Daily Dose of Lacey

What happened to this week? We had an early deadline at work this week, so Wednesday felt like Thursday, Thursday felt like Friday, so today just feels like and extra day of the work week. I'm not sure how I feel about that yet!
But,  I do know I am very excited about one thing: today is going to be a celebration of fall! My friend and I get all excited each year and kick it off by watching Teen Witch and Hocus Pocus and drink Starbucks PSLs. And although it seems like she and I get excited for fall earlier and earlier each year, somehow the release of the PSL from Starbucks always coincides with our fall kickoff.
Thanks Starbucks!

So, what even did happen this week?

Well here we go:

• We picked the date for our wedding and booked the reception venue and the church
• We picked out wedding bands
• I ran a mile and walked six
• I drank zero cans of pop!
• We watched the finale of Pretty Little Liars (yikes)
• I worked (obviously)
• I was nominated to do the ice bucket challenge

How to become a couch potato....

I wouldn't say growing up I was the most active person in the world, but in my twenties I became what you would call a 'runner'. I loved the alone time, being outside, the time for reflection all of which accompanied going for a run. Then, my eating followed suit; I wanted to eat well to power myself for better runs. Well....that all changed about a year ago. They say that gaining weight back is a direct result of being in love; seems true. So, I'm going to tell you how to go from being active to a couch potato in one easy step?! Then, I'm going to tell you how to reverse it again in a billion non-easy steps.

The more busy you get, the more things you seem to forget. At least that's the way it was for me. The tasks started
stacking up faster than you could imagine. And, while technology is great for calendars and what not, but that doesn’t work for everyone.

Why planners are a good idea:

For some reason it isn’t hard to remember what time the latest episode of Last Comic Standing is going to air, but it takes four people to remind you of when the water bill is due.
Well, that’s how it was for me  the only way for me to keep things straight is my planner!
It took me forever to find the perfect format to use. I don’t know who designed planners but my day certainly doesn’t end at 5 p.m. Does yours?

Here’s How I Achieved Planner Perfection:

Everybody needs to remember different things, at different times of the day and in different ways. That’s why I finally decided to create my own planner pages and here’s how I did it.

1. How is your life better mapped out? 

I had to decide this first, you can get daily planners, weekly or monthly. With my job, I need to look at things from a weekly point of view since I have weekly deadlines. That’s how I started.

2. What things do you need to keep track of? 

From getting the overall view of the planner I narrowed it down to what things I wanted to keep straight. I created sections for each day according to what I needed to plan out. You should write down a list to plan what you want to keep track of each day.

3. How much space will you need to make this all work?

I mapped out my week on a whole sheet that I cut in half to fit in my 7-hole binder.

4. Now create it.

I’ve tried making a planner in several different ways before settling on my final one. I used a drawing program on my computer to make it more graphic and open for jotting notes everywhere (that didn’t work for me) and I finally used a spreadsheet program to give it a little more structure.

5. Give it a go.

Now that you’ve gotten something created, give it a trial run for the week. Sometimes it just takes some getting used to and sometimes it’s not what you need at all.

6. Tweak it.

Once you have tried it out, go back and fine tune it. You might need to add more space for one section, or add a whole new section. Whatever you need to do, it can always be tweaked and perfected.

7. Now enjoy it.

There are so many apps out there for planning things on the go but to me nothing beats a good old paper and pen planner. With the list  of what to do laying out on your desk or table at home, makes it impossible to avoid what needs to be done.

Tell me about your planner: 

Do you use a planner or have you adapted and found a way to make technology (i.e. apps, computer calendars, etc.) work for you? Or, have you had a similar experience to mine and created your own planner which made you super, duper happy? Let's chat!

If anyone is a bit like me, working full time and trying to balance many different aspects of life at once, it is easy to feel like you're in over your head. I start to feel that way when it comes to keeping up with chores around the house. Well, here are seven ways to make sure you get back on track and stay on track, even when life gets way busier than you expect.

1. Write your to do list every morning. Often when I feel the worst about getting everything done is when I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to remember all the things I still need to finish that particular week. The best way to fix this is to sit down, gather your thoughts and get it onto a list so that way your tasks are somewhat mapped out.
2. Prioritize what needs to get done. You only have so many hours in a day so don't be hard on yourself if you're not able to get everything done everyday. Decide what things cannot wait until tomorrow and get those done right away. You will feel better already.
3. Make a routine. It's usually those tasks that you feel should be done daily or weekly that get put on the back burner and eventually start to pile up. Once you get yourself back on track, stay on track with a routine. See how I stick to a routine with a planner here.
4. Ask for help. Whether you feel behind with things at work or at home, asking for help is good motivation for yourself, you'll feel like your not in it alone. 
5. Just take a day off. Okay, this may seem counter intuitive, when you're feeling like there's too much to get done and not enough time to do it, but those are usually the days you should come home from work and put your feet up for the night. Everyone will survive and you will feel rested up for tomorrow. 
6. Do a speed clean. I usually try to do this in the mornings before I head to work, that way if my work day gets long or stressful I at least have a bit cleaned from the morning and feel a little less worried about going home after work and being able to relax. For tips on speed cleaning click here.
7. Ease back into it. This is the most important one to remember. I think most of us have an idea of what we need to get done and then throw ourselves at our to do list 100%. Not necessary. Just aim for one or two things off your list the first day, then add a couple the next day. Don't burn yourself out trying to get back on track with work and chores. Get done what needs to be done and work your way from there, eventually, you'll be back to square one and you can get a fresh start.

