TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR HOME OFFICE

Whether you have a home office as a place for paying bills or you run a business out of your home, organization is the key to things running smoothly.  We live in a world where there just never seems to be enough time, so by following some simple tips, you are sure to maximize your time and have more of it to spend with your family.

• Keep your desk clean.  I know, I know, this probably sounds pretty difficult. But remember, your desk is not a place for storage.  Your desk is your work space.  So it is time to go through those piles of papers and find them a home.  You can make 3 piles for your papers.  Toss it, file it, or do it.  Remember when tossing things, to shred anything that could used for any type of identity theft.  (I shred almost everything that I throw away simply because it has our names and addresses on it.)
• Organize your files.  If you don't have a file cabinet, buy one.  They come in all different sizes and different price ranges.  This is one of the BEST ways to get your office organized.  By having established files, you can file papers immediately as you go through them.
• Have an in box.  As you check the mail or receive mail/packages, have a central place for them.  You may not be able to go through them right then, but you can have a basket or box for them to be until you CAN go through them.  (I recommend having separate drawers for business/personal bills/mail.)
• Make the most of the space that you have.  Not everyone has a large space for an office.  And that's okay.  The important thing is to make sure that you use the space you do have, wisely.  Use those file cabinets, desk drawers and shelves.  Try to have the essentials at arms length, such as pens, paper, printer, calculator, etc.

Things to remember:

• A messy, cluttered office can result in incomplete work, missed deadlines and/or lost information.  The time spent, turning your office upside down, looking for that phone number or address, is time that is wasted and unproductive.  Just taking a few minutes a day (or even once a week), will save you so much time in the long run and will be worth the initial extra effort.
• Try to control outside interruptions/distractions.  You don't have to answer the phone every time it rings.  If possible, have hubby help you with the kids so you can close the door and get things done.  If you have older kids, they may understand if you simply let them know that you are working and need some time with the door closed.
• Once you are caught up going through those papers, be sure to stay that way by either going through papers immediately when you get them, or setting aside time each week to go through them.

Organizing your home office may seem daunting at first, but by taking it just one step at a time, you will be prepared to meet any challenge head on!  And once this is done, you will be surprised just how much stress it will cut out of your life.

PREGNANCY WEEK BY WEEK, WEEK 13

What is happening with your baby:
Fingerprints have now formed on your baby's little fingertips.  The veins and organs can be clearly seen through her thin delicate skin.  Her body is beginning to catch up to her head - which now makes up about 1/3 of her body size.  If you are having a girl, she now has more than two million eggs in her ovaries.  Your baby is almost three inches long and weighs almost an ounce.

What is happening with you/your body:
This is the last week of your first trimester!  Yay!  Your risk of miscarriage is now much lower than earlier in your pregnancy.  Many women, who experience many of the 1st trimester discomforts (such as nausea and fatigue), are now beginning to see those symptoms subside.  Many couples notice a very noticeable libido lift during this time.  Birth is still months away, however, you breasts may be already producing colostrum.  Colostrum is the nutrient rich fluid that feeds your baby for the first few days after birth, before your milk "comes in", or starts to flow.

TIPS FOR HAVING A SUCCESSFUL GARAGE SALE

If you are like most Americans, you probably have lots of "stuff".  Most of us buy faster than we clear out the clutter!  We end up stashing away our well intentioned buys, in our garage.  In some cases, we have used what we bought as much as we are going to, but it is still in perfectly acceptable condition, for someone else.  A garage sale is a wonderful way to get rid of unwanted junk and turn a profit at the same time.  Here are some tips to help you have a successful garage sale:

Collecting Items - You can never start collecting too early.  In fact you can collect items at any time.  Set aside a tub or box, and when you see an item you no longer want or use, put it in your "garage sale" box.  You may even want to try to mark your item right then.  This can save you a lot of time in the long run.  Marking your items will take more time than you might think.  If wait until the last minute to mark your items, you may end up pulling an alnighter the night before your big sale!

