Using Time Wisely

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Archives for November 2011

Using Time Wisely: Giving the Gift of You

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Photograph Credit: Melissa Caligiuri

In looking back to last week, I am amazed at what was accomplished in spite of spending 3-4 days tag teaming with Paul holding our toddler as she recovered from hand, foot, and mouth. This virus surfaced on Black Friday and developed into blisters down the back of her throat. Besides feeling awful, she only wanted to be held and needed to sleep sitting upright.

Thankful for my husband’s time off, I worked together with him to get sleep, clean our house, play with our older kids, and comfort our little one. Though it would be easy to focus on all the things that needed to be done, we chose to give ourselves to our little one. She was hurting and needed that extra tender care during her illness.

Recovered and happy to be running around, little one is now getting into everything. As she pulls out items and leaves them, I really want to fuss and return the items to their assigned places. If I did this, then she would not learn. Though she is not our only child that leaves items out, I am learning to take the time to patiently instruct, teach, and correct. As she learns and is rewarded with cheers, she has been eager to put away other items when asked.

By giving my toddler special attention, I found that our special bond has strengthened. By using time wisely with my daughter, I am giving her the best gift I can, myself. As you contemplate gift ideas for this upcoming season, don’t underestimate the gift of you.

Question: To whom have you given the gift of you? Would love to hear your answer!

Thanksgiving: Soup Celebration

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In serving on a parent committee at my son’s school, I get to work with a fabulous group of ladies. We plan events and programs for our parents, teachers, staff, and students. Our planning sessions together are thorough, so we are all on the same page preparing for the next event.

For the Thanksgiving program performed by our students, our committee handled the details of the luncheon held on the last day of school before the Thanksgiving break. My part of the festivities included making tea and broccoli and cheese soup.

Gallons of Tea

As the queen of tea making, I gladly offer to bring gallons for our events. For this Thanksgiving event, I brought 5 gallons of sweet tea and 1 gallon of unsweetened tea. At the end of the luncheon, there was not a drop of sweet tea left. I know because I went searching. The lemonade was also running low, so we had very thirsty participants. For the next event, I will adjust the amount and bring another 2 gallons of tea to be on the safe side.

Stock pot of Broccoli and Cheese Soup

In preparing for the luncheon, I made 5 batches of soup in rounds. I used two non-stick Dutch oven pots for the first two rounds. As I finished the soup, I poured it into my large stock pot. After making the fourth pot, my stock pot was filled. When I took the soup to school, I brought the filled stock pot and a full Dutch oven.

Though transporting the soup was uneventful, the heating of the soup proved to be difficult. The gas stove heated the pot quickly and burnt the bottom. Once the soup was stirred, the burnt flavor was distributed throughout the soup. Though it still tasted good and most people would not notice it, I tasted the difference.

Along with the broccoli and cheese soup, the committee also provided corn chowder, tortellini, chicken noodle, tomato, vegetable chili, and beef chili. The display was very colorful and flavorful. If we make soup again, I might consider pouring the soup into smaller containers to reheat to prevent burning.

In working with these different events, there always seems to be adjustments that can be tweaked to make our next gathering better. I really enjoy these event planning opportunities. Working with these ladies is fun, beneficial, and rewarding. As you plan your next event, gather with your friends and enjoy the planning process. Happy planning!

Question: What events are you planning? Please add your answer to the comments.

Scheduling: Laundry Routine – Part 3 of 4

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (remember everyday)

Though I prepare for laundry day throughout the week by checking to be sure that all clothing items are placed in a hamper or laundry basket, there are still items to prepare on laundry day before adding that first load to the washing machine.

Thus far in our series, we have looked at STEP ONE: Preparing throughout the week and STEP TWO: Pre-treating soiled clothing. Today, we will proceed to STEP THREE.

STEP THREE: Preparing on laundry day

While the soiled clothes continue to soak in the OxiClean solution, I prepare to begin the laundry by:

    • Gathering the laundry baskets and hampers and bringing them to my bedroom,
    • Sorting all the items into the dark or white baskets from my bedroom closet,
    • Choosing a load of laundry to wash, and
    • Carrying the basket with those clothes down to the washing machine.

