Archive for the ‘01 News from Cathy’s Desk’ Category

Organizing a Decorating/Renovating Project

Posted on: June 7th, 2013 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

 

Cathy MendlerSpring has finally sprung!

Spring is the time of year when we like to clear out the cobwebs, splash on a fresh coat of paint, and spruce up tired areas of our homes.

So let’s get started and turn over another leaf!  

ORGANIZING A DECORATING/RENOVATING PROJECT

“Among these several kinds of beauty the eye takes most delight in colours.”

Joseph Addison (English Poet, 1672-1719)

Planning

If you’re planning to redecorate or renovate, start your plan on paper. Determine your budget.

Renovating can be stressful. However long you think the project will take, add some extra time to your estimate. Unexpected delays are often a reality of renovation projects.

Supplies

Create a list of everything you will need in order to avoid numerous trips to the store.

Professional Help

Hiring a decorating professional for a 1-2 hour consultation may seem expensive, but one large mistake may prove more costly.

Choose a contractor if you’re not doing the work yourself. Get family and friends to recommend someone. Check out the contractor’s references, and contact the Better Business Bureau.

Outside Projects

If you are planning to build a new deck or outside structure, don’t forget to contact your local utilities in advance.  “Call before you dig” is always sound advice.  You don’t want to cut hydro/power, telephone or TV/internet cables, and/or water or gas lines.  Always think safety first!

Inspiration

Which styles do you like–traditional, contemporary, country, cottage or eclectic? What colours do you like?

A piece of fabric or artwork can be the inspiration for a whole room/area. If you plan to redecorate more than one room/area, think about the colour flow.

Watch a decorating show. Take a walk through a furniture store or fabric store. Peruse some decorating magazines. Canadian House & Home and Style at Home are good ones; they provide the Canadian sources for many of the featured items.

Storage

How can you decide what to build for storage if you don’t know what items will be stored in that location? Purge as you pack your belongings, so that you can determine your storage needs. Reassembling your room will be easier also.

Furniture and Placement

Will you be rearranging your current furniture, switching pieces from another room in your home or adding new pieces?

Decorators often recommend neutral colours for investment pieces. It is much easier to replace your accessories than to replace your sofa.

Remember that large pieces of furniture look smaller in the showroom than they will in your home. It is extremely important to take the measurements home beforehand and check to see if the new pieces will fit. You can tape an outline of the furniture on the floor, so that you don’t have to move heavy furniture.

Choose furniture that performs double duty—an ottoman with a tray and storage inside, a sofa with a bed, etc.

Colour

Changing the colour of a room is the easiest change you can make, and it will give you the biggest bang for your buck.

Keep in mind that it is easier to mix a paint colour to co-ordinate with your fabric and/or furniture than the other way around. Take fabric samples to the paint store. We can recognize over 7,000,000 colours, but we can’t remember an exact colour for more than 30 seconds.

Choose an environmentally friendly paint if your budget allows. Large paint chips and test pots are available at some paint stores. If you don’t want to test the paint on the wall, paint a small piece of bristol board. You will be able to move the board around to different locations to see what the colour looks like at different times of the day and night. Light is an important issue when choosing a paint colour.

Did you know that if you paint a cool colour in a north-facing room, it feels even cooler? Did you know that if you paint a warm colour in a south-facing room, it feels even warmer?

If you choose a neutral colour, a variety of textures in the room will make it work well.

Accessories

Here is where you can use this year’s trendy colours. Take paint chips and fabric samples when you look for accessories. Remember that items don’t need to match exactly—as long as the colours blend.

Meals

Plan ahead for easy meals. When cooking, double a recipe and freeze one batch. This is especially important if you are renovating your kitchen. What will you be able to access? Can you cook outside? Consider using paper plates if you won’t have a kitchen sink to wash dishes or use your dishwasher.

If you’ll be ordering take-out, don’t forget to include those costs in your budget.

 

If you take the time to plan well, your decorating/renovating project should go more smoothly, and your money will likely be spent more wisely.

 



Making Plans for Summer Vacation!

Posted on: April 10th, 2013 by Cathy Mendler 2 Comments

Spring has finally sprung! As I’m writing this newsletter, there are still flurries flying around outside.

One sure sign of spring is Elmira’s annual Maple SyrupFestival! It’s always a lot of fun. This year approximately 75,000 people came to our town to enjoy a huge variety of delicious foods–especially the pancakes and maple syrup!

