Putting on my apron and planning my days. It’s what I do, it’s who I am. That doesn’t mean I have my act together, though. It doesn’t mean I accomplish everything I should every day. Tying on my apron each day reminds me I have work to do. Sitting down with my planner helps me plan out my days.
I’m easily distracted and always have too many irons in the fire, projects started but left unfinished. I forget appointments if they aren’t written down. Planning our homeschool year and juggling its activities with our church events, orthodontist appointments and visits with the grandkids is so much easier now that I’m using the Day Planner from Homemaker’s Friend. 
Sue from Homemaker’s Friend has designed what I think is the perfect planner. I was intrigued when I first saw the 2013 version. I have tried to many planners but never seemed to keep them up. This day planner is different – and I have used it all through 2014. Maybe it’s the layout, maybe because it’s pretty. Whatever it is, I’m getting ready to transfer to 2015. Really?!? Already!?! Yes, indeed. It’s called ‘planning’ and I love that I have the whole month of January 2015 at the end of my 2014 planner, as well as the whole month of December 2014 at the beginning of my 2015 planner. It makes it so easy to move from one year to the next.
Take a look at the fantastic features of the Day Planner from Homemaker’s Friend:
- Yearly Calendar – you’ll get a year-at-a-glance calendar for 2015 and 2016, along with space for entering important dates to remember. Perfect for jotting down events coming in the more distance future as you await details and scheduling.
- Monthly Calendar – a 2-page spread for a quick view of your month, with a spot for notes in the margin.
- Weekly Planning – each weekly calendar is spread out over 2 pages. The spiral binding allows the planner to lay flat open, or fold back fully. Each day has space for listing out errands, acitivities, to-do list. An added bonus is a place for the day’s menu – love it!
- Tasks List – perfect for keeping track of that honey-do list or Christmas Gift list or unfinished projects list or bucket list or any list you can think of. I actually use this section for taking notes during Bible class and sermons. I love having a place to jot down scripture references and thoughts without having to carry around an additional notepad.
- Projects and Events – Like the tasks list, this section gives you plenty of space to jot down details of any event or project you are working on or have coming up. My very best ideas often come while sitting in a waiting room or standing in the check out line, and this gives me the perfect place to record them quickly and still be able to find them later when I need them. I use these pages for saving my brilliant blog post ideas!
- Information – save those important names, numbers and addresses. I love having a place to write them down until I can get home to record them permanently.
- Shopping Lists – I love these perforated sections on each page. When I first saw the Day Planner a couple years ago, this is the section that really caught my attention. There are 3 columns to each page, you can keep a running list and then tear it off as you use it, without wasting 2/3 of a blank page. Brilliant!
- Pocket Page – There is a pocket page at the very back, just right for holding receipts or storing stamps and notecards. This comes in very handy.
- Inspiration & Encouragement – There are encouraging scriptures and inspiring quotes sprinkled throughout the planner. I have found they are a wonderful pick-me-up just when I need them. I love how there are words to build me up as I go through my days, right before my eyes.
Now that I’ve told you how wonderful this planner is, you want one for your very own, right? Well, alright, then! Sue from Homemaker’s Friend has agreed to give a Day Planner away to one of my readers – all you have to do is make your entries in the rafflecopter form below. The giveaway is open through Sunday night, November 2. Winner will be notified by email on Monday November 3, 2014.
{I received a copy of the 2015 Day Planner with the agreement that I would use it and review it, sharing my honest opinions. I do and I have. The Day Planner is wonderful! That is my honest opinion.}
This is the nineteenth post in my Aprons – a 31 Day Series. You’ll find them all listed by clicking on the image below. You’ll find hundreds of series written by some amazing bloggers at Write31Days.com. I’ve pinned, bookmarked and subscribed to several so I can follow along. You just might be inspired, encouraged, and make some new friends along the way – come join us!
{sharing this post at some of these wonderful places}
I use an apron and no I don’t use a daily planner but would love to start!!
I highly recommend both, Shannon 🙂 thanks for joining in our giveaway!
