Edited for 2009*** Wow. I am so glad I saw this page the other day. I just made my grocery list for today and would have totally forgotten stuff without this! I just erased the pencil marks I did as I checked stuff off last year and I am ready to roll!
----------------
Original Post:

Three years ago, I really planned out everything in great detail for Thanksgiving and blogged at it here.

Last year I wrote out my lists in one of my Everything Books and posted about it all later.

This year I started a new page in my book. I was glad though to have the old page to refer back to or else I'd have forgotten the cranberries completely! The list has been simplified over the years to just what's in the pictures above. I'm just waiting to hear who all is coming and to set the time for dinner accordingly. Once that is done, I'll be able to do a better timeline for the day itself.

If you've purchased a frozen turkey, you might want to check and see if you should start defrosting it today like I needed to. It takes several days for those big birds to thaw!

What are your holiday plans? I always love to learn what other people do!

Everything Books

Sorry, the link in the earlier post was working. Here is the link in which I wrote about making and using my Everything Books. They probably could be better organized, but I just often choose which page to write on based on the picture I like that day, or whatever one seems suited to the occasion--like the pie picture for Thanksgiving.

I just use blank spiral journals/sketchbooks/scrapbooks. They are called different things. I just don't do well writing on a bunch of lines myself, so the unlined pages work best for me. I like the spiral notebooks because they lie flat when I'm writing, though I have a small Moleskin blank book I decorated and keep in my purse. Boy, does that come in handy!

I've started books that only have a few pages with pictures that I add to as I go along. But I have one book waiting to be used that I filled with pictures when I was purging a stack of magazines. There's no set method. Just do what feels right for you. There is no perfect method or book. It's just what works for YOU!

I probably have ten journals sitting in a pile that rarely get written in, simply because of things dumb like lines that are too close together, covers that constantly seem to close on me, paper that I don't like the feel of as I write. I rarely use ballpoint pens and prefer ink, but certain papers don't allow for smooth writing. Even as I type this, I know it sounds silly. But I also know that if I don't like the set up, I won't use it. Finding something that works FOR ME has made all the difference. Now, I write in them all the time and finally have a place for all the little random things I would otherwise lose.

If you follow the link, it'll go into more detail and there are more pictures to see.

That's all for now. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We did here. Blessings to you and yours!

Love,

Kimberly

My Everything Books

I currently am using two spiral journals for what I refer to as my Everything Books. One is small enough that I can tuck it in my purse/diaper bag to take with me when I'm out and about. The other is larger and usually stays at home. These are just blank books that I've added pictures into to basically make them more fun to write in and use. I was inspired by Jewels' entries on her books.

I fill the books not only with beautiful pictures and collages, but with everything else I want to write down to remember. So, one page may be Scriptures I'm trying to memorize, the next may be my big, on-going To Do List. I have pages for Prayer Requests and pages of quotes I like. I've even started a page to list the books I'm reading. Some pages are just journaling, others are for planning events like the Christmas Tea, or Thanksgiving. I've got a Christmas section in the large book right now that has Advent Ideas, Wish Lists and Meal Planning.

The pictures may be just of images that catch my eye, or ideas for future craft projects. Some pages have one big picture, some collages, some no pictures, or just one little picture. Sometimes the pictures inspire me to journal on a specific topic, or give me just a quick chance to dream. I've even used the pictures to cover pages that looked too messy to me.

I'll put in post-its for the more mundane To Do Lists that will be completed in a day. I also put in photos, or a pressed flower. I've even had Pumpkin color in them so that I can keep those drawings as well. I've included little pictures from my neice, and may even throw in a sketch or two of my own. One really helpful thing is a list for Thank Yous that I need to write. I keep the list in one place and check them off as they are written. This was really helpful after Dumpling's birth!

The covers are collaged with all sorts of things. I included ribbon, buttons, and a vintage calling card on my little book. The larger book contains pictures from old Victoria magazines. It's helped to reduce the clutter of old magazines, as well as freed me in many ways.

I enjoy writing down my thoughts, but find that I am intimidated by a full blank sheet of paper. Lined paper drives me nuts as well. This way, there is already something there, I just get to fill in the blanks with my (random) thoughts. The pictures often make me smile and clear my thoughts.

It's also wonderful to use for taking notes on Bible studies, speakers, as well as having a place to keep Prayer Requests for family and friends. I can then go back and write down updates and other answers to prayer. Plus, I'm less likely to say I'll pray for someone and forget, since I have it written down.

I love my books. For a visual person like myself, it's wonderful! I like having all the little details of life in one place. This helps.