The warmer weather summons us outside to soak up the sun, since we don’t see as much of it during the winter. And sunny days mean summer vacations are just around the corner!

On that note, let’s get started and turn over another leaf!

ORGANIZING YOUR NEXT VACATION/TRIP

“The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust, French Author (1871-1922)

Whether you’re backpacking or bicycling, staying in five-star accommodations or a bed and breakfast, travel can be a great experience.

Planning/Research

Set aside some time to plan your vacation/trip. A few hours of planning are worth the effort if everything runs smoothly. Use our handy Vacation Planning Checklist.

Research your proposed destination on the internet, at the library or through a travel agent. Ask your friends and family for suggestions if they have travelled to your planned destination. Purchasing a travel book and/or a foreign language dictionary may also be helpful.

Travel Agent

Contact your travel agent or CAA. A good travel agent can provide you with a wealth of information—maps, discount coupons and sight-seeing information. Travel agents can also assist you if you encounter problems while you are out of the country. Remember to take any accommodation confirmations with you.

Discounts

Take advantage of discounts. Check the websites of your destinations to see if they provide any coupons.

Sight-Seeing Attractions

If there are some must-see attractions on your list, make reservations ahead of time in order to avoid being disappointed.

Currency

Do you need to pick up foreign currency or travellers’ cheques for your vacation? You might also wish to take a prepaid calling card and international dialing instructions with you.

Documentation

You should be aware that some foreign countries will not accept your passport if it expires within 6 months. It is advisable to renew it before you leave to avoid any problems. Some accommodations provide a safe for your passport and other important valuables.

If you are travelling with minor children, and you are separated or divorced, you may need to carry notarized documents authorizing you to enter another country with your children. This may also apply when you are the legal guardian of children and you are not their birth parent.

Consider taking contact information for the closest location of the Canadian embassy if you are traveling to a country where there is political unrest.

Out-of-Country Coverage

If you do not have out-of-country benefits, it is advisable to make arrangements for medical emergency coverage. A trip to the hospital in another country can be expensive.

Safety Precautions

Don’t carry any items unless they are required for your vacation. Clean out your wallet or purse. Leaving a list at home containing your passport information, driver’s license information, bank card and credit card numbers will make it easier in the event that an item is lost or stolen. You may wish to set up a temporary e-mail account just for this purpose, so you can retrieve the information from anywhere in the world.

Allowances/Restrictions

Check regulations for weight and/or carry-on restrictions before you leave home.

Medical

Prescription medication should be in its original packaging and put in your carry-on bag—in case your bags are lost or delayed.

If you are travelling to a foreign country, check to see if any immunizations are required for malaria, hepatitis, etc.

Clothing/Packing

Research the weather conditions for the time of year that you will be there, and pack the appropriate clothing. Check to see if you need to take an AC/DC adapter for electrical items. Remember to take some reading material or travel games for children in the event that you encounter a delay. To make packing your suitcase easier, use our handy Packing Checklist.

Memories

Remember to take your camera, extra memory cards and batteries. It’s usually less expensive to bring these items from home. You might like to take along a journal—particularly on a long trip or when you will be taking a large number of photographs.

Your Home

If no one stays in your home while you are away, ensure that you have someone checking your home—preferably every day. Review your homeowner’s policy to see what your particular provider requires. Don’t forget to cancel your newspaper. Make arrangements to have your grass cut, your flowers watered and your mail picked up.

Leave a copy of your itinerary with a contact person at home along with a copy of any documents you are taking. This will make it easier in the event of loss or theft.

Reward

Preparing for your trip can be stressful. When the time comes, enjoy your trip. That’s the best reward!



Get Your Financial Life in Order – Part 2

Posted on: March 27th, 2013 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

 

ORGANIZING YOUR FINANCIAL RECORDS AND IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS – Part 2

“Documents create a paper reality we call proof.”
       -Mason Cooley, American Writer (1927-2002)

Do you pay your bills on time? Do you file your income tax return before the deadline?

If not, it’s never too late to get organized. In the event of an emergency, death or disaster, being able to find required documents quickly can make a difficult situation more manageable.

Planning

Plan to set aside a few hours to put your paperwork in order. If it feels overwhelming, break it down into smaller chunks—an hour a week until it’s done.

Getting Started

Start by sorting your paperwork into categories. If you don’t need it, get rid of it. Remember that 80% of what you file you will never look at again. Reduce your risk of identity theft by shredding any documents containing your name, address and/or account numbers. Label files so that you will be able to find items when you need them. Create an Action file for any items requiring your attention.

