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If you’ve ever driven a stroller or pushed a wheelchair, or even rid in a wheelchair, I know you’ll understand.

Store displays!!!! It drives me crazy when I’m pushing my son in his stroller (bonus code is stroller) and I can’t even maneuver around the store. I won’t stay. It makes me not want to shop there and leave. It’s even worse when it’s a KIDS AND BABY STORE! You’d think they, of all places, would get it. I was shopping in a popular kids clothing store the other day, and I couldn’t get my stroller around the “SALE” rack. Then other parents come into the store with their stroller, and it’s a struggle to see who can get around the display.

On a similar note, I’ve had a friend that I took shopping who’s in a wheelchair. We couldn’t get around the store for her to shop. Then the stores where she could get around, finding a handicap change room was also a challenge. Some stores keep their stock in the handicap room, while others don’t even have one. It’s also important to have the handicap rooms for parents with strollers. What… am I supposed to leave my child in the foyer of the change rooms while I shop??!!??

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, I recommend you borrow a friend’s child and stroller for a day and go shopping in a mall. Or better yet, rent a wheelchair and you’ll see how hard it is to get around.

(Note: Platinum VIP’s you have until midnight Sunday Oct.26th to enter your bonus code for 250 points)

I lack culinary skills in the kitchen. I try. That’s the best I know how. But I don’t really have a “taste” for good food. Yes, I can go to a restaurant and order good food, but barley. I usually rely on other’s to pick what’s good. So when it comes to my own kitchen, honestly, I suck.

My poor husband has been my test pig for 5 years now. He tells his friends that his wife is getting better. Translation… she’s not very good at cooking (bonus code cooking) at all. In my own head I can follow a recipe… but then when it’s served it’s usually AWEFUL!

We had Jambalaya the other night. Worse than dog food! So I usually stick to meat on the bbq, potatoes or rice, and frozen vegetables boiled on the stove. Salads, however, are my forte. I do make a good salad. And no, not from a bag. I cut, dice, even shred vegetables into the salad. Throw in some fruit and top it off with some kind of nut. Then I usually make our own dressing with olive oil and vinegar. Usually the salad is the best part of the meal.

BUT!!! I did find a website with an easy to read recipe… AND I HAD SUCCESS. Last night I had Campbell Soup Easy Chicken and Broccoli Divan. And it was delicious! Thank you Campbell’s. You may have saved my marriage! Ha ha!

Click the comment button to tell me about your EASY recipes! Or if you have any helpful hints on becoming a better cook!

(Note: Bonus Code can be entered until Midnight Sunday Oct.26th for 250 Platinum Points.)

So how many kids is the right number? I have one. He’s 15 months old now. And, frankly, I find that’s enough. He’s soooo busy.

I was talking to someone about life balance. How do you balance work, family and life? Is there really a balance, or is it just a juggling act?

I have some friends with children the same age as my son, and they’re expecting baby (bonus code is baby) number two. I’m so thrilled for them as they are blessing their lives with another precious gift. But, honestly, I’m really torn if it’s time for baby number 2 yet.

I LOVE the idea of my son having a sibling… but I’m not sure if I could handle it. I know… it sounds crazy and selfish. But I’m pretty happy with just one right now.

I guess I just have to live with my favorite saying… “Let go and Let God”. Life will be what it is. It’s 10% of what happens to us and 90% of how we handle it. So for now I’ll be the best mom I know how with my one and only adorable son.

What are your thoughts on how many children?? Click the comment button and let me know.

Everyone has problems. Some people just hide them better than others. Have you ever driven in traffic and somebody cuts you off, only to have them flip you the bird… AND IT WASN’T EVEN YOUR FAULT. I would bet that it’s not about you. It’s about you being there when they were ticked off. My point is… you just never know what’s going on in other people’s lives. Here’s where my thought is going.

This weekend at the dog park I saw a woman with a small child and a medium sized dog. She was trying to put her child in the stroller, but the child was fighting and fussing. Finally after about 2 minutes of struggle (bonus code is struggle), the child settled into the stroller. At the same time her dog ran out of the car and started to play with another dog. The other dog was at the end of their walk, and the owner was trying to put their dog in the vehicle. The mother, already frantic from the fight with her child, yelled at her dog to “come”. She was very stern with her voice. The woman trying to put her dog in the vehicle said to the mother. “You don’t have to yell at your dog. You should be nice. You don’t have to be so mean to your dog.” The mother looked at her blankly and took her dog and child on their walk. To which I saw the mother crying on her way to the path. I thought… you know… why make a comment? Is it really necessary to voice your opinion when you don’t know the circumstance that put the other person in such a mood? Granted, the mother probably knows that she shouldn’t yell at her dog, or get frustrated with her child for that matter. But, why do some people feel the need to tell other people how to act, and how to be? Is it because their doing something YOU wouldn’t do? It’s like going up to someone who’s over weight and telling them they need to lose a few pounds. Don’t you think they know that?

All I’m saying is, think before you speak. If you don’t like how someone is doing something, maybe try saying something nice to them instead. You just never know what kind of day they’ve had. If you had a rough day yourself, stay clear of other people so they don’t have the opportunity to tick you off even more.

Here’s to a happy week. Smile and the world smiles with you. Frown and you frown alone.

Note: Platinum VIP – you have until Midnight Sunday Oct.19th to enter your bonus code for 250 points.

