Planning in My Bullet Journal in February

Hi friends! Here's a quick look at how I have been planning out some of my days now in my personal Filofax bullet journal! I also have an Alice in Wonderland themed Plan With Me in my Erin Condren Planner that you can watch HERE if you would like! (It's not long). I am also on instagram now so you can see photos of home and my planners on there too (you can find my link to my IG account on the right sidebar).

Planning out my days really helps keep me organized and helps stop me from stressing while trying to figure out what I need to do in a day. If I have it written down then I know I will get to it! :)

Here's a look at the stickers I used for the Alice in Wonderland theme in my ECLP!

This week is going to be a busy one for me. I hope to post again soon though! I hope you all have a great week! Thank you for visiting me here! 

Warmly,

Katy

Linked up at: Strangers & Pilgrims

Plan With Me Video Using Sweet Kawaii Design Stickers!

 Hi Friends! For those who enjoy these videos: here is one using Sweet Kawaii Design stickers! I watch for big sales and only purchase a few things inexpensively. Purchasing stickers can be expensive. I mostly make my own but like to support other small businesses from time to time! :)

I really enjoy planning (and some days, do so without stickers...they are just an added bonus!). I love to have my days mapped out and organized and a TO DO list to check off throughout my day. It motivates me to get things done and helps me to remember things I need to do! :o) 

Today, the children and I went into the Y to workout this morning and practice volleying the volleyball (since we have church volleyball tonight). Now they are working on schooling and I have chores to get done! :) I think we will watch a movie this afternoon! I hope your Friday is going well and thanks *so* much for stopping by! 

Cheerfully,

Katy

Linked up at: Strangers & Pilgrims

A Bit of Organizing

Hello friends! :) 

It has been a busy day here today...and I am quite ready for bed. We have another busy day tomorrow though so I wanted to get this post up tonight. We have been having such mild temperatures here in Western PA lately! In the 50's! It has been dreary though...and the mud....oh the mud! But...I am *not* trying to complain. I wore flip-flops the past couple of days! Yes, you read that right! It was glorious! The bad thing, though, is that the skunks seem to think it is time to wake up from their hibernation...then they try to cross the road. They aren't very successful. I hope they realize they need to go back to bed! 

Since it is late and I am *quite* ready for bed...I just wanted to share a quick bit of organizing I have done lately. I rearranged some bookshelves and organized the children's schoolwork...

The "mail sorter" system I had used to sit here (below). It worked *wonderfully* and I loved how it kept things neat and *in their place*. However, the slotted shelves I had purchased were made of thick cardboard and with some of the weight of the children's schoolbooks, over time, it started sinking and sagging in places. I was disappointed! So...I put on my thinking cap!

I used this ugly old book shelf/cupboard from the front "official" school room (but we don't do our school in there. We did at one time but now it is easier to do at the table or somewhere comfortable) and brought it into my office/library area (aka: the old living room beside the dining room)...

I found an inexpensive *smaller* slotted shelf for the boys' books...

Madelyn keeps most of her books in her room. But the top shelf of the cupboard is hers to keep books or notebooks...

The bottom shelf keeps some finished workbooks and workbooks yet to be used...

The very bottom (with the doors) is where I keep my sticker paper for my shop.

The bookshelf/cupboard is not pretty at all..but it serves us well right now! I love when something functions in a way that works best for my family!

So there you have it! :) A little organization! I hope you enjoyed and maybe found something that may benefit you and your family as well. In my next post, I plan to share with you all a couple fantastic books I have finished. They aren't long and oh my ~ they are *full* of wisdom! So definitely come back soon to see that post! You'll be glad you did!

Thank you for visiting!!
Cheerfully,
Katy

Link to my latest Plan With Me video in an Erin Condren Life Planner: HERE (to see bullet journal PWMs see my sidebar or check out my youtube channel!)

