My dad has been receiving treatments down in L.A. so as a special treat, we take Hwy. 1 home and enjoy a lunch with a view. It's become a nice tradition for both of us and a nice way to turn a bad day into a good one.
This is a typical Sunday in my City ~ Check out Sundays in my
A couple of years ago, I “rediscovered” the clipboard. I found it in my old box of college junk. I don’t think I ever really used it in college, but I thought I would give it a second chance. I put it in my computer desk, and it just sat there unnoticed for another year. All of a sudden I found myself working a part-time job (in addition to my day-job of raising three young children), starting a MOMS Club, and creating a business from scratch. One day, I just picked it up when I needed to carry something around to make notes. That was the day my clipboard became my most indispensable tool.
Currently my clipboard contains the stuff of my life: my Menu Planner for October, my Menu Planner for September (for reference), my Weekly Planner for this week, my Weekly Planner for next week, my Halloween Party Planner for the get-together we are having at the end of the month, my notes on what I want to include on the agenda for my MOMS Club board meeting, a list of recommended books for the book club, an itinerary for last week’s houseguests, my Monthly Cleaning Schedule, a list of articles I’m planning to write, articles I’m editing for submission, and this article which I prefer to write freehand and then type into the computer later.
A clipboard doesn’t require holes to be punched in the paper it holds. Pages and notes can quickly and easily be added or removed. It is portable, sturdy, comes in a variety of colors, and has a handy spot for my pen when it is time to get to sleep. A clipboard allows my inner preschooler to manipulate pen and paper. I may go where electricity may not be found and give my eyes a rest from the bright lights of a computer screen. Surely a woman who needed to prepare her daughter’s birthday party between doing several loads of laundry and bathing her children was the original creator of the clipboard. Maybe she had a letter to her Kindergartener’s teacher to write while her 3-year-old played on the playground. It is highly likely that she had grocery lists, to-do lists, and Christmas card lists to compile while waiting in the Dentist’s office. That woman knew she needed a firm, dry (non-sticky) place to write that she could carry with her as she went from one task to the next. Mrs. Clipboard, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
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Jennifer Tankersley is the creator of ListPlanIt where you can find more than 500 printable lists, checklists, and planning pages to tote around on your clipboard and put your world in order.
Would you like to free up your time for more important things, like spending time with your family? Do you have trouble managing your paper clutter? How would you feel if somebody could take a weight off your shoulders with a little advice? I can help you get organized ONLINE and bring balance back into your life? ~ Visit my website Renew Your Space for a full list of services and details.
Ventura Longboard surfing competition - Surfers' Point
Apparently I have a thing for Surfers' Point, as I have been shooting the sunrises and sunsets nearly every day. It is no secret I am biased to snapping sunsets, but this is getting ridiculous :)
Every morning I walk my dog, Roxy, at the beach and occasionally I run into a surfing competition.
This is a typical Sunday in my City ~ Check out Sundays in my friends' cities over at Unknow Mami's:
For today’s Friday Favorite, I thought I would do a post on my favorite home featured in ABC’s TV Show Modern Family.
Jay and Gloria’s colorful, simplistic retro look is right up my ally. As a fan of both modern architecture and this comedy, my eye is constantly being fed with décor candy.
Those simple touches of zebra print against the neutral walls and cabinets give a nice option of a surprise "pop" instead of the usual pop of color.
The bold color blocks throughout keep it modern and lively.
The stainless steel and frosted glass in cabinetry create clean lines.
Weathered couches and collections from travels or special bric-a-brac
warm up the space.
A glassy dark-bottomed pool continue the theme outdoors.
Perhaps my favorite piece in their collection on the set is this kitchen scene painting of a woman wearing red sweats and flip flops.
I tracked down the artist, Nathan Rohlander from L.A. whose contemporary work is displayed nationally and internationally, features two of his masterpieces on the Modern Family set. You can see his amazing talent at http://www.rohlander.com/.
Just a little insight to my love of design. I always see these things and think how nice it would be to refer back to them when I'm redecorating.
Since I moved my dad for the second time in under six months, I thought I would share with you some lessons I picked up along the way. I wrote about Senior Downsizing in Planning for the Golden Years at that time because there was so much more to it than just a move.
