MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOURSELF

When it's time for the appointment with yourself, get ready for "The Test".  The test is to walk around your home and analyze everything that's displayed.  It should have a valid reason for taking up space and collecting dust, such as function or looks.  Is it actually useful or is it simply decorative?   You may be surprised when you go through this process at how much is for no purpose and only makes the room look more cluttered.  
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posted on: 10/16/2012 12:00:00 PM  by Judy Warmington
category: The Mental Side

CAN YOU FIND A PAPER?

Can you put your hands on any paper requested of you within five minutes?  If not, take time to get a file cabinet.

One of the best clutter busters is "ye ole" file cabinet.  They been solving office paper management problems for years and they can do the same on the home front.  I believe they are so vital that every home, apartment, condo, dorm room, etc. needs one.  I can't think of a better place for storing bills, important paper, warranty cards, instruction booklets, stamps, report cards, receipts, and catalogs.  
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posted on: 10/9/2012 12:00:00 PM  by Judy Warmington
category: The Mental Side

PASS IT ALONG!

Are you one of the many people who keeps glass containers because you believe that mayonnaise or pickle jars are "just right" for storing something else?  Jeff Campbell, in his book, Clutter Control, suggests time for recycling to free up your space.  

A better way to put those empties to good use is:  recycle them and free up space for yourself.  The same is true of clothes and shoes you no longer wear.  Recycle them into the hands of someone who need them and will wear them.  
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posted on: 10/2/2012 12:00:00 PM  by Judy Warmington
category: The Mental Side

WHAT TO KEEP AND WHAT TO TOSS?

In Jeff Campbell's book, Clutter Control, he offers some rules to control the clutter in your life.  One of them is:  Use it or lose it.  If you're not using something on a regular basis, get rid of it. Sounds simple, huh?  If you haven't put up strawberry preserves since 1962, despite your conviction that you will do so next year, you can safely give away or sell your Mason jars.
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posted on: 9/25/2012 12:00:00 PM  by Judy Warmington
category: The Mental Side

DO YOU SAVE…CLUTTER?

Is your basement bulging from the pieces of lumber and whatnot of an unfinished project?  Is your garage overflowing with lawn furniture and tires to cars from bygone days?  If so, you have a household clutter problem.

Don't despair, you're not alone!  It doesn't matter if the problem is too much stuff or just that what you have is in a state of chaos, the outcome is the same:  stress from uncomfortable living quarters.  You end up wasting time looking for things and you can't even begin to clean around the mess.  It not only costs you time but it can cost you money as you end up buying things you already have.  You are not running your home; your home is running you!
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posted on: 9/11/2012 12:00:00 PM  by Judy Warmington
category: The Mental Side

SAY NO NICELY

One of the hardest time management rules to follow is the one that tells us to be prepared to say "no" when asked to do something that will impose on our time and tranquility.  It need not seem harsh or unkind to say no, it's really every person's prerogative.  

The next time you're asked to do something and you're about to say yes, but you really want to say no, try one of the following strategies:

1.     Begin with a soft refusal by saying, "I'm so glad you asked.  I really admire your organization, but my schedule just won't allow me to accept your offer."
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posted on: 8/28/2012 12:00:00 PM  by Judy Warmington
category: The Mental Side

AS THE SCHOOL BELL RINGS

Ray Hutchins of Austin, Texas wanted his son to do well in highschool, he began quizzing him with questions.  When Glen wasn't sure with his answers it sparked an idea in Hutchins to write a book for his son.  He set up an adult-style calendar so he could organize his time and keep track of assignments, test dates and his grades.  Thus began the prototype of Hutchin's Time Tracker.
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posted on: 8/21/2012 12:00:00 PM  by Judy Warmington
category: The Mental Side

SUMMERTIME IS LAWN TIME

Caring for your lawn and ornamentals makes good aesthetic, economic, environmental, and human sense.  Regarding aesthetics and economics:  not only is thick, green grass attractive, but a healthy home landscape promotes social pride and neighborliness.  

A healthy yard gives children a place to play.  Controlling turf-destroying pests helps provide a soft, resilient surface to play on.  Well maintained landscape can increase the value and selling price of a home.  In the areas of environment:  turf and ornamental's absorb air pollutants.  
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posted on: 8/14/2012 12:00:00 PM  by Judy Warmington
category: The Mental Side

AUGUST'S HOT SO KEEP YOUR PET COOL

Your pet will love the warmer weather as much as you, but it's a time when they have the greatest risk of injury and heat-related health problems.  Here are some summer care tips from my Veterinarian: 

Watch for signs of heatstroke.  If you see rapid panting, hot skin, twitching muscles, and a dazed look quickly wrap your pet in a towel soaked with cool, not cold, water.  In severe cases, place them in a bathtub.  Heatstroke can be fatal, so take your dog to the Vet as soon as possible if you suspect this problem.  
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posted on: 8/7/2012 12:00:00 PM  by Judy Warmington
category: The Mental Side

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM POTENTIAL SEASONAL HAZARDS

To help keep your season full of good times, teach everyone in the family to recognize poison ivy and oak.  For poison ivy the old saying is, "Leaves of three, let it be!"  This is excellent advice for people who are sensitive to the poison ivy plant. 

Poison ivy is generally a wood plant with three leaflets.  It can be a vine growing up the side of a tree or building.  It can also be a self-supported shrub.  If someone is exposed, have them wash carefully, launder clothes separately, and contact your physician for more information on how to treat a reaction to poison ivy.
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posted on: 7/31/2012 12:00:00 PM  by Judy Warmington
category: The Mental Side