By Dawn Reitz
I love her 'cause she's always there
to help me up when Life's not fair.
To kiss it better when it pains
and scrub away the dirty stains.
To make me laugh when I am mad
or comfort me when I am sad.
And even when I'm down and blue,
she’ll pick me up and push me through.
I love her 'cause she's always there,
to be my friend, to always care.
Never too busy to understand,
to love me, and to hold my hand.
To put all other things aside,
So that my needs won't be denied.
To tell me, "No," when it's not right.
To say, "Don't let the bed bugs bite.”
Mom, no one compares to you,
without your love, what would I do?
I love you more than words can say
and hope I’m just like you...Someday.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Photo Organizing
Digital Photo Organizing
Where are your digital photos NOW?
Are they somewhere on your computer?
Are they still on your digital camera?
Start with your most current photos and work backward. If you try to start with old photos you may never catch up. Once you can manage your current photos and create a storage and retrieval system, you can start on organizing old photos.
Organize Your Photos-
Get pictures off of Camera quickly – Create a “DUMP” file in My Pictures
Create a Main Folder in My Pictures by year
Put categories and sub-categories into main folder by events and date
Label photos in your “DUMP” and move to sub-folders.
Back up photos-
• Use an external hard drive – great if your computer crashes but not in a fire
• Back up On-line – BEST CHOICE
Display Your Photos-
• Using digital photo frames
• Print and Frame
Share Your Photos-Create digital scrapbooks or share with Social Media sites
SmileBox
Scrapblog
Mixbook
SmugMug
Photobucket
Snapfish
DropShots
FaceBook
Where are your digital photos NOW?
Are they somewhere on your computer?
Are they still on your digital camera?
Start with your most current photos and work backward. If you try to start with old photos you may never catch up. Once you can manage your current photos and create a storage and retrieval system, you can start on organizing old photos.
Organize Your Photos-
Get pictures off of Camera quickly – Create a “DUMP” file in My Pictures
Create a Main Folder in My Pictures by year
Put categories and sub-categories into main folder by events and date
Label photos in your “DUMP” and move to sub-folders.
Back up photos-
• Use an external hard drive – great if your computer crashes but not in a fire
• Back up On-line – BEST CHOICE
Display Your Photos-
• Using digital photo frames
• Print and Frame
Share Your Photos-Create digital scrapbooks or share with Social Media sites
SmileBox
Scrapblog
Mixbook
SmugMug
Photobucket
Snapfish
DropShots
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Organizing for TAX Time
Prepare NOW for next year by getting organized!
Set up an all-year round file system -
Designate a box, accordion file, or a file cabinet for year-round paper storage and retrieval. Create a folder that is simply labeled TAX. As you acquire any tax related documents or receipts, place them in this folder. This is beneficial not only for tax time but for when you have to retrieve certain papers throughout the year. Non-tax related papers can be filed in bulk by either month or category. Keep it simple so you will stay on top of maintaining it all year.
Give your tax-related papers a home -
Every January, our mailboxes become flooded with documents necessary for filing your taxes. Add these to your TAX folder so that all of your tax related papers are in one location. Examples of these are:
• W2's
• 1099's
• Mortgage interest statements
• Bank interest statements
• Real estate tax statements
• Investment statements
• Receipts for charitable donations
Sort and create categories for your papers/receipts -
By early February you should have received all paperwork necessary to complete your taxes. Take that folder of collected papers and sort them by category. This process will enable you or your tax preparer to quickly locate your papers and receipts. Some basic categories are:
• Income
• Deductible Expenses
• Medical
• Childcare/Education
• Investments
Save your tax preparer aggravation by throwing away the envelopes that your statements came in and tear off the perforated edges from your income statements. Group the documents into the categories you have created and paper clip them together. Place all of these papers in a folder or large envelope.
Call your tax preparer early -
If you're using a tax preparer, call in January to schedule a mid to late February tax appointment. Doing these forces you to organize and compile all the necessary information by that date. Accountants get very busy as April 15th approaches.
Being organized at tax time will give you greater control over the tax preparation process. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, you will feel a sense of calm and accomplishment. Instead of frantically searching for documents you will be able to produce them at a moment’s notice.
The sooner you get organized for tax time the sooner you will get your refund. Why let the government hang on to YOUR MONEY?
Set up an all-year round file system -
Designate a box, accordion file, or a file cabinet for year-round paper storage and retrieval. Create a folder that is simply labeled TAX. As you acquire any tax related documents or receipts, place them in this folder. This is beneficial not only for tax time but for when you have to retrieve certain papers throughout the year. Non-tax related papers can be filed in bulk by either month or category. Keep it simple so you will stay on top of maintaining it all year.
Give your tax-related papers a home -
Every January, our mailboxes become flooded with documents necessary for filing your taxes. Add these to your TAX folder so that all of your tax related papers are in one location. Examples of these are:
• W2's
• 1099's
• Mortgage interest statements
• Bank interest statements
• Real estate tax statements
• Investment statements
• Receipts for charitable donations
Sort and create categories for your papers/receipts -
By early February you should have received all paperwork necessary to complete your taxes. Take that folder of collected papers and sort them by category. This process will enable you or your tax preparer to quickly locate your papers and receipts. Some basic categories are:
• Income
• Deductible Expenses
• Medical
• Childcare/Education
• Investments
Save your tax preparer aggravation by throwing away the envelopes that your statements came in and tear off the perforated edges from your income statements. Group the documents into the categories you have created and paper clip them together. Place all of these papers in a folder or large envelope.
Call your tax preparer early -
If you're using a tax preparer, call in January to schedule a mid to late February tax appointment. Doing these forces you to organize and compile all the necessary information by that date. Accountants get very busy as April 15th approaches.
