That Dreaded Question

I'm getting spoiled! We're hosting our daughter Candice, son-in-law Micah, and granddog Champ for three weeks as they transition from the house they sold to their new place. How nice to come home to the sight and aroma of dinner prepared! Micah and Candice are a great cooking team. If you don't have the luxury of live-in help, you might be dreading the question, "What's for dinner?!?"

Part of my motivation for posting our dinner menu when my kids were growing up was sparing myself from having to hear sighs and moans when answering that question. It's kind of like a tree falling in the forest. If you're not there to hear it, it doesn't matter if it made a sound or not.  

There were, of course, other incentives for meal planning such as no 4 o'clock panic, eating healthier, and spending less money. 

Today's Timely Tips will give you the tools you need to gain control of your meal planning and enjoy the dinner hour in a whole new way!

TIMELY TIPS - MEAL PLANNING 101

1. Create a routine. Schedule a time, say Sunday evenings, once every other week to sit down and plan your menu. That gives you two Sundays off, and two weeks of planned meals.

2. Gather your cookbooks, computer, forms (see #3), and lists.

3. Use a free printable form to record what's for dinner like this the one offered by Picklebums (isn't that a fun name?) - Menu Planner. I use the two-week, dinner only planner. For more free printable options check out: 15 free printable menu planners.

4. Try creating traditions to simplify planning and build family bonds. Maybe Monday is taco night and Friday pizza night. Have each family member record their favorite dinner and then serve it whenever he or she has an accomplishment or special occasion to celebrate. 

5. As you plan your menu consider your schedule for the week and choose crockpot recipes, left-over nights, and less-prep meal ideas for the days you'll be coming home late. Check recipe websites like AllRecipes.com or FoodNetwork.com for fast healthy recipes, BBQ, and crockpot ideas. 

6. If you'd rather bi-pass the decision about what to make, FoodOnTheTable.com will decide for you and send you a weekly meal plan based on your family's preferences. 

7. Use the "cook once, eat twice" method by preparing enough for two meals and freezing one. Be sure to keep a list of freezer items (chicken you cooked ahead, casseroles, meat you bought on sale, etc.) so you don't forget about them. 

8. Once you've set your menu, check your stock of supplies and create a list of what you need for those two weeks of meals. This will eliminate extra trips to the store and save time and gas. Set a grocery shopping day. I use the GroceryIQ.com app to store my grocery list on my phone so it's always with me.

9. If preparing meals at home is new to you, try easing into it with a trip to Dinner My Way where they help you prepare, or prepare for you "home cooked" meals. 

10. Cozi.com is a one-stop free website and app where you can create your dinner plans, get recipe ideas, store your grocery list and much more! 

BONUS TIP: If there's more than one eating, there should be more than one participating in the dinner-time process. Designate jobs such as setting/clearing the table, putting away left-overs, loading the dishwasher and washing pots and pans so that the workload is more evenly distributed. 

For most of us, it's challenging to get a good meal on the table every night. For those in crisis (health issues, the loss of a loved one), or even good times like bringing home a new baby, meal planning can be overwhelming.

TakeThemAMeal.com is a website that simplifies meal coordination for someone in need. Friends and family can sign up for a specific day, see what others are bringing, and get the specifics about delivery, food allergies/preferences, etc. They even provide recipe ideas and a dinner order/delivery service, if needed! 

Their motto is: For those times in life when filling their table will warm their hearts. I encourage you to saveTakeThemA Meal.com in your website favorites for a time when you can provide this meaningful service to someone in need.

Wise Words

"Learn to do common things uncommonly well; we must always keep in mind that anything that helps fill the dinner pail is valuable."

-George Washington Carver

Sharp Turn Ahead

The other night my husband, Scott, took me to the   RaceRoom Fresno at River Park. After a quick review of the basics-- pedals, steering wheel, etc., the checkered flag dropped and I was off! 

I actually did fairly well, speeding along at 130 MPH-- until I had to TURN! Had it not been for the "virtual" aspect of this activity, I would have ended up in the ER. It was fun though and I highly recommend it! Maybe someday I'll get to try out my lead foot on the Autobahn.

Do the curves in life tend to create a mess in your world? I often hear clients say, "I was organized before..." I believe that's true. It's not too difficult to keep order when life is cruising along. But, when you experience a sharp turn in the road like an illness, divorce, death in the family, or even something joyful like marriage, having kids, or getting a promotion at work, disorder can easily ensue. 

In his book, Margin, Dr. Richard Swenson suggests the healthiest life comes equipped with four gears. Today's Timely Tips include those gears and my advice for maintaining your balance while navigating the curves in life.

TIMELY TIPS - Gear for Success 

1st Gear - Park 

To be equipped for the sharp turns, we must stop and rest. Swenson suggests taking time for things such as contemplating values, studying, praying, reading. This doesn't happen naturally in our busy lives. I carve out time first thing in the morning to set the focus for my day. 

2nd Gear - Low

This gear is for relationships. When we are designating uninterrupted time for the people we care about, we are creating a support base for the curves in life. Schedule a date-night with your spouse, or with one of your kids. Join a Meetup group with those who share your interests. My small group from church infuses encouragement and laughter into my life each week. I know they'll be there when I experience bumps in the road.

3rd Gear - Drive

We pick up the pace for work and play. This gear uses more energy and gives us a sense of accomplishment when used correctly. Establishing healthy routines for work and play is like having a high level suspension on your car. They ground you and you're less likely to go off the road as you maneuver the curves in life.