So, last week I challenged myself to do one fun thing a week in my small town or neighboring small towns. This past week I was driving around town thinking, okay, what am I going to do? Then I realized there was one town festival left during the weekend I will go and have fun there. However, as I was walking around I sort of forgot about taking pictures for DDoL. I went to a cooking show, a car show and a petting zoo. But didn't remember to take a picture until the petting zoo.

Raccoon, just one of the many unique animals I saw at the petting zoo

Then, when I got home, I realized that I did a lot of other fun things in town this week. One of them being a dog parade which was held on Thursday night. I (go figure) forgot to take pictures.

Got all gussied up and actually LEFT town for some fun

I'm still trying to think about what I might do for fun this week. There are a lot of options so I'm going to have to plan ahead I think. And, hopefully I remember to take pictures. :-)

How about you guys? Anyone else going to try the small town fun challenge with me? Please share what you have been up to!

Happy Sunday, loves! 

As I mentioned on my About Me page, this blog is all about my life in a small town, my life as a writer, my love in small town and how they all come together.
So, all of the posts on this page will focus on how to live. I will share tips on how to live; things like cleaning, recipes, etc.
But, I will mainly focus a lot of the posts on life in a small town, because for any of my readers who grew up in a small town, currently live in a small town or are looking to move to a small town, you know it can be challenging at times.
Hang around as this page fills up with information on how to Live!

Hello readers – old and new – I am happy to announce that I am back and blogging.
I decided to completely revamp the old blog to better reflect my personality. I have been thinking a lot about my writing lately and have been considering the idea of dedicating time to my blog again, along with bigger projects. 

Happy Monday morning everyone!

You might wonder why all of my posts happen between 5 and 7 a.m. Well, it is because of a little thing called Super Happy Fun Coffee Hour (SHFCH).

SHFCH started in college my roommate and I decided to have a party every morning during our break between classes and devote it to our love of coffee.

Still to this day, more than seven years later, I have still latched on to the concept of SHFCH. At that time it was the one time throughout the day as a college sophomore that my roommate and I would have everyday to have a little fun and enjoy our cups of coffee.

It still serves that purpose for me as an adult. Waking up an hour or two before everyone else and before I have to be to work ensures that I will have one hour to spend exactly how I want to.

So, in order to get some 'me' time, all you have to do is make a party out of something you do everyday. That way you can have a party....everyday.

Here's how we founded SHFCH, and maybe it will help you start a Super Happy Fun Hour of your own:
1. We made a sign. A big bright sign which we hung up above the coffee maker that said SUPER HAPPY FUN COFFEE HOUR.
2. We designated one hour to do nothing but drink coffee and be super happy.
3. Then we continued for entire college career.

Most people make New Year resolutions. I make Birthday resolutions.

And since today is my 26th Birthday, I figured it would be time for an evaluation of my 25th year of life.


What happened this year:

• I won a First Place award for an arts and entertainment story I wrote
• I was able to attend my first Minnesota Newspaper Association convention where I was proud to be surrounded my people who share my same passion for journalism.
• I moved into a house on the edge of town from and apartment right in town...with my boyfriend
• I went on an unforgettable vacation to Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park
• I got engaged
• I went on a surprise trip to NYC (yes, my now fiancé surprised me with a weekend trip to NYC)
• I saw Newsies on Broadway
• I was a part of two of my dear friends' weddings
• My sister got married
• My best friend became engaged
• I bought a new computer after more than two years of using one that did not work, which led to the fact that;
• I made the awesome decision to begin working on my idea for a novel (And this is the big, exciting secret I've been teasing everyone with.)

So, with such an overwhelmingly awesome year last year, I have some big expectations for next year!

Stay tuned for my goals for the year and be sure to follow along throughout the year as I share stories about wedding planning and engagement, adjusting to all the transitions is life and my progress as I pursue the writing of my novel.

Happy Birthday to me and here's to another awesome year of life!

Cleaning is one of those things we have to get done in life whether we like it or not. And, an unclean house stresses me out more than a deadline at work. Since I'm a journalist I think a deadline is generally helpful in other aspects of life as well, which is how I've become a master speed cleaner.


