I am in sync

Oh, man. I might have to change the name of my blog.

I started this blog a few years ago after I started publishing my own planner for moms. This year, with all the craziness of my new job, a new baby and home school, I haven't had time to create my planner for 2011. (For those of you who have asked me when it will be ready, this is my horrible way of finally facing the fact and informing you that I simply can't get it done. Can we still be friends?)

I really created the everydayMOM planner for myself, and I'm so happy that other people have found it as rewarding as I do to create lists everyday to make them feel on top of their life as mom. I've been trying to decide how I will function WITHOUT my planner in 2011.

Well, most of you know what a huge MacGeek I am. I loved the Mac when loving the Mac wasn't cool. I used an Apple when we saved data to those big "floppy" disks. You know the ones.

But for some reason, I have never fully integrated my iLife to include use of the iCal. I know why. It simply does not offer the satisfaction of drawing lines through chores completed, highlighting important items and adding already accomplished tasks to my list just so I can cross them off.

I could see using it to keep track of birthdays or soccer schedules. But I need a calendar that tells me what to do. I need it to tell me everything I need to do everyday.

Today, during a six-hour car ride, I decided I might be able to make the iCal work for me. I created calendars for home, work, my daily chores, homeschool and meal planning. I made lists and set them to recur daily, weekly or monthly, as necessary.

When I got home, I synced them to MobileMe. And then I synced all of my computers to my new calendars.

I have two iMacs, a Macbook, an iPhone and an iTouch. They are all in sync.

My iCals are one.

I'm going to try this form of list-making with all of its electronic simplicity, e-mail notifications and alerts. And if I hate it, I still have one more month to publish a new planner.

Instead of crossing things off, I will have to survive by checking the box on my electronic to-do lists. I know it won't be the same, but I'm going to give it a try.

Now if only I could get my me.com to complete all of those tasks on my list. Or maybe an iPad would help?

So, tell me. Do you use an electronic calendar to stay organized? Do you like crossing items off a paper list or does an electronic system work for you?

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Join my fan club and this WON'T happen to you!

Just when you thought you had seen enough here at everydayMOM, I've gone off and done it again. I created my own fan club.

I know what you're thinking. You've GOT to be kidding?!?!

But there is a very logical explanation. I'm just trying to make your life easier.

If you join my fan page, one and only one thing happens: You will get to see everydayMOM posts in your news feed on Facebook. And doesn't that sound exciting?!?

Sometimes I post links to my blog on Facebook, but I thought it would be nice if my readers had the option to get ALL of my sometimes silly, often sarcastic, once-in-a-while thought-provoking, frequently over-the-top and once-in-a-blue-moon spectacular posts delivered right to their news feed. AND this also allows readers to get everydayMOM on Facebook even if they aren't FB friends with the real life eM(ily).

Now, I'm sure you still might be wondering if there is a hidden catch. So let me just tell you the Top 5 Things That WON'T Happen If You Become a Facebook Fan of everydayMOM.

1. You WON'T have to wait in any long lines. That's right. You will be able to read my blog — just as you always have — from the comfort of your own home.

2. You WON'T have to worry that you've missed something. No more rushing to get off Facebook to check for a new blog post. It will be listed in your news feed right alongside all the reports from your other friends about urgent topics like what a nice day it is, who is drinking a second cup of coffee and what fun activities all of your friends enjoyed over the weekend without inviting you.

3. You WON'T have to hurt my feelings if you secretly don't want to get everydayMOM in your news feed. That's right. You can just "hide" me like you do all of your other friends who you regret ever accepting a friend request from.

4. You WON'T have to eat my cooking. You can continue to eat the foods you like. I won't try to make you try any of my ground beef recipes or one single thing I made in the crock pot. I won't even come to your house and try to mooch dinner (unless I'm invited).

And finally....

5. I WON'T feel like a complete idiot because I am the only person in the world who wants to Fan me on Facebook.

So, go ahead. Be nice. Click the link. Become a fan. It will be fun. I promise.

P.S. I'll love you forever.

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WFMW: Backward meal plan

I don't know about you, but the hardest part for me about cooking dinner has nothing to do with cooking.

It's simply coming up with the ideas for what to cook.

I go through spurts with my meal-planning efforts. Sometimes I plan out meals for a month. Other times, I do Sunday planning sessions for the next week. And then there are many, many days when I'm just hoping to come up with an idea by 5 p.m.

When Jan. 1 rolled around, we were still adjusting to our new life with four children and getting into a routine with a newborn. I definitely wasn't in the mood to think of meals for the month. But the pressure was on. Our string of wonderful meals that had been showing up at our door in the hands of smiling, caring friends was about to run dry.

