp4AGQQsmjVs1vvhL2e8xUYFuxEp819hne2TY6v/s400/028.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In 10 minutes, the entire floor was cleared up with plenty of room for playing and horsing around. I divided the toys into groups, and put some picture labels on them (obtained from the clip art section in Microsoft Word 2010.) The labels serve two purposes: 1) they'll come in handy later when I'm ready to work with my toddler a little each day on putting things away. 2) I use the words and pictures as a learning tool for reading, similar to the concept used in "Your Baby Can Read." </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After Teddy goes to bed and the baby has been fed, I gather toys from around the house, throw them in their bins, remove items that dont belong, and forget about it. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_AaafbE8KrzyN4KNW8D_aPNKPtAc6rSouFLBrWWb97BO24C7f4h086pCjjswAXjmf2Wsc3iztWVgYDjULGbdGtSC4zTiKmguX62Ys4od2plSRMNMQ7kqgJvnmRLucjprWl1DliM6JbU5/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_AaafbE8KrzyN4KNW8D_aPNKPtAc6rSouFLBrWWb97BO24C7f4h086pCjjswAXjmf2Wsc3iztWVgYDjULGbdGtSC4zTiKmguX62Ys4od2plSRMNMQ7kqgJvnmRLucjprWl1DliM6JbU5/s400/026.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of room to play. . . . for now!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The room rarely looks this put together, but sometimes it does.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-15953197065109223092012-02-06T15:59:00.000-05:002012-02-06T15:59:11.455-05:00Protect Your Techy Things - Org Your Cords <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAwPeiQhOoF79uy26bGgJVsO5gYrEO0F6lzaG-omodwBj80Rt48Nvh4a5QcvYeFW-SK4K3Qu2RtzmU9zrQ34OJEwyD967mcfMkyGMsCDT0kfJ5ZbJX69V0fv2hvYThnBSEO01WyCDMbOj/s1600/tangled+cables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAwPeiQhOoF79uy26bGgJVsO5gYrEO0F6lzaG-omodwBj80Rt48Nvh4a5QcvYeFW-SK4K3Qu2RtzmU9zrQ34OJEwyD967mcfMkyGMsCDT0kfJ5ZbJX69V0fv2hvYThnBSEO01WyCDMbOj/s200/tangled+cables.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Microsoft Word 2010 clip art)</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">About 10 years ago, I had a stroke of genius (<---- a <em>highly</em> questionable statement). I was moving, or helping other people move - a lot, which included dealing with a mind boggling array of cords, cables and equipment. I kept thinking: "there has got to be an easier way to set up computers and A/V stuff. Why not label both end of the cords, so that I know immediately where everything goes? This is too good to keep to myself. The WORLD must be informed!!!!" <br />
<br />
Okay, so I get a little excited :)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Having labeled cords is not just about being neat and speedy. In today's techy world, where it seems there are similar looking cords, with similar looking ends everywhere, it's especially important to know what you're plugging in where. Our toddler recently inserted the Notepad adapter into the baby monitor. The next time the monitor was used to check on the baby, it started smoking! I know not all adapters are alike, but I didn't know using an adapter with too many amps can literally fry valuable equipment. </div></div><br />
So remember how I said above that I had a stroke of genius? Turns out this was a good idea, but certainly NOT original. Apparently, cord management has been a proverbial thorn in the side of organized people for a long while. Fortunately, there are many options to choose from to avoid that tangled, time-consuming, not to mention dangerous, mess. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFiVTeFfNxdliQSAMvvdqW0EoFjhk9GNt-WMN9PyeaUdUaG4jNEo9pyeAm3leTwrMiDOhTa0PdQVNMNX6tGgiQba_MyVOI3_817EilLqRjraD7rDZFGlj6treZI99Jp5AR5-pdLHQzczW/s1600/cords+MS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFiVTeFfNxdliQSAMvvdqW0EoFjhk9GNt-WMN9PyeaUdUaG4jNEo9pyeAm3leTwrMiDOhTa0PdQVNMNX6tGgiQba_MyVOI3_817EilLqRjraD7rDZFGlj6treZI99Jp5AR5-pdLHQzczW/s200/cords+MS.jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(marthastewart.com photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Personally, I like the options that dont cost a thing, such as using a Sharpie on masking tape. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Martha Stewart's website has a great idea to use old bread tabs.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And I love an opportunity to print off labels on my label maker (good old trusty-dusty Brother P-touch!)</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyn6ZkBafrp2N0CulZoEFBnGSKQwXfhka7kRZta-Apgf29DqX_LaN2L2pphU1fUhhhK0gwQpsEq7IAcb_WeQci_AlBpEd_UDqLVAfDp1gYvxlwcoUq0omhKoKvkvSQOuM9J9ym5VzmBdWA/s1600/feb+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyn6ZkBafrp2N0CulZoEFBnGSKQwXfhka7kRZta-Apgf29DqX_LaN2L2pphU1fUhhhK0gwQpsEq7IAcb_WeQci_AlBpEd_UDqLVAfDp1gYvxlwcoUq0omhKoKvkvSQOuM9J9ym5VzmBdWA/s320/feb+066.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<br />
