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Friday, May 09 2008
I received this via email from a current client of mine. In honor of mothers everywhere, I dedicate this blog to you. Enjoy!
THE NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES
Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks.
Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes.
There is no fast food.
Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, and complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money.
In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week.
Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time -no emailing.
Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment.
He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the pediatrician for urgent care.
He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a social function.
Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times.
The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.
The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, adorn himself with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails polished and eyebrows groomed.
During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure abdominal cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.
They must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time at least once that week to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.
They will need to read a book to the kids each night, and feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:00 am. each morning.
A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size and doctor's name. Also the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear and what they want to be when they grow up.
The kids vote them off the island based on performance. The last man wins only if...he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.
If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years eventually earning the right to be called Mother!
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! YOU DESERVE IT!!!!!
Wednesday, April 30 2008
I was networking recently at the Women's Business Expo at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown and met two women who have begun a website called Busy Bee Lifestyle. They post inspiring ideas for entertaining, decorating, shopping and more.
This week's Quick Tip For A Better Space is an exerpt from an article they posted on their site www.busybeelifestyle.com which I believe will be very helpful to you. With their permission, I am submitting to you the following:
CREATING A FIVE STAR GUEST ROOM
Whether you have one bedroom designated as a guest room or you bunk guests in one of your kid's bedrooms, it is important to create a welcoming space!
If you have a separate guest room, make sure the sheets and blankets are freshly laundered. Stack towels along with extra pillows and blankets, purge the closet of your own clutter and add lots of attractive hangers, fill a basket with all of those mini toiletries from hotel stays and set out a few fun magazines and good books, making sure there is adequate light for reading. Why not add a few finishing touches such as fresh flowers, a scented candle, a carafe for water and a small dish of candy or mints?
When a child's room serves double duty for guests, consider putting together a "guest room kit". Use a large wicker basket to hold linens, towels, toiletries and the additional items listed above. Keep this basket stocked at all times and dedicate the contents for guest use only. This way, your lucky guests won't end up sleeping on those Disney sheets!
If you are interested in creating a more elaborate guest room, check back next week for some more ideas!
So, why not undertake that guest room makeover today and be ready for visitors tomorrow!
For more information and assistance on any organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to help you reach your goals for organization and create A Better Space for you.
Have a great week!
Thursday, April 24 2008
It is so beautiful and warm out today it reminds me that Summer is just around the corner and we will all begin spending more time outside, whether we're swimming, having picnics, barbecuing.
Coincidentally, I received this helpful tip which I would like to pass onto you to make those times outside more enjoyable.
It's from someone who was at a deck party awhile back, and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. A man at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor with Listerine, and the little demons disappeared.
The next year this person filled a 4-ounce spray bottle and used it around his seat whenever he saw mosquitoes. And voila! That worked as well.
It worked at a picnic where they sprayed the area around the food table, the children's swing area, and the standing water nearby.
During the summer, he doesn't leave home without it.....Pass it on.
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Someone else tried this on their deck and around all of their doors. It worked - in fact, it killed the mosquitos instantly. They bought a bottle. It doesn't cost a lot. It also doesn't take much, and it is a big bottle, too; so it is not as expensive to use as the can of spray you buy that doesn't last 30 minutes.
The Listerine spray will last a couple of days. Don't spray directly on a wood door (like your front door), but spray around the frame. Spray around the window frames, and even inside the dog house.
WHAT A GREAT TIP! If you have any you'd like to share, send me an email and I will post it on this blog for all to see!
I think we can all agree that Listerine can make your place A BETTER SPACE.
For more information and assistance on any organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to help you reach your goals for organization and create A Better Space for you.
Have a great week!
Monday, April 14 2008
Enough about taxes already! Hopefully you can put them behind you until next year at this point and move on to more important things. However, keeping in the same vein, a few Quick Tips for A Better Space when it comes to storing Appliances Warranties is worth mentioning.
When you purchase something that is covered by a warranty, tape or staple the receipt to the inside cover of the owner's manual, and write the date the warranty will expire on the cover, preferably in red.
For example, your mixer might have a 5 year warranty, so just add 5 years to the date of purchase and write that in red on the cover. Then, if something breaks, you can quickly see (without trying to read the fine print and the faded receipt) if the item is still covered.
In addition, I suggest storing the owner's manuals in a 3 ring binder with plastic pockets, near the point of the product's use.
For example, all kitchen appliances, such as the coffee maker, microwave, etc., can be put into a binder in the kitchen near your cookbooks. Another binder in the garage can have the manuals for the lawnmower, the leaf blower, and other garden and yard tools.
For major appliances that will stay with the house if and when you sell, can be filed in a folder in your file cabinet, so you can pass them onto the new owners.
