Does This System Make My Butt Look Fat?

Last week I was staffing an AMAZING Women's Training at Impact Training and deserved to have some new clothes.

So, on Wednesday I got to go shopping just for me.

In the past I have hated clothes shopping.  It was something a kin to torture.  I would have to psych myself out, pep myself up, and breathe heavily a few times before I went into a clothing store.  Once inside, I would grab the first things I saw, try on one or two items and leave frustrated with my body.

Self-esteem in the toilet, and more aware of my physical "flaws" than ever before, I would cry all the way home. Sometimes swearing to NEVER shop again until I had liposuction and a tummy tuck.

This time was different.

This time I didn't blame or hate my body.  I pulled tons of options off the racks.  I noticed that there were some clothes that fit well, some that fit okay, and some that just didn't fit at all.

This time I changed my question...not, "Does my BODY fit this?" but, "Does THIS fit my body?"

Organizing is a lot like clothes shopping.  Some of the gadgets and systems will fit and some will not.  Many of my clients have blamed the organizational failures of their system on themselves and give themselves labels like "Lazy"or "Stupid"  Most of them will argue that the system or gadget works fine for                    so it should work for them. Some are so frustrated that they cry, become overwhelmed and convince themselves that they are a "Hopeless Case" It just breaks my heart.

If you are there, all is not lost.  You are not "Stupid" or "Lazy"  The question that deserves to be asked is not, "Why can't I make this work, what is wrong with ME?" but "Why isn't THIS working with me?"

The answer will always uncover a flaw in the system.

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!

Car Accident 101

Ever have one of those days when you feel so completely blessed to be alive?  This last couple of months has reminded me how blessed I am every day.  

On September 2nd I was in a six car pile-up that totaled my Honda Odyssey.  No one involved was seriously injured, and aside from nightly headaches I am doing really well.  

A HUGE **THANK YOU** goes out to the person or people who invented crumple zones!

The accident has been a good reminder of all the wonderful things we need to have on hand in case of a car accident.  Here is a quick list for those of us who could use a reminder:

• Car Insurance Info
• agent's phone number
• insurance company's phone number 
• insurance policy number
• Car Registration
• Driver's License Info
• A list of emergency contacts
• A list of allergies and current medications
• Pen and paper
• A camera

I keep all of the information in my glove box in a plastic check holder. Each section is separated out by category with Insurance and Registration information in the front of the file for easy access.  I have other sections to so I can keep track of things like car repairs and service contracts.

I used to keep a disposable camera in the glove compartment too, but since my cell phone has a camera I no longer have a disposable in the vehicle.

It is a really good idea to know what kind of car insurance you have. Check to make sure things like car rentals and property damage (like car seats and computers) are covered. When an accident occurs that involves more than one car the claims will usually go through your insurance first and you and your insurance company will be reimbursed by the insurance company of the person who hit you.  Be prepared to pay your deductible out of pocket and be reimbursed later.

When you are hit, especially if you are on the freeway, STAY in your vehicle and call 911.  The operator will dispatch you to the police department.  In the accident I was involved in, several of the people involved got out of their cars and almost created another accident. 

DO NOT DISCUSS the accident with the other people that were involved.  You can see if they are okay, but if you start discussing the accident, our minds will fill in details that weren't really there and then the police and the insurance company  won't have the most accurate account of what happened.

The first phone call to make is to 911.
Then call your emergency contact and your insurance company.

 Next time I will go over how to keep all the paperwork straight and how to deal with multiple insurance companies (so much fun!)

Paper Filing Tools I LOVE!

The school year is almost upon us.  Soon paper will be flowing into our houses faster than Niagra Falls.  So I thought I would make a list of my favorite filing supplies.

Dymo Labeler

Dymo Labeler - It looks cool,  has all kinds of labeling tape (even silver and gold so I can bling out my files!) and makes it so that I don't have to hand-write file labels.  This one even has a magnetic holder so I could put it on my fridge or filing cabinet.  I don't put it there...I am thinking of having it surgically attached to my hand I use it so much.

Pendaflex PileSmart Sorter

Pendaflex PileSmart Sorter- It is colorful and I can put off filing indefinitely but still find what I need.  I love the over-sized write-on tabs!

Pendaflex PileSmart Tabs

Pendaflex PileSmart Binder Clips - These keep papers together and the write on tabs remind me what I was going to do with the papers. ...Now if they will only remind me why I was going to the kitchen!

