Home-keeping Keeps "Home" Happy, Part II

What Goes In Your Home Directory Notebook

Yesterday I promised that I’d post a list of the categories I have in my Home Directory notebook.    Categories for YOUR home directory notebook will probably not be exactly the same as mine.  In fact, they better NOT be!   Really…they should be tailored to the specific needs of your family.   For example, when we lived on a farm, I had a category called Livestock in which I listed animal feed rations, cattle records, and vets.   I had another one with the names of farmers from whom we bought hay.     So, please CUSTOMIZE your list!

Here's a customization I did recently.   

Since we’ve moved to West Virginia, near Washington DC, I’m adding a new category (actually a separate section) to our notebook called Sight-Seeing.   Back when we lived in Wisconsin (on that little farm I mentioned) we didn’t have TIME to go gallivanting.  But now we’re renting and have fewer home-owner responsibilities, so we’re making the most of it!   

The number of cool places to go around here is amazing:   historical, artsy, outdoorsy, cultural, biological and a slew of others!   Dear Hubby asked on Thursday or Friday “Where do you want to go this weekend?”  I had no idea—I mean the possibilities were practically endless.    

However.   Before the end of our second week here, Darling Daughter and I headed to the library (new library cards!!!) where I found a book with a listing of places on the eastern seaboard and DC-area.   Whoohoo!   From that list, I compiled potential sight-seeing destinations, sorted by state and localities.  Using the Excell spreadsheet program on our computer, I added columns to note entry fees, days & hours of operation, special passes needed, and which Metro line to take and the stop near the destination.   

Further customizations include a separate section to include recommendations from our friends.   Our Sight-Seeing list will be an on-going travel journal and a great resource for our out-of-town guests to plan trips into The City and the nearby attractions.   Now when Dear Hub asks that question, we pull out our handy-dandy Sight-Seeing list. 

So, your categories need to reflect your family (not mine—even though I’m sure you’d enjoy visiting us!).   Use these ideas for a springboard.   Don’t be a slave!

A QUICK EXPLANATION

Of all the categories listed below, the only one that is always in the same position is the Utilities & Household (because I use that one the most).  And it's listed first, on the first page--easy access!   When I update the notebook, categories sometimes get rejuvenated, so they fit on the pages neatly.     

Also I try to keep things together that “go together.”  For example, kid stuff like sports or school goes on one page together.   Coaches’ names or school things.   Clubs and leaders.  The “boring” stuff (like insurance and banking) goes on one page together.    All the utility stuff is grouped under Household.  

Here’s another example from our notebook—just to give you ideas—these are all from the category I call “Utility & Household Info.”    Also notice, under library, I’ve used a smaller font, to fit it all in within the column without squishing it too much.

Hospital – Martinsburg                                                                 

                City Hospital – Dry Run Rd                     304-264-xxxx   

Internet & Television – Satellite                           800-825-xxxx  

Comcast                                                                      304-725-xxxx

302 N. Mildred Street, Ranson WV 25438 

Library     Berkeley County PL                               304-267-xxxx

                101 W. King Street

                                M – T – Th ~ 9:00 – 9:00       

W – F –  Sa ~ 9:00 – 5:00       Su   ~ 1:00 – 5:00  

Shepherdstown PL                                       304-876-xxxx

100 E. German Street, Shep’town

                  Mon – Thur ~ 10:00 – 7:00

                  Sat ~ 9:00 – 1:00     Fri & Sat ~ closed

Nick –     (card numbers)

Deb –      xxxxxxxxx

Lis –        xxxxxxxxx        

Lawyer   Mr. XXXXXX                                    608-XXX-XXXX

ALRIGHT ALREADY!   HERE ARE THE CATEGORIES!!

Utilities & Household Info ~ contact info for all service provider names & phone numbers for cell-phone, electric, floral, hospital, internet & television/satellite, library [hours & days open, too; library card numbers], lawyer, City offices, utilities, landlord, appliance recycling & parts, transportation, postal & delivery, State offices like DMV and Education.