Here are some seldom-used, labeled cables stored in a box. They are purposefully left unplugged to avoid the use of vampire energy (<a href="http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=about.vampires">http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=about.vampires</a>). </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjEA4anLjNq-rYEEH8uZ3UBhazVpEb7NYlzxjNCq4gD5vFtYLUhseIi2_S5hgQhPZIIR2gs4NCUQld9gKYaTJ3_C0DNzgXDOpFZcRjqiqRzHB7kA3oohEYB1jQoZuSkRL2hcMa4BSUODv/s1600/feb+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjEA4anLjNq-rYEEH8uZ3UBhazVpEb7NYlzxjNCq4gD5vFtYLUhseIi2_S5hgQhPZIIR2gs4NCUQld9gKYaTJ3_C0DNzgXDOpFZcRjqiqRzHB7kA3oohEYB1jQoZuSkRL2hcMa4BSUODv/s200/feb+070.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It only takes a few minutes to label your electrical and extention cords and cables, but it will save you a bundle of time and money down the road. Happy labeling!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">See references below for information regarding cord lableing: </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.moosetags.com/">http://www.moosetags.com/</a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/269075/cord-labels">http://www.marthastewart.com/269075/cord-labels</a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Storage-Store-COLOR-ORGANIZERS/dp/B000QWAMJ6">http://www.amazon.com/The-Storage-Store-COLOR-ORGANIZERS/dp/B000QWAMJ6</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/offerings/perspectives/consumer/productsafety/cords/">http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/offerings/perspectives/consumer/productsafety/cords/</a></div></div><img height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFiVTeFfNxdliQSAMvvdqW0EoFjhk9GNt-WMN9PyeaUdUaG4jNEo9pyeAm3leTwrMiDOhTa0PdQVNMNX6tGgiQba_MyVOI3_817EilLqRjraD7rDZFGlj6treZI99Jp5AR5-pdLHQzczW/s200/cords+MS.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 561px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 581px; visibility: hidden;" width="76" /> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-75105338651028298412012-01-23T08:50:00.001-05:002012-01-23T08:54:16.724-05:00Why Do You Keep All Those Clothes?Considering that I wear only a few favorite outfits each season, I have to wonder what my attachment is to all the other items in the closet, not to mention the seven large tubs of clothing stored elsewhere. <br />
<br />
Yes, we have four seasons in Michigan, so I can justify keeping more clothing than say if we were living in San Diego (where the average temperature is a beautiful 72 degrees all year.) And I could justify the seven tubs if I actually <em>wore</em> the clothing I've been hording. But honestly, some of it hasn't seen the light of day in 10 years. A decade! Really?<br />
<br />
It's definitely time to purge again.<br />
<br />
You may have a similar closet scenario. I have to warn you about what you already know - it's not easy letting go of clothes you've been emotionally attached to for a decade. But if you're ready to rip off the Bandaid, it's super liberating. And if you just cant imagine the feeling that a good clothes purging provides, think of weight being lifted from your shoulders, the freedom of flight, etc. Yeah. It's that good.<br />
<br />
Below are some bullet points of what I did to my clothes cache. Try one or two of them. I promise you won't regret it. If you can go whole hog, prepare for closet nirvana!<br />
<ul><li>TOO BIG - Do you <em>want</em> to gain weight, or do you plan on using those maternity clothes again? Why hang on to them? Unless you are a person who needs to put on a few pounds, keeping clothing too big is like giving yourself permission to NOT eat more healthy and NOT exercise. It is fall-back position most of us don't want or need. </li>
