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The last few months my family and I have been spending more time outdoors. We spent two weekends in east Texas taking naps in hammocks and fishing. While I was there I worked on one of my blogs about organizing a fun camping trip. Below you will see a link to my most current "Everything Organized" blog where you can read the text and watch corresponding videos.
While many families enjoy a few lazy days of summer, it is a great time to start thinking ahead to meal planning for the crazy days of the start of school. At a PTA meeting right before the last school year ended, I took a poll of the 15 moms in attendance. I asked who of them did meal planning on a regular basis. Of those 15 only 3 said they spend any time planning and organizing meals for their family. Some even said it was easier to go through a drive-thru with their busy schedules.
Below I will share a great meal planning site that I personally use for my family during busy months. Be sure to visit this site and get your family to the dinner table with a great meal.
I know summer is here and school is out but for those moms that are involved in their child's school PTA for 2011-2012, now is a great time to look into programs that will benefit all families. As a Professional Organizer and Speaker, I offer Parent Ed Programs that give parents real solutions to the dilemmas that are a part of every family and home. Visit the Get Organized! website for a list of topics and booking information.
Lastly, I was honored in May to be one of three organizers selected to speak at NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) DFW. The organization brought in three experienced organizers in the DFW area to answer questions from less experienced organizers.The questions were plenty and the crowd was great.
I hope you enjoy reading this month's GO Newsletter and that you use the tips and resources listed to help your family Get Organized!.
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Blogs by Lorraine Brock
Each month Lorraine posts organizing solutions, products, and family management ideas on her "Everything Organized" blog on the North Texas Kids website. The blog includes informative material accompanied by corresponding video. This will give readers a visual reference for some of the organizing ideas.
Lorraine posts another blog called "The Organized Mom" . The blog is on RommyMommy.com and is based out of New York. RoleMommy keeps up with all the latest in entertainment and all that is important to working moms.
Bookmark these blogs and keep up with the latest organizing trends. |
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Paper vs Electronic Calendars
One of the biggest organizing challenges for busy families is keeping track of everyone's schedule. What type of calendar is right for you? Should you use one for personal and one for business? Or do you have calendars in multiple locations: one on the refrigerator, on your phone, and one calendar in your purse?
The planner you choose should be based on YOUR lifestyle. How much time do you spend on your computer? If you are self-employed, do you have children? What is the most convenient way for you to input and retrieve information into any time management system...whether paper or electronic. It's really about your lifestyle and how you will faithfully (key word: faithfully) consume the information on your calendar.
We will cover a few types of calendar systems in this article, with more information in upcoming blogs. Until then we will share some things to consider.
If you have a phone and a computer, consider syncing the calendar systems. Many new devices offer wireless syncing and all your contacts, calendar, and photos stay on both devices. Even if one device breaks, the other still has all the information.
This system is helpful because you can enter information more quickly on a computer than on a phone. Plus the computer system allows you display your calendar for a full month at a time.
If you only use your phone for scheduling, the challenge can be trying to enter lots of details while taking care of your children or working. Even if your kids are older or you have the time, the tiny phone screen cannot really show you your calendar details for the entire month. Many times you only see a dot where there is an appointment.
There are some things to like about using your phone as a calendar. It is small and convenient to carry with you. But you might also consider a tablet device that is larger than a phone but smaller than a computer or laptop. They offer bigger screens for viewing your complete calendar plus products like the Slate offer the power and software of a laptop but in a lightweight smaller form.
There are online calendars too that offer mom friendly or business savvy interfaces. Each one offers a little more or a little less of something that might make it just right for you. One that come to mind is PlumLife.com. This system is great for color coding, setting up each family member with a different calendar, and viewing the calendar in numerous formats.
Whatever you use just make sure it is right for you... not someone else who wants you to do it their way. The goal is to be able to use your calendar as a working "To Do" list for the entire family. |
Quote
Most time is wasted, not in hours, but in minutes. A bucket with a small hole in the bottom gets just as empty as a bucket that is deliberately kicked over....Paul J. Meyer
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KVIL and Get Organized!
Coming soon to your inbox: Get Organized! and KVIL 103.7 Lite FM team up for an amazing Don't Fall into Closet Clutter contest. Make sure you watch your email for contest details and a chance to win a complete closet makeover.
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Family Meal Planning  One of the best things about my day is the time when my family sits down together to eat. I enjoy experimenting with new recipes, but I also like not having to think about what's for dinner. I need something that will tell me what to buy, how to cook it, and give me a shopping list to take to the grocery. I highly recommend E-Mealz and so does Financial Coach Dave Ramsey. If you would like to check out this meal planning site, click on the link above. It will take you to our Get Organized! page with more information on E-Mealz located at the bottom of the page. |
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Get Organized! has an opening for a mom who would like to work as an organizer on our growing team. If you are interested in working part-time hours with a flexible schedule, then read the job description below.
Self starter, over achiever, independent worker, great time management skills, savvy technology skills with iPhone and apps, background in business organizing, handy with tools,
and able to do simple handiwork jobs.
