Little Notebooks

My daughter bought me this three volume set of little journals last Mother's Day. I've just started to dive into them, using the first volume, to jot down some plans, target dates, the lists of life stuff. I'm happy to be using the notebooks given to me by her as I think writing thoughts and ideas in a gift will motivate me more to action than just a random notebook. It has a unique little format, starting with the outside, with each volume being label Chapter 1, 2, and 3. I like how the inside has the months across, then numbers 1-31, so you merely circle the month, then date, and have a journal type entry. Pretty clever, and I've not seen one like that before.

Then, I have started fresh with this notebook. It was a freebie from one of the blogger vendors at the MN Blogger's conference in October. Note the front says, "Measure What Matter's." Ironic in that this is part of a quote I have always used in the work place since my job focuses a lot on data and analysis. "Because what gets done is what is measured, be sure to measure what matters most." I'm not using it for anything so profound, but did use it to do a freezer, fridge, and pantry inventory, plus a week meal plan. Since my overage in excessive amounts in December, I am driven to bring January grocery and household spending to a pittance, and avoid waste. I filled two pages with my inventory. I made a "what's needed" grocery list that should bring my weekly shop to under $30, most being fruit and veg. I plan to make a note in this notebook as to any left overs, and corresponding portion size. I think that will add to my tool kit to reduce food waste because as I menu plan, or cook off the menu plan, I'll know what is available to either bring into another week's menu, or use up for my work lunches, DH's lunches when he comes home, and quick reheat suppers when DD2 has to be fed fast.

While I admire those that can meal plan then cook everything from scratch, this is not me. I leave the house by 6:40 each morning, and usually am not into town until 6:00 p.m. Add the nightly running and I may be left with less than two hours (If I'd like to be in bed by 11:00), to fit household maintenance in. I'll use the second notebook to jot down things to remember, grocery items we've run out of and are needed, and note when I've stocked up on a convenience food that is particularly useful, how much, at what price, and where purchased so I can get an idea of when the next likely stock up sale will happen. This will also help me remember when I've bought something so I don't waste money buying more than we can really store. Stock up, yes, stock pile, probably not for me, unless something drastically changes in my whole organizational capacity. I will use my Friday's off though to make hearty soups and baking, from scratch, and with extras.

My little notebooks will be a new, or variation of tools, to help manage the fresh year ahead of me. They are small and fit in any of my purses, so easy to transfer from bag to bag. I need something right under my nose, so this method seems like it will have merit.