<li>TOO SMALL - Are you realistically going to lose two or three sizes <u>before</u> all those clothes are out of style? Let's say you get back down to that size you were in high school - chances are your shape will have changed just enough so that even the most classic cuts will not fit your body the way it used to. I kept one size below what I wear now (because I'm currently losing weight and almost ready for that size.) I did keep a couple of items that are two sizes below <em>for inspiration only</em>. If by some spectacular miracle I actually wear them again, I will have officially entered a hotness of physical fitness I thought I'd never see again. :)</li>
<li>WRONG COLOR - If it doesn't do anything to lift your spirits or complement your complexion, let someone benefit from it by donating it. </li>
<li>NOT A GOOD FIT - If you find yourself tugging, pulling, pinning, taping, re-buttoning, gapping, etc. this item of fussy clothing is doing you no favors. Either put it in the mending pile if it can be saved, or get rid of it. It may be a beautiful blouse in your current size, but all anyone will notice is that your bra is playing peekaboo. Is that the kind of attention you want? </li>
<li>WAY OUT OF STYLE - Dated clothing makes you look older and out of touch. While it's true that styles reappear, the cut and length will change to an updated, modern twist. Changes also occur in the types of cloth, material designs and colors. That leisure suit from 1970 (and everything from the 80's) is good for a costume and that's about it. Say goodbye!</li>
<li>WORN AND TIRED - if frayed, faded, pilled and limp describes any of your clothing, why not retire it? Some items can find a new use, for example in the rag bin, or the yard work/painting clothes category. But even here, you don't need an overabundance. Like Moses said to Pharaoh: "Let them go."</li>
<li>EXPENSIVE/GREAT SALE ITEM BUT NEVER WORN - Most of us do it. We spend money because it was a great deal, or perhaps we allowed ourselves a splurge . . . . but for some reason it never gets worn. If you haven't touched it in a year, it's time to admit it wasn't a good purchase and let someone else benefit from your mistake. (Dust on the shoulders is a good indication you can give this to charity.)</li>
<li>TOO MUCH TROUBLE - If you find yourself liking but not wearing an item because you don't want to iron it/dry clean it/brush off pet hair that is magically drawn to it, throw it in the donate pile. This is a high maintenance item taking up valuable real estate in your closet. Be strong. You can do it.</li>
</ul>Emotional attachment to clothes is pretty common. And, without embarrassment, I'm guilty of hanging onto to clothing too long as well. But like me, eventually you may get tired of making space for things you don't wear. Try stepping out of your comfort zone and apply a couple of the suggestions above. And if you really can't handle it alone, call me or a professional organizer in your area to help you see it through. It's so worth it!Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-59567966312434629792011-06-14T21:08:00.000-04:002011-06-14T21:08:21.157-04:00Travel: Roadtrip Snack Attacks<div>ROADTRIP! I love a good roadtrip. There is something exciting about heading out on the open road, full of anticipation about getting to the final destination. Within reach are all the things to keep us occupied for the journey ahead: music, radio, DVDs, books, books on CD, activities for kids and a pillow/blanket for naps. <br />
<br />
But what about snacks?<br />
<br />
How many times have you regretted eating that king-sized candy bar, or a day-old, shriveled up hotdog at the gas station because your mouth was a little bored? Or perhaps YOU have the will power to purchase a questionable looking apple, but your kids are whining for snacks that will rocket them into hyperspace (only to send them crashing down into a sugar coma a few minutes later.) </div><br />
<div></div>If you pack a snack box in advance, you can avoid wandering the gas station for goodies. Instead of Moon Pies and Pecan Logs from Stuckey's (those who have been through the South will get these referrences) you can have at your fingertips things that are good for <u>sustained</u> energy: water, Gaterade, nuts, fresh fruit, whole grain crackers, cheese, granola/granola bars, healthier versions of trail mix, etc.<br />
