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Thursday, December 27, 2012

Organizing Your Family's Safety Plan

It's Thursday again and time for more organizing. Many people are especially motivated to organize as the New Year is just around the corner. Did you have a nice Christmas? I hope that you did:)

If you are just joining us, we have been getting organized using Jennifer Ford Berry's Organize Now book.  


 

It has some great info and tips on organizing various parts of our life and home. You can see past posts here:

Week 1 about Organizing Your Mind and Life Vision HERE,
Week 2 about Organizing Your Priorities HERE,
Week 3 about Organizing Your Schedule HERE
Week 4 about Organizing Your Cleaning Schedule HERE.
Week 5 about Organizing Your Personal Information HERE. 
Week 6 about Organizing Your Finances HERE. 
      Week 7 about Organizing Your Bill-paying System HERE.
        Week 8 about Organizing Your Receipts and Taxes HERE
Week 9 about Organizing Your Files HERE
                          Week 10 about Organizing your Magazines and Newspapers HERE.
                                               Week 11 about Organizing Your Email HERE
                                                Week 12 about Organizing Your Mail HERE
                                         Week 13 about Organizing Your Child's Toys HERE.
Week 14 about Organizing Your Crafts HERE.
Week 15 about Organizing Your Photographs HERE.
Week 16 about Organizing Your Purse or Wallet HERE. 
 Week 17 about Organizing Your Vehicle HERE.
                                                  Week 18 about Organizing Your Pet HERE.
Week 19 about Organizing Your Books, CDs and DVDs HERE.
Week 20 about Organizing Your Entryway or Mudroom HERE.
                        Week 21 about Organizing Your Family Room or Living Room HERE.
Week 22 about Organizing Your Kitchen Countertops HERE.
Week 23 about Organizing the Kitchen Cabinets HERE.
Week 24 about Organizing the Pantry HERE. 
Week 25 about Organizing the Refrigerator HERE.
Week 26 about Organizing the recipes HERE.
Week 27 about Organizing the dining room HERE.
Week 28 about Organizing the Laundry Room HERE.
Week 29 about Organizing the Bathroom HERE
Week 30 about Organizing the Medicine Cabinet HERE.
Week 31 about Organizing Your Child's Clothes and Closet HERE.
Week 32 about Organizing Your Child's Memorabilia HERE.
Week 33 about Organizing Your Child's Bedroom HERE.
Week 34 about Organizing Your Bedroom Closet HERE
Week 35 about Organizing Your Memorabilia HERE
Week 36 about Organizing Your Master Bedroom HERE
Week 37 about Organizing Your Jewelry, Accessories and Purses HERE.
Week 38 about Organizing your Home Office HERE 
Week 39 about Organizing the Linen Closet HERE.
Week 40 about Organizing the Basement HERE.
Week 41 about Organizing the Attic HERE.
Week 42 about Organizing the Garage HERE.
Week 43 about Organizing the Yard and Garden HERE.
Week 44 about Organizing Your Holiday HERE.
Week 45 about Organizing Your Party HERE
Week 46 about Organizing Your Trip HERE. 
Week 47 about Organizing Your Move HERE.
Week 48 about Organizing Your Back To School Time HERE
Week 49 about Organizing Your Pregnancy HERE 
Week 50 about Organizing Your Nursery HERE

This week we are organizing our family's safety plan. Do you have one in place? I will be honest to say that my family really did not until I started working on this post. We have a family meeting in place (that will have happened by the time this post is up) to talk to our young kids about what to do in case of a fire, if they get lost, how to call for help, etc. We never expect emergencies like these to happen, but we should be prepared in case they do.

This Week's Goals:

1. Check the batteries on your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors regularly. It's a good idea to replace them twice a year. We like to do this during Day Light Savings so we always remember.

2. Figure out a fire safety plan. I know my fire-fighter brother will be mortified to learn from this post that we had not really talked too much about this. We have since this post though. Every person should have two exit routes from their bedroom. And choose a meeting place outside where everyone will go once they are out of the house. Pick something close but not too close, like a large tree near the front yard. If you have young children, take them on a tour of the local fire station. The firefighters are excellent about reviewing a plan and helping kids to understand what to do (and what not to do) in case of a fire. They should know to drop to the ground to crawl if there is smoke and cover their nose and mouth with a cloth or shirt, etc. They should also know not to hide in a closet or under the bed, where it would be difficult for a firefighter to find them. If you take them on a tour, they will get to see a firefighter in their gear, so your child will not be afraid of them if they are dressed like that in your home.