Advertise - Things you will want to include in your ad are the date and times of the sale, your address, specific items (children's toys, furniture, clothing, baby clothing, etc.).  You may even want to mention specific brands.  Many people love when they can get name brands at bargain prices.  Be sure to also place signs in strategic places, making your house easy to find.  Place the signs in high traffic areas within a few miles of your home.  If your house may be hard to find, include some directions in your ad.  If you have a long driveway, use it!  Place the super attractive items, where they can be easily seen by onlookers and others as they pass by.  As things get taken, make sure to rearrange things to keep things looking neat.

Atmosphere - Try playing some soft music in the background.  If it is a hot day, consider selling some cans of soda that you have had on ice.  Make sure to have the proper lighting so people can see the merchandise inside your garage.

Garage Sale Etiquette - As a courtesy to your customers, you shouldn't allow early sales.  Don't start selling until the time you said the sale would start.  You may have someone that was coming for a specific item, only to get there and it be gone.  Be prepared too.  You will probably have customers ask to use your bathroom, phone, or even to try things on.  Don't allow anyone to enter your home.

Finishing Up - Be sure to remove your signs as soon as your sale is over.  You don't want people knocking on your door two days later!  And last but not least, count your profits!!!!

Here is to a successful garage sale!!!!  Good luck!!!

TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR HOME

We get so busy with the hustle and bustle of every day life, that we can easily get overwhelmed by the disorganization of our homes.  And sometimes, we just don't know where to start, so we continue to put it off.  Meanwhile, the situation just continues to get worse! 

Here are some tips that might help you to get your home organized and help keep it that way:
  

1. Set Goals for Each Room - Try making a list for each room, on what you wish to accomplish for that particular room.  Making a list will help you to maintain focus and will help to keep that overwhelmed feeling at bay.  It can be very gratifying to mark things off of that list as you get each goal accomplished.
2. What Organization Means to You - This is really important because what one person finds is organized to them, might be a confusing mess to someone else.  So remember that organization means different things to different people.  Try to find out what is the source of your organization problems and tackle it from that point of view.
3. Keep it Simple - Stick to easy solutions that you can commit to and stick to.  
4. Start Small - Start with the areas that you spend the most time in.  For example, maybe you want to start out by organizing your kitchen.  Start with your cabinets and just tackle it one cabinet at a time.  Then do your drawers and maybe your counter tops after that.  You will most likely not organize an entire room all in one day.  Try setting aside a certain amount of time each day, or one night a week, to work on your organizing.  Doing a little bit at a time will help to alleviate that feeling of being overwhelmed, but still feel as though you are working toward your goals.
5. What to do With Unwanted Items - Decide what you will want to do with your unwanted items.  The list is endless, really, on what you can do with those items.  You may have a friend or relative that you can give things to.  You can also donate to local charity organizations, churches, consignment stores, etc.  You may even want to have a garage sale and make a little profit for all of your hard work!   
6. Keep Interruptions to a Minimum - In the world of having children, this can be a tough one but a necessary one.  Try to pick a time when the kids are busy playing or maybe even in bed!  This will cut down on the constant interruptions that our wonderful children can bring.  Maybe organizing in the morning (before every one else is up and moving) is a better and more productive time for you.  And if you can help it, don't answer the phone.  That's what voice mail is for!
7. Simple Things - Have you ever gone to get yourself some headache medicine but can't find it because every medicine that you have bought over the last 5 years is still in the medicine cabinet?  I have!  You will be amazed just how good it would feel to take 30 minutes just to clean out the medicine cabinet.  It will be like a breath of fresh air, the next time you have a headache!  Try cleaning off the refrigerator magnets too.  You certainly don't have to get rid of all of them but do you really need 30?  You will also be surprised at what an eye sore all of those magnets are, and how much nicer, that alone will make your kitchen look.
8. Where is Your Grocery List? - Have you ever been in the middle of cooking spaghetti, only to find out that you are out of tomato sauce?  Gotta love it when that happens!  Try designating a place for a grocery list and be sure to write down items as soon as you run out of them.  This is especially helpful with those things that are not every day (or weekly) items.
9. Storage Containers - Rubbermaid containers/decorative baskets are great for storing your things in an organized fashion.  Maybe you are tired of seeing all of your every day items all over the bathroom counter.  But you use these items every day, so what are you to do?  You can buy an inexpensive decorative basket (or use one you have laying around the house) and put all of those items in one place.  Your counter will be less cluttered but you will still have those frequently used items conveniently close. 
10. Organizing Bills - If your bills are not organized, it can be very difficult to remember what to pay and when to pay it.  Buy a bill organizer and put it (neatly) where you can see it.  There are standing bill organizers (which is what I recommend) that have a slot for each day of the month.  (I purchased mine for $21.00.)  By seeing this regularly, you are less likely to forget to make that car payment!
11. Organizing your Mail - When you get your mail, throw away the junk mail immediately.  Try having a basket for bills, things to look at, and things to shred.  This REALLY helps keep those piles of mail from turning into mountains.  And as soon as you open those bills, promptly put them in your bill organizer in the appropriate due date slot.