<br />
I also like to pack a thermos of coffee with the perfect amount of milk, rather than settling for old coffee with those creamers that have a half-life of 3 kazillion years. Granted, 10 hours into a trip I might drink anything resembling coffee, but will avoid the powdered machines if at all possible. <br />
<br />
My friend Jeff and I took a road to trip a couple of years ago - while listening to NPR and a few CDs from each of our collections, we shared various sandwiches, grapes, clementines and of course, a little bit of chocolate. There were no internal discomforts that often accompany eating on the road, and we saved a little time as well. It was great!<br />
<br />
<br />
If you absolutely MUST pack junk food, at least you've saved a little money by buying it ahead of time.Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-67779312875766300252011-06-07T16:52:00.000-04:002011-06-07T16:52:58.295-04:00Mulch: Making a Big Job Faster, SmarterEvery Spring, we play a guessing game at what quantity of mulch to buy, and how much of our weekend will be spent toiling away in the yard. We usually guess wrong at both. We have to reorder more mulch (which means a second delivery charge,) and spend more of our precious free time spreading it than we bargained.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Recently, we got smarter, thanks to a little help from my husband's workmate, who used to work in landscaping. We never realized we were using ineffective tools, making the chore more arduous than necessary. Perhaps you seasoned gardeners know all about a thing called a pitchfork, and how is SO MUCH easier to use than a shovel? Revolutionary! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MYMHMQJ3qvDct8VxE7i2BxBBJ-gaX6pma1xVfxMwQBQfbjyzQU1f6ZywQw4lo2OMWZCjtjM4o5VWReKinP-8z3UUJNGjuJJFtnSDGdn1XO81Rny-I41FVTYkwlcVhc2G7g7ZDS2IYHMs/s1600/IMG_5591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MYMHMQJ3qvDct8VxE7i2BxBBJ-gaX6pma1xVfxMwQBQfbjyzQU1f6ZywQw4lo2OMWZCjtjM4o5VWReKinP-8z3UUJNGjuJJFtnSDGdn1XO81Rny-I41FVTYkwlcVhc2G7g7ZDS2IYHMs/s320/IMG_5591.JPG" t8="true" width="240" /></a>Steve picked up a 10-pronged pitchfork at the local Tractor Supply Co., but I imagine they are available at home improvements stores as well. The prongs make it easy to drive anywhere into the mulch pile and pull it out with ease. (With a shovel, you pretty much have to go in at the top, which is harder on your back.) Since it also works like a rake, it makes the mulch easier to spread. Any time we can cart around one tool instead of two is hit. With the time we saved, the $40 price tag was worth it. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>We also switched from dyed bark mulch to cedar. Cedar is supposed to last twice as long because it's shredded and therefore sticks together, which means it isn't washed away or disintegrated by rain. When it does break down, it adds nutrients to the soil. Because of its aromatic scent, it repels insects such as termites and roaches that are attracted to other kinds of mulch. Cedar's natural tendency to mat, keeps the sun out (discouraging weed growth) but allows moisture to seep in and retains it (less watering for plants.)<br />
<br />
We will have to aerate the cedar with a rake (or pitchfork!) next spring so that mold isn't allowed to set in. And we paid $12 more per cubic yard than the other mulch. However we will see the savings next year when we don't have to mulch. The only true con I can think of is that, though I'm fine with the color of cedar when it goes down (blond,) it will eventually fade to a silver gray - our house doesn't need more gray. Taking all into consideration, I can overlook the aesthetics of the mulch in favor of everything else it has going for it.<br />
<br />
Finally, there is a way to effectively estimate how mulch you will need. I have included two links to explain the process (just in case one is discontinued.) The steps are also mentioned below: <br />
<ul><li>Measure the area to be covered in feet. (Rectangles: L x W = A, Circles: R x R x 3.14 = A. Measure from the middle of the area to the outside to get "R", or the radius.)</li>
<li>Multiply the result from step 1 by the depth you want the mulch in inches (typically 3-5 inches.)</li>
