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PC Keyboard Shortcuts
Click on the link below to find some keyboard shortcuts that will buy you some extra seconds while working on your PC. They are all things you do with your mouse anyway, but if you can memorize some of them you may be able to speed things up a bit especially with your laptop.
Click the picture below, print and post with your computer and try making them part of your daily habits.
Reduce Junk Mail
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Estate Planning Checklist
None of us like to think about dying -- but planning ahead is a much better option than leaving your most important decisions to your loved ones. Making a will ensures that what assets you do have will be distributed as you wish - saving time, controversy, and unnecessary expense.
Do your family a favor and provide them with peace of mind by getting your affairs in order while you are still able to make your own decisions.
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Process For Setting Goals Maybe your resolutions have always fallen flat, and like me you just stopped making them. You do, however, need to set goals in order to know where you are heading and how you are going to get there. You can't just punch this in your GPS and expect to get directions, so you'll have to do a little work.
When we are working with a client on organizing, we first start with the Productive Environment Process™. I believe with a few modifications the same method will work great for goal setting. Click on the link below, print, and fill it out. Now post it or keep it somewhere you can see it. Re-evaluate the process and don't hesitate to modify when you see things are not working as you originally planned. Celebrate your successes.
Click here for a copy of the Worksheet on Setting Goals.
House Rules:
If you take it out, put it back.
If you carry it in, carry it out.
If you borrow it, return it.
If you open it, close it.
If you throw it down, pick it up.
If you take it off, hang it up.
If you break it, fix it.
If you follow the rules, no fussing.
No fussing...calm.
The House thanks you!
Click here for a sign to remind the people in your home.
Are your countertops full of paper?
Now is the time to take control of this new flow of papers. You’ll want to keep a lot of these papers handy for reference later, as well as have a place for future papers to go. Some of the things you will want to keep are your child’s class schedule, contact information for teachers and homework buddies, syllabus information, school calendar and school policies. You can accomplish this in a couple of ways. It really depends on what works best for you. You may want to set up a binder for the information or a small file box to drop the info into. You will want to add any communication to/from the school or teacher throughout the year. If you choose the file box, this may be a good location to also set up an In file and Out file for papers and permission slips that need to be signed and returned. Teach your child how to use the In/Out system so the flow will be consistent.
Bring Green Into Your Home:
I have always believed that houseplants brighten up your home with color and living energy, so I was thrilled when I found out they can also do so much more. They can bring real health benefits to your body like reducing stress and keeping the air clean.
Snake Plant or
Mother-In-Law Golden Pothos
Tongue Plant Gerbera Daisy Christmas Cactus Or Devil's Ivey Mauna Loa
A NASA study found that common house plants could improve air quality. In fact, their study reported that houseplants were able to remove up to 87 percent of air toxins in 24 hours. Their recommendation is to use 15 to 18 "good-sized" house plants in 6- to 8-inch diameter containers for an 1,800 square-foot house.
Plants can remove a variety of toxic air emissions including ammonia, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, benzene, xylene and trichloroethytene.
An good resource for anyone who's serious about using plants to help clean their air is How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 Houseplants That Purify Your Home or Office.
Stress Management Tip #1: Make Time for Yourself
Make an appointment with yourself, schedule your special time to relax, and make it a priority. It would
be ideal if you could find 20-30 minutes a day doing something you really wanted to do. The payoff...you
will feel refreshed and rejuvenated. You will be more of a help to others when you take care of yourself!
Stress Management Tip #2: Schedule Worry Time
Some stressors, of course, demand immediate attention, but many stressors can be dealt with at a later time, when it's more convenient for you. Take a page out of the book, Gone With The Wind, and be like Scarlett O'Hara. She would say, “I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow.” Deal with the stressor when the time is right, so you are in control.
Stress Management Tip #3: Laugh More
You know you've heard it before, but it is true...laughter really is the best medicine. Studies show that a smile elicits positive physical impacts on the body. So, go ahead and smile and laugh often!
Contain Your Wrapping Supplies
Create a gift wrapping center or area that is accessible to everyone in the family. Include all of the essentials that you need to wrap presents. (wrapping paper, tissue paper, gift bags, gift tags, ribbon, bows, tape, pens, scissors)
I like to use a large basket or baskets that I sit on the floor in the family room. The downside is that you do have to keep it straightened, since it is out in the open.
Make a wrapping station in your closet that can be used all year long. You will need skirt hangers, a tiered pant hanger, a clear hanging shoe organizer, and a tall basket, bin, or something to coral the rolls of paper.
Hang the handles of the gift bags over the clips of the skirt hanger. You can also hang sheets of paper from the clips on the skirt hangers.
- Use a tiered pant hanger and slide the spools of ribbon on the top arm. Fold tissue paper or sheets of wrapping paper over the other arms of the hanger.
- Put the scissors, tape, gift tags, premade bows and other decorating supplies inside the shoe compartments.
- Store the tubes of wrapping paper in the tall bin or basket. In the picture to the left, I used an iron plant stand to coral the rolls of paper. It actually had slots perfect for keeping the rolls in place.
