It is estimated that over half a million elderly people will spend Christmas this year alone.
This is the time of year for generosity and giving, please spare a thought for those who may be spending Christmas alone & what we might be able to do to give a helping hand. 
​If you are short on ideas, you can always donate to a charity such as below!

Merry Christmas Tidytimers!

Do: Stay together in a group - Don't: Wander off alone.
Bonfire night is one of the most exciting nights of the year, but also one of the busiest and most potentially dangerous.
Do: Keep your pets safe and warm inside - Don't: Bring them out  for the fireworks display.
Animals can get scared and easily disorientated, they can be uncomfortable with the noise or injured if unsupervised.
Do: Stand far back from both the bonfire and fireworks display - Don't: Go near a firework after it has been lit.
The further you are, the safer you will be.
Do: Use sparkler when accompanied by an adult - Don't give a sparkler to an unsupervised child.
It is recommended that you do not give sparklers to children under 5.
Do: Keep a bucket of water near by for emergencies - Don't: Light a firework after 11PM as this is against the law.
Have fun, and stay safe guys!

Here at Tidy Time Services we are more than aware of how valuable our team of staff is to both us and our clients, which is why we are in the process of beginning to implement our Employee of the month/Housekeeper of the week programme. We know that a good employee deserves recognition for their hard work, and we offer many opportunities for promotion and progression throughout several areas of the business. 
On the flipside, however, a good employer is not likely to promote a member of staff who is not performing well so we also provide opportunities to discuss any issues the employee may be having and any goals or feedback they may have that may be affecting their work productivity during their appraisal. These are equally as important for our team as each and every one of you is valued, and just as Housekeeper of the week may highlight to us who is supervisory material, the appraisal process also helps to point us in the direction of those members who may need a little extra care or one on one time to discuss any issues they may be having at home or with career plans.
Our staff are the thriving soul of our work family, and just as we do our relatives we wish you guys success and security - we love to see you do well! Communication is key, we like to feel that our housekeepers can come to us with anything - every good relationship is based on trust, give & take. If you are giving us 100% we will ensure your efforts are rewarded accordingly.

The key is to secure good & honest employees who can demonstrate a good, honest days work, emulating our values and high standards to our clients who keep lifeblood of the business flowing with their hard earned cash. A good employee knows that a cleaning session must be completed to the best of your ability - if you can honestly tell us you gave it your all then we may head down the route of looking at additional training etc. We are all about supporting one another, but the building blocks will not stand tall and stable if the foundation underneath is inconsistent.


As my mother used to say - you reap what you sow..


​That's all Tidy Timers, Have a lovely weekend!

Okay so there's something all Yankee Candle lovers should know about if you don't already - you need SCENTERPIECE! 
"What's a Scenterpiece?" I hear you ask. Well, it's an all-rounder but would be especially suited to these colder winter months & make the perfect gift for someone this Christmas  But Yankee have that covered with a short video from their website..
​(See below or you can have a browse for yourself by clicking here. )

Personally I would describe it as versatile, child safe, and delightfully fragrant - with the power to transport you to the most beautiful of places, all from the comfort of your living room. There are probably hundreds of different scents available and a variety of designs for the heating system to suit your home. 
The options can seem endless, especially to a newbie, so to take out some of the leg work I've put together a gallery of the most popular types of Scenterpiece, and a quiz to help you decide which fragrance to try out first - if ordering online of course.

Mine is on almost every day, you can thank me later Tidy Timers - that is all!

