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 We knew it was over the moment that groundhog reared it's furry little head. The chilly mornings, the sheepskin boots ~ soon to be fleeting memories as March sets to bloom. Yes, JABBERS, it's nearly springtime! And with it, we welcome a season of projects and planning, of renewal and awakening. But if at the first thought of spring all you think of is cleaning ~ and dread it ~ then this is the issue for you. In our first special feature of the year, Organize This!, Team JAB collaborated with the author of the newly-released book, Secrets of an Organized Mom, Barbara Reich, to help five JABBERS solve the specific household dilemmas they face this spring and to inspire the rest of us while we work to wrap up winter. Working with Barbara was a pleasure and afforded us the opportunity to learn more
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Barbara Reich
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about this remarkable woman. Now a nationally-recognized professional organizer, New York Times contributor and published author, Barbara grew up in North Miami Beach. She fondly recalled her days at play feeding ducks and rolling down the big hill in Greynolds Park, and sunbathing on Hollywood Beach while a student at North Miami Beach Senior High School . She's also a JABBER. And like all good JABBERS, she gives and she receives. So as Barbara Reich applied her expertise to our organizational dilemmas, Team JAB asks you to apply your expertise in all things Boca to help Barbara plan her next visit (please see her post below). We hope you enjoy this issue of JustAskBoo Ft. Lauderdale. Send us your feedback HERE. Happy organizing and Happy JABBING! - Team JAB |
La Vida Boca
From Barbara Reich: REPLY When I visit Florida, I usually stay in Boca Raton, and I am always on the lookout for great new restaurants and spas. Any recommendations are welcome! Thank you, JABBERS!
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 Hoops and Hilarity - Live Entertainment for All Ages!They say basketball is poetry in motion ~ and if that's the case, then the Harlem Globetrotters are its Nobel Laureates. Catch these pros in action at AmericanAirlines Arena on Sunday, March 3 with a special deal for JABBERS. The action tips off at 4 pm with the time-honored history of exhibition basketball in a family-friendly atmosphere ~ and with a 98.5% winning percentage you know they're good at it. Click HERE to purchase discounted tickets.
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Commend Your Contractor
From Veronica McNab: REPLY We found the home of our dreams in Parkland! I would like to meet with a contractor to discuss making changes to the home prior to move in. Do you have a professional to recommend? We are new to the area and trust your referrals! Thanks!
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A Concrete Answer
Do you have personal experience with a company that installs asphalt or concrete driveways? If you were happy with the work, I would love to hear about the company as I have two driveways that need to be replaced. Many thanks.
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In the News with Boo!
 From Team JAB JABBERS, we love to read about Boo! This week's Business Monday section of The Miami Herald featured an interview with JAB Founder Boo Zamek to discuss the company's developments during this milestone year. JustAskBoo is the 2009 winner of the Miami Herald Business Plan Challenge. To read the full interview, click HERE.
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Car Connection
From Wendy Johnson: REPLY I would like to purchase a nice vehicle from a private owner. If you are looking to get something new and have a car to sell, please let me know. I welcome all replies ~ make and model are not important.
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School's Out for Summer!
From Team JAB
 Does the thought of three months without school trigger cold sweats and heart palpitations? Team JAB to the rescue! Mark your calendars for March 14, when JAB Ft. Lauderdale publishes its summer camp-themed issue, packed with great ideas for summer fun. And if you would like to tell our readers about your summer camp or activity, Team JAB can help you too! Just email us HERE by Friday, March 8. Happy camping and Happy JABBING!
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Wild Wild West
From Emily Hinsdale: REPLY I am determined to get my Florida kids some good Western time! Can anyone recommend a nice place in Colorado to rent a cabin this summer? I would prefer locations somewhere in the Southern part of the state. Thanks so much!
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 Thank You for Paying Attention
From Anonymous
Looking for answers on how to help my son, I recently asked JABBERS to share their experience with managing their child's ADHD. By the time I got to work in the morning, my inbox was filled with advice and personal stories that helped me to make an important decision. I appreciate you taking the time to reach out to me. My entire family thanks you!
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Hot for CoolSculpting
From Susu Kittredge: REPLY I am a senior considering CoolSculpting on my stomach and love handles. I already have a dermatologist that I am working with, but I am would love to hear about your experiences with the procedure. Any advice or recommendations are welcome! Thank you in advance.
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Is There a Doctor in the House?
From Mayuli Betancourt: REPLY My husband and I are looking for a new primary care physician. Can you recommend a fantastic doctor in the Weston, Pembroke Pines, or Miramar areas? Your input is greatly appreciated!
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This is what you have been waiting for, JABBERS. Since the beginning of the year, JustAskBoo readers have been submitting their household organizational dilemmas to Team JAB for solving by professional organizer Barbara Reich. Here are five of our favorites.
Start Your Engines
From Gloria Mallardi
I am surrounded by stuff - toys, clothes, papers, books, every room in the house needs a spring cleaning! I am completely overwhelmed, I don't even know where to begin. Can you help me get started?
What you have to do is just get started. Pick the project that you find least daunting - something small. Maybe just a single drawer, a small toy box, or one book shelf, but simply focus on one area and ensure that you finish it completely. A very important part of this is giving yourself enough time to get the job done. Don't try to accomplish this project in five or ten minute increments because you don't want to leave a project unfinished. Make an appointment in your calendar, write it down, and commit to the time as if you have an organizer visiting your home. As soon as you finish the first task, schedule your next appointment with yourself to ensure you keep the process moving. When you have finished one small task, you'll feel invigorated to do a slightly more challenging task the next time, and build your way up from there.
