My New Planner

This isn't really a review, as I haven't had the planner long enough to review anything about it. These are just my initial thoughts on the M by Staples Arc system.

It's waaaaaaay more than a planner; it's its own system for crying out loud. 

In college, I LIVED by my planner. My freshman year, I pledged a sorority and my schedule immediately filled with events. I didn't use a planner in high school, but I quickly adapted to this new way of organizing my life. 

Around 2007, I ditched the paper planner in favor of digital planning. While it was nice having my calendar accessible from ANYWHERE (you know, because my cell phone is surgically attached to my hand), I didn't realize the trade-offs that came with changing systems.

I no longer had a place to stuff envelopes I needed to drop in the mail. Where would I keep the coupons for my Walgreens shopping trip? What about the form I needed to submit for reimbursement? Where should I keep that until I turn it in?

You see, the planner was more than a place to document scheduled events. It served as a "go to" place  to store things that affected nearly every aspect of my life. 

I adjusted to not having a collecting place for these things but there was one problem with a digital planner that I never solved: it was difficult to see an entire month at one glance. 

I'd be trying to plan a night out or figure out a time to have an evening meeting, and I couldn't easily see what I already had planned in one glance. Using the digital monthly view, I could see that I had something scheduled (as indicated by a little triangle on the screen that day), but I couldn't tell if it was a morning, afternoon or evening event.

It was maddening. Trying to find a time to meet had become a 10-minute chore.

I also realized I was over scheduling our family. Because I couldn't quickly and easily see our month or week at a glance, I scheduled events multiple nights in a row. 

So, after struggling for years using my Google calendar/cell phone/iPad as my planner, I've gone back to a paper planner!!

I posted my intentions on Facebook and a college friend recommended I consider the Arc system at Staples (my cousin recommended it before that, but I hadn't yet considered going back to paper so I didn't investigate it at the time). 

As I do with most things, I investigated the heck out it. I spent more time looking into the Arc because the closest Staples is 71 miles away and I didn't want to get there and realize the system wouldn't work for me. 

Here are a few YouTube videos I watched (admittedly more than once) that helped me decide that that Arc is likely a good system for me.

Arc System #1

Arc System #2

Arc System #3

I'm totally sold on the system. Instead of having a road trip to Staples, my wonderful husband actually bought it for me as an early Mother's Day gift!

It arrived yesterday and I spent last night putting it together. It's just what I need! And of course, I opted for the pink binder cover :)

And, I have two plastic pockets that are ideal for holding envelopes and receipts (for items I need to return):

Staples online didn't have the Weekly/Monthly calendar inserts I needed, so I went to Etsy and actually found that a business woman I knew from years ago now has her own shop where she sells organizing forms! I found this undated set that suits my needs perfectly. Don't you just love the bold colors?

The much needed Monthly view I've been missing so much!!

Initially I didn't think I would like the extra boxes at the bottom of the weekly pages, but I'm already finding myself using them quite a bit. (This week looks a little bare because I didn't go through and add in Sun/Mon/Tue events since those days already passed :)- sometimes I wish all my weeks looked this open!)

Below is another plastic pocket (came in a package of 2). I'm using this one to keep a few greeting cards handy. I send 1-2 cards/week so having them with me will certainly help make sure they get written and mailed.

Below is a plastic zippered pouch (package of 2). I'm using it to store tabs and paperclips.

This is why I already LOVE the planner. Because you buy the Arc-specific paper punch, you can use it to punch ANYTHING! So instead of slapping post card reminders and invitations on the fridge, I'm going to put them in the planner!

This blue zippered cloth pencil pouch is something I saw Nicky at She Organizes recommend and when I couldn't find it online at Target, I kinda forgot about it. Then yesterday I was at Target grocery shopping and as I always do, I took a little detour through the office supplies (I'm not the only one that does that, right? RIGHT?). It is the perfect sized pouch to fit over the planner and it has a strap so it's easily removable. I keep my multi-colored pens in there.

