Disorder2Order - keeping busy families organized!
Here, you can find ideas, tips and advice on how to stay organized!
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menu planning monday!
Disorder2Order - keeping busy families organized
FREE TELE-CLASS: Using Outlook
I am shocked to see how long it's been since I posted. Where does all the time go?
It's been a crazy few weeks all in good stride, I have been busy wrapping up and gearing up all at the same time. I love being busy but as you can see, a few things have had to sit (like my blog) while other projects take the center stage. I am exited for the next few months, especially since a project I have been working on for a while has finally come to the surface!
Do you struggle with Outlook?
Do you wonder if there is an easier way to execute a specific task in Outlook?
Here is your chance. I will be hosting a FREE teleclass on Using Outlook. In this one hour call, you will learn more about your inbox, using your contacts, the keys to a to-do list and how your calendar can work for you!
Sign up here today! Did I mention that it's free?
It's been a crazy few weeks all in good stride, I have been busy wrapping up and gearing up all at the same time. I love being busy but as you can see, a few things have had to sit (like my blog) while other projects take the center stage. I am exited for the next few months, especially since a project I have been working on for a while has finally come to the surface!
Do you struggle with Outlook?
Do you wonder if there is an easier way to execute a specific task in Outlook?
Here is your chance. I will be hosting a FREE teleclass on Using Outlook. In this one hour call, you will learn more about your inbox, using your contacts, the keys to a to-do list and how your calendar can work for you!
Sign up here today! Did I mention that it's free?
Two FREE Fun activities for kids during the summer
I am a firm believer that there is no better activity for kids than ones that are FREE!
Free is one of my favorite words in the English language. To me it means Fun-Relaxing-Easy-Entertained!! What better way to start my summer planning for than with TWO GREAT FREE activities! Be sure to check out my resources (especially if you are local to the Portland Metro area) for more fun (and FREE activities) for the summer!
Library Summer Reading Program
I just picked up the schedule and this summer there are six great entertainers coming to the library here in HR, plus a weekly creative club and open studio time. What's not to love about that? Be sure to check out your local library to see what kind of summer activities they have planned for kids.
Family Fun Festival - Regal Cinemas
This is one event that we just don't miss. FREE movies! What's nice is that this is nationwide so all you need to do is find your state and see what local theaters are participating! Who doesn't love to go to the movies... for FREE!
Free is one of my favorite words in the English language. To me it means Fun-Relaxing-Easy-Entertained!! What better way to start my summer planning for than with TWO GREAT FREE activities! Be sure to check out my resources (especially if you are local to the Portland Metro area) for more fun (and FREE activities) for the summer!
I just picked up the schedule and this summer there are six great entertainers coming to the library here in HR, plus a weekly creative club and open studio time. What's not to love about that? Be sure to check out your local library to see what kind of summer activities they have planned for kids.
Family Fun Festival - Regal Cinemas
This is one event that we just don't miss. FREE movies! What's nice is that this is nationwide so all you need to do is find your state and see what local theaters are participating! Who doesn't love to go to the movies... for FREE!
Four steps to getting back on track
It's been a crazy couple of weeks. I have been in a tornado of tasks, appointments and meetings, I am just barely able to keep my head above water. It's an interesting feeling being this busy and really, a little bit uncomfortable for me. I know that eventually, I will get past all the details and get back to "normal". Here is how you too can do it...
1. Documentation
Formulate a tracking system is critical to the success of getting back on track and staying organized. By using a task list or planner will help to identify what you can do and when. There are many methods of tracking, pick what will work best for you!
2. Do what I can (when I can)
There are 24 hours in a day. Always process the most critical task first even if it's not a fun task. The important thing is to allow those less critical things to be set aside for a time until you are caught back up!
3. Review and Repeat
It's important to spend as much time managing tasks as you do processing them. By reviewing regularly you know exactly what needs to be done and when. If you have a lot going on, sometimes reviewing your list three or four times a day will help you stay on top of what needs to be done.
4. Anticipation
Being prepared and planning ahead allows you to better anticipate future tasks. If you know of an up coming event or task, and you have a little extra time do it now. You will save yourself time in the long run and open up extra time for unexpected events.
I am still about waist deep but I feel a little better in control. It's takes time to get back on track. Sometimes you just have to let go.
