Ducks 'n a Row

A lifestyle blog for moms!

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checklists

Everyday Ballpoint Pens Don’t Have To Be Boring

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I will never give up writing with paper and pen. You can do almost everything on a smart phone or laptop, but not me. There is something about sitting down to write with a brand new notebook and pen that is fun.

This blog contains affiliate links. ♥

Fun writing with colored pens #tips

So, the other day I was just about to sit down to write my to-do lists and, of all things, I could not find a pen! That’s crazy, I always have pens. So, I located a not-so-fun pencil, instead, and started by writing my grocery list. Top of the list I wrote: “fun pens.” Yes, I wanted something inspiring to write with.


Now, I have always been a BIC girl. To be more precise, I have always been a BIC medium-point ballpoint pen girl, to be precise. So, that is what I was looking for. Of course there are many great brands and styles of pens with colored ink and I would be happy to use them, too.

Lo and behold, when I got to the store I found this set of 5 colorful pens – with matching ink – none of this outside being one color and the ink being only black or blue for me! I wanted to write in technicolor. They were very reasonably priced, retractable with a little button on the side and medium point. My ballpoint pen dreams come true!

Of course, I bought them and I love them. They are easy to write with and the colors are vivid enough that you can actually READ what you wrote! [Have you every had colored ink ballpoint pens where the ink was so light you could see what you wrote down? Now, that is disappointing. But not so with these pens. They are perfect.]

Get a little crazy and write those lists with colored ink ballpoint pens! #momlife #tips Click To Tweet

Purple colored pen

So I  looked for them on Amazon, so I can buy more,  and was kind of surprised that the reviews were not 100% five stars. I feel sorry for those who had problems with the green. My green pen works fine and it is a pretty shade of green, too. Today I am in a purple mood so I am using my purple pen. The five colors it comes in are: black, purple, bright pink, turquoise blue and green.

Medium ballpoint pens in assorted colors #ad

So, when you are in the mood to write with colored ink pens, don’t stop with my purchase but look around. Go to the office products department and find the one that strikes YOUR fancy!

For the BEST ballpoint pens in assorted colors:
Check out the possibilities HERE:   ☑️ Top rated ballpoint pens – assorted colors.


Enjoy!

Shop Amazon for office products and school supplies! #affiliate

Feeling Defeated? Try An "I Did It" List!

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Hey, moms – what do you do with days that run away from you? Not only does the to-do list not get done it, may have never get written! That’s when an “I Did It” list comes in very handy.  You will feel so much better!

defeat, success, accomplishment, lists, organizing, encouragement
Those who have been with me for a while know that I love lists! They are roadmaps to success. There are times that I have lists for my lists, that’s how much I love them. 
But what is a mother to do with the days that you never even get to making a list? Life piles up on you and you can’t find paper or pen or even a thought toward what “to-do?” Those are the days that list-making should wait till the clock is winding down and you see the end in sight. Sundown? Kids in bed? Whatever time you can sit back, put your feet up and recollect, that’s when you do it. 
I must say, it has been a long time since I’ve had to do this … so long ago that I almost forgot I ever had. Then I read a post on So Damn Domestic by Bailey of Tiny House Growing Family (Bailey lives in a portable 200-ish square foot house so do not EVER say you don’t have enough room again! LOL) She calls it an Upside Down List. The memories came rushing back. Days like that are an organizer’s nightmare but they do happen.  
At the end of a rough day we all need a sense of “where’d the time go?” We didn’t spend it doing nothing and yet we don’t have much to show for it. Laundry may be piling high. Dishes are still in the sink. The mail is unopened or strewn all over the kitchen counter. It looks like we took a vacation but the day was nothing like a vacation — we’re exhausted! So, pour your favorite beverage, get out a pen and paper and write a list of what you did all day, starting with waking up in the morning. 
It will look something like this – each bullet checked off because you already did it:
√ Woke up
√ Showered
√ Got dressed
√ Prepared breakfast
√ Phone rang – grandpa’s car broke down
√ Swaddled the kids up in their clothes
√ Grabbed diaper bag, phone, purse and car keys
√ Loaded kids in car
√ Picked grandpa up
√ Called a tow truck
√ Took grandpa home -talked him out of us waiting for his car at the garage all day
√ Fed grandpa, kids and me
√ Let the dog outside
√ Let the dog inside
√ Realized I never fed the dog … fed the dog
√ Phone rang
√ Little Kenzie’s scout troop leader is sick. Can I sub? Sure. Of course.
√ Created emergency scout troop plan for the evening
√ Evening plans changed – now I’m a scout leader
√ Hubby had to work late.
√ Called Laura to watch the kids while Kenzie and I go to scouts.
√ Pack stuff for kids to take to Laura’s – including dinner!
√ Fun scout meeting – remember never to do it again (LOL – OK not really)
√ Home again
√ Kids: baths, teeth, jammies, stories, hugs ‘n kisses, sleepy-bye
√ Hubby came home-tired. Needs a snack. Too tired to find one himself. 
   OK, I’ll do it.
√ Finally – “me time“!
See? Was your day FULL? Was it anything you thought it should be? Not really. Days like this could use a list at the end to tell you what you DID accomplish. Make your “I Did It” list, check everything off and take a look. 
You will feel lots better!

Got any tips on how you handle a crazy day?


