It's up! (mostly)  Better yet – it's working. : )  Three cheers.  Seriously I do cheer because as big of a deal it is to set up a home management system in the first place it is even more daunting to reinvent it every couple years in entirely new communities and homes. 

One of the pins that jumped out at me some months ago was a manipulative system that would serve as an at-a-glance for the big rocks like dog care, piano practice, bedroom tidying, a focus chore, vitamins and the like. I loved this idea  except my kitchen is not as cute and colorful and contemporary. Our kitchen isn't even actually the color it most likely will be once we paint.   This was closer but was larger than my wall and more construction than I had oomph for.  

In the end I kept the cookie sheet idea (less than $1 at Walmart) and left them unfinished since the wall is not repainted yet and it is right near the appliances which are steel. Kieran painted the letters to match. (Walmart too) Probably the sticker phrase might have been nice since the wall morphed into more than chores but this is done and done is good. And remember – we applaud and encourage kid work, versus improve upon it. 

We bought a couple packs of plain wood discs and he painted those. I had putzed around on the computer making circle templates and typing the tasks out and then threw my hands up.  Couldn't pick colors (see above).   Then we were at Michael's  and found the pack of chalkboard sheets for less than $10 and it was settled. (I am sorry I can't find them online to link) Instead of trays for individual people we have topical boards – menu, appointments, to do, chores. We got chalkboard paint for the discs since I clearly have commitment issues. And love my chalk pen.  We put magnetic tape on the back of the discs so we can move them around the sheets.

While I am on an organization tear I have been listening to some podcasts and working on my binder some.  Almost attended this conference online but life…I don't know how people with children listen to these things live.  They need to broadcast between midnight and 6am for me to do that.  I work days ; D  I did listen to this motivational link from them on very early morning.  Good stuff.  Still, honestly I read faster than view.  For me it has been counter-productive to join groups and forums so probably I will just continue to purchase written work from selected speakers.  

It's funny to note after all these years of following the work of domestic "experts" that they tend to fall into some generally identifiable groups.  There is the group that is very sober and serious about homemaking. Task oriented.  Often virtue and vice are woven into the discussion and there is a moral overtone to the systems.  It is serious business.  

There is the chill group. The girls just wanna have fun. The mantra is that life is too short to spending housekeeping.  The secret of happiness, they proclaim, is to Let it Go. Don't worry, be happy. 

Then there is the marketing and productivity camp. Sort of hyper-productive.  And perky.  The mantra being LET'S DO ALL THE THINGS.  Really fast. With good hair. 

It helps to ascertain which camp has produced the materials or methods you are considering to be sure they mesh well with your personality, learning style, and wallet. 

The most helpful resource I tapped into this week was Flylady's homeschool journal.  Her stuff is so familiar it's comforting.  And in this case free too! Of particular note were the before bed and daily routines lists.  They are going to be incorporated into my command wall. 

So that's all for now.  Just a glimpse and random organizational thoughts as we rebuild our systems here.