Many of us are suffering from the same environmental malady: too much stuff, too little room. Whether we live in a house we’ve outgrown, or we’re in a tiny apartment with next to no storage space, we’re busting at the seams.
One smart solution is to store seasonal items off site. Clothing, out of season sports equipment – even that snazzy little Miata convertible – can be stored efficiently and inexpensively in a good self storage unit. Proper use of a storage unit can be a great organizational tool that simplifies your life tremendously.
The first trick in renting a storage unit is to figure out how much storage space you really need. Take a look at what you own, and decide, first, whether you need it at all, and second, whether you need it now. That pair of size 4 bell bottoms from 1968 will never fit you again; pass it along to your daughter or granddaughter, or donate or sell it to a vintage clothing store. You probably aren’t going to need downhill ski equipment in April, unless you live in the Rockies; that two-seater kayak probably won’t be used in the winter months. Move ‘em out! Decide what you want to keep and where it will go in the storage unit, and estimate the space you’ll need.
Too many people, once they’ve rented a storage unit, just start piling stuff in, shoving stuff into the back and then moving forward, until they’ve basically transferred their disorganized mess from home into the storage unit. Don’t do that! When you rent your storage unit, take some time to think out an organizational plan. Store all the ski equipment together; the boating equipment together; the clothing together, divided into a separate area or container for each person in the family. Check with the storage facility to find out whether you can
attach shelving, pegboard, or hanging units to the inside of the unit to help you organize. Try to provide the same type of storage capability within the storage unit that you would provide if your home storage space were optimal. Don’t forget to allow enough room to easily move around within the unit.
Do you have a family member away at college, or for another reason, for an extended period of time? Depending on the circumstances, you may want to use their room for another purpose, temporarily (as long as it won’t cause hurt feelings!). Pack up their belongings, organize them so that you (or the family member) has easy access, and stash them in your storage unit. If you want to, provide them with their own key to the unit.
If you own your own home, check with your insurance company to find out whether it covers the belongings in your storage unit. If you rent, you may want to buy renter’s insurance, and make sure it covers the belongings you’ve stored off site. Or ask the self storage facility if it provides insurance, either free or for a fee.
Use your self storage unit, not just to store your stuff, but as an organizational tool that allows you to live your life more efficiently and more enjoyably. A little thought will go a long way toward making that happen!
Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern New Hampshire and frequently contributes to Tips and Topics. She has published numerous articles in local and regional publications on a wide range of topics, including business, education, the arts, and local events. Her feature articles include an interview with independent documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and a feature on prisoners at the New Hampshire State Prison in Concord. She may be reached at amfredenburg@yahoo.com.
While mothers have had their special day since 1914, fathers have only recently officially received the recognition they so richly deserve. After all, dad is the pillar of the family unit, the one who made us feel safe, loved to tickle and tease, and above all gave us a sense of security. While mom was the pillow to fall on, dad was the rock who held us up. Here are some thoughts and facts on Father’s Day, dedicated to every man out there who proudly wears the name DAD.
Origins
In 1909, listening to a sermon on Mother’s Day, Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd felt inspired by Anna Jarvis’s efforts and felt there should also be a Father’s Day. Her father, Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, had as a single parent raised his six children in Spokane, Washington after his wife’s death. She initially suggested June 5th, the anniversary of her father’s death, however, she did not provide the organizers with enough time to make arrangements, and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday in June. Unofficial support from such figures as William Jennings Bryan was immediate and widespread. Calvin Coolidge recommended it as a national holiday in 1924 but the all-male U.S. Congress was mindful that passing a measure so favorable to males could be seen as a conflict of interest. In 1926, The National Father’s Day Committee met for the first time in New York City. Lyndon Johnson made Father’s Day a holiday in 1966, but the holiday was not officially recognized until the presidency of Richard Nixon in 1972 when he signed into law a permanent U.S. Father’s Day to be observed on
the third Sunday of June.
Inspiring Words
When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years. – Mark Twain
I’m sure we all remember our teenage years and how true and insightful this statement by Mark Twain is. Here is another of my favorites:
It doesn’t matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was. - Anne Sexton
What is a dad? I’m sure not everyone would answer exactly the same way but this poem by an unknown author seems to sum it up very well.
Perhaps the most important thing a father can give us is love. Hold on to your memories of youth. Those things that your father did that made you feel so special and loved. My favorite memory is of my father coming into my room one night when I was crying. He was so concerned even though to him, my problem must have seemed insignificant. By the time he left, I was happy, and the world was a brighter place. Many of us have these kinds of memories.
