I’ve been living a double life. At the same time that I reformulated this blog, I started another blog. At the time, it was to expound on inner peace and simplicity, but as time wore on I realized that what I really had to say pertained to working parents.

It’s been getting confusing to write under the two personas. So I’m stepping forward to introduce you to the second blog: Laura Earnest.com — Solutions for Working Moms.

I won’t be doing any cross-posting, but you might see different takes on the same articles from both the working mom and the productivity angles. Enjoy!

Templates are documents whose base contents are presented for your modification. Most people think of templates like forms…but templates can be extended to include both layout and initial text.
If you find yourself doing the same type of documents time and again, it is time to consider a template. Some examples of documents that can benefit from turning into templates: form letters, routine correspondence, newsletters, and shopping lists.
How To Make A Template In Word 2003
There are two steps to make a template in word: set up the document, then save it as a template.
Setting up the document means putting everything [...] Continue Reading…

Summary
WorkRave, by Rob Caelers & Raymond Penners, is an application that will reduce the risk of repetitive stress injury (RSI).
Overview
Manufacturer: Rob Caelers & Raymond PennersPlatform: WindowsCurrent Version: Windows: 1.8.5
Pros and Cons
Pros

Forces me to take breaks
Gives two types of breaks: short and long
Gives exercises on-screen to help prevent RSI
Hard to ignore
Can limit the total time you spend on the computer

Cons

Timing is difficult to get right
Mini breaks blink too long before you can dismiss them.

Why Did I Download This?
As a writer and programmer, not to mention a musician, I am at high risk for RSI. I mouse with alternate hands at [...] Continue Reading…

A friend of mine commented, upon visiting my house on a drop-in visit, that it always seems clean. I won’t kid you. It’s not a spotless house, and I would not want to spend the time to make it so or keep it that way. But I do have my methods of keeping it appearing clean:
Never go upstairs or downstairs empty handed. There is always something that needs to go back to the other floor. I try to grab it as I make the trip.
Clean the sink. This is a Flylady basic, but is true. If your sink is [...] Continue Reading…

I recently read an article over at DailyBlogTips called “7 Reasons You Might Never By Productive. I had mixed reaction to the article, some panic that perhaps I was falling into these traps, and then some humor.
The article simple listed the reasons why people get blocked on productivity: “you hate what you’re doing, your priorities are wrong, you’re not used to working, you are easily distracted, you take too many breaks, you have an unhealthy lifestyle, and you never seem to learn.”
I recognized myself in “you hate what you’re doing” and “you are easily distracted”. And then I began [...] Continue Reading…

My mother-in-law once made a comment that I am always doing something. I suppose that I am. Even in my “down” time, I am actively relaxing, or pursuing a recreational activity. I do very little without prior thought-out purpose.
I’m not sure where this habit came from; my mother does her share of it, but also watches a lot of television (I rarely watch, unless there is something specific I want to see on, then it is a conscious decision).
I didn’t really think about this aspect of my life until I read the LifeHack.org article “Determine Never to Be Idle”.
What [...] Continue Reading…

I am not a morning person. I rarely wake up on time, and then stumble through what I need to do pretty much unconscious.
The one thing I always do is get as much ready the night before (see “10 Things To Do To Simplify Getting Out the Door”). Most things that I do in the morning can be setup or done the night before.
The only trick is actually getting the stuff done the night before. At 9:45 every evening my computer pops up a window telling me to get off the computer and go to bed. However, those (rare) [...] Continue Reading…

Summary
Tetris, by Handmark, is a rendition of the classic game Tetris for Palm..
Overview
Manufacturer: HandmarkPlatform: PalmCurrent Version: Palm: 2.0
Pros and Cons
Pros

Good graphics
Easy to install
Good hint functionality (so you can see what is coming next)
Customizable controls

Cons

Controls were hard to get used to on the Zire 72
Trial mode was severely short - any time the machine powered off, it would count the next play against the total
Requires a PC installation program, without a PC counterpart

Why Did I Download/Buy This?
I was looking for a new game, and I had always enjoyed Tetris on the PC. This looked like a good version, and I [...] Continue Reading…