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Welcome!
Thanks for visiting my blog. Hope you find some helpful hints for organizing your time and space. My passions are to help you make home a refuge instead of a crisis center, and to help you function in peace rather than chaos - at home or at work. I have switched my main blog to 1-2-3 ... Get Organized on WordPress, so please visit me there.
Good morning! It's still a little chilly here in Ohio, but we did a little work outside last evening. I sanded our front red railing which is in need of some touch up paint.And my husband put organic compost (pc name for manure!) around our flowers. Our foster daughter for the week helped us do both. Organic compost is not very expensive, but you can make your own, according to Jenn Savedge of mothernature.com. In light of Earth Day coming up April 22, I thought this was an interesting topic.
Here's what Family Circle magazine, April 17, 2009 says: "Instead of paying for fertilizer, create your own compost, suggests Jenn Savedge, blogger at mothernaturenetwork.com. Mix dinner scraps like veggies, eggshells and coffee grounds - no meat or dairy - into a small mound in your yard. Turn with a shovel and sprinkle with water every few weeks. Within a month your pile will be garden-ready."
This was news to me - I thought that you had to leave it much longer than a month. We had a compost heap when we lived in Kenya, but we haven't done one here. The major drawback for me is having scraps sitting in my kitchen before they go out to the compost heap. I guess I could have something out the back door to put them in.
Have any of you tried this? If you receive this blog via email, use this link to leave a comment.
More blogs about gardening:
Good Morning!
We had a nice weekend with our foster daughter for the week. Even got in some spring cleaning in the kitchen - ceiling, walls, baseboards, ceiling fan, and light fixtures. Still have to do windows, the oven, and oiling the cabinets. Only took us about an hour and a half with three of us working!
So what do sour candies have to do with efficiency? ...
How Sour Candies can Impair Your Efficiency
The spring 2009 edition of Brush Up by HumanaDental.com warns about the lasting effect sour candies can have on your teeth:
"Walk down any candy aisle and you'll find shelves of "extreme" or intense sour and fruit-flavor candies. While the craze is popular with young children, experts say it could have a lasting effect on their teeth. Extremely sour candies are high in acids that can strip away teeth's protective surface, according to the Minnesota Dental Association.
Here's some advice when eating sour candies:
> Rinse right away. Swishing water in your mouth after eating a candy helps wash away the acid.
> Wait 30 minutes to brush. The acid of a sour candy softens the fragile surface of the teeth. Brushing immediately could cause damage.
> Skip fruit flavors. Lemon, grape, and cherry destroy more enamel than cinnamon and mind, which are lower in acid.
> Skip to sugar-free gum. It can satisfy your oral urge while stimulating saliva flow, which protects enamel."
So how does this affect your efficiency? By avoiding sour candies, you and/or your children will reduce the number of visits to the dentist. This will prevent interruptions to your schedule and productivity. It will also eliminate the number of hours you would have had to work to pay for such visits. So it becomes cost-efficient as well.
Who knew the power that sour candies could have over our lives? :)
If you receive this by email and you'd like to comment, use this link.
My fourth prize in The Ultimate Blog Party is your choice of my time management books for mom (pdf) - part of my 1-2-3...Get Organized series. These include Three Steps to Time Management for the Stay-at-Home, Three Steps to Time Management for the Single Mom, and Three Steps to Time Management for the Working Mom.
To enter:
1. Go to my website and see which mom time management book you'd like. Come back and comment about which one you'd prefer and why.
2. Sign up to receive my blog for another entry - come back and leave a comment to that effect.
3. For a third chance to win, go to my blog introducing Mom Audience - a marketplace for moms that will bring moms, mompreneurs, and businesses-that-cater-to-moms together. Sign up to be notified of the official launch if this is something that interests you. Come back and tell me you did so.
4. And lastly, for another chance to win, if you'd like information about advertising on Mom Audience email me at Bev@1-2-3getorganized.com. Come back and leave a comment after doing so.
5. Just kidding! For a bunch more entries, blog, twitter or whatever on your networks about this prize with a link. For each one, make a separate comment and you'll get an extra entry.
Make sure to leave your email address on each entry.
To enter other giveaways, go to the Ultimate Blog Party above. The winner will be announced on March 28.
My third prize in The Ultimate Blog Party is a 6-month sidebar ad on Mom Audience emails ($125). I'm offering duplicate prizes here on my blog.Each Mom Audience email will showcase new businesses, blogs, products, social networks, causes, websites, discounts, giveaways, contests, and lots more categories that interest moms. The purpose of Mom Audience is to bring moms, mompreneurs, and mom-appealing businesses together in a marketplace for moms.
