Amanda and Patrick

Today’s Resolution: Engage in Pillow Talk

One of the niceties of going on vacation is indulging in luxuries you might not normally get to enjoy. Even something as simple as complimentary soaps and shampoo can be enough to make you feel special. Consider adding that same kind of special touch the next time you have an overnight guest by placing a few chocolates or other candies on their pillow. Add a note: “We’re so glad you came!” No overnight guests? Extend the gesture to your spouse, children, or significant other. The effect will go far when they are not expecting it.

Image source: This cute pillow set by restintheword on Etsy

Today’s Resolution: Fill ‘er Up

Take a look in your medicine cabinet, refrigerator, pantry, or even garage for products that can either be consolidated or can be replenished with a “refill” item. Save space by combining the two half-filled ketchup bottles on the door of the refrigerator. Restaurants do this! Check for economy saving refill containers for items such as window cleaner or hand soap the next time you go shopping. Fill the gas tank in the lawnmower so it’s ready to go for the next time you cut the grass; maybe you can get someone to do that chore for you!

Today’s Resolution: Embrace Nostalgia

Have you ever unexpectedly caught a scent in the wind that took you back to a place in your mind that floods you with fond memories? Maybe it’s the perfume your first girlfriend wore, that locker room smell after a big game, or mom’s home cooking. Has a song you heard today reminded you of a good time in your life? Find a few moments today to dig out that old yearbook, photo album, journal, or whatever contains some visual reminders of happy days. And don’t be filled with sorrow over the passing of those days; instead, be grateful you had them.

Image source: Quasimood on Flickr

Today’s Resolution: Memorize a Limerick

Limericks are nonsensical, entertaining, rhythmic, and clever. They are 4 or 5 line poems that fulfill several criteria: the first line is usually about a person or place (“There was an old man with a beard” ), there is a rhyme pattern, and they have a sing-song rhythm. Find a few to memorize; Edward Lear and Ogden Nash may provide some good examples. Better yet, write one about yourself. Caution: Watch out for the naughty ones!

Image source: Hanataro on Flickr

Today’s Resolution: Survey Shady Specs

Conduct a shade inspection on your sunglasses. During the summer months, sunscreen to protect our skin is a must. However, how much thought do we give to protecting our eyes from the sun? While dark lenses in sunglasses prevent us from squinting, are they keeping out damaging UV rays? Expensive or dark lens glasses do not guarantee protection. If you are not sure about the UV level of protection, most optical stores can check this for you.

Image source: Andres Rueda on Flickr

Today’s Resolution: Take a Time Out for Tool Time

Depending on your “Do It Yourself” (DIY) quotient, the inventory of tools in your tool box may be limited or on epic professional levels. If you are in the category of novice, consider some basics and a place to put them. In fact, if the kitchen drawer is your stronghold for spare nails, screws, a screwdriver, and hammer, you should really swing by your local hardware store and buy yourself a tool box. Make sure you have a couple of different sizes for screwdrivers and have both a Phillips head and a flat head. If you are a master tool technician, try to help someone who is wandering the aisles of the hardware store looking for that tool box!

Image source: Jenn Durfey on Flickr

Today’s Resolution: Use the Write Stuff

Writing utensils seem to be plentiful throughout the house, but I can’t seem to find just what I need all the time. Gather up all of the pens, pencils, and markers (maybe even crayons!) and put into an old shoebox or large jar. Keep in a convenient location. Make sure everything you place in there works; I hate going for one pen after another that is out of ink just to sign a check! If you have enough, separate into containers by type. It’s a good idea to keep a few crayons or colored pencils around too for guests who have children. Paper and a writing utensil can be a great toy!

Image source: These cute chalkboard labels on Etsy.

Today’s Resolution: Make a Plan “B”

Backing up our precious electronic files seems like an easy act to execute, so why don’t we do it? Technology has given us the tools to make this process a snap. There are portable hard drives, online services, and the ever-popular thumb drives to house our precious electronic nuggets. What if a deadly virus caught you off-guard? Would you be backed-up? Don’t procrastinate on this one!

Image Source: Justin Ruckman on Flickr

Today’s Resolution: Look for “Under Where”

When you were a kid, you were probably amused by the gag of trying to provoke someone to respond with “Under where?” (sounds like “underwear”) after giving some vague directions about the location of some imaginary item under something. Always good for a giggle if you could get an adult to say it. However, “under where” might just be a solution to utilizing more space without adding to the clutter in a house or apartment. The area under sofas can provide a nice place to tuck a short bin filled possibly with magazines, games, or CDs especially if the view is obscured and the container is out of sight. The space under beds can serve the same purpose for containers of clothing items, mementos, books, etc. Even underwear can go under there!

Image source: Read “S” is for Storage!

Today’s Resolution: Bookmark It!

Retrieving favorite sites from the internet can be literally a second away if you have bookmarked them. However, as with anything you save, clutter can easily accumulate even with bookmarks if you are incessantly adding to your hoard of favorites. Go through your bookmarks and delete anything that you might have forgotten about and no longer need/want. Revisit some of the sites if you need to determine if they are worth keeping or relevant. If you share a computer, make sure you check with others before you delete their favorite sites!