BusyBodyBook Blog

Our Moving Mishaps - Best Laid Planning

Thanks for all the great moving in/moving out posts!

I feel a LOT better. After reading so many posts, I get it -  that no matter how organized we try to be there is truly no way to insure that there are no moving day mishaps. Kind of like any life experience... we vow to "NEVER make THAT mistake again," but invariably some other lesson is bound to crop up or, like child birth, we forget the pain for the pleasure of another!

But... perhaps there's something that we can learn from anothers' mishaps -  stories that will stand out and help us all the next time. Even more than the great BusyBodyBook prize that three of our readers will win, there's a lot of humor, insight, and aha! moments that have been shared.

Thanks again for helping us all laugh a little, learn a little (a lot), and feel better about ourselves!

Come back for the BusyBodyBook Moving  Story Contest winner announcements on July 1st!

Movin' In: First Day Confessions & CONTEST!

 

Wish I had packed myself in a carton, taped and labeled it
to ship off to some exotic island.

I did start off organizing everything, room by room, carton by carton but  the day before the van pulled up (and same day) the last of the last kind of got thrown in to the remaining cartons, the trunk and back seat of our car. Everything made it over to our new home - almost everything.

Since we've downsized some had to go to a storage unit - that's where the chaos began. Some cartons ended up in the wrong place - I'm not sure how  the carton labeled "Jake's Computer - OPEN" got buried behind the furniture in our storage unit but two days and several $$$ later the movers had to unpack the unit in order to find it. BIG UGH!

As a parent  the very last thing you want to lose, even temporarily, is your kid's computer.  I did manage to keep this a secret until we found it - couldn't handle the inevitable outcries and additional stress.

More to come:
 The "still missing",
We're still disoriented,
And I'm still fantasizing living with Jake, the two cats, and a laptop in Bali. Think I can find a "hot spot" on the beach?

BusyBodyBook's "A Moving Experience" CONTEST

Three readers can win a new 09/10 or 2010 BusyBodyBook with a post of
"A Moving Experience" (funny or nightmare) story here. Winners chosen June 30th!

We're on our way to a beautiful spring.

It's been a VERY long winter! And while March can be an unpredictable month we've weathered and survived some pretty tough storms; the days are already noticeably longer, and springtime is a budding tribute to what I most earnestly believe - simply that
"Nothing EVER stays the same - everything changes."

   Even tempestuous March brings hope for kinder and gentler times. On March 8th we can delight in even more light thanks to Daylight Savings. We'll lose a precious hour of sleep but with the promise of the coming of spring on March 20th, I say, "SO WHAT?!" It seems that's what nature is saying too. I'm noticing some daffodil heads already poking through the ground and it's not even March!

   Of course, there's always St. Patrick's Day on the 17th. You don't have to be Irish to celebrate the green!

   Have you noticed yet that the racks of snow shovels, piles of ice melt, and rows of snow blowers are giving way to garden tools, mulch and barbeques? It's my favorite transition!

   While you're pining away for warm breezes start thinking about the colors that you can bring into your home - bright, cut or potted flowers and plants will inspire the gardener in all of us - so, take out your BusyBodyBook or download our March Weekly GRIDs to begin planning your garden. Take the kids to the garden center to choose seedlings to nurture and grow in a pot - or, help them pick out their own and sunny (or shady) spot to plant a perennial later in the spring that will forever bloom and be their own.

   We have a lot to look forward to. Don't wish the last of winter away quite yet - let these last weeks help you prepare for the best to come. Smile. Beautiful days are on the way!

  And don't forget to but new batteries for your smoke detectors!

CHIC MOM MAGAZINE is NOW Online!!!

I am SO pleased! An old friend, Darcy Plunkett, just emailed me about her online launch of

 

I was introduced to Darcy years ago by her Dad, Bob Danzig, who was, still is one of my most important mentors.

Darcy's innovative print version of Chic Mom launched in Ohio long before the deluge of momcentric publications and so her wisdom of all things we moms need and love to read about is sure to be grounded in her both her professional and, of course, personal insight and experience. You can read about her journey at her blog to learn more of how she too struggled with the work/family issue and her "AHA!" moments leading to this re-launch of a wonderful online magazine.

Darcy's journey is ours and we will all benefit from signing up to read the editorials on self, style, - all things mom from her own and other mom's perspectives.

Best of everything, Darcy! Chic Mom is bookmarked, I'm signed up and looking forward to receiving my newsletter too!

Link Love from "Chic Simple Moms" for Valentine's Day

                                          

How's this for  "Link Love"?

Serena at Chic Simple Moms has included us in her Valentine's Day Gift Guide. In her own words, " I cannot live without my wall calendar! It keeps me in check."

Serena's blog captures the essence of what every parent needs today - "simple solutions for everyday life with kids."Isn't that we all crave?

It's what BusyBodyBook is ALL about! Simplicity and ease, some peace of mind... and finding some time for ourselves as well. When's the last time you read a great book (trashy or otherwise), had time to daydream, to let your nails dry???

Don't forget about YOU - being a "selfless parent" also means nurturing yourself. Give yourself a weekly Valentine's treat! Schedule it!

Thanks, Serena - for reminding us of how important it is to hug ourselves too!

For SALE: 4 Bdrm, 3.5 Bth in South Orange, NJ

It's not the ideal time to sell a home but it's TIME nonetheless. Our beautiful home is now officially on the market. The final straw was all the snow this year - or should I say ice! We couldn't shovel fast enough, the slush froze and an ice pick didn't cut it.