4th Gear - Overdrive 

This is what kicks in when you're up against a deadline or have way more to do than you have time for. Our society tends to celebrate the "driven" life, but as Swenson says, "Our cars are not meant to race at high speeds continuously. Neither are our bodies or spirits." Recognize the value and "success" of a balanced life. Saying no to some of the things that keep you in continual overdrive enables you to enjoy the ride!

WISE WORDS

"The goal of much that is written about life management is to enable us to do more in less time, but is this necessarily a desirable goal? Perhaps we need to get less done, but the right things."

-Jean Fleming

Purse Perfection

As they distributed quart-size Ziplock bags, I contemplated just what I would put in mine. It was a telling exercise and part of my training as a Certified Relocation and Transition Specialist. I emptied my purse and began to make choices about what I would "keep" (in the bag), and what I would "let go of."

On a very small scale, it helped me identify with my clients who are downsizing from 2,000+ square foot homes to small apartments or assisted living spaces.  Fortunately, my choices didn't have to be permanent, until recently. Succumbing to the pain of carrying too heavy a purse, I chose to scale down. 

If you're a client with whom I've organized, you probably know I'm not too familiar with designer names when it comes to handbags. 

       Me, "That's a cute purse." 

      Client, "Yeah, I don't know why I never use it."

      Me, "Shall I move it to the donate pile?"

      Client, "Um, no. It's a Hermes." 

      Me, "Ohhh..."

Regardless of the looks, price, or name, a handbag is a much better accessory when it's functioning well and not causing back and shoulder pain. If your purse is a black hole, or simply needs some fine tuning, check out the Timely Tips to get it, and keep it, in perfect working order. 

TIMELY TIPS - Purse Perfection 

1. Sort - Empty the contents of your purse. Make three piles:

• Trash (old tissues, loose breath mints, obsolete business cards, etc)

• Re-locate (kids' report cards, paint brush, or other random things that might have landed in your purse)

• Keep (things you frequently need and use while out with your purse)

• Distribute the trash/re-locate piles to their final destinations and then re-visit the keep pile. Are there things in the keep pile that could be stored in the glove compartment or in a trunk container rather than your purse-- still handy, but lightening your load? Once you have your keep items down to the essentials, you're ready for the next step.                                       

2. Containerize - If it's worth having, it's worth being able to find, right? Especially if it's your keys or phone! 

• Assign a home to everything you store in your purse. I always look for a purse that has at least two outer pockets-- one for my keys and one for my phone. A third is handy for sunglasses. Easy access is key for things you use the most. I also recommend sections and pockets inside the purse so there's an assigned place for your wallet, lipstick, business cards, pens, etc. 

• If the inside of the purse is just one open space (a.k.a. black hole) consider purchasing an interior purse organizer. 

• These also make it super simple to change purses, because you have one, instead of fifteen things, to switch to the other purse. Here are some links to some choice products: The Container StoreEtsy.com, Purseket.com,  Pouchee.com, PursePerfector.com.

3. Paper Clutter - Create a home for the paper in your purse.

• Yes, even the trash - use one of the small, plastic cosmetic bags you received free when purchasing make up. (Don't try to deny having a collection of these.) Or, you can use a sandwich-size Ziplock bag and toss it when full. Keep it unzipped for easy access. Whenever possible avoid putting trash in your purse and place your trash in a nearby trashcan. But, when necessary this will be a temporary holding place for your used tissues, receipts you don't need, etc.

• Use a small, wallet-size accordion file to store coupons, receipts to save, business cards, etc. Check Target's dollar section for a deal on these.   

4. Reduce some more

• Replace your full-size brush with a pop-up hair brush/mirror combination (ContainerStore.com).

• If you need to carry water, use a junior size bottle and refill as necessary. 

• Replace your membership/rewards cards with the Key Ring App on your smart phone. 

5. Maintain your newly organized purse 

• Link your purse maintenance plan with another regular routine, like bill paying. Re-locate random items that have landed in your handbag, empty the trash, and do a quick purge of your paper file.

• Use the time while waiting at, or driving through, the car wash to purge your coupons, receipts, etc. 

I got my purse down to 3.5 pounds! Your shoulders and back will thank you, and you'll find yourself less stressed when using your purse!

Purse Quiz @ BlogThings.com

What does your purse say about you?

I can't vouch for its accuracy, except that the assessment was spot on for me!

WISE WORDS

"Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse."   -George Washington        (before you downsize)

Living in the Present

​Me with Candice, Rachel, and Chase on-the-way.

When baby number three came along, our oldest wasn't quite four. Needless to say I was in maternity clothes a good part of those years. Most would think it strange if I had continued to wear them long after the need was gone. As comfy as that might have been, it wasn't too hard to pass them along to another mommy-to-be.

It's funny, though, how other things hang on beyond their useful or logical timeframe. Some things stay due to their sentimental value, but others simply escape our notice. It wasn't until my kids were in high school that I noticed I still had coloring books and crayons taking up a prime spot in a kitchen cabinet. It was a great idea when my kids were small but, that's not what I need in the cabinet today! 

Life is short and keeping more than we need from the past, or saving stuff for the future can steal space, time, energy, and money from the present. Check out Timely Tips for a "Living in the Present" checklist. 

TIMELY TIPS - 

Living in the Present Checklist 

1. Closet - If there's a style or size you would love to wear again, but aren't wearing right now, keep your two favorites and store them in an under-the-bed container, or hang them in another closet so they're not taking space from the clothes you're presently wearing. 

2. Bathroom - What happens when you run out of your favorite make-up, shampoo, etc.? You buy more. So, all those make-up samples and hotel-size items that have piled up because you're "going to use them someday" need to go. If that's too difficult, replace your current supply with the samples until you've used them up!  

