LIFE WITH LISTS- A NEED FOR ORGANIZATION

Everyone makes their own lists for shopping and organizing. We are told put everything in your cell phone. But having the list handwritten often stimulates the brain differently. It makes us pay attention. I put lists on my fridge. Like my outline for Thanksgiving. Checking off what I had bought and a reminder of what needed to be bought. A visual review!

Adolph still has the duty of reviewing the flyers and finding the sales and items needed. It saves time and allows me to do other things.
Lists tell a story about the person making them. Sometimes it is fun to find someone's list left on the ground and see what goes on in the world.
Do you make lists?
#listsinourlivesfororganization#listsonthefridge#itisstimulatingforthebrain#listshelpustostayorganized#whattocookfordinner#whatisneededforaspecialdinner

PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION-SOME THOUGHTS

Change brings some angst. So planning and more planning helps to put in place what really matters. The great thing about planning is the lack of real commitment. Make a list. Review the list. Decide what to keep and what to discard. The real investment comes when the plans are put to work. Of course, plans can change so having those backup plans. I usually have Plan A, Plan B and Plan C. So if one does not work out then well there is another way. Planning has given a sense of some organization in life. So do you plan? How do you commit to those plans? Or are you someone who just flies by the seat of your pants? Or a little of both??
#planningandorganization#planningworksforabetterfuture#realinvestmentsonourplans#organization

NOVEMBER-THE MONTH TO ORGANIZE FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

Planning. Organizing. Doing. November marks the beginning or the ongoing process of Christmas readiness. When are the local parades? What people to shop for presents? Many women do this year round. Finding sales and good buys. Market trips may find some fun items for family and friends. Regular themes- like Olympic Mitts, new books, special entertainment outings- those tickets for the New Year.
So what has this Senior done. Written my letters to the troops and printed them. Written my family Christmas newsletter. My Christmas duo tang folder has been organized since August!
In all fairness, this has been  my routine for the last several decades.
When my children were little and I missed getting them that special Christmas gift because I left it too late it was a wake up call to start early. Instead of Strawberry Shortcake I had to settle for Blueberry Muffin doll. So I learned to get their ideas early. Now it is not a problem because I am just Nana so not responsible for the important gifts.
However, I enjoy the connection with family and friends far and wide.
I will be posting my organizational tips and projects completed for this year's season.
Hope you will enjoy them and share your ideas with me too!

If lucky a little Elf to help!
#organization#festiveseason#planning#regularthemes#parades#familyfun#correspondence#Christmas#Christmasgifts#SantaClaus#Senior#lists#organizationalbinder

NOVEMBER BRINGS CHANGE AND REMEMBRANCE

The time changes back! The days are shorter! In some parts of the country snow has arrived. It is the busy month before the festive season. Organizing and getting stuff done let's Christmas be more enjoyable.
It is also the month of Remembrance. Wear your poppy with hope and gratitude for all this country offers!
Planting those spring bulbs! Never too late to finish the garden cleanup! 5 more Mondays of yard waste collection.
Those Santa Claus parades start to happen in many communities.
In our family, birthdays make it joyous. A daughter, a grandchild and a brother! Lots of time for celebrations.

Soon all the trees will be bare. So the brown on brown is not too appealing. Oh November! A short month but a fun one.
#november#christmaspreparations#birthdays#familybirthdays#festiveseason#santaclausparades#Remembrance#RemembranceDay#gratitude#fun#organization#gardencleanup

TAKING NOTE-WEBINAR ON A JANUARY AFTERNOON

Using Evernote for my database of information for a short time, I receive their emails and newsletter. So I had time to attend the webinar via home computer with Michael Hyatt- Taking Note- a podcast by Evernote on my staycation. He is one of many speakers in their Taking Note series. Basically talking about productivity, entrepreneurship and creative thinking, each speaker will discuss a topic. Michael Hyatt spoke about having few goals that are attainable. Don't count daily chores as a goal as they are a given. Write down a goal it helps to clarify. He writes on the Evernote blog as a guest so check out his information there too if interested. He has his own blog, gives courses and has a podcast- " This is Your Life." He wrote a book- Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want. I might check it out. But for anyone wanting a new mentor in their lives it might be a good starting point. I like hearing from others in a field where I am not the profession. What always interests me though, is how so many people panned psychology when I studied in University yet modern concepts, books and ideas are very psychology based! Hum! Anyway check out Michael's ideas. They are worth considering! I definitely will check out some of his other writings! Perhaps recommend to people I counsel in my work!

