Friday, January 21, 2011

There is something about January that beckons me to a fresh start. I realize we are 21 days in already and whatever start I am referring to is seemingly late, but I have good reasons. I have been organizing thanks to a few, wonderful Christmas gifts from my family:

Of course, there is the new calendar. Dad takes great pride in choosing each of us girls a calendar to suit us for the year. Mine is called "Faithful Moments", and after the passing of Penny in 2010 it is a good and necessary thing to focus on God's "faithful moments" in my life. January's calendar picture has the following verse: "May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father comfort your hearts . May they make you strong in every good thing you do and say" (I Thessalonians 2:16-17). Perfect.


As a stocking stuffer (my personal favorite kind of gift), my little sister Em got me this great sticky note book. It has great prints and is from a fun store in Des Moines in the East Village called Porch Light. At first I wasn't sure why they put all the sticky notes in a book together, but now I think it is sheer brilliance. I will no longer lose my sticky notes. Perfect.




Most of my organizing has been at home in the family room where my new desk is. :) It is simple and tucked away in the corner where our chest used to be. I found some fun accessories and of course, hung some pictures of the girlies to inspire me while I work on things. I have been helping Jamie with some Consumed Publishing ventures so this is a great and hopefully productive space for me. My previous computer desk was in the basement and I find that to be a little, well, uninspiring. ;) Thanks Phil and Sue and Mom for contributing to my "home office". It's perfect.



And last, but definitely not least, I have this new little toy from Jamie- my new ipad. He really came out of nowhere with this gift and I was in complete shock and disbelief when I opened it. As sweet as the ipad is, the story as to how Jamie was able to get if for me touched me probably more as God definitely worked out some details for it to happen. Apart from being a fascinating little piece of technology, the ipad allows me to take my music, my pictures, and my writings with me. I have missed this over the past couple year, especially when the weather is nice and I want to be outside listening to the girls play while I work. ipad- perfect.


So, there you go. A fresh, more organized start to 2011 thanks to some new gadgets and gifts from family. I make no promises to be planning meals a month, a week, or even a day in advance. And I am sure I will still forget things I need at the grocery store, but at least for now, I feel more organized which is really half the battle, right?

3 comments:

Unknown said...

I love your organization Gretchen! What a thoughtful gift for Jamie to get. I remember when you were in college how much you loved your calendar from your Dad. It is nice to have sweet things like that from your family.

I keep meaning to organize my day planner for my job. I suppose, since you reminded me it is January 21, I should do that tonight : )

It will be my one goal of this night.

Wishing you a happy and snow free weekend! Love, Becky

Lisa said...

Gretchen!
This post just lights me up... it appeals to the Type A in me, what can I say. I love January for the same reason! I always look forward to the event of buying our new calendar for the wall to go in our wooden frame in the kitchen... it has become mine & Eric's tradition. He picked it out this year. Also, I love looking for and then find SUCH satisfaction in finding the perfect day planner for the next year. I feel like a kid in September all over again with writing in such neat handwriting all my to-do lists and events in different pens & colors.
And when I saw the picture of your desk, I was LOVING it! It reminds me of a picture you'd find in Real Simple magazine. There is something so inspiring about things in their proper place, haha! I like the desk too... sleek lines, simple, can add to and not take away from the look of the whole room. ok, I think that's all. I just loved this post ;) And I'm glad to see you're enjoying your iPad, of course. One day ours will meet, haha. Much love

Full of JOY said...

This is all so amazing! I love organizational tools! Especially like your new desk space!