So, that's the planner. Pretty sweet, huh? It took me several hours to put it together but this isn't because the planner is difficult; it's because I ordered the aforementioned paper planner pages from Etsy and had to print them out, cut them down to size and write in the dates. I'm kinda known for taking a relatively easy process and infinitely complicating it in the name of making it look pretty. 

As I told my husband (who claims I was more excited about this than the autographed Peyton picture he gave me for Valentine's Day), it'll take some time to work through any new system. I'm sure there will be things I don't like; I just haven't found any yet!

I am seriously loving the punch system that allows me to tote/store almost anything I need within the binder. Genius. I've convinced myself that I invented this system in another life so we'd benefit from it in this life :)

I've lost my son

I've lost my son. And it feels awesome.

Obviously I didn't really lose RJ. I did, however, recently lose 34 pounds which is the weight equivalent of my 2.5 year old son.

If I stand on the scale with Ryan, I'd weight exactly what I weighed on New Year's Eve 2012 (5 months ago).

It was a picture taken on New Year's Eve that prompted my weight loss. I subsequently deleted the picture, 'else I'd show you now. Although it was a very blurry and poorly lit cell phone picture, my excessive weight still shown through. It was awful. It was the heaviest I'd ever weighed (non-pregnant).

Before I resigned from my job in Nov 2011, I had lost about 20 lbs. Mostly it was stress related weight loss, but I did consciously watch what I ate. A year later, I added on the 20 lbs and some. Ugh. I looked and felt horrible.

In 2013, I've lost 34 pounds so far. My goal, if you'll recall, was 15 pounds.

I kept the weight loss a secret until I had reached 25 lbs. To be honest, many didn't people even notice the first 25 lbs. I mean, a few people commented here and there, but it wasn't until I hit the 30 lbs mark a few weeks ago that it became more noticeable.

I've lost the weight entirely through calorie counting and eating healthier. I use MyFitnessPal App to track my calories. We eat a vegetarian dinner at least once/week. We eat MUCH smaller portions. I didn't start out making healthier meals; I just made and ate smaller portions of the same food we've always eaten. After dropping a few pounds, I got encouraged and then began making more of an effort to make healthier meals (enter Pinterest).

I keep all of my recipes on Evernote. You can view my notebook here. If you type "light" or "healthy" into the search box, recipes with those labels should appear. Most of the recipes have the nutrition info at the end of the recipe.

Some of our recent favorites include Creamy Tortellini with Spinach, Quinoa Salad, Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms, and Spinach salad.

For lunch, we eat at home 4 days/week (we meet hubs for lunch on Fridays) and I'll have a lean cuisine panini, lean cuisine cheese ravioli, salad, or smoothie. I try to keep lunch less than 350 calories.

I used to drink Dr. Pepper and Sweet Tea with meals. Now I don't drink any soda. I carry a water bottle with me and drink water with meals, even when we eat out.

I eat Dairy Queen, sometimes several times a week. But, now I order the kiddie sized treats rather than the medium sized.

I've lost significant weight twice before, but this time feels different. We haven't drastically altered our lifestyles to the point where we feel we're "almost there" and then can eat "normally" again. THIS feels normal. This feels healthy.

Now that I'm over the 30 lb mark, I've started adding exercise. We walk/jog 1-2 times/week. I try burning at least 150 calories.

I don't really enjoy running, but sometimes it's the easier thing to do. Strap on the shoes and get out there. I've got a Garmin Forerunner so I can just go. No planning ahead required.

I really want to weight train so I'm putting together a program for that. Weight training (at least in my mind) takes planning. I don't feel like I can just pick up weights and go. I probably could, but for some reason it just seems more complicated. Weight training is really what shapes the body, though, so I really want to start a consistent program.

I'm not sure what's so different this time around, but something definitely is different. Maybe it's because, for the first time, I've prayed about it? I've never prayed about weight loss before, but a comment a friend made about not being able to go at things alone really stuck with me. So I handed it over to God and asked for his help.

Thirty four pounds later, I'm glad I did.

