Are you prepared?

Brenda McElroy September 14, 2010

Outside her home, she looked up the street and saw fire and smoke billowing down the Montecito hills. Running inside she gathered her family and pets. Her teenage daughter grabbed the box they had prepared with family photos and vital documents for such a time as this. Back outside they knocked on doors and alerted as many neighbors as possible before heading down to safety. This was the scene at my sister-in-law's home almost two years ago when the "Tea Fire" swept through the hills near Santa Barbara. The next day they got word that their house and belongings were destroyed. We visited them in their rebuilt home Labor Day weekend. It's beautiful and the precious photos, spared from the flames, are prominently displayed on a shelf in the living room.

While I'm not a promoter of doom and gloom, I see value in preparing for emergencies and potential disasters. September is National Preparedness Month. To learn how you and your family can be prepared, see this issue's Timely Tips and visit the links to some helpful websites.

TIMELY TIPS - BE PREPARED!

1. Fire Emergency Preparedness

Install dual sensor smoke alarms
Create and practice an escape plan
Purchase a fire extinguisher
For more info visit the Fire Safety Website

2. Basic Emergency Supply Kit

Water - 1 gal/person/day (3-day supply)
Food - 3-day supply of non-perishable food; can opener
Battery-powered or hand crank radio
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit and manual
For more info visit the FEMA Website

3. Family Emergency Plan

Download and complete a Family Emergency Plan from the

FEMA Website

Record an emergency contact number in each family member's cell phone and label it "ICE" (In Case of Emergency)
Identify a local and out-of-town contact for family members to check in with in case of disaster
Identify a family meeting place
Inquire about emergency plans at work, daycare, and school
Try texting to connect with family members if phone networks are disrupted

The Perfect Model

Brenda McElroy August 24, 2010

This summer I brought my guitar to Music Week at Bluff View Preschool where my daughter, Candice, teaches. It's amazing how far basic skills go when your audience is four years old and under! It was fun playing for the kids and watching Candice in action. When I think about how her class is set up and managed, I'm struck with the thought that it is the perfect model for a smooth-running home or business.

By the way, as of August 1st, Candice is a bride-to-be and we are excited to welcome Micah Haury into the family!

TIMELY TIPS - Preschool - the Perfect Organizing Model
Which of these classroom tips might you incorporate into your home, office, or life?

There's a place for everything, and everything's in its place.
Rooms are divided into sections so that you have like things together and everything you need to complete specific tasks.
Containers are stacked neatly on shelves and clearly labeled so you know where everything is.
Cleanup happens throughout the day (following each project) so that there is no major mess to deal with at day's end.
Cleanup is a team effort with everyone participating in age and skill appropriate tasks.
Expectations are clearly defined and there is consistency and follow through with consequences.
Routines are established with lots of practice and affirmation so that each one can eventually accomplish what's expected without being asked or reminded.
There are specific times assigned and boundaries set for each activity - work, play, reading, art, etc.
Some projects take more than a day, but they're always completed.
Nap-time's a daily occurrence.

Seize the Opportunity

Brenda McElroy June 29, 2010

"Make the most of every opportunity..."(Ephesians 5:16) is my theme for 2010. A couple weeks ago I blew it. Not in a life-changing way, but still an opportunity lost, or so I thought. When I approached the pineapple at Costco there was a man carefully choosing one. He looked like he knew what he was doing and had perhaps even grown up on the Islands. I love pineapple, but don't know the first thing about choosing the right one. I grabbed one and went on with my shopping, kicking myself for not being bold enough to ask his advice. The other day I was back at Costco thinking of my lost opportunity as I approached the fruit. Guess who was there-- yep, the pineapple man! I wasn't going to miss the same opportunity twice. He was very kind and took the time to help me find two perfect pineapples! Making the most of every opportunity sometimes means tapping into someone else's expertise to improve our own quality of life. Perhaps you've considered getting organizing help, but haven't followed through on that thought. Today's "Timely Tips" will help clarify if now is the right time, and the coupon below is the opportunity you don't want to miss!

TIMELY TIPS

You know it's time to ask for organizing help if...

