The Done List Revisted
by Kym on April 17, 2009
I just haven’t been getting anything done lately. Sick me + Sick kids = Domestic Chaos. And to a point, that’s all well and good. The house SHOULD fall apart when mummy is sick. It should be one of those grand ah-ha moments wherein everyone realizes anew just how much she does around here.
But after a week? It gets a bit much. The lingering phlegm and achy joints aren’t quite the excuse they were a few days ago and, alas, real life must be faced up to. A reality that happens to involve the wee little detail that I’m leaving for my trip to Utah. In less than a week.
Ah…oops.
The backlog of dishes, laundry, and accumulated mess is looking just the weest bit daunting at the moment, and the contemplation of my mental To Do List has me near to hysteria. So I’m going with the old stand by plan and I’m scrapping the To Do List in favour of The Done List. Not only am I going to keep track of my accomplishments for the next while, I’m going to keep track of them HERE.
Oh yes. Talk about extra motivation.
Err…so far I’ve…(here’s the Saturday Version of this post)
Cuddled my girls. Weighed in. Did a little happy dance.
Served up breakfast. Cleaned up from breakfast.
Dressed the girls and did their hair.
Cleaned up the kitchen from Neil’s late night snack attack.
Put away a load of laundry.
Loaded and put through dishwasher.
Dressed (celebrated being dressed before 10am on a Saturday – woot!).
Played musical instruments with kiddos. Sang, danced, and whatnot.
Wandered around outside while Neil worked and the kids played. Surveyed our now snow-free domain.
Changed laundry over and put a new load in. Put a load of folded laundry away.
Tidied Becca’s room, main bathroom, living room, dining room, kitchen, entrance, and hallway.
Swept main floor. Easter grass? Is of the devil. Oh yes.
Made hot chocolate for Neil and the kiddos. Cleaned up after and laid out playdough.
Played playdough for about an hour.
Made grilled sandwiches for lunch.
Upstairs bathroom tidied. Dishwasher unloaded. Lunch dishes done. Counters scrubbed.
Top surface of stove scrubbed down – including burner covers.
Folded and put away four loads of laundry.
Read a few blogs.
Folded and put away two more loads of laundry.
Made two batches of “yummy” bread (cheese and rosemary…mmm…) – it’s rising now.
Did dishes and wiped down counters.
Cleaned up the playdough mess off the table – now to sweep the floor. Again.
I’m ready for a nap now…
Put bread into pans – rising again.
Turned laundry over and put new load in. Folded a load. Put away two dozens toys or so.
Bread into oven. Veggies for dinner chopped. Table wiped, floor swept.
Manky old vegetables cleared out of fridge crispers and given to the worms.
Garbage taken out. Dinner prepared. Dinner served. Dishes done.
Read many books to girls. Laid out bedtime snack. Tidied up a bit.
I should keep going after they go to bed, but in all likelihood I’ll collapse at that point…
Cross-stitched for an hour and a half – Project Completed! Whoohoo!
You know, I did about five times as much today as I usually do on a Saturday and it was writing it down that kept me going. What a lovely feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day…
17 comments
Have fun, my friend, on your trip to Utah. I hope you have a refreshing and renewing time, with safe and smooth travels each way. As for the done list, kudos to you. My done list usually includes bathing myself and my son, and getting dressed. If I get breakfast in there too, well, that’s extra reason to celebrate. I totally understand the feeling of being overwhelmed by the accumulated work. Just remember that we don’t love you because you are perfect and have a Martha Stewart mentality. We love you because you have a beautiful heart and we can clearly see how you genuinely care for those around you. I think it’s safe to say that Neil and the girls would say that’s their top reason too. While I’m sure Neil loves a clean dish and a non-moldy frig, I’m betting he loves your heart even more. May you be able to get enough done that you feel great about it, and may you be able to leave it and enjoy your trip. =)
Inkling´s last blog post..How To Dismantle A Bomb
by Inkling on April 17, 2009 at 10:41 am. #
Um, your done list is better than mine and I’m not sick, so thanks for that little dose of humility. Have a great trip. :)
Steph @ Diapers and Divinity´s last blog post..“Mom, you’re not going to like this…”
by Steph @ Diapers and Divinity on April 17, 2009 at 11:02 am. #
That’s a very thorough list. I’m with Stephanie – I haven’t gotten much done today, and I’m not sick. Maybe tomorrow. Yeah, that’s my story and I’ll stick to it.