3. Go around your house with a video camera to make a video inventory of what you have in case it is lost in a fire or burglary.

4. Put all emergency numbers near your phone. Be sure your kids and babysitters are aware of this list.

5. Make an emergency kit for your family. You could put things like a flashlight, batteries, candles, matches, first-aid supplies, blanket etc in it.

Tips:

1. Know who your kids are spending time with - neighbors, babysitters, family members, friends. Communicate with your kids so they know they can come to you if they are uncomfortable or scared.

What other tips do you have to share?

Remember to visit me on Facebook soon! If you are looking to lose weight in the new year, take a look at my new Shaklee 180 Website. I am looking for a team to take the 180 Challenge with me and get healthy in 2013! Super exciting!!!

Thanks for reading and I am wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year!!

Rebecca  

Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all Happy Holidays, a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year!!!

 Thank you for supporting my blog and business! 

You can still get some of my great Holiday Specials through Christmas Day on my Facebook page:)

Cheers!

Rebecca

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Organizing Your Nursery

  Another Thursday is here. Time to get organized!

I can hardly believe we are on week 50 already! There are 56 weeks in the book so we are on the home stretch. How have you been doing so far? Has this series been helpful to you? Please share! I would love to hear:) 


If you are just joining us, we have been getting organized using Jennifer Ford Berry's Organize Now book.  


 

It has some great info and tips on organizing various parts of our life and home. You can see past posts here:

Week 1 about Organizing Your Mind and Life Vision HERE,
Week 2 about Organizing Your Priorities HERE,
Week 3 about Organizing Your Schedule HERE
Week 4 about Organizing Your Cleaning Schedule HERE.
Week 5 about Organizing Your Personal Information HERE. 
Week 6 about Organizing Your Finances HERE. 
      Week 7 about Organizing Your Bill-paying System HERE.
        Week 8 about Organizing Your Receipts and Taxes HERE
Week 9 about Organizing Your Files HERE
                          Week 10 about Organizing your Magazines and Newspapers HERE.
                                               Week 11 about Organizing Your Email HERE
                                                Week 12 about Organizing Your Mail HERE
                                         Week 13 about Organizing Your Child's Toys HERE.
Week 14 about Organizing Your Crafts HERE.
Week 15 about Organizing Your Photographs HERE.
Week 16 about Organizing Your Purse or Wallet HERE. 
 Week 17 about Organizing Your Vehicle HERE.
                                                  Week 18 about Organizing Your Pet HERE.
Week 19 about Organizing Your Books, CDs and DVDs HERE.
Week 20 about Organizing Your Entryway or Mudroom HERE.
                        Week 21 about Organizing Your Family Room or Living Room HERE.
Week 22 about Organizing Your Kitchen Countertops HERE.
Week 23 about Organizing the Kitchen Cabinets HERE.
Week 24 about Organizing the Pantry HERE. 
Week 25 about Organizing the Refrigerator HERE.
Week 26 about Organizing the recipes HERE.
Week 27 about Organizing the dining room HERE.
Week 28 about Organizing the Laundry Room HERE.
Week 29 about Organizing the Bathroom HERE
Week 30 about Organizing the Medicine Cabinet HERE.
Week 31 about Organizing Your Child's Clothes and Closet HERE.
Week 32 about Organizing Your Child's Memorabilia HERE.
Week 33 about Organizing Your Child's Bedroom HERE.
Week 34 about Organizing Your Bedroom Closet HERE
Week 35 about Organizing Your Memorabilia HERE
Week 36 about Organizing Your Master Bedroom HERE
Week 37 about Organizing Your Jewelry, Accessories and Purses HERE.
Week 38 about Organizing your Home Office HERE 
Week 39 about Organizing the Linen Closet HERE.
Week 40 about Organizing the Basement HERE.
Week 41 about Organizing the Attic HERE.
Week 42 about Organizing the Garage HERE.
Week 43 about Organizing the Yard and Garden HERE.
Week 44 about Organizing Your Holiday HERE.
Week 45 about Organizing Your Party HERE
Week 46 about Organizing Your Trip HERE. 
Week 47 about Organizing Your Move HERE.
Week 48 about Organizing Your Back To School Time HERE
Week 49 about Organizing Your Pregnancy HERE

