And now for a not-whiny post. Leah wrote about how she is reorganizing her space so she can work more fully, and she’s also trying to manage her time and projects more efficiently. Like her, I forget to look at the calendar on my computer software, especially since I don’t bring the laptop everywhere. I have a dry-erase calendar on the fridge, but that’s not portable either. I just finished a journal I collaged and started in 2005. With a child on the way and all the accessories needed to take her anywhere, I wanted to consolidate my calendar, journal, to-do lists, and sketching into one book. Leah happened to find a neat idea for a homemade life book. The three-ring binder route seemed too bulky for me, though I love the versatility. So yesterday I applied the concept, just a little differently.

I really like the Cachet spiral bound 7 x 10 inch sketchbook. The binding allows for easy fold-back use, the paper is of heavy weight, and the cover is sturdy. I had one awaiting inauguration. So I took an oil pastel drawing I made for Art Everyday Month 2005 and affixed it to the cover, making sure to add some coats of sealant to protect it. Considering that my life is about to shift into dimensions I’ve never experienced, with much of it out of my control yet completely wonderful (according to other parents), this piece seemed a good choice.

Then I used double-sided tape and card stock to make pockets in the front and pack for holding slips of paper, pamphlets, etc.

My computer calendar has a way to print out months and weeks in the format of Dayrunner planners in 5.5 x 8″ dimensions, so I printed off 18 months and glued them to one side of a page in the front of the journal. One one side is a calendar, and on the back side of the page it’s blank for writing to-do items for that month.

This arrangement leaves many pages for journaling, doodling, drawing or small collages. Since it took 19 months to fill up the last journal, I estimate that this will suffice until the end of 2008, because I’m sporadic with paper journaling and drawing.