The little things can make a big difference in our daily lives.  By taking baby steps and starting small, things can be more manageable and less stressful.

10 TIME SAVING TIPS FOR MOMS

There just never seems to be enough time in the day to get every thing done that we need to get done.  We live in a very fast paced world so saving a few minutes here and there can really add up and make all the difference in the world.  Here are some tips that may help you to save some time and make your days a little bit easier.

1. Have a Plan - When planning grocery store trips, try to keep them down to once or twice a week instead of going several times a week.  Try planning your meals a week ahead of time and make a list.  By making a list and sticking to it, you can save time AND money.  And try to avoid going to the store hungry.  We tend to buy on impulse when we are hungry.
2. Delegate Responsibilities - Children live in the house too so there is no reason why they can't help out.  Make a chore list with a list of their responsibilities.  If they make a mess, have them clean it.  Have them pick up after themselves.  When they are done playing, have them clean up whatever toys they have taken out, etc.
3. Make an Upstairs Pile - If you live in a 2 story house, this can be very useful.  If you know you will be going up and down the stairs throughout the day, try putting things in a pile (or basket) and just taking everything at once.  Limiting your trips up and down the stairs will not only save time, but will also save some much needed energy you will need to complete your day!
4. Turn Off the TV - Turn off the TV and turn on the radio.  The TV can be a big distraction for us and our kids.  And music can be very motivating!
5. Incorporate Exercise into Your Daily Life - Try to include exercise into your family activities.  By doing this, you don't have to try to squeeze in extra time for exercise.
6. Time Activities - Give yourself a set amount of time to do certain (not every day tasks) things around the house.  Set a timer if you have to.  If you want to clean out your closet, try to give yourself an hour a day to work on this and it will eventually get done.  It can be very easy to start a project like this and let it monopolize your entire day.
7. Limit Volunteer Work - Often times at the beginning of the school year, (for example) we get notices asking for volunteers for certain activities.  No one is saying that you shouldn't help out at the school, but try to limit just how much you commit to and don't be afraid to say "No."  We really do overextend ourselves sometimes.  Side Note:  I normally don't commit to anything at the beginning of the school year.  I will volunteer at the last minute because I never know when another one of my children might be sick or what might happen, in the future, that I have no control over.  This way, I don't have to end up canceling.
8. Combine Appointments - If one of the kids are due for their check up, try getting all of the kids in at the same time.  (I always combine appointments when I can.)
9. Get Help - Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.  Ask your husband to take the kids out for a few hours so you can get some things done or just to have a little time to yourself.  If you can get a head start on the laundry, it can leave you more time for the family later on in the day!
10. Take a Nap - Power naps can help you just to get re-energized.  There are many documented benefits to just taking a break for half an hour, whether it is to sleep or just unwind.

