Friday, February 27, 2015

journals, planners, notecards and other writing goodies

When I last posted on Monday, I had mentioned I was getting sick. I've been down for the
count all week. When Brian got home from work on Wednesday, he took one look at me
 and said, "You're going to the doctor." I was running a temperature, was totally congested,
and had a very deep cough. Even though I could barely get out of bed, I managed to get up
and get my coat and shoes on, and off we went. Ends up I have bronchitis and a 
sinus  infection. I'm now on an antibiotic and today I finally feel semi-human. I'm still
 coughing, but not as badly. (I know bronchitis takes a long time to get over.) I can breathe a
 little bit now though I still can't taste anything, so food doesn't appeal to me. My mom
 brought over her homemade soup today and even though I don't have an appetite, I ate
 some anyway. I know I need some nourishment. Can't wait until I can actually taste it, 
especially the broth. Mom made bone broth ahead of time and then used it for the soup.

On to a more pleasant topic...

Maybe it's because I've always loved to write, but I've always had a thing for pretty journals,
notebooks, stationary, and notecards. This basket is on my desk and is filled with some
of the books and papers I use most often. 


I get my planners at Barnes and Noble right after the first of the year when they're
50% off. I loved the graphics on this one. Yes, I do judge books by their cover.


There's even beautiful art on the inside. (The bookweight holding the planner
open is from Levenger.)



I bought this journal years ago ~ again, it was the cover that got me. I use it for blog
planning, jotting notes, websites to look up, and lists.


I also bought a different kind of journal for this year. I've always been a fan of 
Jennifer Louden so thought I'd give her new book a try.


The only complaint I have about this journal is that it's hard to write in because
of the binding. It's hard to open the book to where it's flat, so I find myself trying to
hold it open with my other hand while writing. They really should of made this
 journal with a spiral binding.


I keep most of my notecards in a basket on a bookshelf. Keeps them accessible,
 and organized ~ plus they're pretty, to boot.


I couldn't talk about writing without discussing pens. I am very particular about writing
instruments. I don't like to write with pencils and never did. When I was in high school
and thought I could get away with it, I'd even do my math homework in pen. I still do
 crossword puzzles and word jumbles in pen. And once they invented gel pens, look out!
 I was in heaven. They write so smoothly. This is my new favorite pen, made by Tul. Brian's
 now hooked on these, too. He likes black ink and fine point; I like blue ink and medium point.


I'm off to make a hot toddy now in hopes that it'll help me sleep tonight. 
(The coughing fits keep me awake.) Have a fantastic weekend, my friends.


28 comments:

  1. Oh my hope you are feeling better soon! I have a propensity for bronchitis too! I've been lucky to have it cured with Homeopathy! It does take awhile to get your "breath" back. Love your journals, and it' s funny about the pen, I'd rather write with a lead pencil, but if I need a pen it's blue ink and medium point. Take care!

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    1. Long story, Cathy - but I'm no longer taking the antibiotic and doing natural remedies instead. Except for at night - I have to have the cough syrup with codeine otherwise I'm up literally all night with coughing fits.I am breathing fine, but the coughing fits are terrible.

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  2. The Live Simply journal has such a pretty cover! You've got everything so nicely organized that you're inspiring me to do the same. I hope you continue to feel better. I see in your last post you've got plenty of books to keep you occupied during your recovery. Your dinner at the restaurant looked delish!

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    1. Thanks, Vickie - I found that basket at Goodwill years ago. It does help to keep desk supplies somewhat organized. I have a ton of books to keep me occupied and I've already read a few of them.

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  3. Melanie, these are all so pretty, and yes, a book's cover design, especially a writing journal, has to appeal to me; make me smile! I hope you're feeling better; your mom's homemade soup should really help, and when you can finally taste it, your senses will lift your spirits!

    Happy weekend!

    Poppy

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    1. My mom's soup is definitely helping - I don't exactly feel like cooking, my husband doesn't cook, and this is giving me needed nourishment and warmth!

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  4. I hope you're feeling better by the time you read this comment .

    I love writing too and gel pens with fine points are my favorite. I love writing on pale colored fine linen papers , but also fill notebooks and any pretty stationery that strikes my fancy.

    A mom who makes homemade soup for you, you are blessed !

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  5. Having bronchitis is just miserable to deal with so I'm glad you're starting to feel better now. You have some really pretty journals and I like the idea of storing them all nice and neat in a basket, too. That's a great idea.

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  6. Hope you feel better soon, so you enjoy your beautiful stationary.. I love the Live Simply planner xx

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  7. Hope you feel better soon. I had bronchitis before Christmas. The coughing fits are the worst. I feel for you.

    Your journals are lovely. I have been wanting to start sending letters and cards to people. It is always so nice to receive a letter or card. Always makes me smile.

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    1. You are right - the coughing fits are horrible. Can't wait until this is over, though I know bronchitis can linger a long time. Getting a hand-written card or letter in the mail is so nice, isn't it? It's such a rarity these days with electronic communication.

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  8. Get well soon! I don't think I remember a winter where so many people were so sick and just couldn't kick it. I really think a lot of it around here is due to the weather. We've had so many days of the 70s and then drop into the 30s in just a matter of hours.

    Love all of your pretty journals and notecards. I have so appreciated all of the sweet cards you have sent me the last year. Thank you again for your thoughtfulness.

    Judy

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    1. I've never been sick twice in one winter (I was sick at the beginning of the year, too), so I don't know what's going on! You're very welcome for the cards, Judy.

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  9. I hope you feel better soon. Honey helps with a cough as well.

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    Replies
    1. Yep, I've been putting raw honey in my tea.

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  10. Get well soon! I am with you on new paper, notebooks, journals, planners & medium point blue ink gel pens.Hope your bronchitis leaves home right away.

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  11. I'm sorry to hear that you've been so sick, Melanie. It sounds like you really took a turn for the worse this week. I hope you're feeling better by now and that your recovery is speedy. I love writing supplies too and always have. I love stationery and notebooks. I've been using the same kind of pen since I was in college and I'll never give them up! They're nothing fancy - Pentel RSVP Fine ballpoint pens in purple ink - but I love them and always will.

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    1. I'm still pretty sick, Jennifer but at least feeling a little better. I love purple ink - I do have a pen (can't remember which kind) with that color ink, too!

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  12. I hope that you are feeling much better by now. Keep looking after yourself. You have some lovely stationary!! xx

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  13. I hope that you feel better soon. Love the pretty papers and journals and the light and shadows playing on the cards :)

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  14. I'm so sorry you don't feel well. I hope you're better soon. I'm sick right now too and I hate it. So much to do and not enough energy ugh.

    Pretty notecards and journals! I really need a journal, because I keep scratching out notes on scraps of paper and losing them lol

    I'm a pencil girl ;)

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    1. I'm so sorry to hear you're sick, Rue. Yes, get a journal - or even just a plain notebook. Whatever strikes your fancy. Harder to lose than scraps of paper. ;-)

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