Mom Audience is my brand new venture and will be launched around April 1 and the first Mom Audience email will go out around April 15.
To enter, comment by leaving your name and email address.
For a second chance to win, go to my blog introducing Mom Audience and sign up to be notified of Mom Audience's launch. Come back and comment.
A third entry is yours if you email me to receive info about advertising on Mom Audience. Come back and leave a comment to that effect.
And a fourth way to win is to comment, telling us what you would like to showcase to other moms.
For a bunch more entries, blog, twitter or whatever on your networks about this prize with a link. For each one, make a separate comment and you'll get an extra entry.
Make sure to leave your email address on each entry.
To enter more giveaways in the Ultimate Blog Party, click above. The winner will be announced on March 28.
My second prize in The Ultimate Blog Party sponsored by 5 Minutes for Mom (I'm offering duplicate prizes here on my blog):
A free sponsorship of a Mom Audience weekly email ($250 value). Each Mom Audience email will showcase new businesses, blogs, products, social networks, causes, websites, discounts, giveaways, contests, and lots more categories that interest moms.
Sponsors will have a blurb at the beginning of each email, showcasing their stuff. Your sponsorship will put you in front of your target audience - moms! I hope to bring you new readers, new clients and more notoriety!
Mom Audience is a brand new venture of mine and will be launched around April 1 and the first Mom Audience email will go out around April 15.
To enter, comment by leaving your name and email address.
For a second chance to win, go to my blog introducing Mom Audience and sign up to be notified of Mom Audience's launch. Come back and comment.
A third entry is yours if you email me to receive info about advertising on Mom Audience. Come back and leave a comment to that effect.
And a fourth way to win is to comment, telling us what you would like to showcase to other moms.
For a bunch more entries, blog, twitter or whatever on your networks about this prize with a link. For each one, make a separate comment and you'll get an extra entry.
Make sure to leave your email address on each entry.
To enter more giveaways in the Ultimate Blog Party, click above. Winners will be announced on March 28.
Today starts the Ultimate Blog Party sponsored by 5 Minutes for Mom. I'm offering the same prizes here on my blog as at the party. My first prize is a package including:
- Hassle Free Dinners (pdf)- 52 weeks of dinner menus, instructions, and weekly grocery lists. The menus are color-coded, and include nutritional and cost-per-serving information. It's a marriage of professional organization and dinnertime!
PLUS
- Three Steps to Planning Dinner (pdf) with editable grocery lists and recipe pages. This books walks you through planning quick, easy, and delicious meal for your family in the shortest amount of time. Included are some of my family's favorite recipes and a place to start your own family cookbook.What do you need to do to win?
1. Go to my website and choose a book(s) you'd like to have. Come back and comment, listing the book and why you'd like to have it or give it as a gift.
2. Sign up to receive my blog for another entry - come back and leave a comment to that effect.
3. For a third chance to win, go to my blog introducing Mom Audience - a marketplace for moms that will bring moms, mompreneurs, and mom-appealing businesses together. Sign up to be notified of the official launch if this is something that interests you. Come back and tell me you did so.
4. And lastly, for another chance to win, if you'd like information about advertising on Mom Audience email me at Bev@1-2-3getorganized.com. Come back and leave a comment after doing so.
5. Just kidding! For a bunch more of entries, blog, twitter or whatever on your networks about this prize with a link. For each one, make a separate comment and you'll get an extra entry.
Make sure to leave your email address on each entry.
So here are your four chances to put meals on the table that are quick, tasty, and balanced. I hope you win!
To enter other giveaways, go to the Ultimate Blog Party above. Winners will be announced on March 28.
Good morning! I can hear the birds singing. Just thought you might enjoy a picture of our little crocuses in our front garden - they are so cute!
Let's get on to talking about saving some time shopping ...
Spending Too Much Time and Energy Searching for Tasteful Clothing?
