“Who knew a $6 purchase could make you so happy?” My husband smiled as he looked at me over his reading glasses and said those words.
I had spent the better part of Sunday afternoon filling in the dates of birthdays, anniversaries, the Colts 23/24 schedule, writer conferences and doctor appointments for the remainder of 2023 and all of 2024. I found a company (Zicoto) that starts its planners according to when you order them and continues to the next full year.
I love a paper planner. Finding the perfect one is a challenge. It has to be 9-by-7-ish – no spiral or hardback designs. When I saw the one I thought would work, I found it came with a coupon, saving me $4. Similar planners in the past had cost $15 to $20. I was a happy planner nerd.
I also love color-coding my planner. Birthdays and anniversaries in turquoise. Writing conferences and Writer Chick meetups in orange. Colts games in blue. Doctor appointments are in green. Various fun stuff written in black. You get the idea. Most people might only understand some of this, but my paper-planner-nerd friends will get it.
Chuck once asked me why I didn’t just use the calendar on my phone. My look gave him the answer. Seriously? He was happy the planner only cost $6 and gave me so much joy. It will continue to do so for a year and a half.
Photo provided
What about the one I had been using for this year? It will stay on my kitchen table (my desk) for the remainder of the year, and the new one will go in my backpack/briefcase. Why didn’t I wait until the end of the year? This retired vintage lady already has stuff going on next year. Let’s just say I plan ahead.
I also have a new journal. I found it for $8. It is 11-by-14, spiral bound, pretty, and perfect for writing down my thoughts before I transfer them to my computer. Chuck asks me why I don’t just type them into a Word document on the computer. He gets my answer with “the look.” Again, my paper-nerd friends understand. There is something about reading my thoughts on paper … especially if they are written on lined paper in a pretty journal. I won’t mention how I organize and color-code my thoughts. I may need that thought in the future.
So, for $14, my husband has a happy wife. I looked at him while filling in the planner’s dates. I said, “Aren’t you glad you have such a low-maintenance wife? His look and a burst of laughter answered my question.
I also have my favorite pens. Pentel EnerGel Liquid Gel Ink. They come in a rainbow assortment of colors! Opening up a new pack gives my heart a flutter.
Life is all about the joy of the little things. A planner, a journal, pretty pens … and a low-maintenance wife!
Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). Visit janethartleonard.com.