I really hope you can get over this sickness soon!
Erin´s last blog post..So Many Choices, So Little Ambition
by Erin on April 17, 2009 at 11:40 am. #
Oooo. I hate that back up stuff to do before an important trip. Sort of like when we moved across town 5 days before I flew with the kids out to America. Ugh. I can tell you that coming home was not the treat it usually is. House in complete, unpacked chaos plus jet lag is a bad combo.
I love your list, though. Way to get right on top of things! Hope you have the energy to keep it up! (tip: don’t laugh maniacally too often, as it drains energy for other projects) :)
by LisAway on April 17, 2009 at 1:22 pm. #
Oh you’re all sick. Hope you get better soon lovely. Big hugs from me. xx
Jo Beaufoix´s last blog post..First Night Nerves and a New Pet
by Jo Beaufoix on April 17, 2009 at 2:47 pm. #
You deserve an award! I think just because all mommies work hard, we forget to tell each other what an amazing accomplishment it is to do what we do. So CONGRATULATIONS! You’re an amazing woman and multi-tasker!
L.T. Elliot´s last blog post..An Invitation to Dunhaven Place
by L.T. Elliot on April 17, 2009 at 3:56 pm. #
I need to get back on the Done List wagon as well. I think you are making fabulous progress considering you aren’t feeling 100% … don’t be too hard on yourself. Positive self talk works much better :) !!
An Ordinary Mom´s last blog post..Listening To The Beat Of My Own Drum
by An Ordinary Mom on April 17, 2009 at 4:10 pm. #
in my world…that is a perfectly organized day. rock on
leendaluu´s last blog post..
by leendaluu on April 17, 2009 at 4:35 pm. #
I’m only getting things done in my head. Seriously, it’s never been this bad before. You’d think I was pregnant or something…and I’m not :) I have no excuse other than the fact that the sun came out and warmed Minnesota and I can’t get enough. I suppose that’s an alright excuse. Maybe.
Good luck tackling the house before it tackles you, get well, and happy trails!
Heather of the EO´s last blog post..Grinding
by Heather of the EO on April 18, 2009 at 10:13 am. #
haha…i give the easter grass comment a hearty amen. here’s wishing you an infusion of energy and motivation (and perhaps a visit from the local cleaning service? one can hope.).
nic´s last blog post..sneakity peek
by nic on April 18, 2009 at 11:18 am. #
Dearie, we’ve been sick all week and your list completely puts mine to shame. Think: eat, sleep, bathroom, more sleep. My kids are in dire need of some activity!
Amber´s last blog post..The Genesis of Amber "Murphy"
by Amber on April 18, 2009 at 2:57 pm. #
I’m impressed. That’s an awesome done list!
Have fun on your trip. You’ve earned it.
VirtualSprite´s last blog post..lucky
by VirtualSprite on April 18, 2009 at 4:28 pm. #
Wow. Just reading that makes me tired. I don’t have that much motivation…like ever. ;) Good job on accomplishing so much.
by KieraAnne on April 18, 2009 at 6:51 pm. #
You know, the fact that you are coming in a mere 5 days will probably encourage me to get my office cleaned out. . .probably Wednesday night so you have a place to sleep Thursday.
~snigger~
Happy dance in progress!
Eowyn´s last blog post..Skewed
by Eowyn on April 18, 2009 at 8:35 pm. #
It just seems SO WRONG that you’re going on that particular trip and I’ll be stuck on the other side of the Rockies!!!
Okay, now that I’ve (once again) gotten that out of my system, I will tell you how thoroughly impressed I am with your list, and that I realize that you’ve done more in a day than I generally accomplish in a week… Let’s not let my husband see this post, okay? He’ll realize just how completely ripped off he’s been all these years. :-D
Brillig´s last blog post..Look! No, DON’T Look!
by Brillig on April 21, 2009 at 12:10 am. #
I am tired reading all that you did… isn’t it amazing how it all adds up?
Tracy´s last blog post..Really, I am usually pretty fun
by Tracy on April 22, 2009 at 12:11 pm. #
I’m just impressed by the list of things BEFORE lunch. Good grief woman! Putting me to shame here. But never fear, I’m getting on top of things, finally. The warm weather is waking me up.
Jaina´s last blog post..Warmth Awakens
by Jaina on April 22, 2009 at 12:55 pm. #