#onebookjuly2016

Don't worry, I am not talking about books you read, but rather books you write in! Journals, notepads, spirals, etc.

I was nearing the end of my main bullet journal from earlier in the year and trying to figure out what to do next. I've done some mini books, had a separate journal for work, and tried a variety of sizes but wanted something fresh for summer. This post inspired me to simplify by choosing one book and one pen for the month of July.

Now the one pen rule seemed a little crazy to me, but as I watched the video, I realized the main goal was to be purposeful. To create a simple routine for a daily habit of journaling. I chose one main pen to use, but in some of my checkbox spreads, I will probably use a yellow pen or highlighter to show progress.

I scoured the bookstore and almost left with the same style i'd used previously. But as I approached the check out line, I saw a little hardbound book. The pages had dots (something I've been wanting to try!) and it was just a bit smaller than the moleskins in my hand. I decided to give it a try.

I immediately put some wash tape on the cover and started my index. I transferred my book list from my old journal and added a few titles then made a July starting page as well as some lists I need to keep track of this month.

The paper is a bit thicker than the moleskin, which i'm liking. I chose to use a Martha Stewart Crafts pen I bought ages ago at Michaels. It is "charcoal" which I think helps the ink not bleed through in the usual way. It is very similar to this style.

I still have a separate journal for book studies I'm doing, or for scripture art and sermon notes, but on a daily basis, I plan to use this little journal the most. It can go in my bag nicely or sit out on my desk and add a pop of color.

Hoping to find a good rhythm this month of documenting things and keeping track of all the lists and ideas that are flying through my head!

Share a link to your journaling story...

Currently April 2016

 

bullet journal

I just bought a few new moleskin journals and am trying out bullet journalling for the first time. I'm excited to see how it influences my other journals. Can a person have too many? Here's my current rotation of journals:

• meal planning/recipe journal
• school meetings journal
• church meetings journal
• journal just my notes and thoughts on "The Fringe Hours" book
• bible study journal
• sermon/scripture doodling journal
• bullet journal

It seems like a lot when I list it out in that way but I love that each one serves a specific purpose. It's quick and easy to grab my bible study journal and know that everything inside is what I may need.

Enter the bullet journal. This is not new, but I finally decided to dive in a try. I highly recommend watching the video a few times to get a feel for the foundational purpose/structure. Then you can adapt as necessary. Seth and I each got a journal and sat down at the bookstore to get set up. I'm interested to see if this becomes complicated for me since there is a lot of crossover between work and home tasks. I don't really have a good bag/purse system currently so it is rare for me to consistently carry anything other than phone, wallet and chapstick. For now the bullet journal lives on my desk so I can check it in the morning and evening. On a rare occasion where I'll be out and about after work, I'm planning to bring it with me so I can work in it between appointments.

 

Have you tried bullet journaling? Do you have a different method you prefer? I am eager to see my stacks of sticky notes condensed into one place so i'll keep you posted on how it goes!

 

sermon doodling

A day late but I have so many doodles to share!

Lately I've been taking to writing out the scriptures we reference on Sundays. It's kind of a big commitment as our pastor prefers large sections of scripture, but I'm really enjoying it for a few reasons:

1. It's scripture - can't go wrong!
2. It makes my brain slow down and think about each word of the passage, which usually helps me see patterns and things I might miss with a single run through.
3. I want to be in the word more often and this is a fun way to dig in deep!

This first doodle is from lectio divina. As I was writing I realized the word "remain" pops up a LOT in this passage. I went back and highlighted each. I also like to write the verbs or descriptors in a way that stands apart. Since the passage was long and I had limited time, i kept to a simple print and just added cursive words as they stood out to me.

This one is also a longer passage from the sermon a few weeks ago. I went back with different colors to highlight certain words/phrases.  Nothing super fancy, but that also makes it easy to look back over later. 

I chatted at length with a friend the other day about this style of note taking/reflecting. It was fun to show her how sometimes I keep it simple and most always there will be a "mistake" somewhere. It's freeing to know that it can be as simple or complex as feels right for the moment!

happy doodling :)

sermon notes

I'm still enjoying taking sermon notes in my journal. I find that I'm able to reference what I heard more easily, plus it's fun! Here are a few weeks worth of notes, no promises that my spelling is perfect. It's free form :)

I am hoping to do an art piece around the verses and concepts of this sermon.

I switched to landscape, which is proving more easy.

So many good scripture passages during this one, a future art piece as well, perhaps.

 

april goal - update

Wow! I'm not really sure where April went. It was a doozy and in some ways flew by. Here is a look at my goals for the month:

Run 50 miles
This seemed to be going so well, especially when I clocked a 6 mi. PR and then a 10 mile run. Then suddenly it was the 22nd and I was still 19 miles away! I had to really work to get the last few in but I'm even more proud of myself as a result. Mom and I ran a fast 5K on her birthday followed the next day by a 6 mile run. On Tuesday the 28th I realized how little time was left (due to many after work commitments) so I got up at 5:30am and hit the pavement for an early run. This was so awesome because it made me realize that I can go for a run in the morning and be ready for school with just a little extra patience. Double bonus: I got mad props for my hair that day! All in all it was harder than I expected but totally work the challenge.

