Monday Musing: The Holiday To-Do List

 I have reached a point in the holidays where one minute I feel as if I am ahead of the to-do list and doing well, but the very next minute I feel overwhelmed by all that still needs to be done.  It's a strange place to be.

In all honestly - I really am on top of things.  Most of the shopping is done.  The decor is all up and looks beautiful.  

I think the issue is that most of the things that I still need to do are the things that feel more like "work".  The wrapping of presents, addressing the Christmas cards, shipping packages, and fulfilling orders for my Etsy shop.  I am looking for ways that I can relax and try to enjoy those tasks.  Maybe brew up a cup of peppermint mocha coffee, put on a Christmas movie or some music, and get things done.  

I'm trying to mark a few things on the list one day, one week at a time so it doesn't pile up on me and leave me rushing to get it all done at once. 

On this week's To-Do list:

• Start addressing Christmas cards
• Finish Christmas shopping
• Complete and ship at least 3 Etsy orders
• Create Sunday graphics for the 1st quarter of 2022
• Blog for 1 hour on 3 days of the week
• Drink at least 64 oz of water per day

How are you doing with your Christmas and holiday preparations?  

Making A List and Checking It Twice

I made a pretty big mistake last week.  I got busy last weekend and didn't prioritize making a list of goals and tasks to do for the week.  And, as a result, I was pretty much all over the place every single day. I couldn't seem to focus or stay on task with anything I tried to accomplish.  

Fortunately, I still managed to get several things, such as completing an order, cleaning and reorganizing the pantry, and cleaning out both freezers. But other things never happened, like writing blog posts or rearranging the dining room.  

I found out the hard way that I really need that visual list of things I want to complete to keep myself on track and accountable.  Without it, I drift through the days without much sense of direction or urgency.  Lesson learned. 

Not only does keeping a weekly (and daily) list of goals and tasks help me to stay focused and organized, but it gives me a nice sense of accomplishment as I check items off the list. Without it, I often find that I feel like I didn't get much done - even though I really did. 

And since we're talking about my list for the week.  Here it is:

• Create and run "Before Black Friday' sale in Etsy shop
• Complete and mail 3 orders
• Rearrange dining room
• Catch up on laundry
• Focus on writing new blog posts

I'll be more intentional about making my lists of goals and tasks from now. Do you keep a regular to-do list?

Four Ways To Have A More Productive Day

Confession:  I am far from the most productive person you will ever meet.

So what makes me think I am in any way qualified to write a post about how to have a more productive day?  Not because I am some sort of expert.  But because I have tried oh-so-many things to help myself become productive and these are a few of the tips that have helped me get my act (sorta) together.


Wake Up Earlier

 I know, I know... I can hear you groaning from here.  Very few people are excited about the idea of waking up even earlier in the day.  But before you click away to something less annoying - bear with me for a minute.  I really do find that if I get up a little earlier, my days seem to go better.  So, I do encourage you to set that alarm a little earlier. 15 minutes.  30 minutes.  An hour.  Whatever you feel you need and can handle.  But... Don't check your emails or your social media feeds.  Don't jump right into your work or chores.  Have a cup of coffee, tea, or warm water with lemon. Pray. Study the Bible. Meditate. Read a motivational book. Do some yoga.  Take a walk.  Tjis is your time to prepare your body, mind, and spirit for the Day ahead.


Make A To-Do List

If you know me, you probably saw this one coming.  I'm a list maker.  In my experience, I have found that if something isn't written down - it's probably not going to happen.  I personally make a list of goals for each month.  And a list of goals for each week, which is mostly comprised of steps toward meeting my monthly goal.  And then there is the daily To-Do list.  The things I need to do each day, including those which will move me closer to completing my Weekly and Monthly goals.  I'm not saying yours needs to be quite so detailed.  Just make a list of things that you need or want to accomplish for the day. 



First Things First

That thing on your list that you're less than excited about doing?  Do it FIRST!  Get it out of the way.  Otherwise it is far too easy to keep procrastinating; and at the end of the day you find that it's the only thing still on your list.  Leaving you with something you are less than excited about doing tomorrow.  


Set A Timer

This is one of the few tips I took away from my experiments with the FLYlady method of housekeeping.  For each task - set a timer.  The typical recommendation is for 15 minutes.  Sometimes I will do less, sometimes more.  Once the timer goes off - move to another task.  Or take a brief break for a cup of water and to clear your mind before getting back to work.  This keeps me from getting so wrapped up in one task that I get absolutely nothing else completed for the entire day!

