Green Your Homemaker's Binder

Way back in 2010 I showed you my Homemaker's Binder. Back then I had everything written or typed up on paper and put in my binder. I actually still follow the same general guidelines for our days, although it has evolved with time.

One of the greatest ways my binder has evolved is to change completely into a different format. I now use my kindle fire as my 'binder'. I have found an app that has really been helpful. It's called checkmark and is created by GreenbeanSoft. Actually there are all kinds of apps out there and all kinds of devices, not just the kindle, that can be used. In today's technologically advanced society it's not really a very far stretch to have everything paperless. Not only is it easy to manage but it's also environmentally friendly. I'm not printing out daily to-do sheets or rewriting my schedule every time it changes. Believe me it changes pretty frequently!

If it is at all possible for you, I would recommend doing a little searching and switch permanently to some form of electronic format for your Homemaker's Binder. Check up along the top tabs for how to create your own binder. Good luck!

Perfectly Imperfect

I recently read a really great post over at SimpleMom.net about how it's ok to not be perfect, to not have it all together. So I thought I'd fess up too and let you in on some of the stuff I don't do.

• I don't dress nice everyday. In fact, today I never changed clothes after my morning yoga session.
• I don't wear make up or do my hair. Occasionally I do or when I feel like I need something extra but it's definitely not every day!
• I don't clean the house daily or even weekly. It gets cleaned about once every 2 weeks (vacuum, dust, mop, bathrooms, etc). Clutter, on the other hand, gets dealt with on a daily basis, if not it goes in my 'in-box' to deal with as soon as possible. Clutter and cleaning are 2 different things in my book. :)
• I don't exercise regularly. I'm really trying to remedy this but having a toddler in the house is not conducive to exercising in a timely manner. lol
• I don't run errands as often as I should. It's exhausting to shop with a toddler who screams that he's 'stuck' at the top of his lungs when you buckle him in the cart while getting dirty looks from the other shoppers. Not fun.
• I don't do dishes… much. Throughout the day dishes get tossed in the sink (that's my only rule… dishes must go in the sink). At the end of the day I rinse them off & stick them in the dishwasher. Sometimes I don't even rinse. Handwashing, such as the big pots and pans, usually sit until I have a nice big stack, making it worth my time to wash them all at once.
• I don't make my bed, or the kids beds. The only time they get made is when fresh sheets get put on (which I do weekly) and then the bed gets jumped on almost immediately… gotta love those toddlers!
• I don't make Ian's school lunches anymore. I used to when he first started going to school, then he came home to be homeschooled to get him over a hump (that's another thing I don't do anymore… homeschool) and this year I applied and qualified for reduced lunch costs so I don't have to make his lunch at home anymore. This makes my morning routine SO much easier!
• And lastly, I don't feel guilty for not doing these things!

So what about you?! I'd love to hear about the things that you don't do that make you perfectly imperfect!

A Bloggy Schedule

I've been thinking lately that I need some sort of schedule for my blog. I've already sort of had one going but I like to be organized and things like this help me stay on track so much. I probably won't post every day but just as I have time and a topic.


Do you have a bloggy schedule?

I'd love know what others do or to see links to it if you've posted about it.

Monday
-Simple Things in Life: simple observations from my every day life

Tuesday
-Tasty Tuesday: good things that come from my kitchen

Wednesday
-Wordless Wednesday: a photo post with no words

Thursday
-Thinking Thursdays: posts with more miscellaneous or interesting topics, that make you think, or that take me a bit more thinking to complete

Friday
-Fitness Friday: progress on my fitness and weight loss goals

Saturday-Sewing Saturday: projects I've completed through out the week

Sunday
-Unplugged: no posts

Day 30: Check your Calendar

Day 30 is about checking your calendar for the future.


At the end of every month, check the next months calendar for any birthdays, anniversaries, etc. If you need to buy gifts, cards or supplies put it on your errand list for the next time you go to the store. This way you'll never forget another birthday again!