So, I decided to plan my meals in reverse. In other words, when Feb. 1 rolled around, I wanted to be able to look back at the meals we had in January to use as my foundation for the month.

Each night, I would try my best to come up with a decent dinner idea for my family and write it in my planner. I wanted to make something different each night. By the end of the month, I should have at least 20 dinner ideas I could use in February.

I used lots of family favorites. I tried some new recipes. I mixed in some super simple ideas. And usually on Friday or Saturday night, we ordered pizza.

If you are in need of meal-planning ideas, here's what we have been eating for the last month:

• Pork roast with carrots and potatoes
• Italian beef (made in crock pot)
• Vegetable soup, made with leftover meat from the pork roast. I simply put the meat in the crock pot and added one can of each of the following: beef broth, diced tomatoes, green beans, corn, as well as some chopped carrots and a potato.
• Manicotti (when I made the manicotti, I doubled the recipe, then divided it into four small pans. I froze the other three pans for a quick meal another day.)
• Kluski noodles cooked in chicken broth with diced chicken and carrots
• Chicken enchiladas
• Biscuits and gravy
• Potato soup with sausage (a friend brought this one)
• Frito tacos (this is taco meat and toppings served with Fritos instead of taco shells)
• Homemade waffles
• Lunch meat sandwiches with chips and dip and pasta salad
• Chicken patties (from the frozen aisle) with sides of corn and fruit
• Cornbread chili
• Shepherd's pie
• BBQ chicken thighs (I buy a big package of chicken thighs and cook them in the crock pot on low all day with a bottle of BBQ sauce.)
• Hot dogs, baked beans, chips
• Crepes with cream cheese filling
• Spaghetti with homemade meatballs
• Pasta with bacon and chicken

I have a few new recipes that I want to try later this week. And I'm hoping to look for some healthier meals next month.

Will you help me come up with some new ideas for February? What is your family's absolute favorite meal?

My backward meal plan worked for me! For more great ideas, head on over to Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family.

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I'm making a list

In most areas of my life, I prefer the digital. Digital photos. Digital scrapbooks. Electronic communication. I love it all.

But to get me through the day, I can't function without my lists.

I start each morning by unloading my brain in list form of everything I need to do. And I mean everything. If I have to make a few phone calls, I break it down and list every person, place or thing I need to call that day.

If it's my goal to do "some laundry", I write down exactly how many loads I plan to wash, dry, fold and put away.

Why? Well, because of the joy of crossing off each item when I'm done, of course!

I am so glad that I have discovered MANY of my mom friends are like me! We love lists to keep our day on course. And we even write down items that have already been completed just so we can cross them off (or use our pretty highlighters, in some cases).

So, for all of my like-minded friends, you will be happy to know I have FINALLY completed my 2010 everydayMOM planner! I have a bunch in stock right now, which I am selling at a reduced price of $15 (no tax or shipping charges if you are local). Click here for ALL the details on how to order and to see a preview at my online store.

If you haven't used my planner before, put it on your Christmas list!

Each month starts with a two-page layout so you can see your whole month at a glance and write down your big -picture goals.



Then it becomes a weekly format with space each day to list:

• where you need to be,
• your priorities for the day,
• your housecleaning chores,
• your plan for dinner and
• your plan for your personal growth (maybe it's reading, Bible study or excercise).

Even my kids have their own planners this year. It is amazing each day to hear them call out, "Has anyone seen my planner?" They get us all through the day with a little more sanity.

When I can't find mine, I'm a mess. I need my lists. They work for me, which is why I'm linking this post to Works For Me Wednesday this week.

What works for you to keep your life organized?

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And the winner is...

Thank you all SO MUCH for entering my drawing for a free 2010 everydayMOM planner!

I assigned all of the entries a number and used random.org to select the winners. (Drum roll, please...)

SMG2008 said..

Love the blog - I added as a subscriber.

and


Selima said...I also subscribe to your blog through bloglines. Thanks, Selima

Please e-mail me with your e-mail address and I will mail you your prize! My e-mail is:
emilyneal (at) comcast (dot) net.

I'm waiting for the new planners to be printed, so it might take a few weeks.

THANK YOU!

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Don't forget...

Today is the last day to enter my drawing to win a free 2010 everydayMOM planner! Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who left a comment, subscribed or became a follower.

You can enter multiple times. Click here for the info and to leave a comment!

You can enter until 11:59 p.m. today. If you subscribed, please be sure to let me know in the comments section. And if you don't have a blog, leave me your e-mail so I can contact you if you win.