Bank Statements

Check your statements against ATM withdrawal slips and your chequebook as soon as possible after your statement arrives (either in the mail or electronically). Most banks ask that you notify them of any errors within 30 days. Shred the slips as soon as you reconcile your statement.

Credit Card Statements

Check your statements against your credit card receipts as soon as possible after your statement arrives. Keep receipts for large purchases or items with a warranty.

Investment Statements

Statements pertaining to your investments should be kept for income tax purposes.

Income Tax Returns

Keep all of your income tax paperwork in one location—preferably not in a shoebox! Most income tax records need to be kept for 7 years. Check with your accountant or Canada RevenueAgency if you are unsure of what or how long you need to keep your paperwork.

Business Expenses

If you operate a home-based business, keep any receipts that you will need for deductions as business expenses. It’s easiest if you can keep your personal and business receipts separate.

Household Paperwork

Household bills often don’t need to be kept for more than a year. A copy of a gas or telephone bill can be obtained easily should the need arise. The exception to this rule may be if you operate a business from your home and claim a portion of the expenses on your income tax return. You may wish to keep the records for any major repairs or renovations, as well as the paperwork pertaining to building your home. Property tax statements, assessment notices and mortgage statements should be kept—together with your deed and mortgage.

Medical Records

Medical records should be stored in a safe place. Create a separate folder for each family member. If one family member has a number of medical conditions, create a different folder for each condition. Information you may be collecting about retirement homes or nursing homes for an aging parent should be kept in its own folder as well.

Storage

Store your records in a filing cabinet, storage box (plastic is preferred over cardboard) or a home safe. They are worth protecting.

Reward Yourself

When you’re done, don’t forget to reward yourself for your hard work! Investing the time to put your records in order will be worth the peace of mind!



Get Your Financial Life in Order!

Posted on: February 7th, 2013 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

It’s February already! The month of January just seemed to fly by.

Our associates at Neworld Coaching tell us that although 50% of people make New Year’s resolutions, 35% never even make it out of the gate. How are you doing with your resolutions? If you’re not doing as well as you would like, don’t give up! Sometimes all that’s required is a minor adjustment.

So let’s get started and turn over another leaf!

ORGANIZING YOUR FINANCIAL RECORDS AND IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS – Part 1

“Documents create a paper reality we call proof.” Mason Cooley, American Writer (1927-2002)

Do you know where your will or your birth certificate is located? Can you find your house insurance policy?

If not, it’s never too late to get organized. In the event of an emergency, death or disaster, being able to find required documents quickly can make a difficult situation more manageable.

Planning

Plan to set aside a few hours to put your paperwork in order. If it feels overwhelming, break it down into smaller chunks—an hour a week until it’s done.

Getting Started

Start by sorting your paperwork into categories. If you don’t need it, get rid of it. Remember that 80% of what you file you will never look at again. Reduce your risk of identity theft by shredding any documents containing your name, address and/or account numbers. Label files so that you will be able to find items when you need them. Create an Action file for any items requiring your attention.

Insurance Documents

Whether it’s your house insurance, car insurance or life insurance policy, insurance documents may be required if you need to make a claim.

Will and Powers of Attorney

The original copy of your will may be at your lawyer’s office, but you should know where your copies are at all times. A family member, close friend and/or your executor should also know where your will and original powers of attorney (medical and financial) are kept. In the event of an accident, illness or your death, they will need these documents.

If you don’t have a will or powers of attorney or you haven’t gotten around to updating them, don’t put it off. Add it to your to-do list, and look after it as soon as possible.

Birth Certificates, Adoption Papers, Marriage Certificate and Divorce Papers

Knowing where all of these documents are stored can reduce the time and effort of having to replace them—not to mention the cost.

SocialInsurance Card

It is not advisable to carry your SocialInsurance card in your wallet. Your card is usually only required for employment and investment purposes. Leaving it in a secure location at home eliminates the possibility that it may get lost or stolen.

Passports

Do you know where your family’s passports are? Remember to store them securely, so they aren’t stolen in the event of a break-in.

Safety Deposit Box Key

If you have a safety deposit box, do you know where the key is?

Storage

Store your records in a filing cabinet, storage box (plastic is preferred over cardboard) or a home safe. They are worth protecting.

Reward Yourself

When you’re done, don’t forget to reward yourself for your hard work! Investing the time to put your records in order will be worth the peace of mind!




Ideas for Clutter-free Gift Giving This Year!