MANAGING THE STRESS OF THE SEASON

The energy level starts to increase. Christmas parties at work and home. Buying presents and wrapping or just gift cards for all become decisions to be made. Black Friday with all the deals so many waited to purchase those big ticket items. Decorating the home inside and out. Finishing or starting the correspondence for the season. Keeping an eye on the weather as it can put a hamper on events- well Christians get the picture! What church services to attend? By pacing oneself and doing small tasks at a time the season can be managed. Decide on paper what is most important to do! Family events can cause undue stress too. Whose home does the old grandmother need a bed for Christmas Eve? The unmarried uncle who contributes nothing but expects to be entertained. For most situations it is the busy woman trying to put it all together. So pull in any men folk and give them chores and little jobs to do. For example, if a special item ordered online can only be picked up at certain stores- send him. Taking parcels to the post office or other courier service, hello another job for him! I always advice young wives to give a job to their spouse. Men do not read minds nor do they really see all the tasks to be done. So alleviating some stress by having the lists visible and negotiating who can do what and when. Wrapping presents together can be an activity after the children go to bed! Get out the Christmas books and read as a family. Find simple quiet tasks that are needed to do together. Always what memories do you want to create for your family! Little children want to be part of everything. Let them help to decorate the tree too. Yes there are picture perfect ways to have a home done but if there are children then some adjustments can be made. What is fun for them? Stress is a huge topic and more may be said. But start with taking a deep breath, exhale, and go forward!

IT'S BEGINNING TO FEEL LIKE CHRISTMAS

With a first blast of snow and cold, the weather makes it conducive to think about Christmas. Forget the stores have been full of Christmas stuff since Halloween. If one has not started to put up lights or shop, the weather somehow makes everyone get busy. Of course, the majority of Canadian women have been at the Christmas thing for months. Lists for gifts are usually made in August. Planning and doing are on the calendars and agendas. Deciding who does Christmas dinner and all the other parties around it. The blast of cold means the boots, mitts, scarves and yes the winter coats that have been waiting are to be worn today. Another reason to be organized and get things started early. Weather can delay everything. Flights cancelled so out of town parcels sit in airports too. For some reason if there is no snow we do not feel it is Christmas. Yet baby Jesus was born in the desert and a much warmer climate! Strange eh?

NANA SAYS NOVEMBER BRINGS CHANGES

Children need to bundle up once the cooler weather approaches. Time to organize all the coats, hats, mitts and scarves. Are the boots good for another season? Many homes have a spot that is a "mud" room. The season for bringing in mud, water and well you get the picture. Allowing more time to get ready. Taking a good five minutes to dress for the weather means time. Even adults find it cumbersome to get ready to go out! No longer just putting on shoes and out the door. For those without a garage for the car, cleaning off snow or frost adds time. The time change this weekend means that everyone's schedule will be off for several days. So prepare to be inconvenienced. Little children and especially babies have the hardest time. With the days becoming shorter and shorter, darkness sooner means safety and adjustments. Remind all children to be very safety minded. Teenagers waiting for early morning school buses need to be know drivers may not see you. So light clothing and be under street lights to be seen! November can bring a variety of weather conditions. So work on emergency backup plans in case of delays getting home or to the Day Care settings. Listening to news in case of bad weather to stock up on essentials. Baby stuff is different. Adults can adjust with shortages but babies need diapers, formula and their regular things. So November with all the preChristmas fun can be organized well so adjustments can be made.

SEAONSAL CHANGES CAN CAUSE MOOD CHANGES

Adapting and accepting change is life. But changes can bring mood disorders too. We often think of seasonal disorders in the winter. Going from summer to fall can bring melancholy also! The summer like Christmas has so much hoopla and expectations of being so wonderful. Even if a good time was had, being over brings those thoughts of depression, anxiety and a little bit angry of being over. Life goes back to the normal. The normal may not be so exciting. At work, all those meetings that were on hiatus start up again. Packing school lunches! The days are slowly getting shorted so sitting outside until 10 is no longer an option without some lighting. Knowing our moods can be affected by the seasons is the first step. Accept the fact it is okay to feel down! It is okay to be slow to embrace change. The start of the school year is exciting for children but all those lessons start again. Getting back in the groove takes some energy and time. So lots of healthy eating and sleep are two helpers! Remember trying to pack too much in every day only adds to your stress. So concentrate and organize what really must be done and what has the most meaning to you and your family life!

