my secret weapons

So how do I keep on top of things (for the most part)? How do I remember where everyone is supposed to be, what everyone needs to do when they get there, and where we're supposed to all leap to next? How do I manage to keep the floors mostly clean with two kids, two cats, and constant foot traffic everywhere? Well, it's very simple, really - I have an arsenal of secret weapons I'd like to share with you (because yes, these days, I'm domestic that way). ;) I rely heavily on each of these items in my arsenal, and without them I'd truly be lost (or at least quite puzzled and living in a really dirty environment). Here they are, in no particular order.

My iPhone. I waited to buy as long as I could possibly stand it, and then broke down and jumped on earlier this March; it was actually my big birthday present from Nathan this year (back when these babies were a bit more expensive than the current model is today). Yes, I know my old model is yesterday's gadget because the new one (which I knew was scheduled for release this summer when I bought; I just didn't want to wait) is so shiny and pretty and a bit faster at loading web pages, but other than that there really isn't much difference. My model runs the much-touted 2.0 OS software just like the brand new machines, and works in exactly the same ways as the 3G model. So it's not quite as speedy when I'm away from a WiFi hotspot - and I admit, yes, the Edge network I'm stuck with in those moments can be painfully s-l-o-w at times - but does that mean I should just dump the investment Nathan generously made for me to have an iPhone and buy up? I don't think so, at least not yet. I'm thinking I'll keep using my no-longer-quite-cutting-edge model for another year or two at least. With my iPhone, I can truly do everything and anything, from the obvious making phone calls, browsing the internet, and checking email to using it as a remote control to operate my iTunes from anywhere in the house (handy as my office area is on the second floor of our loft and I'm usually somewhere else) to using Twitter on the go to managing the countless bits of information that fly my way constantly (more about Evernote in a bit) to listening to my favorite tunes at the gym or in the car. I would be truly powerless without it. Just in case you've always wanted to take a peak at one but have been two embarrassed to ask the person using it, here's an older vid that covers just the basics. The new OS update (2.0) has really kicked the device into high gear and now I love it even more - with the hugely improved GoogleMaps application I'm now never lost and can easily drive anywhere without having to suction-cup a navigation device to my windshield or buy DVD-updates for an in-car model, and I can operate any of the hundreds of Applications available at the iTunes App Store (which can do anything from locate nearby restaurants and shops complete with customer reviews to maintain virtual 'pets' to let you network with friends and acquaintances via the GPS technology built into the iPhone to ... the possibilities are truly infinite). My iPhone is my life and fits neatly into my pocket.

My Mercedes-Benz E-320. This weapon-blurb is really for people that aren't local to me or haven't visited me here in Denver yet. I'm not trying to show off, honest -- these days our vehicles are so very important to us, extensions of our very personas in some cases, and almost members of our families. We rely on them for so much more than just transportation from point A to point B. So please forgive me for sounding trite; I simply want to share with you what I'm privileged enough to be driving these days (and believe me, I never for one single second forget just how very lucky I am). As all of you know, I've always enjoyed sports cars and like to name them (many of you will remember my beloved silver VW Beetle Sport Turbo, 'Lola' from when I was in my twenties). So this is Charles, and we have an absolutely wonderful symbiosis. OK, not really, but it sure seems that way. I can't lie to you - The car is nothing short of amazing to drive, anticipating my every move, literally learning my driving style and storing that information in my key so the engine is always ready to handle what I'm going to do next, and keeping us all safe. Without it, how else could I zoom around that oh-so-painfully-slow Subaru driver in front of me because I'm dashing from one end of town to the other with only minutes to spare? =) Thank you, Nathan, for Charles - he means the world to me.

The LitterMaid Elite 900. Yes, I still love kitties. And unfortunately for the two asthmatics in our family (Nathan and Jerrod), so does Nathan (don't worry; these days Nathan and Jerrod are both heavily medicated so their asthmatic condition stays pretty-much non-existent much of the time). So, we have two beauties: Khensu [KEN.soo, an Egyptian name meaning bringer of light and joy], the loveably goofy black Persian I brought with me from California, and Roarke (after Howard Roarke from The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand), an absolute sweetheart of a mixed-bag Nathan and I adopted from a local shelter about a year after I'd moved here. With that much fur flying around, we've all found it a bit tough to keep up with the litterbox, especially given what a busy (and typical) family we are. So, we jumped and bought the Littermaid Elite 900, an absolute dream come true for cat owners. Now, all Forrest has to do is empty the charcoal-filtered catch-all once a week or so instead of constantly scooping out the cat box. Robotic appliances are COOL! Say 'Thank You,' boys. =)

The iRobot 560 Roomba Vacuuming Robot. Like many lofts, we have sealed and stained concrete floors, and these make up the first floor of our loft everywhere but the boys' room and their bathroom (everywhere else is tile or Berber carpeting). What with the dust we carry in from outdoors and the little cat tufts which tend to somehow spring up overnight (mostly from Khensu), I found myself needing to vacuum almost constantly. Thankfully, I was able to add another robot to my mini-army here at home and so the Roomba came to be an important part of our family life here in loft-land. Yes, it takes longer for the Roomba to vacuum an area than if I did it myself, but as iRobot points out, Roomba vacuums so I don't have to. =) Running the Roomba almost daily keeps our high-traffic areas (and the not-so-highly-trafficked ones) looking their best without me chasing dust all over the place; I simply prep the area I want cleaned by positioning the portable electronic eyes that came with the unit to keep Roomba out of anywhere I don't want it going just then, and move any furniture I easily can out of its way such as dining room chairs and barstools, and then turn it on and walk away. Roomba takes care of the rest, and even finds its way home to its docking/charging station when its done. I love you, Roomba!

