Each Day Is a Blank Piece of Paper

Do you ever have those days that you look at a blank page of paper and can see the endless possibilities presented by such a beautifully clean piece of paper?  I feel like that about notebook paper, I feel like that about canvas's, I am even starting to feel that way about computer screens with graphic design.  Now if only . . . I could think that way about each day!

 

no scribbles

 

I never really realized it before, but we have so much control over how our day goes and how we look at it.  So many times, I look at the day before me casting a shadow across the day from the previous day.  I let all the things that were weighing me down from the prior day mess up the day in which I'm living!  I'm not sure about you, but that seems like a bad idea to me.  Each morning is truly a blank piece of paper, why let it get scribbled on before we've even had a chance to live our story?

 

ink marks mid-page

 

Even more than just another day scribbling on the current day, my days become affected by things that go wrong, crazy, or just weird.  Like when crazy Italian driver that cuts me off on the road, when my coffee that doesn't turn out right (though that one is hard to get over . . . ), or when my son chooses that day to go bonkers, all these types things can make our outlook go from positive straight into the pits.  For me, I'm a quick drive to negative thinking.  However, why let everything get under my skin?  Why allow my entire day to be affected poorly by small annoying parts of my day?  It's as if the blank piece of paper is being written on with a great story then a bad part comes along and the whole rest of the story is just an awful read.  I don't want my story to be an awful read!

 

who thinks? you thinks

 

We are in control of what we think which controls our attitude and our emotions.  If I want to have a good day, then I keep thinking on the good parts.  Many times as a woman I think that I'm just at the mercy of my emotions.  It's so easy to just act like my anger just happens; my frustration is just a natural reaction from my circumstances; I'll explode if you push the wrong buttons.  Honestly, that's a bunch of bull.  How I act is directly related to how I think and I'm in charge of both.  A bad attitude doesn't just happen, we choose to have a rotten attitude.  Ouch, right?

 

back on track

 

Upon my realization that I choose my attitude and my thoughts, I began to think about how I can stop the cycle once the cycle has started for the day.  It's not like I wake up in the morning thinking, "Jee, I think I'll have a negative day today and treat my family badly and not get anything done."  Normally, I let one thing after another affect me until I'm a pile of rubble useful for . . . just about nothing.  I have two verses that I've found that make me think that God has a plan for this.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2 NIV 84).

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Philippians 4:8 ESV).

What is the pattern of this world?  I mean look at the media.  We feed ourselves with news garbage like lust, murders, deception (politics), and fear.  God says to not conform to this pattern, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  His will is not having our mind embrace filth, bad attitudes, and thoughts, but to embrace what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and things worthy of praise.

 

So in the middle of a bad day with a bad attitude brought on by bad thoughts, what do we do?  Grab hold of God and take control of our thoughts for Him.  Think on all that is true, honorable, just, etc. and take our minds back to the throneroom of God!  Remember the verse, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30 NIV 84).  Intentionally love God with all of your mind!  Take it back!  Embrace your blank piece of paper and allow God to write his story in your life today.  God bless!

 

 

 

 

 

Home Binder Cover | Designing Life Etsy Shop

How to Make a Household Management Binder



Putting together a household management binder is as easy as you make it!  Get the right supplies, find the right printables, and you can be in business in less than a week.

I'll help you find the right:

home binder, binder dividers, home binder sheet protectors, and well designed printables

The Binder

While it may be obvious with the title "Household Management Binder," but I will repeat, you need a binder.  You may want to start with one 1" binder and expand to a 2" or you can make multiple binders to suit your many household needs.  The typical Home Management Binder is home to calendars, schedules, meal planning, cleaning lists, grocery lists, addresses, passwords, babysitter’s instructions, and many more pre-planning worksheets and lists.

