I have been TEARING UP my to-do list. “Tearing up,” is that the term I want for getting things done? It sounds more like ripping up the list without doing things. But we say “tearing up the pea patch,” or some of us do, and that has to do with the type of wild burst of activity I am referring to.
Yesterday I took Edward for an orthodontic consultation, and while we were there they said, “Oh, by the way, we notice your daughter is scheduled for a consultation next month, but we had a cancellation for an appointment a half-hour from now—do you want that?” So I signed paperwork to get Edward’s braces started and left him there; I called the school from the orthodontist’s parking lot to say I’d be picking up Elizabeth; I went and picked up a surprised Elizabeth; and I returned with her four minutes before the available appointment. She has a year or so to go, it turns out, but Edward got his braces on right before Halloween, poor chap. Luckily for him, his mother had braces herself and so is very sympathetic about chewy candy deprivation. What I like to do is buy a couple bags of the be-braced child’s favorite candy, and then I trade them for the stuff they can’t have; I try to make sure they end up feeling as if they scored quite a deal.
Then I made Rob sit with me and help choose his senior picture, and got that sized correctly and sent off to the right person at the school.
So that was yesterday. I feel especially good about it because I paid in full for the braces, thus removing that money from our account before finishing up the college financial aid forms.
Today, I called and made six passport-application appointments. Then I filled out six passport applications, and paper-clipped each one to the necessary copies of drivers’ licenses, certified birth certificates, and checks. I still need to take the kids to get their passport photos taken, but then we’re ready to go.
I started to register Rob for his two SAT subject tests, but then remembered we need to decide which admissions officer to believe: the one who said December was fine to take them for the regular-admissions deadline, or the one who said December was too late to take them for that same deadline. If we believe the second admissions officer, we need to absorb a fee and change his November SAT test to two November SAT subject tests instead, and reschedule his SAT for December (since he already took the SAT in the spring and did fine, and this would just be a re-take). So I’m going to wait for Rob to come home, because he will likely have an opinion, and also because in the meantime perhaps one of you will turn out to know something about this.
Then I called the doctor’s office with two complicated prescription requests for Edward. Then I called the doctor’s other office to make an appointment. These seem small, but the phone-call aspect made them feel big.
Then I went to the grocery store, adding a few non-perishables to the cart (instant coffee, giant pepperoni stick, applesauce, peanuts).
Then I stopped at the mechanic’s and dropped off the car. It’s being loud and needs attention, and maybe this will get more money out of our account.
If you like, this is a good time to say what you’re getting done today, this week, whatever. It feels kind of good to talk about it, and it can be hard to find an enthusiastic audience for a to-do-list report. Don’t feel as if you too have to be tearing up a pea-patch: we are a crowd that knows what it is like to have a day where “picking that piece of trash up off the floor” is a significant accomplishment.
I’m in fall break this week, so I am tackling all kinds of lists. Stupid things like changing sheets, cleaning up email (including unsubscribing like mad), getting blood work done (hello, hour and a half wait), rearranging clothes for the cooler weather, filing paperwork, etc. Also, manicure, pedicure, and haircut.
Haircut and color here too! Refreshing. Also, took A/C units out of the windows.
It’s cracking me up that I sit here thinking about all the things I need to get done but instead I’m….reading about all the stuff that you just got done.
So now onward! to the laundry pile!
I’m in the mad-dash final stages of writing my dissertation, and I have gotten a ton of stuff done lately while in the throes of a not-pleasant bout of depression. I feel good about how much I have done while feeling bad, if that makes sense.
Yes, YES. When I can swing it, I’m so grateful for the “I feel crappy anyway, so I might as well do something I don’t want to do” mode.
I remember the year that my brother got his braces ON HALLOWEEN. Also my mom (having four children at the time and being somewhat overwhelmed) had done no preparation at all for this heartbreak, so he just….wept.
All of my accomplishments are work related but I have been BUSTING RIGHT ON THROUGH my task list. It’s quarter end which is an extremely busy time for us and I am NOT BEHIND ON ANYTHING. Very satisfying. Also very boring.
