Archive for October, 2006
October 8, 2006· Filed under General, Organizing
Isn’t there a saying about the most creative minds have the messiest desks? If there is, then I must be pretty creative, because my office is constantly being mistaken for the remnants of a tornado. It’s not that I don’t like a clean, neat, organized office, and about one week a year it is in good shape. But keeping it that way is where I always fail. I have the best intentions, but procrastination and distraction always get the best of me.
I found a new inspiration - the Neat Living Blog. I have signed up for her newsletter and printed out some of her tip sheets. Using strategies from one of my other long time inspirations, FlyLady, I think I can do this.Â
If I was really brave (and I’m not), I’d post a before picture of my office, but I’m not sure I can do that yet. So, I will set my timer for 15 minutes, bring in a big garbage bag, and using Neat Living’s checklist, I will thin out some of the junk in here.
Once I get to the point where I feel like I’ve decluttered, I may even employ some of the tactics recommended by my long-time friend, Gail at Funcilitators using her Fun Shui (sm) - Organize to Energize article tips.
Are you like me - a recovering clutter-holic? Feel free to share some inspiration or commiseration with me!
October 6, 2006· Filed under Family, Travel
In September, my mother’s side of the family met in Cork, Ireland to help my Grandparents celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary. Our family is spread out all over the world, so this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to get everyone together. We had perfect attendance for four generations!
We stayed at Oysterhaven Centre, a sailing, windsurfing and recreation center, that has self-catering cottages that make travelling with 3 kids a snap. Each cottage sleeps 7 easily. There is a large courtyard and grassy lawn area joining the cottages, which made it very easy for everyone to get caught up on the years while the kids all played.
Each family took their own unique day trips to destinations like Blarney Castle, Fota Animal Park, The Jameson Distillery, Kinsale, Clonakilty, Garrettstown Beach, Cobh, and more. In the evening we all got together for dinner and more social time.
On the Sunday, Oysterhaven helped us host a reception for my Grandparents in their stunning garden courtyard. It was wonderful! We had about 100 people from all over come help us celebrate. My mom took my Grandparent’s wedding photo down to the florist and had them recreate the bouquet - what a nice touch. The cake was a traditional English wedding cake - fruit cake with royal icing, and the caterer had prepared a variety of other yummy treats for us to snack on all day.
I absolutely love the southern coast of Ireland and look forward to going back again. Stay tuned for future Friday posts as I will share more pictures from the Ireland trip and other cool places we have been.
October 5, 2006· Filed under Family, Recipes
It is kind of chilly outside today and I am really in the mood for some warm soup! I decided to make my first batch of veggie soup for the season and it turned out great! It has no fat, must be low cal and low carb, too, I would think.
Here is the basic recipe that I used:
- Saute finely chopped garlic, onions, celery and carrots in olive oil until wilty
- Add organic vegetable stock (Swanson), some Maggi beef stock, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper, plus I use Herbamare seasoning.
- Add can of diced tomatoes, frozen peas and corn, sliced carrots, celery and onion
- I may chop up some cabbage and add that later.
- Bring to a boil and simmer.Â
Of course, there are many variations to this recipe and you can really use anything. It doesn’t take long to make and it is so good for you!
PS - Do you need some good, kid-friendly recipes? Free kid-friendly, mom-tested recipes at ClubMom!
October 3, 2006· Filed under Education, Family
While I was in school I always heard about how there were different ways that people learn. Some people are visual learners, some are auditory learners and others are kinesthetic learners. Most of us learn through a combination of styles with one being more predominant than the others.
Now, I am clearly a visual learner - let me see those words on paper and I will remember them. No studying here. I also learn well when I have to just do it - get physically involved in the process. My auditory learning ability is void and null!!! Tell me directions, I will forget. Make me listen to a lecture, I will fall asleep. Guaranteed.
I have three kids and it is amazing. They all have different learning styles. Child #1 is a carbon copy of me in many ways, and his learning style is an exact match. He can not just sit there quietly and listen. Get him involved and bang, it all comes together. He also is a voracious reader, and since he sees it all - it sticks - all of it!
Child #2 is a pretty well balanced learner. She is a strong combination of an auditory learner and a kinesthetic learner. Visual learning is not really her thing, but with repetition, she usually gets it. She is a persistent learner - it may take a few tries, but she is not rattled by that and keeps trying until she gets it.
Child #3 is an auditory learner if I have ever met one. Have you ever met someone that can watch a movie once and then can repeat full chunks of the dialog right back to you? This one can do it at age 4 - to a level that just blows my mind. She learns songs instantly, has taught herself Spanish by listening to Dora the Explorer and quizzing her siblings, and repeats books back to me all the time. It will be interesting to see how her learning style evolves as she goes through school.
Take this challenge. Observe your child and see if you can determine his/her learning style. Then, next time you go in for a teacher conference, ask the teacher if he/she has an opinion on your child’s learning style. Maybe, just identifying your child’s style to the teacher may inspire the teacher to be more creative or aware when dealing with your child. Remember, you are your child’s greatest advocate.
What do you think? What is your learning style? Let’s discuss - leave me a comment.
October 1, 2006· Filed under Blog Tipping
The first day of each month is Blogtipping Day according to Business Blogwire. It’s just about midnight so I’m going to say it’s close enough!Â
Since it is October and we have two major “holidays” to get through before I start my Christmas shopping, lets start off with something festive - Halloween Links. Things I like:
- They know their niche and they are going after it.
- They have my Printables site listed.
- Spooky, but sophisticated graphical theme.
Tip: Keep the focus and give us more great Halloween information. Maybe more pictures.
For my parenting segment, let’s note the Games Industry Wire. In particular, I like the post about parents and video games.
- Lots of information on new products.
- Personal perspective
- I like the poll.
Tip: More posts like the parenting one. It’s good to get the human side of gaming involved.
And last but not least - V-grrrl in the Middle
- V-grrl and I go way back and she was one of my blogging inspirations!
- I don’t care what V is writing about, she will either leave the reader laughing, crying, or thinking about her topic for the rest of the day.
- She has a cool collection of Kipling bags - hey, how about some pictures of your stash, V?
Tip: You have an amazing amount of business writing information and tips that you are not letting anyone know about. How about some business related posts every now and then or another blog? (hint-hint - we need to talk)
Go ahead, be bold. Join in on the BlogTipping today!
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