Since we talked about pregnancy last week it is only fitting to move onto the nursery this week. Jennifer suggests thinking through exactly what tasks you will be doing in the nursery. Diapering? Feeding? Dressing? Rocking? Reading? This will help you to make the most of the space you have and organize it accordingly.
This Week's Goals:
1. Choose the furniture and decor or theme. If you are buying new furniture, make sure it fits your needs and area and has good storage space. We didn't have a big room so we purchased a crib that we liked and a matching dresser that had a changing table on top of it. We also purchased a comfortable glider to match, which we got a TON of use out of in feeding the babies and still use to read to the boys now. (ages 2 and 4) Be sure to pick a good and firm mattress for the crib. New is probably better for this.
2. Schedule time to set up the furniture, paint, etc. It's probably safer not to paint if you are pregnant so allow your family members and friends to help with this. Have everything set up at least a month ahead of time in case the baby decides to make an early appearance. My second son was born 6 weeks early and we barely made it to the hospital on time! (he's healthy now:) So you just never know how things will go and it is better to have it done in plenty of time. Since I am the biggest procrastinator, it was lucky for us that we had already been through this with our first son and the nursery was already ready to go:) Probably a good idea to have the diaper bag and YOUR bag packed early too. Something I was doing in between contractions. (not recommended:)

3. Put a light with a dimmer option in the nursery for those late night diaper changes.


Tips:
1. Put a bin in the closet. As your baby outgrows clothes toss them in there to go through later - either to put away for another baby or to donate or sell.
Thanks for reading! How do you organize your nursery?
Remember to visit me on Facebook and take advantage of the 12 days of Specials I am doing right now!
Have a great day!
Rebecca  

Monday, December 17, 2012

Basic H2 Giveaway!

Hello! I am participating in a 12 days of Giveaways on my friend Rachel's facebook page, Grins By Rachel. It ends at 7pm EST tonight so head over there, answer her holiday question in the 2012 giveaways photo album and like my business page to enter! It's that simple and I would love to give this great prize to one of you!

I am giving away Basic H2 super organic concentrate and a 3-pack of spray bottles to go with it! Basic H2 is an awesome household green cleaner from Shaklee, the #1 natural nutrition company in the US. It is made from corn and coconut and was the first earth day product back in 1970! It is safe, effective and will save you money because it's so concentrated. I grew up with this awesome cleaner and am excited to share it with you. Take a look at my youtube video talking about it.


Thanks and good luck!

Rebecca

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Organizing Your Pregnancy

  It's Thursday! Time for more organizing!



If you are just joining us, we have been getting organized using Jennifer Ford Berry's Organize Now book.  


 

It has some great info and tips on organizing various parts of our life and home. You can see past posts here:

Week 1 about Organizing Your Mind and Life Vision HERE,
Week 2 about Organizing Your Priorities HERE,
Week 3 about Organizing Your Schedule HERE
Week 4 about Organizing Your Cleaning Schedule HERE.
Week 5 about Organizing Your Personal Information HERE. 
Week 6 about Organizing Your Finances HERE. 
      Week 7 about Organizing Your Bill-paying System HERE.
        Week 8 about Organizing Your Receipts and Taxes HERE
Week 9 about Organizing Your Files HERE
                          Week 10 about Organizing your Magazines and Newspapers HERE.
                                               Week 11 about Organizing Your Email HERE
                                                Week 12 about Organizing Your Mail HERE
                                         Week 13 about Organizing Your Child's Toys HERE.
Week 14 about Organizing Your Crafts HERE.
Week 15 about Organizing Your Photographs HERE.
Week 16 about Organizing Your Purse or Wallet HERE. 
 Week 17 about Organizing Your Vehicle HERE.
                                                  Week 18 about Organizing Your Pet HERE.
Week 19 about Organizing Your Books, CDs and DVDs HERE.
Week 20 about Organizing Your Entryway or Mudroom HERE.
                        Week 21 about Organizing Your Family Room or Living Room HERE.
Week 22 about Organizing Your Kitchen Countertops HERE.
Week 23 about Organizing the Kitchen Cabinets HERE.
Week 24 about Organizing the Pantry HERE. 
Week 25 about Organizing the Refrigerator HERE.
Week 26 about Organizing the recipes HERE.
Week 27 about Organizing the dining room HERE.
Week 28 about Organizing the Laundry Room HERE.
Week 29 about Organizing the Bathroom HERE
Week 30 about Organizing the Medicine Cabinet HERE.
Week 31 about Organizing Your Child's Clothes and Closet HERE.
Week 32 about Organizing Your Child's Memorabilia HERE.
Week 33 about Organizing Your Child's Bedroom HERE.
Week 34 about Organizing Your Bedroom Closet HERE
Week 35 about Organizing Your Memorabilia HERE
Week 36 about Organizing Your Master Bedroom HERE
Week 37 about Organizing Your Jewelry, Accessories and Purses HERE.
Week 38 about Organizing your Home Office HERE 
Week 39 about Organizing the Linen Closet HERE.
Week 40 about Organizing the Basement HERE.
Week 41 about Organizing the Attic HERE.
Week 42 about Organizing the Garage HERE.
Week 43 about Organizing the Yard and Garden HERE.
Week 44 about Organizing Your Holiday HERE.
Week 45 about Organizing Your Party HERE
Week 46 about Organizing Your Trip HERE. 
Week 47 about Organizing Your Move HERE.
Week 48 about Organizing Your Back To School Time HERE

This week we are talking pregnancy. I have been pregnant twice and have 2 beautiful boys ages 4 and 2. My pregnancies were pretty uneventful with the exception of having to be on a blood thinner because of clotting issues I have while pregnant. If any of my readers has to do that too, please contact me for tips on making the shots more bearable. :) But in the end, my husband and I were blessed with 2 wonderful children so it is all worth what we go through while pregnant.


This Week's Goals:

1. Register! Especially for your first child. I had a few baby showers for my first son and none for my second. This was ok with me because we had SO much given to us from the first. So it's important to register for things you will need that will last through 2 children. I got a lot of great tips from the Consumer Reports book and other parent-to-be type books. Your friends with new babies are also a great resource.

2. Stay on top of things. When a gift comes in, write the thank you note right away so it is not hanging over your head.

3. Be sure your health insurance is in place and ready to cover little junior when he or she arrives.

4. If you are going back to work after baby arrives, start interviewing child care people and facilities now. Sometimes there are long lists to get in.

5. Get your diapers ready! you will need lots! We used disposables with our first son and changed to cloth with our second. We truly love using cloth diapers and they are no problem to clean using this detergent. I would be happy to talk to moms about the pros and cons of cloth but the main pro for us was cloth saves us a ton of money. It's a big investment initially. In the end you need to decide which works better for you and your child.

6. Look into a birthing class for your first child. This helped us a lot!

7. Cook and freeze meals before baby arrives. You will be thankful for the home cooked options in your freezer when you are exhausted and all of your family and friends have gone home.


Tips:

Be sure to take a ton of pictures! They really do grow so fast and you want to capture all of the memories.

Thanks for reading! What are some tips you have for organizing your pregnancy?
Be sure to check in on Facebook for my 12 days of Holiday specials that started yesterday! And the FREE shipping ends tomorrow. Shaklee makes great holiday gifts!

Have a great day!

Rebecca       

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

12 Days of Shaklee Specials!

Hello! I am super excited to share my 12 days of Christmas Specials with you! I am doing one special a day for the next 12 days on facebook!

Today's special is really great, so please head over to the Waterways Music Facebook page, like the page, and take advantage of some great deals!

And don't forget about the FREE shipping offer going through this Friday! Shaklee products make great gift ideas.

Thanks!:)

Rebecca



Thursday, December 6, 2012

Organizing Back-To-School Time

Happy Thursday! Are you ready to get organized?

If you are just joining us, we have been getting organized using Jennifer Ford Berry's Organize Now book.  


