A Homemaker’s Notebook

My momma, sister, and I have kept a notebook for about a year now.

Starting out with a three-ring binder, we’ve filled it over time with all sorts of things that we don’t want to lose, or things we’ll use at a later date. Most of the time we put things in plastic sheet protectors, so that the papers won’t be damaged.

I haven’t stuck with this as much as I should because it’s a wonderful tool to keep everything organized. If you’re interested in making one here are some category ideas that are included in my notebook. (I don’t have all of these sections filled, don’t feel overwhelmed, they’re just some suggestions to get it started.)

Calendar — yearly, monthly, daily, whatever fits your need. Schedules can be added here.

Devotions — yearly goals, monthly goals, daily Scripture reading schedule, study notes, journaling, books of the bible study, memory verse pages, prayer request and answer journals, how I can minister to others.

Scripture and Quotes — favorite Scripture passages to keep you going through the day, inspiring quotes that remind you of what is important or to lift your spirits. You can even put some jokes in this section.

Goals — interests.

Homekeeping — daily, weekly, monthly chores (also known as home blessing activities), seasonal chores, room detail lists, housecleaning tips, errands list.

Phone & Address lists — phone and address list, email addresses, and websites.

Emergency Info — Emergency numbers, emergency preparation, first aid checklist, 11 Points for Evacuation.

Health Records — personal medical history, family medical history, dental history, eye history, medications list, pet medical history.

Special Days — date book for special days, Christmas card list, gift ideas, birthday party ideas, gift record, thank you list, holiday ideas and traditions, holiday memories journal, holiday debriefing.

Reading — books read, books to read, books to remember, inter-library loan books, Dewey Decimal system, movies to rent or recommend.

Hospitality — menus, activities, shower ideas, games, encouragement ideas, letters to write.

Cooking — breakfast, lunch, and supper menus, favorite food of the family members, pantry items, weekly or monthly menus, recipes to try, goals to learn certain cooking techniques, freezer inventory, measurements and other helps, lists of herbs and their uses, grocery lists, information on freezing and canning.

Gardening — garden almanac, calendar, harvest times, plant descriptions, garden plans and layouts.

Purchases — lists of needed or wanted items to save for (to discourage impulse buying), non-grocery needed items, hope chest inventory.

Camping — packing list, maps, meal ideas, menus, games or activities, future camp ideas, debriefing after camping, list of camp sites.

Home Crafting — simple sewing instructions, embroidery stitch instructions, patterns for home items, patters for knitting and crocheting, seasonal home decoration ideas.

Finances — budgeting, price books for common items, personal and family budget, list of sales patterns, insurance information, expense record.

Home Maintenance — care for appliances, car maintenance, lawn care, mower care, furnace and ac care, refurnishing instructions.

Child Care — homeschooling books to read, children’s activities, rainy day helps, special recipes for fun things, favorite baby names.

Family Records — genealogy, home inventory of each room.

Info For Personal Interests — information on personal likes (such as caring for livestock, computer information, art, grammar rules, writing tips, decorating ideas, card making tips, color combinations, scrapbooking tips, etc.).

Ideas For Time — rainy day ideas, field trip ideas, what to do with 15 minutes.

For other’s Homemaker In Training posts, please visit Eyebright’s blog.

Categories: Handmade | The Home