New Calendar...in July?

Normally people think of switching calendars in January-- the beginning of the year. Of course, when you go shopping, those are typically the calendars that are readily available.

However, this isn't always the best course of action. For instance, I just haven't been overly satisfied with my January through December paper calendar.

Since my daughter is in grade school, many of the appointments, events, vacations, etc. that we schedule, revolve around the school year.

After searching online, I came across a calendar I feel I'm going to be very satisfied with. It's actually an 'academic' version that runs from July 2009 through mid- August 2010. I already have dates scheduled in it for the school year ahead.

I also like the format of it better. My current calendar shows a full week on one page--this is condensed, but cannot, any longer, properly fit all of my scheduled appointments and events.

The new calendar shows a week spread across two pages. Each date has a box with approximately 20 lines--leaving me plenty of room to fill in as needed (morning events at the top, afternoon events in the middle and evening events at the bottom). It also has a section for 'Quick Notes' that I like.

So, as of July, I'll be using the new calendar:

http://www.ataglance.com
Product 76-11-05

Is switching a calendar mid-year OK? Absolutely! If you're using something that's just not working as best as it could be, that's the time to begin looking for alternate solutions.

Remembering Stuff: Simple as a Steno Pad

Whenever I'm in a meeting or on a phone call, my trusty Steno Pad is opened and ready for me to jot down quick notes.

This pad of paper, originally designed for taking dictation in shorthand, is the perfect tool to hold all of your thoughts--so you don't need to keep them all in your head.

It's small enough to fit in my purse. The spiral binding allows for easy writing. The lined paper helps keep my thoughts organized and easy to find.

I simply open it up to a blank page, put a title on the top of the page (such as Home and School Meeting - May 2009, or Kitchen Cabinets Project Discussion with Contractor - June, 2009) and it's ready for any information I wish to recall later on.

The super-nice thing is that I can review my notes a few days later, and I'll know exactly where they are-- rather than jotting my thoughts on dozens of sticky notes that tend to easily get lost.

When the pad is full (for me--generally a month or two later), I quickly go through the pages and determine if any need to be kept. At that point, usually the task or project is done and the entire pad can be recycled. If I do need to keep a page, I tear it out and file it into my filing system.

Easy, quick, inexpensive and helpful!

What's In Your Purse?

A recent challenge on my web site was to 'weed out your purse or briefcase.' It's amazing how many items, one may be carrying around day-to-day, that never get used.

According to Kelley Styring, author of 'In Your Purse', the average bag weighs 3.4 pounds and contains 67 objects.

One of the first things I consider when purchasing a new purse, is the weight of the bag itself. I tend to gravitate towards lighter cloth purses (rather than leather) that do not have chain straps, metal hardware or otherwise heavy components. In addition, my wallet is small, cloth and lightweight.

To determine what you are using, insert a transparent plastic bag inside your purse. For two weeks, whatever you use gets inserted into the plastic bag. Whatever you don't use, just remains inside your purse outside of the plastic bag.

At the end of the two-week period, whatever is in your plastic bag should remain in your purse. The rest should be removed.

This list will give you an idea of the essentials for a typical purse:

--Your wallet (1 or 2 credit cards, ATM card, IDs, money and a few important photos if you wish)

--Your checkbook (only if you use it regularly)

--Your keys (I also have a few common store savings cards attached to my key chain)

--Eyeglasses, Sunglasses

--Cell Phone and/or PDA

--Lipstick and a small compact

--A hairbrush and/or comb (if you use it regularly)

--Floss (you never know when you'll need it!)

--Breath mints

--Small package of tissues

You may have one or two unconventional items in addition. For example, I keep a few crayons and some folded paper in a Ziplock for my daughter. She likes to color when we're in restaurants, waiting rooms, etc., and many establishments don't have these available for her.

At any rate, you'll be doing your back and shoulders a favor by lightening your load. Plus, you'll be able to more easily find things in a purse that's not overstuffed and overcrowded.

This Year's Easter Eggs Project

(Click photo to enlarge.)
Yesterday, Amanda and I dyed our Easter Eggs. We used the typical Paas kit and two dozen hard-boiled eggs to come up with our base colored eggs.

To hard-boil eggs perfectly, place your eggs carefully in a large pot in a single layer. Cover the eggs with water, approximately one inch higher than the eggs. Over medium-high heat, bring to a boil. Remove from heat and keep in hot pot for 12 minutes. Carefully transfer, one by one, to a bowl filled with ice water. Allow to cool for approximately 5 minutes. Dry each egg, and proceed to dying them.

After we followed the directions on the Paas box, and the dye was dried, we used assorted rub-ons (the same type you use for scrapbooking projects).

For a few of the eggs, we covered them with a thin layer of glue, and then sprinkled glitter on them. We then placed these into the circular cut-outs on the Paas box to dry.

Once dry, we decided to display the eggs in a large hurricane vase. We put a narrow vase in the middle of the larger vase, just to give us a cylinder to work around. Then, we added some shredded craft paper. Finally, we added the colored eggs, and a lace ribbon around the base.

We were very happy with the final result--which is now in the center of our dinette table and ready for the Easter Bunny's arrival.

Easter Treat Bags

(Click photo to enlarge.)
My 5-year old daughter, Amanda, loves when we spend time making cute, little gifts for her classmates. Since Easter is around the corner, I wanted an idea for a simple project that both of us could do together.

So, last week, I attended a Stampin' Up class being given by my good friend, Jane. In addition to the other class projects, she came up with the perfect solution. A little jelly bean treat bag.

To make it, I used a Stampin' Up die (Top Note Big Shot Bigz Die). I don't have the Big Shot tool, but I used my Cuddlebug--and that worked fine. Once cut, I folded it in half. I stamped the one half with an Easter stamp that Jane loaned me.

Then, Amanda and I colored each of stamped images with chalk using Q-tips--Amanda loved doing this!

Amanda then wrote her name on the other half of the folded die cut.

Finally, we put some jelly beans in small, resealable plastic bags, folded the die cut over the bag and stapled it to attach.

Amanda handed out the treats today, and the kids were thrilled. The best thing was, it only took us about an hour to make 20 of these Easter Treat Bags.