This planner looks like a very useful tool for a homeschool mom’s toolbox! Maybe a step up from my spiral notebook?
It is a terrific tool, Cheryl! but, I confess, I do still use spiral notebooks for many things, especially in our homeschool 😉
I use a planner, a notebook. Not very effective, so Id love to try a real planner.
A notebook works in a pinch, Shannon, but you’d love this planner!
I do use a daily planner and love the ones with lots of space to write 🙂 And aprons are one of my favorite things! I love them!
I like having plenty of space to jot down notes, too, Libby. Yay for aprons! Always happy to meet another apron-lover 🙂
I looked at it last year, but then completely forgot to get one. Maybe I’ll win one this year. 🙂
On another note, many of your posts the last couple weeks have been reminding me that I really need to make a new apron. Thank you!
lol, Sandra! sounds like you need this planner! good luck this year – make note of the Homemaker’s Friend website, just in case 😉
And a new apron is ALWAYS a good thing!
Yes, I like aprons…yay. I use a dollar store planner and highlight different things different colors to help them stand out. thx
using highlighters to organize your planner is wonderful idea, Su 🙂
I already own this planner and I LOVE it! I love it so much I have the 2015 planner already! 😀
So if I win I’m giving it to a friend and she’ll tell me how much she loves it! 😀
what a wonderful idea, Kyle! and what a sweet friend you are 🙂 so glad to hear another great testimony for the Day Planner!
Would love to have a homemaking planner and appron
a planner and an apron are just the thing to get your days in order, Deborah. Thanks for joining in the giveaway with us!
This looks like something I totally need to keep up with my crazy schedule. I am also thinking it may be time to find someone to make me an apron.
I wholeheartedly believe using a great planner AND wearing an apron will make you a sane woman 😉 or nearly so! thanks for stopping by, Bridget, you always make me smile!
awww you make me smile as well <3
I am a notebook/planner/anything paper hoarder, but I NEVER finish one! I have zero tips on planning the day… I’m so wishy washy and haven’t found a dependable tool to help me out yet. I’d love to give this a shot… the layout seems absolutely perfect. Who knows, I might even purchase one myself if I don’t win one…
I’m of a similar nature, Sara – I have stacks of notebooks and lists and I’ve tried nearly every planner out there. I really like the simple straight forward way this one is laid out, and it fits with my bible or in a totebag (diaper bag?) easily. Blessings to you through these winter days!
Hi Linda! I certainly missed you and all the market friends since we left. We love Wisconsin though!
I need a new apron. The older I get the messier I am in the kitchen. And the older I get I definitely have to make to do lists and grocery lists and mark my appts down.
Never been a list person but have needed to be a list maker for the last year.
I would have loved yo be at market this week. Looks like it was fun. Im trying to get involved with one here.
Hi Kim! We had a marvelous farm-to-table dinner at the Southern Yankee this evening and were thinking of you 🙂 Hope you are doing well. Sounds like you DO need another apron, or two or three! And this day planner is my favorite, perfect for list making. I’m so glad you found me and joined the giveaway – I hope you come back often for a visit.
I pray your move and transition are going well – you’ll be a blessing to the farmer’s market there!
I use a Lang planner each year (academic planner), and keep track of my teaching stuff and the kids’ student plans. However, this looks like an easier one to chuck into my bag and haul around with me!
I do the same, Lisa – I have a school planner I made myself in a 3-ring notebook, but for family/personal/church even school actvities I use my Day Planner, and I love that it is easy to take with me!
I did use a planner, but got away from it this summer. Hopefully in the new year I can get back to it. <3 I use an apron if I remember, but I don't like when they get dirty…so instead my clothes get dirty or stained :/ Ugh! I can't win! LOL
I thought you had this whole planner thing figured out, Misty! I really do like this one for personal, my school/business/blog planners are separate but I copy over important dates and deadlines to this one.
I think I need another hangout on using the blog planner, though 😛
As far as the aprons? They take up way less space in the washing machine! 🙂
Definitely wear an apron!
I agree, Samatha!