C-B-C is ready to show off their new Hockey Night In Canada theme this Satuarday

Its either“Sticks To The Ice” by 13 year old Robert Fraser Burke, or“Canadian Gold” by Colin Oberst an elementary school teacher from Beaumont, Alberta.

Which one do you pick. Go to http://anthemchallenge.cbc.ca/

By Crystal Bamber crystalbamber@shaw.ca – Professional Organizer – www.organizersincanada.com

First – hire a professional organizer, even for three hours, to get you started. Most local Calgary professional organizers have a free initial consultation along with hourly rates and packages for purchase. (The consultation is a great way to find out if you’ll be comfortable working with that person.)

Alternatively, have a friend – an organized friend, who will go through your things with you. You’re not looking for ruthless here, but sometimes we need someone to ask the tough questions. (I’ve had this for six years. It still has the tag on it. Am I really going to wear it?)

Far too often we, especially women, have a tough time asking for help. The fact of the matter is no one can do everything – even as much as we’d like to think we can. Make certain you are comfortable with the person going through your things with you (whether it’s a friend or a professional). It can be an emotional journey, which is really one of the best things you will get out of organizing. You’ll begin to see what is really important to you – then you’ll have more room (literally) to invite those things into your home and life.

Second – choose only ONE area to tackle first. Which one is that? The one area you are most reluctant to do first. You know the one, the dining room table covered in paper; the front hall closet (which can often set the tone of our home). Perhaps it’s the garage; when is the last time you parked a car in there?

Wherever the starting point, have three designated areas or bins: 1. give away; 2. recycle or trash; and 3. keep.

If you’re going through items that may have an emotional attachment, clothing, high school memorabilia, etc., have another person hold the item while you decide if it’s a keeper. Often when we physically touch an item we will have a stronger attachment to it. If you’re not sure on an item, justify it. Why do you really want to have it? Do you have a strong sentimental attachment to the first baby outfit? Then keep it (if it’s clean). There are better ways to honour it than having it stuffed is some box. Or is it a box of baby clothes a friend of a friend gave you? You’re probably not as attached to that – give it to someone who could use it. Or if you’re looking for some extra cash, try consignment. There are several great consignment stores around the city for men, women (plus sizes too) and children. Some consign clothes, furniture, books, jewellery, etc.

Keep these questions in mind while you are purging and organizing:
- What do I want this room to look like?
- What do I want this room to feel like?
- Does this item reflect how I want this room to look and feel?

Third – be proud of yourself and your accomplishment of tackling this overwhelming area in your life. What a great start! Becoming and staying organized is the goal – NOT perfection. Now that things are sorted, it’s time to start putting things where they belong. If an item belongs in another room, set it aside. This way you’re not running around the house putting stuff in different rooms.

Assess what you have kept and where it goes. Everything should have a home. Now is the time to purchase those bins and boxes you may have wanted to before you began organizing. Some items may require further organization. Photographs for example, get them all together in one place. When you’re ready to organize them, you’ll know where to find them. Label all your bins and boxes so you know what’s in them without having to open them up.

As a side note, most people are not chronically disorganized or hoarders; for more information please visit National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization at www.nsgcd.org/resources/factsheets.php. Not sure if you are a hoarder? Check out www.nsgcd.org/resources/clutterhoardingscale.php and download a copy of the scale.

October 9th, 2008, Calgary, Alta – Students at Elbow Park School will be taking on the challenge of life with kidney disease as a way to understand what it’s like to spend 18 to 75 hours per week on dialysis. The students will wear their pajamas to school on October 9th and participate in activities to celebrate Kids for Kidneys! while raising money for The Kidney Foundation of Canada.

On October 9th, between 9:00 and 11:30 a.m., students will participate in Kids for Kidneys!, where they will learn about kidney health while raising funds to improve the lives for those living with kidney disease. They will participate in a variety of activities to help them understand the importance of an active, balanced lifestyle. (balanced is your bonus code) From skipping, to car races, to the creation of cards to cheer up the day of a person on dialysis, students will meet these challenges to raise money for The Kidney Foundation. And they will do it all while wearing pajamas to identify with people on dialysis who can spend 18 – 75 hours per week hooked to a machine just to survive.

For more information contact Jodie Currie at 402-255-6108 ext 35 or to donate to the Kidney Foundation go on line to www.kidneyfoundation.ab.ca.

(You have until midnight Oct.12th to enter your bonus code for 250 Platinum Points)

Stuff and more stuff. Then there’s stuff with the stuff that we packed. I HAVE TOO MUCH STUFF. My husband doesn’t call it stuff. He calls it crap. (Well not really – he thinks its S@%T.

I watched a program on TLC last night about hoarding. I don’t think I’m that bad, to have the title “Hoarder”. But I do have a lot of stuff that I KNOW I need to part with. I have old letters from High School, old tapes from the first years of my radio career, hand creams from who knows when, to nick knacks from my grandmother. BUT WHERE DO I START?!

The whole process of organizing can be overwhelming. My problem is, when I start to purge (bonus word is “purge”) things, I spend too much time reminiscing. Does this mean I hold on too tight to the past? Any ideas on how to help me organize and purge? Click the comment button and let me know what you think!

(Bonus code for 250 Platinum points. You have until midnight Sunday Oct.12th to enter.)