1. Set a timer.
I make a list of what I think NEEDS to be done and then set the kitchen timer for as much time as I have or want to spend cleaning. Then, I race the clock. As an adult we really don't get a chance to play many games, so we might as well make our chores a contest.

2. Look at the big picture.
Sometimes you just don't have enough time to edge the carpets and deep clean the bathroom. That's OK, just find the most important things and get those done first. When you have more time then you can plan on doing the bigger projects. Which leads me to my next tip:

3. Make a chore chart...
for yourself. Maybe you had one as a child or in a certain job you might have had. Well they work wonders for busy adults, as well. Make a list of things you want to get done daily and follow it. You should probably keep the list short and prioritized and maybe a task or two for each room of the house, that way things don't get overwhelming in one area of the house because you've only been focusing daily tasks in the kitchen and no where else.

4. BASKETS
Laundry baskets are my secret weapon when I'm speed cleaning. Use baskets to throw clutter in from around the house then as you make your way around replace the items from the basket back to their rightful homes. In the time it took you to just walk once through your house, you will have gotten all clutter cleared and put back in or near the place it belongs.

5. Pretend guest are about to show up
If all else fails, and your anything like me, the most cleaning gets done right before a guest is about to show up. So, either pretend as if you have a friend coming over to get yourself motivated or actually invite a friend over to motivate you to speed clean. That wouldn't be stressful at all, would it?

Most importantly, don't let cleaning be a source of stress. I dropped that like a bad habit and found that cleaning is a good way to relieve stress if you let it. Turn on some music and make it enjoyable.

What do you do when you need to clean the house - and fast? Any tips for me?

Love; no one can really describe what it is. But there's one important component to love which I think many people don't pick up on. And to me that component is inspiration. I think those who love you and are loved by you should always be a source of inspiration, in some or all areas of your life.
I am always inspired by my family and close friends.

However, with all the hustle and bustle of adult life (I'm 25, to be 26 in less than a week so I guess that makes me an adult) we can easily lose sight of all of this just trying to balance all the loved ones.

I am a huge committer of this crime. I can't say no to those I love, because, well, I love them and would do anything I can to help or be that source of inspiration and hope for them.

If any of you are like me in that respect, I have a few tips on how to find some me time while playing the adulthood balancing act.

1. Clean.
I know this sounds crazy, but sometimes just taking 15 minutes and cleaning can clear your mind and then you won't have to worry about that when you're trying to actually relax.

2. Go for a walk -- alone.
Even a short walk around the block by yourself will usually help clear your mind in the midst of doing the adulthood juggle. I know a little exercise and fresh air always helps one clear their mind.

3. Read a book
Books are the kind of thing you can keep picking up and putting back down as time allows. If you have a few minutes after work or in between chores or volunteering, pick up a book and read yourself into someone else's world.  How would that not work?

4. The ever-popular: take a shower or bath.
This one always helps me relax, but then again, I was that child who ASKED to take a bath everyday instead of being told to do so. A good steamy bath is a good place to be left alone, too (usually).

5. Bring in the professionals.
Sometimes when the home remedies don't work you need to bring out the big guns. Going to get your hair done, get a manicure or a massage are all perfecto ways to relax. But, if you are pinching pennies or are a tad frugal give yourself a mani/pedi at home which is also relaxing.

6. Retail therapy.
This probably isn't the best option for those of you who are, like I said before, watching the checkbook balance rather closely. But for others going to the mall is a great way to unwind. For me personally, I would rather go to the book store or browse through office supplies, but to each his/her own.

7. Go to work.
To me, after entertaining or spending time helping others out with something, nothing is more relaxing than actually just going into the office. I don't know if it is the work or if it is because of the next suggestion:

8. Have and stick to a routine.
This is rumored to work best with children, they like routine. But, I think most adults could handle a little more routine in their life. Even if you have an unpredictable work schedule you can map out your morning and right before bed. Having some semblance of a structure in your life usually helps eliminate stress AND allows for you to schedule in a little alone time (maybe).

9. Keep a journal.
Not everyone is a writer by nature, but taking time to reflect on your day and writing it down in a journal gives you a chance to have some down time and to see how or if you have been managing your time. And, they're always fun to go back and reread years later.

10. LEARN TO SAY NO!
My last piece of advice is directed more toward myself than anyone else. Just say no. If you're feeling stressed, tired out or just unable to entertain, help or listen to a family or friend. Just be honest and tell them you need a break. Then you can come back refreshed the next time they need your help or need to talk.

Overall, remember the one person who is most important to love --YOURSELF. If you have been stretched out to your limit helping others, then you are going to be so overwhelmed you won't be of any use to anyone.

So, follow some of my tips or use some of your own to get some 'you time,' and before you do, take a couple minutes to share some of your tips in the comment section below. How do you relax when you need some alone time?