How do you plan your days and weeks?

**Lisahas2cats** · 03-01-2009, 09:57 AM

I have never been an organizational whiz. I just kind of do things as they need to happen, usually after procrastinating for an unhealthy amount of time.

Now that DH is laid off, I'm feeling the need for slightly more...structure in our house. We have a couple of things working against us in that our 4 y/o has a chronic illness that's rearing it's ugly head right now, and DH has a chronic illness that generates tons of fatigue and cognitive fog, so we're spending more time than usual putting out metaphorical fires.

BUT, I want to impose some order where I can, and need ideas. How do you all structure your days generally? How about the week? My hope is to get into a general pattern of "running around" one day a week (grocery shopping, errands, etc), cleaning the house one day a week (I hope that once we get it clean, keeping it that way won't be that time consuming, kwim)....that kind of thing.

All ideas appreciated!
Lisa

**HomeschoolMom** · 03-01-2009, 10:43 AM

I'm not a very organized person either. What helps me the most is having a posted schedule for the kids and I to follow.

I also have found that when we do the 15 minute jobs in the job jar that housework is much easier and the house stays clean most of the week, with about an hour or so on Saturday to finish things up.

I'm hoping some really organized diva's post here to help us out.

One thing that does make me feel good is to get my exercise and shower first thing in the morning and then to get a load of laundry started - already I've accomplished a lot and that often gives me incentive to keep going. Otherwise the day seems to get away from me and I don't get much done.

Can't wait for more posts!!!

**Contrary Housewife** · 03-01-2009, 10:45 AM

I do house cleaning on weekdays as needed. I "work" from the time I get up until about 4pm. I do not clean on weekends, I relax with DH. Unless he initiates it and we are doing it together, like clearing the garage or doing yardwork.

I do one shopping day, usually on the weekend unless there is a reason to go during the week. Mostly because we only have one car, but even when I have it, I don't go do extra spending.

After 4pm I start dinner. Since I cook from scratch I usually need an hour or more to either prep all the ingredients or just to get the meal started in time to cook long enough.

In the evenings I relax with DH. Dishes sit until the next morning, unless DH fills the dishwasher.

**thefrug** · 03-01-2009, 12:06 PM

I run errands on friday mornings. All the other days... I don't make plans. When I make any kind of plan, something always comes along to change them. seriously. every time. So I don't bother anymore.
I will be deep cleaning soon. That way it'll stay clean for the warmer months and I can relax in the pool or on the front porch

I'm a total non organized person. I put stuff places where I can "find" them, and then I can't. It's ridiculous.

Guess I'll have to implement a zone plan. Do one section at a time or something. Like, my jewelry box and vanity which it's sitting on. It's a mess. I have so much costume jewelry and it's not organized at all. Crap is all mixed up ( like my seashell pieces for summer are mixed in with my leaves for autumn).

My days start at dawn and go till dark usually. Have to feed the critters and myself. Read the FV ( which is getting out hand people! slow down LMAO!). Clean, pick up, or laundry. Hit the gym, come back and have lunch. Read some more FV ( I know...get a life right? LOL), pick up more crap laying around *sigh* where does it come from? I tell ya! Make supper, get hubby's lunch ready for the next day. Set his coffee pot for morning. Clean up the kitchen, maybe watch a show on tv and crochet and then hit the sack.
In the summer after I clean the kitchen, I'll be in the pool and forget about tv.

I know there are those on here that can help you immensely. Hopefully they'll answer you. Good luck with the hubby and son's conditions.

**Patty A** · 03-01-2009, 12:40 PM

I love the just mommies website for calendars and hints on organization. They have an easy printable calendar, and hints and tips.
Its easy to follow and montly calendars are so nice.
Check it out, its great to help with all the organization that makes things easier.
The printable calendars are about half way down the page.
http://www.justmommies.com/articles/...ation-plan.php

**Trishagirl** · 03-01-2009, 12:59 PM

I'm not very organized either. I usually work around my schedule cause I'm home 4 days and work 3 days so I get my housework done when I'm home then I can relax and know it's done when I have to go to work. I usually know what need to be done so when I do it I mentally check it off my list of things to do. We go grocery shopping on Thursday so Tues. when I'm home I start a grocery list and finish it Thursday after work at 1. On the days that I work dh helps make dinner it's usually something he can handle like hamburgers or hotdogs or pizza etc. It works for us. Hope this helps you.

