Organise ’08 – My Note Book

For a while there I stopped writing in my note book each day/night. I was busy (I know poor excuse, I should be keeping track of things more rather than less when busy), I couldn’t be bothered and I was uninspired. The other week two things happened to change that and make me start writing again.

note book

1) A friend dragged me into Borders with her 15% off coupon which encouraged me to buy a really cool new note book. I didn’t need a new note book, but last time I was there looking for one they had nothing that was right and I ended up buying on that had plain black covers. Boring and totally uninspiring when it comes to picking it up and using it. This time there were heaps of groovy paper chase notebooks to choose from and I love love love my read babushka dolls…. yeah ok I know it’s odd but having a groovy notebook really makes me use it more.

2) I discovered Simple Mom. I must be the last person in the world to discover this blog and it’s great! Lots of down to earth, practical, doable ideas to keep your head above water when it comes to running a house and being a parent and all that kind of stuff.

She also has a great household management system. Ages ago I talked about a household folder but I have decided that I can’t cope with too much strict routine so your typical household folder with schedules etc is just not for me. I have a nice folder of recipes now so the idea wasn’t a total bust, but I was still lacking a simple way to keep track of ‘stuff’. Simple Mom’s ‘Daily Dockets’ (if you follow this link you can find all of her home management downloads), now there is an idea that could work for me. I’ve taken bits and pieces from her Daily Docket and incorporated them into my daily lists. I don’t use a specific form, I just write at the end of each day the things I have to remember and do for the next day.

I also first read about the ‘Get Things Done’ idea on her blog and really really REALLY like the idea of writing stuff down just to get it all out of your head. That is totally me, and that is what I use my note books for, a lot!

One other thing that I am trying to pop in my notebook now and then is a happy list. Just a quick list of things that have made me happy that day or week. Trying to live more in the here and now and that tends to keep me a bit grounded and reminds me of all the good I have, especially when things are crazy or not going as perfectly as I’d like.

So while I may never be ultra organised, I have discovered that if I can find myself a groovy looking notebook I can at least be semi organised, sometimes…. maybe… if I remember to actually read the lists I make!

In other news – thanks so much for all the comments on the kitchen renovation. It seems you are all keen on drawers rather than cupboards, which I have to agree with and will be trying to fit in as many of them as possible. I am also keen on a bench/breakfast bar arrangement as I can see the value of a place for the kids to eat/play/work while I am cooking etc. We are still waiting for the first draft plans to come back from the architect and then we’ll have to start really looking into kitchen design – once we know exactly what space we have to put it in. So I’m sure to be back with more questions soon… plus we still have two bathrooms, a study, family/lounge room and a master bedroom to design!

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3 Comments

  1. I too am a big fan of Simple Mom. It sounds like you have blended a system to work for you. It does feel good to pour everything out of your head on to paper, I always sleep better if I do it before I go to bed.

  2. Cute notebook. I’ve been reading Simple Mom for a while now and love her ideas too. I’m not a super organized person either but I have a ton of notebooks lying around because I love to make lists and write down ideas…getting something accomplished from those lists is another story.