Personally Created: Free September iWhatever Calendar and Desktop

Have you ever had a job that you enjoy so much that you don't even think of it as a job? I have been fortunate enough to have had TWO jobs like that! I taught preschool for twelve years, beginning when the boys were little. Cole rode the bus to Honeytree after school each day and Michael was able to spend the day at preschool with me, becoming one of the most well-prepared kiddos ever to enter kindergarten. I only worked 20-25 hours each week, so I still considered myself a stay-at-home-mom.

My other "non-job" was working with the color guard--you know--the girls that spin the flags and rifles in marching band. I started with the band one year after I started at Honeytree and stayed there for sixteen years. I remember one evening during my first year of band camp (Go ahead. Think it. I know you're dying to!) I was cleaning up after dinner and I just kept giggling because I couldn't believe that I was being PAID to do something that was SO MUCH FUN! Eventually, waking up at 5 a.m. each day, along with the daily dose of drama (TEENAGE GIRLS! UGH!) took a toll on my nerves. My boys had graduated and weren't marching anymore--yes, they were both band nerds like their mama!--so just less than two years ago, I retired my marching shoes.

I want to clarify something here. In our town, "Band Nerd" and "Band Geek" are monikers that are hard-earned and worn with pride. The Houn Dawg Marching Band (NOT Marching Houn Dawg Band! There IS a difference! Think about it.) has a decades-long history of success. The kids who stay in band from sixth grade through high school are the students who learn what it feels like to work for something and achieve it. They know how it feels to be part of a team that works together and WINS! (Stepping down from my soap box....)

Now you are probably wondering what all this reminiscing has to do with a September calendar. Honeytree always waited until after Labor Day to start school, so September will always feel like The Official Back-To-School Month for me. Back-to-school feels like yellow--for school buses and happy faces, blue--for bluebirds, red for apples, and green for The Very Hungry Caterpillar! Yes, those were the building blocks of our first few weeks of lesson plans.

So...when I was looking for inspiration for September's calendar, I thought of back-to-school colors.

This is what I came up with....

I started feeling kind of like I was stuck in a rut because I have a pretty basic pattern for my calendars. Then I realized I use the same basic pattern because I like it! I like flowers, I like sparkles, and I like swirls and greenery. I haven't heard any complaints, and until I do, I probably will not deviate far from said pattern!

Here is a calendar to pretty up your desktop background....

And if you would like to make your own, here is a plain Jane calendar that is just begging for some flowers, sparkles, swirls, and greenery! Go forth and make it beautiful! (Sometimes I get a little carried away.)