You know that list you made in May.  All the things you were going to do this long, lazy summer?  It's time to dig it out from the bottom of that pile of papers on your table.

Item #1: Organize the pile of papers on the table.

Perhaps, like me, you have not gotten as far as you would have liked on your list of household projects.  

But it would be nice to get some things done.  And more importantly, we all love that rush that comes from placing check marks in boxes!

So as a community service I am providing some tips that should help you speed through that summer to-do list. 

Item #1:

*Organize the pile of papers on the kitchen table (and the one on the desk, and the one in the                                                                                       bathtub).

*I have two words for you: Recycling Bin.  "But," you say, "there might be something important in there!"

*So important you've lived without it for the past six months? You've already pulled out the summer to-do list.  Everything else can go.  (Though if the list gets recycled, then I guess you're all done!)  Trust me, if you owe people money, they will send you another bill.  And if people owe you money, you opened that mail right away. It's not in the pile.

Item #2:

*Organize the board game closet. 

*Start with the puzzles.  Dump all pieces in a super-size Ziploc.  Label it "Good Luck."  The next time one of your children complains of being bored, hand them the bag.

*Then you can simply make a pile of all of the games that nobody in your house has played in the last twelve months.  Take those to Goodwill.  Arrange the remaining three in your closet. 

*If you are like me, however, you know that this will be the year you start having family game nights.  *What if, next weekend,  your daughter specifically requests to bond with you over a game of  "Win, Lose, or Draw"?  You can't get rid of those games. 

*The problem is that the games are not exactly intact.  (At least, I don't think Monopoly has a cardboard Winnie the Pooh piece.)  So get out those Ziplocs again.  Playing pieces in one.  Cards in another.  Dice and spinners in another.  Make a nice stack with the game boards.  Family game night, here we come!

Item #3:

*Go through your children's clothes. 

*Don't bother.  If you try to throw out the stained and ripped T-shirt, things will get ugly.  And besides, once the clothes start cutting off circulation, the children will stop wearing them.

Item #4: 

*Well, I don't know what item #4 is.  Here are some general guidelines:

--If it smells bad, spray air freshener.

--If it needs to be cleaned, hand your kids a spray bottle (non-toxic, of course) and a rag.

--If the mess is in a room or closet, close the door.

--If it involves being outside, you know you shouldn't be working in this heat! 

And if all else fails, simply write "2009" at the top of your list and stick it back underneath all the papers on the table.