FRIDAY FINDS: Clear the clutter with Gazelle
Welcome to your Friday
Finds... here I will share a new product or service that I think is
helpful, practical and a good use of organization!!! Today's focus is clearing the clutter!
I love a good web resource. A place I can get information that will improve our quality of life and our planet! When I read about Gazelle, I thought, "no way... this is genius!" A one stop shop to get rid of those unwanted small gadgets and electronics that we all have (don't kid yourself, I am sure there is something laying around your house you could ).
Gazelle helps you SELL or RECYCLE your gadgets, quick, easy, fast at little to nothing. They actually send you the box and pay for shipping. I like that they coin their site as "getting paid to be environmentally responsible." It's a WIN/WIN!
I have a few little things laying around I just might have to give it a test run! Always looking for a way to live with less...
Gazelle helps you SELL or RECYCLE your gadgets, quick, easy, fast at little to nothing. They actually send you the box and pay for shipping. I like that they coin their site as "getting paid to be environmentally responsible." It's a WIN/WIN!
I have a few little things laying around I just might have to give it a test run! Always looking for a way to live with less...
Helpful travel tip
I have always considered myself to be good with direction. I love to watch where I am going so I know where I have been. Anymore with all the GPS hardware we take advantage of doing the footwork of knowing where we are going... hence my helpful travel tip for today!
About 15 or so years ago a good friend of mine (not Lizard) gave me a helpful tip that has stuck with me to this day.
Did you know that (almost) always, no matter what city you are in, the even address numbers are always on the NORTH or WEST side of the street and the odd are on the SOUTH or EAST side.
Today, I was driving to a client appointment and as I glanced at my notes to look for the address (which was 2010) I immediately thought... "the street is an East/West street so the house is going to be on the RIGHT (North side). I can't tell you how many times this little nugget has saved my bacon!
Got a nugget to share?
What would you do...
The idea of minimizing our expenses was something my husband and I started doing about six years ago when I left the corporate world. I am still drawn to news headlines about how to save more money and reduce expenses. It's reassuring to know that we do (pretty much) all that we can to cut our costs!I see it in just about every issue of Real Simple and now I see it on blogs and in the paper. It's crazy... 16,800,000 hits on Google crazy.
So I have to ask myself, what would I do with an extra $100?
I would probably find a babysitter ($30-$40) and take my husband out for sushi ($60-$70). A night out for sushi and no kids is a real treat for us and we just don't get to do it as much as we would like. As you can see, a night out for us starts at $100 so you can see why we don't do it that often.
So, you guessed it... I am going to ask. What would you do with an extra $100.00?
FRIDAY FINDS: Who doesn't love F-R-E-E?
Welcome to your Friday
Finds... here I will share a new product or service that I think is
helpful, practical and a good use of organization!!! Today's focus is free easy organizing ideas!
In an effort to keep with the Earth Day theme, I remembered this great list of easy organizing ideas* from Real Simple that I wanted to share with you.
Here are 17 of my favorite suggestions, oh, and did I mention that they are all FREE. Ready, here it goes...
**this awesome image was found at www.iwasateenagewebsite.com/.
In an effort to keep with the Earth Day theme, I remembered this great list of easy organizing ideas* from Real Simple that I wanted to share with you.
Here are 17 of my favorite suggestions, oh, and did I mention that they are all FREE. Ready, here it goes...
- Use a wooden ladder to hang magazines or cloths.
- Store your spices in a drawer and label the tops for easy retrieval.
- Re-purpose ribbons from gifts by wrapping sets of sheets together for storing in the linen closet.
- Rolodex can be used in a kitchen for recipes or website passwords and log-on names.
- Use a desk organizer in the bathroom for those small storage items.
- Organize your email messages with either adding a number before each message or an (*).
- Ice cube trays can be used for drawer organizers.
- Use a tray on your desk to corral such items like a stapler, post-its or tape.
- Use an empty tissue box to store your plastic bags.
- Use a three ring binder to store instruction manuals.
- Wine racks can be also used for magazines.
- Use a cardboard box inside a tote bag and you can use it to store garden tools.
- Use a three tiered hanging basket in your closet for the random items.
- Group medicine into bags by category (head, allergy or children's) and keep in one bin.
- Use a lazy susan for everything... it's so versatile!
- Use pictures of toys on the front of kid storage bins so they can learn to be organized.