Donate a Bag a Week
So we kicked off this goal during spring break with NINE BAGS. Felt like cheating a little but it was a great way to start. I technically took this last week off only because I didn't pass the donation center. There are two bags in my car and tomorrow is looking like the day I say goodbye. This challenge was great since I had spring break to dive into organizing. It also inspired us to go through some boxes from moving (2 or 6 years ago?) and we started to realize that consolidating was definitely an option. Many boxes had been mostly emptied and just had a few remaining items. I also was inspired to try a capsule wardrobe and packed away some wintery clothes in hopes for an easier time getting dressed in the morning. So far our quest for a tidy house is going wonderfully and we feel like we have more space to live in. Success!

Send 2 Cards a Week
Okay, maybe I set myself up for an easy month, but I blew this one out of the park as well. I think I averaged more like 3 or 4 a week. This is definitely a trend I want to continue. I still have quite a collection from my HappyMail deliveries and also have been using up some simple "thank you" cards I got from target. Love sending notes in the mail. Sometimes I feel like I can say things better in a few short words.

What's in store for May? Not sure yet. I want to keep it simple like April and will probably continue with a running goal since it's getting to be the time of year where being outside feels so good! I'll probably need to set a food goal since we sort of lacked in that area the last week of April (how many days in a row CAN you eat breakfast for dinner?). April - you were hard but you were successful. Onward!

love your blog challenge no. 2

Beginnings

It’s always exciting to see a blank page before me. I have so many ideas that flood to my head but I’m quickly paralyzed, unable to type a single word. Too many ideas, too many stories to tell. To center my thoughts I browse through pictures and sift through stories until I find one that inspires me, that sets the spark inside me and I begin.

It isn’t always easy (and it usually isn’t pretty) yet the beginning is one of my favorite parts of blogging. Publishing and sharing the story is great but there is something about clicking away at the keys and having the story unfold before me on the page. Tweaking the words and connecting the thoughts so that the story develops into a moment worth sharing. That is the part of blogging which I most enjoy. The beginnings.

______________

This post is part of the Love Your Blog Challenge led by Kate from A Playful Day.

march goals (in review)

Somehow it's April and while I'm thrilled, I'm a bit surprised and uncertain about where March went! So let's see how I did on my goals...

Meal Plan - check (sort of)
This was hit and miss throughout the month. My husband got a cold and illness is always a game changer when it comes to eating. At the beginning of the month I stuck with my new cookbook and found great success. In the middle of the month it was a mixture of standby faves and comfort food for the weary. The last week of the month I decided to let the produce section inspire me. This was a really great choice! I chose a variety of veggies and picked up some chicken and salmon. When I got home I prepped the veggies for either sautéing or snacking. After packaging them into serving containers, I stored them in two bins in the fridge for easy access. I also chopped the chicken and cooked it all the same day using half for a curry dish and the other half for salads during the week. Lunches were mainly veggies, fruit and hummus, and dinners were chicken or salmon based with a side of more veggies. So easy and so fresh and delicious.

Finish Two Books - check!
I started to fiercely on this goal and then suddenly it was March 30 and I had 15 chapters left. With a little motivation from my third graders I powered through just before midnight. Phew! I finished Still Alice and Delancey, both of which I recommend. Delaney is a memoir that inspired you to pay attention to the ingredients you put into your cooking but also made me want to take on a new challenge and chase a passion or dream. I also want to go visit the restaurant now, even if I can't eat the pizza. During the month I also started two new books, however neither are quite inspiring so my spring break goal is to find a new book or two that I can dive into.





Sew Once a Week - check!
This did happen, I just forgot to blog about it! I made the bloomers and pieced the backing of my tree quilt. The next weekend I went on a quilt store tour with a friend and we picked out fabric for a baby quilt for her little boy and I got some warm tones to make a new quilt for the living room. Each week I made time to cut triangles or stitch a few together. It was slow going, however I'm looking forward to diving into the baby quilt over spring break. Nothing like a deadline and a few days off to motivate!



Blog Three Times a Week - umm...
Well... let's see the breakdown:

• Week 1 - 3
• Week 2 - 4
• Week 3 - 2
• Week 4 - 2

That almost averages to 3 times a week, and if we're focusing on the writing part, I did draft two more posts, just never got around to finishing/editing. March felt so fast and busy that I'm actually surprised I even blogged that many times! Of course "scripture sunday" helps a lot :)

I'm currently look at the calendar for April and working on some goals. This has been a fun way to push myself creatively, especially in the fiber and book arenas.

happy mail

Ever had one of those late-night conversations with a friend where it's way too late, you've been talking for too long and suddenly you're asking pretty random questions of each other? I had a friend in college who asked one evening, "If you could do any job in the whole world and not worry about making money or of the practice stuff, what would you do?"

That is a huge question and yet it only took me a few seconds to come up with my response.