Be sure to let your father know how much he is loved and appreciated this Father’s Day.
sources – wikipedia.org, Compton’s Interactive Encyclopedia 1997
Patricia Fason is a writer and a poet. To see more of her work visit Sites O Web Romances You or for ideas on what to get your father this year for Father’s Day, visit the Father’s Day Section of the Gift Boutique.
If you have dog lovers in your family, it’s time to think of some unique gifts you can give them this Christmas. They will remember this gift for a long time if you not only give them a gift form themselves, but include something for their dog or puppy.
To get your ideas flowing, here are some gifts you can get for the dog lover: of course, if you can take some pictures of their dog in advance, many of the following ideas will be even more special.
- a T-shirt/sweatshirt that says “My Dog Loves Me” – they’ll be proud to wear it.
- a picture of their dog framed in a paw picture frame – there is no better way to let them know you love them: every time they walk past this picture, they’ll be reminded of your kind gesture, and that you took the time to give them something special.
- a collectible figurine featuring their dog breed – this will become part of the room décor.
- a dog lover’s calendar – excellent gift that keeps on giving: every month they’ll have a new beautiful dog to look at and enjoy.
- a nice, fuzzy, personalized throw to keep them and their dog warm on chilly evenings.
- a cooking book with dog recipes
- dog lover screen saver
Now that you picked a nice gift for the dog
lover, it’s time to find some gifts for the dog. Here are just a few ideas to get your started:
- a plush toy: be it a ball, a bone, or some other shape, dogs really enjoy these fluffy toys. Some come with a noise maker, but be careful that this toy won’t become annoying for the owner
- doggy clothing: you may get something pretty, or, if you like practical, get something warm for the winter, so when they take a talk the dog stays warm.
- doggy treats are very popular these days, and you can find them in pet stores everywhere. But, if you have the time, cook some treats yourself, and make a new friend
- treat machine, similar to the candy machines, where you press a handle and get a piece of candy. This will entertain the dog for hours and get him a treat every time he presses the handle. What fun!
- pampering items, like doggie shampoo, a nice brush, and even a nice bandana.
So, as you see, there are lots of ways to spoil your dog lover friends and family and their pet.
Adriana Copaceanu provides people with creative gift ideas that don’t blow the bank. Find many Unique Gift Ideas at her site. And if you love dogs, visit her Dog Care Resource website.
Kids take their birthdays very seriously, and are extremely disappointed if their birthday parties are anything short of spectacular. Throwing an unforgettable kids birthday party can sometimes seem like a task better suited for a professional event planner. But with the proper party supplies, a little know how and a lot of imagination, you can throw a birthday party that the kids will be talking about all year.
Before you let your inner party planner take over, make sure that throughout the process you consult with the birthday boy or girl, unless of course the party is a surprise. Kids have their own ideas of what makes a party fun, and if the kids don’t have a good time the party is a bust. Discuss possible theme ideas, party games, food, and favors with them to ensure everything is kid friendly. If you are planning a surprise party you can ask siblings or friends for ideas and opinions.
Theme Party Ideas
A successful kids birthday party starts off with a great theme. There are many great party themes you can choose from, everything from your child’s favorite toy to their favorite movie genre. The possibilities are endless and a good theme can really help pull your entire party together.
Some possible themes include:
- Western (complete with cowboy hats)
- Princess (tiaras for all the girls)
- Cartoon characters
- Disney
- Carnival (clowns and plenty of games)
- Toys (Bratz, Barbie, Hot Wheels, etc)
Once you have your theme chosen, planning out a kids birthday party becomes much easier. Try and get everything from the decorations to the food to tie into the theme. For instance, if you are throwing a Western theme party get cowboy birthday banners and serve up barbequed burgers, chili, and hot dogs. As party favors you can give each little guests their own cowboy or cowgirl hat to wear. Make sure the birthday boy or girl’s hat is extra special.
Fun and Games
Games are an important part of any kids birthday party. Games should be fun and get everyone involved. Offering some small prizes to the winner of each game is also a great idea for the kids. Have a variety of games, some that require the kids to get active and some that requires them to use their heads. This will give everyone an opportunity to win a prize.
Some fun kid’s games include:
- Musical chairs
- Pin the tail on the donkey (this can be tied into your party theme, for example if your theme is Disney you could have pin the ears on the mouse)
- Relay races (you can get really creative with this one and get the kids to do everything from run a course with a balloon stuck between their legs to three legged races)
- Memory games (show the kids a selection of items and see who can remember the most once you have taken them away)
Favors are one of the highlights for children at a birthday party. They love getting little gifts of their own to take home with them. You don’t need to get too extravagant when it comes to party favors. Try and get
some favors to go along with your theme. If you are having a princess theme give the girls tiaras as they arrive and a bag full of beauty items. Hairbrushes, hair clips, nail polish, and lip gloss are all fun and inexpensive ideas. More general favor ideas include pencil and eraser sets, notepads, and candies.