I have organized many packing plans and relocations, I have come up with a simple strategy to alleviate some of the stress. Utilizing a computer and online resources can give you the tools to make it all come together, and here are some of my best tips:
1. Create an information book
My information booklet is something that I have perfected over the years. It is a compilation of my important paperwork to keep the move organized. I love these little clear view executive report covers (these are made of hard plastic - see below) you can find at office stores. Whenever I create a new form or information sheet, I add it to my "book". This keeps everything in one place, and I am never searching for phone numbers or resources.
2. Use your basic Microsoft calendar creator
This doesn't have to be anything fancy, although you may want to jazz it up to keep yourself inspired. I simply use my MS Publisher program with the most basic calendar. It's best if you begin planning a few months ahead, but print at least two - for before, during and after the move.
Adding goals to the calendar as I go, for example; Begin by writing in the day/days of move & consider travel time, Dates of mover's arrival or moving truck pick up/drop off, Packing deadlines, etc. I staple them together and keep it with me whenever I am making important phone calls or shopping for supplies. This way, I always have my timeline at hand.
3. Create your own forms
The forms I like to create are basically old information v's new information. For example, I make a grid listing all of the bills, their contact info. and account numbers. In the second column I leave it blank to fill in the new location's account number, contact info., etc. (think of all that may change - your phone number, cable provider, doctors...). Here is a sample form that I have created for you: Download
4. Make an Inventory List
This list has been my saving grace in my relocation from California to Oregon and back to California, as I had a lot of summery items that I did not pull out until we got back to a warmer climate. Keeping the inventory list on my computer saved me a lot of time, as I could easily run a search on the item and instantly know where to find it. This worked with my business inventory as well. Here is a sample form that I have created for you: Download
As you are packing each box, use a marker and number each box 1-____. Then log the basics on your inventory sheet. Transfer it to your computer so that you can run a "Ctrl/F" in your document when you're looking for the box of lightbulbs when you arrive, and vola!
Utilize the Web:
Just another tip that has helped me so much through the process - Just about everything can be done online now. Gone are the days of wasting endless hours on the phone trying to get a live person to confirm your address change, or submitting numerous change of address forms by mail, hoping that they have reached the right department. If you create a personalized email address just for your move, (for instance - MoveToLAInMay@aol.com) you can check in to ensure confirmation and you won't miss out on important notifications on your personal email address).
I am enamored by great design and architecture, so I thought my spin on a Friday Favorites meme of favorite organizing products could also include interior design. Some of the best interiors are right here in Southern California and occasionally I have the amazing opportunity of stumbling across incredible cribs. There are also those times when I will be watching a movie and think to myself, "Wow - that ______ was a great idea!"; (insert - kitchen, closet, bathroom, coffee table arrangement, storage closet... you get the picture). So I thought this would be a creative outlet for me to share my eye for quality arrangements and ideas. I will also share with you an array of products, places, resources and tips that I run across in my organizing that I feel are a worthy mention.
For my first Friday Favorite, I want to share the Glass Pavilion of Montecito. This structure, designed by Steve Hermann is an ultra modern glass and concrete masterpiece of simplicity. Built in 2010, this mansion spans 14,000 square feet and is nestled amongst the tranquil hills and trees of Montecito. The home is located at 780 Ashley Road in Montecito, California and is listed at a cool $28.5 Million.
This is {so me} - everything about this place is my style, from the colors to the details in this retro stereo with the round speakers - I am in love with this design. My favorite palette is black and white with subtle touches of red green or seafoam green throughout. I have a thing for simplistic living and the clean lines of modern design. Now, if this were mine, I would surround the property with lush tropical gardens (um, and probably install a ginormous curtain) to ensure my privacy.
I could picture a long narrow swimming pool with fountains and a dark-bottom finish. Maybe a few Buddhas strategically placed throughout the grounds would be nice too :)
With the recent scare of Hurricane Irene and the possible threat of a random natural disaster, I couldn't help but reminisce of the colossal storm we lived through in Oregon a few years ago. We resided in the very small town of Astoria for a couple of years and I owned a little Boutique called LaDeDog! Things were rolling along quite smoothly until this massive gale hit the town and pretty much halted business for over a week, (Scroll down to see the video at the end of this blog). Three nights of up to 120+ mph winds blew roofs, shingles, trees and power lines through the streets. No electricity, no food, no heat, no shoppers... it was not only devastating, it was incredibly unnerving for a California girl like myself to bear. And this all happened with pretty much NO warning!