We move out of a rental home into our first house this weekend! Every night we have accomplished a packing feat, and last night I took the dog to the park, picked up some paint supplies on the way home, patched various areas that our dogs claws, teeth have made a mark, and sanded them down this morning before work. All ready to paint tonight and be done with it. I’m feeling great about that, but wish it wasn’t just the beginning of a week of moving, cleaning, and renovating!
It all will all be worth it, right?
Wow, good for you! That’s quite a lot of progress. I’m impressed. I am working on getting a huge to-do list started: we met with a Realtor today to talk about the things that must be done before we can put our house on the market. The good news: it’s not as bad as I thought, and our house (right now) may be worth more than we expected. The bad news: there is still quite a lot to be done, and while our house seems to be in demand at this moment, we are not yet ready to sell. But we have a plan, and some more information (I cannot do anything without amassing a great deal of information and facts) so I feel really good about that.
Reading your accomplishments is so satisfying!!
I sent a baby shower invitation to the printer to pickup later, texted some babysitters a list of the dates I need covered for the rest of the month, organized the sheet music I retrieved from the church music closet (I’m my congregation’s volunteer choirmaster), arranged a conference call for later today, cleaned up a gross spill in the microwave right away instead of ignoring it until later, and now I’m off to pick up my middle child from preschool.
This is one of those weeks/months that I have totally overcommitted myself and there are too many things that need to get done. And that is super paralyzing. I made a big master to do list yesterday and chipping away at each section is feeling helpful and productive even though I’m still feeling kind of panicky about how much is left to do.
Just the fact that ONE admissions officer said Dec was too late would make me so paranoid that I would consider the late/change fee money well spent!!
This, exactly. Otherwise you might as well cross that school of the list.
Thickening the plot: the two admissions officers are from the same school. The one who said it WOULDN’T be in time was higher-ranking—but the school’s website specifically confirms the one who said it WOULD be in time. I’m not sure we WANT this school!
I came here to say this.
I’m showered and dressed, the baby is clean, fed, and currently napping, the kitchen is clean with the dishwasher running, both the washer and dryer are going as well. Feeling very accomplished!
Well done, Paige! Love a sleeping baby and making the machines do the work!!
This morning I took my toddler to the grocery store (while the washing machine ran at home!). She fell asleep on the way back, which… she is on her way toward dropping her nap altogether, so every day it is a crap shoot (nap shoot?). Anyway, today I got the groceries, AND put them away. Worked (online) for about an hour. We had lunch, I ran a bunch of laundry, we went for a walk, I folded the laundry AND put it away. Washed some vegetables from the CSA to freeze for later, washed some more vegetables for dinner, made meatballs. Going to go moisturize my over-washed hands now.
Oh, I LOVE when the dishwasher is running during the day, and I’m there to enjoy the satisfying hum. Well done!
I went back to work from.my maternity leave and took my baby to dsycare. I don’t think I can handle much more than that this week. Hopefully next week I can check off a few items.
I did the same thing yesterday :(
This is so tough, take care of yourselves!
Bless your hearts!!! It really does get easier. Thinking of you, as I’ve been there.
Well done Swistle!
Yesterday I hung some Halloween decor on the front door. The previous day we had got mums and pumpkins for the porch and I am satisfied with how it all looks when I pull in the drive now. Yesterday I also tried to get a Halloween tablecloth at The store but it seems they’re primarily in Christmas mode with some thanksgiving stuff left, so I abandoned Halloween idea and got a new Thanksgiving cloth which I put out yesterday removing the spring themed one (oops).
I’m on a self care kick so today’s goal is to call eye doc for an appointment.
I am preparing for my in-laws to arrive today & have so far put dinner in the crockpot, cleaned a bathroom & the kitchen sink, kept the kids pretty content (including kid who stayed home after midnight tummy troubles), cleaned the coffee maker and yesterday I got a big grocery shopping done & cleaned another bathroom. Ooh- and a bunch of laundry & post-camping clean up.
The SAT subject test question: does the SAT tell you how long to expect it to take for scores to get to the colleges? I’d compare that with the college’s stated regular decision deadline. Also are the SAT subject tests required or suggested and is Rob’s SAT score in the range the college likes to see or could a re-test make a big difference? (My former career is college admissions)
Subject tests are required; his junior-year SAT scores are within range. I ended up paying the fee to switch the subject tests earlier and have him take the regular SAT later: that way if it IS too late, that’s the one that would be okay.