It's in the Bag
From Victoria Assa
My handbags are suffering in my overstuffed closet. I need a better system to store and preserve them. Is it better to hang them on hooks, stuff them and place them upright on a shelf, or lay them flat?
Stuff your bulkier purses with tissue paper to maintain their shape. Place them upright on a shelf in your closet. Don't hang them on hooks, as that could dent the straps on the bags you rarely use. For bags that don't sit upright, lay them flat.
Paper Pusher From Lynne Moore Help! I have one counter in the kitchen that just begs to be covered in piles of paper. The mail stacks up, field trip forms, kids' spelling tests, coupons! I've tried letter trays, etc. I just can't figure out how to tackle it!Start by throwing away nonessential mail as soon as you get it. This includes solicitations, catalogues, and junk mail. Have a separate place, a bin or folder, for bills. Field trip forms should immediately be filled out and placed back into your child's backpack. Spelling tests, homework, and worksheets should all be discarded immediately. The only schoolwork that should be saved is your child's creative writing. Put any coupons straight into your wallet or purse; they won't do you any good sitting on the counter at home!
Top Drawer
From Holly Giovannetti
What is the best way to organize spatulas, ladles, measuring spoons, ice cream scoops and all the other miscellaneous kitchen utensils? Countertop storage isn't an option ~ I've been tossing them into one large drawer, so I have to dig through to find what I am looking for! There has to be a better way!First, discard any of these items that are superfluous. How many ice cream scoopers and spatulas do you really need? For the remaining items, if you need to use a drawer to store them, the best option is an expandable drawer organizer, to fit these awkwardly sized items. Try something like THIS. Garage Banned From Inge KersterThe garage is a wreck. Besides everything I used to store in a basement (off-season clothing, sports equipment, holiday decorations), the freezer, the trash and recycling between pick-up days, the washer and dryer, and the hurricane shutters, the only thing the garage isn't housing is a car. Do I give up and repurpose the space officially, or is there hope? There is always hope. Think about the garage as another room in the house and try to treat it as such. Invest in industrial shelves to line the walls and store all your basement essentials on them. The freezer, washer, dryer, and garbage pails should be the only things not on the shelves ~ they should be lined up neatly against the wall, leaving plenty of room in the center.
To purchase a copy of Barbara's newly released book, Secrets of an Organized Mom , click HERE.
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 Organize This! From Team JAB JABBERS, it's your turn. We invite you to share your spring cleaning and organizational advice with us to include in an upcoming issue. If you have tips and tricks to share, please email us HERE. Thanks!
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Hunting for a Housekeeper
From Caroline Keough: REPLY
I am looking for someone to come and clean my Hallendale Beach condo weekly or bi-monthly, preferably in the early evenings or on weekends. I am still new to the area and am wary of leaving a stranger alone in my condo. If you have a trustworthy recommendation to provide, please reply. Thanks so much.
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I Need a Cleaning Lady
I would like to hire a reliable cleaning lady to do all the deep cleaning in my Pembroke Pines house once a week. Thank you for your references!
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Help the Home
I am seeking an English-speaking person to take care of animals and do housekeeping while my husband and I are at work. I live in Parkland and need this person three days a week for five to six hours.
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Find Me a Full-time Nanny
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I Need a Nanny
Do you have a nanny that you love but no longer need? We would like to interview wonderful, trustworthy individuals to look after our six- and four-year-old children. The placement is full time and live out, and candidates must speak English. We are requesting referrals only, no self-promotions. Thank you!
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Camp Counsel
From Team JAB
 JABBERS, we want to hear from you! If your child has been to sleepaway camp, what is one thing you always packed in his or her trunk (aside from basic clothes and toiletries)? Whether it's a memento to make them think of home, special stationery, medical supplies, a warm blanket or even a secret stash of Mad Libs ~ we want to know what you packed and why it's so important to your child. Email us HERE. Happy JABBING!
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Get Me to the Geek
From Heather Reffaie: REPLY
Our home computers have slowed to a crawl and we lose our internet connection constantly. It's time to bring in a professional. Do you have a reliable computer specialist to recommend? Please help get my family back online! Thanks in advance.
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 Stokke Highchair For Sale
From Rachael Hodyno: REPLY
Help me de-baby the home! One black Stokke Tripp Trapp highchair for sale, including infant support and blue and white striped textiles. Paid over $300, asking $100.*
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Eager for an Electric Scooter
From Margie Martinez: REPLY
I would like to purchase an electric scooter for someone who is no longer able to walk on her own. If you have one to sell, please contact me. Thank you.
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 A Place for Everything, Everything in its Place
From Team JAB
Where else would one keep those special nuggets of information on the best contractors, professional organizers, or travel destinations? Since we launched in 2010, we have been gathering resources and recommendations that JABBERS have shared, and organizing them into comprehensive categories in the JAB Treasure Chest ~ one more way we get JABBERS to the best of everything in Broward and beyond. And like the newsletter, it's fast and easy to use. Our technical wizards are getting it ready for you to use very soon, so keep an eye out!
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So How Do I JAB, Anyway?
POST TO A NEWSLETTER
"Does anyone know of a good... ?" If you're looking for a personal recommendation, need advice, would like to sell something, or have news you want to shout from the mountain tops, just click on the link www.JustAskBoo.com/post and we'll help you out.
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TALK TO US
Questions, comments, letters to the editor? Contact Managing Editor Rachael Hodyno by sending an email HERE.
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