Monday, November 12, 2012

Organizing My Time

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I have been oh so busy lately.  Taking on a new teaching position has left me with very little time to craft and surf Pinterest for new ideas that I just have to try ... right .... now!  My days begin at 5:45 with my feet swinging over the side of the bed and they don't stop until they drop back into bed at 8:30 or 9:00 pm.  Some nights earlier, some nights later.  It really depends on how many cups of tea I need that evening.

Halloween has passed, hunting season is upon us and Thanksgiving is on it's way.  Busy, busy, busy.  Hunters need to be fed, Christmas baking needs to begin soon, Christmas cards need to be written, gifts need to be bought and made, the house needs to be decorated.  Where will I find the time to accomplish all I need to do?!  

Am I stressed?  Not really.  I take each day as it comes and I move carefully, purposefully and focused.  I have a plan each morning as I rise. If that dessert doesn't get made or that card written, I let it go.  I have to.  We all have to.  The holidays are not about being the perfect hostess, baker, gift giver, cook, or decorator.  I am far from any of these so there is no stress.  I don't have any expectation to live up to.  I make things simpler each year.  I have cut my cookie list down to two.  Two that MUST be made.  Any others are a bonus.  I have cut down my dessert list.  Another two.  Any more than that are a bonus.

A schedule.  I created a weekly and daily schedule on the computer and I print out one a week that have the basics and daily chores that MUST be done.  Then the other side is my block of free time.  My free time would include cleaning, baking, sewing, crafting, organizing...anything that needs to be done.

I have been using this schedule idea for almost a month now and it seems to be working really well.  I keep on track and do not let time get away from me .... especially when I start playing on the computer.  I just don't know where the time goes once I open the lid of the laptop!

                                 HOME SCHEDULE
DAILY
FREE TIME BLOCKS
5:45 – 6:00 – awake, start coffee, start washing machine
MONDAYS -
6:00 – 6:30 – drink coffee, check email, get walking clothes on, clean litter box
TUESDAYS -
6:30 – 7:30 – go for hike
WEDNESDAYS -
7:30 – 8:00 – coffee, shower, add exercise to MFP
THURSDAYS -
8:00 – 8:30 – finish makeup and dressing, prepare medication for father-in-law, make and serve breakfast
FRIDAYS -
8:30 – 9:00 – start supper, flip laundry, do morning dishes, sweep floors, run the vacuum, start bread, muffins, cookies for the week 

9:00 – 12:00 – free block
SATURDAYS -  
12:00 – 1:00 – lunch, do lunch dishes, get dressed for work
1:00 – 6:30 – work

6:30 – 7:00 –  make and eat dinner, do dishes, get coffee ready for morning
SUNDAYS –
     -    prepare and lay out work outfits for 
           following week
-        make weekly phone calls to family
-          make grocery list and cut coupons
-          meal plan for following week
-     prepare some make-ahead meals for the freezer
7:00 – 9:00 – update blog, fold laundry and put away.  

Monthly book club meeting time slot.
_______________  ____ to _______________ ____, 20___


As time goes by, I am sure I will tweak it a bit.  Remove or rearrange time slots and when I complete my daily tasks.  If I don't get a chance to finish something, I circle it in red so in the evening I can finish the chore and don't forget.  

Dinner is usually prepared in the crock pot or is a meal that was made at an earlier date, had been frozen, was thawed during the day and just needs to be re-heated.  I keep things simple during the week and meal planning really helps with that.  I don't have to worry about what is for dinner.  I already know.  It is just a matter of pulling it out of the fridge, freezer or pantry and get it started before I head to work.  If I want a fresh loaf of bread for dinner, I start it in the bread machine before I leave and I return to wonderful aroma and warm bread, fresh from the machine.  

So far, this schedule has been working well.  I would like to add this idea of Cluttered Mama's.  She has a checklist for keeping the house clean in under 30 minutes a day.  I could squeeze those 30 minutes in during my free block of time or in the evening or I could break it up between the two time slots.  This would free up weekend time quite a bit.  Hmmmm.

Do you work with a schedule or do you just let each day develop as it may?  I would love to hear some other ideas and if they have worked for you.  Remember to give your loved ones a hug ..... between everything else!

13 comments:

  1. Never been able to work on a schedule or a budget. Congrats to you Debbie if you can do it!

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  2. Good Afternoon Debbie, I could tell you were a teacher because of your organisational skills. I think you are right about not stressing about Christmas. Too many magazines and blogs tell us we should do this and do that, make this and make that and be perfect. I cannot live up to that expectation. I cook dishes in advance, which I freeze incase we have extra visitors. We have a houseful on Boxing Day and I always make sure I enjoy my families company, afterall isn't that what Christmas is all about. Have a lovely, if tiring, day. Best Wishes Daphne

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    Replies
    1. I agree about the magazines and blogs. I could NEVER be perfect so I don't worry. LOL Great idea freezing extra dishes...it really helps! I am glad you enjoy your families company..I do too! Have a great day.

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  3. I am trying to impliment a daily or at least a weekly plan. But peeps keep throwing a wrench in my wheel!! I would love to see a copy of yours, if you would care to share.

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    Replies
    1. Drop me an email at ddolzer@hotmail.com and I will see exactly what you need, no problem. Have a great day!

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  4. ....... and I thought I was organized .......
    Compared to you I'm a whimsy person, thinking ahead only a day and most of the time having to let go of plans I made for my "free time" period...
    I do organize my householdwork to do every day a bit, because I just can't handle one day of doing all of it, but even thát is negotiatable if necessary.
    Please don't let the holidays make you crazy, "having" to do things or "must" do that....
    Goodnight, when it's time for you. I know you'll need that!

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    Replies
    1. Even organizing the housework helps. I don't do well without lists. LOL Have a great evening.

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  5. I love schedules and also lists lol. Heartpoet not so much ha!
    I published the lovely comment you left on my dinner post last night and this morning it has disappeared :-0 Gremlins in the line?! Didn't want you thinking I deleted it. You are most welcome to re-post your comment - hopefully it will stay put this time ;)


    Have a great day!


    Kimmie
    x

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    Replies
    1. There seems to be quite a few gremlins floating around on the blogs lately. LOL No worries. I hope you have a great day!

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  6. I'm not super-scheduled, but I do use to-do lists and a basic routine for my days. There have been periods in my life where I have written down a schedule, but I'm a bit more relaxed right now. I understand your comment about time disappearing while online!

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    Replies
    1. Glad you are more relaxed Kristi...that is a GOOD thing! Can you believe how fast time flies when online?! It just blows my mind. LOL

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  7. Hi Debnie, I'm a list person as well - it keeps things sorted out somehow in a relaxed way - don't have to worry if I'm forgetting something essential ;) You inspire me to make a list on homemade gifts - I'm thinking about knitting a few loose tube - scarfs - need to start this weekend - look forward to! I have reduced also Christmassy baking to the minimum.
    Have a great weekend, Nina

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Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! I love reading all of them. Have a wonderful day.

Debbie

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