Bullet Journaling for Lefties: Achieve Smudge-Free Lists in the New Year!

A daily reminder to "Live A Life You Love."

Happy New Years! This is the time of year, where I try to slow down, reflect and organize my thoughts.  It is also the time of year when I like to make a lot of lists.  I create lists for movies I want to watch (the Oscars are coming), places I want to visit, what I hope to achieve in the new year, restaurants I want to try, and the lists go on.

I heard about Bullet Journal (BuJo for short); which is an "analog system for the digital age" that was created by Ryder Carroll, who is a digital product designer.  I was instantly turned off to this idea.

Check out these cute journals sold at Darn Good Yarn.

The idea of going analog and putting down the laptop intrigues me, but being a lefty who can barely read my own writing, the idea of writing things down outright scares me.

Writing makes me nervous. Not the act of expressing myself with words, but physically writing.  I am left-handed, so my handwriting is terrible and I am subject to the lefty smudge. I am the last person to volunteer to be the scribe or write on a chalkboard.

Lefties make up 10% of the population

A fellow co-worker mentioned the company Jet Pens. They offer a sampler kit of pens for lefties.  Is this true?  Are there pens that are better for lefties?

Jet Pens wrote an article "Pens & Writing Supplies for the Left-Handed, where I learned about fast drying notepads that have rings on the top and other options for left-handed people. I ordered a sample of pens from Jet Pens and I have to say these pens are great.  Where have they been all my life?  They dry fast so it helps prevent the smear. I highly recommend these pens for any lefties out there and I plan to order more writing supplies soon.

Putting the pens to the test

I wanted to see which of these pens worked the best and which I liked the best.  I did a pen test in my journal.  First I drew a line with each pen and quickly tried to smear it.  Then I wrote the name of the pen on the line.  Here are the results:

The Pilot FriXion Ball Knock Retractable Gel Pen - 0.5 mm is my favorite, my apologies for the name!

The Pilot FriXion worked the best, but just by a hair over the others in the sampler kit.

I am so excited!  Now, I am armed with pens that actually work for me. I am looking forward to Bullet Journaling and writing things down.  For a few moments of my digitally charged day, I will go "offline" and write in my journal. This journal will not be about work. I will just be a book of ideas to help me organize my thoughts.

Warning: Making lists can be addictive! 

Places I want to go, while I am visiting New Orleans next weekend.

A list of movies that may be Oscar contenders. 

I made a list of lists that you can make yourself:

• Places you want to go
• Savings log
• Healthy snack ideas
• Bucket list
• 2018 goals
• Hydration tracker
• Date night ideas
• Restaurants to try
• Meal planning ideas
• Meals they liked
• Housework, one thing a day
• Daily grateful thoughts
• Seasonal produce for January or the current month
• Movies to watch
• Dream Journal - my first thoughts in the morning

I hope you enjoyed reading my blog!  If you are interested in more ideas for bullet journaling, please visit my Pinterest Board.

Happy 2018!  I hope it is a great year ~ and please live a life you love.

Last Minute Holiday Ideas To Keep Your Season Sane

Need something quick for a Holiday Exchange?  Would you like to stop by the neighbors to say hello and drop off a thoughtful and tasty gift?  Want to offer a small treat to thank your co-workers? In need of a quick host or hostess gift?

Here are some ideas I gathered. Cheers!

Rum and Coke! This cost me about $20 and that includes our Washington state liquor tax.

Bring Holiday Cheer!

Wine and beer are gifts that can make a party festive and fun!

A little booze can be a great ice-breaker for the season. Dress up bottles for a quick gift idea to add something special under the tree or to take to a party.  Please check out my alcohol themed ideas to get the holidays started.

Bark, The Herald Angels Sing! Fa La La La etc...

Holiday bark is a quick and easy treat to give to your friends and family.

The trick to making bark is to not make them too thick. They break easier and are less "fudgie" tasting. You also need to watch when you are melting white chocolate, because it melts at a different time and temperature than dark chocolate.  Here is a link about how to melt white chocolate that you can read before trying these recipes that have a bigger bark than their bite.

Quick Ideas for the Host or Hostess

Keeping things simple is smart when hosting during the holidays.

Holiday are a busy time and calendars fill up fast with all the parties and get-togethers.  Here are some ideas for appetizers and gifts that are easy to make, so you don't show up empty-handed.

Mason Jar Gift Ideas

Mason jars are a pretty way to present gifts to all your Jar Heads.

Homemade gifts can be put in a mason jar or recycled glass to look nostalgic and crafty.  Every year, my mom makes sugar nuts, she can just put them in a jar, tie a ribbon tied around it - and call it good.  You can also make caramel sauce, which is nice to have on hand.  Warm caramel sauce can be drizzled over pancakes or poffertjes (Dutch pancakes) to please kiddos on Christmas morning. Get gift ideas that you can put a lid on.

It's Starting to Look like Christmas!

Simple ideas can add a festive flair.

I love the holidays, but my job keeps me busy and I have to keep my decorating and shopping to a minimum.  Next time you are at the grocery store, pick up holly, cinnamon and other ingredients to make your home festive and smell nice.

Let's Wrap It Up!

Items found in nature are an inexpensive resource to make environmental friendly packaging.

Why do mummies like Christmas so much?  Because it is all about the wrapping.  I tend to love the wrapping more than the gifts, however, as the season carries on, wrapping gifts can start to feel overwhelming.  Don't get too wrapped up and keep it simple.  Here are some quick and easy ideas to wrap the season up!

Dear readers, please send me your ideas on ways to keep the holidays sane and simple.

Happy Holidays!