Loveliness of Planning Fair

Its a new year.

There is something refreshing about starting over. Deeply ingrained in our human nature is the desire to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps to try and try again.

So it goes for me this new year. I issued a Home Sweet Home Challenge for myself this year and I was further motivated as many ladies jumped on board.

Last June we were blessed with our sixth baby. I have been alternating sick pregnancy with new baby for some time now and when I reflect on all that has happened I see that life has sped by at an alarming rate. I have become a fly-by-the-seat-of my-pants homemaker. I really haven't reacted all that well to the feeling of my household careening out of control with time in the driver seat going full speed and robbing us of joy.

So, I thought this year I would get better control over my time, remind myself frequently that it is a precious gift, and that I will have to answer for my use of it.

My plans are simple. I now use Dawn's clipboard idea (only not as organized as hers) with things that need to be done and cross them off as I go. I try to keep my clipboard with me throughout the day.

I have also come to the realization that I am a planner-challenged soul.  A daily "planner" is not working for me for several reasons: 1) my house is too small for a place for it to sit open 2)because it has no "home" it sits unused, buried under clutter 3)I can never find it when I need it.

I have found that this clipboard idea combined with going vertical works much better for me. I'll keep this simple so you can move on to the lovely posts I have linked below.

Lesson plans: I make the lessons for the week from a master list broken down by child and day. Each child has a column. I use post-it notes to fill in what each child needs that week. It's not fancy.

Menu plan: I use Elizabeth's brilliant idea and have the same well-received meal assigned to each day of the week. I have a master grocery list and the menu posted in the kitchen. I have decided to change it monthly rather than seasonally since we were running out of the types of meats used.

Household cleaning: These plans are written on paper and clipped on the clipboard. I wrote down what chores should be done each day on six different sheets of paper (Mon-Sat), similar to Motivated Moms (see sidebar for lists). These are just the basics. No, it doesn't always happen. I am in survival mode right now with so many little ones. I'm not going to worry about washing curtains, dusting ceiling fans, etc. until spring cleaning days (maybe). If you keep your ceiling fans running no one will notice the dust.

Laundry: After uncountable laundry "systems" I may have found the one that works for us. If I did, the feeling of delight in my heart could be compared to those who rejoiced at discovering how to land on the moon. I'll let you know.

Finally, my favorite plans for the year includes a month by month/room by room overhaul. There is no hurry and each room has an entire month. Its part of my Home Sweet Home Challenge. I'm very excited about my monthly goal and my home will be wonderfully decluttered, repaired, and lovely. If this proves to be a good thing I will repeat it every year since there are bound to be new piles, new drywall holes (yes, holes-don't you have them?), and added touches needed.

And now for the wonderful posts from these lovely ladies. 

Mary Ann has a lovely "Home Management Binder." She has done a nice job of combining practical ideas in her binders with creative touches. I like the idea of her sticker collage since stickers are much enjoyed here but I never know what to do with them.

Heidi has many links to things she is working on in all areas of her life. I thought it was lovely that she was wanting to "get to know Mary better" and made that a goal. She has also targeted a child's behavior to work on this year (very smart).

Elizabeth has been thinking about the best ways to do things which always benefits us all. I'm always learning from her. Besides having many links to great ideas, she has the best menu plan ever! It works nicely for us and we're in the third season now. You'll smile at its simplicity!

Dawn has given us her various routines, which I always enjoy reading. One idea of hers I especially like is to make Themes and Plans for each month in all aspects of life. This would help a mother see what's ahead and thus you wouldn't be caught by surprise.

Cheryl has a great collection of yearly plans. Wow! I am so impressed! Her binder would also serve as a journal of sorts where you could look back and see how far you have come. This year is different for her, however. Feeling challenged, Cheryl's faith is wonderfully expressed in her post.

Rachel has Simple and Beautiful as a theme this year. She has a plan to make this happen in her home. I especially like her idea of creating good habits (she mentions laundry). And she reminds us that planning can simplify our lives. 

Theresa shows us her complete "Home Management Journal" which is a delight to the eye. Included is a list of ideas for breakfast which is much needed here at my house. I know what list I'm making next!

Marjorie gives us a wonderful post on Constancy. "Take your vacation in heaven" is great advice. Her words are ones that I will revisit often since they are rich indeed. Very inspirational!

Ouiz tells us how she has restructured her school year. It looks like a great plan full of enjoyable and educational ideas. She has also written about a total overhaul in her home (with her husband's help-how great!). I enjoyed reading about her success.

Eileen has found a "simple, stress-free routine" that suits her laid-back way. Her senses of humor and committment to family makes her post enjoyable.

Mary Ellen is planning to be organized this year. She bought one of Michele's lovely planners and has many ideas on how she uses it very effectively. She also includes her housekeeping routine which I thought was great since I also live in a fairly small house.

Jessica gives us her lovely menu plan ideas. I might have to try that Brown Rice Vegetable Casserole since her kids ate it! She has a very nice post.

Kirsten has shown us her "command central." A central place when everything is located reagrding planning is a great idea!

Colleen has great wisdom, don't miss this. 

Thanks to everyone for their contributions!

God bless your efforts, ladies (and that's for you readers, too!)

Comments

[Colleen]

You can find a late addition at my blog...sorry, life took over today!

[Dawn]

Beautiful, Sarah! Simply beautiful!! I cannot wait to peruse all these links later today! Thanks for all your hard work. :)

[Eileen]

Thanks for doing this, Sarah! I look forward to reading everyone else's posts.

[Donna]

Very nicely done, Sarah! Waiting for a few quiet moments to re-read through, carefully taking notes :-)

[randi]

I am glad that I found your blog today as I am looking forward to all of these links! Thanks!

[Colleen]

Thanks for being a gracious hostess, Sarah. I pray for you every morning when I say my Memorare.

[Kirsten]

Hi, I have a post on my blog about my new desk area in my kitchen. I LOVE it! I feel so organized and am continuing on through the rest of the house (slowly). Sarah, Thanks for hosting. I am sure this is a BIG job getting all the posts together. You did a great job.
With the Love of Christ,
Kirsten

[Annette]

Thank you so much for compiling these. I look forward to reading them!

[Theresa ♥]

Sarah, I like how you've used the clipboard to work for you.

Thank you again for all the hard work of putting this together.

God bless,
Theresa

[Ouiz]

Thank you for doing such a great job compiling all this! I loved reading all the posts!

[Kathryn]

Thank you Sarah - I've enjoyed reading through all the posts.

[Sarah]

Great posts Sarah (and a great name too!) I'm sorry that I didn't participate . . . but next time definitely!

Have a blessed weekend!