This post linked up to: Strangers & Pilgrims and The Modest Mom

Personal Planner / Bullet Journal Plan with Me Video

Hello friends! :)

For those who are interested ~ I made another plan with me...this time in my personal sized planner. This one is sped up and I did a voice over for it. It is under 10 minutes long! :) If you enjoy it, I hope you will consider subscribing to my youtube channel. I hope to post more! Planning can be fun and I know I enjoy watching other people plan...so I thought maybe others would enjoy my videos as well..? We'll see...I am trying to get better each time I video! :o) I'm still such a goof and sound silly but oh well! Here's the video if you are interesed:

If you want to see how I plan in *pictures* you can see my previous post HERE! I have been keeping really busy with housework, homeschooling, exercise, my etsy shop and life in general! I hope you all are doing really well! It's getting late and I need to head to bed soon...so I hope you guys have a lovely rest of your week! Thanks *so* much for stopping by! 

Warmly,

Katy

Linked up at Strangers & Pilgrims

How I Plan in My Personal Planner

Last evening I was planning out the week ahead and thought I would *take you along with me*. I have shared previous posts on how I plan...and also some videos (you can find them linked in the sidebar). I have always used bigger planners (which I LIKE)...however, I wanted to try and downsize so I could have a planner that fit right into my bag for when I go places. I like to always have my planner with me. If I wasn't needing my planner with me, I would probably go back to the larger sized planners again! Then it could just stay at home! :o)

First, I want to say that planning/organizing your days does *not* have to be time consuming or expensive. You can get pre-printed pages (such as with the Erin Condren Planner or else inserts for your binder) and just keep running lists of the tasks you want to accomplish as well as appointments/special dates. Your planner has to work for you! Your planner doesn't have to be pretty. It doesn't have to look like anyone else's. It has to be something that helps you and keeps you organized and less stressed so you can spend your day accomplishing what the Lord has for you...and not stressing about the next thing. A planner must be functional for you or else it is just a glorified scrapbook.

I have used pre-printed pages before (with the dates already on them) and they work just fine. However, I never found a layout that worked *just* as I wanted it to. I wanted to be able to customize it. That's when I discovered bullet journaling. I have done it for a while now. You can see previous posts HERE and HERE. It is a way for me to be able to create my own set up...one that works perfectly for how I need it to. I'll show you the set up that I use (that works for me) and maybe it will give you ideas that can work for you too! I found that in my larger pages I had wasted space...so I decided to see if I could make my system work in a personal sized planner (I only purchase planners inexpensively on ebay or if they are on sale/clearance on another site. They can be pretty pricey. I really only ever buy things that are on sale or clearance...ever! haha! I always try to find good quality things as decent prices!)

It's hard to see in the photos but the pages I have are a dot-grid. This helps to keep things neat and straight. I start out by using my ruler and drawing two straight lines horizontally. Then I write times from 5am to 9pm between them. (I used to free hand the lines and try to stay along the dots...but it wasn't quite neat enough for me...so I went back to using my ruler!). Then I draw a header of some sort...usually a banner with the day in it and the date below...

**By the way...I like to sit on the floor so I can have all my stuff out and around me when I set up my pages. The book I like to use to plan *on* is a Martha Stewart Homemaking book. It's nice and thick and just my go-to "table"! ;)

The next thing I do is place a TODAY sticker along the top and a TO DO sticker beside it. I draw lines down from the TODAY sticker to form a box. I put the weather at the bottom. This box is my place to mark events, appointments etc. in chronological order. I like to see things vertically. Under the TO DO list I just make a simple list of things I would like to get done for the day...

Here you can see how I started filling in my TODAY section. (Stickers aren't necessary...but they are fun and give it a little *something*!). I teach spin early in the morning...then we have our homeschooling and housework. There is some open space there that may get something added if necessary or may stay blank depending on Monday's responsibilities. Then I teach an evening spin class. (Many people don't know what spinning is. HERE is a description!)...

See how I like to have everything around me when I am planning?

Ok...back to the page...I filled in some of my TO DO List (I make an X over the dot when I have finished a task. I put half and X through it if it is partially done). I also filled in the weather forecast. Then, as another help I color code along the top bar under the date...with the times. I use green to mark off exercise times and orange or pink to mark off schooling times. It helps give a visual of my day at a glance. I may use blue to color code an appointment or purple for church. :)

I put my pages back into my binder and *voila* ~ All ready for the week!

Here's a look at the past couple of days...

Today and tomorrow (I don't really fill in my TO DO lists usually until the day before)...

At the bottom of the page I will decorate a little, mark a birthday with special stickers or keep track of the supper menu!

Monday and Tuesday...