I don't really have a goal weight. Maybe I should. But for now, I'm just trying to keep this as a no pressure, go at my own pace, take it one day at a time rate. And it's working.

A few weeks ago I bought some new jeans. They were one size smaller and fit great. The other day, I could pull them off without unzipping them. They're already almost too big. It's ridic. Fabulously ridic.

So, you'll have to pardon me (or hide me, whichever) when I start posting more pics of myself on FB. You see, for years, I avoided posting pics of myself. No one should be subjected to my bloated, triple chinned photos. But now, those single chin pics are making more of an appearance.

One chin, people. ONE chin!

SMASH your year: February

I'm only about a month behind in posting my SMASHbook pages for February.

A few weeks ago, I had some minor medical problems that knocked me off my butt for a few days, but I'M BACK!

Here we go....February 2013:

I made the red Valentine's Day book and wrote a few notes about the holiday. I included a picture of the Valentines that Ryan gave his classmates. 

I love that we're doing this. I just know that in December 2013 when we look back at our year, we'll be proud of the fun memories we made and even more proud that we documented them!

See January's SMASHbook pages.

See Connie's AWESOME pages.

Organizing the important stuff

You know how you set out to accomplish a single, simple goal, like, "book a dental appointment," and then 2 hours later you've reorganized your entire household binder of important papers??

I had one of those super-efficient mornings. I needed to make a dentist appointment for Ryan now that he's finally on our dental plan and before I did, though, I wanted to review our policy details. After working in healthcare for 13 years, I knew better than to assume that every visit is covered. I wanted to make sure (best I could) that there aren't certain exclusions since Ryan is only 2.5 years old and this is his first visit.

The plan summary document is pretty straight forward, so I think I'm OK, but there's still a chance that the dentist will bill some totally obscure code that'll get rejected as "not medically necessary." That's just how things work.

Anyway, as I pulled out the documents to review, I started finding other paperwork that needed to be filed. Then I remembered that during MOPS last month, we made a Household Binder in which to organize important papers. Then I remembered that I found a ton of filing folders, binder clips, and tabbed folders in the guest bedroom recently. Then I remembered we recently opened a safety deposit box at a local bank and it's totally empty.

Organizing the household paperwork

Our Household Binder

Inside of Household Binder

One thing led to another which led to another and two hours later, I'm pretty well organized on the paperwork front :) And, I have some legal papers (Healthcare power of attorney, which, BTW, is DIFFERENT than the regular Power of Attorney) to put into our safety deposit box.

Our HealthCare Power of Attorney

Next fall, I'm the Assistant Coordinator of MOPS, so I need to start pulling things together now. I'm heading to Office Max later today (I could LIVE in that store) to grab an organizer or binder for the MOPS stuff. Many of the tabbed file folders I didn't use this AM will be put to good use for MOPS.

In addition to the binder, I also have a crate which I use for other major filings (taxes, retirement paperwork, car paperwork, work done on the house):

Something I'd like to be better at is saving (in one place) important receipts. You'd think that as much as I enjoy organizing that I'd already have that one down, but I don't. When we make a major purchase, I have every intention of storing the receipt in an important place. The problem is that I have approximately 539,205 important places for receipts! I have a folder in this crate for receipts (and ones to hold for 6 months), but I'm not great about actually putting receipts in there.

Later today, I'm taking Ryan to his first movie at the theater! We're going to see Wreck It Ralph with some friends. I'm hoping that Ryan sees how well the other kids behave and will model their behavior during the film. *Fingers Crossed!*

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I LOVE MONDAYS! 

A heart full of love

Happy Valentine's Day!

We celebrated with a little breakfast and some quality family time. Tonight we'll uphold our annual Valentine's Day tradition and enjoy breakfast for dinner at Bob Evans with our friends!

As much as I'm trying not to gift him for every little holiday, it's difficult to hold back when toys like this Toy Story Water station (retail $19.99) was on sale for $5.98!

