Tuesday, January 3, 2017

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. 


19 comments:

  1. I'm a big fan of writing things down and list making. It's so rewarding to tick things off. x

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    1. I will add mundane actions to be sure I get a few ticks.

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  2. Ooooooh I love those notebooks! I am such a hoarder of notebooks and paper in general. You have a good plan in place. I was the same when I taught - I had so little time left at the end of each day I didn't want to spend it all in the kitchen. Now that I've retired I find I really enjoy cooking and trying new recipes - I never really thought that would happen!

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    1. I think making note of successful recipes will be done in the journal one. The end of day is still hectic.

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  3. I think Notebooks are a great little addiction to have - much cheaper than shoes and really rewarding when you tick off all the jobs on the lists! Jx

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    1. I'm starting new ones but then set aside so hope these small ones are handier. Yes. Cheaper than shoes.

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  4. Ditto! Love writing things down & checking things off. It makes the tasks feel much more productive!

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    1. Essential tool for managing the kitchen. It's so easy to forget what is already there.

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  5. Love how you are working these notebooks to suit your needs! There is something almost magical about a new notebook at the beginning of a new year! Do you know where your daughter picked up those adorable notebooks for you? They look like something right up my alley! =)

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    1. Since in May, she was only at her job a couple months, I'm going to guess maybe the Dollar Tree? She had a knack for finding interesting gifts on a budget.

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  6. I am one of those people who need lists to check off so I understand all kinds of lists and personal prompts.

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    1. I'm hoping something ups my organizational game this year.

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  7. I love a list and reminders! I started using little notebooks this last year. before that I used envelopes, scraps of paper, and consequently never could find anything. Oh, I used full-sized spiral notebooks that were a pain to carry around. In the notebooks, the tiny ones, I now write down every call I make to ATT and the person, date, and time, and result of conversation. Otherwise, ATT has no idea what I am talking about and can never find information. I now put the grocery list in there, too. It works so well.
    practical parsimony

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    1. The big notebooks are good and cheap and I still have them lying around the house. The size of theses are so handy.

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  8. I've always been a journal writer and still find it easier to do this than write my blog. I love gorgeous journals and notebooks and always have one next to me to jot down ideas and thoughts etc. I have one full of blog posts just can't get them onto my blog lol. I've had a couple of new ones for Christmas one of which will chart my progress as I journey through my cook books starting with Nigel Skaters kitchen diarys the other will travel with me on our next trip away. Good luck with how you use yours Sam.

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    1. You could post snap shots from your written journal! I'd like to hear more about your cooking journey.

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    2. Good idea never thought of that although only a few weeks until I go off again so not a lot of cooking for three months. However I do intend to post about the trip on instagram as it's a lot quicker than writing blog posts lol.

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    3. I don't know who that is but guess he's a farm fine chef!

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