I have somethimes used note book. It is usefull.
I have used notes about "need to expand or too much space".
+0,5 x 2 = add two farrar supers
- 1/2L = half Langstroth empty = too much space.
QC = queen cells, going to swarm
WC = wing clipped
I have taken into use the way where I mix my boxes from hive to hive. I do not follow what hives are. Also I change queens every year. The new queen is not the same.