"Write It Down" Special Event Starts Monday April 5!

"I tried my best, Mom; sometimes it's just too hard.  I can't sit still, and it takes me longer to get my work done."  Blake's voice wavered as the tears in his eyes threatened to fall.

The school had called again.  Marci tried to compose herself, fighting tears of her own.  The teacher told her Blake hadn't turned his homework in again, and had failed another test.

"Blake, I know it's hard, but you at least have to show you're trying.  Not doing your homework and turning it in makes it look like you don't care.  If you needed help, you should have told me."

This was the same conversation they had been having for many days, weeks, even years.  After all the meetings at the school, study interventions, and summer school Blake had been given a basic screening test for a learning disability.  The testing took a long time to complete; there just aren't enough resources in the school system. Finally the results came back, and there had been another meeting.

"From the screening tests we did, we think Blake has ADD.  We'll make some accommodations for him and see if things will get better." The counselor looked weary, there was only so much he could do.  "In the meantime, you could try setting a timer while Blake is doing his homework, or sometimes it works really well to have a reward system in place."

Marci barely made it out of the school before the sobs broke loose.  How could they have known she had tried timers and rewards years ago when the problems first started?  She remembered when she set a timer in front of Blake, and instead of working hard to finish the work before the bell went off, he took the timer apart.  Nothing she had tried had worked so far.

Now he stood in front of her wondering if he would be punished, and how long he would have to endure the same lecture. She turned away for a moment so he wouldn't see her struggle.  She only wanted to hug him and tell him it would be alright, but she had to keep pushing him, or he might give up.  Marci knew in her heart that this boy was special, intelligent, and had a kinder heart than a lot of adults.  She needed to tell him she believed in him with her whole heart, at the same time not letting him off the hook.

"Mom!   Are you mad?" he couldn't take anymore, and the floodgates opened for both of them.  Marci put her arms around her son and held him for just a moment.

"Come on; lets get started with this homework," she said as they made their way to the table....

Does this sound familiar?  This story could have happened in any home across the country.  It just so happens to be my story,  taken from several of my own journal entries over the last year or so.  I normally wouldn't get this personal, or share this much, but I have an important point to make.   I had to get these thoughts and feelings out somehow, or I really might have fallen apart.  When things got frustrating or I was so sad I could hardly bear it, I wrote in my journal.  Once I started I couldn't write the words fast enough.  (I don't use third person in my journal, I just used it here to make the story easier to tell.)  I wrote for pages and pages, and for many days.  After I got it all written down, I felt better; lighter somehow.

That's what the "Write It Down" event is all about.  Let it out, write it down on paper.  It's not the same to just talk about it.  When you make a journal entry that's just for you, and you can write anything you want without fear of someone talking back or giving unsolicited advice, it is so freeing.  The release is almost always immediate.  If you already keep a journal, you know what I mean. If you haven't started one yet, this is your chance!


This year the Write It Down journal is bigger and better!  It is my standard 5" x 7" size, unlined writing paper, in an "on the go" wraparound style.  The leathers I've chosen are amazing!  Gorgeous Brown and Classic Black Utility leather will call to you to use them again and again.  I really lucked out when I found these hides of leather.  The Brown leather is a medium shade with some darker and lighter areas. It is soft to the touch, but will wear like iron.  The Black leather has a uniform color and a slight shine to it.  Both are sueded on the under side.  The wrap around closure will keep everything nice and snug if you want to keep cards or little momentos inside.

In 2009 I made 14 special journals for the first Write It Down event.  They were gone in a little more than 2 weeks.  This year I've made 30!  I have 18 brown journals, and 12 black.  When they're gone, I won't be able to make more.  It was a one time deal on this leather!  I waited until April this year to hold the event, because I wanted you to be able to take advantage of this opportunity for Mother's Day gifts, or any special occasions coming up this spring.

These journals will be priced at $24. plus shipping!  The normal price for them would be $48, so you can see what a significant savings they are!

BUT WAIT!  THAT'S NOT ALL! When you purchase one of these special Write It Down journals, I'm going to send you a "Spare Journal To Share"  Hey, life can be tough for a lot of people right now. I'll be you know someone that could really use a journal to help them make it through.  This spare journal is a refillable one, and is 4" x 6" big!  It is made up of 25 pages of light weight chipboard pages.  2 silver book rings hold it all together.  Once all the pages are used up, simply refill it with some 4" x 6" index cards, and it will be ready to go again.  I use one of these too at my desk, and don't know how I would get along without it.  The spare is yours to use as you wish.  Keep it for yourself, or give it to someone you know that can use a little pick me up!  I hope you'll enjoy them both.

Journaling isn't just for those times when you're down.  There are lots of times when your joy is overflowing and you need to get that out too.  In the coming days I'll be sharing a little of those moments with you also.  In the meantime leave me a comment!  Tell me what you use your journal for, or why you like writing in a journal.  I've shared some of my story... now it's your turn!


Until next time,
Julie