Today is also for learning more about the Basic Weekly Plan. You can learn about it HERE.
My Basic Weekly Plan is as follows:

Monday- Cleaning Day
-Weekly Home Blessing
-Water Indoor Plants
-Wash White & Lights
-Wash Cloth Diapers

Tuesday- Sewing Day
-Wash Colors & Reds
-Wash Cloth Diapers

Wednesday- Planning Day
-Clean Out Frig
-Take Out Kitchen Trash
-Create Menu
-Write Grocery List
-Wash Darks & Dirties
-Wash Cloth Diapers

Thursday- Errand Day
-Run Errands & Go Grocery Shopping
-Wash Jeans
-Wash Cloth Diapers

Friday- Desk Day
-Clean Out Car & Check Car Seats
-Clean Out Purse
-Pay Bills
-Balance Checkbook
-Balance Business Books
-File Papers
-Wash Cloth Diapers

Saturday- Family Fun Day
-Wash Cloth Diapers

Sunday- Renew Your Spirit Day
-Wash Cloth Diapers
-Change Cat Litter
-Take Out Trash

My plan was developed after a long while so don't expect yours to look anything like mine immediately. I keep it right in front of all my Daily Routines in my Homemaker's Binder. I hope it gives you some good ideas though.

I'd love to hear about your weekly plan too!


~Heather~

Day 23: Afternoon Routine

Day 23 is about setting up your Afternoon Routine.


I spoke briefly about my routine in Step 4 of creating your Homemaker's Binder.

I'll elaborate on mine today.

I can't stress how much smoother our days go by when we have a routine set down. My son, Ian, who is in 2nd grade, knows exactly what's expected of him. I rarely hear him complain. My routine gets everything needed done and leaves plenty of free time to play or goof off.

I have an After School Routine which basically involves picking up Ian from school, having a snack, and doing homework.

I also have an Evening Routine which walks me through everything I need to do from dinner preparation to clean-up to the boys bath time and bed time.

Most of the time I do these routines out of habit but every once in a while my mind goes blank because I'm tired or not feeling well and all I have to do is look in my Homemaker's Binder for a reminder.

I hope my routines give you some good examples on how to set up your routines! Once you have something figured out you can type it up, add some pictures, and slip it into a sheet protector in your binder/journal.

I'd love to hear how your coming along!

~Heather~

Homemaker's Binder: Step 19

Step 19 is the last and final step!


This step is 'In case of emergencies'.

Make copies of insurance cards and put them in this section. Update when you get new ones.

Also, make a list of things you want to take with you in the event that you need to evacuated from your home for hurricane, tornado, fire, flood, or any kind of disaster.

~Heather~

Homemaker's Binder: Step 18

Step 18 is to start an address and phone book in your binder/journal.


I keep mine in the very back under a section I've titled 'Mail'. I bought A-Z page dividers and typed up a little form. I write in pencil on this form just incase I need to change the information. You don't have to do this all at once but get started and do a few each day until everything is written in.

Also, in my 'Mail' section, I keep stamps, envelopes, writing paper, and letters I need to respond to.

Another tip I've learned along the way is to update my information at the beginning of each year. I'll send out an email requesting the information and when they respond I can double check it in my 'Mail' section. This is great information to have to birthdays and holidays!

~Heather~

Homemaker's Binder: Step 17

Step 17 is learning about zones.


You can learn about Flylady's zones, HERE.

I don't do zone cleaning in my home for many reasons. I prefer Spring and Fall deep cleaning instead. I still have my home broken down into zones though and in each zone I have a detailed cleaning list which is fairly similar to Flylady's zones above. Feel free to clean your house any way you like though!

~Heather~

Homemaker's Binder: Step 16

Step 16 you will continue building your emergency list.


On another sheet of paper you are going to write all the numbers for the people you might need in an emergency.

Call 911 if someone is hurt or there is a fire! If you don't have 911 in your area, then list the numbers of the Sheriff, police, and fire Departments. Now don't say to yourself, those are all in the front of the phone book. When was the last time you hunted 30 minutes for your phone book!

List the names and phone numbers of your family doctors:
Pediatrician
Poison Control Center
Husband's Doctor
Wife's Doctor
Veterinarian

This is another great list to have for your babysitter!

~Heather

Homemaker's Binder: Step 15

Step 15 is about building your personal contact list.


You may already have this but it is a great idea to refresh it every now and then. People move, phone numbers change. An updated list is a must. You might have this information memorized but it is always a good idea to have in written down in an emergency.

This is also great information for a babysitter to have.

Begin with yourself and your spouse, listing work, cell and home numbers. Continue with your children, your parents, your in-laws, close next of kin, next door neighbors and anyone else you might want on the list.

~Heather~

Homemaker's Binder: Step 14

Step 14 is building the section in your binder/journal for emergencies.