The new owners will be so thankful to know when the furnace, water heater, alarm system, etc., were installed, and who did it. It can make it much easier to know where to get the right replacement parts, who to get for service, and so on.
Hope these Quick Tips help! Let me know what you think!
If you have any suggestions of your own, send them to me and I might use them in future blogs to share with others.
For more information and assistance on this topic or any organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to help you reach your goals for organization and make your place A Better Space.
Have a great week!
Wednesday, April 02 2008
I know I don't usually blog about anything other than organizing, but, today I couldn't resist sharing this with you. I received it from a friend:
"A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, 'Who would like this $20 bill?'
Hands started going up.
He said, 'I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.
He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill.
He then asked, 'Who still wants it?'
Still the hands were up in the air.
Well, he replied, 'What if I do this?'
And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.
He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.
'Now, who still wants it?'
Still the hands went into the air.
My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson.
No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value.
It was still worth $20.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.
Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.
The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE and WHOSE WE ARE.
You are special - Don't EVER forget it."
I hope you find inspiration in this, as I did.
Wishing you an organized and productive day!
Tuesday, April 01 2008
Starting today, April 1st, for 7 days straight, I plan to do a spring organizing and/or spring cleaning project each day. Here's what's on my agenda...
DAY 1 Begin outside clean up, including getting rid of any leftover winter brush, snipping dead branches from plants to get them ready for the warmer weather ahead and sweeping the walkway and driveway.
DAY 2 Put away any winter clothing for the season that is still in our closets, and bring out our spring and summer wardrobes. Iron anything that requires it.
DAY 3 Begin sorting through the outdoor toys (including sports equipment, skate boards, bicycle, etc.) from last year and determine what my son has outgrown and will no longer be using. I will create a list of a few items to supplement to provide him with items that are more age appropriate for this year.
DAY 4 Clean areas in our house that get neglected most of the year, such as the tops of our high cabinets, under the fridge and the bookcase shelves (empty, dust, and return all books again).
DAY 5 Begin to plan our family’s summer vacation for the end of August. By reviewing our budget and discussing ideas with the family, we will formulate a vacation plan so we will be ready when the end of summer comes around. (It arrives before you know it!)
DAY 6 Empty the fridge and freezer and clean them out before returning our perishables back inside. Also, defrost the freezer we keep in our garage.
DAY 7 Although I belong to a homeowners association, I suggest making arrangements for your summer help, including the lawn mowing service, and grass, tree and plant service. Check the outdoor furniture that was left out over the winter to see if it needs any repair (mine is made of wrought iron and might need to be repainted). It’s also a good time of year to make an appointment to have the car detailed.
By the end of these 7 days, I know we'll feel great and a lot will be complete and we can enjoy the Spring!
For more information and assistance on this topic or any organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to help you reach your goals for organization and make your place A Better Space.
Have a great week!
Wednesday, March 19 2008
Can you believe almost one-quarter of the year has already passed? Are you still having trouble organizing those special events that occur every year, making sure you have made note of the date and what to purchase, whether it’s a card or a gift?
Here are some Quick Tips for A Better Space which will make organizing those special events a breeze:
First, write all the birthdays, anniversaries and other recurring celebrations on your calendar.
Then, transfer the information, using a 3x5 inch recipe box with 12 dividers inside marked January through December.
On 3 x 5 cards, write the name, address and phone numbers of the person. In the upper right corner, write the date of their special day and highlight it for quick visibility.
You can use white cards for wedding anniversaries, pink cards for female birthdays, blue cards for male birthdays and yellow or green cards for other special days. Put the cards in chronological order in the box by month.
I use this system for both personal information and professional contact information. Some people will get a phone call, others you will send a card to, while others you will buy a gift for.
About 10 days prior to the start of a new month, pull out all the cards for the next month. Review them. Once you have decided what your intentions are for that month’s group of people, plan a trip to purchase any cards and/or gifts you need for that month. As an added perk, write what you give the person that year on back of the card.
Now, you won’t forget that special day!
You can even do a separate box just for Christmas time. Using the same system, just put a card in the box for everyone you want to send cards to and those you want to purchase gifts for. Use a divider to separate the two categories, if you’d like. Be sure to keep contact information up to date so that when it comes time to mail out those cards and gifts, the information is correct. Again, write what you give the person that year on the back of the card. This will avoid duplicates and make you look creative and organized.
It’s easy!
For more information and assistance on this topic or any organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to help you reach your goals for organization and make your place A Better Space.
Have a great week!
Thursday, March 13 2008
Spring is about to be sprung! As the days quickly pass, the chance of getting a big snow storm in the Philadelphia area diminishes - yeah! (You might be able to tell I am not a winter person - I love the summer.)
Well, since Spring officially begins next week, I thought it would be a good time to provide some Quick Tips for A Better Space when it comes to how to store out of season clothing.
