Merry Christmas from Kent from Oz!

Not much going on this week being Christmas and all....but I did dabble in a tiny bit of decoration with some washi tape and a cutout from some wrapping paper. 
Merry Christmas everyone!

Hunt for the Black Balmoral

It's Chrissy McGann's fault!
It really is.

I stumbled upon her YouTube video* way back in March 2013 where she showed her Black A5 Balmoral to the world.

I liked it.
She was over the moon about the luscious aligator-style print on the cover.
I really liked it.
She showed all the generous pockets and clips.
I really really want one.

And then.....she opened it up to reveal the HUGE full-length back pocket...

MY BRAIN EXPLODES!!!!!!

I had to have one.
I really HAVE TO HAVE ONE!

The glorious A5 Black Balmoral

But like anything worthwhile that is out of reach - I had to wait.

A few months later, I saw one on Adspot.
I tried to contact the seller,
but OOOOMPH!!!
it was snapped up by someone else.

I searched eBay.
Nothing.

Months rolled into months of patient waiting.

Then, out of the blue a Philofaxy member contacted me to see if I wanted to buy hers.
HALLELUJAH!! Of course.
We bargained and dealed.
Done!
I waited eagerly for the package.
Waiting, waiting. Always waiting.

Then it arrived.
My search was over!
I ripped open the package.

Black? CHECK!
A5? CHECK!
Shiny? CHECK!
Large pocket? . . . . . . . . . Noooooooooooooooooo!

I was devestated!
My dreams shattered like a crushed lightbulb.

I was so, so, so upset that I immediately wrapped it back up again -
and there it sat on my desk.

I was also so upset with myself for not asking about the pocket!
How could I have forgotten THAT?
I assumed they all CAME with the POCKET!?!
Not so it seems.
I learned the hard way.
Caveat Emptor!

I took it out just once more that day to photograph it and placed an ad on eBay to quickly sell it.
I couldnt bare to even look at it.
I was so upset.
Filomourning.

But eBay did what eBay does best!
It was snapped up fast.
I made sure I told the buyer it was sans pocket.
She didn't mind.
She just wanted a top quality binder.
I posted it away
and shook the dust from my shoes.

I was Balmoral-less once again.

I waited. I hoped.
The Balmoral drought was long and agonizing!
Months went by.

And then, another friend told me she was selling her brown Balmoral.

Not a black one, but a Balmoral nonetheless.
and it DID have the wide pocket.
I could live with that?
Couldn't I?

Absolutely!

We did the deal.
I was happy - even if it was a brown one.
Yes - happy to get one.
Bitter-sweet contentment.

It arrived a few weeks later.
I was SO hesitant to open the package.

Balmoral? CHECK!
Brown? CHECK!
A5? CHECK!
Shiny? CHECK!
Back Pocket? Yeeeeeesssssss!

I was in heaven.
I really was.
Once it was in my hands.
The colour was not my first choice but it was such a good looking binder.
I quickly knew I could love and use this Balmoral.
The deep rich chocolate colour was stunning in its own unique way.
I finally owned one after all this time.
And it was mine.

I quickly set it up as a work binder.
It was going to be put to good use.
I had plans for this new fellow!

The pocket seemed to go on forever.
It held so much and never seemed stuffed.
It was (and still is) so wonderful to use.
Each morning it came with me to meetings, classes, lectures.
I paraded it around all day.
It won the admiration of many.

The large pocket was EXACTLY what I needed for my work.
Plenty of room to store larger papers and the leather was so sleek and strong.
I was a happy camper.
I had my Balmoral.
I loved my Balmoral!
I could even say I had Planner Peace.

And then,
And then,
And THEN.......

My friend Anamarija messaged me on FaceBook: There's a BLACK one for sale in Sweden!

I couldnt breathe.

Did it have....?
Did it come with a.....?
Has it got the.......?

I could hardly ask
swallow deeply....Does it have the large pocket?

'Yes!' came back her reply.

Keep calm. Keep calm!

Should I?
Could I?

