Get Organized Now! Weblog

ICE Could Save a Life

Most everyone carries a cell phone these days. It's a good thing, especially when it comes to emergencies.

Stranded on the road? You can now get emergency services to help you out. Get in a fender-bender? Police can be called immediately.

But what happens when there is a more serious emergency and you are unable to dial your cell phone? In this case, it's very important that emergency contact information be stored in your cell phone address book. The first listing emergency personnel will look for is ICE.

ICE, in the medical field, stands for 'In Case of Emergency.' In the event of an emergency, an EMS (Emergency Medical Service) person can skim through your cell phone's address book and locate an emergency contact quickly. This way, one of your loved ones, or someone who can help, can be contacted.

ICE is programmed into both Joe's (my husband) cell phone and my cell phone, and I also have it in our paper address book at home. In Joe's cell phone, I programmed our home number, my cell number and a neighbor's number. In my cell phone, I programmed our home number, Joe's cell number and a neighbor's number.

All of these are listed under the ICE heading. If you can't program several numbers under one heading, you can always title your two or three emergency contact numbers, ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3.

These emergency numbers are also indicated on a paper attached to my fridge, along with our family medications (which are also stored in our wallets).

Nobody ever wants anything bad to happen, and hopefully it never does. But in the case of an emergency, it's always best to be both organized and prepared.

Magazines and the Inevitable Onslaught of Renewal Notices

When my mail arrived yesterday, I received renewal notices for three of my magazine subscriptions, each giving me a special offer if I renewed my subscription for another year or two.

One offered two years for the price of one, one proposed a special discount, and the third offered a free gift subscription for a friend, all with my paid subscription renewals.

While I read and enjoy the magazines I'm currently receiving, my interests do tend to change over the years. For instance, when my husband and I first built our home, I was really into home decorating magazines. My interest has lightened up a bit in that area now that we're done decorating our home for awhile, and now I'm very interested in scrapbooking and card making.

Therefore, I'm hesitant to renew my subscriptions too far in advance. I don't want to end up paying for and receiving a magazine in the future that I will rarely or never read.

Actually, magazines know that people's interests change. That's one of the reasons why they send out their renewal notices early in the first place--to get you to renew while you're still interested.

Magazines Are Smart, But Tricky
When most people receive a renewal notice, they understandably assume that their subscription is about to run out, and that they must renew now if they want to continue receiving it.

But actually, most magazines send out renewal notices very early, often YEARS before your subscription is actually due to expire. That is tricky, isn't it?

As a matter of fact, one of my associates unknowingly renewed her business magazine subscription all the way up to 2014!

Did you know, however, that you can tell when your subscription really runs out by looking at the area of your magazine where your name and address information is printed? It's usually on the cover and is either a stuck-on label, or is printed right on the magazine in a white box.

Sometimes the information is cleverly hidden, but if you take a good look, you're almost certain to find this information.

For instance, on my Real Simple Magazine label, there is an area that reads

401WI00 A JUL 12 0019# 129946-06

Do you see the JUL 12 in there? That means I'm paid up until July 2012. And they're asking me to renew today.

On my Newsweek Magazine, it reads

#NWM0114063001/9#76 14AUG13 N1 R

If you look closely, you'll see I'm paid up until August 14, 2013 (14AUG06). And they're asking me to renew today.

On my Woman's Day Magazine, it reads

#6AC0611A095 1#750328 4Y AP1 13

Can you guess what the AP1 12 means? That code signifies that I'm paid up through April 1, 2013. And did you guess? They're asking me to renew today too. That's clearly two long years before my current subscription ends.

Therefore, whenever I receive a renewal notice, I always take a look at the latest magazine to determine if my subscription is actually coming to an end, or if the magazine is just trying to get me to renew years earlier than I want to.

If it's the latter, I just recycle the renewal notice. I don't renew unless I'm a few months away from expiration. In waiting, I can decide if I'm still interested in reading that magazine and if so, I can just send in my renewal notice then. Otherwise, I can just allow the subscription to run out.

