Cease and Desist

Life is so full of surprises.  Take yesterday, for instance.  I was just out and about at the Ballard's Design outlet "saving" lots of money, when this little email popped up on my phone.

Hello...

I found your very nice website online, using the "Planket" name.  We understand that at times, persons might find the Plankets name as appealing as we do.  However, please be aware that the word, "Plankets" (or any of its variances, including its singular form, "Planket") is a fully protected and Trademarked commercial name, and its usage in your applications is in direct infringement of its trademark:

US Patent and Trademark Office

Registration Number

2305693

We hereby request that you cease and desist in further usage of the Planket name, and that the name be removed from www.craftersfilebox.com and any of your other websites that the Planket name resides, and that any commercial benefits received by the usage of the protected Planket name will be grounds for potential legal compensation or restitution to the Planket trademark owner or their assignees.

We request that this action be completed by January 27, 2012.  We thank you for your immediate conformance in this matter.

Please contact me directly should you have any questions, or would like additional information.

Sincerely,

(name omitted in case that is trademarked, too)


How crazy is that!  I made this tutorial almost two years ago.  Before I posted, I did a search on the name "Pl@anket" to make sure that it was not already someone else's idea.  Nothing came up. Oh, well.


However, I have modified the tutorial (my FREE, not-for-money-tutorial) and took out the controversially name.  I kindly ask that if you have reposted the tutorial (thanks for the love!) that you take the name off, too. I have also edited out the name-that-shall- not- be- written in my picture, so if you can use that new picture, too.

Pl@nket... you and I have now severed all ties.  Love you while it lasted, my friend!! 

My Planner= Balancing My Life

I have always been a planner person.  There is just something so satisfactory as writing down a task, seeing it to completion, and marking it off.  It is a delicious experience.  Over the years, I have tried several different types of planners, but this one is my favorite.  I am just starting my second year of using this style of planner and I LOVE it!

Who designs these sa-weet planers?  Why, Erin Condren at  ErinCondren.com.  I love her quirky, fun and bright style.  It makes me happy as I plan out my days, meals and various appointments!

One of my favorite things is the ability to personalize your planner.  Last year I had a photo of my family on the cover.  This year, it's all about the colors!  

I also love how the days are marked off by sections-- morning, afternoon, and evening.  It is a great way to see your availability at a glance.  Also, there are these cute pre-filled and blank stickers that fit perfectly in every section.  Dr's appointments, PT conference, date nights, birthdays, etc.... are the staring show of your day.   I am amazed at my productivity AND focus when I schedule out my days.  

And scheduled days = a BALANCED life.  Yes!

So what do you do to quell the chaos?

(This is NOT a paid endorsement... I wish it was!  :)  I just wanted to pass on one of my favorite things!)

Balance-- My 2012 Word of the Year

I know this is a craft blog, but I hope you will allow me this one indulgence at sharing my power word for 2012.   

BALANCE.

At the end of 2011, I was ragged.  I had spent my year running, but not moving anywhere.  My days and nights were filled to overflowing-- but I had nothing to show for it.  When I began to think of the New Year and all the exciting possibilities that a mental fresh start could provide, "balance" popped into my head almost immediately.

I don't want to give up anything up there on my list and luckily, I don't have to.  I just need to learn to pace myself.  Not my strong suit, as I am mostly an all or nothing kind of girl.

 

RELATIONSHIPS:   I really, really love people.  I truly do. I love to know about what they think, what they are excited about, and what we share in common.  But sometimes, I can get more involved in others lives than my own.   While it is great to feel empathy and feel that connection, I need to be able to go only as a vistor--- not as a resident.  

HEATH:  Man, I stink at this.  Ten months after I got married, I had a baby and then had three more in the next four years.  I felt I had to put my needs on the back burner to be a good mom.  Now, my baby is eight and the kids are doing just fine on their own.  I have got to once again remember that I need to have a part in my "take care of everyone" mentality.  It's time to remember that to be the best mom, I have to make sure my needs are met.  Darn it.  It is so much easier taking care of others!

SERVICE:  And speaking of taking care of others... I love to serve.  Or, I guess I should say... I can't say NO to any service opportunity.  :)  I don't want to lose that part about me, but I do want to put it in some sort of balance.  And part of that means an introduction of a seldom used word into my vocabulary... NO. 

PROJECTS/TIME/BUSINESS GROWTH:  I feel like these three are always battling for my attention.  I go round in circles trying to do them all simultaneously and end up doing a half baked job on each one.  Boo.  I want part of my balance this year to include giving each of those things the full attention it deserves.

FUN/WORK/LIFE:  I think every parent is trying to find the balance in this one!  :)  Living a full life with my family means that we have to mix in equal parts of FUN and WORK.  I want to continue working on that balance with my relationships with my children and husband... and with me!  

Thanks for indulging me and my ramblings.  Do you  have a word of the year you'd like to share?  Link up with Layla at her "This Little Word of Mine" party.  I'd love to see what word you chose... and WHY! :)

Happy Balanced New Year, everyone!

(all images of BALANCE via Pinterest)

Clip Board Art Gallery

Okay, so this isn't the first time I have seen this done, but I love the "industrial" take to it!  This is going to save my walls in my youngest's room.  She loves to tack all her creations up.  It is a little hole nightmare!!  :)

Clean and Scentsible shares the easy step by step to bring a boring clipboard to industrial-ville!