                                  There are always the summer memories to relish!

HANDLING JUNE STRESS

June often has that feeling of preChristmas frenzy. End of school. Recitals. Sports events. Planning for summer. Finishing planting the garden. What home renovations to do over the summer? We live in hectic lives that we create. So how to handle it all! Well try not to have to do it all. A summer vacation can be 3 weeks on the road travelling from place to place to see it all or travel to one place and use it as a home base. Whatever the choice to find ways to make it doable and fun. June is the time for planning without the real travel. Planning and organizing with all the ideas, then keep the good ones. Young families often need grandparent support so figure out what is needed. Working folks need to ask for vacation days and often have coverage for their absence. Getting their work in order before going away can make extra stress at work. Stress is manageable as long as one does not create more. Knowing each June is busy and that's the norm can be like that preparation for Christmas. Start early and do a little at a time! Remember the longest days are in June so try to use those evenings to be outside taking in those longer days!

S

So try not to head off in all directions or you will feel like you are spinning your wheels!stress

TIME TO REVISIT THOSE WINTER PROJECTS IN JANUARY

Do you have a little pile of knitting projects or writing or woodworking that need some attention? Getting back to them can bring some renewed energy. When I crochet or knit a blanket for example, it serves a double purpose because it actually helps to keep me warm when I am sitting. Are you a gardener? You can not garden but some winter planning can be done. Buy a magazine if you need a jolt of creative ideas. January is a good month to begin or finish many things. by embracing it as an opportunity between spring garden cleanup and fall garden cleanup. If you had ideas of changing some areas on your property, winter planning gives a head start to the spring garden. The indoor stuff can be tackled slowly and methodically. Are you planning a move in the future? Time to tackle one closet at a time- keep, sell, give away can be your motto! Do you ever look in the back of a closet and discover stuff you forgot you had? Another motto- do I love you enough to move you? Of course, the younger generation will not want your stuff until it is given away!! Or discover those knick knacks did have some worth after all! That's why methodically is good. If not in a hurry, do not be mercenary! The internet let us research various items and often discovering there are stores, groups, clubs, sales out there that may want your stuff! And if lucky get some money for it! So January with the cold and all the winter blahs can be a time to get down and dirty with your home! Not the most exciting things to do but at the end of the month, you could walk away with a sense of accomplishment! And space in those decluttered corners!

2015 COUNTDOWN TO A CANADIAN CHRISTMAS - WEEK TWO

Letters to the troops were sent November 10. Each year I write to our troops wherever they are serving. The Christmas lights are up outside. My two prelit Christmas trees by the front door are put on little outdoor tables to give them height. I have an ordinary display with coloured, white and blue strings of lights strung from bush to tree to tree. No awards to be won, just some Christmas colour. When they are spread out they actually give more light and seem bigger. I bought the speciality cards especially the First Christmas for new baby for our little grandson born in September. I continue to organize and shop for Christmas. I will be attending a work function dinner needing to bring a Secret Santa gift which is wrapped and ready to go. I am reorganizing some areas of the dining room and living room in preparation of decorating in a couple of weeks. I resisted the urge today to buy more Christmas decorations as I do have a closet full of Christmas stuff. I will be pulling out the Christmas paper and bags to start to wrap the out of town gifts. They need to be packed into boxes to be ready to post the end of November. Finally the photo books I made for a couple of family members came by mail from Blacks. Their stores closed but there is still a lucarative online business with some good bargains for photos, books and other goods. Organizing, organizing, sorting and continuing to shop are part of the Christmas season. Helping the community too. I attending a church bazaar and a Nursing home bazaar yesterday to give some support to their causes. Deciding which church services to attend and where there might be some beautiful Christmas music to hear over the coming weeks is important too. I will watch the Santa Claus parade from Toronto on TV later today. The parade is taped then put on TV. It actually helps those who are in the parade to see themselves. I love Christmas and have learnt to pace myself so I can enjoy all it has to offer.