I keep hearing parents complain that it's so hard to find age-appropriate, modest clothing for their kids. I also find it difficult to find clothing for myself that is not too revealing. Family Circle Magazine's April 17, 2009 issue has done some searching for us and lists these sources:
www.tinylittletshirtco.com was inspired by a mom who got tired of seeing suggestive t-shirts while shopping with her girls. From the website: "Here, you’ll only find good vibes. Whether it’s for girls, moms, boys, or dads, we keep it uplifting—with a dash of humor."
www.shadeclothing.com has modest clothing for women, teens, and a few items for girls and men.
www.primoactivewear.com sells t-shirts with athletic, competetive yet upbeat messages. Examples: Believe - This is how I achieve my goals; Perseverence - This is how I earn your respect." For kids and adults.
www.etsy.com has a huge selection of hand-made clothing. While looking at their site, I got a little side-tracked searching for the perfect organizing bag. There may be hope yet!
Please share similar sites where you buy modest, age-appropriate clothing. If you receive this blog via email, go here to comment.
We had a glorious day yesterday - 70 degrees and sunny! We ate dinner outside and my husband spent some time sprucing up the flower gardens. For you who live in warmer climes, stop gloating!
Spring Cleaning the Car
With all the snow we get over the winter, we are continually tracking muck into our cars during that season. I'm so happy that spring is here, which means when we clean our cars they might stay that way for a while!
But our biggest struggle is clutter. I read recently that women are more guilty than men when it comes to car clutter. Whatever the case, it's easy for that clutter to collect! Here are a few ideas to tame that trend:
- I ask our girls to look around them when leaving the car and bring any trash they see. They do draw the line at other people's tissues, however!
- Something I don't do often enough: reminding the girls that if they bring something into the car, they need to take it back out as they leave. Even if they are eating something on the way to school, they need to take it into the school when they go. Finding two yogurt containers upside down in the cup holder is not pleasant!
- I'm not a good waiter. So I try to remember to use the time while stopped at a light, waiting for someone, etc. to pick up trash and clutter. When we travel, I try to remove trash each time I get out of the car for a break.
- When we get snacks while traveling, I ask for a bag which we can use for trash.
- If you have children who like to bring toys along in the car, limit them to one toy. Just make sure it's not a container with a jillion little toys inside!
- If you allow eating in the car, opt for dry snacks rather than gummy ones. They are much easier to clean up with a vacuum and less likely to get enmeshed in the carpeting or upholstery.
- Make sure drinks have lids, especially when stored in cup holders on the door. Slamming the door and an open drink is not a good combination!
- We ask our girls to use the sidewalk to go to the car, even though it's a bit longer than cutting across the grass. That greatly reduces grass, leaves, and other unwanted visitors.
What do you do to keep the clutter out of the car? If you receive this by email, use this link to comment.
Happy St. Patrick's Day! I made breakfast burritos this morning and tinted the eggs green. Thankfully it didn't keep anyone from eating them! And when we mixed in salsa, it turned a pretty disgusting brown. :) All for making those memories!
I don't know about you, but I'm just not in the mood to do spring cleaning this year. Maybe because we have had tons of snow, rain and cold weather up until just this last week. But I'll do it in bite-size chunks...
Spring Cleaning the Walls and Windows
Not my favorite chore by a long shot!! Each week in the spring and summer that we have girls, we try to think of a cleaning or yard chore we can do for about an hour. It's nice to have help and it teaches them how to manage a home at the same time. So if you have kids, let them enjoy this home management instruction - I'm sure they will be forever grateful! :)
We're going to start a room at a time and clean the windows and walls. I use Mr. Clean Magic Sponges to clean the walls. All you need is a sponge and a container of water. I bought a bunch of dishpans which we use for this chore, spa day pedicures, and other various uses. We do clean them out between various activities!
So everyone has their own sponge and dishpan. All you do is wipe down the walls and rinse out the sponge. You don't have to rinse the walls afterwards. I don't know what Mr. Clean did to his sponge, but it IS magic!
While we have the furniture moved out, we may as well wash the windows at the same time. I'm not a big proponent of newpapers and vinegar as so many are - don't like having my hands and other things turn black! Just window cleaner and paper towels.
While the furniture is moved out, my husband usually gets motivated to vacuum those spots we don't often see. Bless him!
As you know, cleaning is one of my least favorite chores, but I sure enjoy the rewards of a clean house! And I can stand anything for an hour - so can our girls. :)
How do you manage spring cleaning? If you receive this blog by email and want to comment, click here.
More blogs about spring cleaning:
If spring cleaning or just regular cleaning puts you in overwhelm, Three Steps to Clever Cleaning minimizes the time you need to spend cleaning!
I am putting the last touches on a new venture I'm launching at the end of the month - Mom Audience. Mom Audience is a marketplace for moms - bringing together moms, mompreneurs, and businesses-that-cater-to-moms.