3. Pantry - Remember all those special sauces you purchased five years ago when you were going to learn to cook Chinese? Or what about the ten cans of beans you bought for the chile cook-off you missed? Maybe that's not you, but most pantries are harboring expired and unused items that are taking prime space from what you currently need. Make a quick and clean sweep, tossing the expired, and removing for donation the items that are good, but haven't been used in 6-12 months. 

4. Garage - "But it's still good!" If there's something in the garage because you've replaced it, chances are it's going to stay there indefinitely. Your kids probably aren't going to want it, and if your new one breaks it's unlikely you'll bring in the old dirty one from the garage. And, if you're like most people, you need that space for the more important things you're using right now... like your car!

5. Storage Unit - If "living in the present" criteria were used for your storage unit items, what would stay? Maybe holiday or event supplies, baby furniture until you're past that stage, or current home business products. But boxes of stuff that you haven't missed since your last move? Probably not. Clean out your storage unit and start thinking of a fun way to spend or donate your next few months rent money! (Sorry Derrel, but since the self storage industry grosses over $22 billion annually, you can afford a few less customers.)

WISE WORDS:

"You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present"​

​-Jan Glidewell

Organize Your Paper, Space, and Life Class

THREE-NIGHT COURSE

Whether your life is an organizational nightmare, or you're simply looking for some tips to help you fine-tune things, this course provides practical tools to establish a more peaceful and productive environment. Topics include what to do with the endless paper flow, organizing your space, and how to manage your time and household. Brenda McElroy, owner of Organized By Choice, presents a functional plan so you can experience the freedom of life beyond clutter and chaos. All are welcome!

April 11, 18, & 25, 2013  

37193 Ave. 12 (Flipside Church - behind Ranchos Cafe) Madera Ranchos

$48/person; Senior Discount $40/person (60+)

Registration Deadline April 7th! 

For info and registration contact: Brenda McElroy Phone: 559.871.3314 

Email: info@organizedbychoice.com   Website: www.organizedbychoice.com

Smart Enough to Use My Phone

Dear Reader,    

Apparently the idea that we only use 10% of our brains has turned out to be a myth (Psychology Today). 

Until recently, that wasn't the case when it came to the percentage of my smart phone's "brain" power I was using. 

Thanks to the prompting of Alex Delgado from KSEE's Central Valley Today I did some research and have fallen in love with some great apps for my phone (and yours!). Check out the Timely Tips for details and links. View my segment on CVT below. 

Here's me getting all techy-- using my iMac to take of pic of my new best friend and me. : )  

TIMELY TIPS - Techy Organizing for Free!

1.  Clipix.com - Clipix lets you clip articles, videos, websites, etc. from your computer or smart phone and pin them to the boards you create on Clipix. You can also take pictures or scan bar codes and clip the objects to your boards from your phone. My clipboards include home décor, organizing, entertainment, and gifts to give. You can keep them private or share them with friends. The really cool feature is the price drop alert Clipix offers when you clip something you want to purchase online, but want to wait until it goes on sale. An email will notify you if your product gets down to your desired price!

2. RedLaser.com - Red Laser allows you to do price comparisons without leaving the store. Just scan a bar code and it will give you on-line and local retail prices from participating retailers. 

3. Cozi.com - Cozi is a great family organizer. It provides a calendar to record each family member's activities with reminders and weekly agendas. You can sync everyone's phone so you all have access. Create to-do lists and text them directly to your teens. It also offers meal planners, dinner ideas, recipe savers, grocery lists, etc. 

4. GroceryIQ - I love this one! No more scraps of paper with lists for Target, Costco, grocery store, etc. No more arriving at the store without your list. Grocery IQ allows you to create lists right on your phone, so you always have them with you. You can speak, scan, or type the item into your phone to add it to your list. It automatically categorizes your list by isle. Save specific info (make/model/size/color) for products like printer ink, vacuum bags, make up, etc. Sync with family members so everyone can add to the lists, or have the lists with them when they're near a store. 

5. Key Ring App - Purge your wallet of loyalty, membership, and gift cards. Simply scan them into your smart phone with your Key Ring App and show your phone when using a card or coupon. 

6. Mint.com - Mint is all about keeping your finances organized. You can create a budget, organize bills, and receive alerts for potential late fees. It also has tools to help you set goals and calculate paying off loans. You'll have access to easy to read graphs and charts to track your financial history.

WISE WORDS

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

-Arthur C. Clarke

FEATURED LINK - Check out the video of my TV segment on "Techy Organizing." Feel free to "Like" my Facebook page while there.

CVT Video on OBC Facebook Page

A few of my favorite things...

Yesterday a client asked, "So, are you busier this time of year?" People often associate getting organized with the new year. In fact, January is Get Organized Month! 

In recognition, I've snapped some pics of a few of my favorite things when it comes to organizing my own stuff. If gathering organizing ideas appeals to you, consider signing up for my next "Organizing Your Paper, Space, and Life" class . 

And yes, it has been busy, but the "season of overwhelm" comes at different times for everyone. Not all, but most of my clients call during one of those seasons. If you find yourself in a season of overwhelm, I can help you discover life beyond clutter and chaos and produce the peaceful, productive environment you long for. 

​My office closet

TIMELY TIPS - A Few of My Favorite Things 

1.  Sterlite 16 quart storage box (Target.com) If you gage my favorite product by the quantity I own, this definitely wins. I use them to store candles, CDs, craft supplies, batteries, light bulbs, extension cords, journals, first aid, travel supplies, hats, purses... get the idea?  

