Plum Paper Review (and coupon)

Basically all I wanted for Christmas was a Plum Planner. In an attempt to get organized, that was at the top of my list, with accessories and different colored pens to embellish the planner with coming in a close second.

And here it is!

I loved using the website to customize just what I needed. Prepare to spend some time trying to choose- especially on the covers. There are so many pretty options. I think in the end, I had "built" 3 different planners.
I ended up ordering a 7x9 12 Month Planner with the Horizontal: Notes & Days format. I added dispersed notes pages, anotber section of notes, and the meal planning section.

I am an avid note taker and part of what I wanted this planner to serve as, was a sermon note journal. So now I have the availability of writing down my sermon notes in my Planner and being able to access them at any time during the week... Because ideally, this planner is never leaving my side.

And so far, it is going well. We are a few weeks in to the new year, and I am loving embellishing, coloring, doodling and note-taking!

The only negative (and it's only a negative because this thing is honkin'!) is that it's a beast. It's over an inch thick and it's heavy. I almost would've liked a disclaimer that it was going to be a big as it ended up being... but that just means that I have extra space for note taking and such. I like to take notes (can you tell?).

Anyways, I am super excited to use all of the sections and be organized and make plans for next year's planner, because I am sure I will be ordering another!

Oh, and their customer service is great!
The kind folks over at Plum Paper gave me a coupon code to pass on to my readers. Just enter the code WHISPER10 to receive 10% off your order through March 31st.

Happy planning friends! 😎

Are you in?

I'm trying to be better at listening to God and being aware of signs. I think I am in the midst of one right now, and there are a few areas where it could be playing out.

I am struggling with our LifeGroup. As leaders, I feel like we are fully vested in this opportunity and that we were called to be leaders for our small group. We are new at this, but we are trying. The problem is that I feel like our Groupies are trying less. And part of me is fine with that. They are just part of the group, so they are allowed to come and go as they see fit. I want them to feel welcome and like they are a part of something, and if they aren't, I can accept that and hopefully point them in the direction of a group that can. I just need to know where their head is and what direction they want to go. And currently, communication is not a strong suit... Just last week, I sent out a jovial email prepping everyone for that Sunday's meeting. It was to be thr first of the semester and we still had a few things to work out - namely where we would be meeting. Well, we didn't hear from a single couple until the day before, and that was to say that they couldn't make it.
I was so discouraged... And I still am.

So yesterday as we were driving to work, I came to the conclusion that I just need to know if they are in or out of wanting to be a part of our LifeGroup. And I started thinking of the Coheed and Cambria song "Favor House Atlantic" which has that exact line in the song. That was basically my theme song for yesterday.

And then, on the way home, we saw a new billboard. And I kid you not, the only thing on it is "Are You In?"

At that point, I was starting to listen. Apparently, you have to tell me a few times before I really hone in. 

Is the question for me? Am I in? Or is it something I need to ask others? Are they in?

Gary did do the obvious and did ask me if I was in. And I am. As I told him, as leaders, I feel compelled to be here and available for anyone who needs a person. I want us to be that person for someone. And I think we can be.

Anyways, this morning I was watching coverage of Trump's Inauguration, and the anchors were talking to a Trump rep (I think- I wasn't paying super close attention to who he was, or what he was talking about) and it showed his office. In the background on a credenza, there were two piles of paper. One was labeled "In" and one was labeled "Out".

I kinda froze. There was yet another reminder of this question. That's 3 times in just over 24 hours.

What does it mean?

I'm listening.

Help me hear and follow your path.

So good to see you!

I posted on my facebook page that the New Year holds a certain magic to it. You can feel it in the air. Eventhough it is essentially just the next day after the last, it is also most certainly a new beginning. There is hope and promise and magic in that. I love all that it stands for, and for that I must say that 2017, it is SO good to see you!

I wrote down 3 resolutions in my quick memo...
- Exercise more
- Be more giving
- Practice my craft
There are others, don't get me wrong. But these are the ones transcribed and thus made real by further blogging about them.
And each deserves further explanation or involved telling I'm sure, but for today, just the transcribe is enough.

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I think I killed one of my orange pots yesterday. The big one. The Brunswick Stew one. The boil-all-of-the-bottles one.
I was making some collard greens, to go with the New Year's meal, and I was trying a new recipe (because I failed to write down the reallt good one years ago - must stop not doing that) and about 1.5 hours in, it became painfully apparent that the recipe did not allow for enough liquid. The greens were burning. Bummer.
I tried to not take tha as an omen for the year to come. And instead, we forged forward. We paired the slightly burnt and overly salted greens with some better-than-usual black eyed peas, pork steaks, and dryer-than-normal cornbread. Not sure what was up with that meal. It started so good and I had such high hopes. Maybe I'll try to recreate it again soonish.

It did happen though. Efforts were made and the best of intentions were had.
And for that, the New Year is off to a good start!