On the first sheet titled 'You Are Here' write your name, phone numbers, address & directions to your home. If something ever happens, you don't have to think, just read this off to whomever.

This would also be great information for a babysitter to have too!

~Heather~

Homemaker's Binder: Step 13

Step 13 is to pick a day to go over everyone's calendars.


Doing this will help you be prepared for this like baseball games, dentist appointments, work trips, school functions, etc.

I do this on Sunday night to prepare for the coming week.

Also, on your Morning and Bedtime Routines, write 'check your calendar'. This will help you be prepared for the day so you will never miss another appointment!

~Heather~

Homemaker's Binder: Step 12

Step 12 you'll pick a day to do your Weekly Home Blessing hour on.


I do mine on Monday mornings. This is the best day after the messy weekend and it helps my week start out great.

Flylady gives an example of her Weekly Home Blessing which you can see in the link above. Mine is a bit different and takes a little more then an hour because I prefer to Spring and Fall deep clean instead of the system Flylady has set up.

Mine consists of:
-Change the sheets and towels
-Dust
-Clean Glass
-Vacuum/Sweep
-Mop
-Clean Bathrooms

~Heather~

Homemaker's Binder: Step 11

Step 11 is a great tool in writing your grocery list.

Keeping a Master Grocery List can be very helpful.

You can find some printables here:
http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Family-Lifestyle/Grocery-List.html?node_name=ChannelHome
http://www.freeprintablegrocerylist.com/
http://www.household-management-101.com/support-files/printable-grocery-list.pdf

I prefer a more personal approach and I divide my groceries by store. I then try to group the items I need by similarity (ex: fruits, veggies, toiletries, etc). You can find more information on how to do that HERE.

~Heather~

Homemaker's Binder: Step 10

Step 10 we will continue building our Basic Weekly Plan.


Every week, the day before your Errand Day, you'll need to do a few things to prepare for grocery shopping. I do this on Wednesdays.

-Clean out the frig (get rid of any science projects & see if there is any left-over food that can be incorporated into next week's menu)
-Make Menu (be sure to check the calendar)
-Write Grocery List

~Heather~

Homemaker's Binder: Step 9

Step 9 we will continue building our Basic Weekly Plan.


On Friday (or whatever day is just before your weekend starts) write:
-Clean out your purse
-File papers and receipts
-Clean out the car
-Check the car seats
-Plan something special with your hubby (or with a friend or with yourself)

~Heather~

Homemaker's Binder: Step 8

Step 8 is to write in when you'll run your errands and go grocery shopping.


I do mine on Thursdays. I've found this to be the best day because I'm not fighting the weekend traffic and it gives me time in the beginning of the week to plan my meals and make my grocery list.

On Errand Day purposely plan any appointments and go grocery shopping. Figuring out what day you'll be doing this on will help you build the rest of your Basic Weekly Plan.

~Heather~

Homemaker's Binder: Step 7

Step 7 is just a review of all the steps we've completed so far.


1. You found an old three ring binder and put paper in it. Keep it where you'll see it and use it everyday.
2. Write down a simple Before Bed Routine.
3. Write down a simple Morning Routine.
4. Write down an Afternoon/After School/After Work Routine.
This is your first section in your Control Journal. You can put a tab for Daily Routines or just leave them as they are.

The next section we are working on is our Basic Weekly Plan.
5. Write the Days of the week down one sheet of paper.
6. By Monday-Friday write; Do Kelly's Zone Mission for the day!

~Heather~

Homemaker's Binder: Step 6

Step 6 we will continue building your Basic Weekly Plan.
On Monday- Friday write 'Do Kelly's Zone Mission for the Day'

You can see Kelly's Mission's HERE.

Here is where I personally deviate from Flylady's system. I don't do Kelly's Mission's. Flylady's system is set up so that you 'never have to spring clean again'. I don't really have time to spend cleaning 2 or more hours a day, while trying to run a sewing business and take care of my family and little one at home. I prefer Spring and Fall cleaning but you should do whatever works for you!

~Heather~

Homemaker's Binder: Step 5

Step 5 is to begin building your Basic Weekly Plan.


Make a list with each day of the week. We'll build on this list by adding what we'll be doing on certain days. Right now the only days that have anything written by them are Friday, Saturday, & Sunday.

Flylady has an example of her completed plan, HERE.

You will see my completed plan in a future post.

~Heather~