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Dawn
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If you have a homekeeping (or home management) notebook (or binder) would you mind taking a minute or two to answer a few questions? 
~ How often do you look at it? Every night? Once a week?
~ Where do you "park" it when not in use?
~ Do you basically just store information in it, or is it a "working notebook?"
~ Do you find it covers all your bases, or do you need other organizational items like a separate calendar, lesson planner or meal planner?
Thanks for any insight or thoughts on the subject!
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Dawn, mum to 3 boys 
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sweetiesmom
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I'll be watching this thread closely. I am trying to build my own homekeeping notebook.
sweetiesmom
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~Rachel~
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I discovered that mine was not working out the way I wanted it to.
It lives on a bookcase in my kitchen normally... but like Elizabeth, I find it rather bulky 
Not to mention the original way I broke things down is NOT how I work!
SO, I have a new plan. My plan is to use the same IDEA but make it more friendly.
Each room will have the checklist, but no assigned day.
Each week will have a checklist of rooms and chores.
And once a month chores will be assigned a specific week.
This will make it a daily effort to view... so I can remove the checklist and add it to my recently acquired clipboard. Wonder where I got THAT idea/  
As for the other things... I plan meals weekly, so in reality, the meal planner is an empty sheet that sits there waiting to be filled once a week. I will probably revamp that with seasonal food lists.
I have THREE wall calendars this year. Susan Branch by the computer, Flower Fairies for the kids and one on the fridge. The computer is for liturgical year planning/school/birthdays.
The one by the fridge is more for double checking dates and the kids one is to match Serendipity and for kids stuff.
Lesson planning is done weekly and yearly... as in I have a yearly booklist and a weekly schedule. THAT goes in the book. In fact I think the library lists might fit in there, plus the monthly 'ideas'.
Yes, I pinched that idea from you too .
BTW, the companion is THIS weeks 'simple' part of my plan I just decided! I also want to get hold of Nissa's Home Management Binder, but might need to wait on that one!
Hope this helps... at least I am sharing my ideas if nothing else
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~Rachel~
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Paula in MN
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Dawn, I've gotten my best ideas from you! I never had a home-management anything -- it was all in my head! Then I realized that I need to "share" the responsibilities with the kids.
So, based on several of your posts, I created one spiral binder. It lists the standard and the special routines for each day, for Mom and the kids, with check-off areas and space to write notes.
We also moved the computer into the kitchen/family room, so the new book, the clipboard, the planning book, the calendar, and the file folders are all IN THE SAME PLACE AS MOM. Truly an amazing concept, I know, and it only took me 46 years to figure out!
I made sure I included everything in my binder, and it is working like a charm.
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Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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mom2mpr
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FWIW
I have a home management cork board
It is inside my kitchen vitamin cabinet--which I open a lot. It has a small index card with daily(downstairs) chores, menu, chore list for ds, shopping list, freezer inventory, and misc.
For schoolwork I have another index card with what subjects on what days and we just pick up where we left off.
I also have an index card in my medicine cabinet with upstairs chores.
I look at these areas at least once per day--if not more. Downstairs would be more.
I do have a separate calendar on the counter(or in MY drawer) with our outings and also extra things I need/want to get done each day. But the basics are covered by my corkboard.
I wish I could do the notebook thing but turning the pages all day might drive me crazy
Anne
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~Rachel~
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mom2mpr wrote:
I wish I could do the notebook thing but turning the pages all day might drive me crazy
Anne |
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which is why I liked the idea of sheets that I could stick on the clipboard or leave the book open to...
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~Rachel~
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KC in TX
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I don't have one yet (I've been working on one for over a year now  ), but it would sit on my counter in the kitchen since that's the hub.
I'm interested to see what everyone says.
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KC,
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Heliodora
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My home management binder is a work in progress, and also my obsession, in many ways. When you are a military family, your schedule is a servant to the military's schedule. With every move, and with each new birth and even from day to day, I need to reevaluate any system I have put together. Military men are salaried, and technically are on duty 24/7, which means irregular duty hours, meal times and even homeschooling days.
Currently, I look at my seven-ring binder daily.
It sits on the kitchen counter, next to the phone. Ideally, everything would be centralized next to the computer, but that is not possible in this house. My computer is in the laundry room, set off from the kitchen.
My notebook is both a working notebook and also one in which I store information. I have addresses, cleaning lists, finances, to do lists, menus, and most everything else one would need to run a homeschooling household--- except lesson plans. I keep my lesson plans on the computer, but I have recently realized that I need to revamp that as well, possibly by printing out my planners. My children are also getting older, so I need to formulate some planners for them as well.
No, it doesn't cover all my bases, and this is a source of frustration to me. I now do a lot of Once A Month Cooking, and there is no room for this information. Lists of books I need to order or plan for are kept with the catalogs, also near the phone. I order most things online, but next to the phone is the only feasible place to keep them.
I used to keep my shopping list in this notebook, but that no longer works for me. I keep that out where I can continually add to it during the day- either on the counter or refrigerator. I'd like to have it on the fridge, but it is difficult to write with pens there!
I also used to keep my calendar in this notebook, but now I have the More Time Moms calendar on the fridge, where everyone can see it and use it. I do not bother to duplicate entries into the notebook- inevitably things would be missed when they were changed or added in by people other than me.
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Prove all things, hold fast that which is good. -1 Thessalonians 5:21
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Pamin OZ
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I have made myself one page which I carry around with me but I really need to stick it up on the kitchen cupboard as well.
It's a two week cycle for menu, cleaning, room-preening, laundry and getting ready for Sunday.
So, for instance, the first Tuesday of the cycle goes across like this: Chicken, rice and veggies/ Dust and Polish (i.e. walk around the house with a duster)/laundry/ laundry away/Dining Room and nothing for Sunday prep.
At the bottom of the page are reminders of what activities I can do with my toddler and I even have marked on it what days the boys are supposed to have showers.
Can you tell I've just had a baby?!
I did pay for Motivated Moms but my theme is KIRRRS
(Keep it really, really, really simple) and so it will have to sit there.
I do have a wonderful planner I made last year but it too will have to wait.
My life at the moment is coming to terms with what I cannot do at least as much as organizing myself to do things.
For school, my boys each have a planner which is printed out as a booklet. My older son gets to plan when he does things during the week. My younger son plans his day based on what is on the list. I cross off anything they don't have to do.
This made my life so much easier last year.
edited to add:
I read a wonderful blog post last year about someone's notebook which was basically a big, purple notebook she wrote in. This was her brain.
(whispering) I copied her but I keep losing it.
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Cheryl
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My home management binder is used to store kitchen, cleaning, and routines related information in. I use it at least once a week, but definitely not daily. I keep it in a kitchen cabinet above my desk. I use my planner daily. I look at it in the morning and throughout the day. In it is my calendar, contacts, current lesson plans, etc.
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Dawn
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Thank you for all the responses so far! I am really trying to simplify my "stuff," as there just seems to be so much of it. And yet, I need so much of it available to me it's hard to hide it away in a big binder. This is all giving me food for thought ...
Cheryl, I loved the picture on your blog of your planner (the one with all the tabs). I recognize it as a Franklin. Have you posted about what's inside and how you use it? 
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Dawn, mum to 3 boys
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Bridget
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Mine is always open on my counter. I look at my lists often to see if I'm forgetting a task and what needs to come out of the freezer for the next couple of days meals.
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God Bless,
Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
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Theresa
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Hi Dawn,
I posted about my home management binder yesterday. This year it is most definitely something I use everyday rather than just storing information. I love it.
There are few smaller sections that I would like to add in yet. A books and movie section to keep track of books and movies I would like to buy or borrow. I would also like to keep a reading record of books I've read this year. The problem is that I'm running tight on room so I can't add much more than that.
Edit to add... the binder sits open in the corner of my kitchen counter. I have everything I need right there and the smaller daily list (that is in the left pocket) works great if my dh is running errands. He can just grab my smaller list to take with him.
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Theresa
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MommyD
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~ How often do you look at it? Every night? Once a week?
I check mine almost every day as it is where I keep my routines list and I'm always forgetting things!! What has helped me look at it more often was making it pretty. I have used binders since I became a SAHM but they were always just plain with a label on the side. It never occured to me to make them pretty until I read Kim's blog post; wow, what a difference!!
~ Where do you "park" it when not in use?
Mine lives in the living room, between the box where the mail goes and the box where all our cell phones live. If I had a real desk or more kitchen space, I would move it there.
~ Do you basically just store information in it, or is it a "working notebook?"
Mine is mostly storage because it is a 3-ring binder and I find those hard to write in. I store all of the paperwork that I get that I might need in it. Boy scout information, field trip directions, store coupons, Y schedule, take-out menus, all of that kind of stuff has a section that it lives in.
~ Do you find it covers all your bases, or do you need other organizational items like a separate calendar, lesson planner or meal planner?
When I do meal plans  they live in the binder when they are done. I do have a very simple page-per-day planner that I use to jot down all of the stuff that pops into my head and then threatens to disappear forever (much like the notebooks that you keep, only not as in depth or organized).
HTH!!
Melissa
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MommyD
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Great job, Theresa!!!
After looking at yours, I think I'm going to add a section in mine for insurance information, SSNs, and other important info. If we were ever evacuated (things can get pretty crazy here in rural Indiana, you know!!) or had to leave in a hurry, I'd have something I could grab with the necessary info.
Melissa
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Mackfam
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My Home Management Book is here. It has evolved some to meet my changing needs, but has proven to be of great benefit in our home.
Your questions Dawn:
~ How often do you look at it? Every night? Once a week?
It varies, sometimes daily, sometimes weekly.
~ Where do you "park" it when not in use?
It lives on a large hutch in my kitchen. Below it in the drawers are my files for my bills, receipts, grocery planning folders, etc. I try to keep all of the home management tools in one area.
~ Do you basically just store information in it, or is it a "working notebook?"
It's a little of both, so I've been considering breaking it into two - the working/planning/active management part, and the reference part. This will probably be a summer project for me.
~ Do you find it covers all your bases, or do you need other organizational items like a separate calendar, lesson planner or meal planner?
I do use this calendar/planner which is separate from my binder. It seems to work better for me that way. I also have separate lesson planners for the kids. I started with the plans in the book, but it wasn't convenient there. My meal planning is both in the binder and separate. I keep master sheets in the binder for reference when starting to plan a new monthly menu, but I keep the current menu with seasonal veggies and fruits listings on my clipboard. It's just easier to plan for the week's meals and grocery shopping trip for me this way.
I plan on re-thinking my binder over the summer - I simply don't have the time I'd like to focus on it right now. I do plan on breaking things out of the one binder system into more workable, smaller binders. I like the accessibility of the binder, and how I know that if has anything to do with home management, I file it/keep it in there. It's good to have only one place to organize everything. I like keeping it around the other home management tools so that they work together. I've really enjoyed reading how all of you are putting yours together as it has given me some wonderful ideas for making changes to mine.
Let us know what you come up with Dawn! I for one would be very interested in hearing/seeing how you organize in this area!
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Jen Mackintosh
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Lori B
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I've put together a system that is working great for me this year. Problems I've had with other systems are related partly to my perfectionism and partly to trying to copy what works for others.
Journals/ spiral notebooks didn't work, because I couldn't add anything I had printed from the computer, and I couldn't group "like" information. Binders are too bulky, take up too much space, and I give up using them after about a week, even if they are organized beautifully.
I liked your idea of having my planners bound, but I again had that near-panic feeling of "but, what if I need to add something?? or change something??". Silly, I know, but it makes a huge difference for me. In fact, just last week I had to add in a new dosage schedule for my 7yo's glaucoma meds, for the second time since December.
Hubby found some Flex notebooks at Staples, and brought two home, thinking they might (finally) be the answer to my problem- and he was right! The flexibility of a binder (I can add things! and remove things!), but it can fold back on itself like a notebook (taking up very little space in my very little kitchen). I have one for homekeeping (routines, cleaning lists, etc.) and one for school (monthly calendars at the front, then weekly planning pages, then some lined paper for making notes). I love that I can pop a recipe in right beside the day's chore page, or stick my notes for a theme craft beside the day I'll need it.
~ How often do you look at it? Every night? Once a week?
I look over both books after dinner, in case I need to prepare anything ahead of time (crockpot breakfast, print math drills). I take them both out again in the morning, fold them open to the day's pages, and "survey" my day.
~ Where do you "park" it when not in use?
We have shelves in our kitchen where we keep the schoolbooks, and I've carved out some space on one for myself where I keep my school planner, catologues, etc. My home book stays on the breakfast bar until the end of the day, then I leave it on top of my laptop, ready for the morning
~ Do you basically just store information in it, or is it a "working notebook?"
Both books are "working" books. I store recipes and clipings in the binders that I can't stand to use daily, but work great as storage
~ Do you find it covers all your bases, or do you need other organizational items like a separate calendar, lesson planner or meal planner?
Besides the two notebooks, I have a wall calendar where we keep track of appointments, family birthdays, etc. and a separate weekly calendar on the fridge with the kids' hockey schedules (three kids play on three separate teams- their game and practice times don't fit into the little boxes on my wall calendar ). I've tried keeping calendars in my binders before, but I would forget to look at them- I need them hung where I'll be sure to see them several times a day.
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~Rachel~
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And this morning I thought of something else I will be adding... a garden plan with notes of what I planted when...
Maybe include the names of seed catalogues I got and which I used.
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~Rachel~
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Cheryl
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Dawn wrote:
| Cheryl, I loved the picture on your blog of your planner (the one with all the tabs). I recognize it as a Franklin. Have you posted about what's inside and how you use it? |
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Dawn, the picture with all the tabs is a binder full of past (2000-2007) planning pages that I saved. I have posted this list of what's in my planner:
a pocket for the Stop & Shop and Walmart lists
2006-2011 calendars
2 page monthly calendars
weekly planner pages for the current month
Franklin Covey Monticello starter pack pages and dividers
school schedules for the week
a brainstorming page for each month of the year
my MROL workbook pages
a list of items loaned
phone numbers
addresses
This week sometime I will post pictures and write about how I use it.
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Cheryl
Wife to Bob ('97)
Mom to Matthew 13, Joseph 11, Sarah 10, Rachel 6, Hannah almost 4 and Mary 1
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cathochick
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I have tried for years to have a working Home Management binder but it's never really worked out. I started with FlyLady when my oldest was a baby (a little over five years ago). It worked for a little while and then I just lost the knack and never got it back.
I update the pages periodically in hopes that it will magically motivate me to get my act together but it just goes back to being unused.
The only thing that has ever really consistently worked is waking up early, showering, dressing all the way to shoes, and making a checklist for the day.
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Jessica
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Topic: Questions re: homekeeping notebooks
