Showing posts with label Organizing for families. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Organizing for families. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Wordless Wednesday: An Easy Routine to Refresh your Living Room

Schools out and your kids are probably trailing germs, toys and other unnecessary clutter into your family room. To solve the summer living room blues, check out these easy steps. Living rooms seem to breed messes, so get into the mood and fluff up the sofa pillows, fold the blankets and you'll be half-way to a tidy space. Get your kids involved! Have each child remove their items from the room, so you can worry about the rest. Keep a few cleaning essentials in a basket, close at hand. Start by disinfecting the hard surfaces, dust those keepsakes, remove lint and pet hair from your furniture, spray some fabric/air freshener and Voila! You'll have a refreshed living room everyone can enjoy (even Mom and Dad)!

Images ©Christine Bonnivier Photography

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Wordless Wednesday: Everything in it's place

Tired of your family members asking you where things are? The solution: Putting your family's "general information" into a easy-to-use binder. Keeping this wealth of information accessible (in your home office or kitchen) makes it easy for the whole family to access telephone numbers, birthdays, take-out menus, schedules and more.

Materials: 1" Binder, Avery sheet protectors and a little creativity :)

Images ©Christine Bonnivier Photography

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Are you Allergic to your Clutter?



Clutter can be much more than just piles of unmade decisions, it can also be a breeding ground for allergy irritants in your home. In fact you might be surprised to find out about all of the unwelcome germs and    irritating guests in each room of your home.  We are going to focus on the two most common today:  Dust Mites and Mold.


Dust Mites:  Dust mites are nasty little bugs that thrive on what else... our dust.  Despite their microscopic size... they can cause big time misery for those that are allergic to them.  Irritating nasal passages and leading to sneezing, runny nose, and constant congestion.  How can you banish them from your home?
  1. Dust regularly with an electrostatic duster on all flat surfaces.  (Move the piles and stacks to get under them.... better yet... declutter and remove the piles and stacks for good.)
  2. Vacuum on a regular basis! (In our home my oldest son was very allergic to dust mites so we tore old carpet out and put down hardwood floors.)
  3. Wrap your mattresses and pillows in a allergy resistant cover that will protect from Dust Mites.  
  4. Plan to regularly clean items in kids room like stuffed animals that are a haven for dust mites.  To kill them put all the stuffed animals in a large garbage sack, tie it closed, and then put it in the freezer for a few hours.  
  5. We spend 1/3 of our lives in bed... so change sheets regularly. 
  6. When organizing be careful of wicker... it can collect hard to clean dust and become a hot spot for dust mites.  Instead use furniture, cabinets, or plastic that closes. 
  7. Be aware of hard to clean fabrics that collect dust mites like curtains, blinds, upholstery covers, upholstered head boards, etc... find a way to replace them or clean them regularly. 

Mold: Responses to exposure to mold can mimic hay fever, asthma, and allergy like reactions in your home. Here are some steps to take to rid your home of the mold:
  1. Remember that bleach is your friend!  Use a chlorine bleach solution that is 1 oz of bleach per 1 qt of water to clean bathroom surfaces each week.  Make sure to clean mold prone areas like:  bathtub corners, shower curtains, and baseboards.
  2. Remove carpeting from your bathrooms... even rugs are a BREEDING ground for mold.  Replace flooring with tile, laminate, or similar products.  Decorative rugs should be replaced with washable bathmats... that are washed ONCE a week.
  3. Repair water leaks in your home ASAP.  Dripping water and leaking faucets can lead to mold and mildew quickly. 
  4. Wallpaper can hold moisture in the bathroom... consider removing it and going with a mold resistant paint instead. 
  5. Leave your shower curtain open or your shower door open after you shower to allow that area to dry out quicker. 
  6. Houseplants can be a fertile ground for mold... take plants outside.
  7. Make sure that you are wiping kitchen counters down OFTEN with a strong disinfectant that is designed to get rid of mildew.
  8. Get Rid of the Kitchen sponge!  It is a BREEDING ground for Mold... instead use paper towels or wash clothes that are washed daily. 
  9. The drip pan under your fridge can breed mold... clean it out often.  
  10. Be sure that damp basements are well ventilated.  If you use a space like this to store things, be sure the items are not in cardboard!  Use plastic containers that seal shut and resist mold and mildew. 