Ideally the person would live in the Plano, Garland, Richardson, Murphy area. Must be available to work 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. on scheduled days in most cases.
This position requires you to be a mom, since we believe it gives you an understanding of how a home functions with children. If interested, please fill out an application and send an email to Info@GetOrganized.ws. |
Win a $25 Gift Certificate
Forward this newsletter to your friends and family and you will be entered for a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate to Assure Self Storage with 21 locations in the DFW area. Use to purchase boxes and packing supplies.
Consider this company if you are moving this summer and need a holding unit for your items or if you have a boat or camper that needs parking.
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 It's always a great idea to keep your vehicle stocked with items you might need in an emergency situation.
Recently, I had a flat tire about an hour away from home and was so thankful for my advance planning.
First, I have a AAA (American Automobile Association) membership that I have had since my first car at age 16. I've used it so many times over the years that it's been well worth the cost.
I called AAA on my cell phone and headed off for a bite to eat while I awaited their arrival. Once the gentleman showed up (pictured above) he changed the flat and was ready to place the tire in my car.
I happily pulled out the old sheet I keep in my car for various reasons. It protects my carpet when I carry home plants from the nursery or in this case preventing a dirty tire from staining the carpet. As you can see from the picture to the right my carpets were well protected.
Next, I searched for the nearest Discount Tire on my GPS. Once there, I spent the next two hours taking care of business, scheduling appointments, cleaning out my coupons, and working on my grocery list.
Which brings me to my last point... always have projects with you to work on when you are out and about. You never know when you might have down time to get some much needed work done.
Next month in our August "GO Newsletter", I will have another full article on organizing your car. Check back to learn some secrets from a professional organizer. |
Apps to Try
Here are a few suggested apps for varies phones. See if any of the functions will help with your organizational challenges.
CraigsPro - Quickly upload any item you would like to place on Craigslist.
Sky Wallet - This app for Windows Mobile 7 Phone is not just a password organizer but keeps credit card numbers, expiration dates, pin numbers, frequent flyer numbers and more all using a military-grade algorithm.
Shared Shopping List - Keep all the stores you frequent in this app with a list of what you need at each one. This is great for families, as everyone can access the app from their own phone and add to the list at any time.
Remember the Milk - Organize your list by location or tags. This popular task management app will even allow you to check off completed tasks, allowing you a great feeling of accomplishment.
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Savvy Ways
to Save
Free Classes for
Sports Enthusiasts
Did you know that REI has clinics and classes in the Plano and Dallas area that are FREE? These classes are geared for the outdoor lover. Classes include: Paddle Sport, Rock Climbing, Bike Maintenance, Backpacking Basics and more.
Go to
www.REI.com/Plano
or
www.REI.com/Dallas
for more information.
If you are not in the DFW area, check for an REI location in your area or classes at other sporting good stores.
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PlumLifeTM is a calendar system different and better than other scheduling programs because it was designed under the belief that everything in life
is related.
Their fundamental belief:
The calendar is the center
for life at home.
Their goal:
To create a calendar system that has a place for everything in one place.
With PlumLife, the calendar is central. Contacts, maps, and global search engines are then all linked together.
The workspace is key to seeing your entire world "live" AND all in one place.
We invite you to take a FREE 30 day trial with PlumLife.
If you need more personal instruction on setup or coaching on time management, please contact Get Organized! today for a two hour coaching session.
Contact us for a FREE promo code. |
Get Your Carpets Cleaned!
Get Organized! only recommends Cornerstone Chem-Dry. Chem-Dry is our exclusive partner
for the services listed below,
and we proudly recommend them to our clients.
Carpets, oriental and area rugs, tile and grout cleaning and sealing, carpet repairs, stretching, leather cleaning and repairs, upholstery cleaning, 24 hour water damage restoration, and pet urine removal and treatment.
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Need a Realtor?
4 Free Organizing Hours or 2 Free Hours of Staging with Service
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Need a House Cleaning Service for your Home?
Get Organized! uses Shine Cleaning Company.
Maid Services
Fridge cleaned
Blinds and baseboards
Bathrooms
Kitchen
Dusting
Dusting Woodwork
Windows
Change Bedding
Laundry and more...
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Need a storage unit for all that furniture you have inherited? Or maybe you need a place to keep the overflow of your home?
We recommend
Assured Self Storage
They have 21 locations in the DFW area.
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If a thief broke into your home, could you prove what they took? For a small investment,
you can have your entire home inventoried. The professionals at Home Inventory Experts will take photos, log serial numbers,
and gather other important information for you. They will then create a personalized inventory of the contents of your home. Call them today! It's a small price to pay for huge returns. |
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Do you want to learn how to use ebay? Are you ready to make some money by selling items you no longer want?
Pricing
Navigation
Paypal
Uploading
Ratings
and more
If you have items in your home you want to sell on ebay for some quick cash, but are not sure how, contact Lori Dwight today and let her know Get Organized! sent you.
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