Note: One might ask how this post fits in with a blog that is more or less about my journey and what I’m learning along the way. My thinking is that discovering who I am and how God has wired me is part of my journey. I used to be embarrassed that I enjoyed organization stuff so much. Now I have found how I can use my gifts to serve my family and those I work with. Another thing that I’m learning is, lessons not shared are lessons lost. I meet with several young women who are frequently looking for ways that they can serve their families more effectively. It is always my pleasure to share those things that God has given me through the years. I want to be a good steward of my gifts and abilities. Thus, my thinking behind this post and others that will come. Now onto some of my favorite office supplies…
I must admit that I am an office supply geek. I really like pens, pencils, file folders and especially index cards (more on index cards later). When I was about 10 years old my dad built me my own office in our walk in closet so that I could play secretary. I used to sit there and type on my real child-sized typewriter for hours, pretending I was working at a big company. So my interest in office supplies goes way back.
I use electronic organizers like Microsoft One Note and Microsoft Office but I still like my paper. Journals, notebooks and planners are definitely in my top five favorite office supplies. I can usually not find a planner that fits my needs exactly (although Quo Vadis planners come close) so I have created my own planner using printable forms from DIY planner and a Levenger Circa notebook. I like Circa notebooks because they are not as bulky as a 3-ring binder and you can move your pages around, unlike a typical spiral notebook. Levenger also has some great Circa accessories like dividers and pockets. Sometimes I even create my own forms and lists which can be cut, and punched with my Circa punch and put right into my planner.
Moleskine makes the best journal out there in my opinion. I like the slim, sleek design, heavy off-white paper, pocket and elastic closure. Mike is even hooked and uses his Moleskine to take notes at church each week. I use mine to take notes on books that I am reading, to jot down something I hear or want to remember, to makes lists of things I want to do or books I want to read or just to write down my thoughts or what I did that day.
Moleskine has expanded their line recently and now have something called a city notebook. They describe it this way–
A special guidebook, ideal for those who travel, whether to see the sights or for work, as a way of organizing your trip and to preserve it for your memory and your records. Perfect for those who live there, as a way of organizing the things they know and need about the city they live in.
If you are getting ready to travel, you ought to check it out. My son’s girlfriend, Sarah, is going to Washington DC this week. We gave her the Washington DC city notebook so that she could have a record of her trip. It makes a pretty nifty little gift.
Index cards are so versatile. They are sturdy and hold up well as I stuff them in my purse or my planner. Here are some ways that I use them every day–
- I use large 5 x 8 index cards to write my grocery list on each week. I like the size and it holds up well as we shop and I cross things off as we go.
- I’m always using 3 x 5 index cards to jot down lists and notes. I also use them as a bookmark in the book I am reading so that I have a place to jot down quotes or a page number I want to go back to.
- Small index cards can be cut in half to make flashcards. They even sell them that size now.
- Sticky index cards are probably one of life’s best inventions. I write out Bible verses, quotes and even To Do lists and put them on the kitchen cabinet or bathroom mirror. I also do this for snacks that are available, a list of leftovers or for things in the freezer. Sure, you could use a regular sticky note but sticky index cards hold up much better.
- Post-it even has sortable cards that you can use for planning a research paper or working through the steps of a project. They are just a little sticky so you can pile them, rearrange them and then stick them up on a board or wall. 3M has listed several other uses for sortable cards on their site.
- I’ve used index cards to write notes on to stick in the kids lunches or to write a note to the teacher.
I will probably think of more ways that I use index cards and will have to revise this list! Keep a stack around. You will see just how handy they are.
These are some of my favorite office supplies. What are yours?
I had to laugh because I went to a yard sale with my sister in law, Kathy Laven, and there was a house that had several shelves of office supplies. We couldn’t get Kathy to walk away. We ended up buying a really good office chair but she just wanted to stay and rifle through the papers, pens and sticky notes. I thought she was the only one with this fettish. I guess not. I must confess to you that I have a fettish as well. I LOVE water bottles, clear ones, colored ones, short ones, tall ones, ones with my initial on them, ones with different handles, (I think you get the picture!) I want them all. I also like coffee mugs, not regular coffee mugs, travel coffee mugs, maybe I just like to drink my beverages from a container with a lid? Maybe…..
Very nice, but no mention of specific pens or pencils though…
No…but still in the same catagory…kind of an office supply geek :).