 Here is my pre-loved personal filofax in gold. It's really pretty (the picture doesn't do it justice). I got it inexpensively on ebay (you just have to keep a watch out and find one cheap!). A simple binder will do, though, if you prefer. I'm telling you....planning truly doesn't have to cost you. It's adding the extras that can cost....

Top view...I did purchase the MONTH and TODAY dividers. I like to support small businesses on Etsy when I can. This girl had a small shop and I purchased them from her...but you could definitely make your own if you wanted to! You can use a laminator or even clear contact paper! The cute paper clip cupcake I made! Not the actual top part....I bought a few in bulk at wholesale price. Then I hot glued them to paper clips! I considered selling a few in my shop but the backs have visible clips hot glued to them and don't look *pretty*. I tried to put a backing on a couple of them but couldn't get the exact felt color to match so it doesn't look perfect. I didn't want to sell something that wasn't excellent...

So there you have it! How I plan! Katy Planning 101! If you need help being organized this year...I encourage you to keep a calendar and a TO DO list. Even if you don't keep it in a planner...maybe you just like sticky notes! Whatever works for you is what is best! Just help yourself stay organized, make it to appointments on time, and get those tasks accomplished! I am *far* from perfect....seriously....I'm even really far from excellent...but I *do* try my best with things and I have to tell you that checking things off as you get them done is such a great feeling! It pushes you to want to get the *next* thing done too! I will even admit: I write in things *after* I have done them sometimes (if it wasn't already on my list) and then check them off! It's a great feeling! Start this new year right and get organized!!! And if you *do* want stickers...there are a ton of great small shops on etsy! You can browse mine HERE.

You can watch this during a quick plan with me video: HERE

I hope you found this post helpful! If you have any questions...please comment below or email me!
Have a great weekend and week ahead friends!

Warmly,
Katy

Linked up at: Strangers & Pilgrims

Bullet Journal Plan With Me Nov. 5-8th!

For those of you who enjoy planners, organization and enjoy seeing how I set up my planner...here is another Plan With Me in my bullet journal! You can see my first Plan With Me HERE. I am terribly imperfect and completely *un*professional in it...as I'm just a simple wife and mama trying to stay organized in this crazy thing called life! :) If these aren't your thing...that's okay too! I am still posting blogs...it's just fun to do these from time to time. I don't know if I will continue videoing these or not...we'll see. But here is my most recent video if you are interested! Have a lovely rest of the week friends! 

Warmly,

Katy

A Wet & Rainy Day in October

Today it rained. Actually...it didn't just *rain*, it poured! The skies were gray and I was quite grateful to spend most of the day indoors. I didn't exercise today and although I have some guilt about it, I'm not getting too worked up over it! Jaxson was up and working on his math work bright and early this morning. He had the living room feeling cozy with the crackling *pretend* fireplace on and the warm lights on the tree! (The bed in front of the TV center is Cash (the dog)'s bed area!)

The only time I had to leave the house today was when Madelyn and I went to visit a sister in Christ. It was a time for encouragement and fellowship. She is a busy, young mama of young children plus their sweet family is fostering two children! Although she is a decade younger than me...and I was there to mentor *her*, I am encouraged greatly to watch her train and disciple her children all to the glory of the Lord. She is leaps and bounds ahead of where I was in my walk with Christ at that age! What a blessing!

I feel as if somehow the day got away from me today. I *did* do my devotions, checked schoolwork, folded clothes and made supper. I did some other housework too...but I didn't do *a lot*...I think days like this (cloudy, rainy and dreary) can just make it so hard to have a *get up and go* sort of spirit. They make me want to snuggle down in an afghan with a good book or movie! I am feeling quite *blah* with myself! Ever have those sort of days?

The devotions I am doing are from the Behold Your God study. I may have mentioned it in a previous post but I don't remember completely. It is a great study. Every other week Madelyn and I meet with a group of other ladies to watch the video sermons and have discussion and fellowship. The time in between we spend doing daily devotions and learning how to truly stand in awe of God. It's a time to fall at His feet and learn how to truly focus on HIM and not ourselves. The study is all about Him...and not about us! HERE is a review Tim Challies did on it (plus a video clip)!