Self face slap!
OF COURSE YOU MUST!!!!!!

The race was on!
I tried to bid on it, but the site only registered Swedish nationals!
I live on the other side of the world!!!!
Aaaaagh!

I sent out an SOS to the Philofaxy family.

Can anyone in Sweden help me?

I had an overwhelming amount of replies.
Everyone there is so sweet.
I was humbled to see so many people wanting to help.
Many of them had shared my journey over the last year.
And were there for me to complete my quest.
Of course we will help!
We're a family. That's what we do!

I chose one person.
The wonderful Janet Carr.

She would be happy to bid and pay and post it to me if she won.

Fingers crossed.

I had to wait 7 days.

Torture!!!!!

and then.....tick, tick, tick.
I watched the timer go down to 0.
Only one bidder!
WE WON!!!!!

I yelped with excitement.
I woke up my dogs!
I had won the Filo-lotto!!!!

We did the money exchange and soon got word it had arrived and was reposted to me.

Wait. wait. wait. wait. wait.

I arrived home one afternoon.
A travel-weary parcel sat on my doorstep.

I couldn't breathe.

I sat down and slowly unwrapped the heavy package.
You tug at paper and tape.
You know that feeling?
Excitement with the tinge of fear?

I finally got down to the last layer.

It was there!

My beautiful, perfect, deep, six-ringed, wide-pocketed, black A5 Filofax Balmoral.

Mine.
All mine!
MINE!

I just sat there
smoothing my hands over the near perfect shiny cover.
I checked every inch of it.
Opening and closing the double strap catches.
eyeballing the rings for gaps and scratches.
Smelling the almost new leather smell.
Enjoying the end of the search.
Taking in the moment.
Breathing.

It was mine.
Really mine!

Some people say God honours those who wait.
I don't know about that.

All I know is that I had a dream come true last week.

I am looking at it now as I write this.
We are going to become good friends - this Balmoral and I.

This long awaited filofax from across the sea.

Today I am happy.
I really and truly now know the meaning of Planner Peace.
My search is over.



And I am grateful!

* Here's Chrissy's YouTube video that started the ball rolling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOaC0DnW3JQ

and my video about the Brown Balmoral: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0zmX8fZpF8

and the new Black Balmoral: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7b03QaUSYE

Merry Christmas from Kent from OZ!

Hang on a bit.....
Whoosh, whoosh.
Just blowing away a few blog cobwebs.
For my devoted readers, I haven’t posted here for a while.
But now I'm back.

Can I start by saying - I really love using a Filofax!

Simple but true.

It is such a positive part of my life.
I enjoy getting it out each day and adding bits and pieces
Writing ideas and notes
Coming up with ideas to make it work better
Getting ME to work better
Keeping me organized
Keeping my extraordinarily busy life in some semblance of sanity
I like the feel of the binder
I like the 'click' of the clip.
I like the shade of the cotton cream paper
The sturdiness of the laminated dividers
The way it looks on my desk
The smell of leather that never diminishes
The notion of safety and security.
I just love it.

In this busy Christmas season,
Enjoy your time with family and friends
Enjoy some extra time to snuggle up with your binder

Be happy.

Kent

Make Your Own Amazing POP-UP Christmas Tree for your Filofax

I am trying to make a little money to fill my Christmas Stockings.

If you would like to buy (very cheaply) a template, you too can have a little Pop-up bit of Christmas for your FIlofax.

Decorating is optional but very much encouraged.

Send me some pics so I can see how wonderful and creative you are.

To purchase the PDF file - go to my Etsy store at 

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/169434208/kent-from-ozs-amazing-pop-up-christmas

There's a COLOURED version there as well
https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/169515706/kent-from-ozs-amazing-color-pop-up?ref=listing-shop-header-0

Here's a quick video of what it looks like.....

http://youtu.be/4C9lt3A7hrM

and a step-by-step instruction of how to do it.

 http://youtu.be/X7l8ZiAMgZc

So why not have a go and.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Kent from Oz


Here's some other wonderful Pop-Up trees made with the template.