I'm done with leaf blowing, snow blowing, scrubbing 3.5 bathrooms, ... it's definitely time to downsize.  It took a couple of years to let go emotionally but we're finally ready.

So after massive lists of todos and quite the mess... we're painted, floors finished, one bathroom beautifully renovated, cleaned, staged, listed with Burgdorff ERA, the sign is up, the balloons are blown, and the real estate agents are already lining up with their clients.

TIP: What does one do when an agent calls and wants to show your home in 12 minutes? Throw the wet towels, laundry under the bed, in the washing machine or dryer, the dirty dishes  in the dishwasher and whatever else, in the oven - just remember not to turn anything on before removing!

Nannies Love BusyBodyBook Too!

A few months back we were contacted by Michelle LaRowe Conover, author of "Nanny to the Rescue", "Nanny to the Rescue Again", and "Working Mom's 411" AND recipient of the 2004 International Nanny Association Nanny of the Year Award. A new mom herself, Michelle, like so many moms  juggles her personal and professional activities.

Intrigued with BusyBodyBook, she requested samples for her own as well as other nannie's review. Since then Michelle has been kind enough to write a great review of BBB at her blog for her readers, both families and nannies, as well as request that we be included in the INA Member Top Picks.

Just this past week we heard from Kellie Geres, another INA member, after she gave BBB a workout.

"Joan, Thank you for the opportunity to see and utilize your product.  As a busy nanny to two teenagers, and working for divorced parents, I have multiple schedules and activities to maintain.  Your BusyBodyBook enables me to keep track of each persons activities, appointments, travel and so much more.  With handouts, notes and reminders that need to go from house-to-house, this book provides me the security and convenience to have it all in one place. 

Thank you for the great product and your entire line of products that make being a nanny or a parent more efficient."

Kellie Geres
Professional Nanny / Household Manager
President, ADCAN - Association of DC Area Nannies
AllThingsNanny.com

Parents, grandparents, nannies are loving BusyBodyBook nationwide to keep them at the top of their "game"!

If you're either in need of a top notch nanny or are a nanny seeking information the INA offers  EVERYTHING and the VERY best in advice, training and resources! Check it out.

...5....4...3...2...1! Happy New Year!!!!!!

From our home to yours....

Our wishes for the

Happiest,

Healthiest,

Most Prosperous,

(and Organized too, of course!)

2009!


Best always,

Joan

A New Year, A New Calendar... or Two or Three or Four

Paper, electronic, online, dry erase, chalk board, ... the planning tools available today to help manage our time is mind boggling.  With multiple schedules and hectic activities to coordinate at home (not to mention the plans, projects and personnel to keep track of at work!) my last research indicated that each household uses 3.1 calendar systems to keep them moving along - and that's just the paper variety!

Planning is critical today. Just managing to get to an appointed place on time is often a test.

Especially now we're looking at and buying up any new and better time management products to help us. But the truth is, it begins with us - not the tool. Are we really intent on focusing on what's important - prioritizing? If not, there aren't enough tools to be bought or swimmies to keep our heads above water. Prioritizing may seem just another buzz word but it's the only way to truly personalize and tame the tigers that eat up so much time in our lives. No set rules - just the motivation to live a better lifestyle.

It begins with some quiet time to reflect on what's personally important in our lives (and yes, the endless baskets of laundry and bags of groceries should be on your list.) Stick to your routines so that when those inevitable daily or seasonal "emergencies" pop up it doesn't create [as much] chaos.

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Start with a list of your routines - I like to work with columns (Quel surprise!) 

        1. LIST your PRIORITIES and your ROUTINES

        2. Share the PLANNING and RESPONSIBILITIES. Get everyone involved and delegate chores. When the kids moan & groan, don't cave in. Remind them that you're a family.

       3. SCHEDULE "Me" time & family time too.

       4. Don't OVERBOOK. Say "NO" when you can't afford the energy and/or time or you think the kid's activities are over the top (and let go of the guilt.)

        5. Be FLEXIBLE. Need a breather? Refresh (see #3) yourself.

         6.Choose planning CALENDARS that help best manage your family and work. Write your schedules CLEARLY so that everyone can view their own (and each others!) POST it where everyone can easily reference it. Check it often!

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Time is a commodity we can either use up - or use well.

To manage better, plan ahead - you'll find

even more time and more opportunity to play.

Last but not least, don't just squeeze yourself in - plan for you!

BusyBodyBook calendar planners are flexible, spacious and so easy to use!

Try out our Free Downloads!

Customize BBB's columns to meet your own lifestyle needs.

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We Teach Our Children Well

I've always felt proud and deeply fortunate to be an American and today I feel even more blessed.

My son is growing up in a country that has now proven that we truly are ALL equal and are offered unprecedented opportunities. Though Jake, for his youth, and I am proud to say for his upbringing, cannot fully comprehend the significance of electing an African-American to the highest seat in the world, he will continue to live in the world of my own dreams, where his voice will be heard, his aspirations honored and his freedom secured.

What more can any parent wish for their children?

We teach our children well when we can, in our lifetime, pass the promises of free speech, free will and the opportunity to make choices and, from my vantage point, miraculous advancements in society overall.

I have never been as proud or as happy to be living here witnessing such change and helping Jake learn that every responsible person in our nation deserves the same rights and privileges.

Thank you President-Elect Barrack Hussein Obama for your vision, your perserverance and raising the bar for our children. Congratulations  to everyone in this country. Change has already occurred. The hopes of millions answered.