2.  Belt/ScarfHolder (Organizeit.com) I love the easy access I have to my belts and scarves on these belt hangers. They have hooks on both sides so each belt or scarf has its own home. You never need to pick up one to get to another. They're not always easy to find in stores, but I did see them in the dollar section at Target once - so keep an eye out. For now, you can find them at the "Organize It" link above.                          

3.  Hanging Shoe Organizer (Target.com) In between my belts and scarves you see my hanging shoe organizer (above). This is a great way to use the vertical space in my closet for some of my shoes and specialty socks. : )

4.  Spice Drawer - OK, so this isn't a product, but I love mylittle spice drawer. They all lay in a single layer, label side up. So easy to see what I have! The larger, Costco-size, spices stand in the cabinet above. 

5.  Vanity Organizer (Target.com) I keep my daily use items on the bathroom counter in this handy organizer. When cleaning the countertop, I pick up one thing, instead of a dozen!

6.   Drawer Organizer (Amazon.com) Contrary to popular practice, you really don't need a "junk" drawer. My drawer organizer creates individual homes for everything I need. 

​7.  Milk Crate (Target.com) One of my favorite uses for this is at Costco. I take mine in and have them pack my small stuff in it instead of coming home with one of their cardboard boxes. It also has ledges for hanging files if you need a portable file holder.

8.  Cabinet Shelf (Walmart.com) I store my Christmas dishes in the cabinet above the fridge. This free-standing shelf allows me to use the vertical space more efficiently. 

9.  Under-cabinet Drawers (Amazon.com) A handy supply of necessities is stored under the bathroom sink in these pull-out drawers.

10. Last, but not least is my Freedom Filer. It takes the dread out of filing and makes retrieval a breeze! (https://www.freedomfiler.com)

WISE WORDS

"Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up."

-A.A. Milne

Second Chance

"Can you believe someone would throw that away?!?" said our neighbor as he showed my husband and me some broken down bike parts. "Yes," I thought to myself, "I can!" 

  Then he showed us a finished product of his handy work--polished wheels and gears, connected to a freshly painted bike frame. He creates these "new" bikes for kids in need. What a great use of his skills and other people's junk. 

But, without the previous owners combing through their belongings and purging the broken down or unused bikes, he wouldn't have what he needs to recreate these gifts of love. 

Is getting rid of your excess, unused, or broken stuff difficult for you? Consider the options in Timely Tips and see the value of giving your stuff a second chance in someone else's hands. 

TIMELY TIPS - Second Chance Resources for Reusing and Recycling 

1.  Marjaree Mason Center 1600 "M" Street Fresno, CA; 559.237.4706. Donate your used cell phones. Help provide emergency phone service for victims of domestic violence. 

2.  Local Thrift Stores -multiple locations. Donate gently used clothing, household items, and furniture. There's a thrift store in Fresno area to match whatever cause you're passionate about-- from the SPCA to Hinds Hospice. Be assured your donation is supporting something you believe in as well as providing good quality items to those who can't afford to buy them new. One thing I like about the Sonshine Thrift Store (in the World Impact Center - 1955 Broadway Fresno, CA; 559.264.1243) is that they also provide job interview outfits and household goods at no charge to those who qualify.  

3.  Extreme Green Recycling 2491 W Alluvial Clovis, CA; 559.475.3932. Goodwill - multiple locations. Recycle your electronics (computers, laptops, printers, stereos, etc.). 

4.  City of Fresno Recycling or call 559.621.1111; City of Clovis or call 559.324.2600. Check these for information about residential recycling and what are acceptable blue bin materials. 

5.  Fresno Recycling Kids Pages

6.  CFL & Battery Recycling drop off locations

7.  Composting Basics - a second chance for yard trimmings, food wastes, etc.

8.  Habitat for Humanity Restore 1631 Railroad Ave Clovis, CA; 559.237.7867. Remodeling? Donate your cabinets, plumbing materials, windows, etc. Proceeds help fund affordable housing for low income families.

9.  Best Buy - multiple locations. Recycle CDs, DVDs, chargers and more. 

10. Office Max - multiple locations. Recycle ink and toner.

WISE WORDS

Reduce / Reuse / Recycle / Repurpose

I'm not organized... yet!

 I don't play the bass guitar... yet! A couple weeks ago that sentence would have read, "I don't play the bass guitar." It wasn't that I didn't want to, it's been my dream since Jr. High, but I needed a series of events to make that change.  

  So, what do you not do... yet? It may be speaking a different language, yoga, scrapbooking, golf, etc. Or maybe, since you're reading this newsletter, it has to do with organizing! Lucky for you I just happen to have some Timely Tips from my guitar experience that can help you achieve your organizing, and other goals!

TIMELY TIPS - I'm not organized... yet! 

1. Know what your goal is. I didn't want to play just any stringed instrument. I wanted to play the bass. Identify aspecific area of your home or office that you want organized.

2. Acquire support. I found a bass at a flea market in my neighborhood, but never would have made the purchase without my husband and a friend, who knows guitars, saying, "Go for it!" Find a friend, family member, or colleague who thinks your organizing goal is a great idea and will cheer you on. 

3. Make yourself accountable. Posting my purchase on Facebook made me feel more accountable to do something with it. Write down your next action step, give yourself a deadline, and ask someone to check up on your progress. At one of my speaking events a woman shared that she and a friend text "before" pictures to each other of an area they're going to organize. After a specified amount of time, they text each other the "after" shot. Great accountability!    

4. Jam with friends. My friend Julie, who in recent years took up the drums, said, "Let's jam," and gave me a song to work on. Another friend Frayda, of the musically gifted Bluestein family, chimed in and said she'd join us on the electric guitar. The thought of "jamming" with my friends was a great jump start for me. Consider making your organizing project a family affair, or find a friend to help. My sister and I give each other a Lunch 'n Labor gift each birthday. The birthday girl gets to pick a project that she would rather not do alone. We work on it together and treat ourselves to lunch.  

