We live a pretty laid back life, but I'm suddenly findinng more and more things that I need to have with me. Appointments, phone numbers, birthdays, ect. Anyway, I'm thinking about buying some type of organizer. I have something at home that I use but it's too big to take out with me. It's basically just a 3 ring binder that I've made into an organizer.

So do you have one and if you do, do you use it? I'm affraid I'll buy it and not actually use it. If not, do you have something else you use. Dh offered me his old pda, but I know I wouldn't use it. Just not user friendly enough for me.:)

Kaight

I have a calendar and I have a notebook. I write in the notebook approx. a week at a time and if it's not written down, I don't do it! LOL I have been working at night so my dh can be home and am running on permanent sleep deprivation. It works well for me and when it's full, I can get a new one for cheap. I get one that's 2 or 3 sections but not full sized. I use the back section for writing things the kids do or say that are funny or special because they usually do them when we're out somewhere! Hope that helps, Tina

I got one about a year ago and love it. It is about 5" X 7" and it has a calendar (that you can get refills for), a place for cash and change, an address book, a small pad of paper, a plastic envelope that seals closed like a ziplock, a place for a license and credit cards and various little pockets for receipts, coupons, etc. I keep it in my diaper bag and use it as my wallet. It is invaluable for me as a way to keep track of dr appts for 3 kids, bday parties, playgroups, etc. I got it at Office Max.

I have an appt book.

Then I have a master database of addresses and phone numbers, adding birthdays slowly, on the computer.

I also have my infamous "card box." Any phone number that isn't friends or family that I am going to record permanently in the database, goes on an index card in the card box. Sometimes I put notes or small lists on cards and they go in there. I have no dividers, I just rifle through the cards when I need something (often reminds me of something else I need to do). It works for me...somehow.

I also have a household notebook and theoretically I wanted to print up the database and put it in there sorted by letter, but in reality I just keep the info on the computer. The notebook has other things, like biz cards in a biz card sheet protector for Jake's doctors, shopping lists, etc.

I miss my household notebook! I have not done it consistanly in about a year. I had my daily chores, birthdays, lists for different food weeks, "in season" lists for what time of year things were ripes, school schedules, Dons work lists... all in this neat, purple three ring binder. I REALLY need to do that again. But who has the time to start something like that all over again???

Love Val

I got one at Walmart that I really like, I think it is called Amy Knapp's Family Time Organizer. Anyway, UBB used to carry them and I saw AnnB's. I really like it and she told me I could find them at WM so I went got one and really like, now I just need to start using it consistently.

They are about 3 by 7 inches and super thin.It is lightweight and the squares are big enough for me to write notes in!

Thanks for all the good ideas. I think I'll try to find something small that will fit in the diaper bag.

Thanks again,
Kaight

I was at Walmart the other day too ( :drop: (with a friend)) and I saw one I really liked.... it was $10 though! And I already have a calander... but if you don't it looked awsome! It had a section for each week, and on the side of each week it had "menus", then on the oposite page it had "people to call" and "Shopping list", and I think "chores" too... I have to admit that I was impressed.

Last year I got, and modified all my page ideas from here (http://organizedhome.com/notebook/index.shtml) and here (http://www.motivatedmoms.com/2002_Book.pdf) and last but not least, here (http://donnayoung.org/month/2mo.htm)

I had notebooks left over from college, and a fresh batch of printer ink, and just did it. Now I am out of black ink, and that $10 seems awfully inviting, (I swear if I did not have a calander that I loved I would do it in a heart beat)

Love Val

I have those two books that you can order every year with your credit card(they are on the envelope KWIM?). One is a travel one and one is a desktop.I love the big one.:D I put all of my chores in there and appt's.The best part is that it has a Expenses section every month and I do my weekly budget there!:thumbsup:

I had an old covey one, and it was obnoxious. Then dh bought one at office max, and I need to beef it up. It needs a notepad in one of the files. It's pretty,and the colors are faint, and it has mom lists.


If it's not in a notebook, it's not in my head.

I also use typing paper folded into quarters, for my to do list. It's cheap, I can mark on it, and I can throw it away. I write really sprawling.

Office Max has all sorts of files.

I have a PDA that I use.

I'm a geek, I know : D

Organization around here was hitting Critical Mass for awhile because I kept getting us double-booked for activities, etc. Before Anabelle was born, I was a teacher for many, many years. So when school started this year, I realized what I really loved about teaching -- lesson plan books. Every Monday, I could just open up my book and know everything that was happening all week. Sooooo..... I went to Office Depot and bought one of those "At-A-Glance" weekly calendars that has every single moment listed.

Then I went a little crazy and got one of those big zip-up organizers to hold it in. So far, I've transferred everything out of my wallet into that book, but I don't know how it's going to work yet......

I live out of my day planner. Everything is in it. Calendar, addresses and phone numbers. Notes, poems I write while out. Driver's license, you get the idea. I have had it five years now and can't remember how I lived without it. Alas, it is vinyl and tearing up, slightly. I am debating what to replace it with. I was just going to get a new binder (the outer part) but after reading about some of the stuff out there just for moms, maybe I need to look around.

I have also considered replacing it with a smaller one (mine is big, barely fits in large purse) and a palm pilot. Elizabeth, what do you have and why did you choose that one. I had a electronic roledex that worked great for me until one of hte girls stepped on it. It had a keyboard. I hate the palms in my price range don't.

edited to add: This is the calendar I used before going back to work. Anyone know of something like this that is portable?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0740740687/ref=sr_1_1/103-8413101-4553406?v=glance&s=books&me=ATVPDKIKX0DER&vi=pictures&img=1#more-pictures

Originally posted by BlueRoseMama
I was at Walmart the other day too ( :drop: (with a friend)) and I saw one I really liked.... it was $10 though! And I already have a calander... but if you don't it looked awsome! It had a section for each week, and on the side of each week it had "menus", then on the oposite page it had "people to call" and "Shopping list", and I think "chores" too... I have to admit that I was impressed.

Last year I got, and modified all my page ideas from here (http://organizedhome.com/notebook/index.shtml) and here (http://www.motivatedmoms.com/2002_Book.pdf) and last but not least, here (http://donnayoung.org/month/2mo.htm)

I had notebooks left over from college, and a fresh batch of printer ink, and just did it. Now I am out of black ink, and that $10 seems awfully inviting, (I swear if I did not have a calander that I loved I would do it in a heart beat)

Love Val

Val I think this is the same organizer I am using. I have to say that I really like it.