Posted on: December 13th, 2012 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

The holidays are here, and the big day(s) is(are) edging closer and closer. If you want your preparations to run smoothly, your objective should be to accomplish the priorities on your list. Don’t let your perfectionist tendencies keep you from completing your tasks. There’s no reason why that can’t happen.

So let’s get started and turn over another leaf!

CLUTTER-FREE GIFT GIVING

“The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value.” Charles Dudley Warner

We have become a country (along with our neighbours to the south) that likes to accumulate stuff. Why is there such a high value placed on having so many possessions? Are you trying to keep up with the Joneses? Are you drowning in debt in order to do so? This compulsion to accumulate causes clutter.

Getting Started

One of the first steps in dealing with clutter is to reduce it. Think Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Given the state of our economy, many people are out of work. The holidays aren’t supposed to be about who spends the most money.

Family Traditions

Schedule a family meeting, and review your family traditions. Consider eliminating the least favourite. You don’t have to do something just because you feel it is expected. It might not be as important to others as you think.

Gift Giving

When you give a gift, give it without any strings attached. If you are concerned that the gift may need to be exchanged or returned, include a gift receipt.

Regifting

The decision whether or not to regift is a personal one. If you decide to regift, the item should be in mint condition. Make sure you aren’t returning the gift to the person who gave it to you.

Gift Ideas

Ask for suggestions. Don’t assume everyone likes what you like. Listen carefully to people; they often give you ideas without even realizing it. Jot down ideas as you think of them.

Be creative. A membership for car services can be appreciated at any time of the year—whether someone’s stuck in a snow bank or has a flat tire. A magazine subscription—decorating, crafts, health or sports—can be a thoughtful gift. Tickets to a play or concert are also another idea.

Give gifts that are kind to the environment. Check out the many church bazaars and shows which showcase talented local artisans.

Gift Cards

Give a gift card to a person’s favourite store. A gift certificate to treat themselves for lunch or dinner at their favourite place will always be appreciated. For someone who loves gardening, a gift certificate to a nursery makes a great gift.

Make your own gift certificates—several hours of babysitting for a friend, a home-cooked dinner, shovelling snow for a neighbour, etc. Let your children have some fun suggesting ideas and creating the gift certificates.

Homemade Gifts

Homemade baking, jams, soup, pickles or canning wrapped in a festive tea towel, basket or cookie container are always appreciated–particularly by someone who doesn’t bake or can.

Organize a cookie exchange. If you have a friend who loves to bake, ask her if she’ll bake for you in exchange for wrapping gifts or another task.

If you knit, scarves, hats and mittens in a person’s favourite colour will be appreciated on a cold wintery day.

Services

Give a gift of your time. Running errands for a friend or having afternoon tea with a senior are just a couple of ideas.

Donations

For those people who have everything, make a donation to their favourite charity. Make a donation to your local Community Services Christmas Goodwill program in their name. Or give them a card stating that you have purchased an Angel Tree gift, so that a child has a gift to open on Christmas morning.

Instead of another mug for your child’s teacher, ask if you could donate classroom supplies.

Holiday Clothing

When you’re going through your closet deciding what to wear to your holiday get-together, think about donating the outfits you no longer wear.

The Princess Project provides young women who may not have the means to afford a beautiful dress for their graduation or prom. All dresses, accessories and shoes are provided at no cost to these young women. For more information, contact Kelly Steiss.

Make it Meaningful

Make time to volunteer. Involve your children. Whether it’s serving a meal at a soup kitchen, helping at the Food Bank, delivering Christmas hampers or visiting with someone who lives alone, there are numerous ways to get involved in your community. Volunteering is a reward in itself.

The important thing about the holidays is that you allocate some time to do whatever means the most to you.

Remember–clutter-free gift giving can apply to the whole year, not just the holidays.

ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS!

I invite you to share our newsletter with your friends and family. As well, I welcome your feedback and suggestions.



Planning For the Holidays — Part 2

Posted on: November 6th, 2012 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

The holidays are edging closer and closer. If you want your preparations to run smoothly, your objective should be to accomplish the priorities on your list. Don’t let your perfectionist tendencies keep you from completing your tasks. There’s no reason why that can’t happen.

So let’s get started and turn over another leaf!

PLANNING FOR THE HOLIDAYS – PART 2

“Slow down everyone. You’re moving too fast.” Jack Johnson

It’s important to keep this in mind as the countdown to the holidays begins. Don’t panic if you haven’t started on your to do list. You still have plenty of time.