2015 COUNTDOWN TO A CANADIAN CHRISTMAS-WEEK ONE

It starts with the list. Usually written early in the fall or late summer. Who, what, where and why. Always looking for sales and purchases that could be used for Christmas presents. Asking for early wish lists from families so if a large purchase is necessary to look for the best buy and of course a sale. Checking out Christmas bazaars and sales at churches to help support their efforts there. What local charities may benefit from some support. Deciding who to support, where to give. Organizing the December social schedule. Well Christmas dinner is easy but the other events. What time with friends and families. Going to outside dinner or lunches or entertainment. Of course prioritizing the out of town people. I still send 3 small parcels so having their stuff bought, organized and wrapped by the end of November is a must. Yes I know a gift card stuffed in a card is easy but receiving a little parcel is fun for the recipients that will get these little gifts. No lights or decorating until after Remembrance Day in honour of our Veterans. So have you got started yet?

NANA SAYS THE MORNING HOME RUSH HOUR IS INTENSE

Organizing the previous night helps with the rush in the morning. No matter how organized, however, children are children. They often let their needs get into the mix. A pee just before leaving. Not liking the clothes laid out. Wanting something else for breakfast. Departures are stressful! Trying to keep calm and leave happier takes a lot of energy and patience. Busy working parents have a schedule and need to be on the road at a certain time. Just look at the 10 minutes at schools when arrivals are happening. Busy, busy! Parents need to be respectful of other parents and drivers. Don't do a drop off right at the stop sign tying up traffic! The end of the day is not a rush! So try to have a different pace when coming home. Of course the night of lessons does bring lots of comings and goings too! Balancing those busy rushed times with moments of quiet and slower activities helps the whole family-especially the parents!

SPRING RELEASES OUR ENERGY

Starting a work week with lots of energy is a must. Mondays always bring the issues from the weekend. So the morning passes quickly to review and prioritize the work for the day and week.  With the winter blues behind us and the days are becoming longer there just seems to be a sense of having time to do more. Interesting because there are still the same number of hours in a day. Light seems to keep us awake. When it was dark at 4:30p.m. like in November, it was difficult staying up past 8 p.m.. The longer days brings the desire to keep going and doing. At work, getting the desired 8 hours of work done then the feeling of what can be done at night. If the weather holds then scheduled work outside can be done a little at a time. Changing the habit of a little nap after dinner will take effort but if outside doing something, that habit will be broken. There seems to be an urgency to embrace the change in weather. Spring brings it on!! Then after a few months of going, doing, burning energy, and enough already we will be ready for the summer!!

But still time to watch for those beautiful spring flowers! Oh yeah they do the work, it's the summer gardens that take more effort. Happy Monday everyone!!

TWENTY MINUTES-WHAT CAN YOU ACHIEVE?

Committing to 20 minutes of activities can help to achieve something in your day. I remember an exercise program called the 20 minute workout that many people put down. I followed it for awhile and yes the program did help my body. It was actually 30 minutes because one was supposed to keep moving during the commercials. My body became toned. My walk to work is 20 minutes. My power walk on the weekend is 25 but if I try to walk faster I could probably reduce it to 20 minutes. Getting ready to go out and you have 20 minutes- empty a dishwasher, fold some laundry, write cheques for some bills- well you get the picture. Pockets of 20 minutes can occur throughout the day where there are many achievable tasks. Usually if we start with a small period of time for exercise, for example, there is incentive to do a little more. Personally I can not commit to drive to a gym and work out for two hours. I have bought exercise equipment for home use and will commit to the shorter time. Starting with one session in the morning and working on another at night becomes a good start. Yes, what often happens is the time increases.The time it takes to write my average post is 20 minutes-dedicated time first thing in the morning. My husband organizes his meal items in the morning and often it takes 20 minutes to finish the meal before it is ready to be served at dinner time.Unless he is making homemade egg noodles!  I organize my worksheets in the morning at work-usually about 20 minutes. The day is full of 20 minute intervals to use. If you are having a lazy or depressing day, saying to yourself-"well I could do something for 20 minutes." Sometimes it just helps to get started. 20 minutes is such a little part of the hour. Of course there are many activities that are 60 minutes long, a half day or a full day. By breaking them into shorter intervals, may help to get going! The garden- it can seem overwhelming but if one patch, 20 minutes at a time is attacked then work does get done. Biting off the little bits of any job eventually leads to the whole job being finished. There are 3 - 20 minute intervals in each hour of each day. Be creative in how you can use them! So what can you achieve in 20 minutes? Surprisingly, quite a lot!