What are some of your best tips for being productive and getting things marked off your To-Do list? Share them in the comments!

May Goals and Intentions

Can I be real with y'all for a minute? April felt like it should be categorized in the "total bust" column.  I accomplished very few of my goals for the month.  And the ones I managed to check off did not happen in the intended time frame. Cue the game show "fail" sound: wah,wah, waaaaah.

But!  Moving on.  It's a new month.  With fresh intentions and new goals!  Out with the old and in with the new.  Today is a new day.  Put the past behind you.  (  insert cheesy motivational cliché here  )

My intention for May is to be focused.  This was a big problem in April.  I let my focus wander and got off track and off schedule too many times.  It's difficult to get things accomplished when that is happening. Stay focused on the task at hand.  Stay focused on the goal.

Which brings us to my May Goals:

Go to bed and wake up earlier:  I have been staying up later than usual.  Which leads to sleeping until I have to get up to get the male offspring to school.  This cuts into my morning quiet time and somehow makes my entire day feel a little off.  This could be part of the reason I have had trouble keeping focused.

Read more:  Going to bed later is also cutting into my normal reading time.  I need to watch less television and read more this month.  I am aiming to finish the book I am currently reading and read 2 more.

Mail graduation announcements:  Self explanatory.  Although maybe I should add the words "without getting teary" to the end of that.  Oh, who am I kidding?  That's gonna happen!  Bittersweet times.

Make time for fun:  May is looking to be a very busy month.  I want to be intentional about enjoying time with my loved ones.

What are some of your goals for the month of May?

What Is The Goal for January?

The new year has begun and January stretches out ahead of us - shiny, new, and full of promise.

As you may know by now, I am a list maker.  Among those lists I keep is always one of monthly To-Do's.  (I also have a yearly to do list, as well as weekly and daily lists.  But you probably don't need to know exactly how far my crazy goes...)

My To Do list for January looks something like this:

• Start setting up a daily and weekly schedule for work and home
• Make throw pillows for living room
• Visit Biltmore Estate with the Man of the House
• Get eating back on track
• Schedule appointment for yearly physical

What are your goals for January?

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Feel Busy Getting Nothing Done

This week has felt - well... odd, somehow.

On one hand it has felt as if I have been a busy little bee.  On the other, it feels as if I have gotten next to nothing accomplished.

photo credit - publicdomainpictures.net

I have a strong suspicion that it might be the second of these.  One look at my weekly To-Do list seems to confirm this.

How can I feel as if I stay so busy, constantly working and moving - and yet get so little done?

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Why Google Makes Me Feel Bad About Myself

Every morning without fail, my Google calendar feels the need to send me an email.  Just to let me know that I have no appointments planned that day.

Every.  Single.  Day. As if it's important to let me know I have no plans again that day.

Sometimes I get to the point where I feel as if it's mocking me.

"Hey... just in case your forgot.  You got nothing going on today.  No where to go.  Nothing to do.  No friends to have lunch with or meet for coffee.  No book club or crochet group. No woman's Bible Study to attend.  Nope. Nothing at all.  Again.  Just so you know..."

I'm not writing this because I want you to feel sorry for me.  It's not as if I look at my email every morning and feel bad about the lack of items on my calendar.  Most days I delete the email and don't think twice about it.  

But - if I'm being honest here - there are days it rubs me the wrong way.  You know those kind of days.  The ones when I'm all hormonal, or tired, or just feeling a little down on myself.  On those days Google calendar makes me feel bad about myself.

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

New For Autumn

Y'all are probably getting sick and tired of hearing me ramble on about autumn.  I know...
But please bear with me for at least one more post.  I've got plans for this season.  Big plans!  And I just wanted to take a few minutes to share them.  Maybe you could return the favor and share some of your Fall to-dos in the comments?