Here are four things to look for when buying your binder:

1.  Buy a binder that will grow with your planning
2.  Find a binder with an outer clear pocket so you can label the binder clearly
3.  Buy the sturdiest binder you can find
4.  Go with a binder that will hold a 8 1/2" by 11" sheet of paper and sheet protectors

My Amazon Finds - Binders

                        

Dividers for Each Section

In addition to a binder, it is helpful to have dividers for each section in your household management notebook.  If you are only going to use it for meal planning and cleaning schedules, then you may want to buy dividers to separate your current meal planning sheets, past meal planning sheets (great for referencing), your cleaning schedules, and any cleaning checklists or shopping lists you may have.  You can even throw in a divider for your couponing.  Buy as many dividers as you have sections for your family’s binder.

Here are four things to look for when buying dividers:

1.  Buy dividers with large tabs, nothings worse than not being able to read your own tab
2.  Go with tabs that you write directly onto, the tab inserts can get lost on the others
3.  Look for brightly colored dividers to make each section stand out
4.  Again, durability is important; you may use some of your sections daily

My Amazon Finds - Dividers

                         

Sheet Protectors

Some of your organizational printables will not be written on often, but are frequently used for reference.  You may want to buy sheet protectors to keep these sheets looking great all year long.  Yearly Calendars, Important Date sheets, and Ideal Weekly Schedules are some printable home management sheets that you may want to keep in sheet protectors.

Here are four things to look for when buying sheet protectors:

1.  Choose a plastic sheet protector that has a clear surface without texture

2.  Spend a little for sheet protectors that are higher in quality

3.  Pay attention to how wide the sheet protectors are for your binder

4.  Find a package with the right amount; the more you buy the less expensive they are

My Amazon Finds – Sheet Protectors

                         

Printable Household Management Pages

The point of having a household management binder is to have all of your home organizational planning accessible by flipping open a binder and easily finding the right section with just the right printable.  We have the binder and the ability to easily access the right section, but what of the right printable?  How do you find the right printable for you and your household?

Here are four things to look for when buying printables:

1.  Find printables that will help you save time by planning ahead

2.  Buy printable with an attractive design that will encourage you in your planning

3.  Look for printables that you will actually use; all printables won't be a perfect fit for you

4.  Mix and match, remember that there are many printable designers with great sheets

My Etsy Finds – Printables

Designing Life Etsy Shop – www.designinglife.etsy.com  (again, I’m partial!)

I Heart Organizing – www.iheartorganizing.etsy.com
Clean Mama – www.cleanmamaprintables.etsy.com
Fresh and Organized – www.FreshandOrganized.etsy.com

Note: Let's be honest.  These days, you can find so many printable resources online for free.  However, not all that glitters is gold.  Consider supporting small businesses who have spent meticulous hours in preparing PDF files that are perfect not just bloggers who are putting out quickly prepared printables in order to gain traffic.

Hole Puncher

After you begin your search for the best printables for your home organization binder, you will realize that you really need a dependable hole puncher.  I have two hole punchers, one for my computer area and one for my craft area.

Here are four things to look for when buying a hole puncher:

1.  Buy a hole puncher that punches all three holes at the same time

2.  Go for the sturdiest hole puncher you can find

3.  Make sure the paper hole compartment at the bottom of the puncher stays on securely

4.  Find a hole puncher that can easily punch holes in multiple sheets at a time

My Amazon Finds – Hole Puncher

                         

Perfect Pens

While most people just grab a pen and start writing, I think it is a great idea to think about what kind of pens are best for writing on your new printables.  Certain pens have ink that will bleed through to the next page, some will fade over time, and some do not leave the mark you intend to make on the page.  So really, the pen matters a lot!

Here are four things to look for when buying a pen:

1.  Leave the felt tips, the permanent sharpies, and the runny pens at the store

2.  Use a high quality ball tip pens for simple writing tasks

3.  For yearly sheets that you will use for reference, consider scrapbook quality pens

4.  Try out the pens at the store and find one that makes solid and obvious lines

My Amazon Finds – Pens

                                        

                                                 

Compilation of Tools

I hope this blog is a wonderful resource for you to help you to find the right tools for making your household management binder.  Trust me, if you find the time to put together a home organization / household management binder, you will be finding time in so many more places!  Enjoy designing your life!

Brooke Shambley of Designing Life

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