Quick Tips for Getting Organized

Volume 6 – October 2007

Laundry
The dryer is a wonderful machine! To help it run its best and last a long time, follow these steps:
Don’t allow lint to build up in the dryer vent. This is not only prohibiting your dryer from running at optimum but it is also a major fire hazard. In the mid-1990s it was estimated that 14,800 homes caught fire annually because of lint buildup igniting in the dryer – National Fire Protection Association.
Clean the lint filter and holder each time you run the dryer and always use the lint filter.
Be sure the exhaust pipes are made of flexible metal not plastic or vinyl as they can melt from the heat. Once a year, be sure to clean the exhaust pipe by unclamping from the back of the dryer and using a vacuum with a dusting brush attachment. If it looks especially clogged it may be easier to visit the hardware store for a replacement.

Manners
There is debate about Thank-You note etiquette this day in age. People generally have strong feelings one way or the other. With email, busy schedules, cell phones and text messaging many feel the hand written thank-you note should be obsolete. However, I’ve found that taking the time to send a note (especially a hand-written one) conveys to the giver that you don’t just feel grateful but you want to show your gratitude ~ even in a small way. Whatever you choose to do most of us can agree that getting a nice, thoughtful note in the mail beats bills and junk-mail any day of the week! Keep that in mind when deciding whether or not to drop a short thank-you note in the mail.

Some tips when writing a thank you note:
Be sure to refer to the event, gift or reason for the note.
Try to write it as soon as possible but remember a thank you is always better late than never.
Don’t forget about your children. If they are of the writing age let them sign their name or write a line or two. If they aren’t old enough to write, the note should come from you.

“An engraved or printed thank-you card, no matter how attractive it’s design, cannot take the place of a personally written message of thanks” – Emily Post

When more than a note is necessary consider sending a small bouquet of flowers, bottle of wine or restaurant gift card.

Home Keeping
I think it’s fair to say that most people reading this have a refrigerator in their home. That being said, maintenance and cleaning is something that needs to be addressed. To help your rather expensive piece of machinery work optimally here are a couple of things to keep in mind and even put on the calendar to do.
~Once a year pull it out from the wall, unplug and vacuum underneath. If you have pets you may want to do this at least every 6 months especially if you notice your pet sleeping right in front of the fridge. The dust that builds up effects how the condenser coils work and can in time burn up the compressor causing major repairs or replacement.
~The internal temperature of your refrigerator should be 35-40 degrees F. The door seals play a huge roll in keeping cold air in and hot air out. To keep the seals at their best, wipe down any spills immediately and avoid cleaning the rubber with harsh chemicals that will cause the seals to dry out and eventually crack. It’s best to use water and dish liquid on a toothbrush and cleaning cloth. Be sure to dry well to avoid mildew. If you see the black specks, wipe down with vinegar and water.
~Refrigerators work by allowing the cold air to circulate around the food. Try to avoid packing down your fridge with too much food. If you do have to pack it out, turn down the temperature to accommodate the work load.
~Store meats on the bottom where it’s coolest and any drips or spills won’t contaminate other foods.
~Take the time to clean and wipe down your refrigerator when it is semi-empty like right before going to the grocery store. A soapy cloth and vinegar are all you will need to effectively wipe down the shelves, doors, nooks and crannies.

Paper Trail
Are you the type of person who jots down “to-do” lists and phone numbers on little pieces of paper only to find your desk riddled with loose or sticky notes preventing you from finding the one you really need? If you are, here’s a simple tip for you to try. Buy a spiral bound steno-book (I prefer the 6x9-inch size) and carry that with you for any and all note making and phone number taking. I like to give each day their own page that way I can easily flip back to my notes or see my “to-do” list’s progress. Many time management experts recommend writing out your goals daily so this tip can help you keep track of goals, mark off what you’ve accomplished and stay organized without having to hunt for the scrap of paper you wrote your next meeting or play-date info on.