• Decorate mantel for autumn (already did it! Ha!!)
• Weekend getaway with the Man of the House
• Finish remodeling makeover in the master bedroom
• Take the family on a long hike to see the colorful fall leaves
• Make lots and lots of pumpkin muffins
• Make pumpkin spice syrup for coffee
• Make homemade vanilla creamer
• Carve jack o' lanterns with the family
• Try some new soup, stew, and chili recipes in the  crock pot
•  Plan a winter family getaway
• Create some new scarves and other items for my Etsy shop
• Start crafting some Christmas presents
• Get a great picture for Christmas cards

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Juana Mickels: Wednesday's Prayer Girls

WholeHearted Home: Wholehearted Wednesdays Linkup
We Are THAT Family: Works For Me Wednesdays
Woman to Woman: Word-filled Wednesday
A Little R & R: A Little R&R Wednesdays
Joy Dare Blog: Capture Your Journey Link Up 
My Daily Walk in His Grace: Winsome Wednesday 
So Much at Home Linkup Party 
Holley Gerth: Coffee for Your Heart 
Adorned From Above: Wednesday Link Party
Mom's Morning Coffee: Coffee & Conversation 

Wrapping Up Summer and Putting A Bow On It

So long, summer!  Fall has arrived!  And I am one happy camper! 

You may recall, I had some big plans for summer.  As you look at the list below - you'll see I didn't exactly rule my to-do list.  And I am perfectly ok with that!  It was summer, after all.  I'm sure I'll do better on my fall list.

• Finish up redecorating projects in office/guest room and the male offspring's room
•  Hike!
• Get rid of another 10 pounds
• Take part in my first 5k
• Make new decoration for front door
• Create the gallery wall in entry
• Pick wildflowers
• Make homemade ice cream
• Complete Adult Summer Reading program at library
• Finish sewing pillow covers for living room throw pillows
• Spend a day outside relaxing and reading

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Three Things: I Should Do This Week

I have been mostly off the grid for the past 2 weeks.  First I flew out to Oklahoma to visit my youngest sister and her family (had a great time! more on that later!) Then we did a 2 day road trip back here (more good times. Again.. more on that later)  where she stayed with me for a few days.  Things are finally back to "normal" routine, but there's lots of catching up to be done!  Here are three things I need to do this week:

1) Catch up on blog posts!  So much to write... so little time! Especially with what all else I need to get done this week.

2) Catch up on laundry:  After almost 2 weeks it really starts piling up.  This should take most of the week to get things caught up.

3)  Remember to return my library books: Which are already overdue.  Because they were due while I was gone.  And I forgot to return them before I left.  Oops!!

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Life of Meg: Monday Mingle
The Chicken Chick: Clever Chicks Blog Hop
Peacoats and Plaid: The Collective (1st Monday of each month)
A Proverbs 31 Wife: Living Proverbs 31
A Life in Balance: Motivation Monday
The WellSpring: Playdates with God 
Tell Me A Story: True Stories
The Beauty In His Grip: Sharing His Beauty

How I Spent The Autumn Days

If you recall, way back on the first day of Autumn I created a fall to-do list of things I wanted to accomplish before Winter rolled around.  And you may just be wondering how I did on completing that list.  (probably not... but let's pretend, ok? Ok.)  Well, for the curious - here's a little update on the last day of Autumn. 

1. Go on a hike (or two, or three... or five)
2. Go on a hike by myself
3. Make pumpkin muffins (lots of them!)
4. Visit a corn maze
5. Learn to make risotto
6. Start (and finish) some homemade Christmas presents
7. Make pumpkin pancakes from scratch
8. Decorate the porch for autumn  
9. Get a new family portrait 
10. Try out some of the cute fall outfit ideas I have on my Pinterest board
11. Give some old sweaters new life
12. Do some sewing projects
13. Schedule some date nights with the Man of the House
14. Crochet a beautiful new scarf - for myself!
15. Remodel the hall bathroom 

My first ever attempt at making risotto!

Not too bad, all things considered. A few things which I never got around to, but for the most part I feel as if it were a successful fall season. 

Now - on to Winter!  

How Many?

I don't want to alarm anyone here... but I just realized that today is December 5. 

Which means there are only 19 days left until Christmas. 

19 days people!! 

And while I am pleased with how all the prep for Christmas is going so far, there is still MUCH to be crossed off the notorious To Do list.

I'm trying not to panic here.  Just relax.  Take each task, each day, as it comes.  And enjoy the season without too much stress or chaos. 

How's your holiday To Do list coming?

