I know it’s a little bit of wishful thinking since there is still snow on the ground, but Spring really is in our near future.  When the weather does finally get warmer, we will all spend a lot more time outside.  For me, and I am sure many others, this means taking our children out to run, jump, ride, leap, and yes, fall.  Therefore it is important to have a first aid kit on hand. 

The American Red Cross recommends these top 10 things to keep in your kit:

1. Adhesive bandages
2. Sterile gauze pads and cloth tape
3. Latex-free disposable gloves
4. Tweezers
5. A thermometer
6. Triple-antibiotic ointment
7. Antiseptic wipes
8. A face mask
9. Topical antihistamines and aspirin
10. First aid instructions.

Now, you could go rummaging thru your house looking for these items, but there is an easier way.  There are many websites out there that sell kits, but the one I’ve found the most helpful is www.readykor.com.  They have first aid kits for your purse, your car, and even your pet!  Check it out and make sure you are prepared!

I was reminded recently that things can sometimes feel bigger than they actually are.  A friend brought great perspective to my day, and my life, when she shared the following insight. “There is a great difference between an inconvenience and a problem. Knowing the difference will save you grief and allow you more time to appreciate what you have.”

Put simply, the Flu is an inconvenience, Cancer is a problem.  Now, when I am having a bad day or when something is not going how I had planned, I simply ask; Is this a problem or an inconvenience?  She was right; I do waste less time worrying about things that are out of my control and more time enjoying what is.

Try it the next time you are having a “bad day.”  See if it gives you the same perspective it gave me!

Taxes can be a costly expense if you decide to have someone else prepare them.  Fortunately there are reliable ways to get your taxes filed for free. Check out the article  at walletpop.com for more details.

We all dread it… calling customer service for any company can be a painful and time wasting experience. With long hold times and mazes of computer automated commands it is easy to get frustrated. Wouldn’t it be helpful to have a map for that maze?  Well, a website called gethuman.com is here to save you time and hopefully frustration. The creators have compiled phone numbers for hundreds companies and given instructions on how to get directly connected with a customer service agent.  You may still have to hold, but you won’t have to waste time talking to a computer.  A sample is listed below, but check out the website next time you have a call to make.

Amazon.com:  1-80…. Don’t press or say anything.

American Express:  1-80…. Press 0 at prompts, ignore messages.

Apple:  800…. Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages.

MasterCard:  800…. Press 000 at each prompt, ignoring messages.

Target Online:  800…. Don’t press or say anything, ignore messages.

Visa:  800…. Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages.

Wal-Mart.com:  800… Press 5 to speak with a customer service rep.

Challenge: Not knowing when to take time off to rest and recharge. Giving yourself permission to take time to nurture your needs. 

I say it all the time, “You can’t give of yourself when your own well is dry.” –Julie

Too often we make time for a multitude of things (work, kids, spouses, errands) and, in the process, leave out taking care of ourselves.  However, you can only do your best if you are healthy so you must make time to care for your needs.  

Whether your reason for leaving yourself out has to do with guilt or feeling like you are too busy, it is important to listen to your body to know if you are giving yourself enough time.  It is also improtant to remember that taking time for yourself is not selfish.  It is necessiary to take care of your needs in order to rejuvinate, rest, and feel your best.  Everyone is different so you must learn to listen to your body.  Ask yourself regulary, “How am I feeling?”  The answer to this question will let you know if you need a breather. 

The time you take for yourself can range from a five minute break each day for you to meditate (read, drink some tea, go for a walk) to a week vacation in the Bahamas.  Some also choose massages or time out with friends.  The point is, if you are listening to your body, you will find the balance you need.  If you are having trouble taking time for yourself, start by scheduling appointments with yourself throughout the week.    Too often it is easier to cancel appointments for ourselves then it is to cancel on others, putting a commitment in writing will help you keep it.  By putting yourself in your dayplanner, you will make certain to schedule other appointments around your “Me Time.”