Be sure to leave your comments over here!

=]

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Bloggy anniversary and GIVEAWAY!

Updated: Works for Me Wednesday is having Organization Day this week! Well, my best organization tip is definitely using my planner to track everything I need to do each day, write down my meal plans, organize my cleaning schedule and set goals for my personal growth. Enter my drawing and you might win one for yourself!

**

Today is a big day here at everydayMOM and a day you will probably want to mark on your calendar to remember year after year.

What's that? You don't have next year's calendar yet? Oh, you are in luck.

Not only is it my one-year anniversary of when I officially started blogging (oh, I know... you're asking yourself how you made it through the day without me last year), but I also finished my 2010 everydayMOM planner! So, to celebrate, I'm having a giveaway!

And oh, there is soooo much to celebrate! Like how I learned that real bloggers should never fake their own firing. And despite my strange sense of humor, people still read my blog. And think of all of the fashion advice you have given me, especially when it comes to boots. I survived several unfortunate brushes with wildlife not to mention some close calls with the weather. And I can't forget the whirlwind of change that hit me over the last year.

Seriously though, I really want to say a HUGE thank you to those of you who read my blog. I really didn't expect it to last this long. And I never knew I would enjoy writing it this much. I love getting to know those of you who leave comments and have blogs of your own, but I appreciate just knowing you are out there even if you don't leave a comment!

So, this week, I am giving away a few of my 2010 everydayMOM planners! You can enter lots of ways:

1. Just leave me a comment and tell me anything: where you live, how you found my blog, what keeps you coming back, ask me a question or just say "hello".

2. If you have used my 2009 planner, leave me a comment about what you do or don't like about it.

3. Subscribe to my blog (and then leave me a comment to let me know you did). Just use that button at the top right of the page.

4. Become a follower of my blog.

5. Send a friend to read my blog and have them mention your name in the comments.

6. Pre-order your 2010 everydayMOM planner (of course, if you win, you will get it for free anyway!). All pre-orders are at the discounted price of $15. If I can hand-deliver yours, you also save on shipping. If I need to mail it, the total will be $20 in the U.S. (that's $15, plus $5 for Priority Mail) and $25 in Canada.

I will randomly draw the name of at least one winner Friday evening. If I actually start getting more than say... 10 entries, I will give away more than one!

To check out a full preview, go to my online publisher.

Here are the important details about the planner:

Each month starts with a full calendar spread so you can see the month in one glance. This section includes space to write your goals for the month and any other notes.


The rest of the planner is in a weekly format. Each day, you have space to keep track of all the things a mom does everyday:

• Remembers (appointments, holidays, events)
• Plans (her priorities for the day)
• Shines (house-cleaning goals for the day)
• Cooks (plan out your meals for the week)
• Grows (she sets goals for her own personal growth and development in areas like reading, Bible study or exercise)

I have improved the planner by including holidays and the month name along the right-hand side so it's easier to find your place.

The back of the planner still includes my meal chart, grocery shopping list, house-cleaning chart and ideas to add those Moments Of Meaning to the everyday.


If you need some objective reviews, click here to read what other moms had to say.

So, go ahead. Leave me a comment. You will make me feel good. And even if you already have a system to stay organized, you can always use the planner as a gift! =]

**

Check out more organizational tips on Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family!

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What's for dinner this week... and the next... and the next...

OK. That's it. I've had enough.

I can't possibly be a good mom, tote around a growing baby in my tummy, keep the house clean, home school the kids, stay on top of the laundry, write my blog, tell myself jokes, take naps AND still be expected to come up with what we are having for dinner every single day around here.

I'll admit it. I have completely stopped using my VERY OWN meal planning sheet that I created and then try to sell to other people in my everydayMOM planner.

But you know what? I got that thing out, and it was pretty darned helpful, I must admit.

I would love to say that after watching Julie and Julia I was inspired to create some truly gourmet dinners for our family. But actually, I'm striving for bland.

I decided that instead of planning out a whole month's worth of menus, we are going to eat the same exact thing every week. That's right. Every Monday, for example, we are having taco salad. Fridays are home-made pizza.

Same goes for lunches. If it's Tuesday, you better believe we are having chicken nuggets, pumpkin muffins and corn.

We are going to try this for one month until everyone in this family knows that Thursday is pot roast. And maybe, just maybe, if I can master seven lunches and seven dinners without ever wondering what we are going to eat next, we can start having something else once in a while.