- Use velcro or cable ties to manage all the cords and cables.
**this awesome image was found at www.iwasateenagewebsite.com/.
10 uses for a fork
Okay, okay, I love Martha. You don't have to hit me in the head.
In the April issue she shares in her Good Things 10 (more) things a fork can do. Awesome... who would have thought it... enjoy!P.S. I just love those good things... they really are good!
10 (more) things a fork can do
1. Reaming - insert the tines into a halved citrus fruits to extract the juice.
2. Pricking - making holes in pie crust or potatoes before baking.
3. Crimping - decorating raw pie crust by pressing tines along the edge.
4. Whisking - whip eggs for omelets or other drinks.
5. Mashing - crush berries for sauce or bananas for banana bread.
6. Decorating - make a crosshatch pattern on cookies or sides of cakes.
7. Dipping - lower nuts, fruit or cookies into melted chocolate.
8. Scraping - carve out spaghetti squash.
9. Spearing - lift pickles out of the jar and waffles from the waffle iron, hold meat while slicing.
10. Testing - check if boiled potatoes are cooked through.
Do you notice a theme here... these all relate to food. Do you suppose the reason why I love her is because she loves food?
FRIDAY FINDS (on Monday): Task Mug
Welcome to your Friday
Finds... here I will share a new product or service that I think is
helpful, practical and a good use of organization!!! Today's focus is to-do's!
I know, I know, it's Monday and Friday Finds usually comes out on Friday. I am not trying to make excuses, but here is the deal. Last week was crazy busy for me and the family. I had back to back appointments, meetings and classes which left little to no time for some of the less critical to-do's on my list (aka my blog posts).
I talk about this very subject in my time management class... you have to evaluate priorities and do the most important first... it doesn't mean that I don't get to the other tasks... hence, Friday Finds on Monday!
In the past few weeks I have found a whole bunch of fun products that I can't wait to share with you... all in due time, all in due time! My focus this April has been time management and what effects our time the most? To-Do Lists!
I ran across this mug in the April issue of Real Simple. I love it! So handy, so practical and would make a fun gift for anyone who struggles with remembering the to-do's for today. Who doesn't think about their To-Do list when they are drinking coffee or morning beverage of choice?
The Task Mug comes with a small pencil (again, another reason I love this mug, it uses a pencil) you can write out your to-do's for the day and then erase and use tomorrow. What's not to love about that? Task Mug comes in three different styles... I found it at a super cute website called FredFlare... fun, unique products for your everyday needs, check them out (it's bookmarked in my favorites).
Task Mug
Retail: $16.00
I know, I know, it's Monday and Friday Finds usually comes out on Friday. I am not trying to make excuses, but here is the deal. Last week was crazy busy for me and the family. I had back to back appointments, meetings and classes which left little to no time for some of the less critical to-do's on my list (aka my blog posts).
I talk about this very subject in my time management class... you have to evaluate priorities and do the most important first... it doesn't mean that I don't get to the other tasks... hence, Friday Finds on Monday!
In the past few weeks I have found a whole bunch of fun products that I can't wait to share with you... all in due time, all in due time! My focus this April has been time management and what effects our time the most? To-Do Lists!
I ran across this mug in the April issue of Real Simple. I love it! So handy, so practical and would make a fun gift for anyone who struggles with remembering the to-do's for today. Who doesn't think about their To-Do list when they are drinking coffee or morning beverage of choice?
The Task Mug comes with a small pencil (again, another reason I love this mug, it uses a pencil) you can write out your to-do's for the day and then erase and use tomorrow. What's not to love about that? Task Mug comes in three different styles... I found it at a super cute website called FredFlare... fun, unique products for your everyday needs, check them out (it's bookmarked in my favorites).
Task Mug
Retail: $16.00
Menu Planning: What to do with leftovers
We normally are at my in-laws for Easter, but this year I asked everyone out to our house! I got a HUGE ham because I love to use the leftovers in various different meals, and especially to make up a batch of split pea soup! Yum!
Here is just a few yummy meals on my agenda this weeks:
Ham & cheese Omelette's
Cheese Pizza
Grilled shrimp and cornbread
Chicken cutlets and smashed potatoes with ham
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Tri-tip steak and veggies
Ham and split pea soup
Grilled chicken fingers
Turkey burgers and fries
Beef burritos
Sweet and Sour Pork
