Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Organizing With A Dash of Cute...

I'm an Organizer.  A Planner.  I like to know what I'm doing next week...even next month.  My job requires that I be organized...but really...it's who I am.  I find that if I don't write things in my planner they get forgotten.  This may mean that I have too much going on in my life.  Yes...that's probably exactly what it means.  However, I like to plan and organize my time...files...and documents.

About Technology.
Technology is fun for me.  I like learning new software, online tools, etc.  I really enjoy participating in social media like Facebook, Twitter and Blogging, of course. I use online tools like Google Docs every day as I switch between my home office and my office on campus.  All of our documents at work are electronic and we use very little paper.  That all works really well for me.  Things are easy to find and they don't get lost or damaged like in the old days when I first started working 20+ years ago. 

But...

I'm a tactile person.

I like to write.

...with a pen...

...on Paper!

Someday I may actually have an iPhone or a Blackberry.  However, I'm pretty sure you won't see me punching in my calendar appointments and to-do lists on the latest smart phone.  Writing it out every day helps me to process what I need to focus on and it forces me to SLOW DOWN.

I use a planner, notebook/journal and a binder for planning and organizing.  They are portable and everything is in one place.

Cute is important too!  I've used all the planners like Franklin Covey and Day-Runner, etc.  They work well, but they are expensive and the affordable ones aren't that cute...at least to me. 

This is how I organize my time...

I use the Monthly Calendar to record appointments, events, special dates, etc.  Each week I transfer that information to my Daily Page. I try to set aside some time on Sunday to look at the upcoming week and transfer appointments and tasks to the appropriate days.  This gets adjusted every morning, though, as I review what I finished the day before and what needs to be done that day.



My Daily Page is in the Notebook/Journal that goes with me everywhere.  This journal not only has my Daily Page but it is also where I record my thoughts on the current bible study I'm doing, grocery lists, meal plans, monthly budgets, and daily notes about my life, etc.  Needless to say, I'm lost without it. My Daily page for tomorrow is below.  Near the top of the page I list my appointments, dinner menu and anything important that I need to remember for the day.  I separate the columns for my work tasks and my personal tasks.  I like having both lists on one page because sometimes I'm able to combine tasks and it helps to have it in one place.  Because this daily page is also in my journal it's easy to make notes about what I'm thinking about during my bible study and transfer a quote or thought to my daily page and it's a reminder to me all day. 



I now use a Binder for my work projects and I also have binders at home for filing.   I don't use file folders in drawers except to file in an archive file drawer once a project is complete.  The binder I use for work is the one in the photo above.  Every project I'm working on has a tab in the binder.  I use binder pockets to store documents or 3 hole punch the documents for each project.  For example, the event I just finished has a tab and all the contracts are there along with agendas, participant lists, menus, etc.  The binder saves space and it's portable.  It goes with me for my work at home and to all of our events.

The binder I use at home also replaces file folders in a drawer.  I have a large 5 inch binder for each year.  In the binder is a tab for each important document that comes to our home.  For example; home mortgage, homeowners insurance, bills, bank statements, etc.  As these documents come in the mail, I just throw them into the binder (usually in a binder pocket instead of 3-hole punching) and it's done.  The binder sits on the shelf for approximately 5 years and then I can discard the contents and re-use the binder.  This system saves space in my home and it's so easy for me to find what I'm looking for when I need it.

I'm not an expert by any means, but these ideas work for me.  I enjoy hearing about how others organize their life so I hope you'll share your own ideas in the comments!!

Until Next Time,

Jackie

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Filed Under..."What In The World?"...

Let me just say that I love Missouri.  I was born here.  I was raised here.  I choose to raise my family here.  Missouri has a lot to offer.

We have two great cities if you're craving some culture, shopping and a little excitement.

We have lots of rural areas if you want peace, quiet and open spaces.

We have mountains, streams, professional baseball teams, museums, open air markets, flat lands, farm land, amusement parks and zoos.

Missouri is a really nice vacation destination....

Especially...

If you enjoy bringing your cooler and radio and shedding your clothes in broad daylight while sitting in a fountain with your sweetie in the middle of a city.  Because Missouri wouldn't want you to take LESS of a vacation. 








What in the World?  (chuckle)



Until Next Time,

Jackie

*Photo courtesy of O Magazine and brought to you by the Missouri Division of Tourism.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Practice Makes Perfect...Well Almost...



Good Morning! 

You may know that my paying job is working for a University and a major part of my job is organizing the events that our department holds each semester.  Today is the first of those events and it unofficially marks the beginning of our semester.  Classes don't actually start until next week.  Most of my job in preparing for the workshop is over now and I can take a breather while the presenters do their work with the workshop attendees.  I usually hang out for most of the workshop to ensure all the details are falling into place and if they don't it's my job to find a solution.  Event planning is the most enjoyable part of my job.  I've now organized this particular workshop 9 times in the last 4 years.  It's fairly well organized and runs smoothly.  Of course, as I write this post, a person comes in who hasn't registered ahead of time but is planning to attend.  It's okay.  I plan for this. This is where the Almost Perfect part comes in.

I bring my Portable Office (laptop and my online files...oh how I love Google Docs!) with me to the workshops and I'm able to work once the workshop gets underway.  However, it's hard to do much work during our August workshop because we're located in the center of campus and there are many orientations and other events going on at the same time.  It's fun to see students navigating their way through campus.  It's a big campus.  30,000 students. 

