To-Do Tuesday

[Twins' Mom]

“Rename your “To-Do” list to your “Opportunities” list. Each day is a treasure chest filled with limitless opportunities; take joy in checking many off your list.”
― Steve Maraboli

Yes, to-do Tuesday, let's get on it!

[OKay]

Twins - thanks for the start this morning.

I've been developing my focus list for today. I can feel my internal resistance to a typical NEED to-do list so i am working on developing one more along the lines of WANT to-do. That probably makes no sense

I've been tweaking the way I've structured the information kept in my digital notebook (OneNote). I had all my information together in one notebook with sections dividing it into categories. However they have grown so big that I've decided to move the sections into their own notebook. When i move large chunks of information, It take awhile to sync since it is backed up to cloud storage. I consider it well worth the time & effort because many times this information has been invaluable to have at my fingertips.

This month I have been testing out a newly designed paperwork tracking system. After being so late on tax prep, I knew it was time for a change. The way I have been tracking and doing was NOT working. I am 23 days into testing the new system and it seems to be working well. A couple weeks ago I misplaced a piece of paper AND I KNEW IT. I later found the paper and it tickled me to actually know of every piece of paper and they are where they should. I'm inspired by numbers so it is motivating to me to know I have processed 345 packets of paperwork this month. I have 44 packets of paperwork waiting to be process. The to-be-done group is prioritize with due dates. when i sit down to work on paperwork I instantly know what is most important to be worked on. So far so good with this new paperwork work flow.....I'm energized by knowing what needs to be done and having a plan.

Today is LO last library book and craft meeting of the summer. I am thankful for the effort the librarian puts into this program. We will be taking her a thank you note and small gift.

[Twins' Mom]

right now:
-walk ddogs
-breakfast
-refill & take meds
-start lol
-clear kitchen counters and wipe down

OKay, paperwork tracking? Care to share? Although I may be beyond hope...seems like I just accumulate more and more paper.

[OKay]

My previous way of doing paperwork was to keep it all in piles on my desk. Sometimes the piles would get so tall they would fall over. I knew the things on the bottom were the oldest and MAY need attention first. If a piece of paper was extremely important I would tape it to the wall. Everything had to be kept in sight. I couldn't put papers up before because they would be forgotten. They had to stay out in view so I wouldn't lose them and they would act as a reminder.

My new paperwork tracking system is simple as I could make it. I need it to be quick and easy so i don't resist doing it. Before starting I decided my paperwork could be broken up into 3 categories (MPB, medical & Personal). I started to break them into more categories but it quickly started feeling overwhelming. So I kept it simple as possible. The categories allows me to group and process papers with similar actions. With that decision made, I set out to declare some rules I would follow.

#1 - No papers on the desk unless they are actively being processed.
#2 - Incoming papers are immediately logged into a spreadsheet = Date arrive, category, brief description, priority and due date.
#3 - papers then go into folder for that category (kept in desk drawer) and DISAPPEARS from my view. (see #1)

By sorting the spreadsheet by priority and due date i know which papers need to be worked on first.
by sorting the spreadsheet by category I know every piece of paper that folder contains.

About once a week I update DH on our most important pending papers (decisions) and when they are due. This has been influential in getting several projects going and completed. Last week i told DH our most important pending paper was to get Black tag for a pickup that has been sitting behind our barn for the past 3 years (long story why it is there). This inspired DH to give the pickup away to someone who could use it rather than let it continue to sit unused. The paperwork system is helping in more ways than just reducing my stress on keeping up with what seemed like an overwhelming paperwork load.
.

[BookSaver]

Good morning, villagers ~

Last night around 7 -- just as I was ready to start loading the software for the new printer -- the electricity went off. It came right back on again, but there was a bad storm on the way so I did not risk turning the computer back on. We had lots of thunder but not much rain.

This morning I'm alternating chores with Emails as usual. Today I need to finish installing the printer.

I have a meeting tonight at the library but no other meetings on the calendar for this week (so far).
Must pay bills today and get them to the post office.

Then even though I know this week's FOCUS area is outdoors, I want to spend time cleaning the upstairs bathroom and dejunking/reorganizing the cabinet. I haven't been able to do it during its turn on the FOCUS schedule, and it has gotten to that I-cannot-stand-this-anymore stage.

Throughout the week I need to be planning outfits for my trip. I will be away 6 days. While I'm looking at clothes anyway, I'll try to weed the closet and dresser drawers.

Off to cuop ...

[Twins' Mom]

Done with first round, and also took out trash to the street and emptied the dishwasher.

-make bed
-s2s
-put away casserole dishes on kitchen counter (must climb up for these)
-reboot the laundry when ready
-two phone calls, only one is DPC

OMM opportunities for today:
-use round up on weeds?
-get spreadsheet ready for meeting at 4 p.m.
-email info to one participant for 5:30 meeting
-medical bills for dd's stress fracture
-work on local religious school stuff
-for outside, spray paint table top?
-what else?

OKay, I love the paperwork organization system....

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Started the day off quickly due to anger adrenaline. I check email when I'm in bed (downside of a smart phone) and there was an email suggesting that I interview people, report on the interviews to the board (via email) and then they'd decide what they wanted in a supply minister. I think the qualifications are live body that can give communion and do baptisms, marriages and funerals. And willing to work for peanuts.

So I sent an email back saying that I since I shouldn't even be doing the interviews and that the board has offered no guidance on expectations that I was hiring someone for 12 hours a week at X pay, until Christmas with the possibility to extend and that if she didn't like that, she should rein me in by 9:30.

Got a call and we talked it out. She has no idea why I'm doing this either.

I've done the first interview. This minister isn't a bundle of energy and doesn't always preach the lectionary so those are two concerns but she fits the live, qualified and has lots of experience with tiny, rural, churches. She's just done exactly the same thing at another rural charge so I'll call for references and then make a decision. Will also talk to the one remaining option just so I can say I have.

I've s2s, removed my red toe nail polish (its been on 5 weeks) and replaced it with clear for now.

I have an hour until the dental appointments so I shall send two emails and then vacuum & dust the bedroom level. Might even mop the floors up there and clean the bathrooms.

[Nancy]

Trash day today the trash is out to the curb. H. took the cans out I added apples was my main to-do today.
I still need to make the bed have breakfast journaling & other daily stuff.
Hem capri's also had to take out one hem that was off. Still working on my 1st round.
Do one errand in a bit.
Checking to see if the web is better yea for good buffering love the new modem! Wa-hoo! It is.

[ellyphant]

Hello, ladies! DD has come and gone over the last week. She was here for a few days and then left for a nearby town to attend her friend's wedding. Then she was back here for a night as we are in a good central location for her. She is now back home and we can get back to normal. I had a great time shopping with her, but am glad to get to stay home for a change!

While she was at the wedding, DH and I had a wedding in our own town to attend. It was so beautifully done--and they didn't "break the bank." I know I got some ideas for DD's someday wedding...but she has her own ideas, too, I'm sure.

First off, I need to change sheets and do a load of laundry, then empty the dw. Daily Bible reading is done. I kept up with that last week. Am finding that when I take time for that, other things fall into place.

In a few weeks, we will go help in-laws clean out the old homeplace, as it is being sold. I have tentatively been offered DMIL's small desk. I am hopeful that no one else wants it, as that is just what I need to get my paperwork organized. I pay bills as they come in, but have a backlog of papers that should be dealt with somehow. These are in a plastic grocery bag that gets moved around, but never emptied. Okay, you are inspiring me with your new system!

Good to be back here. Have a great day, all!

[BookSaver]

Harriet ~ (from yesterday) I like that blue for DD's bedroom.