The Lord is teaching me much lately...I feel like most of it is that I make way too much of myself and not enough about Him. I am striving to change this as I desire to be completely pleasing to Him! I want to be selfless and put the needs of others above my own. Sure, I do that sometimes...but I don't do it ALL the time. I can be lazy or complacent. I can be selfish and impatient. It's sad....but true. Along with my prayer, devotions and reading in my Bible I have also brought out my book: IF by Amy Carmichael. (I actually purchased another one of these and took it to my sister in Christ/friend today too. I pray it encourages her as much as it does me!) Oh, it is gloriously convicting and gives me much to chew on through the day! If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. It's just snippets of sayings...not chapters to read so you can read it alongside your Bible or whatever other devotions your doing without problem!

It's getting late and I need to head to bed. Jaxson just asked if he could lay beside me in my bed and read for a bit. Sweet days with my littles (who aren't so little anymore). Xavier will probably want to follow suit and want to lay in bed with us too. I still read to them when we aren't all sleepy at bedtime. They *ask* to be read to...which I love as I know these days won't last forever. We read chapter books and it's such a sweet time. We always invite Madelyn to join us but she is usually engrossed in her own chapter book so she passes on the invitation and retreats to her own room to read. :)

Before I go, I just wanted to let you know (in case you are interested) I did another video. This one is a *plan with me* in my bullet journal where I actually show you how I write out my days. You can view it HERE.

Thank you for stopping by! I am always grateful for your comments and emails! It's such a blessing to make friends from all around the world while sitting in the coziness of my own home! :o) Have a wonderful rest of your week!!!

Warmly,
Katy

How I Plan ~ My First Video

Hello friends! Here is my first-ever youtube video! I have done videos of my children and things but never of me talking through stuff. I clear my throat and make little sounds quite often in this video! It drives me crazy...but I wanted to get this video up and posted so I didn't want to completely redo it. If I ever do more videos on things, I will be more careful about that! ;) I apologize if it drives anyone else bonkers! Hmm...I wonder if I do that in real life too...? 

I figured giving a look-see into my planner and how I plan may be more interesting than just seeing photos! Let me know what you think (unless it's bad...then don't tell me..hahaha!). And I did want to acknowledge that I said "my husband and I" when I should have said "my husband and me"...again, something I realized *after* the video was over! ;) 

So, enjoy and if you have any questions about it or suggestions even...I would love to hear them! I will leave the links for the items I use (the planner, paper etc.) on my youtube description for that video in case you are interested! :)

**If you would *like* and *share* this video on Youtube, that would be fantastic too! :)

Thanks so much for visiting me here! Have a great rest of the week!

Warmly,

Katy

Linked up at: A Wise Woman Builds Her Home and Strangers & Pilgrims

New-To-Me Valances!

So, I am excited to finally have some valances hanging in the mudroom and laundry room! The window above is in our mudroom/entryway. I used valances my grammie had made for Madelyn's room when she was born! We were no longer using them anywhere and they were folded up and stored in our linen cupboard. I was so excited to realize I could easily use them here! There's only one window in the entryway so I put the valances together so they have a nice ruffled look! :) 

The laundry room still doesn't have the trim around the windows and doorways (but I am definitely not complaining...I am in no rush for that trim to be put on! I am just so thankful *for* all the wonderful work my husband and brother-in-love did). While at Goodwill one day, I came across matching ruffled valances. They may not be my *first* choice for valances...but they work perfectly and dress it up a little in there! :) I am super happy with them. It's the simple things, my friends....the simple things! 

It looks pretty from the outside looking in too...although I don't have any photos of that! As you can see, it was raining the day I took these pictures! It's so wet and gloomy when you look out the windows here! Haha...see that lone chicken below..?

 The children are working on their schoolwork right now. I went to the post office to mail some sticker orders and have been doing a bit of housework. In a bit, we'll be off to my mom's house. My sister and girls are in town and my nieces want to ride my mom's pony! :) That should be fun!

Before I go, I have to share my excitement. Here are the latest stickers I have listed in my shop! Most are planner stickers but I offer a whole assortment of fun stickers for all kinds of projects, organization and housework!

Here is a strawberry spread...

The "Party Glam" kit...

The "Falling for Fall" kit...

And these were listed today! Aren't they so cute!? Kitty cats, kitty cats!