5. Obtain the proper tools. An electric bass without an amplifier is not much good. Fortunately I already had one, but I'll need to purchase a case. Having the right organizing products can help tremendously. But before running out to purchase them, take stock of what you have or what might become available as you de-clutter. 

6. Seek good instruction. I bought the Hal Leonard Bass book and DVD, but I think it's going to take the commitment of lessons with a professional to keep me on task. I see many clients with a plethora of organizing books. If it works for you to read and apply-- great! Another option is to sign up for my organizing class or schedule a session and let me help you get moving toward your goal.    

WISE WORDS

"When you're at the beginning, don't obsess about the middle, because the middle is going to look different when you get there. Just look for a strong beginning and a strong ending and get moving."

-Chip & Dan Heath

Back to School... already?? or All Ready!

Back in the day, preparing for school meant heading to Sears for a couple new dresses, some socks, and a pair of shoes. School supplies were provided at school. They even threw in free milk and graham crackers!

​My kindergarten class 1963

These days there's a little more involved. Besides loading up on binders, paper, and pens, check out Timely Tips for ideas on how to prepare your kids and their environment for a successful school year. 

​TIMELY TIPS - Back to School... all ready!!

1. Gather Supplies

• Start with a supply list from the teacher.
• Check your stock on hand before purchasing new supplies.
• Label all the supplies with your child's name.

2. Create Homes for Everything! 

• Inside Backpack - Use zippered or lidded containers for pens, pencils, etc. Prepare a binder with labeled pocket dividers designated for each school subject. Prepare two binders (odd day/even day), for students on block schedule. Prepare a folder labeled "Parent Papers" for handouts needing to be seen/signed by you.
• School Desk Supplies - Use drawer dividers to sort and store desk supplies at school, keeping like things together.
• At Home - Designate a homework area and equip a nearby drawer or cabinet  with a container of pens, paper, scissors, etc. Provide an accessible hook or shelf for each child's backpack so it can be put away and found when needed. Designate an in/out tray or basket for the "Parent Papers" folder. Prepare a plastic file tote for each child with files labeled by month or subject for school papers that need to be saved. Purge after each semester or at the end of the school year. Place a plastic bin in the closet or under the bed for larger keepsake projects. 

3. Calendars

• Provide Middle and High School students with paper or electronic assignment calendars. Instruct them on their use and keep tabs on them as needed. 
• Create a master family calendar for the wall or use an online calendar (see featured link).

4. Rules and Routines

• Clearly define school-day rules and routines (morning, after school, bedtime) using chore charts, homework schedules, reward plans, etc.
• Have students lay out their clothes and fill their backpacks the night before with completed homework, clean PE/sports clothes, etc.
• Establish boundaries for computer use, video games, TV, etc. 
• Schedule a weekly family time to view and discuss upcoming activities and schedules.

WISE WORDS

  Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.   -William Butler Yeats

Olympic Quality

What does it take to create Olympic quality? In his article, "Belief, Talent, and Pain," psychologist, Paul Dent, suggests that much of it is mental. The ability to fearlessly face the pain of relentless training and potential failure is essential. He says successful athletes believe they will eventually succeed. To do this they must set goals. Not only having the ultimate goal of Olympic victory, but spelling out the smaller goals required to get there.  He notes the importance of expecting the unexpected and letting go of the uncontrollable. "Once you've achieved something," says Dent, "it's all about being able to do it again. And again. And again."

Sounds like the perfect prescription for successful organizing too!  As you watch our amazing athletes perform in the London 2012 Olympics, may their commitment inspire you to pursue and realize your own goals. Today's Timely Tips will help you achieve Olympic quality organizing.

TIMELY TIPS - Olympic Quality Organizing

1. Fear not- Accept the truth of "no pain, no gain." Don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. Is it going to be hard to break old habits, like leaving jobs half-done? Will you sometimes fail? YES! But, don't allow the fear of those circumstances to stop you. Embrace pain and failure as part of the process of achieving the desired outcome.

2. Believe- Julie Morgenstern, a leading expert in the Organizing Industry, says, "I was once a notoriously disorganized person myself... I happily discovered that organizing is a very straightforward skill, learnable even by the likes of someone as once hopelessly disorganized as me." I believe no person or situation is hopeless. To take the first step you must believe that too.

3. Plan- Visualize your ultimate goal for being organized-whether it's creating order in your home, office, or calendar and then write down the specific goals you'll need to achieve that vision.

4. Realize and Release- Don't be thrown off course by the unexpected. Realize there will be distractions and setbacks. Release the situations you can't control and keep focused on the areas you can change.

5. Get Support- Great coaches are key to the success of great athletes. Likewise, you need someone that believes in your goals and is able and willing to help you achieve them.

6. Do it again- Just like successful athletes require a specific lifestye, sustained organizing is a way of life that requires consistency and perseverance. What will you begin doing today and continue doing again, and again, that will help produce a peaceful and productive environment in your home or office?

WISE WORDS

It's not my job...

​My husband, Scott, with Candice "mowing the laundry" 1986

"Mommy, I'll do that for you when I'm big, OK?" These were the sweet words of my three-year-old daughter, Candice, as I was scrubbing the toilet one day. Needless to say, I wrote it down and had her scribble a "C" next to it. 

   When my second-born, Rachel, was four she announced, "Mommy, I'm going to do all your work for you today!" So I asked, "What kind of work are you going to do?" She replied, "Like mow the laundry." Why is it that kids want to do stuff only until they're actually big enough to do it?

