Junk Mail

This will be my first of many posts concerning unwanted junk mail. Today's focus is that heaping mass of newspaper ads that arrives in your mailbox weekly, sometimes, only to lay around like it owns your house. After much sleuthing, I found out how to eliminate this offending paper. You can call 888-241-6760 to request to be removed from their list. Once they receive your request it takes around 5-6 weeks to take effect. Believe me, it's worth it!

Puddle Jumping ~ A kid's gotta do what a kids gotta do

Today my grandson was running all around with his new green-light-flickering shoes. He stopped by a puddle, looked at me, and before I could respond, he jumped in it with such glee that I knew instantly he just had to do it. He was so pleased with himself. For him, water, any water, is for going in. He dips his chips in water, uses five straws, stays forever at the drinking fountain. He even dips his macaroni in water. I am sure he could organize his entire life around water. It is his thing. Period.

A Good Old Fashioned Block Party

Tonight was the 9th annual party of our one-block-long street. Each of our parties has been a big success. It helps to live on a block full of foodies, where hardly anyone ever moves away. The offerings tonight were perfect. And sitting around the firepit into the wee hours was so campy, especially when we all warmed our bare feet. We are keenly aware of how sacred this event is. If you have even a small organizing gene, good neighbors, and someone with an invitingly shaped driveway, I say go for it! We start at around 5 on a Saturday, and it has gone as late as 2AM. Our first party took a good bit of organizing and effort. Sinde then, it takes only minimal volunteer time for a few people each year. It is code to bring a dish that is homemade and known to be a crowd pleaser. Somewhere, under the radar...

Are you a movie fan?

Netflix is my favorite way to see films. If you're not already a Netflix subscriber, here is how it works. You sign up online. Once a member, you can see just about any movie in existence, with no hassles. You create an online queue of the movies you want to see. You choose how many DVD's you want to have out at one time. The more at once, the higher the cost. They mail you your first batch. As soon as you return each one in the post paid envelope provided, they send you the next one on the list.

As soon as I become aware of a film that interests me, I put it in my Netflix queue. That way, when it is released to DVD, I can be one of the first to view it, and it doesn't drop off my radar. If I have already seen it in the theatre, I just delete it from my Netflix queue. And if you are a fan of TV series shows, this is a way to view them commercial free, a year after they air on TV. One of my favorites is "24." It is so suspenseful that it is difficult to wait a week for another episode. Our record was 9 episodes in one night!

Paper Management

If a piece of paper is worth keeping, it is worth filing in a place where you can easily find it. My specialty is setting up user-friendly filing systems that are expandable and changable to encompass life as it is — and is — and is.