Calendar Girl

So do tell - what is your all-time favorite personal calendar in the universe? I know, I know - it's no where near the end of the year, so why are we talking about calendars now? Well, right about now is when you are deciding that you either *love* the calendar you chose to use for 2009, or you'd like to rip it into tiny pieces and make paper pulp out of it. If you're like me and depend on calendars as much as I do, then you have specific requirements you can be, shall we say, quite passionate about.

For years now I have made my own calendar. As simple as my specific requirements are, I have never found them in a mass produced calendar. So out of necessity I started making my own. They are not adorable or mod or whimsical or whatever the newest buzzword is. But so many people ask me about my calendars, here's the scoop:

This is what it looks like plain. I choose new paper every year, and I just copy & paste whatever font I like from the computer onto my white master. I keep all months & days fill-in. I use the upper half for day to day appointments, and the lower half for my "to-do" list and important information (messages, phone numbers, etc). I usually include some type of little inspirational message to myself as well. I always make sure to have more than 52 pages because not only will I make a few mistakes along the way, I will probably want to start at least a few weeks into January of the following year. I can do all this myself at a place like Kinko's, and then they will bind it for me while I wait (use a piece of sturdy cardboard for backing).

The most important thing to notice here are just a few differences regarding what you usually see in store-bought calendars. First off, I must see the entire week at a glance. Secondly, my week has to start on a Monday - more on that later! And third, I have to have enough room for a substantial "to-do" list area. I tend to write a LOT of things down!

Here is a really typical week of what my days are like, and what my "to-do" list is like - and just like your list, I'm sure it varies constantly. Every year I transfer birthdays, anniversaries, etc. onto my calendar, and I make good use of the back side as well, using it for such things as projects I want to start, ideas I may have, Christmas lists, etc. (my kids have still never figured that one out after all these years.....)

Here is what a typical "to-do" list would look like. And make no mistake - I am one of those people who gets a huge rush from crossing off things from my list. Go figure. It keeps me out of trouble, so what can I say. Well, usually.
Okay, my calendar week MUST start on a Monday and end on a Sunday. That's just how my brain works. I can't explain it. I just go with it. And that's how I need to see it when I'm working with my calendar. To have the week start on a Sunday is just something I can't wrap my brain around. Monday is the first day of the week, and the weekend is at the end of the week. Right? RIGHT!?!?!

Just a few more examples of some of the calendars I've made over the years.