Mom Audience will be a weekly email where you can list (free of charge) your new products, blogs, websites, social networks, discounts/sales and lots more. There will also be opportunities to sponsor Mom Audience and place sidebar ads.
If you are interested in being notified of Mom Audience's launch, please make a comment below. Make sure you list your email address!
If you are interested in sponsoring or advertising, please email me at Bev@1-2-3getorganized.com.
It's been a nice weekend - we've gone to the ballet, to a play of Cinderella, painted t-shirts, went for a walk, went to church, did some photography and cooking together, and saw Pink Panther 2. Is it any wonder that I love Mondays? :) On to our blog for today:
Understanding the ADD Mindset
If you live with or work with someone who has ADD, it may be helpful to understand the ADD mindset to give you more understanding and empathy. Here are some tips from Susan Lasky's article in NAPO News (National Association of Professional Organizers):
ADDers experience:
- "A tremendous amount of guilt and self-effacement ("Why can't I do stuff that is so simple?")
- Regret, shame and even grief ("That's another project I started but never finished.")
- Anger/depression from being criticized by others for so many years (often seen in those (my word) who can't follow the examples of their born-organized mothers)
- Unrealistic expectations having to do with their ability to complete tasks and the amount of time it will take."
Let us not add to their burdens by being impatient or critical!!
How do you encourage those around you who have ADD? If you receive this blog via email and you'd like to comment, use this link.
More blogs about ADD:
As promised, here are the video segments from WKYC Channel 3 News in Cleveland featuring 5 Meals Under $50. I thought the Channel 3 staff were very generous with their promotion of my business and recipes!
I decided to replace the videos with links because the videos would automatically start playing when you opened my blog - annoying!
Hollie cooking dinner #5
My four video clipsYou can find a link to the recipes, which come from my Hassle Free Dinners and Three Steps to Planning Dinner.
Today I taped four 45-second segments promoting "5 Under $50" - a program about cooking economical meals sponsored by Channel 3 in Cleveland and www.Cleveland.MomsLikeMe.com. I selected the menus, cooked four of them, and the other one will be cooked live on the show. Most of the recipes came from my Hassle Free Dinners, a year's worth of dinner menus, instructions, and grocery lists.
One segment will be aired each 30 minutes from 5 to 7 am Thursday morning. I simply describe each meal and why it's interesting. You will be able to find the recipes at www.Cleveland.MomsLikeMe.com. I'll record the program, and if I'm not too dorky, I'll consider putting a segment or two here on the blog. :)
It was fascinating seeing Channel 3's beautiful headquarters overlooking Lake Erie. And I so enjoyed working with the gracious and encouraging Jacquie Chakirelis, co-host of Family Matters Radio and site manager for Cleveland Moms Like Me!
Thanks so much for your kind emails and comments!
If you're inspired to save money by planning meals and cooking at home, Three Steps to Planning Dinner is now available as an eworkbook in addition to being a printed workbook. Hassle Free Dinners is available as a CD or downloadable PDF.
Channel 3 Morning News has asked me to come in to their studios on Wednesday to tape some segments that will air on Thursday morning during their 6 to 7 am slot. It is part of a program by Cleveland.MomsLikeMe.com called 5 Dinners for Under $50.
I have to take in four meals already prepared, several from my Hassle Free Dinners CD, and ingredients for another meal for someone else to cook. I imagine we'll talk about how economical it is to plan ahead and cook meals at home.
They said I would appear in 45-second segments a few times during the hour. It doesn't look like they have a live stream, so I guess only locals will be able to see it. I'll try to tape it and put it up on my blog if I don't embarrass myself. :)
MomsLikeMe.Com is all over the country - go there to find one near you.
Lately I've been reading suggestions by several professional organizers on how to dispose of unused medications. If you flush them, they end up in our water. If you trash them, they end up in landfills even if they are diluted or crushed. Or they may be eaten by animals. Here are what I consider to be the top three choices:
1. Costco, CVS and other pharmacies will take your unused medications and dispose of them properly. Check with your local stores, though, because it seems to be a store-by-store choice.
2. Some police stations offer the same service. Again, check with your local station.
3. And my favorite: donate them to an organization who can use them third world countries. Even though this suggestion was brought up several times, I couldn't find such an organization when I searched.
Do you know an organization that takes donations of unused medications? If you receive this blog by email, please go to this link to comment.
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