Ok, so as a die-hard Pink Himalayan salt fanatic (cooking with it, ingesting it, bathing in it, exfoliating with it in home made body scrubs.. this list could go on - believe me!)  I was naturally intrigued after hearing about Himalayan salt lamps & their many natural benefits - it comes from the earth in a near natural state AND affects a person positively?? Sign me right up! So shortly after (I say shortly.. it has actually taken me a year!) I began a process of reading, comparing & gathering information on the many variations of salt lamp to make a well informed decision on what was best suited to myself and my home. If i'm being honest, I was slightly overwhelmed with the variety & my decision making process was so lengthy because deep down, I would have liked to have one of everything and see what works and what dooesn't - there's no experience like personal experience - however, the dimensions of my current home (and bank balance) would not accommodate such impulsive & careless splurging.. Anyway my mind was finally made up whilst visiting my sister this summer, when I spotted these perfectly imperfect, thick & heavy, pink salt crystal tealight holders on display - with the fascination of a child, poking & prodding, cooing at them, lifting one up to feel it's weighty mass - and fell in love at once! Then began the questions; "how long do they last? How long have you had yours? Is the crystal flame proof?" They were small, came in a set of 4 so I could arrange them in more than just one room, very heavy - so childproof enough, flame resistant, then there were all the health benefits on top of that also! The last question I asked remains unanswered still - "Just one more thing, where did you get them??" - because like a diamond of a big sister she got me some for my birthday a few weeks ago - ask, believe, receive.. result! - and they accentuate the living space beautifully.
Below I have listen 10 benefits of Himalayan salt rock for your home..

So first off… how does it work?
Negative salt ions released by heating can increase blood flow, improve sleep, boost levels of serotonin in the brain, and calm allergy or asthma symptoms. These negative ions neutralise electromagnetic radiation from household electronics, and even prevent the build-up of static electricity.

  
1. Salt Lamps Cleanse & Deodorize the Air
Due to their awesome ability to remove dust, pollen, cigarette smoke, and other contaminants from the air Himalayan salt lamps purify air through the power of hygroscopy - this means by attracting water molecules from the surrounding environment and then absorbing those molecules – as well as any foreign particles they may be carrying – into the salt crystal. As the salt warms up from the heat produced by the interior lighting, that same water then evaporates back into the air but the trapped particles of dust, pollen, smoke, etc remain locked in the salt.

2. Reduce Allergy & Asthma Symptoms
Himalayan salt lamps remove microscopic particles of dust, pet dander, mould, mildew etc. from the air around us it can significantly help with cutting back on symptoms of allergies - including asthma sufferers, who aided the development of Himalayan salt inhalers!

3. Eases Coughing
When the salt lamp heats up and begins cycling airborne particles it also changes the charge of the molecules which are released. The majority of homes are filled with positively charged ions which are detrimental to a person’s health. Positive ions are created by many things but the primary source for the majority is our electronics.
Breathing lots of positive ions in the air means the cilia (microscopic hairs) which line the trachea (aka: windpipe) become sluggish and don’t work as well to keep contaminants out of our lungs. As a Himalayan pink salt lamp absorbs water and particles from the air, it also takes positive ions with them. Then when the heated salt releases cleansed water vapour back into the air, it also expels negative ions which have the opposite effect on our airways to keep your lungs clear.

4. Increase Energy Levels
Positive ions sap our bodies of energy, and quite often - as we humans do -  it’s all too common for us to try to diagnose the problem from elsewhere.

5. Neutralise Electromagnetic Radiation
Most of us are living in a metaphorical ocean of electromagnetic radiation which flows from our electronics, & while they may be invisible, the long-term effects of EM exposure can be serious. Constant exposure to EM radiation is known to increase stress levels, cause chronic fatigue, and decrease the body’s immune response, amongst many other things.
As they emit negative ions into the air, Himalayan salt lamps work to neutralise electromagnetic radiation.

6. Better Sleep
Another effect from over-exposure to positive ions in the air is that it denies you quality of sleep. This happens because those positively-charged particles reduce blood and oxygen supply to the brain resulting in irregular sleep patterns. Himalayan pink salt lamps are natural negative ion generators - they can help to reverse this problem.

7. Improve Mood & Concentration
Himalayan pink salt lamps can enhance your mood naturally. Also, HPS lamps are great for improving concentration. Again, this is due to the effect of the negative ions on your body, improving blood and oxygen supply to the brain and other organs, as well as providing a boost of serotonin – the neurotransmitter which makes us (literally) feel happy.