So, speak now, my dear family, or hold your peace for one month. Here's what's for lunch and dinner (don't laugh!):

Sunday
Lunch: BLTs, fruit, yogurt
Dinner: Sloppy Joe sandwiches, chips, green beans

Monday
Lunch: Pizza, carrots and applesauce
Dinner: Taco salad, refried beans

Tuesday
Lunch: chicken nuggets, pumpkin muffins, corn
Dinner: Chicken in the crock pot, rice and steamed broccoli (I have a feeling my husband will have to work late on Tuesdays.)

Wednesday
Lunch: Sandwich wraps (tortilla with cream cheese, ham, cheese and whatever else you like... lettuce, avocado wrapped up and then sliced), fruit, cottage cheese
Dinner: Pasta with marinara or al fredo sauce, (grilled zucchini and tomatoes for me), garlic bread

Thursday
Lunch: Tomato soup, crackers, grilled cheese
Dinner: Pot roast in crock pot with potatoes and carrots, rolls

Friday
Lunch: Plain pasta, bagels with cream cheese, veggies
Dinner: Homemade pizza, salad

Saturday
Lunch: Hamburgers on grill or fish sticks, cantaloupe, baked beans
Dinner: Biscuits and gravy (I love breakfast for dinner!)
fruit

Snacks:
apples, pears, mandarin oranges, grapes, bananas
carrots, green pepper, cucumber slices
cheese sticks, vanilla yogurt with mix-ins
bagels, English muffins, Nutrigrain bars

There you have it. That's what's for dinner. And lunch. And snack.

Whew. Now I don't have to think.

Please feel free to send me your ideas for next month. We might need a new rotation!

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everydayKIDS!

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I have been working on a version of my everydayMOM planner for kids. I decided that my boys needed a good place to keep track of their school assignments everyday, as well as anywhere they need to be.

I finished the planner and my first two copies arrived in the mail today! I ordered one for each of my boys, who are 8 and 6 years old.


I've already been busy writing in birthdays, holidays and appointments, as well as karate class, gym class, co-op and other places they will need to be this fall. They ask me every morning what day it is and what is on the agenda for the day, so I'm hoping this will help.

This first planner, which is sort of my test model, goes from August 2009 to December 2010.

The inside pages look like this:


They have a spot to write down anywhere they "gotta go". The next section is for school assignments, since we are doing school at home this year.

I also created a section where I am going to give them "points" or maybe stars in the following areas:
Attitude
Timeliness (in finishing work)
Respect
Kindness

I'm planning to use this section to let them "earn" special privileges, like watching a movie or playing Wii.

The weekly layout also includes a space to write a memory verse for the week.

You can check out a preview of the everydayKIDS planner at my online storefront. If you want to order, let me know. I can place several orders at once to save on shipping charges.

So, I'm curious. Am I the only mom on the planet who thinks her children need their own planner? If you are a home school mom, do you already have a system that you like? Do you have any feedback for me?

If you aren't a home school mom, would something like this interest you if it had different categories, such as chores and homework?

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Capable dad

A few years ago, my husband had a very eye-opening experience.

I was attending the Discovery Toys convention in California, and we decided to take the whole family to San Francisco for an additional week after the "work" portion of the trip was done. He ended up flying to California a few days after me with our three children, who were 1, 3 and 5 years old at the time.

He couldn't believe how many remarks people made about why a MAN would be flying alone across the country with three children. People reacted with sympathy, concern, sometimes suspicion and an abundance of offers to help him along the way.

That same summer, he needed to make a quick trip to the store and decided to take the two boys in the bike trailer to pick up some groceries. He bumped into a friend who couldn't contain his surprise that not only had my husband taken our two children to the store BY HIMSELF, but he had done it with a bike trailer!

This friend had two children about the same ages as our boys, but had not yet been "permitted" by his wife to go anywhere alone with both of them.

The last straw for my husband came on several different occasions when people asked him if he was "babysitting" for our kids.

"I'm not babysitting!" he would tell me later. "They are MY children!"

That is when my husband started joking that he was going to start a web site for Capable Dads like himself. Surely, there were other men on the planet who could actually care for their OWN children!

My husband has a very dry sense of humor and he loves to tease me. I have a tendency to come up with grand ideas that I am convinced are going to impact the world. These ideas usually include a web site, marketing material and a significant investment of my time.

So, with quite a bit of sarcasm, his new venture, "The Capable Dad" was born. Well, actually, it wasn't exactly "born" but more like a figment of his imagination since nothing ever came of it. Still, I thought it was brilliant, and probably would have at least printed some letter head and business cards if it had been my idea.

When I started my blog last year, CapableDad decided to get on board with his own contribution to the blogging world. At first, he was going to call it everydayHusband, but come on! He's so much more than just the spouse of the everydayMOM, don't ya' think?