   My friend, Deanna's, little boy was telling his family about his day at school and said they talked about the chores they have at home. He said all the kids thought he was so lucky when he told them he didn't have any. His mom replied, "What are you talking about? You set the table, empty the dishwasher, clean your room, sort, fold, and put away laundry, make your bed, and clear the table after meals." He looked at her strangely and said, "Those aren't 'chores,' those are just the things I do."

   That little guy has it right! Being part of a family is like being part of a baseball team. When the ball comes to you, you don't consider it a chore to catch it and put it where it needs to go next... that's just what you do. And you wouldn't expect the coach or manager to cover your position on the field. Does your family function as a team? Check out Timely Tips for some family team building strategies. 

TIMELY TIPS 

The Five "C's" of Family Teamwork 

1.  Create the Climate - Whether you're tweaking established routines, or introducing family chores for the first time communicate how important each family member's role is to the success of the family team. Choose an analogy that your family can relate to - a sports team, band, cheer squad, etc. Note how winning teams encourage each other with high fives and hugs. Thank your kids for doing their chores even though it's expected, and let them catch you and your spouse thanking each other for daily duties. We all like to feel appreciated! 

2.  Clearly Define Duties - A pitcher isn't just told to throw the ball as fast as he can to the backstop. He's trained to aim for home base between the shoulders and knees of the batter. Likewise, everyone in the family needs to know what's expected of them. Not simply - "clean your room." Show and tell them exactly what that looks like. Chore charts are a handy tool too (www.chorecharts.com).

3.  Cover - If the ball is hit to left field, the center fielder doesn't just stand there thinking, "It's not my job to catch the left field balls." He runs over to cover, in case the left fielder isn't able to complete the play. Family teams are strengthened as Dad and Mom model this type of character and kids are on the giving and receiving end of occasionally covering for one another.  

4.  Consistency - Practice, practice, practice! Following through is as draining on parents as it is on children, but have you ever seen a successful team that doesn't consistently practice? Be consistent in requiring your kids to follow through with their clearly defined duties. You and they will reap the benefits!

5.  Consequences - Every family must determine their own reward/punishment system for this training process. Personally, I like the idea that there are some things family members do, just because they're part of the family. There may be other occasional jobs that they are paid for. A negative consequence for one who has failed to meet his/her obligations might be to assign an additional chore from your backburner list. That way you benefit either way! : ) 

Wise Words

The name we give something shapes our attitude toward it.    --Katherine Paterson

Too much of a good thing

Going to BJ's Restaurant is a treat. The choice is easy when it comes to dessert, but with so many great items on the dinner menu, deciding what to have is difficult for me. Whoever said, "You can't have too much of a good thing" was, in my opinion, wrong. (That's also why you see four spoons for one Pizookie.)

Today's Timely Tips highlight some common areas in which we find ourselves with "too much of a good thing" and some practical strategies to combat the issue.  

TIMELY TIPS - What to do with your "too much." 

1.  Toys - Kids are prone to overwhelm when it comes to choices -- even when it's choosing between good stuff! Sort through their toys, eliminating the broken and donating the unused or grown out of. Keep only the amount that can be stored in an orderly and accessible manner. Rotate excess favorites if need be, storing them out of sight/reach. This will create a more pleasurable play environment. 

2.  Magazines - If looking at the stack of magazines next to your recliner creates anxiety rather than anticipation, you probably have too many. Think realistically about how much time you actually read magazines on a monthly basis and keep only that which you can get through in a month's time. Yes, it will hurt to discard the rest, but only for awhile. You'll get the next issue soon. The reward is now seeing your magazines as a blessing rather than a burden.   

3.  Greeting Cards & Stationary - If exhausting your supply of cards and stationary would require you to live to be 150, it's time to purge. Decide how much to keep based on the frequency of use, and the amount of space you want to allot those items. Find a container or drawer that will match the criteria and maintain that boundary. This may mean donating the next set of unsolicited note cards you receive in the mail with a request for a donation.  

4.  Clothes - Unless you host a daily talk show on TV, you probably don't need a different outfit for every day of the year, or even month. Most of us wear a very small portion of the clothes we own. The rest are taking up precious space and making it difficult to find the items we wear. Purge the items that don't look or feel great on you. Keep a few from the size you're working toward. Then, enjoy the ability to easily find the clothes you love and wear.    

5.  Organizing Books and Products - If you find your home cluttered by your attempts to get organized, it's time to call a professional. Disorganization is not a character flaw. If your child is struggling with math applications, you get a tutor. If you're struggling with getting organized, I will be happy to personally guide you through the steps you need to take to achieve your goals. 

WISE WORDS

Before buying something, ask yourself, "is this going to make my life noticeably better?" --Paul Graham

The OBC Diet Plan

The other night I returned from a family dinner with some left-over veggies from the veggie/dip plate I brought. I tossed them into a clear bowl with some plastic wrap and put them in the fridge. Not only did they look pretty sitting there all red, orange, green, yellow, and whatever color peeled cucumbers are, but the next time I went for a snack, I actually grabbed some and ate them!

   I would venture to say that many of you, like me, consider part of the definition of a snack something that you don't have to prepare when you want to eat it. When I opened the fridge and the veggies were there, all washed and chopped, they suddenly became a viable snack!  

   Check out this issues Timely Tips and discover how organizing your food can lead to a healthier you!  

TIMELY TIPS - The OBC Diet Plan 

1.  Make healthier foods more accessible. Prepare some fruits and vegetables in snack-size pieces and place them in a clear container, front and center in the fridge. This can be done by cutting extra when preparing a salad, or taking time to do so when putting the groceries away.  