Errands

  • Map out your errands ahead of time.
  • Try to complete them during non-peak hours–Monday-Thursday–after work or in the evening. On Friday night or the weekend, go out as early as possible.
  • Be careful. To cut down on thefts, do not leave any gifts visible in your vehicle, and make sure it is locked.
  • Place gifts in the trunk if possible.
  • As an extra precaution, move your vehicle to a different parking spot if you unload and go back into a store. Unfortunately, the criminals are out there.

Gift Wrapping

  • Set up a wrapping station with tape, scissors, bows, ribbon, tags, wrapping paper, tissue paper, gift bags, baskets and cellophane.
  • Store gift tags in zippered sandwich bags.
  • Gift boxes can double as storage containers.
  • Wrap gifts as you bring them home, if possible. Remember to update your list once you’ve bought and/or wrapped someone’s gift.

Christmas Cards

  • Do you need cards and stamps?
  • Check postal deadlines to mail cards, gifts and out-of-country items.
  • Only send cards to people you don’t see throughout the year.
  • Just the thought of trying to write 50 or more cards in one day or night can be a little overwhelming, so write a few cards every night during one week.
  • Send cards even if it’s later than you would like. It’s still nice to receive cards between Christmas and New Year’s.

Decorating – Inside and Outside

  • Take inventory and leave out pieces that no longer work. Make a list of new decorations you need.
  • It’s easiest if you decorate one area at a time.
  • Remove your everyday accessories, and store them in your Christmas decoration box to reduce clutter.
  • If you have tabletop decorations, remember to leave space for people to set down a plate of food or a drink.
  • Pick up red and green storage containers if you need them, as they are not likely to be found after the holidays.
  • Sort through interior and exterior lights, and check to see if they work. Discard any that are not in working order. Safety is most important. Contact your local e-waste program to see if they will accept discarded lights.
  • Pick out and/or put up your Christmas tree. Get out the tree stand, skirt and ornaments.
  • Remember to order floral arrangements.

Holiday Clothing

  • Do you really need a new outfit, jewellery, shoes and accessories? To avoid frustration, don’t wait until the day before a holiday affair to start looking.
  • If you don’t need something new, make sure clothing is clean and in good repair.

Hosting a Holiday Function

  • If you are hosting a function, write/create and send out invitations.

Holiday Dinner

  • Cook as much food as possible–including the turkey and potatoes–ahead of time.
  • Set the table 1 or 2 days before your dinner if you can.
  • Stock up on soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, along with flavoured hot chocolate, coffee or tea.
  • Arrange to borrow or rent items instead of spending money on serving pieces you only use once a year.
  • Treat yourself. If you’re having a large crowd–consider renting dishes, glasses, cutlery and table linens. It may be cheaper than you think–and less work.
  • Consider hiring a caterer–if your budget allows.

Holiday Cleaning

  • Kitchen – Dust off holiday serving items. Clean the oven.
  • China and Glassware – Rinse items in the dishwasher. Crystal should not be put in the dishwasher, since it is more fragile.
  • Silverware – Polish
  • Tablecloth and Napkins – Wash and press. Hang the tablecloth over a hanger and hang in the closet.
  • Closet – Move coats and jackets to another location. Add some extra hangers.
  • Consider hiring a cleaning service.

Overnight Guests

  • Tidy up the room(s) where your guests will stay. To cut down on laundry, ask them to bring their own bedding (sheets or sleeping bags), pillows and towels.
  • Plan for meals other than dinner where guests will be present.

Extra Tips

  • Book a babysitter for parties or to give you time to run errands.
  • Stock up on first aid items, cough, cold and flu remedies. Refill prescriptions.
  • Make Time for Yourself
  • Set aside time to book hairdressing, manicure, pedicure, facial, and massage or reflexology appointments.

DELEGATE

  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Enlist the assistance of your children, your partner, a friend or a neighbour.
  • Many teenagers are willing to babysit, wrap, bake or decorate to earn some extra money. They can also run errands and make deliveries.
  • Remember–start with your most important items first. It won’t matter as much if the smaller items don’t get done.

MAKE TIME TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS!

I invite you to share our newsletter with your friends and family. As well, I welcome your feedback and suggestions.



Planning For the Holidays–Part 1

Posted on: October 9th, 2012 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

Yes, I know it’s hard to believe, but the holidays are just around the corner.  Make this the year that everything runs smoothly.  If you start planning now, there’s no reason why that can’t happen.

So let’s get started and turn over another leaf!

