| Emilie Barnes was the author of 60 books at the | | | | 6. The Garage |
| time this was written. Creative Home Organizer | | | | Start the massive garage cleaning job with three |
| explores the many aspects of managing a home. Her | | | | garbage bags labeled "put away, throw away, and |
| books are always organized and concise, which | | | | give away." Get your family together to plan and |
| makes for easy reading and reference. | | | | make a list of things that need to be done. |
| The chapters are broken up into bullet-points with | | | | 7. The Laundry |
| loads of helpful hints, checklists, ideas, and | | | | Laundry is easier when your equipment is close by, |
| suggestions. Each chapter begins with a pertinent | | | | and it is one job that can be delegated to all family |
| scripture, and there are many inspirational quotes | | | | members who are old enough to help. She gives |
| throughout to encourage you as you read and | | | | advice on stain removal, bleaching, dryer safety, and |
| implement the ideas. | | | | hard water. |
| Here are a few tips from some of the chapters. | | | | 8. The Automobile |
| 1. Organizing | | | | "Plan, plan, plan!" If we don't plan regular automobile |
| Emilie believes that being a homemaker, full or part | | | | care, we can run into trouble. She gives maintenance |
| time, is the greatest profession in the world. To be | | | | checklists, emergency organization lists, travel |
| successful at this honorable position, you need to be | | | | supplies, and more. |
| organized in your home and in your life. Tackling | | | | 9. Finances |
| housework in only 15 minutes a day will yield very | | | | "We earn little by little, and we save little by little." |
| effective results in a short amount of time. Taking | | | | Having a proper attitude towards money helps us to |
| small steps keeps you from feeling overwhelmed by | | | | have control over it. We don't want to be slaves to |
| your tasks. | | | | money, or to creditors. She has tips on saving, debt |
| Give yourself time to change your old habits. She | | | | reduction, and managing money. |
| reminds us of the 21-day rule of breaking an old habit | | | | 10. Time Savings |
| or starting a new one. She also advises us to make | | | | "Time management is not just keeping busy, but is |
| lists, set goals, and plan for success. | | | | finding God's focus for you - choosing a direction and |
| 2. Food Preparation | | | | moving ahead to accomplish your goals." Managing |
| Preparing and cooking nutritious meals is an act of | | | | your time takes planning and effort. To be good time |
| love for our family. Families who eat together have | | | | managers we must set goals, and plan the steps to |
| better nutrition. Family mealtimes can foster | | | | reach those goals. |
| closeness, warmth, and communication with our | | | | 11. Raising Children |
| husbands and children. | | | | We should strive to raise children who are godly, |
| Emilie has many tips for cooking, shopping frugally, | | | | responsible, know how to solve problems, and do not |
| using leftovers, and much more in this chapter. | | | | make excuses as to why they can't perform a task. |
| 3. The Kitchen | | | | We need to be committed to spending the time and |
| The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the | | | | effort to bring our children up well. Recognize and |
| home, and should be an enjoyable place. In order to | | | | take advantage of opportunities to teach them |
| make it a pleasant place to work in, we need it to be | | | | about God. |
| organized, clean, and have the proper tools. If it is | | | | The remaining chapters cover the topics of good |
| pleasant to work in, we will be more motivated to | | | | health, sewing and crafts, gardening, beauty, moving, |
| spend time there making delicious meals and having | | | | wardrobe, and safety. |
| fellowship with our family members. | | | | I think that women of any age can learn new ideas |
| 4. Storage | | | | and gain encouragement from this uplifting book. |
| A neat idea mentioned here is to give away one item | | | | Whether you are just starting on your journey of |
| every day. She suggests many different types of | | | | keeping house, or are a grandmother with years of |
| organizers and storage systems. | | | | experience, there will be something for you here. It is |
| 5. Cleaning | | | | quick to read, but you probably won't sit and read |
| "Don't put it down, put it away." This chapter includes | | | | through from beginning to end. You may be more |
| cleaning supply lists, homemade cleaners, and cleaning | | | | likely to choose the chapters in the order of your |
| checklists for daily, weekly, monthly, and so on. | | | | individual home and family management needs. |