Cross it off your list

How long do you let things sit on your to-do list? 


I am a huge list-maker. I have lists for everything: 


The usual stuff like groceries, errands, and chores that need to be done… but also the emails I need to write, the cards I want to send, the gifts I have to buy, the things I need to remember to talk to my hubs about, the people I want to make an effort to catch up with, issues I want to pray about, subjects I want to write about, meal ideas, books I want to read, things I want to study or learn about, albums I want to listen to or buy, home improvement projects I want to do, movies I want to rent, craft and decorating ideas… ohmygoodness the list of lists goes on and on! As crazy as it sounds, I really do have all these lists going.


I write lists for three reasons: 

  1. I am extremely forgetful and if it’s not on a list it might as well not exist. (Why can I never remember that important movie I wanted to see when I’m actually at the video store?)
  2. I need visuals to help me stay organized. (Or should I say get organized?)
  3. I feel accomplished when I get to cross things off my list. (Do you ever put things on your list for the day like “take shower” or “make the bed” or “do the dishes” just so you can cross a few things off and feel accomplished? No? Oh—ahem—me neither…)
  4. I have a baby that constantly interrupts my thought processes. (Will I get to use the “mommy brain” excuse for the rest of my life?)



Ok, make that four reasons.


There are a few things on our “house projects” to-do list that have been there way too long. One of them is to finish the painting that we started in December. 


Yes, December.


When I was eight months pregnant we moved into a new house. The house was awesome except for the fact that it desperately needed to be painted. My hubs and a bunch of friends set to work for an entire weekend getting it looking beautiful while I stayed at our old apartment tackling the packing. They painted the whole inside of the house in 90+ degree heat (add 70-80% humidity) and no air-conditioning. Ugh. Not fun.


They did a fabulous job and the walls and ceilings looked amazing… But we decided to wait and finish up all the detailing and the doors and trim until the winter-time (June/July) when things cooled down (to 70 degrees?). 


And then… winter came.


And then… winter went.


Ooops.


We found ourselves in spring, with temperatures climbing into the mid-80s and the summer fast approaching, and we knew that if we didn’t finish up that job pronto, it would soon be worth reasoning to wait again until next winter.


So we decided to get busy.


I can now say that the house-painting is nearly completed. Just one last room to finish on Saturday and we can cross another (giant) thing off of the “house projects” list.

{after being shuffled from the playpen to the jonny jumper to the exersaucer and back
again, by the end of the day levi was incredibly bored and very vocal about it. this was
the only way we could possibly finish up – some mommy multi-tasking at its best!}

We’re not always this bad at finishing things… but sometimes.


Dear friends, how about you? Are you a list-maker? Are there certain things that tend to sit on your list for-ev-er? What’s one thing that you need to take care of that will bring great satisfaction to strike a big, black line through?

loving a chance to cross things off,

 

About Author

Adriel Booker is an author, speaker, and advocate based in Sydney, Australia who believes storytelling, beauty, and the grace of God will change the world. Adriel has become a trusted voice in areas of motherhood and parenting, Christian spirituality, and global women's issues. She's also known for her work with the Love A Mama Collective—serving under-resourced women in developing nations through safe birth initiatives—as well as her years spent as a Bible teacher and leadership coach. Her latest book is Grace Like Scarlett: Grieving with Hope after Miscarriage and Loss and she's made the companion grief journal available for free. Find Adriel across all social media platforms at @adrielbooker or sign up for LoveNotes, Adriel's 'secret posts' that aren't published anywhere else online. ✌️

13 Comments

  • Sandy
    29 September 2010 at 3:05 pm

    Adriel,

    I can completely sympathize with you! I am SUCH a list maker…drives my family crazy! My mom says she will someday find me dead on the floor with sicky notes all over my body! Not true!!!

    I LOVE lists…like you. Def. love to scratch that line..and yes…make the bed, take a shower is always on…gotta get some satisfaction from the list,ya know!

    I now have a different "book" for different lists…kinda compulsive like that. 🙂

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. Good to always hear what others are meditating on.

    May you continue to be transformed by the Master List Maker.