 Neighbors’ ~ names & contact info (include addresses & direction where they live from your house—I figure this is more of “emergency” information).

Insurance ~ Life, Auto, Health, Homeowners (including agent name & contact info and corporate info, account / policy numbers & coverage, contact info, make & VIN on vehicles)

Church - pastor & church council contact info (membership directory is filed in another section of the notebook)

Banking – various accounts (checking, saving, mutual funds, money market, retirement; contact info for our agents; account numbers)

Medical – contact info for chiropractor, dentist, medical, orthodontist, family practice, optometrist; include hours & days open; names of nurses who triage or screen their doctors’ calls

Education – homeschooling group contact info, names of teachers & their contact info, home-room teachers’ names, names & contact info for any special groups or clubs; locker numbers & combinations; children’s school and sports schedules are filed in another section of the notebook.

Sports / Clubs – team coach contact info (team rosters & phone numbers in back section with game schedules)

Animals – pet names with birth date, surgeries & shots, meds, vet’s name & contact info

Periodicals & Newspapers – titles of subscriptions, renewal or expiration dates (number of issues), account numbers, Direct Marketing Association and Publisher’s Clearinghouse (assist with forwarding mail on subscriptions)

Government / Politics – Federal and State lawmakers contact info (note party affiliations, local offices); legislative hotlines and Congressional Switchboard phone numbers; party contacts

Miscellaneous – cellphone passwords, social security account numbers, drivers’ license numbers, home paint color brand names & numbers, telemarketing “No Call” list & renewal dates, road conditions (State Patrol), Department of Tourism for our state.

Stuff ~ a list of major and small appliances owned, date purchased or received, make, model, serial number, and any “parts” information. Once you compile a list like this (it takes a bit of time to do), you only need to update it when you get rid of or add something new to the household (this list ends up being the one that is the most “work”—tracking down info—so save this one til last). This list will probably take up a whole page. But it makes a great inventory, and you can keep a copy in your safe deposit box at the bank—then if anything drastic happens… Well, then you have a list to file with your insurance provider. Train yourself to update this list each time you bring a new appliance or “toy” into the house. A new DVD-player? A bike? An iTouch? Computer? Write it down!

I hope that's enough to get  you started!    Work on one section at a time or for a set period of time (say 15 - 30 minutes while the kids are napping).    Remember to SAVE your info--and save/file it in an area on your computer where YOU will be able to find it again when you need to make an update.

Tomorrow I’ll share a list of other items you may wish to keep filed in your Household Notebook.   

Til then, Dear Friend, think on these words from the book of Proverbs, ascribed to Solomon, and let the wisdom pour over your heart and soul!

My son [or daughter], if you accept my words 

and store up my commands within you, 

turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 

and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 

and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 

then you will understand the fear of the LORD 

and find the knowledge of God.      

~ Proverbs 2:1-5

Home-keeping Keeps ""Home Happy

Organizing Things At Home

Since our recent move to West Virginia, I’ve been busy with many things, getting our new home running efficiently.   My most recent project has involved my “old friend” named The {Family Name} Home Directory & Household Management Book.   

This notebook is the “brain” of my household, has been in constant use for about three decades now, and contains all our important information in one easy-to-use location.   With a busy household like ours, having all the info consolidated in one place has saved me HOURS of time.   The homeroom teacher’s phone number or the softball coach’s address—right there at my fingertips!  I love not digging through our files looking for an obscure account or phone number.  

With moving to a new state, of course, ALL of our “local” information has changed as well as our auto and health insurance.   So I’m in the middle of a major overhaul on our notebook—almost like starting from scratch.  Putting a home directory notebook together requires some effort on the front end of the deal.  But after that, it’s just a matter of keeping it updated—and that’s only needed when you can’t stand the messy notes in the margins anymore!    