Some of these things may seem simple enough... but if these tasks are complicated by clutter being in the way... it allows these allergy irritants to build up in your home and make you and your family sick.   So ask yourself... are you allergic to your clutter or is your clutter covering up unwanted guests in your home???  If so... it is time to make a change!






Thursday, May 6, 2010

National Mom's Night Out.

Today is National Moms Night Out!!!
I wanted to share with you some reasons that every moms should take advantage of this night and head out to enjoy a relaxing evening with friends!





Moms work an average of 90 hours a week juggling work, carpooling, housework, child care, errands, cooking, bills, and much more!!!





Moms average about 6.4 hours of sleep a night 




Moms often say that they skip workouts,  lunch, and other important activities in order to accomplish more and spend more time with family.




According to Salary.com :  Did you know that if a Stay at Home Mom was paid an annual salary it should equal $134,121 a year!!!
This combines the salary of the ten most common tasks that a mom completes in a normal day:
Housekeeper
Teacher
Cook
Computer Operator
Laundry Machine Operator
Janitor
Facilities Manager
Van driver
CEO
                              Psychologist

If you are a working mom... Add an additional $85,876 to what you make at your "other" job!!!


Because of all of these reasons we believe two things:

1.  Moms You Deserve Tonight Off!!!  So Go out to Eat and enjoy the day!

2.  After Today take time to visit our website at http://www.simpleorganizedsanity.com/ and let us help you save precious time, money, and energy by helping you get more organized!



Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Wordless Wednesday: Routine Checklists

Here is a quick idea you can borrow from something I do with my kids to keep me from repeating myself over and over and over... (you get the idea.)

I printed these on the computer (Words for my readers and pictures for my youngest)  I slipped them into plastic sheet protectors and hung them with magnets on the fridge.  They use the magnetic dry erase marker to mark off their progress each morning.


Then we flip the list over in the Evening and repeat the same process...

Spend a few moments giving this system a try for your family this week to see if you feel less like a broken record.  (All while you are teaching them about time management and responsibility).

Friday, April 2, 2010

A personal Friday Five

I hope that you will excuse this slight divergence from our normal Friday Five as I share a personal story about today with you.

Today is World Autism Awareness Day and I am wearing light blue. I have always been a big supporter of this important cause but it takes on a new, personal meaning for me this year. Only a few short months ago my 8 year old son was diagnosed with Autism spectrum disorders, specifically Aspergers. I wear blue today for him.

Since he was young I always knew that something was... different. (It's hard to find a term to use there.) His anxiety level was through the roof all the time and he was a very structured child who could not handle any changes that he was not notified ahead of time. Any degree of spontaneity in our lives was washed away to prevent melt downs and panic attacks.

The diagnosis a month ago did not surprise me but it still left me a little numb for a few days. After years of seeing doctor after doctor only to have them say they are not sure what it was... enduring tests, scans, and blood work to rule other things out... a name was a blessing in disguise. A name has given us power over this invisible force that has been in control of much of our lives, it has allowed us to get education, treatment, support, and peace of mind that we had been lacking before.

Today is also an important day in my home because it is Good Friday and the beginning of Easter weekend. As professing Christians we know that it is because of this weekend that we have a hope and a future... it is for this same reason that I know that God has a special and unique plan in mind just for my son and he was PERFECTLY created to fit that plan.

I do not claim to know it all when it comes to this new force in our life. I am learning all I can about Aspergers and the different ways that we can incooperate it into our lives. However, I have learned five things that seem to really help my son cope... and they all involve organization and routine.

1. He wants to know the plan. All kids thrive on structure but I am learning that kids on the spectrum are especially fond of it. I make a point to tell the entire family each morning what our game plan is for the day and I try very hard to stick to that plan.

2. He wants everything to have a home. Homeless items cause clutter and clutter stresses my son out. (He is his mother's son after all). I have seen this be especially true of his belongings, he wants to be able to find what he wants when he wants it, if he can't he gets very anxious and upset. We have created a place for everything in his room.

3. He is very visual. If he can't see something than it does not exist so I use clear tubs to organize his room and he has a table where he is allowed to spread things out.... it is currently full of pieces to a disassemble VCR that he has been taking apart a little at a time. I recognize his organizing style and try to accommodate it versus fight it.