2.  Place some of your cut-up fruits and veggies in snack-size Ziplocks to take with you for break-time at work. 

3.  Place less nutritious foods and drinks in the back of the fridge-- out of sight and less accessible.  

4.  Organize the rest of your fridge using the drawers and sections for their intended purpose (veggie drawer, meat/cheese drawer, etc.)-- creating a home for everything. When it's easier to find what you're looking for, cooking at home will be more pleasurable. Thus, less fast food. 

5.  Assign a specific spot in the fridge for left-overs (another good alternative to fast food). This will keep them from being forgotten and wasted. Store them in clear glass containers (pictured above) so you can see what's inside and put them straight into the microwave.  

6.  Organize the freezer placing like things together and healthier food choices in front. By keeping frequently purchased items in the same spot, you can easily check stock and know what you need to add to your grocery list.

WISE WORDS

If your goals aren't clear and your thinking isn't focused, you can't break the habits that stand in your way.   --Peter Walsh

In 'n Out Pay-off

Have you ever been diverted from your course of action by a sign like this? The craft stores really know how to getcha. These products are positioned right at the door coming in, and lining the maze as you wait to check out. They're not even ashamed to call them what they are-- Impulse Items! I suppose they have to sell a lot of these to make money, but I'm thinking they do. Being intentional about what's situated on the way in and out of their stores is paying off. I know I've made my contribution!

What about your home? You too can reap a pay-off in terms of time saved, stress reduced, and clutter cleared by being intentional about what's near your door. 

Check out Timely Tips for ideas that will create your own In 'n Out pay-off.  

TIMELY TIPS - In 'n Out Pay-off 

1.  Designate an area near the door you enter/exit to set up your In 'n Out station. If that's not possible, use a nearby hall closet, laundry room, or bedrooms for the following.  

2.  Provide each family member with a designated hook (at a reachable height) for coats, backpacks, purses, sports bags, etc. 

3.  If shoes are removed here, create floor-level shelving (remember-- easy access is key) with dividers to designate a spot for each family member's shoes. 

4.  Assign and label a cubby, cube, or basket to each person. Place them on the shoe shelf or on a shelf above the hooks. These are homes for miscellaneous items that need to be put away, or go out the next day. 

5.  Add containers as needed for library books, dry cleaning, pet leashes, etc. 

6.  Mount a message board to record important items to communicate or remember. 

7.  Other In 'n Out items might include a charging station, a key hanger, and a mirror.

8.  Determine not to store more in this area than will comfortably fit in the containers and on the hooks and shelves (boundaries). 

9.  Have a family meeting to demonstrate how to use the In 'n Out station and consider a reward for individuals or the family when a successful week of use is achieved.

10. You'll all reap the pay-off of a more peaceful and productive environment! 

WISE WORDS

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.   --William James

Picture this

Chase & Me 1992

My "baby" just turned a quarter of a century! There are many things I thought I'd remember about the early years but in reality, most of my memories are prompted by photos we took back then. Although, who could forget the bowl cuts and big bangs from the 90s!

   Apparently in a different phase of life I was really good at preserving and displaying our family photos. I just counted thirty-two photo albums! Later on, photographing life and the special events thereof was as much as I could handle. So, there are still photos to be dealt with.

   If you're currently looking at boxes, bags, and drawers full of photos check out my Four C's of photo organizing in this issue's Timely Tips. Don't let the story your photos are waiting to tell remain silent forever.

TIMELY TIPS - Four C's of Photo Organizing 

1. Collect: 

     Retrieve your photos from wherever they have landed in closets and drawers and place them into temporary storage bins or boxes.   

2. Categorize:

     Sort the photos into three categories

• Album - the best of the best (top 20%) that you'll want to display

• Archive - important photos to be stored in photo-safe boxes and/or digitized 

• Abandon - Discard doubles, blurry photos, unflattering photos, landscape and buildings

3. Create: 

     Choose a method to display your album quality pics

• Traditional photo albums with sleeves to slip photos into

• Scrap books - you might even find a scrapbooking enthusiast to hire if it's not your thing

• Photo books - photos must first be digitized and then uploaded into photo book templates online; the result is a hardback photo book. My daughter did her wedding album this way and it turned out beautifully!

• (www.ShutterFly.com, www.Blurb.com, www.CostcoPhotoCenter.com)

4. Containerize:

     Sort remaining important photos by year and containerize in photo safe storage and/or digitize

• Photo boxes (shoebox size) - these stack nicely and can be labeled on the front with the year or event; $2.50/box when on sale at Michael's

• Check websites and stores with scrapbooking supplies for larger photo-safe storage containers (www.Joann.com, www.Target.com, www.ContainerStore.com)

WISE WORDS

Just as pieces stitched together in a quilt warm our bodies, scrapbooks bind together memories to warm our hearts.  --Author Unknown

What can't you see?

One of the things I miss most being on the down side of "the hill" is my perfect vision. It's been a good 10 years since it started to go, but I'm still fighting the whole glasses thing. For some things, like reading, I don't have a choice. For other activities I don't need them yet. But, there are a few things, like house-keeping, in which my imperfect vision is distorting reality. What appears to be a clean counter-top (to the un-spectacled eye), is really dotted with yesterday's crumbs! 

   Wearing my glasses enables me to identify problem areas that I couldn't see before. Similarly, we might overlook problem areas in our homes and offices because we're not looking at them through the proper lenses. Take a look through the lenses in today's Timely Tips and see what you perhaps haven't seen.