The Dyson Animal DC17 Vacuum. I love this thing! It really is a better vacuum! We really avoided buying one for a long time because they're so expensive, but Bed Bath & Beyond hasn't figured out the wisdom of excluding these on those '20% off' coupons they send out constantly so when we finally realized that, it didn't seem quite so bad after all. I tell you honestly, our carpets have never been cleaner unless we've had them professionally cleaned. The first time I used it, I was absolutely appalled at what the dirt chamber was collecting and what we'd been living with all that time, thinking we were keeping things clean enough with our old vacuum (which we dropped off at the Salvation Army immediately afterwards). I use the Dyson on all our carpets and for quick mess-clean-ups in the kitchen.

Novo Coffee - Get Closer. A note about my drug of choice. I couldn't make it at all without my daily double-espresso, either drunk as a hot or iced latte(depending on the weather) or else all by itself. Everyone has their vices, and I'm no different. Being as into food as I am, it shouldn't be any surprise to you that I take my caffeine addiction very seriously, and see no reason why I shouldn't give my coffee the same attention as I give the other foods I consume. All of Novo's beans are single-origin, organic, and completely fair trade. All of their blends are roasted right here in Denver. Novo has some of the precious few Rancilio multi-group lever presses this side of the US (normally not seen outside of Italy), one in each of their three locations throughout Colorado (these machines retail for above $8K US and pull arguably some of the best espresso shots in the world). Novo also uses the touted Clover machines (another rare multi-thousand-dollar iPod-esque miracle) to brew their 'drip' coffees. Novo definitely gives all of their offerings supreme attention to detail and quality. Weaning myself off of Starbucks after I moved to Denver, I've since learned a great deal about coffee and have been down the road of the Illy bean and other local beans, each experience getting better until I discovered Novo and finally reached what I firmly believe is espresso Nirvana. What's good enough for Denver apparently is good enough for New York City, as Novo single-origin beans are sold in NY's famed Cafe Grumpy locations, including a special blend roasted just for them called 'Heartbreaker.' Novo strives to elevate espresso and coffee consumption to the level of wine tasting, a just comparison as Coffee has 1,500 discernable components of flavor - three times more than wine. Upper-left is my favorite Novo barista, Johanna. Local Press for Novo.

The Magic of Evernote. I'm a huge scatterbrain, a condition not really very conducive to a busy and fast-paced lifestyle, so I've had to cheat as much as possible, using electronic ways of remembering and reminding myself of everything I need to be able to recall at a moment's notice. My Mother says if I rely too much on these methods, I'll degrade what little memory I have, but I'd rather do that then not be able to successfully recall much of anything which would otherwise be (and has been) the norm for me. I finally stumbled upon Evernote just the other week and am completely in love. They not only have multiple ways to notate information (handwriting, audio, and photographic notes in addition to standard typing), but also have released a brilliant mobile app for the iPhone which syncs fluidly with the desktop application so I can take all of the information I need with me whereever I go. Now I no longer see things in a shop to consider purchasing at some point in the future and have to remember what it was hours later when I return home (which I usually wasn't very successful at) or memorize the titles of trailers I see at the movie theatre for later research. Without Evernote, I wouldn't be able to so effortlessly access and manage all the stuff I need to know and process to be an effective busy parent. =) If you're like me, consider checking it out -- it'll change your life.

The Pottery Barn Daily System. Now, I'm certainly no lover of Pottery Barn. Their style no longer suits me (and hasn't since I moved to Denver), their prices are frankly somewhat ridiculous, and the brand is worshipped by most Suburbanites (which makes me want to run away to begin with). It's OK for me to talk smack about Suburbanites as I used to be one. =) I generally gravitate more towards Crate&Barrel for my home accessories (yes, a corporation as well, I know, but far more in touch with effective corporate responsibility than the whole Williams-Sonoma conglomorate). However, PB sells something I absoloutely love and would be loathe to live without - a daily organization system made to hang anywhere you like and comprised of several components all unified by a polished wood frame and brushed metal hardware. One of the keys to staying organized and efficient is having a central repository for various things needed to be at the ready at all times, and this system definitely meets that need. I have a relatively modest set including a coarkboard, some filing bins for incoming mail and catalogues, a white-board calendar, a chalkboard, and a supply bin / key caddy. Conveniently located inside our back door as seen in the photo, this is where we throw our sunglasses, hang our keys, pin up postcards and invitations, make lists for the family to see, track the children's chores, and maintain our household calendar so everyone can keep track of everything we've got going on. It's definitely not cheap, but well worth it. PB even offers a module which can plug into a standard wall socket and serve as a charging station for your household's various electronic devices. Now, if I could just figure out a way to get it to sync with my iPhone... =)

The Big Book O' Martha. Do you know the best way to get candelwax out of the carpet or how to properly care for your granite countertops? How about how often through the year you should perform the numerous chores required to effectively keep and maintain your home? I don't either, but with Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook, I don't have to remember how -- I just look it all up as I need to know. Far more than just a fussy book of lists and silly trivia, this book effectively catalogues virtually everything you would ever want to know about caring for and maintaining your home, from what a surfactant is and why it makes your cleaning products so effective to what time of year you should clean out your gutters. Once it was decided domesticity would become my primary role in our household, I decided to get serious about it and this book has really helped me get organized, stay on track, and properly clean and maintain our home. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Read the reviews and see for yourself.