the in between...

I absolutely love right now. You know, that week in between Christmas and New Year's Day? Love it. All the anticipation and excitement of Christmas is done and the year is just about over but wait, there's a little bit more. It's like a bonus. Or as my friend, Kelly, so eloquently put it, "sitting in the peaceful, out-breath between Christmas and the New Year." I love that.

It's during this "out-breath" when I start thinking about the new year. What do I want to do? Where do I want to go? Who do I want to be? My mind starts pondering intentions, resolutions, beginnings, new habits, etc. I suppose I do this type of self-work throughout the year; however, it's during this in between  that I actually put pen to paper and document how to get from point A to point B.

I have a feeling 2012 will be different. I am aware that these past few three months I have been spending my energy differently. I don't blog like I used to...posting or checking. In fact, I rarely even boot up the computer, only doing so when I work from home or need to upload pictures. I still Facebook regularly but that gets done from my phone. My energy these days mostly goes to my family, catching up on TV shows, volunteering for a friend's campaign or the arts commission, attending church, reading, enjoying a good cup of tea, or getting outside and walking. I am just now starting to get back into journaling but my focus has changed. I see that I am doing more DOING than LEARNING these days. That's good. I've been wanting to do that for years and based on what I'm already doing and what's coming up next year, I think that it's finally coming to light.

Part of my prep for a new year is to establish a calendaring system. This is absolutely one of my most favorite things to do! I've been using a generic calendar app on my phone fairly successfully; however, I do like having a good old-fashioned paper calendar. I love turning the pages, having a place to tuck bills to pay, cards to mail, etc. I also love having the visual of what my day, week or month looks like. After some searching, I decided that I wanted to get this calendar. But then I remembered that I had an unused 2007 edition of this calendar that I found at Goodwill. I decided to do some playing around and alter the old calendar to turn it in to a 2012 calendar.

A 2012 Dymo label over the old year...

...cover the old dates with new dates cut or stamped from numbers from random sources, add a few doodads, some doodling...

...and presto chango, I think it's gonna work!

That's it for now. Wishing you a very happy in between and a very happy new year! 

Comments

[Momma]

Love this entry, Michelle! Inspirational and calming with hope ♥ Love you!

[natalea]

Happy New Year to you Michelle! I love this planner...I had 2008's...they're so pretty. I hope that 2012 brings you much joy! xo

[Linda Jo]

I, too, love the week between Christmas and New Year's!!! I think it's my favorite time of the year. I do love those calendars.... I have one I use as an art journal! I hope 2012 is a great year for you!

[Jessica Herman Goodson]

Okay, first of all, I LOVE this calendar, and what you did to repurpose it is AMAZING! Even though I already have my calendar for 2012, I promptly ordered the 2012 version, so thanks for the link! Not sure if it will get used this year, or how, but clearly it can be used in the future. Thanks so much for sharing!

[Stephanie O.]

I just simply adore you! Your calm, sweet spirit is just refreshing....

[Melissa S.]

I love this idea! I have several of those day books, from previous years, and plan to try this myself. Thanks for the inspiration and hope you will post when you can! Happy 2012.

[Gina]

I only have one of those vintage journals but I could SO see using it for this calendar! I am also doing less on line and more with my hands and thoughts. Happy new beginnings, Seester!

[jesa]

I love what you did with the calendar it beats putting a white strip across the dates, your version is not only creative but very crafty as well!!!