Autumn List

Things I want to do this fall:

1. Go on a hike (or two, or three... or five)
2. Go on a hike by myself
3. Make pumpkin muffins (lots of them!)
4. Visit a corn maze
5. Learn to make risotto
6. Start (and finish) some homemade Christmas presents
7. Make pumpkin pancakes from scratch
8. Decorate the porch for autumn
9. Get a new family portrait 
10. Try out some of the cute fall outfit ideas I have on my Pinterest board
11. Give some old sweaters new life
12. Do some sewing projects
13. Schedule some date nights with the Man of the House
14. Crochet a beautiful new scarf - for myself!
15. Remodel the hall bathroom

What I Actually Did

Back on June 21, I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish during the summer.  Now that summer is wrapping up - let's take a look back and review...

*  Learn to make Risotto
No.  I don't know why I am letting this intimidate me so much.  I need to just do it already!

*  Spend more evenings out on the back porch, reading or just relaxing  
Nope.  But in my defense, it was one seriously rainy summer and most evenings were either wet or just too humid to be outside much.

*  Learn to make real pudding (not from a box)
Well, I looked at lots of recipes.  And technically I learned how to make it.  I just never actually got around to making it.


*  Use up stash of leftover yarn making baby hats.
Done!

*  Donate them to pregnancy support group in town   
And Done!

*  Eat less meat and pasta  
Um... yeeeeeh... No.

*  Get to the gym more  
Ha! If anything, probably went less!

*  Put down the crochet hooks and knit something  
I've looked at some patterns, but I just have so many crochet projects in the works I couldn't bring myself to set them aside for some knitting.

*  Try out more of the stuff on my Pinterest boards  
Yes! Check out some of my Pinterest inspired projects at This IS My Day Job

*  Go for a hike by myself   
Hmm.. No I didn't do this. I'll add it to my autumn list

I Had Plans

I had plans that day.  Big plans.  There was all kinds of cleaning and sewing to be done.  It was going to be a productive day.  And I was going to look like Super Homemaker Woman by the time the man of the house got home from work.

Had...

Was...

It seems God had other plans for me.

First, as I posted my link to the Proverbs31 Ministries Online Bible Study weekly blog hop - the thought occurred to me "You should read all these".  Um... what?  I'm a busy woman!  Read all these?  Do you have any idea how many links are up there - with more being added every minute?  Maybe just some of them?  Nope... you should read them all.  (sigh)  Alrighty then.

Finally... I made it through almost all of the links posted.  (I confess - there were breaks in there to change the sheets, do some laundry, dishes, and watch the grand baby while his mommy ran an errand)

Now.  Now I could get back to my To-Do list, right?

And then the thought came... No.  Now you need to finish that painting project you've been dragging out for months.

Say... WHAT?

C'mon!!  That cabinet has been half painted for weeks and weeks.  What's a little longer going to hurt?  I could do it tomorrow.    No?  Today?  It has to be today?  (Another confession.  I tried my best to ignore this thought.  But it kept nagging at me until I gave it and dragged the cabinet outside to paint)

What was the point?  Who knows.  But now, as I type this, the cabinet sits outside with the primer drying - awaiting a coat of paint.  And I realize that even with the unplanned interruptions - I still got a LOT accomplished!  Maybe not the sewing I had planned.  But in the end, it was a pretty productive day!

Interrupted

"We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God.....We must not.....assume that our schedule is our own to manage, but allow it to be arranged by God.”~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

 

You know me... I am a list maker. I've got a plan, and I like to see things marked off.  

But it doesn't always work that way - does it?  

Sometimes there are interruptions.  Disruptions.  Changes in plans.

 I have two choices...

I can get frustrated, angry, or discouraged. 

Or I can go along with it. 

Look at it as a lesson on how life isn't lived according to my plan, but according to God's plan.   

A new opportunity to say "Yes" to God and see what exciting opportunity He has for me rather than what I had planned.

What To Do This Summer

June 21 is here!  Summer has officially arrived people!!  Yippee!!

Many of us probably think summer and immediately think about tans, vacations, lazy summer days, and hot summer nights.  And yes - I think of the same things.  (well, not so much the tan.  I'm a burner.) 

However, I have also been thinking of some things I would like to do this summer.  Aside from day trips with the family, having a great vacation, and trying not to turn into a crispy lobster-colored version of myself.  And here it is... (true to my very nature as a list maker) my Summer 2013 To Do List.

• Learn to make Risotto
• Spend more evenings out on the back porch, reading or just relaxing
• Learn to make real pudding (not from a box)
• Use up stash of leftover yarn making baby hats. 
• Donate them to pregnancy support group in town
• Eat less meat and pasta
• Get to the gym more
• Put down the crochet hooks and knit something
• Try out more of the stuff on my Pinterest boards
• Go for a hike by myself

Good Week!

