20 weeks and 1 day

This picture might appear confusing so let me fill you in. Last spring, when Jesse got alerted to his new position (I call it a promotion, he disagrees), I bought him an Arc notebook by Staples. Of course, I also bought myself one...but for the record I got him a leather one and myself a cheapy plasticy type one. I also stocked up on the Arc paper options and got some dividers and note tabs. 

Of course I took mine to work and got some of my coworkers excited about it. I really should have been a salesperson! Laura went out and bought one and together we purchased one for our Mentor, Victoria. This year I showed it off again and another co-worker went out and bought one. (your welcome staples)

The fun thing about this notebook system is that it comes with rings (in multiple sizes) that the paper clings on to. You can gently tear out a page and then pop it back in. Great for a meeting when you want your notebook to be closed, but then you can organize your notes without snapping closed three deadly metal rings and pinching your fingers. Then it has all these fun "accessories" that you can get to really customize it with different colored tabs, dividers with pockets, a selection of post-it tabs, and tabs that stick out on top that you can leave notes for yourself. And, as Victoria found out, PLANNER PAGES for those that love to schedule (that may be my next investment). 

I wrote staples an email letting them know how much I love this product line and gave them a few suggestions. One of which was a hole punch so that you weren't limited to buying their packages of paper (as nifty as the different types of paper are...). Of course staples responded back within 24 hours and thanked me for my suggestions and let me know that the hole punch would be coming out late in 2011. 

So I waited...and waited...and a few weeks ago I finally saw it! It was $39.99 but with the number of co-workers I have who also have this notebook, and the tip jar I'll put out, maybe it'll bring the cost down a bit. I literally waited until I saved up enough spending money to get it. This is the first "big" purchase I've made since embarking on the Conant budget (which consists of me having cash only and no debit card...talk about open communication regarding spending habits)

So above is a picture of my inaugural hole punch. I didn't have time to make it artsy - I just punched those holes and tomorrow that paper will get lovingly put into my notebook...and maybe I'll snap a picture of my notebook to post on here :)

It's the little things that bring the most joy, and speaking of little...Adin is kicking up a storm this evening!