September's to-do list

6. Invite a friend to dinner
Hectic schedules mean we tend to lose touch with people. Invite a friend you haven't seen in a long time to dinner. Meals have a wonderful way of bringing people together and it's so much more meaningful to connect face to face. (Read about the healing power of female friendships.)

7. Buy some new clothes
The stores are full of back-to-school sales, so why not get in on the action? Take advantage of discounted prices and treat yourself to a few fall basics. You needn't overdo it, but an updated wardrobe is a nice way to rejuvenate yourself. (Check out these 4 ways to wear your summer favourites into fall.)

8. Organize your photos
Perhaps all those pictures from weekends at the cottage or your summer vacation are strewn about the house. Or, if you use a digital camera, the photos haven't been uploaded to your computer yet. Sound familiar? Now is the perfect time to get those pictures organized. If you've got printed copies, dig out some photo albums (or treat yourself to some new ones) and start putting them in order. If you have a digital camera, set aside an afternoon to upload your photos and organize them into handy folders. E-mail your favourite ones to friends and family -- it's a great way to stay in touch. (Get organizing advice here!)

9. Write a letter
In this age of cellphones and e-mail, it seems like we've lost the art of letter-writing. Buy some pretty stationery and write letters to people you've been thinking about. It'll make someone's day to open his or her mailbox and find your letter.

10. Try a new recipe
Dust off an old cookbook or surf the Internet for an interesting new recipe. Spice up dinnertime with appealing additions to the menu. Check out the Homemakers.com recipe section for appetizing ideas.