Filofax Tip No 54 - Kent Makes an Amazing Page Turner for his Filofax

http://www.youtube.com/v/D1_cQ96DEWg?

Goodbye Franklin Covey Collins Debden - it was nice knowing you!

Dear Franklin, Covey, Collins and Debden,
You are my oldest and dearest friends.
But I am sorry to say
I am leaving you
for a better binder.
In fact
It is of no surprise to you that it is another leather bound cutie.
I call him Karl.
He's a Malden
(get it . . .Karl Malden??)
I am now destined to spend the rest of my life with him.
It is now to Karl that I share my inner most secrets.
Karl is strong,
he's brown (ochre to be exact)
Leathery in appearance
has deep pockets
snappy rings
and he never, ever lets me down.
Don't get me wrong
You four have served me well.
But the Filofaxes have won me over.
Dont be too upset,
I will never forget you
or the start you gave to me in my planner journey
but I have simply outgrown you all.
Karl and his two brothers
Black Stratford and Bad Boy Brown Balmoral are taking your place.
Forever!
So goodbye
and bon voyage!
May your new owners treat you well.

Your fickle filofax friend
Kent from Oz.


PS - I have also sold the two 7-hole hole-punches I used to own.
and close the door on your way out!

Learning To Be Satisfied - My Filofax, My Style.

I am a scavenger.

I search for things to own

Possess

Have

Be.

I look at the things around me and want want want.

And when it comes to Journals and Filofaxes,
I am either on a never ending quest
Or a folly for fools.

I have always kept a journal and own a Filofax (or two),
but have envious eyes on the work of others
it always leads me to dissatisfaction.
I want my journal to be the best!
The best for me
and a source of admiration for others.
I want my handiwork to leave it's mark.

And then,
in the midnight hours
I search the web for pictures of other people's binders.
Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Google images... and on and on!
Oh, I have it bad!

And then,
like an addict
I feel a sense of inadequacy and need
I must have something more!
I need to have perfection!

And then,
I am not happy with my pages
they should be neater
they should be more decorated
I want a better pen
Perhaps more expensive paper?
the pages should be complete,
they should be like ......

And then,
I stop
I breath in
I take stock of myself
and take a moment to be focused.

I am trying to reach the unreachable
I am desiring the things I do not have
I covet the order and effort of others
I feel everyone has the perfection I lack
and feel sad that I am not good enough
When in fact,
the thing I want the most
 is already before me.

I AM in possession of a wonderful and creative book
I love to write in my journal and Filofax.
I enjoy the solace of writing
and sharing my thoughts and dreams
Placing and pasting and cutting and ordering.
Making it uniquely mine
The joys of stealing away to a quiet place
to have some private moments with just the two of us.

I can ZONE OUT.
I can CREATE
I can DREAM
I can EXPRESS
I can WRITE.

I look at my own work.
This simple book
This part of me.

Now I see it in a different light
Sure, I admire other people's work
But what I have done in mine is also worthy
It is admired by others - they have told me so.
And I begin to see it more clearly
What I have is amazing
and remarkable
and valuable to me beyond words

Because it is full of myself
Mine..

If I ever was completely happy with it,
I would soon get bored.
Daring not to tamper with perfection

But it is NOT perfect.
And that's it's beauty!

It is a developing work of art
Individualized and growing
And as it grows - I grow.

My envy now turns to pride
and settled thoughts about my books and words

I like it.

I really do.

And now
In the midnight hours
I am happy with my work

At last!

OH FILO! - A Song In Five Parts

Sung to “Stranded at the Drive-in” from the musical GREASE

Stranded in a carpark!

Time to write and share,

reached inside my backpack

and you’re not there!

FILO, Where are you?

I left you back at home!

How am I to occupy

an hour on my own?

Must create with washi tape

Some borders on the si-yi-yide

Oh why aren't you here?

Oh FILO

Oh FILO baby

Some day,

When all my work is done,

Some how, 
Some way

Our two worlds will be one

I’ll open you,

Embellish you

and write until I sleep

Oh please, where are you?