PLANNING FOR THE HOLIDAYS – PART 1

“The more prepared I am, the more I’ll be in control, less nervous, less stressed and more focused.”  Marilu Henner

Never has this statement been truer than when it comes to the holidays.

If Thanksgiving was too hectic, think about what you can do differently.  I’m not going to scare you and tell you how many days are left until Christmas.

Start Early
Spreading out your tasks over an eight-week period instead of trying to cram everything into the last few weeks is the best approach.

Family Traditions
Now is the time to think about your family traditions.  Which are your most favourite?  Which are your least favourite?  You don’t have to do something just because you feel it is expected.  It might not be as important to others as you think.  Talk to your family about eliminating the least favourite.

If dinner is at your home this year, and the idea of cooking dinner for 25 people overwhelms you, don’t try to do it all yourself.  Make it a potluck dinner.  Ask relatives or friends to bring their favourite dish.  Remember to keep a list, so that you don’t end up with too much of an item.

Calendar and Activities Schedule
Update your family calendar with school events, parties, concerts, parades and tournaments.  Try not to overschedule yourself.  Remember that it’s OK to say NO!  It may be tough if you’re not used to it.  If you do say no, don’t feel guilty about it.

Create a Master List
Your master list should contain all of the tasks that you want to complete.  Write the tasks on your calendar and plan to do one task each day.

Gifts
Start a notebook, and make a list of everyone for whom you need to find a gift.  Ask for suggestions.  Listen carefully to people; they often provide ideas without even realizing it.  Don’t forget to jot down ideas as you think of them.

Your time is valuable; perhaps you can order online or use the Yellow Pages.  Call ahead to see if the store has an item in stock.  Most stores will set items aside.

Label an envelope for gift receipts.  If an item needs to be returned or exchanged, you’ll only have one place to look.

Stock up on any items you need–especially if they’re on sale.  Pick up hostess gift items—boxes of holiday chocolates, holiday napkins tied up with colourful ribbon, a bottle of their favourite beverage, etc.

Give gifts that are kind to the environment.  Check out the many church bazaars and shows which showcase talented local artisans.  A gift certificate to a nursery for plants, flowers or trees makes a great gift for someone who loves gardening.

Make your own gift certificates—several hours of babysitting for a friend, a home-cooked dinner, shovelling snow for a neighbour, etc.  Let your children have some fun creating the gift certificates.

For those people who have everything, make a donation to their favourite charity.  Make a donation to a Christmas Goodwill program in their name.  Or give them a card stating that you have bought an Angel Tree gift, so that a child has a gift to open on Christmas morning.

Baking
Would four kinds of cookies suffice for the six or eight kinds you made last year?  Organize a cookie exchange.  Make sure to order ahead from your favourite bakery, if you decide not to bake.   If you have a friend who loves to bake, ask her if she’ll bake for you in exchange for wrapping gifts or another task.

Cooking
Try out new recipes ahead of time.  Don’t attempt them on Christmas Eve when you have numerous other things to worry about.

When cooking meals now, double the recipe and put the second batch in the freezer.  You’ll appreciate not having to cook when you have a particularly hectic night.

Volunteer
Make time to volunteer—even if it’s for a couple of hours.  Involve your children.  Whether it’s buying gifts, serving a meal at a soup kitchen, helping at the Food Bank, wrapping gifts, delivering Christmas hampers or visiting with someone who lives alone, there are unlimited ways to get involved in your community.

Realistic Expectations
We all want everything to be perfect, but it’s not good if we’re so stressed that we can’t enjoy it.  Be realistic.  Set reasonable limits on gift-making, wrapping and baking projects.  Don’t add to your stress level by being a perfectionist.

The important thing about the holidays is that you set aside some time to be with your relatives, friends and neighbours or doing whatever means the most to you!

I invite you to share our newsletter with your friends and family. As well, I welcome your feedback and suggestions.

Stay tuned for Part 2 next month!

a new leaf-cathy.png



Getting Organized for Back to School

Posted on: September 11th, 2012 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

 

Cathy Mendler

Fall is here—with its coloured leaves (if you live in eastern Canada or the United States), cool nights, and a crispness in the air!  The lazy days of summer are almost behind us, and we’re getting back into our busy routines.

So let’s get started and turn over another leaf!

“We can lick gravity, but sometimes the paperwork is overwhelming.”  Wernher von Braun

ORGANIZING SCHOOL AND HOME PAPERWORK

Back to school brings with it much more than structured routines and homework—a seemingly endless stream of paper!