Panic and embarrassment result in a cleaning frenzy whenever unexpected company arrives
You spend valuable time searching for your keys, wallet, purse, etc.
Cardboard boxes and piles of stuff keep your car parked outside the garage
You spend money replacing things you know you have, but can't find
Your mail and other papers pile up until bagged and stuck in a closet when company comes
Your dining table is a dumping ground instead of a family meal center
Years of files are bursting out of your file drawers and there's no place for current papers
You're feeling guilty for not setting a good example of organization for your children
Walking into your bedroom, office, kitchen, or living room creates a feeling of stress
You're too embarrassed to ask for help

Two Life-changing Routines

Brenda McElroy June 8, 2010

To celebrate 32 years of wedded bliss I talked Scott into buying a kayak. Being the wonderful husband that he is, he grumbled a bit and then said yes. See those white legs in the picture? After our maiden voyage on beautiful Hume Lake, they were red and blistered. It was chilly that day and we waited just a tad too long to apply the sunscreen! We couldn't see the gradual change even though it was taking place right under our noses. This reminded me of what happens in many homes. A few things get left out as you think to yourself, "I'll just put this here for now." Gradually you let a few more things pile up until the day unexpected company arrives at the door, and you look around and panic! Prevention is always the best medicine and this issue's Timely Tips offers the remedy for the red face of embarrassment just like the sunscreen could have done for our legs.

TIMELY TIPS - Two Life-changing Routines

If it takes less than two minutes, do it now! When put off, all those little tasks like putting your dishes in the dishwasher, hanging up your clothes, putting the groceries away, etc., add up to time consuming messes. You'll be surprised at what you can prevent in two minutes or less!
Ten-minute Tidy - During my Clovis Adult class I was describing the routine of having family members put their own things away before dinnertime and bedtime. My niece, who was taking the class piped up and said, "We call that the Ten-minute Tidy!" I like that name, but whatever you call it, it's part of the answer to waking up to a clean house and never having to open the door red-faced again!

Keep or Toss?

Brenda McElroy May 4, 2010

I can't believe my firstborn has that many candles on her cake! I miss the fun we had when our kids were little, but love spending time with my adult children. It's so important to live purposeful lives in the present. Are your rooms and closets filled with belongings from the past, or "just in case" items for the future? When our past or future clutters the present, we can't fully embrace the opportunities of today. This issue's "Timely Tips" offers some helpful questions to ask yourself as you strive to create a home for the life you desire to live today.

TIMELY TIPS - Top Ten "Keep or Toss" Questions

Have I used this item in the past year?
Do I have a definite use for this in the foreseeable future?
If it's broken, is it worth fixing?
Does this item serve a worthwhile purpose in my life?
Is it more important for me to keep this item than to have to space it occupies?
Do I need to keep it for legal or tax purposes?
Do I love it?
If it's sentimental, can I take a picture of it, or keep a portion of it to remember it by?
Would it be difficult or expensive to replace?
Do I have more than I use or need?

Get Ready!

Brenda McElroy September 12, 2009

Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year! I love the colors, cooler weather, and the anticipation of the holidays. It's a season of preparation.

September is National Preparedness Month. The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) is part of a coalition organized by the US Dept. of Homeland Security to inform and guide people through the steps of preparing for an emergency. Being prepared is a sure-fire way to reduce stress when you encounter the unexpected. (See A Timely Tip)

It's also important to prepare for the expected events like Thanksgiving and Christmas! If you'd like to reduce the holiday madness and increase your holiday joy, join my "Organizing Your Holidays" class this October.

A Timely Tip - Get Ready!

Fire Emergency Preparedness

Install dual sensor smoke alarms
Create and practice an escape plan
Purchase a fire extinguisher

Basic Emergency Supply Kit

Water - 1 gal/person/day (3-day supply)
Food - non-perishable food (3-day supply); can opener if needed
Battery-powered or hand crank radio
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit and manual

Family Emergency Plan

Complete a Family Emergency Plan Form (seewww.ready.gov)
Identify a local and an out-of town contact
Record "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) contact number in family cell phones
Identify a family meeting place
Inquire about emergency plans at work, daycare and school

Free Emergency Preparedness Lists, Forms & Information

organized by choice

because things don't always fall into place