GETTING STARTED IS THE EASY PART

Gather the materials.   In fact, you probably have most of what you need already available.    Here are the main ingredients: 

          a three-ring binder (I prefer white with a clear cover)

          a nice piece of 8.5 x 11 stationery (copy paper will work) for the cover page

          copy paper (white or colors, speckles, whatever) for inside pages

          tabbed dividers, semi-optional…to keep things organized

          page protectors, optional… to keep things neat & clean

Get some pretty stationery or scrapbook paper from your local craft store for the front cover.  A sheet might cost you 50-cents—go ahead and splurge.    Themed with your home décor you’ll think you’re something special every time you use it!   Give yourself permission to buy nicer paper for the inside pages.  I used white stuff with speckles in it one year, and creamy ivory another year.   I felt like a real CEO—a home executive, that is!  

THE HARDEST PART

Gather the information that you’ll keep in this book.   Locate your utility bills, bank statements, school calendars, team rosters, phone books, and websites (etc).   Lots of the things posted on your fridge are great sources.   

Then, using your computer, type up a document using the documents you’ve gathered from your files and your desk and the fridge.    Use underline and bold format options to organize the info.   Then arrange in two columns (sort of like a phone book or a dictionary) so your listing doesn’t waste space on the paper.   Mine looks like this: 

Medical

Chiropractor                                                                989-XXXX

                Dr. Brian Brost, Blair

Dentist                                                                                             .                       

                Dr. Kevin Cook, LaCrosse           1-608-782-XXXX

                Dr. Bill Baxa, Independence                  985-XXXX

Notice I’ve formatted the category heading in a larger fancy font (“shadow” format) so it stands out, and is EASY to locate when I’m on the phone (distracted) or in a hurry.   I also enter the names either in order of how much we use them or in alphabetical order (with the city location).  All of this expedites retrieval.    Multiple entries are listed separately like the one for our dentists.   Include account numbers in this area, too, if you like.

MORE ON FORMATTING YOUR DOCUMENT

Leave a one-inch margin around the edges, plus some “white-space” between categories because it’s visually pleasing and makes locating info easier.   I like mine to be justified on the right margin—rather than ragged.

Also when entry info has changed, or when I learn the doctor’s assistant’s name—while I’m still on the phone with the agent or appointment desk (I actually say something like “could you hold for a moment so I can update my files?”—and they always are polite about it!), I pull the page out of the protector, jot the new number or name in the margin near the entry (using arrows and stars to make sure it’s noticeable).  Then the next time I make a call or when I update the directory (yearly), the info is right where I need it.  

BEFORE HITTING “PRINT”

Proof-read and double-check details.    Clean up the margins (if that sort of thing bothers you).     Add some clip-art if you like that sort of thing.    Add a frame around the page.   Whatever you like---it’s your book!

Once printed, insert the new sheets into page protectors (back to back), then into the three-ring binder.   Page protectors keep the papers neat.   If you don’t use page protectors, then just three-hole punch them on the left side of the paper and in they go!  You might want to add hole reinforcements (little white stickers that encircle the punched-hole).   

Yes, it was that easy.

SAVING THE DIRECTORY

Because you’re going to update this thing from time-to-time, make SURE—when you go to save it—that you give it a name that you’ll remember!   One folder in the word processing section on our computer is called “Deb’s Stuff.”   Within that folder, among other things, is one that’s called “Home Organizer Notebook.”   This is where I file my Home Directory Notebook document as well as a slew of other documents that go in my notebook!     More on that another time.

Tomorrow I’ll post the various categories within my Home Directory Notebook.   So check back for that.

In the meantime:  here is  verse or two from Proverbs 31, to remind you of WHY doing this is part of your job description as a wife and mother:

“A wife of noble character—who can find?  …. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value….She sets about her work vigorously.…She sees that her trading is profitable….She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.   She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness….her husband…praises her.”