Some people are quite surprised at the price of stickers. But honestly, when you consider all that goes into it...buying (or making) graphics, sticker paper, toner, time put into laying everything out and getting it print and cut...it all makes more sense! :o)

I gotta run....life is happening and I can't be part of it if I am just sitting here at this old (actually, new) computer! Have a great, great day friends and thank you for stopping by!!! :)

Warmly,
Katy

Linked up at: A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

*Trials & Joys*

The sun outside is shining brightly and the skies are beautiful and blue. It is an absolutely lovely day here in Western Pennsylvania! Life isn't perfect here...no matter how idyllic pictures may make it seem...but it is a life loved and lived attempting to glorify God in all things.

My laptop died on Saturday. The Lord was wonderfully gracious to me though as I had just finished a sticker order and sent it out and also had just finished our church's worship guide (I digitally assemble our church's *bulletin* for each Sunday) and sent it to our church's tech guys. I got up to get some breakfast and Chris sat down to check the weather and called out to ask me if I had turned the computer off. I hadn't. It had just completely shut down on its own and we couldn't restart it. I have a computer friend trying to fix it (so grateful for him!).

Thankfully, I had the worship guides and my sticker sets saved to a thumb drive. I lost all my music (thousands of songs) and playlists for the spin class I teach (I had over 60 made). They are still on my iPod but if I plug it into this new computer, I'll lose them all....so I can't change or redo any of the playlists. I am so hoping that our friend is able to save our old computer so I can still use it for that! Eek!

I *do* praise the Lord though that we had money in savings and were able to purchase a decent (but not very expensive) laptop! I am back to making my stickers and after trying to put all my usernames and passwords in my different emails and sites that need them....I think I am *finally* getting back to normal with this new computer! It was a bit stressful! Wowza....it's amazing how much is saved and vital on a computer! To lose that old one really threw me for a loop (and I am not even really into social media or doing a whole lot on the 'net)! I am not an internet junkie at all (I don't even own a smart phone nor do I text or anything!) but I love having it for numerous reasons...a few being things for homeschooling, email, checking the news and weather and also my sticker business! :)

So far today I have been kept busy with tasks of life (as well as praying in the midst of it all for friends and even people I don't know ~ but need prayer! Praying while hanging laundry or washing the dishes is a great use of your time!) :) I taught a spin class early this morning...came home to shower, send Chris off to work with a kiss and began homeschooling with the children. I began laundry and hung it out on the lines. While the children worked independently for a bit on their schoolwork I was able to do a little reading! We did our Bible curriculum together and then had lunch. Now, we're all just relaxing a bit before we head outside to stack wood. Chris splits a bunch each night when he comes home from work and then the next day, the children and I stack it. :) Getting ready for the winter! :)

I brought a tree I had stored in the garage back into the house recently. With the new living room, there is more room for it. The lights that had been on it died so I had to put new ones on. I like them...they cast a warm glow throughout the living area. We haven't really done a "Christmas Tree" for years...I am not into them (as I am unsure that the Lord is truly honored and glorified by us having one at the time His birth is celebrated) but it means a lot to the children so I said we could put some Christmas ornaments on it during that time of year and they can enjoy it. I really think they miss the cozy feeling of the tradition.

If you look in the picture below you can see out the evening window...the wood stove to the left and back behind the wagon (and the reflection of the tree lights on the window pane)...far, far back is Chris splitting wood...

A look out the other window in the evening hours...

One other thing I was working on today....planner clips! Aren't they darling? I just love them! My sister had found a shop on etsy that sells uncut felties. She told me about it and I purchased a small grab bag (you can request one certain feltie to be included in the grab bag....I, of course, asked for the sloth). People make headbands for children and other fun crafty things with them. I made planner clips and they are just *too* cute!

 Honestly, isn't this sloth peeking out from the top of my planner just too sweet!? (Yes, I confess, simple things give me joy....and I'm okay with that!)

A little peek into my planner and how I map out my days and to-do lists...

I teach spin class this evening as well...although on nice days I don't always have a class. In the winter the class fills up with people trying to keep weight off and get their exercise in despite the cold and snow. These nicer days of Autumn people enjoy spending their evenings outside in the nice weather and I don't blame them! :)

I need to hang another load of clothes out on the line and then get to stacking wood! Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me here and I hope you have an enjoyable rest of the week!