4. He gets anxious when we are in a loud room or a busy place. I have learned to pack him quite activities that will refocus his attention when we have to be in a place like this. I keep this "quiet bag" in the car at all times so I can grasp it anytime he needs it.
5. He struggles with the concept of time. Instead of telling him that he has only five min. to pick up I play two songs on the CD player and let him know that this equals about five min of time. I try to use cues like this often instead of ONLY telling him time amounts so that he is building a realistic view of time instead of a more abstract one.

Today I am celebrating World Autism Awareness day for my son, my nephew, and the millions of other children that are also affected with this condition. These kids are amazing, unique, and unbelievably talented and I am honored to have such a special kid in my house! He challenges me everyday to be a better mom and a better organizer by making me think outside the box on a regular basis.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Weekly Email Challenge

We are have launched a great new service that we are excited to share with you!  It is our Weekly Email Challenge.  It is designed to take you through your home in a year to get more organized with 52 challenges like this example below.  No challenge should take you more than an hour or so to complete in the week.

Once you register you will have the ablity to be entered for a small weekly prize if you complete the week's challenge and email me back.  Use this code to save $2 on your registration: HUB24JW2N

To register for the challenge simply click on the blue Weekly Email Challege link above!

The Junk Drawer


Every kitchen has one, whether we want to openly admit to it or not, the junk drawer is as much a kitchen staple as a can opener. For many of us there is something comforting about having a drawer where it is acceptable to stash all the bits and pieces of our life that simply do not seem to fit into any other category or place.

I have worked with many clients who have been brave enough to show me their junk drawer’s and I can tell you there is no limit to the things that find a resting place in this catchall. I have seen old pictures, birthday candles, old medication bottles, various pieces of broken or lost toys, notes written on scrap paper, a bag of baby teeth (yes I did just say a bag of baby teeth), and much more!

I understand the need for a miscellaneous category in your home and I even can see the convenience of having that mismatched grouping in your kitchen within easy reach. However, I cannot imagine that a drawer that is so crammed with STUFF that you can’t see or tell what is in it can be helpful. I think each of us needs to take a quick reality check on the junk drawer(s) in our homes by asking ourselves these three simple questions:

1. When was the last time that I looked in that drawer?

2. When was the last time that I looked in that drawer and found what I was looking for?

3. Is there a better way to set up this drawer to make it more functional?

The answer to the third question is “YES, There is a better way to set up this drawer and make it more functional.” I am going to give you ten quick steps to making over your junk drawer.

1. Empty the contents of the drawer out onto the kitchen counter or table.

2. Sort the items into these eight categories

a. Trash

b. Coupons and Take out Menus

c. Writing Utensils

d. Batteries

e. Lost pieces

f. Notepads

g. Things that belong somewhere else in the house

h. Important papers/manuals

3. Take all of the Trash and throw it away

4. Take all of the carry out or delivery food coupons and paper clip them together. (For bonus points you can arrange them in order with the quickest to expire on top.) Store them in a file folder with your takeout menus on the bottom of the drawer.

The grocery and household items coupons need to be kept in your purse or car so that they will get used when you are at the store… they are not doing you any good in the drawer.

5. A drawer separator is great in your junk drawer, fill one section with pens and once it is full stop adding pens! There is no need to keep 100 ink pens and pencils in a drawer or in a cup! If you have more than you need consider donating some to a daycare, a teacher, a college dorm, etc… share the wealth! When you can buy a pack of 10 pens for a dollar why do we all feel the need to keep several hundred on hand at any given time?

6. It is recommended that most types of household batteries can be stored in the refrigerator and it will help preserve them better. I would recommend that you get a few small plastic food storage boxes and label them the various sizes of batteries and keep them in the back of your fridge. Old butter containers that have been washed out are great for this.

7. Ahhh, the lost pieces of toys and games… that clog thousands of junk drawers across this planet. I recommend that you take a plastic shoe box storage container and label it “Lost and Found Box”. Then put all of these miscellaneous pieces in this box and store it with your board games. Once a month or so, take the box out and sort through it, putting away pieces with the right game, puzzle, or toy. If you discover that the game, toy, or puzzle is broken or no longer in the house… throw away the extra pieces! This will also help if one of the kids is trying to finish a puzzle on their own and they are missing a piece… they will know where to look first!

8. One notepad should sit in your drawer next to the pens or stuck to your fridge to write down quick notes or phone messages. There is no need for 15 or 20 of them in the kitchen. If you want to go green and save some trees… consider recycling old notepads and replacing them with a dry erase board in your kitchen! Extra notepads can be dontated like the pens.

