Category Archive: Schedules

Now I need a list of my lists.   Just to clarity this list making:  I make many lists, which means I’ve always something to do.  I find that when I can’t  quickly come up with something I want to do, if is very easy to just waste time  Let’s say I have 10 minutes before I have to make a meal.   Well that’s not much time and maybe I don’t want to clean, or start another project, but if I see a short and fast thing to do on a list, I can quickly do it and I get to check it off.   Or maybe it will just be a small part of something larger that will get done, like a sock or pot holder.   In either event, I have profitably used those minutes  and you would be amazed at how many minutes I can while away without my lists, usually on something like facebook .     However, I also know that I will not get everything on my lists done and that’s ok. Right now my lists have started to look like this.

1. Farm list:  7 items
2. DIY    1 item
3. Knitting and crochet:  49 goals

4. Sewing:  118 items

5. quilting: 71 goals

6. and so it goes with each category

Of course these are fluid – at least until I can get back into the studio and see for sure what I have put in my “to do” stack.   Some may be deleted and more may be added.   Don’t forget to add in time for those gifts you may want to make or charity work you enjoy.

Then I’ll make a calendar, deciding how much time there is for each item in that month.  Obviously the winter will be more sewing types and the summer – more garden, animals, and so forth.    So my monthly calendar has to allow for appointments, family, weather, etc.  It may work out to a 120 hour work month for list items.   Then, I go through the lists  and give each item a time for completion or how long I’ll be working on it.  Then I could say, I  have 60 hours this month for quilting, 10 for knitting, 10 for gardening, 20 for animals, and 10 for spinning.    When I actually near the month, I can customize it to the appointments and how much of which I want to do.    The lists also have many short jobs, such as a knitted potholder that I can work on in spare minutes, or in the car.  And at this time, I also put in the menus for at least 3 days a week.

It takes planning time up front for me, but it pays off as I can see all these checks for something done.    Try it, you just might like it!       Oh, forgot about the sick days – you’ll be too busy to get sick.    But if something comes up, you’ll can look at your accomplishments and know that it’s okay.  And if a friend pops in, enjoy the visit, look how much you’ve already accomplished.

Your goal was to get as much done as possible which is not the same as everythingee you could think to put on your lists.

Just in case this isn’t as clear as I think, when we come closer to January, I’ll post my goal sheet for you to see.

No  photos today because you know what paper looks like.     I spent a good share of the afternoon taking inventory of what was completed last year and was surprised to find that the items on my list were not what I completed most of.   In fact, there were many items completed that weren’t even thought of yet.   They  were items that came across my  path that I sidetracked to do.   Still lists are good because without direction, I waste too much time,   This year’s inventory so far is completed and I have started the lists of what I want to accomplish in each department next year.

I will have a list for quilting, knitting, crocheting, sewing, dolls, garden, embroidery, learning new skills, exercise,  and maybe others.   Then I will divide those by months.    I know that the goals will not all be met, in fact more probably will not be met, than will be met.   But oh, how much more will get done than if I didn’t have lists.

Do you make lists?   If you do, let’s share and if you don’t, try a small list.   You might find it makes a difference in your life.

Yesterday we had a delightful walk by the river.

But look what we woke up to this morning.   We were expecting snow flurries, just not 3 1/2 inches of snow.  February is our the most unpredictable month and usually the coldest.   2 years ago, it was a huge ice storm, so this isn’t bad at all.    It has started to melt, but the promised rain has not yet arrived.    If we get it during the night, the streets will be slushy tomorrow, but not icy.

I had planned to start the lettuce and cruciferous plants.   Maybe next Sunday, or maybe not.

This was the way I scheduled when I had lots of baby birds to feed.   It is very demanding and not necessary for my current lifestyle.   It is hour by hour throughout the day.

This is my current way of making schedules.    The first one is meal planning.   I like to have an idea with the recipes if needed for what will happen each day.   Then I know what needs to be cooked ahead that week or only that day.  This is somewhat flexible because what if I find an exciting recipe I want to try or we still have leftovers that need to be eaten?   We have a smoothie each morning with different greens -depending on what I find in the store and what I have in the freezer.    I like to get large bags of greens and freeze them in meal portions for the smoothies.  Likewise the different fruits will be what are in the freezer plus what I find on sale.

Then there is the general schedule for what gets done.   I start this by listing what I’d like to get done on one paper.   Then putting headings on another paper, I list them under the proper headings.

Finally I fill out a sheet for the month, remembering that things are only things and not to get too stressed if something didn’t get finished or something else came up that was more important.    Having this schedule reduces the time spent looking for something to do or playing on the computer.     If the project is in front of me, it usually gets done.   The bigger problem for me is to overschedule like I did last month.   I tried to be more realistic this month.

There are certain things that are done everyday the same like Wed.  Seniors get a discount on Wed at the grocery store so that’s a great time for me to go.    Then Friday I clean and prepare meals for the weekend.   Sundays I plan things for both of us, though it doesn’t always work out that both of us do them.  There are various things that are standard every month like Sew Fun and the last of February is the big Sew Expo.  And I schedule in birthdays so I know to get a card or gift depending on the need.

Then there are the things I forget to put on the schedule that will be  added a bit later – on this schedule, I already see that I forgot to give time to make next months schedule with choosing recipes etc can take a part of a day.  I do hope that this gives you a bit of an idea on how I make my schedules.    I’d love to see yours if you’d care to share.

When spring comes and garden time,  I do a lot of juggling.   I put garden time and project time on the list, and use the day that fits the weather or my possibly aching muscles.

If any of my menus interest you, please do ask for the recipe and I’ll be happy to share.