Holiday Planning
October is the time when everyone gets ready and gears up for the upcoming holiday season. If you are already organized and have all your holiday shopping finished, kudos to you! However, most of us are just beginning and the thought of buying gifts, let alone a gift the person really wants, is not even on the radar yet. One simple tip to help your holiday gift buying (and year-round gift buying for that matter) is to designate a page in your calendar for recording gift ideas for your loved ones. If you jot ideas down as they come to you or after you hear about something they’d enjoy receiving, when the time comes to buy a gift for them you won’t be at a total loss for ideas. Another bonus is, when you are out and about doing your routine shopping and you come across something on the gift list you can pick it up and save yourself the stress later on. Also, you are more likely to catch an item on sale and really reap the rewards of planning ahead.

Home Decorating
This is definitely the time of year where the decorations come out and houses are festive once more. To save time, money and even storage space consider decorating for Halloween with more generic Fall decorations. Think pumpkins and wreaths of autumn leaves, rather than witches and black cats. Then your home will transition nicely into Thanksgiving and giving you more time to begin your holiday shopping!

Nutrition & Cooking
If you are like me, finding new, tasty and simple recipes is a good thing! I usually avoid recipes with long list of ingredients, especially if I don’t know where to locate the ingredient in the grocery store or have to go to a specialty store to buy it. The book stores and most of our shelves are lined with cookbooks and cooking magazines but I find that when I go to look for a new recipe or look up how to cook a classic I hop online. Here is a short list of sites with free recipes – there are LOTS out there. Some are simple and quick other are classic and complex but I’m sure you’ll find free is good and not taking up any more shelf space even better!

Real Simple Magazine – the name says it all! This is a personal favorite for super easy recipes.
Everyday Food – a resource to go to again and again and again!
Cooking Light, Southern Living, Coastal Living, Cottage Living & Health Magazines – join forces to provide a large variety of wonderful recipes.
Kraft Foods – great site for family friendly recipes and more – be sure to subscribe to their FREE seasonal magazine!
Williams-Sonoma – some of the fancier recipes to attempt, although there are simple scattered throughout. Definitely for your gourmet days!
Food Network – a classic favorite with a plethora of recipes!

Kitchen
There’s a lot to be said about having a clean kitchen. The great feeling you get when it’s done is the biggest! This month I have a couple of tips for the sink area. It’s been suggested by other organizers and books I’ve read that you should run the dishwasher at night, empty it every morning and rather than fill the sink with dirty dishes throughout the day – put them in the available dishwasher. This is a wonderful little tip that I try to do daily and it helps make the kitchen seem less cluttered and clean even if it’s not perfectly clean. Okay, now that the sink is empty, what are you doing to clean it? If you have a stainless sink it’s pretty easy to scrub and polish to a shine with a gentle cleanser but if you have a white sink (like I do) the scrubbing could last a week and some of the stubborn stains won’t budge…UNLESS you have the right tool for the job! There’s a little product called Bar Keeper’s Friend that you can pick up at your grocer or even fancy kitchen store. Please do NOT mistake this product for Ajax or Comet. They are much too abrasive and don’t work as well or as quickly. Bar Keeper’s Friend cost a little more but trust me, just wet the sink, sprinkle a little around and use a sponge to “scrub” or wipe clean. I suggest wearing gloves whenever you clean with any non natural agents but you won’t be in them long! After the cleaning, rinse and admire your white, white sink!!

Relationships
If you have children you are very aware of the quickly approaching holiday season. From costumes to winter break parents everywhere are making their list and checking their wallets. During the upcoming months, when moments get stressful, keep in mind how quickly this season will pass. Not just the next few months but also your children’s childhood. Take a deep breath, give them a big hug and remember what the holidays are all about. Giving, family, love and joy! The stressful times can be great opportunities for sharing your faith and love with your kids. They are watching you and will do what you do.


If you like to send me your tips for consideration please email me at
kim@smartmoms-smartbusiness.com.