I insisted he name his blog CapableDad. And now he blesses me at least twice a year with a post.

I really don't even know what he's talking about with his most recent update. All I can say is that he has been in New Zealand too long and maybe the absence of kangaroos, the 17-hour time change and the lack of parenting responsibility has started to play with his mind.

The funny thing is, that even without any effort whatsoever on his part and only semi-annual posts, he will probably end up being a highly successful blogger while I will eventually drive off all of my readers with my weird sense of humor.

He is one of those people who excels at whatever he tries. Well, at least at whatever backyard game or unregulated sport that he tries. Whether it's "corn hole", miniature golf, darts, bowling, wiffle ball, freeze tag or horseshoes, he will usually be highly competitive his first time out of the gate.

He also has a way of endearing himself to people. I always joke with him that HE is the favorite child in MY family because my parents love him so much.

So, there you have it. He's definitely a CapableDad. I just thought I should give you a little background since he actually updated his blog. He rarely leaves me any comments, but as he always says, he is my "biggest fan".

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WFMW: Encouraging responsibility

Now that it's August, we are starting to count down the days until we start our new adventure of doing school at home.

I wish I could say I'm bursting with excitement and can't wait to start. But honestly? I'm scared.

I'm not worried about teaching my kids or organizing our day. I feel fairly confident in those areas. But I'm concerned that our whole year will be like the hottest days of August when it's too steamy to go outside and we're all cranky and getting on each other's nerves.

I don't want to spend our days frustrated with each other. One of my children, in particular, has been spiraling into a bad cycle of frustration. He gets easily upset and then he ends up being disrespectful to me and whining instead of completing the task at hand.

How will I handle this all day everyday?

Well, I have an idea! So, for today's Works for Me Wednesday post, I want to ask your advice on whether you think this WILL work or if you have any suggestions to improve it.

First off, I've been busily working to create a kid's version of the everydayMOM planner for my children. My boys love knowing our schedule and what to expect each day. So, I am going to create sections each day for them to write down where we need to be, as well as all of the school work they need to complete for the day.

Here's where my idea comes in. I have learned that my gut reaction as a parent is to try to come up with ways to punish bad behavior. But what works far better in our family is to encourage GOOD behavior.

So, I was thinking that each day I would include a section in their planners where I can give them a check mark or a sticker when they do a great job in the following areas:

• Responsiveness to instruction
• Respect for mom and siblings
• Responsibility in finishing work on time
• Reactions to others
• Kindness and helpfulness

Each day, they could get up to five checks or stickers if they do a great job in these areas. At the end of the week, if they have maybe 20 points (or should I expect perfection and go with 25?) they could earn a privilege, such as playing Wii, watching a video or going somewhere special.

Due to MY nap schedule lately, my kids have gotten in the habit of having about an hour of "screen time" each afternoon while I take a break. I don't want them to assume this will continue once school starts. I just don't think we will have time between household chores, school work and extracurricular activities. I thought about keeping a basket of small toys as their rewards, but then I decided this might be a good way to get them to work toward earning some "screen time".

So, that's my idea. I hope it WILL Work for Me! Let me know what you think of the overall idea, as well as the categories I have created.

And for more great Works for Me Wednesday tips check out We Are THAT Family!

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WFMW: my shopping list

I've been having fun submitting posts lately to Works For Me Wednesday, sponsored by We are THAT Family! I also get great ideas from the other posts over on Kristen's blog.

Today, the tip that works for me is sooooo simple! It's my printable grocery shopping list.

I made up a list of everything I buy at the grocery store on a regular basis. I organized it by section of the store in the order that I walk through the store. I keep several of these printed out and I hang them with a magnet on the side of my fridge.

Each week, I can go through the list and highlight or circle whatever I need that week. It also helps my husband if he ends up being the grocery shopper because the list is organized so he can find things.

The shopping list is part of my everydayMOM planner. And, by the way, I will be seeking your input on the colors and format of my 2010 planner very soon!

If you would like me to e-mail you a free copy of my shopping list along with a blank copy you can fill in with your own list, just leave me a comment with your e-mail... or leave me a comment and then send me your e-mail: emilyneal at comcast dot net.

Do you have a tip that makes grocery shopping easier?? I would love to hear about any system that works for you!

Check out my past WFMW posts:
making laundry less of a chore
creating chore charts for kids

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and the winner is...

Thank you to everyone who entered my free planner contest. But mostly thank you for your awesome feedback and comments!

I had more than 20 entries so I get to give away two planners! I conducted the drawing when I had several witnesses in the room to make it highly scientific and official.