Crockpots are the best thing invented! I bet it’s a relief since your in-laws are coming! (I need to start using mine more. I love coming home to dinner being done!)
That last sentence is the best.
I called and confirmed our old garbage service was canceled and gave them new address for a refund, I got a new trash can for new garbage service scheduled. I badgered husband into emailing old insurance company to cancel instead of leaving messages on national service who then get policy numbers mixed up and I don’t know where in the process we are so when they call me I am clueless and ragey at spouse: if you are going to take care of something, do it correctly please, otherwise *I’d* be happy to get it done instead of it hanging on.
Whew. That was cathartic. I am lately often reminded of your old post that discussed spouses doing things wrong, and that it wasn’t a different way of doing things, it was a wrong way. It is currently very soothing to reread it. Also: moving is incredibly stressful.
I got the dog registration paperwork into the car and drove to the building I think it is in, but did not go inside, but am still pleased with progress.
I did not go to the last minute potluck lunch with a bunch of neighbors that I don’t know yet because I didn’t have time to prepare, either mentally or food wise. I am talking myself into not feeling guilty about it.
So far today (beyond the actual work I’m doing at my actual job) I’ve downloaded my phone bill, called AT&T about a discrepancy on said phone bill, and made myself a very-long-overdue hair appointment. Two phone calls in one day are kind of my limit so I’m going to call this day a success!
I am a SAHM of two elementary school students for the first time and I’m getting SO MUCH DONE around the house. My primary project is painting our master bedroom. Secondary is weeding out library. We have too many books that will either never be read or never be read again. I have 8? 9? overflowing bookshelves. I took 5 bankers boxes of board books and picture books to the library on donation day and you can barely tell. Ahhh! I’m keeping up on the laundry, even bedding. I’m keeping up on the kitchen and bathrooms. I’m listening to a dozen podcasts a day, many NPR so I’m feeling well informed about things. I am a little bored but trying to enjoy more than fret about my time in between jobs.
The kids are off school for Yom Kippur, so not as much as I’d like but as of 2:45 this afternoon, I
1) Helped the older kid study for a vocabulary test
2) Ghost wrote a blog post about cooking gluten-free, vegan Thanksgiving dishes
3) Re-wrote a paragraph from a supplements catalog to better comply with Canadian legal requirements
4) Supervised the porch-sweeping I said had to be done before the younger one could start putting up Halloween decorations (this involved multiple checks)
4) Read half a chapter of The Return of the King to the older kid during a study break
Swistle- THANK YOU for writing posts like this- and just understanding that indeed it is nice to list off what you’ve accomplished, and that sometimes, the little things that don’t sound like you did much are really the big things.
I’m in the middle of the great seasonal clothes migration for 3 children (get rid of outgrown summer clothes, move in the fall clothes, store any summer clothes that might fit someone next year). So that makes it look like a laundry bomb exploded in my living room, but really, there is a system. Oh, I also switched the summer quilt to the down comforter on my bed.
I, too, loved the last sentence. I’ve been low-grade ill for weeeeeks with a cold, then managed, when I finally started to feel better, to catch some respiratory thing. For me, today has been finally, finally feeling like I’m in control of our homeschooling day rather than being pulled along, half-asleep. It has felt like a major achievement to remember to take all my medicine throughout the day so hopefully I don’t crash at dinnertime. Also, I’ve been catching up on laundry and decluttering the house. You know how it gets when you’re sick and too tired to stay on top of things.
I found this post highly motivational and am now inspired to finish the chores I’d kind of fizzled on today (filing, bill paying, a couple un-fun but necessary phone calls).
But first I wanted to share a tip that might save you a trip or two re your family passport photos. I had to renew mine recently and don’t live near a place that takes official photos, but I discovered that there are apps that will do it for you (the one I used is called Passport Photo Booth for iPhone – not sure about Android devices). It was super easy to use – it walked me through the requirements for the photo and I snapped a selfie in front of a white wall, printed it out (I have a photo printer at home but you could go to a copy store or Walgreens or whatever too), trimmed it to the required size, and sent it off with my application. Super easy and my passport was returned without any issues.
