Brain Contained

For the second half of March I worked and slaved over my six (what was I thinking!) different household binders.  I had one for basic stuff, the girls, budgetting/financing, birthdays & holidays, the blog and a personal development one for me.


Let that sink in for a minute.


Do you see the problem?

I had to look through FOUR different binders last week when I was updating my calendar.  I wasn't even done the system yet and it was in need of major tweaking.

So when Jen posted the challenge link I pored through the links posted.  Heaving a deep sigh, I took my carefully arranged and organized binders and dumped.them.all.out.

Pardon the blurriness. I really need to find my camera's manual.

Here's the basic one now;

Calendar; previous months, auto maintenance log*, important dates*

Gift Giving; gift wish list**, gift giving log*

Schedule; basic weekly plan, prepare for tomorrow, Frog, Turtle & Mommy routine sheets

Frog; data sheet, clothing inventory

Turtle (& ADD); data sheet, clothing inventory, chore & reward system, some basic ADD information on routines and behavioural techniques

Cleaning; home maintenance checklist*, minimum maintenance***

Menu Planning; basic weekly menu (seasonal), master meal list, favourite meals**, recipe inventory**, chillin' in the freezer, hangin' out in the pantry, Canada's food guide copy, Eating Routine for Young Children, Turtle's list of ok school foods

Medical; doctor visits log, dentist visits log, medications log, Frog immunizations record, Turtle immunizations record

Bills; finance checklist*, basic budget, +/- tracking (savings, budget, expenses, groceries, eating out and purchases), debt repayment worksheet**, savings fund**, FACE worksheet, money & finance master goals**

Contacts; emergency phone list**, medical professionals**

Now that I've finally assembled it into making some sort of sense, I can't wait to start using it.

Have you created a home binder or redone your current one lately?

*Jen's printables

**from Michelle's Value Pack

**Rachel's lovely idea

Happy Birthday baby girl!

One year ago you were exactly one hour old. 8:09 I heard your first cry, then "It's a girl! And she's got red hair!" Funny, those were the first words uttered at your sister's birth too!

This time, though, this time Daddy was able to be there. Stroking my forehead and locking gazes with me. Surgery makes me nervous, doctors make me nervous, pain makes me nervous.  Then the pediatrician set you between us on my arm and we fell in love.

Another girl for your daddy. Little hands and feet and big blue eyes.  You were not impressed by being removed from me. I'm sure you would have been even later than your sister!

Here you were. Here you are. One year later and you have us all wrapped around your gorgeous little fingers, being sucked on, being chewed on, as exuberantly as you suck your thumb.  Growing, gaining, laughing.

I brush your wispy red hair that grows longer every day and marvel that after one gorgeous little girl, I was given another.

So happy birthday baby, here's to the next year of watching you grow, gain and laugh.

Love,
your Mommy