And the winners are:

Lynn Wagner
and Sarah Williams

WOO-HOO!! (applause)

I will be sending both of you an everydayMOM planner. Please just e-mail me with your address.

back to my free planner contest

Thank you to everyone who has entered my FREE planner contest. Back to the rules and an update for anyone who still wants to enter. (Make sure you keeping reading for the first ever comment from everydayHusband!)

I have been so excited about all of the feedback I have been getting about my everydayMOM and Brain Book planners.

Just post a comment here about my planner or send me an e-mail. It could be something you love about it or an idea to improve it. If you don't have a planner, send me one of your own organization tips. Or just send me a note to say that you love chocolate, love the color brown or just love life. I'm good with any kind of note.

For every 10 entries that I receive, I will draw the name of one person who will receive a free planner! If you already have one, you can give the extra to a friend. The contest runs until this Friday, Nov. 7.

If you post anonymously, please also send me an e-mail, emilyneal@comcast.net, so I will have your contact info!

More comments:

First, from my everydayHusband who is filling up my love tank with words of affirmation. =]

To all everydayMom’s: As the everydayHusband I just want to take the opportunity along with all of you to talk about the success of this planner from someone that is on the receiving end of an organized home and the sharing of "Moments Of Meaning”. There are times like the present that work takes me out of the country not for a few days, but weeks at a time. I can tell you that it’s not easy leaving knowing the burden that is left on the everydayMom at home to get through the long list of daily tasks that are required of family. One thing that gives me a real peace of mind is knowing of Emily’s ability to keep on task in a God honoring away and meet the needs of our children while I’m away. I cannot tell you what a blessing this is to me! I would encourage each of you to continue to share your success with others and try to find someone this Christmas to pass this planner onto as a wonderful gift to them, but consider the blessing it could bring to their spouse and children by them having the means of organizing their home and making their day meaningful. everydayHusband

Wasn't that the sweetest thing you've ever read?

I love the planner. I love the colors (& chocolate – dark preferably). My only suggestions would be a smaller daily place for household chores, (I am lucky if I get to 1-2 things a day), and a larger daily place for phone calls. I always seem to have a list of them everyday. I hope that helps. You’re a working mom (everydayMOM) hero of mine!

That's a great suggestion!

This one is about the Brain Book: I LOVE the inclusion of "coaching" topics for consultants to have on hand to review for themselves when they are starting out and then to use with their new recruits. A suggestion for in the future layouts, maybe have a section at the back for recruit leads and hostess leads, as I like to not have to flip through pages to find those lists and it would just be a matter of flipping to the back section or a front section for that information. Just a thought!

That's a good thought! I have gone back and forth on how to organize that part. Thanks for your input! You also can put a colored paperclip or a colored post-it note on the page for the current month and the next couple of months to make it easier to find those lists.

I am addicted to my planner. I have it out in plain view all day long and refer to it, write in it, and check things off my list all day, every day! I'm so glad I have one! One thing I would like is if you could add a pocket to either the inside front or back cover. This would be a great place for me to store field trip forms, etc. that I need to follow up on. I suppose a paper clip would do the job too...Thanks for the great planner!!

You are the second person to request a pocket. Maybe I will someday get a real publisher (not a self publisher) who can help me figure out how to add that!

I just checked it out and it looks awesome - I so need to get organized! I love the fact that it has the 2-day month spread and then the weekly pages - great idea! It seems like it's always one or the other and certainly never the cleaning, cooking, pages which I love as well - do they include all the famous Emily recipes??

My goal is to start putting some recipes on my blog. And for those who don't know, an "Emily recipe" is one that is super simple, but looks like it was hard!

I had the 2008 Brain book, and the one thing that I would have liked with that is some blank pages for each month. I use a second notebook for taking important phone messages, Must do contact things that don't fit. Anyway, that's what would make it perfect for me.

Another good suggestion. With each page I add, my cost grows, so it's always a balance!

I really liked the idea of the tip sheets right inside your Brain Books... seems that to run a business successfully, the calendar is always there.. so why not have some inspiration every time you open it up! I also loved the inspirational messages at the top of each page.

You can read more past comments here.

Free planner contest, Day 2

I'm having WAY too much fun with my very first ever, one-of-a-kind, earth shattering, let's-go-crazy, free planner give-away contest! Be sure to check the previous post for the rules and then post a comment or send me an e-mail to enter!

Here are some of the great comments I've received so far. Of course, I've also got some really nice little notes from other people that have nothing to do with the planner. And that is wonderful, too. You HAVE been entered in the contest!