I got my last passport photos taken at a CVS, for what it’s worth. They just pulled a screen down from the ceiling and I was out of there 5 minutes later.
I took time to read through my employers benefits and will actually have time to compare them to my spouses benefits. For 2 years I have just defaulted to his plans because I have left enrollment go to the last day and then got overwhelmed and then just said, “eff it, we’ll keep his”. this year I may actually LEARN and make a smarter choice. IN TIME.
Win.
Yay for getting stuff done! I’ve been trying to do the same recently.
My car has had a leaky windshield for a while, and I finally dealt with it the other day. (Bonus: it rained a few days later, so I did it just in time!) (Bonus bonus: the mechanic wasn’t sure if his fix would work, so he didn’t charge anything. But it’s been working so far!)
Another car-related thing: I had a bunch of stuff in the backseat of my car that had been there for months. Since I hardly ever have people in the backseat, I never really felt the need to deal with it. But yesterday I brought some of it inside! Not all of it, but some.
I signed up for a bunch of classes at my gym. They have a drop-in system for classes, but I’ve found that if I don’t sign up in advance I end up not going as often as I’d like to.
I called the voter registration office because I never got my sample ballot, despite the fact that all the other members of my household have gotten theirs. The same thing happened with the primary, and I never did end up receiving it. Their response: “It’s probably just taking a while! Give it another week or so!” Not very satisfying, but at least it’s SOMETHING.
I turned in some paperwork an entire day before the deadline!
On the agenda for tonight: making some work lunches. I try to buy lunch as little as possible, but I’ve had to twice this week due to lack of options at home.
Amazing. I am so impressed with that orthodontist move for Elizabeth.
I am sure you know but in case you do not, when you file all the passport materials for the children Paul needs to be there, too. I was surprised to learn this at our local post office a few years ago (though it makes sense if you were trying to spirit the children away from him). I only had to rearrange this for three — but you have a lot more.
I was my husband’s “Secretary” yesterday and completed 2 phone calls he SHOULD have made but didn’t feel comfortable making while at work (FINE. You could go out to your car on break or something, but WHATEVER). I figured I may as well make another phone call I’ve been avoiding and did that. THEN, I guess I was on a roll, as I make yet another annoying phone call I’ve been putting off. All but the last issue was resolved! Then I baked cookies for my daughter’s potluck for her swim team.
Thanks for reminding me that I still need to collect and complete the paperwork for my daughter’s passport. And 3 of the kids need to go in for ortho consults. (Ugh.)
Yay you! TEARING up your to-do list is an AWESOME feeling. Unfortunately, I have nothing to report. Maybe tomorrow.
I am so in that stage where picking a piece of trash up is an accomplishment. Today I picked up the house, put away the dishes, washed a load of diapers, and finished pulling out the clothes the baby has outgrown and pulling larger clothes out of storage. I have since left the kids alone with their Dad for a couple hours (while I got my physical, so that’s something) and made dinner, so it’s no longer obvious I did anything at all today. Sigh. Reminding myself they are only little for a little while.
I love reading what everyone has accomplished! Your victories are my victories :)
My day started with me being SO TIRED-I thought I would have to drag myself to my sub job. Somehow after my cup of coffee, I got my first wind. I did two loads of laundry, put one away, cleaned all the litter boxes, did the multiple crazy feedings for our numerous pets. I made myself eggs for breakfast (count that as an accomplishment, I hate eating in the early morning), and repacked my bag for school. Then off to teach first graders for the day. Then when I got home, I packed a few things I have to return after buying online. I hate doing this, so I do feel good after I get it done.
After reading the comments, I feel so much for those of you with babies and young children. It is so rough for you, and as someone who has come out the other side (my daughter is 22) I can say that as nice as it is to cross things off a list, I hope you all give yourself a break. Sometimes a shower, maybe a load of laundry-is a total victory when you have little ones at home. Sometimes I feel as Americans we have this really strong need to accomplish every single day-but and if we aren’t crossing off the list, we are a failure.
I thought I didn’t have much, but if I go back not even a week, turns out I’ve been tearing it up as well!
We held a garage sale and sold our crib and changing table-dresser, which have been unused for at least six months.