Thankfully the community rallied together and re-built the surroundings. An otherwise touristy town did not see much action during that holiday and as a new business, I was crushed to have this happen just a few weeks before Christmas. But we all survived - we held neighborhood BBQ's, a friend brought over ice from his store, we offered up one of our showers since our gas water-heater was able to work and we slowly began re-restoring our newly remodeled home, (yes, that's my husband to the left assessing the missing pieces to our front porch).
Needless to say, we were thankful to be alive but it was a miserable three nights hunkered down with the dog and the cat in front of a little fireplace. Being the organizer that I am, I did have an emergency closet with a few items at hand. We were able to stay entertained with a loooong game of monopoly with candles to light up our living room. Thankfully we were able to close off the rest of the house so that we could preserve the heat to one room, and we soon learned the importance of old school electronics.
With that being said, I thought I would share with you my necessities during that week of agony...
Some things that I never knew were so important:
1. A battery powered radio was my number one saving grace through it all. At the time, I did not have one radio that ran without power. By the time we got to the store, all of the regular radios were sold out BUT I did find a walkman :) Hey - don't knock it! LOL that thing was a major source for news and we were finally clued in to what the heck happened, and I was amazed they actually had them for sale.
2. A good old fashioned telephone that is not electric. I know, what in the world does that mean? Well, if you don't have power but the phone lines are working, you can actually make what they used to describe as a "phone call". Yeah, I am totally being sarcastic here but it was one of those "duh" moments as it was happening.
3. If you are on a coastal town, (even on the West Coast where hurricanes aren't supposed to happen) it is a good idea to have some plywood available. We just happened to have a pile of sheets in our basement, as we were in the middle of restoring our 1918 Craftsman home. As the windows were sucked out one by one, that plywood was a God-send!
4. Install gas appliances that do not have an electric starter. This was an amazing discovery - when all of our neighbors weren't able to take a hot shower or cook, we had both options, (although most of our food had to be tossed out after the 2nd day, but we could make coffee!)
5. If you're lucky enough to get your hands on a generator, this is something you will want to have if you're faced with a week-long power outage.
6. Gas up the car if you have time: We heard there "might" be a big storm coming, so we had the fore-thought to fill up both of our vehicles. Many others did not and we ended up being the go-to neighbors for emergency pick ups/deliveries because the gas pumps ran out right away.
7. Pre-ground coffee - OMG! This was such a major dilemma because we had a giant bag of whole coffee beans with no grinder. And I cannot live a day without my coffee, much less through a hurricane. Helloooo hammer :)
Other things you should have in your emergency closet:
- Lots of batteries
- Flashlight
- Candles / matches
- Extra bottled water (or a teapot if you can use a stove to heat your tap water)
- Hand-crank radio/flashlight (I bought one of these at Costco right after this happened!)
- List of local radio channels/weather/disaster reports
- Emergency first aid kit
- Clip on reading light (for all of those books you may have time to read)
- Board games
- Extra keys
- Emergency phone numbers
- Thick headband (think snow-skiing - keeps your ears warm)
- Tool kit
- Hand can opener
- Wine opener (ha!)
- Don't forget to bundle up your pets
- Your wits! - What am I forgetting? Do you have any great ideas??
Your emergency closet doesn't have to be elaborate. Just one shelf that your family knows where to go to in the event of an emergency. With a few of these necessities at hand, you are sure to provide your family a little comfort while you plan for the next steps of your situation.
Would you like to free up your time for more important things, like spending time with your family? Do you have trouble managing your paper clutter? How would you feel if somebody could take a weight off your shoulders with a little advice? I can help you get organized ONLINE and bring balance back into your life? ~ Visit my website Renew Your Space for a full list of services and details. 
This is {so me} - everything about this place is my style, from the colors to the details in this retro stereo with the round speakers - I am in love with this design. My favorite palette is black and white with subtle touches of red green or seafoam green throughout. I have a thing for simplistic living and the clean lines of modern design. Now, if this were mine, I would surround the property with lush tropical gardens (um, and probably install a ginormous curtain) to ensure my privacy.
