plan of attack

i'm what you might call a list freak. I love my lists. they keep me feeling sane when I have a gazillion jumbled thoughts in my head of what I need to do.

in college, each time exam week rolled around, I would make a list. a BIG list. I would write each exam I had and what day/time. we had self-scheduled exams, which was way cool, but that has nothing to do with this post. I titled this list my "plan of attack" (ok, maybe the name was stolen borrowed from a good friend) and after each exam, I would triumphantly, regardless of how I felt the exam went, mark out the exam listed and check it off. ah, what a great feeling.

these days, thankfully, i'm not studying for midterms, but lists still prevail. I have a mommy notebook, where I have random lists of projects, to-do's, and specific lists pertaining to upcoming events (i.e. packing for trips, babies being born, etc.). most days, I jot down a quick to-do list of what I need to accomplish. this includes activities we have planned (i.e. kids classes at the Y, errands, church stuff, meeting people, etc.), chores, dinner plans, and, yes, sometimes I even write down "exercise" and "shower". what can i say? i'm a mom.

the good things about lists for me? it keeps my thoughts focused. when I have written down what I need to do, I don't have to try to remember what I need to grab at the store this afternoon or which chores need finishing that day. the bad thing about lists? if it's not on the list, my brain usually doesn't even comprehend to do it. not all days, but it has happened. it's as if my brain is limited by the list. not cool.

why am I telling you about my list obsession? well, I feel like a common complaint among peers today is lack of organization. now, I realize that not all mommies are made for lists. all I can attest to is my personal experience and the fact that lists (and caffeine) allow productivity to flow in a controlled and feasible way in our home.

for example, my list might include:
-laundry (to include bed sheets)
-make dinner
-community group at 6:30
-vacuum
-wipe down bathrooms

ok, so while my youngest is napping in the morning, I am spending time with my oldest. I throw in the sheets to wash then sit down to play. the sheets are being washed, I switch them out later, and I don't have to worry about it being 9pm and the sheets are soaking wet in the washing machine, waiting to be thrown into the dryer.

while the two are napping in the afternoon (most days, simultaneously), I start dinner. it was on my list, so I put the chicken out to thaw that morning. then it's not a hectic rush to get dinner ready for community group in the late afternoon, because I have already done the bulk of the preparation while the boys are sleeping. oh, and since they're both upstairs asleep, good time to vacuum.

see what I mean? i'm bad about all work then play sometimes, so having a list to guide the day allows me freedom (and a cap) for what needs to be done and can be worked in around our day-to-day life. there is always cleaning to do. always errands to run. when I have a list, I can rest easy, knowing that what needs to be done that day is done. tomorrow is a new day. with new chores. new errands. new projects.

if I have bored you to tears, my apologies. if you are determined to take over the world, one list at a time, then give me a call. cause we should so be friends.