Problem: Article: When you homeschool, you need a ton of supplies, from pens, pencils, and papers to textbooks, curriculum, and worksheets. A designated shelving unit can help you organize the chaos. If you don't have much cash, try scouring garage sales and thrift stores. Alternatively, start with a few plastic bins until you can upgrade to a shelf. Try painting what you find so it blends in with the space you put it in. Whether you choose large plastic bins, a large cabinet, or storage cubes on shelves, find a way to hide your supplies away. Organize your items into bins before placing them on the shelves. Hiding your messy supplies will make everything feel so much neater. If you don't have storage bins, try painting old shoe boxes or used postal boxes. They can look bright and cheery once you paint them, and you can store items in them. You can also use things like cups to organize pens and pencils. While it won't hide them, it will keep them more organized. When you don't have to look at the chaos of school supplies all the time, you'll feel more calm and collected, and your kids will, too. Books, pencils, crayons, paper--each of these needs a specific place to call home. If you don't set aside a single space for each thing, your school supplies will end up in a jumbled mess because no one will know where to put anything! Label where each item should go with masking tape or a label maker. Have everyone put things away in their place at the end of the day. You can use 2-pocket folders, expanding folders, binders, or even files to organize papers for you and your kids. Try color-coding them, so each of your kids has one color and you have your own color. That way, you can easily keep track of what folder belongs to each person. Make sure to label everything clearly, so it's easy to keep track of. You're likely going to be adding new supplies each year, which can quickly overrun your organizational space. To cut back on the problem, take stock of your supplies each year, and donate or sell anything you don't need anymore. That way, you free up space for new stuff.
Summary: Designate a bookshelf, shelving unit, or cabinet to organizing. Pick storage that hides supplies away. Make a specific place for each school supply to live. Pick an organizational method for papers. Get rid of what you don't need each year.

Problem: Article: Don't feel the need to try out a new outfit. Wear something that you know you like and that you know looks good. Dress appropriately for the activity you're doing on your date. Wear athletic clothes if you're going hiking or more formal wear if you're going out to an expensive restaurant. Try not to expect the perfect partner right from the outset. Your blind date might surprise you in a positive way. When you think about what you hope to get from your blind date, turn your mind to something else immediately. Don't have low or high expectations. Aim for no expectations instead. Do not stay at your blind date if your date is rude, mean, or otherwise extremely unpleasant. In the unfortunate case of an emergency, rehearse what you're going to say. Maybe your roommate is sick, or your landlord called with an urgent issue regarding your apartment. It's good to have an emergency plan in case the date goes horribly awry. Before you leave the house, double check that you've put on deodorant, flossed, and fixed your hair. A little bit of hygiene goes a long way when you're meeting someone new!
Summary: Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident. Drop all expectations. Think of an emergency escape plan. Remember good hygiene.

Problem: Article: PREP simply stands for "Point, Reason, Example, Point," and it's a simple way to structure your thoughts. Start off with the gist of what you'll say. For example, imagine you're asked to give an impromptu speech in favor of casual Fridays: Begin by saying you think casual Fridays are good because they boost employee morale. Keep in mind you're trying to convince your listeners. For example, you could remind them that employee morale is important because it raises productivity and reduces turnover. To sound believable, you'll need to give some evidence or an explanation. Providing an example will do just that. Continuing with the same example, you could mention how a competitor, like the Acme corporation, has been more successful since implementing casual Fridays. Telling listeners basically what you already told them will drive things home. Ending with a restatement of your main point will help it stick in their minds. For instance, just close with your point that casual Fridays would be good for your company, too.
Summary: State your main point. Follow up with a statement about why your point is important. Show an example of your point. Return to your main point.

Problem: Article: Next, give the detergent a chance to soak into the fabric and start to dislodge the stain. This shouldn't take more than 10-15 minutes. While you wait, you can prepare the rest of your laundry load. When your wash is done, take your garment out and inspect the stained area. If the stain is still plainly visible, you may need to repeat the pre-treating cycle one or more times to completely eliminate the stain. When you're satisfied with your results, dry your garment. If you have clear weather outside, you may want to consider drying your garment in the sun on a drying rack or line. The sun's rays are known to lighten stains during the drying process. However, it's important to note that leaving colored clothes out for days at a time can cause their colors to fade.
Summary:
Allow the detergent to set. Dry and repeat if necessary.