I just discovered a great new Google feature. Send a SMS text to Google at 466453 with a search request. The number spells Google on your phone keypad. Google will then text back the results. For instance I wanted to find some coffee shops near a job, so I text coffee and the zip code and Google sent back the closet Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts. Love it!

Do you purchase clothing that comes with an extra button or two? Maybe even extra thread? Do you know if the buttons go to a shirt or pair of pants? Do you own this article of clothing anymore? Here's a quick tip on keeping those loose buttons together and giving them an i.d. so when the time comes to repair a button or thread you know where to find the replacement.

1 - Buttons and thread usually come inside a small plastic ziplock bag. When you cut the tags off write the purchase date and clothing description on the back of the tag or write on a post it note. Fold up the note and stick inside the bag.

2- Keep all of your buttons and extra thread in a box, sewing kit, or business card folder and store in your or closet, laundry room.

We all have loose coins lying around. Pennies, dimes, nickels and quarters. It's amazing how many coins you can find in a single day. Look in your pockets, on the dresser, on the floor, in the couch, in your bag. Coins are everywhere!
Try this tip for keeping your coins in one place. Find a container, jar or even a piggy bank to hold all of your coins. Periodically go around the house and gather up the coins and drop them in the container. When it is full take the container to the bank or coin sorting machine and cash in!

It was 48 degrees tonight in Chicago. On Sunday it was close to 90. Such a drastic change in temperature is par for the course in this city but sometimes it can be tough to switch gears so fast. I'm just happy that I picked up my winter coat at the dry cleaners on Saturday.
Try to get one step ahead of the seasonal change when you can. I changed out my summer clothes after labor day by packing up the beach wear and almost all of my summer clothes. I left out a few warm weather items but not everything. I also brought out some but not all of the winter clothes especially for these temperature drops.
It is really important to switch your clothes out each season. You know its going to get cold in the winter just like it will get warm in the summer. So get a jump start when you can!

Remember along time ago when flip books were fun? You could draw a stick figure and then turn the page and draw another stick figure with one arm or leg higher then the other? Eventually the stick figure would be going off the page. You could then fan the corner of the page and make "the running stick figure"! Oh, my gosh I haven't seen one of those in forever! Does anyone even make those anymore? I received this email link to today's version. Wow times have changed.
Instead of using a notebook that has 100 changing pictures that becomes an animated cartoon, this one you just scroll down the page to see the animation. OK, I think I've see it all!

Flip book animation

Is your computer running slow?
How many applications are currently open on your computer? The more applications you have open on your computer the slower it will run. It's just like having too many projects, folders and papers covering your workspace.
Try closing some of the applications you are not working on and see if things move a little faster. It's a good habit to get into. Finish what you are working on and close out of the program.

When was the last time you went through your kitchen cabinets where you store food? How long has some of that food been in there? Are some of those boxes open? You may have reminders of party you had last year or maybe you still have a couple cans of pumpkin leftover from last years turkey day? Take a look-see in the open and unopened boxes to see if its still good. Check the dates if it is past its prime get rid of it.
The seasons are changing so it’s a good time to clear out and restock for the winter.
If you don’t plan on cooking with any of this food and it is still edible clear out those cabinets and give your food to a food depository.
If you think you might want to use this food, you did pay for it! Then go online to one of the cooking websites to find a recipe using ingredients from your own kitchen.

Need help organizing your family activities? Get everyone on the same calendar virtually. Try Google calendar or yahoo calendar and invite your friends and family to share activates. They will be able to see availability and request time and dates with you.

I needed to create a shopping list so I composed a new email and sent it to myself. While waiting for a coffee I remembered a few things that I needed at the store. I went to my inbox reopened the email shopping list added the new items and forwarded it myself. Now the latest email is the most updated. It has the same subject just forwarded.

Everything in my email inbox is something I need to do. If I need a new email message for a later date I will archive the email.
If the email is a large task than I will create an event on my calender. With this system if I come up with an idea or something I need to do I send myself an email.
I just remembered something I need to do tomorrow for work so I sent myself an email so that it will be in my inbox tomorrow morning.
The goal is to not leave emails in my inbox. Create a system so you empty out your inbox every day. Use your inbox for a tasks you need to address

I just had to share this recipe with you because it is so easy to prepare especially when you are starving! It's rosemary chicken with white beans and stewed tomatoes. It takes 15 minutes and requires opening 2 cans, shaking some salt,pepper, rosemary and oh, my gosh turning on the stove! If you can handle that…follow these directions and let me know if your friends and family think you are a world class chef. By the way, it smells amazing.
2 chicken breasts – cut in half (now you have 4 small pieces) sprinkle salt, pepper and rosemary on one side and add to a pan with a little olive oil. Brown on one side for about 5 minutes on med – high heat flip over. Add 1 can of white beans (rinsed and drained) and 1 can of stewed tomatoes. Throw a lid on, reduce the heat to medium for about 10 minutes. DONE!