A step further would be to involve your family and friends.  Making them aware of when your “Me Time” happens, will allow them the opportunity to respect it. You probably do this now and don’t even realize it.  For instance, many people make time for church on Sundays.  Their friends know they will be unavailable at that time.  Others go to the gym every day at a certain time and thier family and friends understand they will be unreachable. It is up to you to protect your time, others can only respect it if you do.

The new stimulus plan may help you save money on your heating bills.  Check out this web post  at walletpop.com for details on how to receive money to update your windows.

I recently discovered a website that is quite possibly going to transform life as I now know it. OK, that’s a little dramatic, but I really have fallen in love with the website www.Evernote.com.   It is a FREE online service that allows you to store clips and lists, or files that are taking up room in your filing cabinet, desk, or floor.  It is a virtual scrapbook of sorts.  Keep recipes, copy and paste from websites as you do research, and tag all of it with key words for easy retrieval when you need to find it again!  It is a great site for those who just can’t let go of a magazine article (or 100).  Simply scan them into the site and recycle the paper! The initial process of getting everything loaded will take some work, but think of how much time it could save in the future. Not to mention the file space!  Also a good back up for those important documents you keep in the lock box (Wills, POA’s, Marriage certificate/license).  The possibilities are endless… well almost.  While Evernote.com allows you to upload photos, it is limited and they are not easily retrieved.  If you want to organize and store photos, I would stick with sites like Shutterfly.com or Snapfish.com that were purely created for that reason. 

Give it a try!

Most of us changed our clocks this weekend due to daylight savings time.  As I did so, I couldn’t help to wonder how many of us actually know why it happens. A site called Web Exhibits has an interactive page that will teach you all there is to know about Daylight Savings time in a fun and quick way.

After you have learned more about why we do it, and how it got started, remember to change the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. However, you don’t necessarily need to toss the used batteries. While they are not fully charged, they may still have enough life to work in children’s toys, media players or electronic devices. Squeeze the last drop of power out of them before recycle them!

The challenge: ” I have chronic health conditions. I engage in professional employment. I want to organize my time to get office work, housework, social life, and rest in each day.”

Weekly blueprint to the rescue!!!!!!!!!!!

At this point, most of you are probably wondering what a weekly blueprint is anyway. I use the term “weekly blueprint” to mean a suggested guide for how you spend your time each week. It has enough structure to help you be more productive with not too much structure so that you feel it’s oppressive.

To get started on creating your own blueprint, you’ll need a blank sheet of paper and pencil.

1. Begin by writing the seven columns along the top of the page, one for each day of the week.

2. Along the left side of the page, list time increments by 1/2 hr going from 12am to 12pm.

3. Now it’s time to fill in the blanks. Start by noting when you go to sleep and wake up. Add in the hours that you spend on major time commitments- your professional employment, family responsibilities, your personal needs such as exercise, etc.

4. Once the major commitments are highlighted, this usually brings about an “ah-ha” moment. A good amount of the hours in the week are now accounted for. Take a look at the types of activities you haven’t yet recorded and begin to analyze how you might fit those in as well.

5. Make tradeoffs. Playing volleyball on Wednesday nights might mean that you don’t get to tuck your kids into bed that night. Time socializing with friends is not time that you are spending on professional work.

6. Post this blueprint prominently so that you can refer to it often.

7. Commit to honoring your blueprint when you’re making appointments with others or scheduling tasks within your day. For example, if you know that you need rest everyday from 3-5pm, that would not be an ideal time to schedule housework or social activities.

A word to the wise… sometimes I’ve witnessed people get so excited to have a weekly blueprint that they want to create this structure for every hour of the entire week. Control yourself!

Recognize time management is more than scheduling. It’s freeing time so inspiration can flow. Leave blank space on this weekly blueprint for life to unfold. A healthy balance between structure and spontaneity is so much more enjoyable than week after week of rigidity.