Mothers often times try to be super woman.  No matter what you do, there will always be challenges where motherhood is concerned, but there are things that you can do to try to make your daily life more manageable.

28 SIMPLE WAYS TO SHOW YOUR KIDS YOU LOVE THEM!!!

Of course we all love our children, but sometimes our busy lives keep us from showing our kids we love them each day.  Here are some ways that you can show your kids you love them every day of the month!

1. Send them a note in their lunch box.
2. Read them a book.
3. Dance with them to their favorite music.
4. Play a game with them.
5. Go and eat lunch with them at school.
6. Bake cookies with them.
7. Take them to get an ice cream.
8. Compliment their behavior.
9. Give them a great big hug!
10. Tell them how proud you are of them.
11. Help them with their homework.
12. Watch their favorite TV show (or a family movie) with them.
13. Tell them about your family history.
14. Tickle them.
15. Play with them.
16. Just sit and talk about their day (or nothing in particular at all).
17. Let them help in the kitchen.
18. Hang their artwork on the refrigerator.
19. Cook their favorite meal for dinner.
20. Volunteer for something in their classroom.
21. Tell them the story of their birth.
22. Take them to the park.
23. Take them to their favorite special place.
24. Encourage them.
25. Put their favorite snack in their lunch.
26. Let them eat cereal for dinner!
27. Tell them funny stories about your spouse.
28. Make their favorite dessert.

Don't forget the most important one!  Tell your children "I love you!" every day.

KITCHEN SOLUTIONS - THE BENEFITS TO USING HERBS IN THE KITCHEN

Herbs are a fragrant and flavorful way to put some extra zing into what you are already preparing.  They have very few calories and absolutely no salt!  So you can add as much as you want and be totally guilt free in doing so!

Here are some suggestions:

THYME - Try adding thyme into stews, soups, salads (or in the dressing).  Just 2 teaspoons of thyme and you are getting almost 20 percent of your daily iron intake needs.  Thyme is often used in teas and/or cough syrups to ease dry coughs and to soothe a sore throat as well.

BASIL - Basil is commonly used in pizza, spaghetti sauces (or marinara sauces), and other popular Italian dishes.  Two teaspoons of basil, and you get 5 percent of your daily requirement of magnesium.  Magnesium is a mineral that helps to maintain muscle and nerve function.  It also helps to keep heart beats steady, supports a strong and healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong.  (It is also said that magnesium helps to curve those chocolate cravings.)

CILANTRO - Cilantro is a very versatile herb.  You can use cilantro for salsas, tacos, salads, or add to fish dishes.  By using cilantro with meat dishes, you can reduce the potential for bacterial contamination in the meat.  (This herb was used more than 2,000 years ago, by the Romans, to preserve meat!)  Cilantro is also used to help promote healthy digestion.

ROSEMARY - Rosemary is delicious in chicken dishes!  Try using rosemary in marinades to help cut down the risk of cancer.  The antioxidants, found in rosemary, may help combat potential carcinogens created when meats are grilled or broiled at temperatures above 400 degrees Fahrenheit.  

DILL - Try using dill to wake up your tuna (or on grilled fish)!  Dill is also wonderful on potatoes.  Using this herb can help your body maintain healthy cholesterol levels.  There is also evidence, that suggests, that dill may also help relieve indigestion.

PARSLEY - We often think of parsley as just a garnish, but parsley is actually much more than that.  Parsley can be added to salads, dressings, dips, marinades and more.  Two teaspoons of dried parsley is 150 percent of your daily vitamin K requirements.  Vitamin K is important for healthy blood clotting and bone health.  Parsley is also high in vitamins A and C!

Adding herbs to your dishes will add delicious flavor and more importantly help to promote good health in your family.  With picky kids and picky husbands that can be quite challenging!