9. If it belongs somewhere else in your home and was shoved into the drawer in a rush clean up one day… now is your chance to give it a proper homecoming.

10. Contrary to what many of us imagine… our junk drawer is not the most secure or efficient method of filing important papers. I have seen everything from birth certificates, social security cards, check books, and even loan paperwork shoved into the bottom of kitchen drawers. If you have these papers in your junk drawer I am telling you, “It is time to file them away in a better system.” (To be covered in later challenge).

Now when you open it you should see a drawer organizer with pens, a notepad, and takeout menus and coupons in a file folder under the organizer. Here are a few more acceptable items to keep in your new and improved junk drawer:

• A flashlight

• A lighter or matches

• A small tube of super glue

• A roll of tape

• A small pin cousin with straight pens and safety pins

If you have followed these simple steps, the next time that you open this drawer in your kitchen, I believe you will find what you need faster and easier! The junk drawer may be a small victory in a bigger war… but take time to savor winning the small battles because often the can cost us the most time lost in our day!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Are you a packrat?

A person who likes to accumulate material items and has a very hard time parting with things is often labeled as a "packrat" in our society.

Out of curiosity I was doing some reading about the rodent the packrat on Wikipedia found a few the terms to be more accurate than I would have previously thought.

• The packrat is active nocturnally. Like many people whose disorganization causes stress which can lead to sleep problems like insomnia developing. I often hear clients complain of trouble sleeping due to the guilt of not staying up to deal with their clutter.

• Packrats will often trade one item they have for something more interesting. Animal experts have observed a packrat carrying one treasure and dropping it to pick up another item that is more interesting to them. Hmmm... I think I have seen this at yard sales by people who are in search of the best treasure for a quarter.

• Packrats will store their treasures inside their vast nests. The treasures have no purpose for the rodent other than to take up space or in some instances to support a part of the nest. How many treasures do you own that have no real purpose except to take up space? I have seen homes where it seems that those "treasures" are helping to support the ceiling of the home.

• Packrats continue to expand their nest to make more room all the time. Hmmm... how many of us look for bigger houses, rent storage units, expand our home, or bring sheds into the backyard, all because we need more room for our stuff. I once spoke to a family that was looking to sell their home for the sole reason that they wanted to have a bigger junk room.

• The rodent is said to be very vocal with fighting between other rodents. Clutter is the cause of MANY fights and rifts in families. I see clients all the time that are desperate to ease conflicts with spouses, friends, and family members by heeding their requests for the person to get more organized.


So the next time that you are called a packrat or you use the term to label someone else... stop and think a moment if you really want to be compared to a rodent who spends their life in a state of high stress, with little rest, always in search of the next big treasure to add to their stash. Do you really want to keep running the same "rat “race or are you ready to make a change in your life? A change that can decrease your stress, improve your sleep, improve your relationships, and allow you to enjoy your life more... a change to get more organized.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Professional Tips on Preparing for Pictures

Professional photographer, Amy Pennington caught my eye recently as I was looking at her blog.  She specializes in working with children and families and has an amazing gift for creating BEAUTIFUL pictures and capturing amazing memories on film for parents.  I asked Amy some questions recently about tips on how to plan ahead and prepare for the best photography session possible, check out our interview below:


Q: When it comes to planning outfits for the pictures, do you suggest that parents dress them at home, in the studio, how many extra sets should they bring, etc…

I think this depends on the age of the child. Children under 18 months dress them at the studio. Children above 18 months, put them in picture appropriate clothing. It is a shock to some children to take them in a strange place and start removing their clothing which could make them upset. Bring as many clothing changes, fun hats, toys, etc. We will prioritize them and see how far we make it.

Q: Are there certain colors or fabrics that take better pictures than others?

Details in white or black clothing can get lost; also satin items do not photograph well. I always suggest bright fun colors for children.

Q: I always recommend that parents schedule pictures in the morning when child is awake and alert or right after nap in the afternoon… both times when they are well rested and not too hungry, would this be consistent with your advice for parents?

Absolutely, I'm always willing to wake up extra early for an early riser to get the best shots. I suggest just enough time to get up, get dressed and eat. I find that if your child is going to miss a nap it's going to be on picture day.

Q:  Are there any favorite tips you have for parents that have worked to get a great shot of their kiddo? Bring special toys or other items?

