The List

Last week, when a friend and I concluded a playdate, I pulled my planner out of my purse to consult my schedule for the following week.

"Let's see...we've got a graduation party on Sunday, and I work on Wednesday...I was going to try to get the kids in for photos on Thursday...and I'm working again on Saturday. But we're free on Friday!"

She looked at me, amused, and said, "I used to have one of those, but I never remembered to write in it. And then I lost it, so I gave up."

Somehow, she always manages to show up on the right day when we get the kids together anyway.

My planner, on the other hand, is so much more than my work schedule and dental and pediatrician appointments. It's stuffed with my menu plan and my grocery list. A coupon for the photo shoot on Thursday. A couple of bills to be paid. A receipt for something I need to return.

I have lists of anniversary dates and birthdays (although why I bother, I am not sure, because I always forget to send cards). There is even a "wish list" of books, music and items I would like, should someone need a gift idea. Throughout the year, if someone mentions something they like or something they want, I write it down in my planner. It makes shopping for Christmas and birthdays much easier.

Let's not forget the most important list--the To-Do list. I have one for the week and one for the day.

My husband likes to tease me for my penchant for list making. When we go on vacation, he throws some stuff into a bag five minutes before we leave. I have a three page packing list. In outline form. In my defense, he packs for himself, while I pack for myself and the kids, plus food, gear, health and beauty items and entertainment. His bag never contains things like swim diapers or nail clippers and if I left it up to him, we'd end up at the beach with no beach towels and no sunscreen.

Making lists keeps me organized and crossing things off when they are completed gives me a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Even better, the best way to knock out a project is to write it on my list. When I write it down, my shit gets done.

My list for today looks like this:

• pay credit card bill
• vacuum whole house
• dust whole house
• clean kitchen
• make dental appointment
• scoop catbox
• wash darks
• while Maureen naps, Johnny and I will have another go at the Carrot Snails
• dinner--pork loin with mashed potatoes, gravy, salads and steamed veggies

And for the week:

• make appointment for bloodwork
• get Father's day gifts
• schedule mani/pedi
• vacuum out van
• clean air vents in living room/dining room
• clean smudges on walls in living room/dining room

What about you? Are you a list maker? What motivates you?