Plus, he LOVES it and I'm pretty convinced that if the toy helps develop motor skills, then it's really not a toy, but rather a necessity :)

Giving Woody a shower

Yesterday was Pink Day at Ryan's school. Good luck finding a pink shirt for a toddler boy! Impossible. I thought about taking his red shirt and ruining it in the wash, but didn't. Whatever. They need to make pink polo shirts for toddler boys. Period.

Here are the Valentine's that Ryan gave to his classmates. I used this free printable to make them.

Valentine's we made for Ryan's classmates

He totally thought there was milk in them :)

Menu Plan

Here's our menu for the week. We're trying new dishes tonight...vegetarian night!

I'm going to predict that Craig will think dinner tonight is "OK" but will request that we only do this once a month :)

Sunday: Creamy Zucchini Boats and Sweet Potato Fries

Monday: Asian Lettuce Wraps (I'm also making these stuffed fillo shells for MOPS)

Tuesday: Spicy Romano Chicken

Wednesday: Wonton tacos

Thursday: Dine out (Bob Evans for Valentine's Day with friends)

SMASH your year: January

One of my New Year's resolutions is to make memories. We do lots of fun things as a family. We're cool like that.

As the mother of a toddler, that also means I have a TERRIBLE memory. I used to remember EVERYTHING. Seriously, I could meet you once and two years later I'd still remember your name, your boyfriend's name, and nearly every detail you shared with me the one and only time we met. 

Nowadays, I can't even remember my age.

So this year, I vowed to document our year so we not only make great memories, but I'll actually kinda, sorta remember them now.

You'll remember that Connie threw down a SMASH book challenge and, being the healthy competitive challenger I am, I accepted. 

I purchased the necessary accessories (which are very, very reasonably priced- I used my 40% off Michael's coupon to pay $8 for the entire SMASHbook) and got to work. 

The best part about a SMASHbook is that it is SUPER EASY to do. Its perfect for us Type-A personalities that inevitably put off scrapbooking b/c it takes too damn long due to our irrational need for crafting perfection.

SMASHbooking requires very little imagination and not so much time. Seriously, it took me about 5 minutes to make each page. 

The first Thurs of every month, Connie and I are posting our SMASH book pages for the previous month.

Connie got her pages posted earlier (OMG, she'd so talented and fun!!).

Here are ours! Enjoy!

I plan on decorating the cover throughout the year

Inside the left front cover- a folder to keep loose items

First page-- list of my resolutions and recap of New Years Eve

Our indoor treasure hunt. I saved the clues in the "keep me" pocket. 

Pictures are stacked so I can put more pics per page.

Recap of a few average days in the Lotz house!

A page without RJ :) 

This last page recaps a few of the social events during the month. Craig and I went on a few dates- the first one was to see Les Miserable at the movies. We misread the start time of the movie so we showed up an hour early. It was pouring rain outside too. So, we did what any 21st century couple would do-- we watched Ghost Adventurers on the cell phone until it was time to go inside for the movie :) 

So on this page, there's a pic of our cell phone propped up on the dash board with a sticky note briefly describing the date. Under the pic, I put our ticket stubs.

The bottom picture is of Jill, Kelly and me at our alphabet dinner. We're working our way through the alphabet, trying out different restaurants. February was "D" month. It is SO fun. We've found some great places to eat and every single dinner, we laugh until we cry (both from laughing too much and from sad moments when we lean on each other in difficult times). This past month, Jill's mom and husband happened to be at Dos Gorditos too and they picked up our tab! THESE are the memories I want to remember in 20 years!

A brief recap of dinner is written under the pic of us gals. 

And, since this is the first month, I thought I'd throw in a few pics of my SMASHbook supplies.  I keep everything in a tub under the coffee table in the living room. I usually make a page while watching TV with the Hubs after little dude goes to bed. Seriously, its taken me longer to write this post than it does to make the pages!

Small Thirty-One zipper pouch I use to store things until I can SMASH 'em!

What about you? Are you joining us in our SMASH challenge? Its not too late to get started!