Food for Thought
Party food is a key component to any great birthday party. Depending on how long the party is, you’ll probably want to offer a lunch or dinner as well as snack and treats throughout the day. Most kids don’t have discriminating tastes so you don’t need to go overboard with a gourmet meal. Simple is usually better when it comes to kids.
Keep your snacks standard. Candy, chips, and pop will suffice, there is no need to add any fancy appetizers to the mix since they will probably get ignored. However, adding a veggie and fruit plate is a good idea since even kids can get sick of the sweet stuff. Be sure to have plenty of beverages on hand, and to save your sanity try and avoid caffeinated pops. Juice and water should be on hand as well. You can also make a fun colorful fruit punch for the kids to enjoy.
As for food, stick with simple dishes such as pizza, burgers, and hotdogs. These items are simple to prepare (or order) and will be a hit with the kids. Before planning your menu check to see if any of the children have food allergies or special dietary needs. Most parents whose kids have serious allergies such as peanuts will probably let you know as soon as the invitation is accepted. However, if you’ve got a little vegetarian in the group the last thing you want to do is serve them a hamburger or hotdog.
The birthday cake is the piece de resistance of the party. Everyone loves to see what type of delightful cake will be presented and how many candles the birthday boy or girl can blow out. If your baking skills consists of adding eggs and water to a package mix, fear not. While a package cake will still be a hit with the kids, there are plenty of cake shops and bakeries that can create any cake you desire. For instance, if you’re going with a baseball sports theme, you can get a delicious cake of any type shaped like a baseball. The kids will love it, and it saves you time and frustration as well. Make sure you know the birthday boy or girl’s favorite flavor before you order.
While planning a birthday party can be a difficult and time consuming task, all the work will be worth it when you see how much fun all the kids have. Birthday parties are monumental occasion for kids, and the more special you can make it the better.
John Lenaghan writes about party planning and other tips for the Party Ideas 4u website, where he provides valuable tips and advice about Halloween party ideas, birthday party ideas and other party planning topics.
Free Thanksgiving ecard that special someone that you want to share the Thanksgiving season with. Send all your special friends and family free Thanksgiving ecards. Knowing the email address of the recipient is necessary when sending free Thanksgiving ecards. With variety of art and written sentiments that enhance the holiday season, free Thanksgiving ecards will delight the recipient. With the Thanksgiving season approaching, plan on doing a search on the Internet to find that special ecard. Thanksgiving denotes a time with family and friends, holding them close at heart. It further signifies sharing and giving thanks for all blessings. Sending that special loved one a free Thanksgiving ecard allows this expression to be a further blessing.
Many card retailers online offer free Thanksgiving ecards. Many offer free screensavers and wallpaper as well. Finding just the right free Thanksgiving ecard will be an easy task because of the variety available. Most offer free personalization and design as well as cards that already include art and sentiments. There are funny free Thanksgiving ecards online. Don’t let this Thanksgiving season go by without sending everyone on your special list a free Thanksgiving ecard.
Knowing the story of the first Thanksgiving enhances the season. Information about the first Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims can also be found online while searching out a free Thanksgiving ecard. Get in the spirit of the
season by familiarizing yourself with this special history lesson. Hardships encountered by the Pilgrims who experienced lack of food, while watching loved ones perish, signifies to each of us how fortunate we are at this time of year. Of course Thanksgiving shouldn’t just be celebrated once a year but we do have this special time to remember what the Pilgrims went through and how they celebrated their time of thanksgiving. The Indians shared their bounty and their knowledge to help the Pilgrims. With the Pilgrims’ first harvest a three-day meal was shared. A special free Thanksgiving ecard would relate that message very well and help us to remember all of our blessings.
Some free Thanksgiving ecards can be sent with a voice greeting or music accompaniments. There are special occasion free Thanksgiving ecards available online for anniversary, birthday, wedding, and more. A Thanksgiving ecard may also be chosen with love sentiments, warm wishes, missing you sentiments, or especially for kids or even pets. Don’t let this Thanksgiving go by without sending your loved ones a free Thanksgiving ecard. Let the spirit of Thanksgiving ring forth from your heart to theirs. “And when ye will offer a sacrifice of Thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will” (Leviticus 22:29)
For more information about free Thanksgiving ecard, visit:
http://www.christianet.com/christianecards
http://www.christianet.com/christianecards/thanksgiving
http://www.christianet.com
If you are job seeker looking for a holiday season job, it’s not too late. Although, employers started to hire for holiday jobs in the beginning of September, you still have time to find a fun and enjoyable job. Companies like GAP, Pottery Barn, and Macy’s are aggressively seeking out part-time holiday job seekers.
