Get Started the Right Way

GET STARTED RIGHT AWAY

As I sit down to write a few words to hold myself accountable for posting consistently, I must remember that not everyone thinks like me, feels like me, or understands like me. I assume everyone wants to be organized, efficient, and surrounded by beautifully decorated spaces; yet perhaps that is not true. Yes, it’s hard to imagine, right? We go through different stages of life; we have different priorities and situations that make caring for anything other than the survival of the week seem impossible. Take any advice or recommendations as suggestions. These suggestions are not the standards you should feel guilty for not meeting. Every home or office is run a little differently; therefore, the people, the space, the pets, the emotions are different from one to another. The goal is to make the space function better and make life a little easier.

What we’ve been busy with.

I know I have said, “How can it already be [insert month here] already?” eight out of the past ten months of 2026. Over the past few months, we have helped declutter and remodel a severely cluttered home, started three remodeling projects, supported a client through the last stages of dementia, and have continued to organize and cook for a few clients to make life easier. The work is consistent, but the outcome changes, because the goals have been to meet the needs of a client, and those needs are personal and different for each stage of life. I have visited with potential clients who need some extra help, and maybe don’t even know what to ask for. There are no wrong questions when you genuinely don’t know where to begin. If Consider It Done is not the right fit for you, we will gladly suggest resources that may be a better fit for you.

Being that we are less than three months away from Christmas, I suggest that you already make a to-do list. If you have one from the past holiday season, reuse it and don’t reinvent it every single year. But make a list of things that need to be done before the next two months pass by, so that you are actually checking off the boxes when your accomplishments are completed. Procrastination often creates unnecessary stress. If your goal is to have a stress-free holiday season, make the list. Do the list. Celebrate the holidays.

1. Where will you spend Thanksgiving holidays? Depending on whether you are traveling or hosting, book flights, or accommodations and finalize your itinerary.
2. If you’re hosting the holiday, make a menu and schedule with the bakery for items you have made for you. Make a shopping list for the things you want to make, such as your family’s favorites.
3. Order Christmas cards, and print mailing labels for recipients. I promise it is easier now than in December. Once you have the supplies together, mailing them is no big deal and stress-free. If you can write and address one fifth of the Christmas cards each week, you have already given the gift of time back to yourself once we get to December.
4. Make the appointments NOW. The action you can do this week is to go ahead and plan the hair appointments, the family photo session, or the maintenance appointments, i.e., tire rotations, oil changes, any home services, physicals, window washes, etc. This saves you much frustration when you can’t get on someone’s schedule, and family photos are in two days, or the cobwebs have clouded your view from the kitchen window. Plan date nights now, even if every other week, at least you will have a night to relax for a moment, catch your breath, and have some fun.
5. Make a master shopping list for the gifts you want to purchase. It is great to know at least who you are purchasing for, and better if you know already what you want to give. When you are running errands and run across something that is on your list, you are multitasking without even thinking about it.

I have tremendous respect for the parents who are working two jobs, managing multiple children’s schedules, trying to manage all the unexpected events that arise, like one more practice, or the meeting your boss asked you to attend that you weren’t expecting. I also appreciate the first responders and the men and women who are serving our communities to keep us safe. My suggestion to anyone feeling overwhelmed: ask for help. Ask your spouse to help with the household needs or the calendar. Ask for outside help for things you cannot do yourself, or have no time to accomplish. The mental and emotional exhaustion of feeling like you have to remember everything, do everything, and have everything is too much for one person. It is all a little easier and much more fun to do these tasks with someone. Talk it out and plan what is important to you and your family, delegate where you can, and knock out that list.

IN MY SPARE TIME

When I have spare time, I find myself in the art studio. I have recently returned to a medium I haven’t used in years. A client asked if I had ever used chalk pastels, and I remembered that many years ago I had won first place in an art show. I have brought out the chalk again and spent enough time experimenting with it that I can create pieces that I am proud of using only paper and chalk. I’ve given a few lessons and a lot of encouragement to be creative and make something that brings you joy.

A few clients have asked us to do some cooking/baking for them. Our schedules during different stages of life make fast food a tempting option, but not the healthiest, and it doesn’t create time for your family sit together for a little while and have a conversation. I will include a menu for the food we are making this month, and a recipe for a seasonal recipe.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Cream the sugars and butter until fluffy, 5-7 minutes; beat in pumpkin, egg, and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, cream of tartar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and ginger; gradually beat into the creamed mixture. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. Scoop or shape dough by 2 tablespoonfuls; roll in cinnamon sugar. Place 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
2. Bake until browned, 14-16 minutes. Let stand on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool.