| Author | |
SaraP
Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 15 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 531
|
| Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 3:12pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
I really, REALLY need a system or systems for handling the following kind of stuff (I tried several times to name the category that all this stuff falls into - other than 'stuff that piles up on my kitchen counter', that is  - and I can't so I'll just make you a list instead):
*The lost and found items various family and friends have left here (my MIL's shirt, my brother's contact lens case, my son's godmother's prescription eyedrops) that I'm hanging on to until we see the person next
*Paperwork that needs to go with us to the pediatrician in Jan
*An estimate and contract from the tree removal company for a job in Jan
*A sweater to be returned to the store on my errand running day next month
*Various pieces of mail I need to follow-up on with phone calls
*Headless sheep from the kids' nativity set that I need to repair
*Books with pages that need repair
*A list of activities from my DS's OT that we are supposed to incorporate throughout the day
Ideas?
__________________
Mama to six on earth, two in heaven and two waiting in Russia. Foxberry Farm Almanac
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
lilac hill
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 15 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 643
|
| Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 3:40pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I am currently surrounded by the oddities of daily life: CD's, tape crossword puzzles, knitting markers and swatches, and the paperwork!
For the paperwork that goes to the pediatrition--everyone has a folder in my paperwork shelf--who ever is having the MD appointment--that is where the paperwork goes, and write on the calendar that there is paperwork.
With bill paying I have folders, #1-31, for the bills to go out on that day, and one folder for each month--stick the estimate in the correct month or day of the month.
Mail for phone calls--Mine is stacked next to the phone, not nice looking, but I can get through it.
The stuff to be returned is in bags hanging on the pegs in the mudroom.
Assigning DD#3 repair task gets jobs done faster--can any of the children repair the books and sheep
Now to get to some of the dratted calling and bill paying stuff
__________________
Viv
Wife to Rick (7/83), Mom to dd#1(6/87), dd#2(1/90), and dd#3(6/94) in central PA.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
saintanneshs
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 15 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 591
|
| Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 3:42pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Sara,
I keep a basket (with a plastic liner inside) next to my phone, and it has compartments for all those little things that pile up. The basket looks nice on the outside and everything has it's own little compartment.
I file the stuff that I need to keep track of (like contracts, bills, take-out menus and such) in a side compartment.
The stuff that needs to be repaired goes into the center compartment for clean-out once a month. If it doesn't get repaired on my clean-out day, it goes in the trash.
As for stuff that I need to remember to take with me, it'll never happen if I don't keep it in my purse/diaper bag.
For things that I need to remember to do every day but haven't formed the habit of doing them yet, those lists get posted on the refrigerator or taped to the counter in front of the basket and when they become habits I move them to the inside of the cabinets where I can check if I need reminders. (I hate post-it notes stuck everywhere!)
And for all the things to be returned to friends, I keep them next to my purse/diaper bag, where I can remember to reach for them on our way out the door on our next errand day.
How's that? 
Happy organizing!! 
__________________
Kristine
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Willa
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3881
|
| Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 7:41pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I keep the therapy reminders on the fridge or taped on the cupboards. Then I make "pegs" in the day to look at it, like right before lunch or at dinner prep time, when I might have a couple of extra minutes to work on them.
The things that have to come with you somewhere, or be returned, I'd keep in a basket near the door and get in a habit of checking in there whenever you have visitors or are running errands (the habit of remembering to look is the part that gets me every time).
I have a junk drawer for the things that need to be repaired -- you could have a "mending day" on your calendar and get to them then. Meanwhile, write a list of things you might need in order to repair them, like glue or thread or whatever. I love the idea of assigning it to a child if possible; my 10yo would just love to be able to help me on this kind of thing.
I stick mail and "follow up" things like the estimate in a basket and go through it once every week or so, filing or acting on it depending on what it is.
__________________
AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
stefoodie
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 17 2005
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8457
|
| Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 9:51pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Since we're talking organization, anyone have suggestions on how to handle coupons effectively???
__________________
stef
mom to five
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Becky Parker
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 23 2005
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2582
|
| Posted: Dec 14 2006 at 6:33am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I use a basket and a 3 tier stacking "file thing" on my desk by the telephone for most odds and ends. For anything that has to go somewhere - store returns, library books ready to be returned, things borrowed from friends, etc.- I put them in the van. This, of course, makes van clutter as apposed to counter clutter but if they aren't already in the car I tend to forget to take them with me. It's also nice when I by chance see a friend at the store and I can say "oh, I have your book!" and give it to her.
__________________
Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
Forum Locked) 
4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Organizational help, please!
