I know, we are just getting through with Christmas and now I expect you to start working on organizing things for 2007.

However, this is the time of year that all of the new calendars come out, you get the best variety, and you can purchase them for gift giving for family, friends and teachers. Everyone uses a calendar and if you are like me, you have three of them. It is the simplest way of keeping track of events for the entire family.

Calendars are for more than just keeping track of the days, months and years we need calendars in our hectic schedules to keep track of life itself. 'Time flies' is truer than most people think. How many times have you said, "I just run out of time"? I bet if you would keep track, you would probably shock yourself.

A calendar helps to eliminate some of the stress and for me, that is of the utmost importance. Where do I go, who do I have to see, what time do I have to be there, did I forget anything?

Some prefer paper calendars, whether they are the little put in your purse type or the large hang on the wall type, and then there are pocket calendars and electronic organizers and of course our precious computers that have the built in software. I use them all depending on where I am. I also give pocket calendars to all of my clients every Christmas and have received tons of 'thank you's' for the thought.

I have one for everyday, this holds dates such as; doctor appointments, birthdays, anniversaries, children's events and appointments. It also lists my business appointments (time and address) so everyone can keep track of my whereabouts. This calendar is the biggest calendar that I own, mainly because it holds the information for everyone and everything. This calendar is hung on the inside of the pantry door where everyone can see it. There isn't any reason to ask what time something is or where something is happening because all of the information is there for everyone to read.

Then I have a second calendar that is for business only, it has all of my appointments and who to contact and phone numbers. This calendar I prefer in the electronic version because it holds more information. It can also hold events that are happening at home so that I don't over book and I know where everyone is at a given time. It has all of my addresses and phone numbers (including cell phone numbers) and contact information in it.

My special third calendar is for chores and things that I would like to have accomplished by a certain time. I know, this might seem dumb to some of you, but by writing this down and giving myself a timeline, I can rearrange my schedule to help me take the stress out of life by setting my goals. For an example: I want to have the bedroom painted by the 22nd of the month, so I know that I have to fit it in someplace. By looking at the calendar I know what my goal is and I find that on the 10th I have extra time to get the job done; so goal accomplished and no stress.

Now is the time to purchase these and to get them set up for the New Year so you are totally organized and ready to go. What better time to add the birthdays, anniversaries, family picnics etc. At this time, my husband also goes through the new calendar and jots down when he would like to be able to take his vacations. This way we can plan around it, make reservations early and have something to look forward to.