Daily Archives: September 10, 2008

God calls us to be good stewards our what we’ve been given. That includes our money and our talents, but also our time. If you’ve followed my blog for any amount of time, you know I struggle with organization. I love having everything in order and using my time efficiently so that I can truly enjoy my family, but managing a home doesn’t come easily to me. My mother always says “Creative people can’t be neat people.” I won’t say it’s impossible, but it sure is difficult! I hate chores. I hate housework. But it’s all got to be done and so I strive toward a perfect “system” to keep it all done. I’ve not found a perfect system, but I have found a tool that works for me.

A month ago I shared with Rick my ideas for a perfect organizer. It would be a calendar with both weekly and monthly views. It would have spots for a grocery list, meal planning and a To-Do list. I would be able to keep track of family appointments, notes, and personal goals. It would be perfect … if only it existed. I considered making one myself, but the thought alone seemed too labor-intensive and time-consuming, so I put it out of my mind and headed to the grocery store.

Guess what I found there. Yup! My PERFECT organizer!! I was so excited. Here it is. I give you: Mom’s Plan-It Engagement Calendar. And this is why it’s so great:

• Weekly and Monthly Calendar Views
• To-Do List: smack-dab in the middle of the weekly view (right where it should be)
• PERFORATED Grocery List: This is on one side of each weekly calendar (see the photo below). It’s even divided by sections of the store so there’s no back-tracking when you get there – another time saver! Did I mention it’s perforated so you can just rip it out and take it with you?
• Menu Planner: This is on the opposite side of the weekly view (again, see the photo below). Its format is flexible to suit your needs, whether you just want to list meals, assign days or even jot down recipes or pages in cookbooks. (I’m lovin’ it!)
• Stickers: almost 300 for quickly and easily noting family appointments, school activities and more
• Front Pocket: for holding coupons, school notes or things to be mailed
• Address Pages: These are divided into sections, too! There’s a generic address section for anyone you want to remember, but there are also specific address pages for babysitters, children’s friends, restaurants, services (like when you need a plumber and don’t want to spend an hour looking for the number) and emergency contacts.
• Notes section: blank pages in the back for all your brilliant thoughts and doodles.
• Spiral Bound: no more wrist calisthenics trying to write in an awkward journal.
• 17-Month Format: It actually starts in August to go with the school year and runs 17 months, just in case you, like the rest of us busy moms, can’t always buy a new calendar when you really need one.

And all this in a little package. The whole thing measures about 5 1/2 x 6 1/2″. It won’t fit in my tiny handbag, but it does squeeze nicely into a small backpack or diaper bag. I’ve had this planner for just a month and already my life seems easier. I’m thrilled with it! It definitely worth more than the $13 I paid for it.

There is actually a whole line of “Mom’s Plan-It” stuff — wall calendars, checkbook calendars, desk calendars. Personally, the engagement calendar is my favorite. I tried the magnetic wall calendar last year and was disappointed. It seemed cluttered and took up too much space on my fridge. Also, it didn’t have all the cool features for meal planning and list making.

So there you go. This is my organizational tip for the day, piggy-backing on yesterday’s discussion of crazy motherhood. For more “Works for Me” tips and tricks, visit Rocks in my Dryer.

Oh! And come back tomorrow for the first ever In the Dailies poll. I’ve decided to let YOU choose my new ‘do! I’ve got about 8-12 extra inches of hair on my head and just can’t decide what to do with it … I’ll be posting options and you can vote on which I should get. Until then …

“A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman–who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls. The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of honest gain or need of dishonest spoil. She comforts, encourages, and
does him only good as long as there is life within her.”
Proverbs 31:10-12 (AMP)