- There are also a variety of wrapping paper stations that you can purchase.
- Hanging Gift Wrap Organizer ($24.99, www.Target.com)
- Canvas Bag Organizer (Set of 2, $18, www.walmart.com)
- Under-The-Bed (Set of Two, $49.99, www.target.com)
- Portable Wrapping Station ($99, www.containerstore.com)
Simple Ways To Save Money In Your Home 
If you have the choice of turning on a desktop computer or a laptop, choose the laptop. You also may want to think laptop when purchasing a new computer. Laptops draw only 15-25 watts during regular use as compared to 150 watts used by a desktop.
- Plug electronics into a power strip, so you can turn everything off at once.
Preparedness In Your Home
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security sponsers this month of preparedness to raise awareness about the different kinds of threats to our safety and their potential impact. NPM aims to encourage communities and individuals to support each other and to make plans for any possible disaster. The goal is to remind Americans to expect the unexpected, to get ready and to be ready no matter what. The "Steps to Safety" listed below are taken from the American Red Cross website on Preparing for Disaster. (www.redcross.org)
1. Be Aware of What Could Happen to You
- Contact your local Red Cross chapter or emergency management office before a disaster occurs and find out what types of disasters are most likely to happen in your area. Request information on how to prepare for each.
- Learn about your community's warning signals: what they sound like and what you should do when you hear them.
- Ask about animal care after a disaster. Animals are generally not allowed inside emergency shelters because of health regulations.
- Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons, if needed.
- Find out about the disaster plans at the other places where your family spends time.
2. Create a Disaster Plan
- Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather, and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.
- Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
- Pick two places to meet:
1. Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
2. Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.
- Ask an out-of-state friend to be your "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact's phone number.
- Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.
3. Complete This Checklist
- Post emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.).
- Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical Services number for emergency help.
- Show each family member how and when to turn off the utilities (water, gas, and electricity) at the main switches.
- Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
- Train each family member on how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type), and show them where it's kept.
- Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
- Search for hazards in and around your home and make these areas safe.
- Stock emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.
- Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
- Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room.
- Find the safe places in your home for each type of disaster.
4. Practice and Maintain Your Plan
- Quiz your kids every six months or so.
- Conduct fire and emergency evacuations.
- Replace stored water and stored food every six months.
- Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
Tips For Making Your Day Run Smoother: 
1. Daily routines:
Establish daily routines for your family and bring order into your home. Setup a time for homework, chores, and don't forget "down" time. Give each person responsibilities to help with the household duties. Communicate the routine and responsibilities clearly. Post them in a central location. Be realistic when setting your family's routines and responsibilities.
2. A space for each person's daily belongings (backpack, lunchbox...)
Make this a convenient place by the door as you come and go. All items that will be used the next day need to be placed in this spot each evening before bed.
3. Family calendar
Put a calendar in a central location, so it can be seen by everyone. Designate a time that everyone in the family will get together to fill in their activities/appointments/deadlines for the week. This is also a good time for the family to come together and catch up on what is going on with everyone.
4. Family communication center
Create an area to help manage the flow of papers that come into your home. This can be a file box or stackable trays that are marked for each family member and for the actions that are required. (To Do, To Go, To File...) It gives you a convenient place to put the papers that come home such as permission slips, papers that need to be signed and returned, report cards, school information. Set aside a time each day to file the papers and/or deal with them. Depending on your child's age, they may be responsible for putting their papers in the appropriate file for action or the folder marked with their name.
5. School or office supply area
Designate an area to keep school supplies. In the same location, keep a bin to house things that may be needed for school projects. (egg cartons, styrofoam vegetable trays, the tube inside of a paper towel or toilet paper roll) Don’t go crazy and create clutter, just keep a few things in a bin that you know will come in handy for a project and replenish as they are used.
Please give us a call (813-685-9986) or send us an email, if we can assist you with setting up routines, a calendar, or a paper flow system for your family.
Tools Every Kitchen Needs:
1. Knives: It is better to purchase a few quality knives than a whole set of less expensive knives at once. You can start off
with a chef's knife and a paring knife, then add to your collection later.
2. A sauté pan, a 3 qt. sauce pan, and an 8 qt. stockpot.
3. Cutting Board: (separate ones for raw meat and vegetables). Different colored boards can be a good way to keep track of
which is for what food.
4. Whisk: Great for mixing a multitude of things.
5. Different sizes of ladels and spatulas.
6. Tongs: You can use to stir things or turn over hot food.
7. A cast iron skillet.
8. Baking sheets with one inch high sides.
9. Colander: I especially like the Oxo Good Grips stainless-steel colander.
10. A set of good bowls in a wide range of sizes.
Top Ten Ways Every Home Can Be Organized:
1. A calendar accessible to all family members
2. Action files, readily accessible:
To Pay
To File
To Go
To Do
Phone Lists
Coupons/Gift Certificates
3. Message center
4. Laundry basket
5. Trash can in every room
6. A shredder
7. Gift-wrap center
8. Mail center
9. Bins for small items
10. Drawer organizers