Superman Lives!

Ok...I had someone ask me if I practice what I teach and if I ever have "normal" stuff happen to me.  If you are doubting, here is what happened this morning...

My husband had a crown that fell off while he was brushing his teeth.

The crown went down the drain.  He turned off the water, then...

1. Took out the toilet paper rolls stored in the plastic container under the sink.
2. Used the container to catch the water as he opened the trap.
3.  Fished out the crown.
4. Disinfected it. 
5. Put the trap back on. 
6. Wiped out the TP container with a hand towel that was by the sink.  (Yuck!)
7. Put the extra toilet paper back in the container.
8. Changed out the used hand-towel with a new one.  (Thank you Love!)
9. Checked to make sure the trap was on tightly and... 
10. Went to call the dentist to bump up his appointment to next week.  

Under my Bathroom Sink

The whole process took about 5 minutes and he got to his meeting (the reason he was brushing his teeth to begin with) on time.

 The point of organization is not to have a model home that no one can use and everyone is afraid to touch, but to be able to handle the stuff that happens every day and not have it derail your day.

Every day we get to plan for the unexpected, because the unexpected happens every day!


I am off to do a load of laundry, We are running low on towels! :)

Insomnia and Guiding Principles

Tonight is a full moon.  I almost always have insomnia when there is a full moon.  I don't mind it though, it gives me time to ponder in the still of the night.  Lately I have been pondering the guiding principles of my life.


Some of my guiding principles I learned from those who have come before.
From my Grandfather, Sheldon Lowry, I learned to be honest and praise God in everything.
From my  Uncle, Kenneth Knapp, I learned to work hard and play hard.
From my Great-Grandmother, Orrilla Groneman, I learned grace and forgiveness in every moment.  Almost every person who has touched my life has shown me other principles of life.

prin·ci·ple/ˈprinsəpəl/Noun
1. A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.

2. A rule or belief governing one's personal behavior. 

From guiding principles all action, inaction, and rules for behavior flow. 


My family has a commitment statement that guides our interactions.  It is a contract really.  It is hung in our living room by the door to remind us about what we are to be about.  From that contract we create rules, and from those rules, natural consequences flow.   


Have you ever pondered why your family was brought together at this time?  There is a purpose behind why your bunch of personalities reside together.  What was it that you were meant to learn, create, or be from the family you have?  Do you know what your guiding principles are?  Does your family?




I have a template for the Family Contract.  If you would like a copy, email me at (sherah at createspace.us) and I will send one to you.

Tow Trucks, Agents and Doctors - Oh MY!

After a long hiatus, I am FINALLY feeling like myself again.

So the long-awaited second installment is here.  Insurance Companies, Hospitals and Specialty Doctors...What can I say? They are time consuming, EXPENSIVE and not much fun to deal with.  There is one thing to keep in mind when working with them...THEY WORK FOR YOU!

Here is a brief (incomplete) list of people I employed when I was in this car accident:

• Insurance Adjuster
• Insurance Customer Service Rep
• Insurance Agent
• Police Officer(s)
• Tow Truck Company and Operator
• ER Doctors 
• Hospital Administrators
• Nurses 
• Radiologists
• Chiropractor
• Massage Therapists
• Neurologist
• Dentist
• Endodontist
• Pharmacy Tech
• Pharmacist
• Attorney

Just like real employees they like to be paid.  (They each sent a bill to prove it!)  Just like real employees they like to be told when they are going to be paid.  Unlike most employees, most of them are working with me and even waiting months to be paid in full.

So if you are in an accident and your Personal Injury Protection runs out-- It will only last about half way through your first ER visit-- let them know what your plans are for paying or not paying them. Oh - and DOCUMENT every conversation - you are entering into a verbal contract almost every time you speak with one of your "Employees."

Here is the organizational tip of the post: 

The easiest way to keep track of everything is with a file divided by provider.  That way, if you have multiple visits to the same provider you can keep track of the billing, payments and any contact you have with them.

When you have a conservation with a provider, note the date, time and who you spoke with.  Bullet point the main topic of conversation, details from the conversation, and be sure to write down any payments or arrangements that were made.  If you have a bill from the provider, make the notes right on the bill. If the conversation was about anything else mark the information on a paper attached the inside cover of the file.

If you have health insurance, match the Explanation of Benefits you receive from them to the bills they go with.  It will make it much easier to track down what has been paid and what hasn't when it is time to settle your claim with the other driver's insurance.

This is one of the files you will have for ten years, so you will want to color code it as a "Permanent File"

One more note: You hired your providers, you pay for them, and if they are not working for you, listening to you, or returning your calls, you can FIRE them.

I recently fired my pharmacist and my insurance agent.  I got tired of having my prescriptions shorted and my calls ignored.  It only took a few minutes and my new pharmacist and insurance agent are taking good care of me and are happy to be paid by me!

Just for clarification, I LOVE my insurance company.  Bear River Mutual is wonderful to work with.

Thank you Jan Shaw!  YOU SO ROCK!