Keeping it all together…. Most days I feel like I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Not a pretty picture for sure!
I really don’t know how mom’s who work full time manage to do it all. I’m guessing they’re a bit like me and they don’t, some things just have to give. 🙂
I’ve considered giving up blogging but there are two reasons I don’t, actually there are a lot more than that, but anyway. The first reason is the simple fact that I love writing, but that isn’t enough to make me keep going. The second reason is my goal to be a stay at home/work at home mom, and blogging is getting me closer to that goal.
As well, I cannot quit working as a nanny, even if I wanted to. So, how do I stay organized and semi on top of it all?
A planner. Anyone who has found a favorite planner can tell you it’s their life-saver, the only way they don’t forget everything. I am the same way. I’ve found a planner that I love, and use it to stay organized.
Keeping it all Together with the Homemaker’s Friend:
This planner is called The Homemaker’s Friend and is designed especially for the housewife. Regardless of who it was designed for, I use it a lot for blogging too.
I was sent a new planner for 2015 in exchange for a review (just so you know), however I’m going to show you my 2014 one that I’ve used all year. They are the same layout, and this way you can see just how well it works when it comes to keeping it all together. 🙂
First off, thumb tabs make it incredibly easy to find what section I need at a glance. There are sections for year, months, weeks, tasks, projects, info and shopping.
The months section is an easy way to quickly see what’s going on. I use mine almost exclusively for blogging. Here you get a sneak peak at the agenda for next month. 🙂
This is the weekly planner. Hands down my favorite part. The tasks section is a great place to make note of things that need done that week. The daily sections are where I list appointments, blog posts, and where I’m cleaning that week (I still have two outside cleaning jobs). There are also sections each day where you can meal plan (I am horrible at meal planning and almost never use them, however I like the idea.
Other things I like are the dog-ear marks in the top right corner, folding down each week when it’s through is a great way to easily find the right week. The calendar view of the week and weekly scripture verses also make up this page.
The shopping section is comprised of perforated shopping lists that are well… amazing!
In the back of the planner you find a page with pockets. Perfect for keeping notes and stuff that would otherwise get lost in one’s purse.
2 years ago, I was contacted by the creator of this planner and asked to publish a review. I responded by saying I didn’t think I was a good person to review the planner because I had tried using planners in the past and didn’t like them. However she believed enough in her planner to encourage me to try it.
I’m so glad I did! My mom also uses this planner and loves it. I’m sure you will love it too! The Homemaker’s Friend sells for $13.99, however readers of A Proverbs 31 Wife can get it for $12.99 when you visit the Homemaker’s Friend here.
Now… Who wants a giveaway?! Enter below and good luck!
Su says
October 28, 2014 at 4:49 amI like the fact that the pages have large spaces(it looks like) for me to make my lists. thx
lemon says
October 28, 2014 at 6:41 amI would definitely appreciate the month at a glance pages. And the meal planning pages. And the shopping list pages, too.
Kendra says
October 28, 2014 at 9:48 amSounds like you would like it all!
Casey norris says
October 28, 2014 at 8:45 amI love the idea of a planner! As a SAHM of a baby and a toddler I need all the organizing help I can get!
samantha says
October 28, 2014 at 8:54 amI can not make thru without a planner, I would love to try this one!
Carrie says
October 28, 2014 at 9:12 amI love using a planner – I can sometimes use my phone, but I prefer to have an actual, tangible object to sit down and plan with. I really like the idea of having a section for meal planning & a section for shopping lists because that might actually help me keep up with my meal planning!
audria says
October 28, 2014 at 10:24 amLooks like a wonderful and simple planner.
Jenell says
October 28, 2014 at 11:04 amI have used one of these and love the perforated shopping lists!
Thalia Miller says
October 28, 2014 at 12:12 pmI’ve not been as organized as I used to be since we moved. So I’d probably do best with the weekly section to keep my to do list as well as grocery lists. That’s how I used to keep it together (with lists) before we downsized. Thanks for the contest. 🙂
Tam says
October 28, 2014 at 1:18 pmI am all about lists and planning. Would like to try one of these! Thanks!
Cathi says
October 28, 2014 at 1:22 pmI like the weekly tasks page and how it is arranged.
Victoria says
October 28, 2014 at 3:39 pmI think I would like the whole planner lol!! Especially the week at a glance feature!
Nicki Schroeder says
October 29, 2014 at 8:09 amThis looks like a great planner. Is it heavy? I tried to email Sue to see if I could get a few to give away, but the contact form didn’t work. Bummer. Looks like a great planner though, I’m glad it’s worked for you. I have bought a planner every year for at least the past five years, but I always abandon them after a few weeks. Maybe I’m not a planner person…or maybe I just haven’t found the right one!
Kendra says
October 29, 2014 at 10:15 amIt isn’t heavy at all! It’s a nice size, but not bulky at all.