I do recommend bringing special toys, blankets, comfort items, snacks (fruit snacks work great), and a drink. If they are overstimulated giving them a little break always makes them happy.

Q:  As far as family pictures go… what tips do you have about choosing outfits, poses, etc…

I recommend wearing clothing that would be normal for your family to wear, as if you are dressing for a nice but casual outing. You wouldn't all get up and dress in exactly the same colors. I like to keep clothing simple with little pops of color here and there.

Q:  Do most parents come in with an idea of what they want or do they let you be creative?

Almost all families leave the creativity to me. I sort of get a feel for what the family is like and go from there. Some will have seen a shot that I did with another family and want a similar shot.
This is fine, but I will make sure it is personalized for them.

Q:  How long should you plan to have your child’s session last to get good picture choices.

This really depends on the child and how well they know me. With some children I've got the perfect shots within the first five minutes and the rest is just a bonus. Others will take a warming up period. At least 30-45 minutes.

Q:  Are there any big NO-NOs that you would share with parents about planning pictures?

Bringing a child in when they aren't feeling well, and scheduling close to nap time.

Q: What is your favorite time of the year to get great pictures?

Summer, morning or sunset.

Q:  Many picture sessions I have done with my children… it is like organized chaos. What tips do you have to make the session go smoother?

I would say to relax and have fun, if the children are acting up it's much easier to play along with them than discipline them. Those are the best true to life candid family shots.


I hope that these tips from the talented Amy Pennington help you and your family prepare for the best possible pictures.  If you are in the Springfield, Missouri area I highly recommend that you consider using Amy and her studio to get some amazing pictures of your family! 

Visit Amy's Website and Blog by clicking on the links.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Friday Five: Five Routines Every Mom Needs

I have said it before and I will say it again...


"Routines, as boring as they may be, are the building blocks to a more organized and less stressed existence."

In my opinion there are five areas of every mom's life where she needs a good solid routine (There are probably more but then it wouldn't have been a Friday Five post.) So here are five of the big ones:

                              1  . A morning routine: Let's face it for most families mornings are nothing less than sheer chaos. You are trying to get yourself and your family ready, fed, and packed to head out and face the day. Along with being chaotic-- mornings are also stressful and one of the most common times of the day that fights break out amongst family members. You are still tired and rushed... never a good combination for anyone. However; having a good morning routine can ease some of that stress chaos by making mornings more predictable and less rushed.
Get kids up at the same time, have them get ready in the same order (kids like predictable), serve a healthy breakfast about the same time each morning, and try to always say goodbye without angry words... these things will always start your day off better.



2. An Evening Routine: The natural flip side of the coin. Are there certain things that you can do each evening to help prevent some of the craziness of the impending morning rush? Here are three quick things you could do each evening to help you in the morning: 
You can pack briefcases, backpacks, purses, and diaper bags the night before with anything that will be needed the following day.

You can make your kid's lunches for school the night before (I do this with everything but the sandwich... I am not a big fan of soggy sandwiches- so I make those in the morning)

You can lay out tomorrow's clothes so that you do not have to dig and search for what everyone wants to wear in the morning.

You can pack briefcases, backpacks, purses, and diaperbags the night before with anything that will be needed the following day. 

    You can make your kid's lunches for school the night before (I do this with everything but the sandwhich... I am not a big fan of soggy sandwhiches- so I make those in the morning)



    You can lay out tomorrow's clothes so that you do not have to dig and search for what everyone wants to wear in the morning.

    3. A laundry Routine: Let's face it... if you do not have a routines to stay on top of your laundry it will multiply into a pile that will take over your home! My goal is one load a day- everyday. I start it in the morning when I get up, I throw it in the dryer at lunchtime, and I fold it after dinner and put it away as I go into say goodnight to each of my kids. This routine works for me... but everyone is different. You might try assigning each day of the week a specific load. For example; Colors on Monday, Whites on Tuesday, Jeans on Wednesday, Towels on Thursday, Another load of colors on Friday... etc...

    4. A clean up Routine: If you have small children at home all day, set time aside twice a day is what I always tell clients. One clean up before lunch and one again before dinner. If you have not read our post about clean up songs be sure to check it out for a big improvement to how your little one's pick up toys!
    If your children are older and you are not home as often than one evening clean up should be fine. The point is... clean up the messes daily when they are small and they will always be manageable... let them grow for days or weeks and everyone's stress level and reluctance to clean up will grow!