      

NOTE: This author is an Amazon affiliate. Anything purchased from Amazon through Ducks ‘n a Row results in a small commission for me. In advance, “thank you!”  Sinea

Organizing Tip: The Morning Routine

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The start of a great day! First, invite God into your day. Spend some time talking and listening to Him. Read some of His Word and get energized. Keep your eyes open for His wonders, as He fills up your day with good things!
Proverbs 3: 5, 6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He 
Now, start your morning routine:
  • Showered and hair done?
  • Make up on?
  • Dress for whatever is appropriate. If you’re staying home, complete the attire with shoes that tie.*

     *slip on shoes “slip-off” all too easily…stay in “work mode” with tie-ons.

2. Enjoy a healthy breakfast and, to stay organized, make a quick plan.
  • Use a checklist.
  • Write it down.
3. What has to get done today?
  •  Keep the “must do” part of your list short.
4. What else would you like to accomplish today?
  • Add it to the list. What doesn’t get done today can move to tomorrow’s.
Now, get started. Do not delay. Take short breaks during your day to rest and reassess: are you on the right track? If you got sidetracked, regroup and get going again. And, don’t forget to take some time for YOU!  At day’s end, celebrate your accomplishments. Tomorrow will be another day.
Now, enjoy getting those little “ducks” in a row…
Sinea
                          

5 Big Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress

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By Sinea Pies

Do the holidays get to you? Eliminate unnecessary holiday stress now with smart preparation. Here are 5 Big Holiday Tips and a convenient Winter Holidays 2014-2015 Date List to make things go much more smoothly.

event planning; holidays; stress reduction
1. Plan ahead. Jot down the simple things that matter so much. Make a checklist. 
Does Uncle Joe enjoy egg nog? Put it on your list. 
Do you love to have fire in the fireplace? Make sure you have everything on hand far in advance of when you’ll need it. 
Add it all to your checklist:
Recharge the battery in your camera.
Buy batteries for electronics,  toys,  smoke detectors, etc. Again, put them on the checklist! 
Get everyone beautified. Make hair appointments for your family. Have the dog groomed. Are there special clothes that your family will want to wear? Especially if it is “dry clean only” you’ll need to take care of it now. Checklist!

How about decorations and wrappings? List everything you’ll need and inventory what you already have: wrapping paper, tape, gift tags, greeting cards, ribbon, gift bags, Christmas stockings, uh oh…STOCKING STUFFERS! 
Put anything you don’t already have on the list.
2. Bake early. Either prepare the cookies, wrap well and freeze or pre-make cookie dough to thaw and bake fresh on the eve of any special event. This can also work with other foods. Many great hors d’oeuvres and finger foods can be prepared ahead, frozen and thawed on the “day of”.    
3. Pre-shop. Much of your holiday shopping can be done online right from home but some of holiday fun is getting out there! Just be strategic on how you do it!  
Check out the stores online and study the inserts in the newspaper. Make a plan. Call ahead to check availability of important items so you know which stores to go to and which ones to skip. 
4. Manage your shopping time. Go to the stores when fewer shoppers will be there to get in your way! I have found that Monday evenings at about 5:00 pm are a great time to go to the mall. Parking is conveniently available up near the door and crowds are few.
5. Get gift receipts. By providing gift receipts you will allow your loved ones to make an exchange guilt-free –and you won’t be asked to make the exchange for them! Tape the receipt inside the box and let them know it’s there.

Winter Holidays
2014-2015
Thanksgiving
Thursday
 November 27th
Hannukah
Wednesday
 December 17th* first day
Christmas
Thursday
 December 25th
New Year’s Day
Thursday
 January 1st
Superbowl
Sunday
 February 1st
Valentine’s Day
Saturday
 February 14th

                                 
Photo by Serge Bertasis on Freedigital Photos

NOTE: this author is an Amazon affiliate. Anything purchased from Amazon through Ducks ‘n a Row will result in a small commission for me. In advance, “thank you” …Sinea


Make a List

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The summer is half-way through and your Simple Saturdays may start heating up.  You know the deal.  School sales are in full swing and time starts running short.  As the particular needs of your family increase over the next few weeks, have your daily routine securely in place.

Plan ahead and make a checklist before you start any project.  It takes less time to jot down a few bullet points on paper than it will take you, later on, if you forget to do things and have to backtrack.   

Plus, checklists can be fun!  Do a task, check it off. Do another, check that one of the list, too. Start by jotting down even the simplest of things and get a real sense of accomplishment.  

Example: your Before-Work List could look something like this:

  • Put in a load of laundry
  • Walk and feed the dog
  • Shower and get dressed
  • Take vitamins/eat breakfast
  • Prepare lunch
  • Leave meat out to thaw for dinner
  • Bring new can of coffee to work
  • Make bank deposit.
  • Office keys: don’t forget them
  • Stop and get gas.
  • Tonight: put laundry in dryer

Have a to-do list waiting for yourself at work, too.   

Are you a stay-at-home mom or off from work right now? You still need a list or time will slip-slide away.  Your list will look a bit different:

  • Complete the morning routine for you, the kids and the family pet (walking the dog?)
  • Special errands (back to school shopping, etc)
  • Appointments (doctors, veterinarian, library, mechanic)
  • Chores (laundry, yard work, etc) 
  • Have FUN!
  • Prepare dinner

Lists bring order to chaotic lives.  Do you use a list?  Give us some ideas on how you keep on track. Feel free to include links to your posts related to organizing, scheduling and back-to-school!


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