Organizing.  I've learned a few things in my years of doing this kind of work. I've learned to rely on a checklist for each event, my planner and my online calendar.  I've learned to revisit my organizing after each workshop and make adjustments for the next event. 

Details and Planning.  Planning and Details.  It's my life for the next 16 weeks with a short break and then it starts again the next semester.  In the next post I plan to talk about how I organize my Time and about a new Binder System I'm using for our personal files at home, the files for our Home Based Business and for all my activities at work. All simple concepts...but my life quickly gets out of control without them.

Now, back to the office to do a final check for tomorrow's session of this workshop and to finalize details for the the next workshop...only 4 days away!

Until Next Time,

Jackie

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Sunday Notes...


Do all the Good you can,
By all the means you can, 
In all the ways you can, 
In all the places you can, 
At all the times you can, 
To all the people you can, 
As long as ever you can.

~John Wesley

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Doing A Little Housekeeping - Blog Style...

There is a little cleaning, organizing and redecorating going on around this little blog.

I've finally started experimenting with Blogger's new Template Designer and it's kind of fun...although not as easy as I had hoped...but I'm starting to get it. I always enjoy reading blogs that are simple, clean and nicely organized.  But, I sure do love color and texture...so my blog will probably always have a little of both.

Who knows what Embracing My Blessings will look like when I'm done tinkering around...

But...I know one thing... 

I'm ready for Fall and I've been inspired by these photos.  If you follow the blog on Facebook...sorry for repeating these...but they are so darn cute...I can't help it.


*Photo Credit - Nichole from The Pumpkin Seed.

Until Next Time,


Jackie

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Am I a Fainting Goat or a Leaping Lamb? Talk Back to Women of Faith...



As I read through today's post at the Women of Faith Blog I had to really think about the question posed there today...Am I a Fainting Goat or a Leaping Lamb?

My first response was "Of course... I'm a Leaping Lamb".  Most of the time and in most situations I feel like that is a true statement.  I rejoice at the little things my life has to offer.  I know I'm blessed and I try to take it all in and be thankful for what I have in my life.

But...

This is real life!  There are a couple of situations in my life where Fainting Goat Behavior has been witnessed...even lately.  Here is what my Fainting Goat Behavior looks like:

Too many visits to Starbucks to get a Vanilla Latte...or...Very Berry Coffee Cake...or...a Cranberry Bliss Bar...

Too much time spent viewing Facebook...

and

Too much time spent online shopping for handbags!

I've grown and I'm less of that Old Goat in these areas every day...but it's a process.  Possibly a Life-Long process, but that's okay.  Sometimes these growth areas are good and a way to stretch my faith even further and they help me to recognize that God is in control and He is there to embrace me and comfort me.  His comfort is so much better than a Vanilla Latte any day!

Leap!

I want to be like the Leaping Lamb in every area of my life.  It's one of my top goals!

Be Joyful!


Take Delight in the Lord and He Will Give You Your Hearts Desires
Psalm 37:4





Monday, August 9, 2010

The One Minute Sermon...

I want to share this with you. This one minute sermon sums it up in a really creative way! Enjoy!

Jackie

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

A More Beautiful You...

I'm 41 years old.  I'm Confident.  I've made peace with my choices.  I like my life.  But.  I'm human and a woman.  It's hard to live up to the standard of beauty our culture demands.  The standard is slightly different now as a woman in my 40's than it was for me as a 20 year old.  But the standard is still there.  You must look Young...Hip...Cute.

Enter Facebook.

Facebook is Good in so many ways and Bad in so many others.

I've been on Facebook for a few years now.  It's been fun connecting with grade school friends, high school friends and former co-workers.  I've chatted and shared photos with folks who I thought I would never see again.  All Good things.  Really Good.

Now to the Bad.  Facebook can be a time waster to the extreme.  It can also cut little notches into your self esteem.  A large majority of my Facebook friends are people I knew more than 15 years ago and haven't seen many of them for at least that amount of time.  I will sometimes open up a profile and start looking at their photos and realize they don't look any different than they did...say...20 years ago.

But...I do! 

20 years have gone by...2 kids...a few extra pounds.  Okay...more than a few extra pounds.  I look different.

Me in 1987 - Prom Night
Me - August 2010

On more than a few occasions after reconnecting with a former friend or co-worker I've had to remind myself of my own worth.  My own beauty.  Not in a self-centered way, but in a way to remind myself that I'm not going back to that young girl that I once was.  That is OK!  I like myself now.  I like being 41.  I'm proud of my accomplishments and the person that I've become.

What I know is that comparisons are a waste of my time.  My purpose in this life is bigger than small thinking like comparing my looks, social status and bank account to other people

When these negative thoughts start creeping in and trying to crowd out the more positive and productive thoughts I have a checklist of questions I ask myself.

Is it True?  ...Is what I'm thinking true or am I second guessing myself?

Is it Noble?...Is this thought dignified?  Is it something I should be thinking about myself as a child of God?

It it Lovely?...Is this thought gracious or is it a critical thought?

And finally a scripture that I carry with me in my index card binder (more on this important tool later)

Philippians 4:8

"Finally brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - think these things." 

If you struggle with this issue like I have.  Be encouraged.  You are not alone.

And...

There Could Never Be A More Beautiful You.




Chorus of 


There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you