Typically by this time of year, calendars and planners are marked down to half price and most moms have given up on yet another set of New Year’s resolutions, including perennial favorite one to get their lives organized. Thankfully, this year there is a new tool on market that will help revolutionize homes and spiritual lives of many families.

The Orderly Days planner, by Kate Conway and Motherhood Press, provides a new perspective on time management. The first thing you’ll notice when you receive your Orderly Days planner is small Rosary ring clipped to inside of three ring binder that contains planner. Conway’s introduction for planner sets tone for tool, stating that her goal is to provide a “traditions day planner that helps you organize your life way God intended – in a proper and orderly way.”

The Orderly Days planner logo features a gracefully drawn images, and uplifting fonts, artwork and scriptural references are sprinkled throughout. The planner is compact enough to fit in a purse, diaper bag, or to sit neatly at your desk. The Personal Data again reinforces emphasis on spirituality, by including important parish contact and schedule information among other high priority items such as name, address and emergency contacts.

Before you pound on neighbor's door and yell something you'll regret, or, even worse, resign yourself to living with noise, try some more constructive alternatives.

1. Talk to Your Neighbor

Your first step is to talk to your neighbor and try to resolve your differences in person. It's hard to believe, but sometimes neighbors are not aware that they are causing a disturbance. Even if you're ready to punch somebody's lights out, try a little sugar instead.

2. Get a Copy of Your Local Ordinance

Your next step is to get a copy of your local noise laws. Most cities and counties have ordinances that control times, types and loudness of noise. For example, many local ordinances prohibit unreasonable vehicle noise (like honking car horn early every morning for a carpool) or dogs barking all night long every night. Noisy neighbors are in for a warning or even a fine. You can look up your local ordinance at city hall, a public law library or public library. Make at least two copies of it, one for your neighbor and one for yourself.

3. Warn Your Neighbor in Writing

If things don't improve, ask your neighbor again--this time in writing--to quiet down. Don't make threats, but state that if situation doesn't improve you'll be forced to notify authorities. Enclose a copy of noise ordinance. Keep a copy of your letter; you'll need it if, as a last resort, you later sue your neighbor.

4. Suggest Mediation

Most cities offer free or low-cost mediation services, which means they provide an impartial mediator who will sit down with you and your neighbor and try to help you resolve your differences.

Just call mediation service; someone there will contact neighbor and suggest mediation. (These people are very good at convincing others to give mediation a chance.)

5. Call Police

If you have done all of above and your neighbor has responded by turning up volume, now is time to call police (or Animal Control officer if problem is a barking dog). Try to get police to come while noise is occurring.

Of course, you can call police on a noisy neighbor first time music gets too loud for your taste. But police will be more sympathetic to your situation if they see that you have tried to solve problem on your own.

6. Sue for Nuisance