"I'd make cards for people."

When he asked me to explain I began to share how much I love making cards. I didn't want to have a card shop or manufacture a line of cards, I just wanted to make them for people. I love picking out the papers, paints, or whatever supplies seem right for the moment. Sometimes I'm thinking of a specific person and what they might enjoy, other times I'm letting the supplies lead me down a creative path. Then I get to select a purpose (Thank You cards, birthday cards, Christmas cards or just a card to say "Hello!") and a recipient. More fun!

No doubt this love of cards and handwritten letters comes from my mom who has a similar excitement over letter writing and mail. She and I wrote so many letters back and forth my freshman year of college (all of which are currently stored in a hat box in my closet). To me, cards are little envelopes of joy and there is always a reason to send joy to people!

For years I made cards and didn't even consider an alternative. Over the years my hobbies have shifted and my time has been distributed differently. I recently started purchasing cards and building up a little stash to send to friends and family. Then I read about Happy Mail from the blog and business A Beautiful Mess. I was so excited by the idea yet hesitant to try. Would I really send all the cards? Would I like them? It's a surprise package each month so there is no control over the content you receive.

So for my birthday I decided to give it a go. I went ahead and made a goal to work with what was sent and to decide if I would continue the subscription. As of today, I'm totally hooked! A week ago I got 8 cards in the mail and I have already used 5. I have watched and re-watched the video announcing the March box! Though I'm not the one making the cards it's still totally fun because I get the privilege of sending little envelopes of joy to friends and family. And it comes in this totally cute packaging. Pure joy! Happy mail all around!

Do you send cards? Do you check your mailbox???

one little word 2015

Before I can talk about my new One Little Word, I needed a chance to reflect on my word from 2014. 

choose

I loved the word choose. It inspired me, helped me focus on important things, got me through trying times, and was the best possible word for 2014. As the year came to a close, I found myself avoided thinking about a new word. I was a bit sad to end the year even though I knew I didn't have to say "goodbye" to the word choose. I know that I will continue to be intentional with what I choose to bring into my life and what I choose to send out into the world, but it is time to transition and find a new perspective.

One goal from 2014 that I never quite achieved was the ability to limit myself, to say no when needed and be "ok" with the choice. Instead I chose to continue to do things that make my heart sing so as not to get bogged down with the heaviness of life.

This resulted in a busy and overwhelming life. Spoiler alert: this is not news and will likely be an ongoing trend in my life. Double spoiler alert: I'm not going to stop aiming for less stress!

So this year I want to take this task of choosing my response and choosing my attitude to the next level. My word this year is

be 

Did you make a strange face? I did when it was first suggested to me. I didn't get it. But then the more I thought about it, the more I began to love it (imagine the Grinch's heart growing 3 sizes!). Suddenly I imagined the possibility of setting smaller goals within the course of the year. I haven't decided officially on how it will work but here are a few possibilities:

be joyful
be grateful
be generous
be encouraging
be still
be active

What versatility!

I am grasping more and more how little I can control in life, however I am also grasping that I CAN control how I enter each situation in my life and that I can be joyful always, pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5.16).

Happy 2015

list no. 7 - gratitude

today i'm thankful for...

1. leftover chestnut praline latte that can be reheated

2. multiple knitting projects

3. layers upon layers of quilts

4. blank journaling pages

5. colorful pens and writing tools

6. cold quiet mornings

7. fresh laundry

8. a cozy hooded sweatshirt

9. lists

10. creative outlets

What little things are you thankful for today?

*the idea for this post came from here and is part of the 30 Days Of Lists Project

weekend - list no. 2

Things You Are Good At

1. Taking naps
2. Predicting plot lines of movies & TV shows 
3. Remembering names
4. Thinking of everything that could go wrong 
5. Deleting emails
6. Finding things that have gone missing
7. Cooking with what I've got (as opposed to what the recipe calls for)
8. Learning new songs
9. Starting projects
10. Being cheerful no matter what

What are you good at?

*the idea for this post came from here and is part of the 30 Days Of Lists Project

weekend - list no. 1

A Few Things About Yourself

1. i am a morning person
2. i need to have creative outlets (hello blogging!)
3. i am a teacher & a learner 
4. i am a homebody for sure and my favorite activities include the people i love 
5. i love to cook - especially when someone else does the clean up
6. i love to load the dishwasher and will do anything to avoid unloading it when it's clean
7. i enjoy running and moving and pushing myself to be stronger and healthier
8. i love letters & cards - giving & receiving them, buying & making them
9. i want routine but thrive on change
10. i am learning to choose what i need and love

*the idea for this post came from here and is part of the 30 Days Of Lists Project

july 30

old coat pocket

held a fun surprise!

july 29

a refreshing finish

to a successful vacation

july 28

love cannot be kept away by miles

july 26

Live chat with Tony Hawk? yes please!

july 25

perhaps a looming to-do list increases speed?

july 24

not completely accurate

but a great motivator!

july 22

Four years apart.

Beginning to fantastic day!