A Place to Rest Your Memory - from A to Z

by Lois Breneman, © 1999, Revised 2006, Heart to Heart 

 

Anne Ortland explains in her book, "The Disciplines of a Beautiful Woman," about the use of an organizational notebook as a great tool in becoming an organized woman.  There are several methods you could use to rest your memory, based on an alphabetical filing system.  A notebook, a filing system using 3 x 5" or larger index cards in a recipe box, a large filing cabinet system, and your computer file folders are a few ways to rest your memory from A to Z.  When using a computer, a good backup system is essential, because you certainly don't want to lose your information after all your hard work.  The important thing is to find a system that works for you.  Either method will save you much time and frustration! 

 

Here are just a few ideas of suggestions to include in your notebook or filing system: 

 

* When a friend or family member mentions they would like a certain item or service sometime, make a note of it under gifts.  This will really help at birthday or Christmas time or whenever a gift is needed.  Also list gift suggestions for yourself - for when others ask for ideas.

* List things you borrow along with the date, so you can return them promptly.

* List things you loan out, along with the name and date, so you know where books, videos, etc. can be found when you need them. 

 

* Record birthdays and anniversaries either on a heavy card stock master list kept with your assortment of cards - or keep your records on index cards or in your organizational notebook.  Use one card or page for each month.  When there is only one name, you know it's a birthday - if two names, it's an anniversary.  All you need for each month is the name of the month at the top of the card, names and the dates of birthdays and anniversaries as shown below.  If you want to remember the birth or anniversary year, record that after the name.

 

* Record a chart of all doctor's appointments for each family member, after the appointments.  List the name, date, name of the doctor, reason for the appointment and detailed instructions.  It will come in handy when scheduling checkups, and knowing when certain shots were given. 

 

* Keep an up-to-date record of all immunizations, and don't forget that everyone needs a tetanus shot every ten years.

 

* Keep a record of each family member's ailments, regardless of seeing a doctor or not. 

* Make a list of things that might be important for you to carry in your purse.  Here is a list to jog your memory as you decide if it is necessary for your list. 

Example: Keys, driver's license, library card, checkbook, cash, small calendar, nail file, tiny perfume, breath mints, gum, small hand cream, safety pins, tiny sewing kit, small scissors, tissues in tissue holder, lipstick, chapstick, powder compact with mirror, comb, Tylenol for kids, aspirin, Benadryl capsules and a few vitamin E capsules in case of a bee sting, tea tree oil for first aid, a couple band aids, small toothpaste and toothbrush, large index cards for writing down ideas and for postcards (stamps already on), envelope with blank stationery and stamp, pens, measuring tape for measuring waists, etc. at the store or yard sales, eye glasses, sunglasses, coupons, extra keys in change purse.  If you have ever locked your car keys in your house, car or trunk, this next tip may save you a heap of trouble.  Attach your house and car keys to a zipper tab of your purse with a shoestring or sturdy ribbon (black for a black purse, etc.).  This also prevents your keys from getting lost deep inside your purse.   With your purse right beside you as you drive, your keys never need to be detached from your purse.  As long as you keep your purse out of the trunk and out of the car while you are outside, you will be fine.  As for locking yourself out of your house, you may want to find an inconspicious place to hide a key outside of your home. 

 

* Keep a small index card in your wallet with the following information written on it:  license plate numbers, insurance policy number, birth certificate numbers, blood types for each family member, various doctors' phone numbers, husband's work number, and phone numbers of close relatives and friends.  This helps when filling out forms at the doctor's office.  Add whatever is appropriate, but memorize your social security number, rather than having it written out in case of theft.

 

* Store all your Christmas items in boxes and number the boxes.  On an index card, record the contents of each numbered box, and file under "C" for Christmas.  This saves digging.  To save even more time, store all decorations for the living room together, as well as for each room. 

 

* List your obligations or priorities.  This will help you not to have a guilt complex when you know it is in the best interest of your family to say "no" to worthy causes.  List wife, mother of three or _, church responsibilities, school commitments (list homeschooling, carpooling, volunteer work, etc. separately), each taxi obligation, hospitality in your home, caring for a parent or handicapped child, any part-time work, and on and on.  If you sew or make crafts for your family or to use as gifts, take the time to prepare good home cooked meals for your family rather than eating out often, write that down.  Don't spread yourself too thin, or you won't be able to do any of your jobs to the Lord's glory.  Remember to put God first, your husband second, your children third, then other obligations. 

 

* Under trips you can save directions to people's homes - places you might go every two years and may possibly forget in between times.  When you go to your home state, you may need certain phone numbers to take along.  File those under "trips" also.

* File titles of good books to read or buy, when you learn about them. 

 

* If you have a fireproof box or vault in your home or bank, list everything you have inside and file under fireproof box or vault.  Keep a copy of the list in the fireproof box as well.   

 

* Make a list of things to carry in your glove compartment or to keep handy in your car trunk. Example: Proof of car ownership, listing of insurance policy, policy number, agent's name, address and phone number, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, ice scraper, tire gauge, fuses for car, Tylenol, aspirin, maps, stamps, some change, wash and wipes, scissors, small sewing kit, spare hosiery, nail file, glass cleaner and clean cloths, spare diapers (if this applies), blanket (in winter), etc. 

 

* This method (notebook, index cards, filing cabinets or computer system) can be expanded and used in any way you would like - to record your monthly or long term "To Do" lists, addresses, Christmas ideas, college info (grant, scholarship and loan info, etc.), correspondence (cards and letters sent), crafts (directions as well as crafts I'd like to try), possible sources of income, exercise, gardening, friends I'd like to invite to our home, record of gifts given, health, holidays, home decorating, jobs, meals to freeze or serve on Sundays, politics/voting, nutrition, prayer, priorities, scripture for various topics, seniors, sewing (projects you need/want to do), telephone long distance services, clothing sizes of yourself and family members, wardrobe ideas, things to buy in the future, topical Bible studies, songs, thriftiness tips and ideas, long-term and short-term goals, and various miscellaneous lists.

 

As a bird enthusiast, over the thirty plus years in our home, I have listed fifty varieties of birds seen around our house, and several years ago I began to record the dates as well.  I keep this and other records under lists.  The great part about this A to Z System is that you can make your notebook to suit your own needs and interests.  If you think of other ways to use this system, I would love to hear your ideas!