Oh FILO!

SPOKEN:

FILO my darlin’

I want you real bad...

you know it true!

And FILO,

Ya gotta believe me when I say....

I’m helpless without you!

I can’t believe

that I would leave

You sitting on the bench!

my red fil-o-fax

called FILO

FILO!
FILO!
Why-yi-yi-yi-yi????

Oh FILO! 

Kent from Oz's THE NEW ME Wellness and Weight Loss Planner

Hey Filofax Community.

I want to share my Wellness and Weight Loss planner with you.

The New Me Filofax Wellness and Weight Loss Plan

WHAT IT IS NOT
It is not a diet plan with recipes and telling you what to eat
It is not an exercise program
It is not a miracle worker - it is just a tool
It is not constructed by health professionals - just little old me

And please seek medical advice before undertaking any weight loss of exercise programs. It makes sense and vital to doing it all right.

WHAT IT IS
It is a planner which you can use to act as a guide through your own weight loss and personal wellness and fitness plan
I wrote this to act as a guide to keep track of my eating and exercise, but I also wanted something to help me stay focused and reflect on this journey.
and it is a journey.
I am grateful to the online support of the friends from the Facebook Filo Dieters United

So here it is. I am sorry that it is only in A5 size, but if there is a creative person out there who can convert it to Personal or pocket size let me know.

The layout suits an A5 Filofax

Here's the link to purchase it:
https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/167105736/kent-from-ozs-wellness-planner-for-a5?ref=shop_home_active

SO HOW DO YOU USE IT

I have included a food/activity journal page and a reflection page for 50 days.

You may just print out the food page or even put the reflections at the beginning and the food journal at the back.

It is up to you.

The questions are only a guide. 

We will each have our own reasons for starting a weight loss journey. 

Make the planner all about you.

Spend time reflecting each day. Focus on the REASONS why you succeed and have failed.

Often diets are useless because we still approach them with the same mind sets that got us unhealthy.

An example of the reflection Page

Each day I try to fill out a reflection page per day along with my food entries.

It is totally up to you

I also fill in everything I eat and drink, the exercise I do and how I feel. It helps to be honest with my self.

There is also sections to write things that inspire you, and a statement about WHY you are on this journey.

It is always good to reflect and stay focused and that helps to stay on track.

The food tracking page has an exercise and food planner section

You may want to write calories or carb levels in the food sections.

They are open enough for what you need to do.

I personally just track what I eat, but check the goodness of the foods as I prepare them.

That is what I will do once I reach my goals.

It is all about making good choices.

Answer the questions in any way you like.

Add more of your own,

Don't answer if you don't want to.

I tried to come up with the 50 areas that I personally wanted to cover in the reflection pages.

Feel free to make your own ones.

Here's the link for A5 Full version https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/167105736/kent-from-ozs-wellness-planner-for-a5?ref=shop_home_active

Here is a Week on 2 pages slimdown version for A5 filofaxes.



Remember it is a journey.

Do it for YOU.

Enjoy and aim for success!

Sentence Starters To Avoid When Writing School Reports

(The following is written as humour and in no way reflects the author's personal view of education or children)

OK - it's no secret I am a Educator ('Teacher' is so last century!)

If you teach in the southern hemisphere, we are about to finish our first of two semesters which also means writing reports.

I wrote the following to provide some light relief to my fellow teachers in my faculty so I thought I'd share them with you.

Sentence Starters to avoid when writing school reports

1. Your child is the reason I drink. . .
2. Military school would be . . .
3. Like a rat caught in a trap . . .
4. I would not allow this student to breed . . .
5. Apart from working with glue, . . .
6. Your child's self-serving personality . . .
7. According to the prophecy . . . . 
8. My migraines have increased this year . . .
9. I hear there's a parenting class at  . . . 
10. I wouldn’t say he’s “one neuron short of a synapse” but . . .
11. Against my doctor’s advice . . .
12. A good beating could solve . . . .

 

(Not really a filofax post, but if it counts, I DO use an A5 Lyndhurst as my teacher planner.)