Warmly,
Katy

Thrifting Finds, My Birthday, & Home

I had to run some errands yesterday and I thought I would just pop into Goodwill and browse for a few minutes while I was out and about! I am so glad I did! I found some great items! The first thing is this neat, old-fashioned bingo wheel with wooden bingo balls in it! It screamed *great decoration piece* at me and I had to pick it up for just a few dollars!

I also found this great storage box, sturdy basket and some organizing things...

My sister, her girls, my mom and my aunt all came to visit on my birthday (a couple days ago). I forgot to get my camera out (until later in the day and I took a picture of these great, fun balloons my aunt brought me)...

We had a nice time visiting and the children played. My mom is still healing after her accident and it was so nice to have her here to chat with us! :) I got some fun gifts...sloth earrings, books I had wanted and cloth napkins. Chris came home after work and took me out for a salad for my birthday as well. We don't eat out so it was a fun treat! :)

Supper last night was fresh, delicious sweet corn...

A beautiful print of scripture I need to put in a frame...

The days have been busy, busy lately. I enjoy when I have times of slow, quiet rest in between...

I do not mean to wish time away at all...but I must admit that I already have fall scented candles burning in my home! :) It's suppose to be nearing 90* these next few days though and it's definitely not going to *feel* like fall yet...but I long for the cooler (less humid) days! I love sweater weather! Quilts, pumpkins, leaves, apples, cider, and that wood-burning scent in the air...Mmm...just a few of the reasons I love autumn!

For now though, we're going to try to stay cool while getting things accomplished! Sometimes I feel overwhelmed at all that must get done and then I sit back, thank the Lord that He is stretching me and strive to do all that I can for His glory.

I hope your weekend is God-glorifying and enjoyable!
Thank you for visiting me here!
Warmly,
Katy

Linked up at: Make it Pretty Monday

An Organized Cleaning Closet

The cleaning closet is finished! After all these years of dreaming of a nice, tidy, organized place for my cleaning supplies, I can rejoice because it is finally here! :) I showed a picture of it in my previous post but now we have the broom/mop hanger on the door as well to finish it off! Plus, these pictures are a bit brighter and show into the closet a little better! :)

Chris has been so amazing these past 8 months. He (with our brother-in-law)finished the addition (making the new living room, mud room and laundry room), ran new pipes for the washing machine (that were underground and a pain!), rebuilt the outside door to the cellar, made shelves for me and my cleaning closet...and has put the new door knobs on the doors (as well as much more that I am forgetting!)...

I am just so, so thankful for such a handy, talented husband. I seriously think he can do just about anything he puts his mind to. He has saved us so much money by doing things himself. He is *such* a blessing to me! We still have some more to do...such as finish the laundry room closet (for coats and shoes) and things...but seeing his momentum to get things done encourages me that it will happen soon! It's such a great feeling! :) We need to start preparing for winter and colder weather too. This means splitting, chopping and stacking wood. Time to fill the wood shed! :)

Today is a beautiful day....sunshine and clear skies. I am thankful for it, truly! We got the rain we really needed a few days ago and now the Lord is blessing us with these beautiful days! Tomorrow is my birthday and I think my sister and her girls are coming over to spend the afternoon with us! Yay! I'm looking forward to it!

The days are still really busy lately...with homeschooling, teaching spin/exercising, housework, checking on my mom (thank you for your thoughts and prayers for her), and such...but the Lord is really teaching me how to get out of my comfort zone...and that it's *okay*! I've been reading scripture and some other books and have learned and been convicted of much lately too...I plan on sharing that in an upcoming post if time permits. Maybe you will find encouragement and conviction in what I share then as well!?

Before I go...I also wanted to share that I have just put some fall stickers in my shop...

I have also been working on transferring my bullet journal into my filofax planner! I love the dot grid set up of designing my own pages as in a bujo...but I also love the freedom to move, take out, or change things in a filofax system...so I decided to get the best of both worlds. I found dot grid paper and have started using it in my filofax! :) You can see a picture of it on my instagram HERE. I want to get it set up a bit better before posting about it though! :) I am so excited to have the best of both worlds with it!

Well, I gotta get some housework done and then teach a spin class later this afternoon. I best get movin'! I hope your day is just fantastic! Thanks for dropping by!

Cheerfully,
Katy :)

Linked up at: One Project at a Time and Strangers & Pilgrims and Make it Pretty Monday