8. Treat Seasonal Affective Disorder
In addition to generating negative ions which improve mood and energy levels, the soft, natural light given off by a Himalayan pink salt lamp is close enough to the warm glow of sunshine that they can even be used to relieve the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Especially at this time of year when the days get shorter.

9. Reduce Static Electricity in the Air
Static can cause stress, embarrassment, and frustration - it gets you when you least expect it. Static electricity can be a huge pain and Himalayan pink salt lamps are a natural way to neutralise the airborne ionised particles that cause it.

10. Environmentally-Friendly Light Source
Last, but certainly not least - Himalayan salt lamps are environmentally friendly. The estimated reserves from which Himalayan Pink Salt is mined measure between 80-600 million tons & is projected to last for least another 350 years at the current rate of extraction. The base of a lamp is usually carved from sustainable wood, most lamps use a low-wattage bulb, consuming very little energy while others are powered by a lit candle.

​Choosing & Placing Your Himalayan Pink Salt Lamp
Coverage of a Himalayan Pink Salt Lamp is determined by the size of the crystal. Smaller lamps are ideal for the average bedroom, and larger lamps are more suited for spaces such as the living room. On average, calculate that 1 lb of HPS crystal will cleanse the air in approximately a 4′ x 4′ area.
If you can’t find a large enough lamp for any given room, remember that you can use multiple lamps spread out around the space for the same effect.

That's all for this week, Tidytimers - enjoy!

Continuing with the theme of Autumns arrival & the urge to decorate, upcycle and refresh ones interior, I have come accross some fantastic tips & tricks I found to be shareworthy with you all, so without further delay here are the top 9.. (click on the picture for links)

I'm certain i'm not the only one who has felt the need for a refresh in my home with this current season change. What better time to give our interiors some TLC - now that the kids are back at school and won't be causing chaos in the house for another year or so. 
When we think of Autumn we envision a range of vivid oranges, yellows and reds, but there is also still quite a lot of browns and greens dotted about the great outdoors.

Preferring a vintage, shabby chic style myself the colour I have chosen for my own living room - which is indeed out of action for the current decorating plans to be completed - I have gone with Dulux "Mint Macaroon" in silk. I feel it has the perfect pastel yet chalky hue, and the chosen finish makes for easier cleaning on a wipe clean surface - lesson well & truly learnt from trying to get away with matte finish in a toddler oriented space! 

Here are some seasonal colour schemes I have been especially drawn to, from the more traditional and trusty orange based, to the more modern French-chic pastel themed with white detailing.

​If any of you would like to share the interior styles that have worked for you this season then please do!
I will be sharing mine when all rooms are finished in a post aimed at decor for a small spaced home.

​That will be all, Tidytimers!

This may or may not come as news to many of us – especially if you’re a firm member of the league of housekeepers – but... punctual payment is an essential requirement in terms of the contract between business and client.
Imagine coming home after a long and busy day, to rest and put your feet up in a freshly cleaned home leaving you with nothing more to do than relax and admire the fruits of labour from a dedicated housekeeper. Now imagine you had spent the best part of the day ensuring you left the houses of many others nothing short of sparkling before returning home to then tend to your own!
Housekeeping staff everywhere give not only their time but also their energy and self into upholding an immaculate standard of cleanliness within the homes of our happy customers – because, yes choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.. it’s all well and good for a mantra when choosing the right occupation or career, but often the reason we are looking for long and successful yet enjoyable career in the first place – the money. In all likelihood your housekeeper is just another human being, like you and me, trying to make their way in the world while paying the bills and supporting our families and businesses. You could only imagine one’s frustration upon revealing late one Friday evening that the agreement for your regular cleaning session to take place had been broken as your housekeeper failed to turn up and thus keep to their end of said agreement.. - I don’t know about you guys but I would be a little more than swept aside – but nevertheless for every consistently punctual team member there is a consistently late payment...