Being organized at tax time will give you greater control over the tax preparation process. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, you will feel a sense of calm and accomplishment. Instead of frantically searching for documents you will be able to produce them at a moment’s notice.
The sooner you get organized for tax time the sooner you will get your refund. Why let the government hang on to YOUR MONEY?
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
National Procrastination Week
March 1st-March 7th is National Procrastination Week.
Why We Procrastinate
Why do we fall into the procrastination trap time after time? Because procrastination becomes a way of dealing with the emotions and physical symptoms that accompany depression. It may bring some temporary relief, but we eventually wake up the following day and find that no one has done our work for us. Or it may be as simple as avoiding tasks that are just no fun. Either way...recognizing this is your first step to becoming a less procrastinating you.
Time Management Tips to Beat Procrastination
One of the most important things you an do for yourself is to get organized. Make lists, take a class in organization, or purchase an organizer. Do whatever works for you. Start out slow and use simple measures. If your organization system is too complicated, it will become just another task to avoid. Here are a few tips to get you on your way
•Make a list of what needs to get done. This list doesn't have to be in any order.
•Prioritize your list items. First by deadlines or due dates and then attack the one's you like the least. Saving the best for last.
•Use a calendar or planner. Schedule yourself the time to do the tasks. A good rule of thumb is to schedule yourself 1 1/2 the time you think you need. You will always find something else to fill the time if you finish early and you will reduce the stress if you are running out of time.
•Take larger tasks and break them down into smaller manageable tasks and schedule them. Be careful not to overbook or double book yourself
•Reward yourself for completing tasks within the scheduled time. I don't mean...go out and buy a new car...but maybe a nice hot bath, an ice cream or just free time to relax.
Why We Procrastinate
Why do we fall into the procrastination trap time after time? Because procrastination becomes a way of dealing with the emotions and physical symptoms that accompany depression. It may bring some temporary relief, but we eventually wake up the following day and find that no one has done our work for us. Or it may be as simple as avoiding tasks that are just no fun. Either way...recognizing this is your first step to becoming a less procrastinating you.
Time Management Tips to Beat Procrastination
One of the most important things you an do for yourself is to get organized. Make lists, take a class in organization, or purchase an organizer. Do whatever works for you. Start out slow and use simple measures. If your organization system is too complicated, it will become just another task to avoid. Here are a few tips to get you on your way
•Make a list of what needs to get done. This list doesn't have to be in any order.
•Prioritize your list items. First by deadlines or due dates and then attack the one's you like the least. Saving the best for last.
•Use a calendar or planner. Schedule yourself the time to do the tasks. A good rule of thumb is to schedule yourself 1 1/2 the time you think you need. You will always find something else to fill the time if you finish early and you will reduce the stress if you are running out of time.
•Take larger tasks and break them down into smaller manageable tasks and schedule them. Be careful not to overbook or double book yourself
•Reward yourself for completing tasks within the scheduled time. I don't mean...go out and buy a new car...but maybe a nice hot bath, an ice cream or just free time to relax.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
To Do Lists
I swear by "to do" lists. They can be kept daily, weekly or monthly depending on what works best for you. However, there are some guidelines that should be followed in order to make them successful.
1) DON"T OVER DO IT List items that are reasonable to accomplish in the day, week or month that you wish to finish them. Set your goals.
2) WRITE IT DOWN, REFER TO IT AND CHECK IT OFF Create your list on paper or in your pda/cell phone and glance at it through out the time period. One it is finished...check it off or delete it from your list.
3) PRIORITIZE AND CARRY OVER Some items may be MUST COMPLETE and others are things that you would like to get done. I like to use the number system. I number high priority items with the #1, medium priority a #2 and low as #3. Carry over should only be reserved for priority #3. We live in a busy and hectic world so don't punish yourself for not getting to the #3 items. Just carry them over to the next day, week or month's list and raise their priority level to a #2 or #1.
4) DON'T PROCRASTINATE Some tasks are things we just don't want to do. Schedule an appointment with yourself that cannot be cancelled. Have a friend or family member come help and motivate you. Take the task and make it into smaller, more manageable tasks and list these items individually. Remind yourself how you will feel when the task is done.
5) REWARD YOURSELF Look over your completed list and feel a great sense of accomplishment. Enjoy a relaxing bubble bath. Spend time with your family or a dear friend.
There are some great sites out there to help you. Below are a few...
http://www.printablechecklists.com
http://checklists.com
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/TC100760061033.aspx?CategoryID=CT101172571033
1) DON"T OVER DO IT List items that are reasonable to accomplish in the day, week or month that you wish to finish them. Set your goals.
2) WRITE IT DOWN, REFER TO IT AND CHECK IT OFF Create your list on paper or in your pda/cell phone and glance at it through out the time period. One it is finished...check it off or delete it from your list.
3) PRIORITIZE AND CARRY OVER Some items may be MUST COMPLETE and others are things that you would like to get done. I like to use the number system. I number high priority items with the #1, medium priority a #2 and low as #3. Carry over should only be reserved for priority #3. We live in a busy and hectic world so don't punish yourself for not getting to the #3 items. Just carry them over to the next day, week or month's list and raise their priority level to a #2 or #1.
4) DON'T PROCRASTINATE Some tasks are things we just don't want to do. Schedule an appointment with yourself that cannot be cancelled. Have a friend or family member come help and motivate you. Take the task and make it into smaller, more manageable tasks and list these items individually. Remind yourself how you will feel when the task is done.
5) REWARD YOURSELF Look over your completed list and feel a great sense of accomplishment. Enjoy a relaxing bubble bath. Spend time with your family or a dear friend.
There are some great sites out there to help you. Below are a few...
http://www.printablechecklists.com
http://checklists.com
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/TC100760061033.aspx?CategoryID=CT101172571033
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