SPRING-TIME TO DECLUTTER

So all the articles and home advice written currently. I spilled something in my bag I use for work - my purse, makeup bag, lunch etc. So emptied the items and washed the bag and cloth purse. Interesting- one grey knee high, old receipts, and other silly odds and ends along with the needed items. My thought- what if I was found and these items were all I had with me- what would the profilers say? Okay I watch too many crime shows. It did remind me of the times of cleaning out someone else's stuff. A person passes away and someone must go through the things. Why did an article get kept? A bit of a hoarder! The person was not as organized as he/she looked on the outside. Saving some momentos that were from another time. Do we declutter for organizing or do we want to hide our secrets? Getting rid of old diaries, sorting letters and cards and burning bills from early years can be activities that are ongoing. Especially clothes- are there items bought on sale that were never worn? Just letting go! Okay if we discard then there is room to buy new things! I have favourite magazines stacked by the door to put somewhere. No not the recycling bin but for someone else to read. The lounges at work are a good place! Having cleaned out parts of two different parental homes, I view my stuff with an eye that my children may have to go through it one day. Anytime an area becomes too well- cluttered- I think of them.  Couples remarrying and merging two homes can go through this process. Of course, downsizing one day may solve some problem for me. How about you? Does Spring bring an urge to purge?

NANA SAYS THE MORNING RUSH HOUR IS TOUGH

It does not mean the drive to work. As soon as a parent's feet hit the floor, there is the rush to get ready for work, breakfast, get the children ready and out the door on time. If there is bad weather, the pressure and worry, the ride to school and work can be delayed. To stay focused and calm takes lots of patience. Children sometimes want to sleep longer. Sometimes parents want to sleep longer. There can be the whining- " I can't find ........." Organization helps. Getting as many things ready the night previously and stationed by the door allows for saving time. Lunches made. Breakfast planned or snack food- a banana works- given to everyone as they leave to eat in the car. Of course, patience to allow a little mess in the car! Most day cares give the children a breakfast item on arrival. For older children, an item in their lunch box that can be eaten for breakfast or recess snack helps since many older children won't eat a prepared breakfast. Adults work out the breakfast thing for yourself! It takes strength not to yell and become impatience with the whole affair. It is a busy, stressful time but using some fun ideas too- work. Who can be ready first? Make a game of some activities. Keep score so at the end of the week-there is a weekly winner. Of course, trying to keep children relaxed in any drive helps the driver stay calm. Allow time for some morning hugs and snuggles! Especially with little children-time in a parent's arms means more than all the cleaning before leaving the house! Couples a hug or two and the kiss goodbye help to set the emotional tone of the day! Single parents do use other supports in your life to help with the day! Oh the morning rush hour- remember Saturday morning is coming soon!!

REGROUPING AFTER SOME EVENTS

July was a good busy month with activities and projects accomplished. A fun day trip to St. Jacobs Farmers' Market over the long weekend gave me a chance to capture some fun photos. Time now to regroup and organize some areas of my home and my life to be ready for the busy August ahead. But do you ever find it is a struggle in the summer to organize anything? I do. I get into a summer mood of moving slowly. Some activities just look boring! That's when it is important to push through the boredom and just get the jobs done! Maybe the reason for Fall cleaning- just leave things to the Fall. One massive cleanup- house, garden, and whatever else comes your way? Or little cleanups in August? Day trips and photographing the events do sound more exciting! Sitting outside reading! Leisurely walks in a park with camera in hand! Sipping a favourite drink chatting with family and friends! Or do I just work through the boredom- to do or not to do, that is the question?

TO PLAN OR NOT TO PLAN

Planning helps us stay focussed on what needs to be done. We all have calendars- whether manual or on the computer, daybooks, little notes, reminders! A vacation is a good thing to plan as the time flies and before you know it- back at work! Sometimes in our busy planned lives it is good to relax and see where the day will take us! Plan and organize a party but let the party have a life of its own is one example. Can you just follow the path and enjoy the experience? Let's hope it's not the yellow brick one with a bad witch to which we must contend!