Also, I want to mention that some magazines are even trickier. For instance, Better Homes and Gardens sends my magazine in a plastic sleeve. The address and subscription information is on the plastic sleeve which promptly gets tossed in the trash--which means I don't have access to the information I need. What I do in this situation is write the expiration date on the back cover of my magazine before I throw the sleeve away, so if I do get a renewal notice in the mail, I will know when the subscription is actually coming to an end.

With this information, you'll have the knowledge you need to renew when you want to.


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Take Time

Take Time Take time to work.
I It is the price of success.

Take time to think.
It is the source of power.

Take time to play.
It is the secret of perpetual youth.

Take time to read.
It is the foundation of wisdom.

Take time to worship.
It is the highway to reverence.

Take time to be friendly.
It is the road to happiness.

Take time to dream.
It is hitching your wagon to a star.

Take time to love and be loved.
It is the privilege of life.

Take time to look around.
It is too short a day to be selfish.

Take time to laugh.
It is the music of the soul.

--Old English Prayer

Stay Organized with the '5 File Folders a Day' System

One of my pet peeves is trying to retrieve a sheet of paper from an overstuffed-to-the-max file drawer. That's why I weed out my filing system on a daily basis.

I simply choose just 5 file folders a day and spend a few minutes flipping through each. Papers that are outdated and/or I no longer need, are immediately recycled (papers containing any personal information are shredded first.)

This takes me all of 2 minutes to accomplish and it ensures that the filing system is truly being maintained for maximum organization. It also helps me avoid hours of work at one time.

Cold Outside? Think Spring!

This past weekend in Wisconsin was COLD! As I watched the thermometer drop well below zero, I started to warm up immediately with thoughts of spring weather ahead.

Here are a few things I did to 'warm up' this weekend...

1) I went into the garage and organized my potting containers by style and size. I also researched some new plants I'd like in my front yard come spring.

2) I ordered some new spring outfits online. They'll be here and ready for upcoming spring events--just around the corner.

3) I made a list of places our family can visit this spring. Lots of outdoors activities so we can enjoy each other, AND the fresh air!

4) I added an extra-morning of exercise to my weekly exercise routine. There's no time like today to start getting in shape for the season of shorts--and bathing suits to soon follow.

5) I started some spring craft projects. I'm sewing up some new pillows and tote bags.

Remember, as the old proverb goes, 'No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.'

Keeping Track of Cookbook Recipes

I have dozens of beautiful cookbooks and I use them all the time. Some of them have provided recipes that are now 'regulars' that we eat fairly often. I've found others that make great potluck dishes or holiday treats.

Since many of these books are so lovely, I can't make written notes in them. I just can't bear the thought of 'writing' in my cookbooks.

BUT, it is important to a) remember those dishes that I've already attempted to make, b) remember anything I did to deviate from the ingredients or steps and c) whether or not we enjoyed that recipe enough to make again.

Using my computer, I make a 'Cheat Sheet' for each of my cookbooks AND an additional running index.

The cheat sheet is one piece of paper (printed from an Excel spreadsheet I created) that lists each recipe I've made in that book, the page it's on, notes, and a rating...10 equals LOVED it and 1 equals hated it. That page is folded to fit and is inserted in between the front cover and the first page of each cookbook.

In addition, I created a 5 column spreadsheet called 'Recipes to Make Again' that lists recipes, recipe categories, quick descriptions, cookbook titles and page numbers. This is a running list that I store on my computer and can open any time. If I'm searching for chicken, I just use my 'Find' feature and I can easily find what I'm looking for. I also like the fact that I can sort by category, cookbook, etc. as needed.

My 'cookbook system' has made it so easy for me to find exactly what I'm looking for and to ensure I don't make a recipe we didn't like...twice.

Getting Thank You Notes Out in a Timely Manner

Most people will agree that a Thank You note is a must after someone has given you a gift. It's a rule of etiquette that has been around forever, and it's a lovely and gracious way of expressing how grateful you are that someone thought of you.

But, with all the To Do's on your list, how do make the time to get those thank you notes out in a timely manner? Here are 5 things that I do...

1) Always have Thank You cards (or nice stationery) on hand. This is a must! If you actually have to go to the store or make a card, chances are the card is going to be sent out very late, if at all. Buy generic thank you cards and always have a batch on hand. Even if you enjoy making your own cards, unless you always have 10 or more on hand, having some generic standbys will ensure your Thank You's go out immediately. By the way, same goes for having postage on hand.

