Ban.Do (2015-2016 Planner) & Hauls

Hi there! This year, I decided that I wanted to get into planners again. I buy a planner every year, but I tend to stop using them after a month or so. When I came across the Ban.do 17-month agenda, I just had to have it!

It took a week for it to arrive. During that time, I went on a couple of hauls at Michael's and Target. I ended up with marker pens, tons of clips & stickers, and three rolls of washi tape! And here is where the addiction began...

On my way home, I was already completing my first order from Scrapbook.com! They had a pretty awesome sale going on, but I kept it to just a few things.

Mini Review of the Ban.do

First of all, the Ban.do is super cute! It's really colorful and has this list of quirky holidays that I never knew existed. I love that I can start using it immediately. The best part? It goes all the way to December 2016! I adore the horizontal layout, as well. It changed my entire focus for the planner. I decided to use the monthly view (2 page) for things that need to be done, while leaving the weekly view for journal entries. The horizontal layout gives me more than enough space for short journal entries. It can get a little messy, so I'm using washi tape to separate the entries. I also like being able to toss it in my Kate Spade bag.

What I don't like? My marker pens bleed through to the next page. If I'm going to be writing a lot, I don't need the extra mess of tiny dots from the previous page. The tabs aren't laminated, so they are already starting to bend. I was also concerned about being able to close it once I add stickers and pictures. I was starting to regret getting the smaller version.

I'm going to give this some time to see how it goes, but so far, I'm in love! Be sure to check out the #plannerlife hashtag on Instagram! I promise that you'll fall in love, too!

Saturday.

A reminder of how difficult life can be.

We're back to one vehicle and it's driving me crazy already. The man has a crazy schedule, which means my entire life is turned upside down... From waiting on him to get home in the mornings to pick us up to waiting on him to pick me up from work. That's the part that is going to get extremely frustrating. He has back to back clients, which means that I'm going to be sitting at work until at least 8:30. (I'm scheduled to get off at 5.) He says it's going to be at least a month before he can get his car fixed.

Today, I found myself upset because he was gone until almost noon. Because of the car situation, I haven't been able to go shopping or anything. I hate that I'm confined to a house, because it's hard to get around with two small children on feet.

I hate life right now. Just... Woosah...

Hi.

I feel so funny being like "Dear Diary".  LOL!  This isn't really a diary.  More of a collection of random thoughts about my real life.

I chose sugarcoating.me because that's what I do in real life. I make it seem like everything is okay, but the truth is that things are far from...

It's Been A Long Time...

"...I shouldn't have left you... Without a dope beat to step to."

Anyone who really knows me, knows that I stanned hard for Aaliyah back in the day! But.... This isn't about that. I've been gone a long time. I'm not really sorry. And yeah...

So here we are! Here. I. Am. And so much as changed since the last time I wrote here. JJ started Kindergarten. Ivy is in a Pre-K3 program. I got a tattoo... I turned 30. I'm still married... Depressed, sometimes, but mostly happy. But, I can say that I'm getting a little better at expressing my feelings.

Okay, that was a lie. Truth is... I'm still struggling with the truth. The parts of my life that have to remain unspoken. I'm dying on the inside, feeling like there isn't anyone who understands my situation.

As much as I need to release this negative energy, I keep feeling like it's never the right time. I can't remember a time in my life where I was this confused and out of my mind. I'm hoping that this is like... a mini mid-life crisis, because I don't want this to be life. This CAN'T be life.

Happy Thanksgiving (Late)

Hi friends! Nothing beats a post Thanksgiving post to remind you all that I am alive and well. I hate that I don't find the time to blog more. I'm always wondering... What can I do to make me happy??? And here we are... Back to where my happiness started... Keeping a journal.

How's Life?

Life is going. Times are tough, but we are making it. My main focus right now is making sure the kids have a good Christmas. This year is the perfect year to teach them that Christmas is more than just material things. Work is going well. I had a great six month evaluation. Kids are doing great. Growing up fast. The marriage is... A marriage. Ups... Downs... Blah Blah Blah, yeah!

How Was My Thanksgiving?

Pretty freakin' awesome! I ended up doing two impromptu photo shoots with my new 24mm lens. Here are a few faves from the day:



We had a great day for the most part. It started with the 2 hour road trip to my parents and ended with a dinner with friends. I got to meet my grandnephew (the lovely baby in the photos above) for the first time. It was also the first time that we've seen our friends since we moved to the city.

Before I Go...

I want to thank the faithful few that check on me every now and then. I miss our blogging community. I'm slowly finding my way back. I have so many thoughts and wants. I need to get back to what makes me happy... Because I realize that I'm starting to lose myself. So, until next time...