WFMW: List Making
Lists have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Both my mom and dad are consummate list makers. I can remember my dad sitting down to right out a weekend list every single Saturday morning of my childhood. That was a sure sign that it was officially the weekend. My mom's lists were a favorite of mine to read because there were so many that revolved around special events, such as packing lists and menu lists for special meals. I would love to look back at some of those lists now.I have carried on this wonderful tradition, and I've seen it pass on to my oldest so far. She loves to make lists almost as much as I do. I make lists for everything, often very detailed and over-involved, but lists nonetheless. I take pride in my many lists. I'm a bit OCD about them though. If I make a mistake, I have to start over again. I NEED my lists to be neat! I also have a cross-off system that I always use. I draw a straight line through everything that gets completed, and for every task that I decide just does not need to get done, I draw a swirly line through it.
For the trip we are on this week, I had 5 separate lists I was working with.
- Clothes to pack
- Car stuff to pack
- Food to make (to take with and to leave for my husband)
- Things to get done before leaving
- Blog things to take care of before leaving
I have yet to find a feeling that rivals crossing a completed task off of a list. And to cross off that very last item of a very full list? Nothing could be better. (Yes, I know, it is a little sad, but it's true. Just try it!)
As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, I would love to have some old lists from my mom and dad to read through. What an adventure that would be! I think I might start saving some of mine to pass on to the kids some day, if they want them. I guess I would have to change my cross-off method, but that would be okay. Lists really are a great glimpse into a day of somebody's life and writing them definitely works for me!
For more Works for Me Wednesday tips, head over to Shannon's blog.
14 comments:
good reminder not to throw *everything* away....maybe my kids will want to see something in my handwriting....i love lists too!
I would be *nothing* without my lists! Helps my brain stay clear(ish) ;)
I love lists too!
I keep a spiral notepad for my listmaking. A couple pages dedicated to each occasion such as when we go away for the weekend, what I need to buy for the wedding we're attending, all the details for the birthday parties I'm organising, etc.
Then when the occasion is over, I usually just tear the pages out and throw them away. But you gave me the idea that maybe I should keep them in case my kids would want to see them.
I LOVE lists! Do you ever put something on the list that you've already done, just so you can feel the satisfaction of crossing it off? Crossing off is the best part!
I have fond memories of my dad's lists too. Thanks for sharing!
I use lists for everything as well. One for cleaning, menu planning, shopping, daily chores and my daily activities as well as my child's. I would be lost without them.
I &hearts lists! I make them for everything because if I don't then I forget things. Sad but true.
Great post!
Brandy
http://imnotyouraveragesoccermom.blogspot.com
Ah, I am a perennial list-maker myself!
:)
I love lists! It's rubbing off on my husband, too, which is making our life so much easier!
I have so many lists I need a list to keep track of them all. I couldn't function without my lists.
Instead of crossing something off a list, highlight it! I learned this tip at a time management class and they said to HIGHLIGHT your accomplishments.
I'm a list maker too. When I start to get overwhelmed, I tell my husband that I need to make some lists. He knows that means I need some quiet time to organize myself. Then I sit at the table and write list after list until I feel better. I like the idea of highlighting the completed items. I tend to messily scratch them off. It recently has occurred to me that I should have some master lists on my computer, like a list for packing for a trip. It's basically the same every time! What I haven't figured out yet is how to keep a current list of the meat in my freezer without it getting all messy!
ahhhh... finally, someone who throws out a "messy" list!!! I do the same thing... on coupon clipping/grocery list days (Sunday for me), I would sit with a stack of lined index cards. One mistake, and the trash can is right there... I know it's OCD and I know it's a bit wasteful but... I can't help it! :D I'm glad I'm not the only one!
I too "overly" enjoy list making. In fact my new favourite item is the 3 subject spiral notebook that I purchased. It even has a little pocket at the beginning of each subject. My three are labeled (very prettily) as "To Do-Remember" where I jot down my daily to do list, "Need - To Buy" where I keep a running grocery/shopping list and "Ideas" where I make a note of all of my decorating ideas, a quote that I like or a recipe from a friend. I carry this book around with me and it is just the right size to fit in my bag. Obviously :o) I keep a separate grocery list on the fridge at home which later gets put into the pocket of my book on grocery day. Nice to meet a fellow list-maker so that I can prove to my husband that I am not the only one!
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