Before starting the load of laundry, I will check the items soaking in the Oxiclean solution to see if any of those items can be added to this load of laundry. If I find some, then I will wring out those items and add them to the laundry basket before adding this load of laundry to the washing machine.

With all the items gathered, sorted, and assigned a load of laundry, I can quickly begin using time wisely to get my family’s clothing items washed, dried, and put away. Next week, I will complete this series with my system for performing the laundry task.

Question: Where do you sort your family’s clothing? Please add your answer to the comments.

Show and Tell: File Box 2

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Just as a writer sketches the outline before writing the first chapter, the organizer creates a filing framework before adding the first document. This second file box is organized similarly to the first box with separate categories. To put pictures with the words, I give you the following pictorial show-and-tell session of Box 2 of my accordion filing system.

The closed accordion file box. Just like Box 1, this file box is also missing its string. Without the string, I can quickly move these files around and gain access. When the strings were used, they got caught on other files until they finally snapped. Though these boxes are different now than when first purchased, I have adapted them to fit my needs.

The opened accordion file box. In using time wisely, I choose not to label each of the 13 file slots. Instead, I use the plastic inserts that came with the accordion file to label each category. Some categories extend into 2 or 3 file openings while others only house one slot. If you prefer to label each slot, then adjust these guidelines to fit your needs.

Close-up look at the file tabs. In this file, I have used nine tabs to identify the nine categories in this insurance file. To make the tabs easy to read, I have placed them in a row from left to right. The nine categories identified in this box are:

  1. Personal Insurance Documents
  2. Life Insurance
  3. Major Medical Insurance
  4. Tax-Favored Programs
  5. Prescription Coverage
  6. Dental and Vision Insurance
  7. Critical Illness/Cancer/Cryo-Cell Stem Cell policies
  8. Short-Term Disability Coverage
  9. Long-Term Disability Coverage

My file may contain more or less insurance documents than you possess. I share my filing system to give you an organizational system sample to assist you in tackling your important documents. Please adjust this file to meet your needs.

As I cover each category, I will explain the insurance coverage Paul and I have chosen for our family. These are our choices. I am not a financial advisor, nor am I suggesting that you carry all these insurance documents. My goal is to assist you in organizing your important documents.

This pictorial overview is the framework for all my important insurance documents and policies. Next week, I will begin working through the file one category at a time. Come join me as we get these documents organized. Feel free to use this visual image to setup your own accordion filing system. Happy organizing!

Question: How do you currently keep your insurance policies filed? Please add your answer to the comments.

Reimbursement for Pot Hole Damage – Part 1 of 2

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Cody Young)

When I hit that pot hole back in May, I had no idea I could get reimbursement from the State for the repairs. When the incident occurred, I focused on the task at hand – repairing my vehicle. While working through the process, which took about 3 weeks to complete, I mentioned the incident to my mom. This conversation saved me $187.58!

Having worked for her local county for almost 20 years, my mom asked if I had contacted the Risk Management department for a claim form. Having never heard of the risk management group, I inquired. Mom explained that each county has a risk management department to handle claims from pot holes, branches, etc. that damage property. After gathering the information and chatting with my mom, I looked up our county’s risk management office.

County Risk Management Contact

Not only was there a phone number listed, but also the employee’s name and e-mail address. I sent an e-mail requesting a claim form and was rewarded with instructions and the form by that afternoon. After filling out the information, I scanned in the document and e-mailed it back. The next week, I received communication that the road on which the incident occur is operated by South Carolina DOT (Department of Transportation). A contact person and phone number were provided.

At this point, I could have cut my losses and decided that this reimbursement process is taking too long to resolve. Knowing there was still a possibility that I could get reimbursed for these damages, I chose to continue searching and filing for reimbursement. Next week, I will share the end of the story. You will want to come back. It has a happy ending.  🙂

Question: Have you ever submitted a claim for reimbursement from your county? If so, please share the results in the comments.