 

It has some great info and tips on organizing various parts of our life and home. You can see past posts here:

Week 1 about Organizing Your Mind and Life Vision HERE,
Week 2 about Organizing Your Priorities HERE,
Week 3 about Organizing Your Schedule HERE
Week 4 about Organizing Your Cleaning Schedule HERE.
Week 5 about Organizing Your Personal Information HERE. 
Week 6 about Organizing Your Finances HERE. 
      Week 7 about Organizing Your Bill-paying System HERE.
        Week 8 about Organizing Your Receipts and Taxes HERE
Week 9 about Organizing Your Files HERE
                          Week 10 about Organizing your Magazines and Newspapers HERE.
                                               Week 11 about Organizing Your Email HERE
                                                Week 12 about Organizing Your Mail HERE
                                         Week 13 about Organizing Your Child's Toys HERE.
Week 14 about Organizing Your Crafts HERE.
Week 15 about Organizing Your Photographs HERE.
Week 16 about Organizing Your Purse or Wallet HERE. 
 Week 17 about Organizing Your Vehicle HERE.
                                                  Week 18 about Organizing Your Pet HERE.
Week 19 about Organizing Your Books, CDs and DVDs HERE.
Week 20 about Organizing Your Entryway or Mudroom HERE.
                        Week 21 about Organizing Your Family Room or Living Room HERE.
Week 22 about Organizing Your Kitchen Countertops HERE.
Week 23 about Organizing the Kitchen Cabinets HERE.
Week 24 about Organizing the Pantry HERE. 
Week 25 about Organizing the Refrigerator HERE.
Week 26 about Organizing the recipes HERE.
Week 27 about Organizing the dining room HERE.
Week 28 about Organizing the Laundry Room HERE.
Week 29 about Organizing the Bathroom HERE
Week 30 about Organizing the Medicine Cabinet HERE.
Week 31 about Organizing Your Child's Clothes and Closet HERE.
Week 32 about Organizing Your Child's Memorabilia HERE.
Week 33 about Organizing Your Child's Bedroom HERE.
Week 34 about Organizing Your Bedroom Closet HERE
Week 35 about Organizing Your Memorabilia HERE
Week 36 about Organizing Your Master Bedroom HERE
Week 37 about Organizing Your Jewelry, Accessories and Purses HERE.
Week 38 about Organizing your Home Office HERE 
Week 39 about Organizing the Linen Closet HERE.
Week 40 about Organizing the Basement HERE.
Week 41 about Organizing the Attic HERE.
Week 42 about Organizing the Garage HERE.
Week 43 about Organizing the Yard and Garden HERE.
Week 44 about Organizing Your Holiday HERE.
Week 45 about Organizing Your Party HERE
Week 46 about Organizing Your Trip HERE. 
Week 47 about Organizing Your Move HERE.

This week we are talking about organizing back-to-school time. This really isn't a very timely post as we are wrapping up the end of the semester for most of us. But it will come in handy in the future and it was the next chapter in the book so here it goes...
 
This Week's Goals:
 
1. Plan ahead and get all doctor appointments scheduled.
 
2. Start organizing your child's closet about a month before school starts to move clothes out that don't fit (give away, sell, or pack away for a younger sibling) and move clothes in for fall that fit your child.
 
3. Find a good place in your house that is designated for homework. Have it free of distractions and stocked with all supplies they need to succeed. Help them to keep it neat and organized.
 
4. Develop a Launch Pad - this is an area, probably near the door most people go out that everyone can keep things they need regularly for their day. ie backpacks, briefcase for parents, laptops, shoes, jackets, lunch boxes, etc. Ours is right near the door to the garage. My husband hung some nice hooks there for jackets, hats and backpacks. Closets, cubbies, chest of drawers, etc also work well. Or maybe in a mudroom. Keep this area neat and organized, not a dumping ground when the kids (or parents!) first walk in the door.
 
5. Discuss with your kids the routine and times they need to wake up, go to bed, etc. For younger kids, start this routine with them a week prior to the start of school so it isn't so shocking when they have to start waking up early.
 
6. Put up a homework chart in the homework area so your kids can stay on task and complete all assignments on time.
 
Tips:
 
1. Put your kids clothes out the night before to save time in the morning.
 
2. Jennifer suggests playing music instead of the TV to help everyone's spirits in the morning and not distract them. As a music therapist, I think this is a great tip! :)
 
Thanks for reading! What tips do you have that work for keeping kids organized as you go back to school?
 
Please remember to visit me on Facebook soon! I love sharing tips on healthy living and other great things there.
 
Sorry again for the lack of pictures. Blogger is not allowing me to put new things up on this blog so I am working on making that happen again soon.     
 
Rebecca 
 
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