These companies have the understanding that job seekers applying for these positions are temporary. A word of advice to Job Seekers out there, don’t be timid about applying for jobs you may not feel qualified for. A holiday job is a temporary job, and you are not only helping the companies fill much needed positions, but you may enhance your knowledge of the
retail and corporate working world. If you are in high school, this is the perfect time to enrich your resume. Colleges love to see that you keep yourself busy during the summer and winter season. If you show self motivation and the want to work, that may be the leverage you need to get into the college of your choice.
So…job seekers, make sure to print out your resume and get started, the time to apply for a holiday job is now. As a bonus, some job seekers may even find jobs offering employee discounts. Not only can you make money this winter, you can save some money on gifts as well.
Darren HaasCEOhttp://www.youngjobs.com
Today one of my clients is throwing one of her good friends a 40th birthday party. She actually used to date him and now they’re good friends. She has the perfect dress, has supplied the beautiful country club for the party and now she was considering whether or not she should also give a host!
My answer to her? ALWAYS give a toast if you can!!!
First of all, whoever is throwing the party has a responsibility of welcoming people to the event. It’s nice to publicly introduce yourself and welcome everyone. It also establishes your credibility when you speak in front of people
Next, it’s an opportunity to show off! When people see you completely composed in a somewhat stressful situation, they’re impressed. Little do they know how much preparation when on behind the scenes. You can make it look like you pulled the toast out of thin air!
When writing a toast, there are a few things to do that will make your job easier.
How do you want to come across? Do you want the toast to be fun, lighthearted and funny or do you want it serious? This will help you determine the “story” that you share during the toast.
How do you feel about the person? What do they mean to other people? How do people respond to them as individuals? Are they funny, articulate, smart, a great dresser or a terrific story teller? Be specific and write down all of the adjectives that you can to describe this person.
What is a funny story or a really great story that you can tell about this person? Is there some secret passion that this person has that causes them to spend excessive time on something? Was there a time that the two of you were together that impressed you or made you laugh? What story can you think of that EXPLAINS what this person is to you? This can be lighthearted or serious, depending upon the tone that you want to create in the room and with the toast.
Lastly, what does this person mean to YOU? Do you want to honor them? Do you love them? Do you admire them?
After you’ve put together your toast it should look something like this:
“Welcome to the 40th Birthday party for our friend Clyde. It’s great to see everyone here. For those who know
Clyde, you’ll know that he is a determined, fun and successful individual. But there is something that you might NOT know about Clyde!!
Tell funny or poignant story here…. And when the laughter dies down..
“So tonight, we wish to honor you Clyde, for who you are to all of us. We appreciate you, we love you and we wish for you many more happy and healthy years to come.”
The story that you tell is extremely important. But even MORE important is how often you practice this speech! Practice it in front of the mirror dozens of times until the words role off your tongue gracefully. Tape yourself as you practice and rewrite it as you go along. Practice visualizing yourself in the room beforehand, and practice looking at people in the eyes so during your speech you’ll be able to do that with ease. During the last part, when you’re bringing honor to the person, look at that person RIGHT in the eyeballs with as much sincerity as you can muster up, to let them know that you genuinely do care.
If you do all of these things, you’ll blow the people away. The response you’ll get is “wow, I wish I could just pull something like this out of my hat” and “that was such a great toast… good job”.
No one has to know that you practiced over and over until it felt right. No one has to know that you changed the toast dozens of times until you got the story right. But what you and everyone else WILL know is that after you’ve given the speech and knocked it out of the park, your status will be elevated.
By presenting an incredible toast you will have created a great memory for the person you are honoring. And THAT is who its all about, after all!
Mary Gardner, The Charisma Coach! is an Executive Communications Consultant and Trainer. She works with, coaches and trains individuals, sales teams, executives, and celebrities. She owned and operated one of the first coaching institutions on the east coast, CCI, in NYC, Philly and NJ. Mary has appeared on ABC’s 20/20 and has self published a book on public speaking. Mary is married to Sway and is mommy to Jeremy 5, and lives in Orlando, FL.