    5. A routine for running Errands: Errands are inevitable... we all have to run by the bank, the store, the dry cleaners, etc... at some point in our weeks. I always tell clients to make a list of the errands they need to run the next day and write them down in the order you are going to run them so you are saving driving time and gas. Before you leave to run errands make sure that you have everything you will need to complete them; grocery list (check), dry cleaner stub (check), water bill to drop off (check).... you get the idea.



    Need help developing a routine? I would love to help you develop some routines that are customized to your family's schedule. Click here to find out how I can help you.


    Do you have an area in your life where routines really help? Leave me a comment; I would love to hear about it!

    Thursday, March 11, 2010

    After I am Gone File

    Okay, before I even begin today’s post I want to preface it by saying… I know this is not a fun topic to think about. I understand that for many of us, including myself we would rather spend the day at the dentist than planning for life after we or a loved one is gone. However, having said that, I also want to tell you that while it may be depressing and a little sad to think about… it is very important to think about.


    It has been more than a year ago since I received a phone call from a woman who needed the services of my company. She shared with me on the phone that her husband had died in a car accident more than five years ago and she had no idea where anything was in her home office. Needless to say, my heart went out to her and as we scheduled her appointment for a week from that day. I was unsure what kind of situation I would be walking into… but I was not prepared for the impact it had on me both personally and professionally.

    When I walked into that office it was as if time had stood still and the only thing that had changed was the amount of mail that had been piled up over the years. This poor woman was lost in many ways because she had no idea how to get into much of the stuff in the office. Her husband’s briefcase lay on the floor next to the desk because she did not have the combination to it. The computer was rarely used because she did not know all of the passwords for their online banking, websites, and filter settings.

    Filing was out of the question and she trouble understanding the system that he had put into place which made it hard for her to retrieve a document in a timely fashion. In many ways she had shut down because she did not know where to begin. She was stressed out beyond belief and was feeling a great deal of pressure from family and friends to finally address this room once and for all. She shared with me that it was not because she did not want to deal with it all… she just did not know where to start.

    As we worked for days and weeks to transform the piles into files and make some order out of the chaos she opened up and shared parts of her story with me. The one thing that I feel is safe to share with our readers is this one resounding statement, “We were not prepared for this… we were in our thirties. We had not discussed funeral plans, where things were in case something happened… I was lost having to figure it all out myself on top of dealing with the loss of him.”

    My heart ached for her and an idea began to form in my head- each of us needs to be aware of the wishes, wants, and whereabouts of our loved ones things after they are gone. As I said earlier, I know it is not happy dinner conversation but it is one that is important to have so that if heaven forbid you ever find yourself in a similar place as this woman… you will not be dealing with these issues on top of your grief.

    For months I wondered what the best way to help people have this conversation would be and then one day the idea occurred to me to create a worksheet. It is a simple three page worksheet that you can purchase from our website by clicking here, and it takes you step by step through all of the questions, information, and arrangements that are good to discuss before it is too late. Some examples of the questions on the worksheet are:

    Personal information, Social Security Numbers, Location of your Birth, etc…

    Contact information for people that someone may need to contact about insurance, transcripts, etc…

    Military Service Information

    Funeral Arrangement details

    Passwords and logins.

    And much more…



    I challenge each of reading this to download this packet (the best $0.99 you will ever spend) and save it to your computer. Print out a copy for you, your spouse, etc… and fill them out.  Have this hard converstation now!  Then save your completed worksheets in a file labeled “After I am Gone”. You can keep this file in your filing cabinet, a lock box, safety deposit box, etc... Just be sure that you let a few important people know that it is there and ensure they have access to it.


    Along with death can come many emotions, your prior preperation and courage to have these hard conversations can help to smooth the way after you are gone.  Families have endurded anger on top of heartache at these times simply because they did not agree on how to best honor the friend or family member that had passed.  Take some of this oppertunity for arguements and hurt feelings away by being specfic in your wishes. 

    Not only that but I also challenge you to Tweet, Facebook, and email this post to friends and family members so that we can spread the word about how important it is to plan ahead!  Such a simple act now can make the weeks, months, and years, after you are gone less stressful and more organized for those that are left behind.

    Be sure to leave me a comment with your thoughts on this important issue and how you are helping us spread the word on this important issue.