Much To-Do About Nothing

Whoooooops! I guess I forgot about this blog for a few days. So much for the 30-day challenge. But it's all good. I don't think I've disappointed too many readers (LOL!!) and I'm here now, so...

Today I want to talk about...[<pause> decide what you want to write about and then continue like it was your plan all along.]... Daily To-Do's! Ah yes, that's what I want to talk about!

I have been struggling with this for days, weeks, months - maybe even years. For me, it's not enough that things get done. It's not enough that they get done when they get done as long as they get done. No. I need things on a schedule so I know they'll get done *when* they're supposed to get done. They'll be done by the correct person at the correct time. My house will run like a well-oiled machine because every chore is clearly outlined on a calendar from now until the end of time!

<sigh.> Only in my dreams. And ok - that sounds a little crazy now that I type it out in black and white. But I do like things ordered. I do like things neat & tidy - - not just my house, but the manner in which I run my house. And it's not because I'm a control freak. Or, I should say, it's not just because I'm a control freak. It is also because I, like most people, don't enjoy chores and cleaning, and the more "automated" those kinds of tasks become, the less time they take to do, the less of a big deal they are, and the faster you can get on with life. And by life, I mean all the stuff we WANT to do!

But here's the problem. Every time I come up with a system, part of it works and part of it doesn't. So I keep readjusting and reformulating and redesigning, and we end up with NO PLAN AT ALL. If I were my kids, I'd get pretty frustrated that I couldn't just pick something and stick with it. But they're young and they'd get in trouble if they told me that, so I'm safe for another year or two.

My latest plan involves a large magnetic white board. Ideally, this is what will be on it for each new day:

• the day of the week
• the date
• the day's forecasted weather (so the kids know what to wear)
• the day's planned dinner (so I'm forced to think about it before 4:59pm)
• each person's chores/plans for the day
• any additional notes about that day (birthday party, playdate, holiday, etc.)

It will be a nice little (ok, not-so-little) hub of information for the whole family. Some things (the weather, dinner) will just be for reference. Others (everyone's chores) will be for checking off. The kids will know what they need to do (without being nagged by Mama). I will have good reminders for the stuff I want to get done. I really think things will run more smoothly around here. Or, at least I will feel like they are running more smoothly - - and that's what it's really all about! How Mama feels!

I'll try to check back when I get everything in place and let you all know how it's working. Or how it's not working - and how I plan to fix it.

A Failure to Plan is a Plan to Fail

I don't know who originally said it, but it sure does seem to be true in my life. Eating, exercising, praying, chores - - whatever! If I don't at least make a mental note, a virtual to-do list, things don't get done.  Yes, sometimes I have to wing it, but it's rarely the best way to go.

Monday, I flew by the seat of my pants. I'm currently in Week 3 of the Couch-to-5K program, so I knew I'd be running that day, but that's as far as my planning went. And guess what? That's pretty much all I got done that day.

Monday night, before I went to bed, I decided... "Tomorrow: I will pray first thing in the morning (one decade of the rosary, starting small); I will fold & put away all the laundry (4 loads); I will vacuum the whole downstairs (including the entryway, a veritable sandbox)." And guess what?? I did it! All of it! I accomplished everything I set out to do, and then some! I cleaned the downstairs bathroom, scrubbed one of the upstairs showers, and changed the sheets on my bed! Amazing!

What was NOT amazing was that I didn't exercise (other than the marathon of chores, of course) and I snacked on anything and everything ALL DAY LONG! Those were two areas I hadn't formulated a plan for, and well... that's what happens when I wing it.

So, here we are today. Wednesday. Wed. Nes. Day. (Can anyone spell it without pronouncing the parts separately?) What have I planned for today?

• Dinner - Jambalaya. (From a package of frozen components. I really should just make it myself. Next time.)
• Exercise - c25k week 3, day 2. Just do it.
• Chores - fold and put away another load of laundry (the sheets from my bed and whatever misc. clothes were still dirty after all yesterday's laundry was done), empty & reload dishwasher.
• Bills - need to enter my receipts into my check register and pay whatever bills are due.
• Food - don't eat between meals, except maybe one snack. Drink more water!!

There are probably 500 other things I could add to that list, but this is certainly sufficient - especially if I stick to it! And, um, please don't notice that it's almost noon and the only thing I've accomplished is something that was NOT on my list for today: begin a new blog.