**perSue** · 03-01-2009, 01:21 PM

I need to watch this thread as well.

honestly i dont really have a set schedule so much as I just do what needs to be done - when I see/think of it.

I tend to do less on weekends in the event we have something planned and I can spend that time with them.
During the week I do cleaning and errand running (when dh gets home).

**forHISglory** · 03-01-2009, 02:25 PM

Don't want to sound like a know-it-all, as I am not, for sure. But I am super organized and have been so for most of my life. I don’t know why; it’s just how I am wired. When I was teaching full time, it was my lifesaver. Now that I am sort of retired, it still saves me!

Couple being organized with the fact that I am a super busy person. I rarely have any down time (which is a weakness, really).

So here’s some of what I do:
1. I keep a small calendar in my purse, a day planner on my desk, and a big calendar on the fridge. Everything is written in these three places so that everyone knows what is going on.

2. I have some repeating activities. For example, every Wednesday, I volunteer to care for an elderly woman with Alzheimer's in her home. Every morning I go to Curves. Every Wednesday night I go to church, as well as on every Sunday morning. I teach a couple of classes at the University each week. I meet a friend for breakfast on Saturday mornings. I meet with a group of retired teachers one day a month. I meet a group of friends for supper one evening a month. Hubby and I have a date night each week. And the list goes on. Because there is a pattern here, I know how to work things like doctor’s appointments, and so forth around my other activities. We also like to entertain and will often have folks over for Sunday lunch, so that’s a repeat pattern.

3. On the home front, I do laundry on only Saturdays. And I do loads while doing other things like cooking or cleaning. I try to do a lot of my cooking for the week on Saturday, so that means I need a basic menu plan drawn up for the week. Then we just have to warm up what I cooked, and add a green salad and fresh fruit. Easy! I clean house every day except Sunday. I sweep all the floors each day, and then dust every other day. On the opposite days, I wash windows. I clean 2 bathrooms every other day, and on the opposite days, I clean the other two bathrooms. Hubby takes care of the outside work, for the most part, so I don’t schedule that for myself.

4. I have a rule that I only want to handle things once. So when the mail comes in, I open it and immediately file things in waste can or immediately pay bills, or immediately answer it in some way. I don’t put it down and then sometime later pick it up. I immediately fold laundry when it comes out of the drier and immediately put it away. I immediately wash up dishes when I am cooking and baking. I immediately answer phone calls and e-mails. I’m the type of person who, if I don’t do this immediately, will tend to forget it and put it off.

5. I tend to multitask: cook while I’m on the phone, dance and exercise while cleaning, plan school lessons while cleaning, etc. It just helps me get it all done.

6. I keep an accordion file of all important papers. At the end of the year, then, they are sorted and ready for tax work. When taxes are finished, then I transfer the papers to a large shoe box and put it into the closet. I also take various papers that relate to our home and put them into a home binder. This is for things like warranties, receipts for repairs and new purchases, property tax receipts, etc.

7. We also have certain places where we put things, and it never changes. The keys are always in the tray by the door. Umbrellas are always in the basket. Dishes are always in a certain place. The flashlight and matches are always in a certain drawer. This saves a lot of frustration looking for items.

8. We keep a shopping list, and as something runs out, we add it to the list. That helps me organize our shopping trips. I also try to do shopping when I am going to be in town or in certain areas of town, thus saving on time and gas.

9. We aim for no clutter and for simplicity. It’s so much easier to organize a few things than a lot of things.

10. I only allow myself an hour of TV a day, sometimes less, and I rarely am on the phone. And I multi-task while watching TV. I do have to use the computer a lot for school work (and to check FV!), but I keep things on there organized in folders.

11. We organize the closets, the linen closets, the cabinets, so that like things are all together and easy to find. I use boxes, bins, flex-shelving, etc. to help with that.