Kimberly R says
October 31, 2014 at 9:43 amI like how I can write down my bills each month on the monthly calendar and keep the bills in the back in the planner in the little pocket. I also love the pages in the back to write down important information like phone numbers and lists. That way I’m not writing on pieces of paper and loosing them 🙂
MaryAnn says
November 1, 2014 at 2:52 pmI like the menu planning part
Dominique says
November 1, 2014 at 5:03 pmI love that it’s got pockets, too! Super nice to be able to keep everything together
Rebecca says
November 1, 2014 at 5:06 pmI love all of the spaces to write things in!
Michelle J. says
November 1, 2014 at 9:43 pmI like the perforated shopping lists.
Gretta says
November 1, 2014 at 10:18 pmI love the Month at a glance page too because that way I can see what the entire month looks like as well as have the day-to-day pages to keep track of appointments, blog posts, etc.
miranda says
November 1, 2014 at 11:48 pmI like the way it’s organized
Danalee Davis says
November 2, 2014 at 1:27 amI like everything about it. I need help in the organizing department.
Darren Parks says
November 2, 2014 at 1:53 amThis is for my wife and she would use the date book feature most extensively. She’s been asking me for a book like this for a while now.
sarah buki says
November 2, 2014 at 12:46 pmthe shopping list that pulls out!
wen budro says
November 2, 2014 at 4:42 pmUgh….I need help getting organized. My favorite feature is the month at a glance and the shopping list….very helpful.
Lisa says
November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pmI love the concept of having everything in one place–instead of lots of random lists all over the place. The pocket to hold the notes looks really helpful too–I’m always losing my lists!
Maarja says
November 2, 2014 at 6:26 pmI love the shopping list that’s included!
Connie Lee says
November 2, 2014 at 9:13 pmI like the daily planner part and the other parts as much. This would help me keep up with lots of things.
Mandy Kauffman says
November 2, 2014 at 10:27 pmI would love the weekly planner and the task lists. Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
gary says
November 2, 2014 at 10:41 pmI like the month at a glance
Kim Reid says
November 3, 2014 at 12:02 amMy favorite is the daily section where I can log my different activities for each day, thanks!
rebecca day says
November 3, 2014 at 4:06 amI like the weekly tasks pages
R says
November 3, 2014 at 10:06 amI’ve used this planner for the first time this year and definitely want to get another for next year. The part I like best is the weekly tasks. But I love being able to see the whole year and any big events in it at a glance. It really helps me keep my busy life together!
Diana Stanhope says
November 3, 2014 at 10:10 amI like that is has a pocket my planners always ends up with scraps falling out.
Ashley Gebauer says
November 3, 2014 at 10:52 amI like the pocket folder… good for putting important coupons and appointment card and such.
Michelle says
November 3, 2014 at 3:12 pmThe page with pockets is my favorite part- I always have random papers hanging out of my planner!
megan tilley says
November 3, 2014 at 3:20 pmI like the large pages so I have plenty of room to write!
liz l says
November 3, 2014 at 5:28 pmI think the month at a glance. I run so seeing races all at once is great
Maria Gagliano says
November 3, 2014 at 7:58 pmI like the pockets. I need a place to store things
Kristie D. says
November 3, 2014 at 11:47 pmI would love the weekly planner part and the pocket. I schedule rides 5 days a week and this could help me keep track. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
cindy jones says
November 4, 2014 at 8:39 pmI like the tabs on the side, makes it easier to find what you are looking for.
michelle Parker says
November 5, 2014 at 4:06 amI like planner it has it all including pockets. Thank you for this giveaway.
Connie Tillman says
November 5, 2014 at 8:06 amI like the large spaces – I write kind of big — I love planners! This one looks pretty cool!
Marnie Ward says
November 5, 2014 at 10:17 amI like a lot of things about the planner but most of all I like the page with the pockets. I am always finding receipts and notes in my purse or by the phone and the pocket page is the perfect place to put all the misc. stuff you need but don’t have the perfect place to keep it. The pocket really helps you keep organized.
Shelley C says
November 5, 2014 at 12:14 pmWow, it all sounds perfect, how to pick??? I’d like the week at a glace & the shopping lists. Thanks
Jessica H says
November 5, 2014 at 1:34 pmI like the pockets
Crystal Rose says
November 5, 2014 at 3:00 pmI like that this planner comes with pockets.
Nicole Lancaster says
November 5, 2014 at 3:56 pmI like the pages with the pockets feature the most on the planner.
Jennifer Morris says
November 5, 2014 at 6:09 pmThe pockets to keep little notes or receipts in!
Wendy T says
November 5, 2014 at 7:31 pmI love the perforated shopping lists in this planner!
Sherri J says
November 6, 2014 at 12:01 amI like the idea of keeping up with my bills.