Here are some suggestions to help you handle all of that paper.

Designated Paperwork Area

Designate one area where you will deal with paperwork.  Use a tray or basket as an inbox.  Get everyone in the family into the habit of using it.  If it doesn’t go in the inbox, it won’t get looked at.  Remember–it can take up to 21 times repeating an action before it becomes a habit.  Gentle reminders will help the process when you first start.  Perhaps you can offer a small reward as an incentive.

Routine
Having a routine for keeping paperwork under control is critical.  When your children get home from school, have them unload their knapsacks—dirty lunch containers go in the sink or dishwasher, books go to their homework or study area, paperwork goes to the inbox, etc.

Calendar and Activities Schedule
The family calendar should be kept in your designated paperwork area.  All activities should be put onto one calendar.  Keeping more than one calendar up to date is difficult; it usually results in missed appointments.  Label each family member’s activities in a different colour; let your children pick their favourite colour.

Once you add all of your children’s extra-curricular activities to the calendar, you may realize that they are overscheduled.  Remember that it’s OK to limit the number of activities for each child.  Your children need some time to just be kids!

Reference Binder
A three-ring binder can be used to store frequently used information–names and phone numbers for your dentist, school, babysitter, veterinarian or lawn care company.  Lists for children’s sports activities and take-out menus can also be included.

Tickler File
Set up a tickler file.  A tickler file system consists of folders with tabs for each month and day of the month.  This system should hold all of your current household paper—bills to pay, receipts, coupons, wedding invitations, etc.  A file cabinet should contain your non-current household paper.

If you would like further information on setting up a tickler file, please contact us.

Schedule Time for Paperwork
Set aside a few minutes every day to deal with paperwork.  What’s important is that it happens on a regular basis as required.  Review paperwork in the late afternoon or evening.  It is less stressful than trying to deal with it as everyone is trying to get ready and out the door in the morning!

Don’t forget to place signed permission slips, tests or notes into the children’s knapsacks as soon as possible after completion in order to avoid misplacing them.

Artwork and Projects
Is your fridge or bulletin board covered in artwork?  Each child should have their own box for artwork and projects.  Let your child have fun and decorate the box.  Place a folder inside for current masterpieces.  At the end of the month (or whatever time period you decide), ask your child to select his or her favourite piece or two.  You’ll run out of space in no time if you keep all of them.  If necessary, take photos of bigger projects and artwork that they decide not to keep.  Remember to label each box with the year and grade.

Keep it Simple
Don’t make your system for dealing with paperwork more complicated than it needs to be.  Controlling your family’s paper will be much easier if you keep it simple.

I invite you to share our newsletter with your friends and family. As well, I welcome your feedback and suggestions.

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Getting Organized for Back to School!

Posted on: August 7th, 2012 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

Cathy Mendler

It’s that time of year again!  The relaxing days of summer are almost behind us.

GETTING ORGANIZED FOR BACK TO SCHOOL

 

Planning
If you plan ahead, you’ll be ready for the first day of school.

Don’t wait until the night before school starts to try and get your children into their back-to-school routine.  Start a week or two before.  The morning routine is under your control.  Everyone will have a better day if it starts out calmly.

Clothing
Have your children try on all of their clothing to see what fits.  Yes, they really have grown 3 inches during the summer!  Make a list of what needs to be bought.

Let children decide what they are going to wear, and lay out their clothes the night before.

School Supplies
Has the school provided a list of supplies that will be required?  Stock up during the back-to-school sales.  With higher gas prices, saving a couple of dollars by running from store to store may not be worth the extra effort involved.  Remember that your time is valuable.

Backpacks should be the correct size for your children.  Let them choose one with your help; if they like it, they’ll be more likely to use it and less likely to lose it.

Lunches
Keep your cupboards well stocked with lunch items.  While single-serving sizes are convenient, they are more costly.  Be thrifty and get supplies in bulk.  Keep a pen and paper handy in or near your pantry to make a note of items that are running low.

Older children should be responsible for making their own lunches.  Provide healthy choices, and let them choose what they like.  Make lunches at night to save time in the morning.  Put leftovers into lunch containers when cleaning up after dinner.  When you cook, double the recipe and freeze one batch.  You can use the second batch for lunches or dinner on a busy night.  It will save you time and will be healthier than picking up fast food.

Labelling
Don’t forget to label all items your children take to school which need to be brought home each night or week.