    Hugs,

    Sandy

    Reply
  • Brittany
    29 September 2010 at 3:50 pm

    I love that you are holding him and painting. When I seen the thumbnail in my blog reader.. I said "NOW THATS AN IMAGE TO REPRESENT MOTHERHOOD!!"

    seriously!

    multi-tasker should be another name for mom!

    Reply
  • cooperl788
    29 September 2010 at 4:37 pm

    I keep a notebook with me at all times, containing all the many lists I have going: grocery, Target, Costco, Book Reviews, Blog Ideas, etc, etc…
    Hmm… one thing I would love to cross off our list of things to get done is our bathroom ceiling vent. We've been in the process of doing it for over a YEAR. It doesn't help that my husband is a total procrastinator, but I've not put my foot down hard enough. All he's got left is to paint the new ceiling and install the cover, but he's left that bit for 10 weeks now. Maybe this is the weekend?
    For me, I'd love to clean out our bedroom. It's become a clutterfest, everything that doesn't have a permanent home ends up in our room. It's not Hoarders bad, but it really does need to be managed. In fact, I'm going to close my laptop and get started! Thanks for the kick in the butt!

    Reply
  • The mad woman behind the blog
    29 September 2010 at 5:04 pm

    I've been there! Kid on hip, paintbrush in hand. Yuck!
    Yes, I'm a list maker but I'm the worst about crossing stuff off. It's like I never get to enjoy the satisfaction, even though the task is accomplished. But I'll find a way to work it out.

    I'm you lastest follower, referred to you from Morgan at Little Hen House. Happy to be here.

    Reply
  • A House and Home
    29 September 2010 at 5:17 pm

    Oh, my! You sound just like me! I have lists for everything. Some items get crossed off (BIG sense of satisfaction) and some stay forever…I've got you beat. Just before our son was born (in JANUARY…TWO years ago), we updated our bathroom and kitchen. There are still two finishing touches that are incomplete – one being the mirror/medecine cabinet not being hung! My poor husband shaves with a vanity mirror. Oh my…we really need to get on that. Thanks for reminding me. Ugh.

    Reply
  • Gretchen
    29 September 2010 at 5:25 pm

    The garage is our archnemesis! I don't know if we'll ever park our car in it. We hope to, but it is going to take a near miracle.

    That's the big one on my list 🙂

    Reply
  • lunablue
    29 September 2010 at 6:42 pm

    my google docs is full of random untitled lists, some for really odd things, that aren't even a part of my life right now!! 🙂

    Reply
  • Rachael
    29 September 2010 at 9:53 pm

    I am a TOTAL list maker. I LOVE crossing things off my to-do list. But there are things that stay on there forever, especially the 'honey-do' items…

    Reply
  • cubanlover
    29 September 2010 at 10:51 pm

    I think I can top you :o)

    When I start my to-do list, the first thing I do is write "Make to-do list". This way, I get to cross something off right away!! It's my favorite!

    I have lists everywhere, but my favorite list I keep is a list I call the camping trip uh-oh list! It's a list I started the first camping trip my husband and I went on (our honeymoon). I forgot to bring a can opener and a wisk. From them on the list has grown to include other necessary things I don't think about but definitely use on all camping trips. I keep the list in our camping gear bin so that I pull it out first thing and look it over! 🙂

    Reply
  • Getrealmommy
    29 September 2010 at 11:58 pm

    Man, I feel like we can't get anything done these days. We are lucky if we get bills paid and dinner made. Sad state of life!

    Reply
  • Jamie
    30 September 2010 at 1:30 am

    Another list maker here too. I really need my lists. I'm really forgetful too (and I'm afraid that it makes me look thoughtless, when I'm not. I'm jut scattered) and I LOVE the sense of accomplishment I get when I complete tasks.

    Love the picture of you holding the baby and painting. <3 When you're a mom you do what it takes.

    Reply
  • Becca
    30 September 2010 at 3:52 pm

    I am definitely a list maker. Without lists, I would get nothing done at all. My problem is keeping all of my lists consolidated, so I don't have 18 different lists going at once.

    Reply
  • Cameron
    5 October 2010 at 1:18 am

    I am totally a list maker. I mean, look at my blog right now. I've got a major list going on currently. It's crazy. Lists help a lot, but like you, I find there are a few things that still never quite get crossed off the list…

    Reply

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