Looking for tips on being a better friend? Read on!

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Keyboard and mouse
If the thought of germs makes you ill, then I advise you to step away from your computer because chances are that your computer keyboard and mouse are crawling with germs. But never fear! You too can make your keyboard a thing of beauty and germ-free goodness if you’re willing to.

What you will need:
A disinfecting cleaner
Paper towels and/or microfibre cloths
Cotton swabs
Air duster

Apply your cleaning solution liberally to some paper towel, and wipe down your keyboard and mouse with the paper towel. You may want to make sure that if your computer is turned on at this time, you’re not working on a thesis, book, blog entry or an email to your boss. In fact, just turn the computer off entirely, since you’ll need to have it off for the final step.

Once you’ve done this preliminary wipe-down, you may want to soak some cotton swabs in solution and run them up and down your rows of keyboard keys, grabbing those hard to reach bits of dust and stains from memorable moments such as the time you sprayed (or spilled) coffee all over the keyboard. Or, that time you accidentally dumped purple nail polish all over your keyboard during an unfortunate multitasking incident. A cotton swab will be very helpful as you try to remedy the situation.

Computer screen
Computer screens are delicate things, so you be sure to check that your cleaning solution is computer screen safe. The last thing you want to do is damage the screen! Be sure also to check what sort of cloth or towel is recommended for wiping the screen. The goal is generally to avoid materials that can scratch, so a microfibre cloth is usually a great choice. Microfibre cloths are actually great because they’ll remove the dust even without the addition of any cleaning solution.

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Once your desk is cleared off, you may discover that it’s the actual computer desk is hampering your ability to get organized. Perhaps the desk doesn’t have enough space for you to keep all the essentials (speakers, printer, scanner, fax machine) nearby and easy to reach. Maybe the surface of the desk is only big enough to hold a computer screen, while you need space to prop a notebook or a plate of food in front of the screen. Perhaps it’s drawers or shelves that your desk is missing. Whatever it is, do a good evaluation of your setup and figure out what you need to make your computer station the most useful and organized it can be.

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Speaking of apologies, remember this entry early in the year? Well I have an update!

I did not know that this person even read my personal blog anymore and when she came upon my latest entries about house hunting and a 5K race that I will be running/walking, she felt compelled to email me again and wish me luck on both endeavours. That triggered an exchange of emails and we’re planning to meet for a meal in the near future. I think the resulting friendship may even end up being stronger than what it was before because we will have fought for it.

When a fight breaks up a relationship it’s sometimes a lot easier to say “To hell with him or her, I don’t need them”, and maybe you truly believe this, and maybe it’s even true. That is how I felt back when the situation happened. But sometimes you’re given an opportunity to change your original reaction and if you see something worth salvaging, you should take the opportunity and run with it. I’m glad we both have and I look forward to this new friendship.

I am about to start the long, labourious process of house hunting and next week I will be doing some pre-hunting by going to sites where new homes are being built and taking a look at their model homes. I’m sure I’ll want to buy one on the spot, but reality will hit me and I’ll use the day for the purpose it was meant: to get an idea of what I want versus absolutely need in a house. I will report back with some things learned while poking into model homes.

The building I work in has five elevators, and I decided to stick my next hope note in the elevator. The problem is there isn’t really anyplace to stick it to so I had to return to the office and grab some tape. Since the building is 19 floors high, you rarely get an elevator to yourself for the whole ride so I felt very rushed to stick up the message and also take a picture. I only managed a blurry picture before the doors opened so I stayed on the elevator to the bottom floor, but on the bottom floor people were waiting to get on so I had to get off so they didn’t wonder whether I was a vagrant elevator rider who spends her days going up and down.

I tried all day to get on that same elevator but I never did and when I checked that elevator the next day (yesterday), my hope note was gone. I hope a couple of people saw it before the very efficient custodial staff cleaned the elevator.

I had received a suggestion to put one in a library book, and I will definitely do that with one of the books I’ll be returning to the library later today. I did manage to stick one on a bookshelf at the library though:

It’s been fun! I have two more hope notes to post, and then I have to find some time to make more. I think keeping a roll of tape with me will also be quite beneficial.

The particular note pictured above is one that resonates quite deeply with me: you are lovely. This is not something I find easy to believe about myself, and I know I am not alone. Most of us have the tendency to see beauty out there: we’re quick to compliment coworkers and friends on their hairstyle, clothing, scent, accessories, and physical fitness. We’re kind to strangers but when it comes to treating ourselves with that loving eye and caring attitude, it doesn’t happen. We concentrate on one aspect of who we are (our flabby bellies, perhaps?) and berate ourselves about that one small part of who we are as people. All of a sudden all we are is the part of ourselves we hate the most. We can’t seem to accept the same compliments that we dole out; we believe the compliment giver must be lying, exaggerating, or saying the words out of a sense of pity.

If you can relate to this and are interested in reading what triggered me to vow to be kinder to myself, please read this entry. Be kind to yourself this week and the next time someone tells you that you’re lovely, accept it. It’s true.

Not Tonight Mr. Right by Kate Taylor
The purpose of this book is to convince the female reader that she doesn’t have to have sex early in a relationship in order to secure it. In fact, the book suggests that not having sex so soon is a good way to ensure that the relationship that develops is based on something other than sexual compatibility (which is important but not the only thing necessary to have a good relationship). According to the book, it’s possible to wait until marriage before having sex (although the book does not make a statement that one should wait that long if they are not inclined to do so). If you’re curious whether it’s possible to have a fulfilling relationship and not introduce sex into the equation so early, this book’s answer is a resounding “Yes!”.

Ever wondered Why Mr. Right Can’t Find You? Maybe you’re not looking in the right places…literally! This book, written from a male perspective (J.M. Kearns) suggests places where women can meet Mr. Right, and also takes the reader carefully through the world of online dating. If you’re ready to put aside your preconceived notions about where people can meet (and yes, bars and the gym are viable locations) and ready to step outside your comfort zone then you will learn a lot from this book.

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Thanks to my crafty tendencies, I have a whole bunch of supplies that I could use for this project and I can share how the process goes on Getting Crafty. First I need some dedicated time where I turn OFF the computer and refuse to read other blogs and get messy with my scissors, glue and perhaps even glitter.

If you live somewhere where the snow has been coming down nonstop, and more snow is predicted in the coming days, wouldn’t joining this project be a perfect way to brighten the days of neighbours, fellow commuters or others who are probably thinking “will this snow ever end? Will spring ever come?”

Some places where I will be putting my hope notes:

• bus shelters
• in the elevators at work
• in the bathroom at work
• at the self checkout station for library books

Got any more good places I can hide my notes?

I was shocked to discover that “decluttering guru”, Peter Walsh, who you may have seen on Oprah claims that if you have issues with clutter or hoarding, this problem likely shows up in your health too: if you have a lot of clutter in your life, you are likely fat.

I was alarmed to read this because guess what? I am drowning in clutter and I am overweight. I can’t resist a bargain, I hate paying full price for something and have been known to buy things I don’t need simply because the price was too low to resist and because I was sure that I would one day need the item. I always thought my propensity to buy things and save them for the right moment was a good point, something that spoke well of my thriftiness and the fact that I don’t waste money. I take pride in the fact that family members scour my room for gift ideas before going out to buy something.

But could it be the symptoms of a bigger problem?

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