2) Send it out the same day you get the gift. While the gift and the occasion for which you were given the gift is fresh in your mind, this is the perfect time to jot a few words of appreciation and get the card done, stamped and mailed right then and there.

3) In some cases, like for wedding gifts or funeral thank you's, you won't be able to get your cards out that day. In those cases, you do have some extra time. When you're ready, determine how many need to go out, and how many you can-- realistically--get out each day. For example, 20 cards divided by 5 days equals 4 cards per day. Once you're at this point, just write them out a few at a time--each day-- until you're done. To give yourself some assistance with large batches of thank you cards, print out mailing labels so you don't have to hand address each envelope.

4) Get a book that gives you ideas on how to say thank you gracefully. This way, you won't be staring at a blank thank you card forever, at a loss for words.

5) When opening gifts from lots of different people, like at a birthday party, be sure to ask someone to log the gifts and who gave them as they're being opened. You'll then be about to easily personalize your thank you's and be specific to your giver, rather than the more general and less appreciative, 'thanks for the gift' (whatever it was) card. This also reduces the chances of your thank you card going out late because you're still trying to remember what that person gave you.

Serving Ice Cream at an Upcoming Party?

Serving ice cream at an upcoming party? Begin scooping before the party begins!

Grab a cupcake tin and line it with paper baking cups. Scoop an appropriate amount of ice cream into each. Each cup is one serving.

When they're all filled, pop the tin back into the freezer for several hours. When it's time for ice cream, just hand out the pre-portioned cups and you're done!

Added benefits: Nobody having to wait (and whine) for ice cream AND the ability to have individual servings of any flavor at your supermarket!

My New Year's Resolutions

A big part of getting organized is ensuring that you're doing the things that will help you to grow as a person, and to ensure you feel good about yourself each day.

Each year, I come up with 10 personal New Year's Resolutions, which are listed below in no particular order. Some are new; some have been on my list for years and act as constant reminders.

I post them in a prominent place, and I make sure to do something each day that allows me to say that I did something I promised myself I would do.

(Note: I always come up with business-related New Year's Resolutions in addition, that are not listed here.)

1) Learn how to follow and apply a simple sewing pattern.

2) Learn how to read basic music notes and play a minimum of one song each month on our new piano.

3) Make a minimum of one new recipe each week.

4) Work out a minimum of 3 times each week for at least one hour each.

5) Commit to no more than 'one' (non-family) social activity per week.

6) Send one unexpected letter, card or gift each month to make someone's day.

7) Scrapbook no less than once each week.

8) Spend an hour or more each weeknight with my husband and daughter, just doing something relaxing and fun, in addition to our weekend time.

9) Do something educational and/or cultural--music, theater, museum, etc.--once each month.

10) Organize, or re-organize, something, even if for only 10 minutes per day.

It is recommended that you come up with your own list, and post this list somewhere that you're sure to see every single day.

Your New Year's Resolutions will help you identify the path you want to take in life, will keep you on track, and will help you enjoy life along the way.

If you make your resolutions, and you realize along the way that you haven't been keeping up with them, don't give up. Just start again. It doesn't have to be January 1st for you to get a fresh, new start. Unwrap each day like the gift that it is.

Wishing you and your family a happy, organized New Year 2011!

Sometimes it's OK to take a Shortcut

The other night, Joe and I got together with three other couples to celebrate the holidays. We stopped at each of our homes to enjoy appetizers, holiday decorations and the company of good friends.

Normally, I use my best dishes and glassware, pretty linen napkins, along with all my festive serving dishes and so on.

But this year, things have been especially hectic with work projects, school programs and the holidays.

So in the name of sanity, for this celebration, we ended up using disposable dishes, cups and napkins. Clean up was a breeze and it was a sigh of relief not to have to end our evening with cleaning tasks.

This serves as a reminder that while it's lovely to go all out (which we do tend to do most of the time), once in awhile we all need a shortcut.

Besides, the evening was about being with our friends, which we thoroughly enjoyed!

Give yourself some breaks this holiday season and take some shortcuts when the opportunity arises.