With a large closet, people are often tempted to keep all their clothes in the one spot and not rotate clothing seasonally. Unfortunately, this sometimes creates cramped closets and makes it hard to see what you really have in your current wardrobe.
If you have a smaller closet, this is even more of an issue.
If you can relate to this situation, I would suggest the following:
Store out-of-season clothing in plastic under-the bed containers or pretty cardboard boxes that can fit on top of your closet shelf.
Folded clothes should be stored with acid and dye-free tissue paper so they won’t be as wrinkled when pulled out for next season.
Fragrant, insect-repelling herb sachets are a good alternative to mothballs. They will keep your clothing smelling fresh and well protected without being potentially harmful to your family and the environment.
Any out of season clothes that need to be hung should be stored at the very back of the closet since they do not need to be readily accessible. They should be stored in a garment bag to keep them clean and dust free in the off-season. Avoid using dry cleaner bags for this purpose. They should not be used at all, in fact, for any type of clothing protection and storage. They trap the dry cleaning chemicals which stay on your clothes and can be harmful to your health and the environment. Your clothes need to breathe so cloth garment bags are suggested.
This is also a great time to look at what you have not worn the past season and get rid of it. Chances are you won't wear it next year either. Why pack away something you will not be wearing. Make room for new purchases next Fall instead!
You will need to start planning a time to set aside to convert your wardrobe from Winter to Spring and Summer so be prepared with the proper tools to do so.
For more information and assistance on this topic or any organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to help you reach your goals for organization and make your place A Better Space.
Have a great week!
Tuesday, March 04 2008
Winter is coming to a close soon. (I personally can't wait!)
Soon you might be taking those bulky winter coats or winter comforter sets and storing them away until next Fall.
Here's a truly Quick Tip For A Better Space:
In order to save lot's of space, I recommend purchasing vacuum storage bags, more commonly known as "Space Bags".
Vacuum storage bags are a simple way to make space for what matters most...other stuff!
Use them for out-of-season clothing, especially those bulky winter coats, extra or out-of-season bed linens and guest-bedding. Don't forget to include the pillows!
Vacuum storage bags are an ideal storage solution when space is at a premium. These bags reduce bulk by 75% and are inexpensive and relatively easy to use. All you need is a household vacuum cleaner with a hose.
When purchasing the bags, I suggest purchasing various sizes and using a bag that is a bit larger than the items you want to store in them. There is a line on the bag and the items should not extend above that line. Otherwise, it won't work right.
Just lay the items flat in a jumbo or large storage bag and use your vacuum cleaner to evacuate the air. The trick is to make sure the air does not escape again from the hole you just sucked the air out of. A trick I use is putting a pencil in the cap that covers the hole and pushing the cover into the hole as soon as you remove the vacuum cleaner hose. This reduces the chance of air escaping too quickly.
Then stack the bags as desired.
The vacuum storage bags have an air and watertight seal that keeps out moths, dirt, moisture; mildew; musty odors; and discoloration. I would recommend not keeping them sealed for more than six (6) months at a time. Just let the air back in and put in fresh air again; then you're good for another six months!
Another Tip: For added freshness, add a fabric softener sheet to the bag before shrinking.
So, when that linen closet is stuffed and there is no more room, try this idea to create A Better Space in your closet!
For more information and assistance on this topic or any organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to help you reach your goals for organization and make your place A Better Space.
Wednesday, February 27 2008
I was doing some reading this week, as I always do, relating to professional organizing and came across the following statistic.
Did you know that the average person wastes over 180 hours (that’s 7-1/2 days) and spends $3000 per year due to clutter and disorganization?
So I had to ask myself where all that time and money goes. Think about it...
Wasted time is spent looking for lost objects. It’s spent fixing objects that got broken under piles of clutter. It’s spent shopping for replacements for lost items.
Wasted money is spent buying those replacements items. It’s spent on late fees incurred for those bills lost in a pile of clutter and not paid on time. It’s spent on videos, DVDs and library books not returned on time.
Understandably, these issues can cause anxiety and arguments with family members. When the home is too disorganized to provide a calm and relaxing place in which to relax, there is a problem.
Simply by getting organized these issues can disappear!
Imagine...bringing renewed calm and tranquility back into your home again. There is no need to waste your time nor your money any longer. I can certainly think of better things to do with my time and money, can't you?
If this bit of information doesn't get you thinking about getting organized, I'm not sure what would. When it hits the pocketbook and your precious time, I would say that it should be sending up a red flag. It's time to make some changes.
By using the services of a professional organizer, like myself, you will be putting your time and money towards a solution to resolve your clutter and disorganization once and for all. It's an investment in your future.
For more information and assistance with any organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to help you reach your goal for an organized and tranquil environment by making your place A Better Space.
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