5.09.2006
The Notebook: Works for Me
I was telling someone recently that keeping the schedules of five children is like running a small corporation. This is why I keep what is known around my house as...
THE NOTEBOOK
Many years ago, I read Confessions of an Organized Housewife (by Denise Schofield), and that's when I first started keeping a household notebook. Over the years it's expanded into the 2" spined thing that it is today and I don't know how I would ever live without it!
My notebook has several sections:
1. The "What I'm Doing Today" Page. It's always the first page.
2. Daily pages for the week. These pages are labeled at the top: "Monday- the 8th," "Tuesday- the 9th," "Wednesday- the 10th." I jot down things on the daily pages as I think of them. At the top of the page, I write what we're having for supper. At the bottom of the page I write in any outside of the home engagements.
3. A Calendar (of course) with large daily squares. (You can get an 8x11" calendar at Office Max.)
4. A section for each child. I keep a three-ring hole punch on the kitchen bar (where I usually leave my notebook lying open to the daily page.) Any important papers for upcoming events go in each child's individual section. Even though I automatically write dates down on our calendar, keeping the original paperwork helps me remember details. Details such as "Send a sack lunch with Titus on the Science City fieldtrip day." -or- "Your child will need $40 for spending money."
5. A section for band--because I'm the band booster gofer president.
6. A section of menus. When I go to make my 2-week menu and can't think of what in the world I want to cook, I look over past menus. (These are also saved in a Word file here on the computer, but I like having hard copies at my fingertips.) I also keep a price list in this section, but I've slacked off on keeping the price list up to date.
7. A section for current projects. Right now, current projects include my parent's wedding anniversary, John's wedding and the Band banquet. All of the details for these events go in this section.
8. A section for the church directory. Because I need those phone numbers and addresses a lot.
9. Bible journal section. I keep this in my notebook, because I think Satan makes me think of a million things during my prayer time. If my daily page is handy, I can just jot down whatever detail is distracting me and keep on praying.
9. Oh, I almost forgot--a "Running to-do List." That's the list of things that I want to get to eventually, but don't know when in the world I'll do them. Things like "clean out Anna's closet, wallpaper the bathroom, hang curtains in the boys room" go on the running list. I try to add something off of my running list to a daily page at least once a week.
The only drawback to this little method of organization is that if you lose THE NOTEBOOK, you're absolutely sunk. I've only done that once--left it in my grocery cart at Wal-Mart about 7 years ago. That was a bad day. But generally, I know right where it is, and refer to it multiple times per day.
THE NOTEBOOK really . . . WORKS FOR ME!!! For more great ideas, check out the originator of Works for Me Wednesday over at Rocks In My Dryer.
16 Comments:
I have heard different ways to do a notebook, but you described yours really well and it sounds like a great idea. I have tried different things like this, but never in ONE notebook. Thanks!
Wow! That is impressive. I think I'm going to improve my system. Great advice. Thanks. (By the way, is that book still around? I read it twenty five years ago, but have since lost my copy. I couldn't remember the name or author until today. Double thanks!)
Wow that is just great, I've always heard of making a notebook but didn't know how to go about it. Yours sounds perfect, it has EVERYTHING you could need in there.
Thanks for sharing, I think I'm starting one today LOL
You did a great job describing your notebook! I absolutely love mine! I thought I would share some links with you and/or your readers of other notebooks: http://del.icio.us/joymombecky/control_journal
I will be back to visit with you again - enjoyed your blog!
You did a great job describing your notebook! I absolutely love mine! I thought I would share some links with you and/or your readers of other notebooks: http://del.icio.us/joymombecky/control_journal
I will be back to visit with you again - enjoyed your blog!
My husband calls that book my non-followed bible. It sits on my nightstand and I read it religiously...yet I have never instilled the concepts. You have given me new motivation.
Wow - aren't you just Mrs. Organized! That is a wondeful idea!
this is a great idea and I'm all about organization! i especially liked the Bible journal section since it's a good reminder to move beyond the distractions and focus on the Lord. these are all things I will get to start thinking about when I finally get to be a housewife and my kid's mom! i should probably start working on this now, just to get in the groove.
I need to get one of my own going!!
Love it. I love binders, lists, calendars, month-meal calendars, etc., but you have put it all together. Wow. Impressive.
I LOVE it! I'm loving WFMW!
Isn't it funny how being a mom requires so much information tracking just when it seems like we are losing the most brain cells? Sounds like your "external brain" is very smart!
I've read that book too and I loved it!! Thank you for your great outline of your NOTEBOOK. Gave me some great ideas.
Uh, excuse me. Are you for hire?
Jane- that book is still around and I still think it's awesome. Anyone moving into a new house should get it because she has an entire section about organizing your kitchen to "save steps." Denise Schofield is awesome!
Supermom- the notebook sounds very impressive, but it is really a huge crutch for crazy, scattered people like me. :)
Hi, I just found your blog. Thanks for being so descriptive about your notebook. We are adopting 3 children next month and now I am a mother of 5 and what you have said about a small corp is true! I had read Denise's book years ago several times and had put my own book together. I lost it at the store once and when the lady called me she said "I've never seen anyone so organized in all my life!" Anyway...through the years, I've tried the electronic gadgets, but I lose interest in using them because they don't have the specific pages I need at my fingertips, as you said. Thanks for motivating me to get my "Confessions" book out again and get my life back together!
P.S. Even though I'm not a Baptist, I'm LDS, what you said about Satan distracting us during our prayer time is so true! I didn't have a "Bible page" in my last book, but thanks to your suggestion, I will add it this time. Thanks so much!
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