This was a very good week.  I did well with all my goals and feel good about that!  Gives me good motivation and keep working toward the final goal of being fit and getting back to a healthy weight. 

• Drink the recommended amount of water each day: Every day except Thursday.  Thursday was a lot of running around grocery shopping, going to orchestra concerts, etc so I came up short on the water goal.  
• Exercise at least 3 days this week: Made it to the gym 4 times!  Go me!
• NO soft drinks: Check!
• Prepare to start juice fast next week: Getting there and should be starting 3 day juice b the end of this week.  

And my pushy sister will be happy to know that I have an eye appointment this morning.  So there!

  

Now on to a new week (and a new month!) I am SO ready for it!

This Goals For This Week:

• Exercise at least 3 days
• NO soft drinks
• Drink recommended amount of water each day
• Have a healthy breakfast each morning
• Complete 3 Day Juice Fast

A Week of Good Intentions

So, last week was kind of a mixed bag - full of good intentions, but not exactly the fulfillment of many goals. I'd like to blame this on the fact that I was trying to manage a fierce sinus headache for 3 days in a row last week.  But to be honest, the headache can't be held responsible for some most of the goals not being met.  See what I mean...

• Eat a healthy breakfast every morning (typing this as I finish a bowl of shredded wheat with banana, strawberries, and skim milk because I realized the leftover cheesecake in the fridge didn't really meet the "healthy" criteria) - Yes!  This one I managed to accomplish.  Although I'm not sure the french toast the male offspring made for me on Saturday fits into the "healthy" category, it was breakfast.  And most days I had either some sunflower butter toast and fruit, yogurt with berries and walnuts, or cereal with skim milk fruit.
• Drink the recommended amount of water each day - turns out this is a lot more difficult than it sounds.  I'm still working on it, but not quite getting to that recommended amount most days.
• Exercise at least 3 days this week - ahem... no.  I only made it to the gym once.  A combination of laziness and that pesky headache.
• NO soft drinks! - I actually did pretty well on this one.  I slipped up only once, when the female offspring and I grabbed lunch while shopping at Sam's Club.  I filled up my cup with some Dr. Pepper and gulped it down without even thinking about the "no soft drinks" rule.  Oops!
• Use neti pot before bed each night - No.  I used it two nights, and on the others I just didn't.  I didn't think about it a few nights.  And on some of the nights I thought about it, I was just too tired to deal with mixing up the solution.
• Make an appointment for an eye exam - Another no.  No good reason.  Just didn't do it.

Bleh... seeing it all spelled out like that makes me realize that there is great room for improvement. Yep, got to do better than that!  Let's see what I can manage this week...

• Drink the recommended amount of water each day
• Exercise at least 3 days this week
• NO soft drinks!
• Make an appointment for an eye exam
• Plan for 3 day juice fast

Keeping Up The Motivation

I'm sure you're all eagerly awaiting an update on how I did with my goals for last week.  (No, I know you're not really - but let me have my little delusion, OK? Thanks)  So, here's an overview:

• Drink more water eh... a few days I did really well, others - not so much.
• Exercise at least 3 times  I'm not even sure how to judge this.  I only exercised 2 days; but on one of those days I worked out twice (am and pm)  So, I think I'm counting it as accomplished.
• Walk a total of at least 5 miles Check!!
• Get cards/packages in the mail  Um... no. Maybe this week.
• Finish a craft project (and blog about it!)  Project completed.  Blog will be written and posted soon at A Wise Woman Once Said...
• Have dinner as a family - at the table - every day except Thursday Was right on track with this - but then we had pizza in front of the TV on Friday.  And it sort of went downhill from there. 

 For this week, I'm feeling health conscious and keeping to that theme for my goals. Trying to keep up the motivation I'm feeling after having to buy some new pants this weekend because so many of my others keep sliding down and I'm too old to pull of the pants-riding-below-my-hips look (not that anyone can really successfully pull off that look)

• Eat a healthy breakfast every morning (typing this as I finish a bowl of shredded wheat with banana, strawberries, and skim milk because I realized the leftover cheesecake in the fridge didn't really meet the "healthy" criteria)
• Drink the recommended amount of water each day
• Exercise at least 3 days this week
• NO soft drinks!
• Use neti pot before bed each night
• Make an appointment for an eye exam