Straight-Tab Files

Straight Tab Files - I love the extra labeling room on straight tab files.  I don't have to abbreviate.  I also love not having to figure out if I need a right, left or center tab. They come in all kinds of colors too, so I don't have to look at a sea of manila or brown.

Hanging File Folder

Hanging File Folders - These keep my files from flopping around in my filing cabinet.  I love the ones with inside pockets so that small pieces of paper and receipts don't get lost.  Box bottom files are great for larger files.

 Post-It Removable Tabs.  They are made of a thicker plastic and are repositionable.  I use them in my files to separate out categories within the file folder.

Year Labels

Smead Year Labels  I could write the year on all my files, but I like the way these look instead.  Each year has a different color and the font size is fabulous.  I was able to pick some up at a clearance rack for 50 cents.

Knock-Knock and Vanity File Folders 
I just love the look of funny file folders.  Knock-Knock has some of the funniest organizational tool around!
These file folders are for the files that stay in the mail center out where I can look and laugh at them every day.  They are more sturdy than the files in the file-cabinet and some even have erasable tabs.  The ones in my mail center have black and white pictures of places I would like to visit.  

Happy Filing! 

 

It's Party Time! It's Party Time!

This last weekend my 10 year old daughter had her birthday party.  Seven of her friends and her sister were there.  The thing I like about birthday parties is that there is so little I need to do to prep for them.  It ends up being a lot of fun for me and my children get exactly what they want out of a party. 

How do I keep from going completely mad before a party you might ask... (Oh I am SO glad you asked!)

We put the kids in charge of their own party!  This idea came from a Family Fun article about a millennium ago.  In times past, I was not as footloose and fancy free as I am now, no way!  I would spend days, sometimes a month or more prepping for an extravaganza of a lifetime. 

We would invite ALL of the kids friends and create  fantasy birthday parties.  One year we created Thomas the Tank Engine's train yard and had the children (20 of them) move from activity to activity through the train yard.   By the time the party rolled around I was tired, on edge, and just a tiny bit crazed.  Then there was the clean up from these three-ring-circuses, um..I mean parties... that would always take two to three days.

In addition to the friend party, I come from a really big family who all happen to live close by and my husband's family is also here. So we would have the friend party, a family party with his family, and a family party with my family for every single birthday! (That equals out to 18 parties in 5 months for our family of 6.)

One June I realized I had overspent the household budget by about $200. I tracked down the culprit and it was the birthday parties!  That was when I decided something needed to change.

Starting that year I gave each of the kids a $50 budget for their party.  They could "take the money and run," they could use the $50 to throw the party, or they could throw the party of their dreams as long as they provided the funds above and beyond the $50.

I would assist them in coming up with ideas for the party and in making sure no details, like food or activities were missed, but they would be responsible to plan and shop for their party. 

This plan has worked out splendidly!  They get to have what they want and I always stay in budget.  They have learned to bargain shop and have come up with some pretty outrageous parties for $50.  There was this Harry Potter extravaganza that would have blown you away...

We also put a limit on the number of children that are invited.  The kids can invite as many friends as the number of years they have lived plus one, so for instance, with this last party my daughter was able to invite 11 friends.

I also have simplified my preparation for these parties.  Below is the order that I prep the house for a party:

• Clean the entry way and clear the walk-way. (5 minutes)
• Sweep the kitchen floor and spot clean if needed. (10 minutes)
• Empty all the garbage cans. (10 minutes)
• Spot clean the toilet and  bathroom sink. (5 minutes)
• Put out new hand-towels in the bathroom and kitchen. (> 5 minutes)
• Check the soap dispensers to make sure they are full. (> 5 minutes)
• Wipe down kitchen counters and table (10 minutes)
• Pick up any additional rooms that activities are going to be in - Spot vacuum if necessary. (15 minutes)
• Put up decorations 
• Get myself ready

If there is time:

• Unload the dishwasher (That way clean up is really easy)
• Put out food
• Start some music

The total time to prep is 1-2 hours depending on how extensive the decorations are and how elaborate the costumes are.

The question I ask myself as I prep is, "What will my guests see or use?"  I plan on being completely prepped for the party about 30 minutes before guests are due to arrive.  That way if something goes horribly wrong or they arrive early, I am not stressed out. Then I completely relax.  The point of having a party is to have fun and celebrate! 

Party on Dude!