TIMELY TIPS - Organizing Lenses

1. Accessibility - Is the cereal within reach of the kids so they can get their own breakfast when needed? Are you digging through summer clothes to find something to wear in January? Do you have a waffle iron, blender, or rice cooker that's never used because it's still in the box? Check your home through the lens of accessibility and take the steps needed to make things more accessible.  
2. Zoning - When it's time to pay a bill, does it require searching four different places for a pen, the bill, a stamp, and an envelope? Is it hard to determine if you have what you need for a painting project because your paint supplies are stored at random places throughout the garage? The zoning lens helps you see things in groups, keeping like things together so that you can find what you need, when you need it.
3. Let Go - Is your gift wrap container full of wrapping you never choose to use when wrapping a gift? Is your closet jammed with three sizes of clothes, some from a decade ago? Are your drawers full of single socks or plastic lids with no containers? The let go lens helps you see what is inhibiting your current lifestyle and gives you permission to release that which is not enhancing it. 
4. Boundaries - Are there untouched books jammed into andspilling off the bookshelf, and even more stashed in boxes that are keeping the car out of the garage? Are there shoes covering the "walk in" part of your closet making it difficult to reach your clothes? The boundaries lens enables you to control your stuff so it doesn't control you. Decide how much space you want to assign to certain items and then whittle down and maintain that amount.

Similar to a football coach (see Wise Words below) part of my job is getting people to do what they don't want to do in order to achieve their goal. For some the process can be painful. My standard is kindness and respect. Your results are a sense of relief and peace as living space and accessibility is achieved. Call today to secure your appointment and get on track to achieve your organizing goal.  

WISE WORDS

The job of a football coach is to make men do what they don't want to do, in order to achieve what they've always wanted to be.  --Tom Landry

Soles4Souls Shoe Drive Success

2,859 pairs of shoes for SOLES4SOULS! Wow! A huge thank you to all who partnered with Organized By Choice in this venture and contributed by giving shoes, promoting, collecting shoes at schools, offices, churches and clubs, serving as drop-off locations, counting and boxing, donating shipping funds, etc. The results exceeded my expectations and will be a welcome sight to our friends in need of shoes around the world. 

S4S packing day with the help of my dear family!

Organized Giving

A common thread I have heard from clients and Clovis Community Ed students is the feeling of overwhelm with requests for donations. If you donate to one cause, you're suddenly barraged with ten more requests. Return address labels and cards from various charities pile up along with guilt for not financially supporting them all. Does receiving a nickel in the mail require a $25 check in return?
   Random acts of kindness have their place, but random giving based on guilt or obligation doesn't. Intentional giving reduces the physical and mental clutter associated with the plethora of requests and provides a greater impact. During this season of Thanksgiving, consider theTimely Tips below as you demonstrate your gratitude through organized, intentional giving.                               

TIMELY TIPS - Intentional Giving

1. Make a list of the organizations, ministries, or causes that represent your interests and passions. 
2. Confirm that their programs and services also align with your values and goals. 
3. Do your homework so that you know what percentage of your donation is used for programs, fundraising, and administrative fees.  
4. To ensure your donations have a substantial impact, don't spread your giving too thin. Reduce your list so your gift goes beyond just covering the cost of their promotional material and processing.
5. Ask the charity to not share your personal information with other entities.
6. Ask to be removed from mailing lists that you're not currently giving to. (You can always start again if you choose to.)
7. Give yourself permission to divert your giving for a season. One of my clients is providing some basic necessities for a local family in need until they're able to get established.  
8. For the "Top 10 Best Practices of Savvy Donors" and other helpful tips visit  www.CharityNavigator.org. Just beware that they'll be asking for a donation too! 

WISE WORDS

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.  --Mother Teresa 

Let's Eat!

This weekend Scott and I head up the hill to prepare the Hume Lake cabin for renters. It's a place that holds great memories of special times with family and friends. During our kids' teen years, I often didn't know if I'd be feeding five or fifteen. With only a small, outrageously priced grocery store available, I had to come prepared. This required me to be.... well, organized! Having planned ahead for every meal made for some great times around that table-- at least when the meat bees left us alone!

Hume Dinner 2003

Too often today's culture forfeits the benefits of sharing a home-cooked meal with those we love. Today's Timely Tips help combat the high calorie fast foods and costly restaurant tabs with an organized plan for putting food on your table.            

TIMELY TIPS - Meal Planning 101

1. Look at the week or month ahead and plan your dinner menu (it's OK to include a "let's eat out" and eat the leftovers night). 
2. If you're stuck on what to make, throw out a cry for quick 'n easy dinner ideas from your facebook friends, tap into websites likeallrecipes.com (they'll even provide recipes based on ingredients you have on hand), orask each family member to tell you his/her top three favorites.
3. If there's a common favorite, consider having it once a week, at least for awhile.  
4. When you can, double your recipes and store one meal in the freezer (two dinners-- one mess!).
5. After completing the menu, check your inventory and create a grocery list of items you need. (If you do the menu & shopping for at least two weeks of meals, it will save you time and money.)  
6. If you're a coupon clipper trycouponsherpa.com or coupons.com to make your meals even more cost effective.
7. Schedule and create a routine for your menu planning and grocery shopping.  
8. If home cooking is new to you, start with just a few nights per week, but make a plan and give it a try!  

For a FREE ready-to-use Monthly Menu form and check-off Grocery List send an email a request to info@organizedbychoice.com.

WISE WORDS

On family dinners...

"If it were just about food, we would squirt it into their mouths with a tube," says Robin Fox, an anthropologist who teaches at Rutgers University in New Jersey, about the mysterious way that family dinner engraves our souls. "A meal is about civilizing children. It's about teaching them to be a member of their culture."

As reported by,  MICHAEL ELINS FOR TIME