<li>Divide the final number by 324, the number of square feet that a single cubic yard of mulch will cover if spread 1-inch thick. The result is the number of cubic yards you need for sufficient mulch coverage in your garden or landscape.</li>
<li>You can work backwards if you've already ordered the mulch and want to see how coverage you will have. </li>
<li>There are online calculators that will do the math for you - just plug in the measurements. For more information, see <u><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">h</span></u><a href="http://www.kamlar.com/calculator.html"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">ttp://www.kamlar.com/calculator.html</span></a></li>
</ul><a href="http://www.gardenguides.com/80791-estimate-mulch-coverage-yard.html"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">http://www.gardenguides.com/80791-estimate-mulch-coverage-yard.html</span></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_5799750_estimate-mulch-coverage-yard.html"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">http://www.ehow.com/how_5799750_estimate-mulch-coverage-yard.html</span></a>Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-74491000353676536072011-05-30T12:21:00.016-04:002011-06-01T21:35:34.149-04:00Best Time of Day for Yard Work<p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6CNgj3R4k8ImLDwDam2_Ex-pGNIQuIuHM6xZ8etmzBMpP_nZKrx-J15z2RVJ_ySOkLaPqH8cc9pzNppjImOZJbfK_WxG6wQxfwvcO8uRTYFjOmfk3ElMCP0nxo1QbPMp-uMYxA__NIGF/s1600/Picture+105.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613426484128965906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6CNgj3R4k8ImLDwDam2_Ex-pGNIQuIuHM6xZ8etmzBMpP_nZKrx-J15z2RVJ_ySOkLaPqH8cc9pzNppjImOZJbfK_WxG6wQxfwvcO8uRTYFjOmfk3ElMCP0nxo1QbPMp-uMYxA__NIGF/s320/Picture+105.jpg" /></a><br />I love working in our yard, but I don't like getting super hot and sweaty. Becoming overheated will not only send me to a state of unnecessary, perspiring grumpiness, but it's dangerous too, especially if you are older, have a heart condition or other sensitivities aggravated by heat. </p><br /><p align="left">Here are a few tips I've picked up over the years, and though there is no new information stated here, it's always good to be reminded: </p><br /><ul><br /><li>Get up early to tackle all quiet chores such as weeding, watering, planting, mulching, etc. There's no noise to bother the neighbors, and it's THE coolest part of the day. Catch up on any missed sleep during the hottest part of the day, if you can. Weeding or turning sod is always easiest right after a good rain - take advantage of it if you can!</li><br /><br /><li>Twilight is also a great time for working in the yard and no one cares much about the noise if you are using the mower or the blower. (Be careful about what kind of watering you do before nightfall though - without the sun to burn it off each day, there is a greater chance of mold, mildew, diseases, etc.)</li><br /><br /><li>Try to avoid doing any kind of strenuous work outside in the heat of the day (10am-3pm.) If you must work midday, stay in the shaded areas: north and west during the mornings, east and south in evenings. Even during the coolest parts of the day, if I'm getting warmer than I like, I'll work back and forth between sunny and shaded areas to cool down periodically. </li><br /><br /><li>Stay hydrated with lots water or sports drinks. Your body perspires as a way to cool itself, but needs replenishment often. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these will dehydrate you, no matter how refreshing at the time of consumption. However, there's nothing that says you cant enjoy a tasty margarita or cold beer when dehydration is not an issue! </li><br /><br /><li>Wear light colored, loose fitting, moisture wicking fabrics. </li><br /><br /><li>Protect your skin and eyes with sunblock, sunglasses and a hat if needed. Remember the often forgotten areas: back of the neck, ears, scalp, hands, and feet. </li><br /><br /><li>Avoid next day stiffness and muscle fatigue: stand up and stretch often.</li></ul><br /><p>I hope you have a great summer!