12. On a daily basis, I get up, groom, make beds, feed the dog, make and eat and clean up breakfast, do my Bible study, start my daily cleaning, go to Curves, home for light lunch, continue my cleaning, do school work, do fun stuff like scrapbook or flower garden or go for walk, make, eat, and clean up from supper, work on more school work, watch TV, bed............ snore......... If I teach a night class, that changes the evening schedule. Saturdays are more leisurely and Hubby and I do a lot of things together then. Sunday is a day of rest and church and being with friends.

There’s lots more, but I have used up more than my share of space. Final word: I have to really discipline myself to stay organized. It's my nature, but I’m scared to death that if I let up in my organization, that my world would all fall apart!

**Lisahas2cats** · 03-01-2009, 05:31 PM

It's a relief to see I'm not the only one struggling in this area, lol.

I'm actively working on decluttering....I had already gotten pretty good at not bringing a ton of "new" stuff in the house, but it still adds up. So now that DH is home full time, I'm putting him to work on small decluttering tasks (like his side of the closet) while I tackle other areas. I feel much better mentally when there's less stuff (and as a result, DH feels better, lol).

There is just so much that's out of control healthwise in this house, it's really bringing out the need in me to get some structure in the areas where I can. OTOH, the health issues keep things chaotic to a certain degree, and are mentally draining.

It's been a long day and I'm about to go into full-blown rambling mode, lol. I'll stop here and just say thanks for the ideas and encouragement, LOL!

**Early Bird** · 03-01-2009, 06:37 PM

I struggle with organization, but the one thing that helps me the most is to plan a simple (or crockpot) meal on busy days. So, for example, if I know that we're going to an activity right after supper, supper might be crockpot stew.

I'm working on decluttering too.

**thefrug** · 03-01-2009, 07:22 PM

forhisglory: sounds exhausting! I didn't even finish the list. man! do you EVER stay home? and maybe just DO nothing? all work.......
I'm real happy that you're that........task orientated. good for you!

**perSue** · 03-01-2009, 07:37 PM

wow forhisglory - i'm envious of your life... how organized you are AND that you get out of the house & have RL friends to spend time with and all the things you do! sounds great to me... but i don't know that "I" could handle being busy all the time... but i'm proud that you're able to handle it with such ease!

kudos!

**MRAHoffman** · 03-01-2009, 07:42 PM

as well as organized. I am the "Binder Queen". OOPs, my son called will have to get back to you on this

**forHISglory** · 03-01-2009, 10:42 PM

Oh dear....... I was afraid my post might come across as "super-woman". And that's not the case at all. Please don't take it as an "I'm bragging about how good I am" post. I've just always been kind of a whirlwind, a jump in and do-it type of person. I've found over the years how to make it all work. I really need to be very organized and to build a structure around me, or I could easily let all my activities just disintegrate around me. So please...... don't take my post as a condemnation. It's just who I am.

But on the plus side, I'll bet that those of you who are searching for ways to simplify life and conquer disorganization will find your goal. Don't be afraid of trial and error. One poster mentioned relying on crock-pots. Me too! Maybe this will work for you, maybe not. My mom was a list maker and had her list in front of her at all times, it seemed. She accomplished so much, but she had to make the list and cross things off the list. I'm a visual person, and I operate much better with those lists, also, as well as having things arranged so that they are visible and handy. Some people are less visual and more into other ways of learning. So give it time. And it's different when you have kids. The best laid plans can go awry with children in the mixture. We don't have kids at home anymore, so my situation is different from a lot of you. I'll be 60 in a month, and it's taken a lot of years to build up to what I can handle. You can do it!

**phoeny_moonstar** · 03-02-2009, 04:15 AM

Hmm... I don't have any set schedule, I have tried and tried and it just doesn't work for me. I have also tried lists for chores for myself and I lose the lists. (I have memory problems.) So, I try and do a little bit every day. I might do dishes on monday, thursday and sunday one week and only do them on tuesday the next week. Laundry is a once a week thing (Fri mornings after work) and shopping is done only once every other week when I get paid. I hope this helps in some way.