Free Organizing Printables

You can find the flickr link and some instructions at the bottom of this page that takes you to the images free for download.

There are a lot of simple attitudes and simple duties I feel called to in life. I strive to do them well.

Being a stay at home wife and mom, I try to make it part of my routine to keep up with this house. I have wanted this 'job' for a lot of years, and I finally have it. My dream come true. Yes? No? I still wouldn't want any other job, but every day is not easy. Sometimes I would like to receive a paycheck for doing the dishes...my least favorite job in the house. And, even though I love to do laundry, a thank you from my husband is ALWAYS appreciated.

To keep me a bit motivated and add a little routine to my days, I created some free printables to help me (and maybe you) stay a little more organized around the home.

Before I get too caught up in keeping my home feeling organized or ensuring I dusted the end table this week, I try to remind myself that I do not exist alone in my own little bubble. I try to make it a goal to send encouragement notes to others. Sometimes they are for someone I know going through a difficult time in life. Sometimes I send them to let someone know I have been praying for them.

OFTEN, they are simply sent to my grandparents to let them know we are thinking of them. The elderly LOVE to receive something to brighten their day. You cannot go wrong with sending a simple note to your grandparents.

If you cut on the lines, each note card should fit nicely into a 4 by 6 invitation size envelope.

A 'to-do' list. I can go both ways on this one. I completely understand every bit of satisfaction anyone can take from crossing a finished task off a list. And boy is the feeling great when finishing that last task.

I also have to remind myself, though, that I cannot judge my day based upon my accomplishments. Many days do not go as planned, and I end up with far more important tasks to accomplish than cleaning all the windows.

I tend to use a 'to-list' when I need a bit of motivation to keep me on task. They come in very helpful on the stay at home all day...slow and uneventful days.

Yep. A grocery list is a must-have for me. Almost every Monday, I meal plan our dinners for the week, and out of that planning comes a nicely made grocery list. My list even goes in the order of how all the grocery items are arranged in the aisles. :)

Do I stick to only the items on my list? Usually, yes. Sometimes I can't pass up a great deal when I see a sale.

Don't mind me saying that I truly enjoy cleaning our home. Not always sure why. I find it rewarding. Many facets of cleaning can usually be finished in a short amount of time. My husband also has great appreciation for a clean house. Maybe I find it's a good way to serve him.

Either way, I can't get caught up in having a clean home at all times, and I need to take caution that I never feel my clean home (or unclean home) defines me. We only have one child right now, but I fear if we have more, keeping up the home is only going to grow harder. The joys of motherhood, right?

And, by the way, you working moms...you are some of the most amazing people. I cannot believe how much you can get accomplished in a day. Staying home is not for every mom, and I give you all a lot of credit for going to work and raising children.

What else needs added to the list? I'll add another printable if I am missing some crucial cleaning spots of the home.

And last, a calendar. Is anyone out there still in the land of 'I don't own a smart phone'...like me? (I ashamedly admit.) Alas, I still enjoy using a paper calendar. The kind that hangs on the side of the fridge and looks pretty. It does not send me pop up reminders, but I can easily check it whenever I need.

Maybe you don't have a smart phone either, and a cute calendar could be a bit fun for you too.

Follow this link to our photostream: Preston and Kate's Photos.

• Right click on any of the images you wish to save to your computer. Right click and select 'original.'

• Once the original image pops up, right click again and select 'Save image as.'

You should have the option to save the images as a jpeg. Most computers can support a jpeg, and you should be able to print one as well.

Feel free to use the printables for ANYTHING or forward them on to anyone, but please do not attempt to sell them. Thanks!

Happy organizing!

Oh, and while I created all these printables on my own, I used a few items from Mel's blog. She is one very creative blogger. :)