This year, the latest craze in Christmas decorating is going back in time. Homeowners seem to be less interested in the icicle-type lights and the use of single color strands. Baby boomers seem to be harkening back to the days of their youth, by bringing back the full color glory of traditional Christmas lights.
Lawn ornaments have become a must-have for the decorating elves in your neighborhood. Families everywhere are installing huge lawn ornaments, many consisting of animated light patterns. They sheer number of choices for shapes, sizes, and designs should tell you that these are very popular with festive homeowners. I am a huge fan of the old-style bubble lights (you know…..the ones with colored water and bubbles inside), and they have returned with a vengeance.
Many people seem to be gravitating back to using real trees, instead of using plastic pre-fab ones. Who can blame them? They smell great, and they make Christmas feel that much more real. My family has always used a real tree. It has become a family tradition to go out and cut the tree ourselves. We usually wait until mid-December. We all get bundled up in our snow gear, get our sleighs out, along with a thermos of hot apple cider, and make our way
into the bush. The kids love it, the dog loves it, and it makes for an excellent family adventure!
It seems that Christmas flowers have also changed with the times. Although the classic red poinsettia will likely be with us for the rest of time, many florists are offering their customers alternatives. As has been the case with flowers in general for some time, florists are now adding dyes to traditional holiday flowers and bouquets. My personal favorite happens to be a bright violet poinsettia. My daughter prefers cobalt blue. What is yours?
Whether you are a staunch Christmas traditionalist or you are keen on changing along with the current decorating trends, Christmas decorations have never before been so varied and left consumers with so many choices. So get out there and shop, shop, shop! Tis the season, after all!
Catherine Spelling absolutely loves Christmas with family and friends. She often starts shopping for next year on Boxing Day, and hides the gifts for an entire year. When she is not trying to prevent her children from finding her purchases, she writes for christmaslightsanddecorations.com – an online resources for all things relating to Christmas and decorations, with information about Christmas lights, Christmas ornaments, Christmas crafts and more.
It was only two nights before the annual big lifting off from the North Pole; all was in panic, as Rudolph red nose and all was under the weather. I’m a telliin you the infamous had phoned in sick, but also had left a tiding of good cheer.
Seems like Rudolph had spoken to his nephew in the Louisiana swamps” “Bubba, I am truly to sick to guide the sleigh this yea you know; brow you know haw disappointed the children will be if Santa cant deliver the presents ‘bro.’“; Bubba” had agreed to come. In fact even as Rudolph was delivering his messages of gloom and joy, “Bubba” had put on his John Deer cap; he and his red pickup were heading for the North Pole. “Bubba” got to the North Pole with little time to spare; even though all reindeer snickered and laughed. They having not seen a deer in overalls and a John Deere Tractor hat and driving a pickup truck.
But Santa stepped in saying : “Just calm down cause we’ve all got
a job to do; like it or not, “Bubbas” in charge as he’s gonna be leading you.”So, at the usual time on Christmas Eve the sleigh departed the North Pole to deliver the toys and goodies to all the good little boys and girls; if “Bubba” had his way to victims of Katrina even if they might not been quite so good. What a sight. Every thing was the same except… well, imagine instead of Rudolph with is nose so red, there was “Bubba”, John Deer cap in a red pickup truck out in front leading the way. Of course instead of Santa hollering, “on Vixen and comet,” there was “Bubba” hollering the rebel yell at the top of his lungs; as he departed each roof top, exclaiming, Peace on earth good will toward men; Merry Christmas You all, and to all a good night!
The closer it gets to Christmas, the more it seems crazy ideas pop into my head to write about; well! if it concerns children I just can’t resist.
Do you follow the law of attraction?
Do you know the law of attraction?
The Law of Attraction
The law of attraction basically states that we draw into our lives more of what we focus on.
If we focus on what we do not have, we get more of what we do not have.
When we focus on all that we have and the opportunities in front of us, we attract more of the things we want, more good things, into our lives.
An example
Here is an example from the world of private practice building and marketing.
What I have learned while working with our students, members and mentees in BuidlingYourIdealPractice.com is that where you put your focus influences how well you build your practice.
If you focus on the lack of clients and the competition for them in the marketplace, you instill in yourself fear and the probability that
you will stay stuck.
If you focus on the fact that there are more clients out there that need and want your unique service than you could ever get to in your entire life, you bypass fear and lack and your practice grows.
Your personal application
So how can you apply these principles in your own life and situation?
Where do you need to shift your focus from lack to abundance?
My challenge to you in this Thanksgiving season is to use the law of attraction and increase your thanksliving.
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