Category: personal

  • bullet journal update

    how I use the bullet journal

    I’ve been using my bullet journal for about three months now. If you haven’t heard of this method, you really should check out the website and the short video there. It’s a really neat method for organizing daily and monthly tasks, events, notes, lists, and pretty much anything else you can include in a notebook.

    For my journal I’m using a Moleskine Cahier Squared Journal because that’s what I had on hand. I think, though, that I might need more pages if I want it to last for an entire year. If I continue, next time I will also probably purchase a notebook with a hard cover. The squared pages are perfect though.

    One of the most important parts to this method is the index page at the front. That allows you to easily find whatever you’re looking for without having to include tabs or sections or waste any space. I love the index! However, I like to put spaces in between items for readability’s sake, and I think I’m going to run out of room on my index page. Next time I will make sure to leave the first few pages blank.

    how I use the bullet journal

    If you watch the video overview, you’ll see that the bullet journal can be a great method for a daily task list. I tried that for awhile, but I found that I simply don’t have enough tasks to list most days, and the ones I do have are mostly routines. Plus, I am deeply entrenched in and rely upon my Things app. I do try to be super productive on the weekends though, and usually I will write out a weekend task list in my journal and leave it out on the counter during that time. I like having it there in a visible spot and it does help me to write everything out by hand.

    Some other ways I am using my bullet journal are:

    • church sermon notes
    • weekly meal plan
    • brainstorm sessions
    • home decorating project & idea list

    how I use the bullet journal

    Overall I really like the system and its flexibility. The idea of numbering pages and using an index is genius! I’m definitely going to keep using it for all my random lists and notes.

  • around here // father’s day weekend

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    Around here messes were made. While I was in the shower Meredith decided to empty all of the drawers and shelves of their contents. Miraculously though, she helped clean up!

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    I took my last splurge weekend seriously.

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    We did a little crafting for daddy.

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    “Take us a picture!”

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    I was able to work on a few things around the house, including styling our dresser. More books were needed (an obvious solution, I thought) so I stacked a Stephen King illustrated companion (my husband’s favorite author) with some House Beautiful magazines and a pretty copy of The Hobbit. I never could get a clear photo of it since it’s right in front of a window. But I do hope to share this finished wall of our master bedroom soon!

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    I made a serious grocery trip. It took forever because I had to read all the labels and pick out produce that I have never bought before! Kind of sad, but I’m making positive changes so no feeling guilty about the past allowed.

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    For Father’s Day we met my family at a sports bar…my dad is a huge soccer fan so we watched a World Cup game and ate delicious appetizers.

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    Then we we had a big dinner of fajitas with David’s family! Meredith looks unhappy in this picture but she was actually in a great mood all weekend! I was so proud of her, she didn’t take a nap because of all the activity and was still SO well-behaved, even when it came time for bath and bed. This is definitely not usually the case so it was a gift all in itself.

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    And finally let’s talk about how I have the greatest in-laws ever. They saw how much I wanted this advent calendar and completely surprised me with it!! So now there is a chance that I can have it finished by December!

    What a great weekend. And now…it’s whole30 time! I woke up several times last night with nerves but no turning back now! I’m sure I’ll be mentioning my progress here and I’ll definitely do a wrap-up post at the end, but if you want to follow along more closely I’ll be posting pics of some of my meals on Instagram.

    Have a great week!

  • around here

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    Around here it was a pretty busy weekend. Meredith is entering the age of birthday parties and we had two to attend. I actually enjoy them, and she does too, but they ARE exhausting, especially since I generally let her eat all the treats so there is a resulting sugar high/crash involved.

    Also this weekend there was book club, dinner with family, cleaning, shopping, playing…the usual. But very little downtime. I got one project finished at the end of last week (that stitched table runner for our dresser) but didn’t quite get my Project Life spread done, or make any progress on anything else. It’s okay.

    My Whole30 start date is a week from today, so I’m a bit consumed with that at the moment. I’ve been having a lot of headaches and stomachaches lately so this is coming at a good time. Apart from that I’m going to try and take a step back from all my other projects. I need to focus on my family and my health a little more.

  • transitioning to a no pet household

    dog tags

    It’s been four weeks since we haven’t had any pets in the house.

    I’ve had a dog my entire life. The only time I haven’t actually lived with a dog was when I was in the dorms at college and for a couple of years when I lived with roommates in an apartment while I was in nursing school. But during that time I still considered my parents’ dogs “mine.”

    When David and I got married we each brought our own dog into the mix. They always got along and eventually picked up each other’s habits. They were the soundtrack and background of our life. They made our house feel full and lively.

    Now, despite the baby and the toddler, things are eerily quiet. When food is dropped on the ground it just…stays there. I have to sweep it up. There is no one keeping me company at 5 a.m. when I usually find myself waking up. No one happy to see me when I get home. These things are not that easy to get used to.

    It’s true that there is also a lot less sweeping to be done. We can leave all the doors open and not worry. Being at home is calmer. There is a little more space in our bed at night.

    We have decided not to get another pet for awhile. Maybe years, we’ll see, just to give ourselves a break. Just a few months ago we had two lively dogs. Now we have none, and it’s different. Strange. Quiet.

  • meredith lately

    meredith 5/31/14

    meredith 5/31/14

    Me: I’m going to make a bagel.
    Meredith: and put butter and jelly on it?
    Me: yeah
    Meredith: don’t say yeah, say yes ma’am.

    After jumping on her mini trampoline and falling down on purpose…
    Grammy: Kaboomie!
    Meredith: I wanna go kaboobie again!

    While driving and David and I are attempting an adult conversation in the front seat…
    Meredith: mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy MOMMY MOMMY!
    Me: yes Meredith?
    Meredith: Daddy driving.
    Me: yes he is.
    We return to talking…
    Meredith: mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy MOMMY MOMMY!
    Me: yes??
    Meredith: um…bird poop on yours car!

    David: say sand.
    Meredith: sand.
    David: say wich.
    Meredith: wich.
    David: say sandwich.
    Meredith: finjer!

    Commenting on what she and David brought home from the store…
    Meredith: I got toilet paper for yours butt!

    meredith 5/31/14

    meredith 5/31/14

    While David took her browsing the bookstore in the true crime section…
    Meredith: you need Bible study.

    On our way to church small group…
    Me: are you excited that your friend Caleb from church is going to be at your school tomorrow?
    Meredith: oh! There’s two Kaylas!
    Me: 
    no, this is Ca-le-BUH. With a “B” on the end.
    Meredith: 
    CaleBUH.
    Me: 
    right.
    Meredith: 
    Kayla and Arriya my best friends.
    Me:
    that’s so sweet.
    Meredith: 
    Arriya-BUH.
    Me: 
    no Meredith, your friends Arriya and Kayla are at school, then your friend Caleb from church is going to be there tomorrow. He is the only one with the BUH on his name and whose house we are going to now.
    Meredith: 
    (pauses) Aria-BUH!
    Me: 
    (sighs)

    While “helping” me make dinner…
    Meredith: I yours little helper!
    Me: that’s right, you’re my best helper. Liam doesn’t help does he?
    Meredith: no and daddy doesn’t help.
    Me: 

    While I was holding her…
    Meredith: (grabbing my boobs and looking in my shirt) whoa! Look at those nursers!

    meredith 5/31/14

    meredith 5/31/14