Here goes:

Comment/Idea... a page for important phone numbers that you always want with you.... dr., car repair, hair, etc...

Good suggestion! I meant to do that! Actually, I did give more space than in my first edition, but not enough!

Love the section on "grows".... this is the first calendar in which I have EVER seen this incorporated... and it is so crucial to be intentional about our growth... otherwise life and the demands of it... will crowd that out quickly!

Thank you! That was one of my main goals with the planner: to encourage moms (and other people) to take themselves seriously! Set goals. Plan to grow personally. Our kids have to do it in school, sports, etc., and we can too!

I'm telling (my husband) I want one for Christmas! I have really enjoyed reading your blog!

And thank you for reading! I'm always so excited when I get a comment from my best buddy from high school! Remember when we used to be Emilynn or was it Lymily? Maybe you'll win! I could rig the contest, but that just wouldn't be fair.

I bought your Brain Book last year and your MOM calendar this year. I'm trying to "merge" them in my brain! I love the meal planner and shopping list blank pages ... and I really like it that you even gave us your list. I know, it's something that we should all just DO, because there are standard things that I buy and it sure is nice to have them on a list. I've even shown it to 2 of my non-DT friends and they think it's very cool. Nice colors too!

Thank you! Do you think I should make the lists available as a download on Lulu? I've been thinking about it. That IS an option! I was thinking maybe $1 or something and you could download them. That would allow you to print as many copies as you want.

I love your planners. I have both the everyday MOM and Brain book. I actually panicked this morning because I could not find my planner. I did find it, thank goodness! I refer to the everydayMOM planner every morning to see if my children have hot lunch, sports or special things going on at school. I love my Brain book too. If I did not have it, I would have lots of little pieces of paper all over the place with peoples names on them. I can refer to my book to see who I need to call and keep track of my hostesses and potential recruits. Love it!! I also gave the everydayMom planner to my friend after she had her third child and she loves hers too. She told me the night I gave it to her she stayed up late filling in all her dates and info. I am so glad you have created these planners! Thank you!

You're the best! Great moms... I mean minds... think alike!

I have heard how your planner is awesome. I need something like that for next year, now and every year. (My friend) raves about it. And it keeps her nice and organized and accountable to everyday life stuff.

Yea!! Maybe you'll win!!

Finally, after years of searching. A planner that fits my life. Really. I love the design. I have a question, though. In my dream would, it would be a bit smaller like 6 by 9 and have a pocket. Then I realized its lulu...maybe you'd be willing to republish it in the smaller size? So, I'm writing to ask if you would.

I have had several requests for the smaller size, so I AM working on it! I'm just trying to figure out what I can condense to make it all fit on that smaller page. Not sure about a pocket. That will have to wait for another year. Thanks for the great suggestion!

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If you post an anonymous comment, please make sure you also send me an e-mail so I can enter you in the drawing!

I'm giving away FREE planners!

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has purchased one of my everydayMOM or Brain Book planners!

I have been so excited by the great reaction I have been getting, so I decided to have a little contest. This is really to help ME make my planner better in the future.

Just post a comment here about my planner or send me an e-mail. It could be something you love about it or an idea to improve it. If you don't have a planner, send me one of your own organization tips. Or just send me a note to say that you love chocolate, love the color brown or just love life. I'm good with any kind of note.

For every 10 entries that I receive, I will draw the name of one person who will receive a free planner! If you already have one, you can give the extra to a friend. The contest runs until this Friday, Nov. 7.

I will be posting some of my e-mail comments here, as well. If you post anonymously, please also send me an e-mail, emilyneal@comcast.net, so I will have your contact info! I'm looking forward to hearing your feedback!

my "new" blog

I'll admit it. I've been secretly blogging for more than a year now. Well... if you call about 12 posts in 15 months blogging. And does it count if you don't tell anyone you have a blog?

But here I go... finally making my blog public. At the same time, I'm launching my everydayMOM planner, which has been in the works for a while now, too.

It all started a couple of years ago when I was looking for a planner with enough space to keep track of all of the contacts, phone calls and bookings for my direct sales business. I created my Brain Book, which I started selling to other direct sales moms.

At the same time, I made myself a personal organization system that I called my everydayMOM planner. The MOM stands for Moments of Meaning. And the goal is to help moms organize their everyday tasks to give them more time to add some meaningful moments... with their kids, their husbands, friends... in their spiritual journey or pursuing a dream.

When other direct sales moms would ask me how I kept my home life organized, I would show them my binder. "Can I have one of those?!" they would often ask.