</p><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 364px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612552620368970482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLETu574n8xTPuJZbF9B7c8CmZt3UHhUQSnQucZo0b_k1Cd00vLbt4y-YsMxEmHfBkAF3eS8hmZLltSP69E5sXMV4kBhKykATluFhvriazty2uX6b484qOn3A94IzBr_2DsF7iej8LR4LG/s320/dock+at+dusk+2.JPG" />Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-72359222521610851982011-05-26T12:03:00.004-04:002011-05-26T13:21:42.897-04:00Work Through A Dibilitator - Striving for PerfectionToday I had two simple goals: start working on the website for my professional organizing business, and clean the house. In my planner, I dedicated the a.m. to web building (the best time of the day for me to take on new projects) and the afternoon for everything else. So simple.<br /><br />I sat at the computer, armed with water, coffee and my best thinking music playing in the background. I was ready to rock the world wide web with my stupendously amazing site! Except I really wasn't ready at all. I sat there, staring at the screen, guzzling my beverages and replaying the music that was supposed to motivate me. I caught up on emails, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">cruised</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span> for awhile, and made a batch of really good pancakes. However, there was no progress made on the site, and half the morning was gone.<br /><br />I had to change my strategy because what I was doing was NOT working. I had to do something productive or risk the possibility of losing the entire day. I put in some teeth whitening strips, set the timer for 1/2 hour, and started some housework.<br /><br />In that 1/2 hour, I had a little talk with myself. I asked the same questions I might ask a client who was having a hard time getting started on a project:<br /><br />What is holding you back?<br />Is it fear of failure? Fear of success?<br />Is it lack of experience?<br />Do you feel intimidated by the scope or complexity of the task?<br />Will a little research help?<br />Do you have the help you need?<br />Do you have the time you need?<br /><br />With a little introspection, I realized the pressure I was putting on myself was to be perfect coming out the gate. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">didn't</span> want to type a word, or drop in a picture on the site, unless it was 'perfect.'<br /><br />Identifying what was holding me back was half the battle - I could now work on fixing my hangup. I know I'm a perfectionist and it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">consistently</span> holds me back from getting more accomplished. Do you ever find yourself saying: 'I wont do it until I know I can do it 'right'" or "it's not done until it's perfect.'" Well then, we have something in common!<br /><br />But what is perfect anyway? Does EVERY task require the excellence needed to launch a rocket or perform brain surgery? To me, perfection means more than without flaw - it's a higher standard than anything else out there, excellence cubed, if you will. Even though I know these are unreasonable expectations, I continually fight the same battle repeatedly for the most mundane, unimportant tasks.<br /><br />So this afternoon, I talked myself down from the perfectionist ledge:<br /><br />Striving for perfection is keeping me from progress and the level of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">production</span> of which I believe I'm capable. Because I want to do it 'right' I may not get anything done at all, which is unacceptable! Perfectionism may bog me down on one thing so long I cant move on to anything else, which is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">impractical</span>. To move beyond perfection, I need to look at the overall goal, and constantly prioritize what is, and is not, truly important. So start. Start somewhere. (I can usually change it later if needed.)<br /><br />Unless I remind myself to change my thinking patterns to focus on what's really important, the perfectionist ideal will be illusive, even pernicious, to the ultimate goal of progress and production. I can do many things well, as we all can, but I wont get anything done at all if I strive for the impossible!Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382885206597732500.post-7684560771030802372010-10-10T07:24:00.011-04:002010-10-10T08:37:41.279-04:00Bathroom - Mini Face LiftWhether it's on the market to be sold, or if it's the last home you'll ever buy, one of the most important rooms in any home is the bathroom. Though buyers and homeowners alike are looking for a 'spa-like' atmosphere, this post is dedicated to pure, utilitarian cleanliness (okay, with a LITTLE bit of updated style to boot.)<br /><br />Not long ago, I was cleaning the bathroom and admired this clean, shiny porcelain surface . . .<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4dMy4PUDsn1622EeA940aEyNojwQc1SSYHi6kutOZJYtwTATnva7ZeVDE3SzFL51gUdheQZiJyvnPFguIN7tbEjREMQ2yf78Eqd9zNl3jHC6QxFIna4SInOKp7thfCOaMXUH34IN6vnt/s1600/Picture+257.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526381541731392770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4dMy4PUDsn1622EeA940aEyNojwQc1SSYHi6kutOZJYtwTATnva7ZeVDE3SzFL51gUdheQZiJyvnPFguIN7tbEjREMQ2yf78Eqd9zNl3jHC6QxFIna4SInOKp7thfCOaMXUH34IN6vnt/s320/Picture+257.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div>(looks pretty clean, right?) . . . .<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaAQdRGOM8ZNzVWgAYwvrpe-fbkgullbe3XvGYbk6F8e_u3Nzx9LakNvXyeFMfWTwlWJBdFxyBKrjwkGfyEXOphx7pMmv0vomhxLSqyAQ6_Hycjy2wNX7LJX13rG6NkhZifOYwSKMRpYV/s1600/Picture+258.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div> . . . until I realized the seat needed a little tightening. I pried open the tabs with a screwdriver, and that's when I found (insert scary music here) WHAT LURKS BENEATH. . . . .<br /><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuz1fRBiLfqDq2xLKMPQsosuCVo4eVetOgnt88LSzkCYrZHULJ24GNGoRNksAXMgkOXXM2YNjEDiScqqQHScIkk50aXBPiJfSA-jH85yoVY6NNlwEfNpAg3nAgXz3wRzVyhRDAai55-UR8/s1600/Picture+258.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526381704417406018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuz1fRBiLfqDq2xLKMPQsosuCVo4eVetOgnt88LSzkCYrZHULJ24GNGoRNksAXMgkOXXM2YNjEDiScqqQHScIkk50aXBPiJfSA-jH85yoVY6NNlwEfNpAg3nAgXz3wRzVyhRDAai55-UR8/s320/Picture+258.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><div>Ew ew ewwwwwwww. . . . . . . . .</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Ew.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>A rational person would get a small brush (or old toothbrush) and clean up the Crust That Must Not Be Named, and be done with it. But not me. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I couldn't let it go. It was taunting me that I never knew it was there. Who knows how long it had been festering . . . . since before we bought the house? Was that someone else's germy build-up? How long would be before it returned?</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I don't want to give the impression that I'm OBSESSED with cleanliness, because I'm truly not. But I will say, I was not on friendly terms with this particular type of toilet seat any more. What was perfectly fine and functional yesterday became 'contract grade' and a cheap harbinger of all things gross and repellent today. And, most importantly, I did not want to pull out a flat head screwdriver to open these plastic tabs every time I cleaned the toilet. There had to be a better way.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Taking note that toilet shape is round (not oval) I traipsed off to the nearest home improvement store and came back three brand spanking new seats. So easy to install. So easy to clean. </div><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526381217026890658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-S8nPvbUGgyyQS4cp6SRQQzz36s81oen7Hpju7tpjYZ4tB7CcyqfCqdzgsHPmYX0133buoohWmIgumzLih1q14w7tW6-4eqcj4BavGwo1koHjeayV1nU90rcNlrR3asrL3qv9PCxT39om/s320/Picture+259.jpg" /></div><div></div><div><br /><br />And with its brushed nickel finish, its so easy on the eyes. Potty eye candy, if you will. </div><div> </div><div>I know, I know . . . a new toilet seat isn't exactly haute couture for the bathroom. It's one of those small upgrades that no one may ever notice, but any designer will tell you that it really is ALL about the details. Think of it as a foundation piece - like a really good undergarment that makes the outfit hang better on the body. (And it'll be our little Secret that it only costs $25!)</div><div> </div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /> </div><div> </div></div></div>Labelmakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230157097361913455noreply@blogger.com0