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Posted on Monday, July 25, 2011 9:24 AM
Parenting can be exhausting, and with today's busy lifestyles, we have even less time for ourselves. The best tip I was ever given on being a new parent was to take time for myself. Easier said than done, right? Well, being the organizer and scheduler that I am, I came up with the "Me Time Calandar." Using a basic calandar that my computer program supplied, I was able designate one weekday 3-hour block of "Me Time" for my husband and one for myself, as well as a rotating block of time for every other weekend. This is a good way for parents to recharge their batteries, and while one parent is relaxing, the other can take time to bond with the children. The calandar can also be used to designate family days or make a dinner schedule. One warning: create a schedule with the willingness of flexabilty. Not everything works out as planned, and sometimes things need to be rescheduled. Communication between parents is key, so tell your spouse if you need more time, and be patient when they need their space. My husband and I still butt heads from time to time, but I couldn't imagine what it would be like if we didn't have the "Me Time Calandar." It can work for you, too!
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Posted on Monday, June 13, 2011 7:51 AM
With all the rain we have received, some of our homes are suffering from a musty smell. Try these tips to help eliminate odors from around the house: Sprinkle baking soda on dry carpet, wait 30-40 minutes, and vacuum. Add baking soda to your sneakers and you can deodorize them at the same time! Place unwrapped soap bars, tea bags, or dryer sheets in drawers, suitcases, storage boxes, and at the bottom of garbage cans to get rid of stale odors. Freshen pillows by putting them in the dryer on a low setting for about 10 minutes with a damp wash cloth and a dryer sheet. Use citrus peels to deodorize your kitchen and help clean your garbage disposal.
There are a ton of great deodorizing items out there to help in your quest to freshen your home. However, using the items you have on hand is simple and can be just as effective.
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Posted on Thursday, April 21, 2011 6:07 AM
Yes, this month I would like to tackle the dreaded junk drawer. You know you have one, and don't think that just because it is called a "junk drawer" there cannot be order. With a couple of basic tools, you can transform the mess into an organized and functional space in a matter of minutes. Just follow these easy steps: Empty and Sort Dump everything in your junk drawer out into an old towel. This will prevent ink from old pens staining your carpet or items putting dings on your dining room table. Next, sort through the contents, discarding any trash or broken items. Place like items in groups and find another home for items that do not belong in this drawer. Clean the Drawer Depending on how neglected the drawer has been, a good scrub down is sure to be a good idea. Insert a Drawer Organizer If you do not wish to purchase a drawer organizer, you can use small cardboard jewelry boxes, exmpty bank check boxes, ice cube trays, baby food jars, or for those not-so-crowded drawers, plastic baggies. Now that everything has a place and is in it's place, you are sure to feel pretty good. However, you and everyone in the household must take responsiblity for it's upkeep. This drawer is meant to be a quick go-to spot for needed items, not a dumping ground for anything that you want to put out of sight for the time being.
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Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2011 9:25 AM
Spring cleaning is a time to open the windows, declutter, and start fresh. Tackling the big projects first is a good way to start, and what bigger project is there than closets? Every closet needs a good cleaning. Clothes and clutter can make it more disorganized than needed. A great way to start is by donating clothes you haven't worn in the last year. Not sure what clothing items that would include? Try turning all your hangers in the closet to face you; every time you wear something, put the hangar back in the closet facing away from you. Next year at spring cleaning time, you will know what you wore and what you should sell or donate. Do this every spring to make your closet cleaning a snap!
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Posted on Thursday, February 17, 2011 6:49 AM
Keys, keys and more keys! Today we have a key for eveything, and fumbling around trying to find the right one is almost a daily routine. If your keychain is as full as mine, you might want to try color-coding your keys with nail polish. It's so easy; just lay keys flat and apply a thick coat of a different shade to the top of each one. You will be able to distinguish between your keys and look stylish at the same time!
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Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2011 8:10 AM
Flowers are among the most popular ways to show your Valentine that you care. However, those bouquets can come with a big price tag and may only last a few days. To help keep your blooms looking fresh, the most important thing to do is to make a fresh cut on the stems right away and then again every couple of days. By cutting at an angle about ½-inch up the stem, you'll let as much water in as possible to keep the flower hydrated. Those packets of fresh flower food will also help extend the life of your bouquet.
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