The urge to purdge and organizing your home
By Organized Mom | August 15, 2008
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Guest Article
Let There Be Light & Space
One thing that surprises many of my clients is that somewhere around 35ish they get the urge to get rid of stuff. They have made a mental list of the areas of the house that are annoying and aggravating them. The second thing that surprises them is when I assure them “This is perfectly normal“. Then it becomes about “Aunt Mary gave me that lamp and I don’t want to hurt her feelings.”, “I’m saving the _______ in case one of my kids want it” or “I may use/need/want that one day.“
So let’s look at what is behind this urge to purge
- Somewhere & somehow there was an acceptance that husband is not going to pick up his socks, the kids are always going to leave their things in a pile in the hallway & in the real world the house is never going to be perfect.
- Next comes a realization that their home needs to be both liveable (translation family & pet friendly) and a relaxing refuge from the outside world.
- The feeling that is gaining momentum and often triggers the earlier confession is the desire to only have around them the things that give them pleasure, are important to them and that represent their taste and speak to who they are as a person.
Here are steps to get past the excuses & closer to the home you deserve
Topics: Articles, Household Organization | No Comments »
Get Organized for Back to School
By Organized Mom | August 6, 2008
Guest Article by Cathy Bates
It’s that time already – back to school time! A Staples commercial once said “it’s the most wonderful time of the year.” What are your thoughts on back to school? Here are some tips to help make it a wonderful time:
* Stock up on supplies needed throughout the year and create a homework center. A clearly labeled, plastic draw unit makes a great homework center where you can store paper, pencils, markers, glue, and anything else your student needs to complete assignments.
* Set up a command center with files or bins for school papers that must be signed and returned to school, homework or projects that are ongoing, library books, and anything else that comes to and from school.
* Install hooks near the door to hang backpacks, and jackets.
* If your child packs a lunch, set up an area in the kitchen to store prepackaged lunch items and the supplies needed to assemble sandwiches, etc.
* If your child purchases a school lunch, post the menu inside a cabinet door or on the refrigerator.
* Post a calendar in a central place to track all of your family’s activities.
Studies show students thrive in an organized environment. I hope these tips will help your students have their best year ever and a little extra time to just be kids
Once the kids are settled into their school schedule, it’s time to gear up for some organizing of your own. It’s the perfect time to catch up on organizing projects around the house so that by the time the holidays arrive, your home is organized and you are able to enjoy the festivities without all of the stress!
Cathy Bates is owner of Practical Solutions, a professional organizing company that provides organizing services for your home or office. Practical Solutions is offering a free organizing workshop on Monday, September 8, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at Citibank in Yucaipa to jumpstart your organizing efforts. You can register at www.psorganizing.com or call (909)810-3719.
Topics: Household Organization, Time Managment, parenting | No Comments »
Fourth of July fun for your family and kids
By Organized Mom | July 4, 2008
Happy fourth of July !
If you happen to be online today looking for some ideas on keeping your children busy I have a few for you busy moms.
Fourth of July WIND SOCKS: use red, white or blue construction paper and roll it length wise. Glue, tape or staple together. Add string as a handle to one end. Add red, white and blue streamers to the other end.
You could also make this Fourth of July Wind sock using tissuepaper reinforced with a bit of construction paper if your children are older.
-Use only red white and blue items in your art center.
Fourth of July for Kids Desert - Lemon Bars
Shortbread Crust:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup firmly packed light-brown sugar
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
Lemon Filling:
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 eggs
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
Toppings:
1/4 cup confectioners sugar
1/4 cup blueberries
1 tube red gel frosting
Directions:
1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan. Prepare the shortbread crust: In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Reduce the mixer speed low, and beat in the flour and lemon rind until well combined; pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake the crust 15 minutes, or until golden. Cool the crust in the pan on a wire rack.
2. Meanwhile, prepare the Lemon Filling; In a 2-quart saucepan, mix 1 cup granulated sugar, the lemon juice, water, and cornstarch until well combined. Heat the mixture to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring constantly; cook 1 to 2 minutes longer or until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat.
3. In a medium-size bowl, with a wire whisk, beat the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, eggs and the lemon rind until thick and lemon colored. Slowly beat the lemon mixture into the egg mixture until well combined. Pour the filling into the prepared crust.
4. Bake the cookies 15 to 20 minutes, or until the filling is firm. Cool the cookies completely in the pan on a wire rack.
6. Cut the cookies into 6 rectangular bars. Place the bars on a serving plate. Sprinkle confectioners sugar over the cookies. Create stripes across the bars with the red gel frosting. Place 6 blueberries in the top corner of each bar.
(Lemon Bar Recipie courtesy of Crafter’s Community. Visit CraftersCommunity.com for more fun craft projects and ideas.)
Enjoy your Family Independence Day Celebrations !
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Family Vacation Countdown - Guest Article
By Organized Mom | July 1, 2008
Written by Cathy Bates
You’ve worked hard and earned some much needed time away! How do you make your getaway come together without leaving in a panic and feeling like you forgot something? Count down to your vacation with early preparation and cut down on the last minute stress. Here are some ideas to get you started:
One week before:
• List all you need to do in preparation for and thinks to take on the vacation.
• Confirm all travel reservations – air, auto, hotel, train, dining, and activities.
• Arrange for pet sitting, plant care, etc.
• Halt delivery of your newspaper and mail.
• Purchase any clothing or supplies you will need for your trip.
• Create a box to put things in you want to take – like cameras and maps. As you think of them, just put them in the box.
• Let people at work know that you are going to be on vacation the following week(s), so that they can plan accordingly and you will have fewer interruptions while you are away.
Three to five days prior:
• Catch up on all of your work so that you can relax and enjoy your vacation without thinking about work.
• Get traveler’s cheques from the bank.
• Pay all bills due before you return.
Two days before:
• Check the weather so that you will know how to pack.
• Give the house a good cleaning and change your sheets.
• Wash all dirty clothes.
One day prior:
• Firm up any last minute details.
• If you are flying, check-in online and print boarding passes.
• Pack your suitcases, car, etc.
The day of:
• Adjust your air conditioning and water heater so that you conserve energy while you are gone.
• Unplug appliances, computers, and electronics that can draw power when they are not in use.
• Shut off the water main (after everyone has gone to the bathroom).
• Set a few lights on a timer for security.
• Take out the trash.
• Do a quick pick up so that your home will be a welcome haven when you return.
Have a great vacation!
Cathy Bates is owner of Practical Solutions Professional Organizing and a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). To contact her go to www.psorganizing.com or call 909- 810- 3719 .
Topics: Articles | No Comments »
Ask the Organized Mom
By Organized Mom | June 27, 2008
Summer is here ! This summer I have decided that each week I will answer ONE reader question. (Maybe more.)
So here is your chance to ask away - family, home, work, organizing, time management, even your silly questions.
Ask away and each week one reader will will have their question answered AND I will send you a “suprise”.
Topics: Ask the Almost Always Organized Mom | 2 Comments »
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