​This affects more than just your assigned housekeeper, payroll must reach beyond more than one member of staff at a time. For example, if your selected cleaning company are approached to perform a one-off deep clean session, then payment – as is always – will be expected upon completion of the cleaning service, provided you are happy with the job of course!
To execute a timely and efficient deep clean to a high standard usually requires at least 2 members of staff – depending on the size of the property and areas to be accessed, then you take the average time of cleaning to be let’s say roughly 4 hours minimum – again depending on the sizing. You may wonder just how this affects anyone else. In most cases the 2 housekeepers selected to perform a deep clean as a one off would usually have their own consistent schedule with long term customers, now affecting their routines and to arrange cover means further outgoings for the big boss in charge of the business. So you have 2 exhausted workers, their regular clients and their cover staff all expecting compensation for their hard work. When a payment is late it has a knock on effect throughout which in turn results in the head honcho forking out in the meantime to cover all expenses.

We are all only but human, and as such from time to time we are bound to overlook the importance of such things and it can be easy to forget when the housekeeper has still turned up for the following session after a missed payment - it is a gesture in good faith of the business to client agreement that payment will be made promptly upon the delivery of the service.
 
Here are a few ideas that can help keep consistent consecutive, timely payments each time:

• Mark it on your calendar – this one may seem like a no-brainer but if you haven’t already a quick glance may be all that you need!
• Envelope organisers – if you’re old school like me and prefer to pay in by cheque or cash then I find allocating the payments that need making into an envelope for each interval helps keep it aside for its purpose!
• Phone reminders – for those more technology based you can easily set a reminder on your phone in no time at all!
• Save the companies banking details – Whether it be regular banking or online banking, keeping hold of the account details for the service to set up a regular outgoing such as a standing order ensures a payment need not be late again, online banking is always a great way to keep up to date with what may or may not have gone out yet and provide access to quick and easy transfers.

 
And finally, if none of these are for you then you can always just give them a call, there’s not always a need for worry or self doubt –  The likelihood of it is that the member of staff of the other end of the line would express nothing but gratitude for your getting in touch and acknowledging the needs of the business also.
 
That will be all for this week, Tidytimers!

On the subject of Tidy mindsets and healthy habits and thought processes & patterns this week here at Tidy Time, we are loving anything that promotes a healthy home environment for all. When it involves our children it is at the forefront of our intention to pass on & share the good advice we have acquired - especially when that knowledge can be transferred and used in many areas of our lives to people of all ages and backgrounds, based from one major requirement - ruthless compassion.

Introducing Jennifer Kolari, author of the book that has changed so many lives of both parents and the children implementing the therapeutic techniques suggested inside. 

   The key point of Kolari's technique is about showing a child - who may be experiencing strong emotions for what appears like a trivial cause - that we understand what he/she is feeling. The mirroring technique ensures that the message that the child is trying to send out is received. In many cases, adults go about reassuring the child (It is ok honey, this is just .....) or solving the problem (Here let us fix this...) or take some other alternatives which essentially brushes aside what the child is feeling and trying to get across. If the message being sent out is not received, the child can escalate leading to tantrums or meltdowns which increase the frustration of parents/adults. As a consequence of repeated similar experiences of invalidating the emotions, the child can learn that it is not ok to feel these feelings which can result in different issues down the road. 
Kolari advocates that the first step be that of mirroring the child's state. This helps deactivate the arousal of the sympathetic nervous system and brings the child to a state where he/she will be more amenable to further input towards solving the problem. ​


If you have never heard of mirroring, or are just looking for a fresh new outlook on developing some methods of parenting I honestly can't recommend this book enough! and if you ( - like me) initially thought you didn't have time to get through a whole book on the subject there are some really insightful youtube videos of her seminars on this approach to parenting that flips the mindset to "I can't afford NOT to make time for this!" 

You are most welcome, Tidytimers.

Until next time!

​Jordan