Friday, January 26, 2007

To-Do List

My darling husband always encourages me to write my list of work out. I always tell him that I'm too busy to make a list. That writing a list is another job that I'd have to add to my list of things to do.

Toby is a faithful list writer. His method is to use the blank side of small 3x5 recipe cards turned vertically and then writes his list in perfect rows. His font is so small, I marvel that hands his size can create letters a zillion times smaller than his own finger print. He will keep that list on hand and though he may forget his watch or his cell phone or even his own car keys when he leaves to run an errand, he will never forget his list.

Since he has learned this method from the best (his mom), I'm taking his admonition today and practicing something that he always does very well: make a list.

If there's anyone that can take the cake for list writing, it would have to be Toby's mom. She will neatly fill a recipe card or any scrap of paper (recycled envelopes, odd pieces of card stock, blank sides to printed sheets of paper, note book sheets, etc.) with everything that she has to do -- whether it's an item to buy at the store or a reminder to ask a friend about the quality of the fabric they bought on sale the other day. EVERYTHING goes on that list. Often, she'll have more than one list on hand too.

She prints by hand her list of things to do in a very fine print and could even put Microsoft Word's 10 pt. size font to shame with how neat and precise she is. She carries that list devotedly in her pocket and will use it as a quick reference all through out her day.

I love reading her lists. It gives me an idea of what I should put on my own lists. And since she's silently and unknowingly impressed on me the necessity of putting everything on a list, I'm going to start today's list out with:
  1. MAKE A LIST
I want to seriously motivate myself to get my work done today and get on a roll for the next few days. So, I will humbly publish on the world wide web everything that needs to be done in this 1288 sq. ft. abode in the next few days. You'd think with this small space, very little would have to be accomplished. The following list will prove that whether mansion or shack, my list of things to do is overwhelmingly long and full of variety.

In order to cross something off my list today, I might as well go ahead and make the following list...
  1. MAKE LIST (as mentioned)
  2. REORGANIZE KITCHEN (rearrange, redecorate, clean, fill new island with necessary stuff, etc.)
  3. CLEAN OUT FRIDGE
  4. VACUUM LIVING ROOM
  5. DUST LIVING ROOM
  6. VACUUM BEDROOMS
  7. FOLD AND PUT AWAY LAUNDRY
  8. WASH BATHROOM MIRROR
  9. EMPTY DISHWASHER
  10. LOAD DISHWASHER
  11. CLEAN OFF MY DESK
  12. CLEAN OFF AND ORGANIZE TOP OF TOBY'S DESK
  13. DUST BOTH DESKS
  14. SWEEP AND WASH KITCHEN FLOOR
  15. ORGANIZE OUR CLOSET
  16. HANG MATERNITY CLOTHES
  17. CLEAN OUR ROOM
  18. ORGANIZE JANAE'S CLOSET
  19. REARRANGE JANAE'S ROOM
  20. ORGANIZE LANDON'S ROOM
  21. GET RID OF EXTRA KIDS CLOTHES
  22. SEW BLOOMERS FOR JANAE
  23. SEW STRAP COVERS (for Toby's coveralls)
  24. FINISH JANAE'S PILLOW CASE
  25. SEW RAG QUILT FOR COUCH
  26. ASK TOBY TO BRING FABRIC BIN IN
  27. COVER BOX (for plastic bag holder)
  28. PUT TOYS AWAY (again)
  29. REPLACE PICTURE BOARD WITH NEW PICS
  30. PUT WINTER STUFF IN "NEW" DRESSER
  31. PUT AWAY DUFFEL BAG (that's been storing winter stuff)
  32. PLAN MENU
  33. SHOWER
  34. FIX HAIR
  35. MAKE SELF PRETTY
  36. LIGHT A CANDLE
  37. PLAY MUSIC

The last few things are only there for the fun of it. And, because I'd probably rather just get right to work without taking thought for how dishevelled I am. In order to make the house get in order, I should at least look half the part of orderly. Then, when I wonder where my bench mark is in the midst of a mess, I can just look in the mirror and get re-motivated.

So, I'm off to shower and spray some perfume and twist my hair up. After that, the list is my goal.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's nice you think you know how to blog, Couraht.

Rachel said...

kI'm so impressed! If only you had an online 'marking' system so we could see your progress! You have us inspired -- where, oh where are my index cards?!?

The Mom said...

Don't be too impressed Rachel... the size of the list is nothing in comparision to WHAT gets done on that list. :) In other words, we'll see what all eventually gets accomplished. And yes, those handy, faithful index cards -- just perfect for all those lists! I'm sure with your busy schedule these days, you could really use a package or two some days, huh?! Thanks for commenting; it was good to hear from our old "home" town, although you're far, far from home. :)

Elizabeth Pruett said...

That is a sizable list! I think mine would be twice as long (if I wrote it out). There is so much to be done! HELP!!

Anonymous said...

LOL! Now you sound like me. I don't live without a list! :) I usually get a sheet of paper and write down the days of the week, anywhere from 1 - 2 weeks ahead (depends if I have an extra busy schedule planned that far ahead!), and then I make a list of all the things I need to do (or WISH to do!) each day. More often than not, by the end of the week I'm filling in the next week with the things I didn't get accomplished. So eventually everything gets done, some time or another! :) It's a huge motivation for me to see a list of "crossed out" jobs! Ah, yes, lists are for me! :) And now I am off to finish my list for today!
~~ Murf

The Mom said...

Sometimes a panic cry of "help" is definitely a good idea, Mrs. Moore! If only help would indeed arrive and enable lists to get crossed off faster.

Murf... so you're a list person too, huh? Your list method sounds like mine. :) Yes, eventually everything gets done but definitely not in the order it was written out. Hope you're enjoying getting all your lists done now that you're home and settling in.