Checklist
Post a checklist as close as possible to where your children enter and exit for school.  Make it easy for everyone to read.  Have young children draw an outline of the items they need to take.  Have a designated spot for each child’s coat, mittens, boots, backpack and sports equipment.

Calendar and Scheduling
All activities should be put onto one calendar.  Keeping more than one calendar is difficult; it usually results in missed appointments.  Label each family member’s activities in a different colour; let your children pick their favourite colour.  Limit extra-curricular activities for each child.  To make everyone’s life easier, try not to overschedule.  Your children need some time to be kids!

Rewards
Set up a reward system to motivate your children to reach their goals throughout the year.  With your encouragement and positive reinforcement, they will succeed!

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Organizing Your Garage!

Posted on: July 23rd, 2012 by Cathy Mendler No Comments




Summer is here—with lots of sunshine, heat and humidity! It’s time to take a well-deserved break.

Let’s get started and turn over another leaf!


Organizing Your Garage


“I had more clothes than I had closets, more cars than garage space, but no money.” Sammy Davis, Jr.


Are you able to park your car(s) in your garage? If you can’t, do you keep your garage door closed to hide the clutter? Many people say that their garage is their most disorganized space.


The same principles used to organize the inside of your house can also be applied to the garage.


Planning


When you live in our region of the country, organizing the garage has to be done when the weather permits. Choose a date and time as well as an alternate date in case of extremely hot or poor weather. Check with your neighbours. You may not want to clear out your garage when they’re planning a yard sale. Their customers will assume you’re having a yard sale too!


The size of your garage and the amount of clutter will determine how much time you will need. Remember to set a realistic goal for the amount of time you have set aside. Decide if this will be a project for the whole family.


Supplies


Stock up ahead of time–garbage bags, recycle bin, empty boxes, broom, dust pan, gloves, etc. Have cold drinks and snacks readily available.


Get Started


Dress comfortably. Put on your favourite tunes.


Designate areas: Keep, Sell, Donate, Garbage and Recycling. Have the children label areas on the driveway with coloured sidewalk chalk.


Start by removing everything from the garage onto your driveway and/or lawn. If that’s too overwhelming, work on one area at a time. As you empty the garage, sort items into categories—toys, sporting equipment, bikes, tools, car cleaning supplies, outdoor decorations, gardening items, etc. Ensure that all items you keep are in good, working condition. Place items to donate or sell into boxes or bags. Recycling and garbage should be placed in their designated area.


The most important thing is to stay focused on the project at hand. Take short breaks to keep up your energy—especially if your children are helping. Visualize the end result; it will help keep you on track.


Questions to Ask when Sorting


Do I need more than one of an item? How often do I use it? Borrowing or renting an item may be a better option—especially if it takes up a lot of space.


Be realistic about how much your garage will hold.


Organizing Your Possessions


Gather together everything you want to store in an area before you start organizing that space. Designate a different zone for each activity–toys, sporting equipment, bikes, tools, gardening items, garbage and recycling, etc.


Plastic containers are ideal for garage storage because they keep items clean and the bugs away. The garage is not a good place to store photos and heirlooms because of extreme temperature differences.


Use storage containers that you already own. It’s important to measure before you buy any new containers; only buy containers if you need a different size or style. Clear storage containers are best—especially if containers will be stacked. Try to avoid rows of containers; if you have to move a lot of containers, an item is less likely to be put back. Remember to label all containers.


Make use of vertical space as much as possible. Adjust shelves or add extra ones.


Hang tools on pegboards. Draw an outline of the tool, so everyone knows where it belongs.


Stacking recycle bins are available to conserve space.


Create parking spaces for your children’s bikes with paint or tape lines on the garage floor.


Deck boxes are great for storing cushions and other outdoor items.


A cabinet just inside the garage close to the deck can store plastic dishes, glasses and other serving items–making table setting easier.

Garage storage cabinets are available in various price ranges at home building and hardware stores. Cabinets look tidier because items are out of sight. Ceiling-mounted racks can store less frequently used items. There are numerous garage organizing companies who will create the garage of your dreams.


Make sure that paint, gardening chemicals and cleaning supplies are stored safely and out of reach of young children. Dispose of them safely at a household hazardous waste location.


Consider installing a shed to store items such as lawn mowers, lawn furniture, etc., if you don’t have a garage.


Recycling


You’ll feel like you’ve really completed your project if you can dispose of any donations, recycling and garbage right away.


Reward Yourself


Plan a fun activity for the whole family to enjoy after all your hard work!