So, after several years of trying to create a format that others could use, I've finally published my everydayMOM weekly planner! Check out the link and let me know what you think!

I'm planning to use this blog to add ideas that aren't in the planner. And I would love to hear yours, too!

My Links

My Discovery Toys business

My 2009 planners: everydayMOM and the Brain Book

My personal web site

my planners

The 2010 everydayMOM planner is here!

How to order:

If you are local, for a limited time only (while supplies last) get your planner for only $15 (no tax or shipping if you live close enough I can hand deliver). Just e-mail me to let me know I should save you one!

If you live in the United States, you also can get in on the $15 special, but it will cost an extra $4 to mail. Just e-mail me. This option is checks only and features the new darker colors on the cover. Click here for a full preview of the inside pages!


If you live outside of the United States or would like to use a credit card, you can order directly from my online storefront. Click here. Two cover styles available, plus my everydayKIDS planner!

What's in the planner?

Calendar is a weekly spread.
Each day includes room to track all that a MOM does everyday.

She:

• remembers: Appointments, holidays, events
• plans: Things to do
• shines: Housecleaning chores
• cooks: What’s for dinner
• grows: Personal growth
  

At the back of the book, I have included my personal planning sheets, plus blank sheets for:

• Meal planning
• Grocery shopping
• House cleaning
• Ideas to add Moments of Meaning
  

What past customers are saying:

I love your planners. I have both the everyday MOM and Brain book. I actually panicked this morning because I could not find my planner. I did find it, thank goodness! I refer to the everydayMOM planner every morning to see if my children have hot lunch, sports or special things going on at school. I love my Brain book too. If I did not have it, I would have lots of little pieces of paper all over the place with peoples names on them. I can refer to my book to see who I need to call and keep track of my hostesses and potential recruits. Love it!! I also gave the everydayMom planner to my friend after she had her third child and she loves hers too. She told me the night I gave it to her she stayed up late filling in all her dates and info. I am so glad you have created these planners! Thank you! ~ Christy

I LOVE the inclusion of "coaching" topics for consultants to have on hand to review for themselves when they are starting out and then to use with their new recruits. ~ Traci

I am addicted to my planner. I have it out in plain view all day long and refer to it, write in it, and check things off my list all day, every day! I'm so glad I have one! ~ Michele

I really liked the idea of the tip sheets right inside your Brain Books... seems that to run a business successfully, the calendar is always there.. so why not have some inspiration every time you open it up! I also loved the inspirational messages at the top of each page. ~ Dawn

Here's my feedback after one full week of using the planner (sorry it's only one - I'm a newbie): I love that I can look over my week and easily see what I got done and what I have left to do. Very helpful! ~ Lara

I love your planner! I purchased one last year & didn’t really start using it til right after Convention when I found my motivation again!! I really like being able to see the whole month at a glance! I plan on doing more with my business in 2009 so will utilize the other pages more so next year – ie the recruiting pages & hostess pages. ~ Lauren

I HAVE YOUR EVERYDAYMOM PLANNER. I think it's great! I like the shopping list too! ~ Deanna

Love the section on "grows".... this is the first calendar in which I have EVER seen this incorporated... and it is so crucial to be intentional about our growth... otherwise life and the demands of it... will crowd that out quickly! ~ Ginger

I bought your Brain Book last year and your MOM calendar this year. I'm trying to "merge" them in my brain! I love the meal planner and shopping list blank pages ... and I really like it that you even gave us your list. I know, it's something that we should all just DO, because there are standard things that I buy and it sure is nice to have them on a list. I've even shown it to 2 of my non-DT friends and they think it's very cool. Nice colors too! ~ Kari

Finally, after years of searching. A planner that fits my life. Really. I love the design. ~ anonymous

To all everydayMom’s: As the everydayHusband I just want to take the opportunity along with all of you to talk about the success of this planner from someone that is on the receiving end of an organized home and the sharing of "Moments Of Meaning”. There are times like the present that work takes me out of the country not for a few days, but weeks at a time. I can tell you that it’s not easy leaving knowing the burden that is left on the everydayMom at home to get through the long list of daily tasks that are required of family. One thing that gives me a real peace of mind is knowing of Emily’s ability to keep on task in a God honoring away and meet the needs of our children while I’m away. I cannot tell you what a blessing this is to me! I would encourage each of you to continue to share your success with others and try to find someone this Christmas to pass this planner onto as a wonderful gift to them, but consider the blessing it could bring to their spouse and children by them having the means of organizing their home and making their day meaningful. ~ my husband, Kent =]

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Preview or order my 2009 planners:

everydayMOM

Brain Book weekly

Brain Book monthly