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.

Before and Afters of a Humbling Cleaning Day

Something To Do...

There’s work for the hand and there’s work for the heart,

something to do, something to do;

and each should be busy performing his part,

there’s something for all to do

The sick must be soothed and the hungry be fed,

something to do, something to do;

The naked be clothed and the erring be led,

there’s something for all to do.

The Master says “work” and has shown us the way,

something to do, something to do;

He says “not tomorrow the time is today”

there’s something for all to do.

There’s work for for the aged

and work for the young,

there’s work for us all

and excuses for none;

There’s work for the feeble and work for the strong;

there’s something for all to do.