We donated most of the leftover things to my daughter’s preschool for their garage sale fundraiser, and today I actually dropped them off (which includes sorting, so a long task). The rest I sent away with my MIL, who was (allegedly) making a trip to Goodwill, making them Not My Problem anymore.
I finished a minor but annoying work task that I always put off too long, and which never takes the time or effort I expect it to.
I tried all my preschooler’s jeans on her in the hustle and bustle of getting ready today, determining that all but one pair is too short (and that pair is marginal).
I went to Goodwill between appointments and found two pairs of jeans in the next size up for her (although I still need to see if we have any of her sister’s hand-me-downs that would fit – somehow, my oldest seems to have almost completely skipped being a size 3T), along with an adorable sweater.
I not only cleaned my kids’ room but I got the six-year old to help me do it with only a little threatening during, and no yelling. Even the three-year old brought me toys from the playroom that belonged in the bedroom.
I remembered to put the clothes in the dryer before they got that funky smell from being left wet too long.
I did have one frustrating failure today, when I showed up for my oldest’s six-year well child check, only to be told that we shouldn’t be getting that check up because she’d had a pre-kindergarten physical in May. The administrator seemed to be at a complete loss as to why, then, our HMO had sent us a reminder letter to schedule the six-year check. We went home and my daughter was thrilled to get out of it, but I was annoyed.
I got over it by taking a nap without anyone coming and jumping on my head before I’d gotten a solid 15 minutes, so that might have been my biggest accomplishment to date.
Your accomplishments are impressive, and they’re giving me a vicarious feeling of accomplishment. Thank you! A friend used to write “Drink juice” and “Eat toast” on her to-do list every night so she could check off two items very early the next day. Hee!
Love sharing our “done” tasks! Yesterday while working from home with a sick-ish kid, I wrote/sent one important email for work, and another one for a volunteer position I have. I watered the mums and pinched off the dead blooms. I made a quick trip to the grocery store. But the biggest thing I accomplished was getting the sick-ish kid to take a NAP. Felt really accomplished on that one.
THIS. Exactly this.
Oh man, I have had so many to-do things this week! I am farm-sitting for my parents starting tomorrow so I have a ton to do before I leave the house. Granted, husband will be there to take care of the cats and such, but there’s still a lot to do. Last night I did the laundry and made cat food (long story, but I make my own – they’re raw fed). Those are two big ones. I still have to meet my aunt tonight at my best friend’s house so I can show her how to check on friend’s cat. I also still have to pack tonight and drive the 1:15 to my parents’. Then I can finally relax, I think.
Yesterday we had a big scare as the house-cleaner texted me to let me know there was no water in the house. Turns out they were flushing the lines, but holy crap, was that a terrifying few minutes. Bad timing as otherwise I never would have known.
I was also supposed to bring milkweed seeds to a coworker today, but that didn’t happen. I guess I can always shoot for next week when I’m back in the office.
You’re doing gang-busters!!!
I am on hold with our former energy company (we moved in late July) to sort out the refund check that went astray. Apparently the person on the phone when I called originally to close the account heard “1918” as “1980” and we never received our check. I don’t know why it’s taken me SO LONG to make this phone call since it involves $ for me (in my name, woooo!), but it has. The good news is they are reissuing the check to our correct address with no hassle (assuming they validate that no one stole it & cashed it under my name).
so far today I have accomplished: taking a 5 gallon jar of change to the bank to be cashed in for my 23 year old son for his college grad gift/ cut a ton of hydrangeas for my mom to dry and put into a vase in her living room / put some GB Packer tickets up for sale on our school employee website // picked up pumpkins for the front porch and put them out on the porch / stopped at the grocery store for the two things I needed and didn’t get anything extra. I still need to finish the inside windows in the kitchen & living room, measure for some plywood for the attic / get a new watch battery / go to an evening meeting. This might be my most accomplished day this week. There is nothing better than checking off my to do list.
and I VOTED! so happy that is done!
Yay for GB Packers! Not that I’m a particular football fan, but that means we’re probably in the same region of the country. ;) How do you dry hydrangeas? They are so lovely and I’d love to bring the ones from outside inside to enjoy longer!
I called the doctor’s office to schedule check-ups for the kids today. And it feels great to tell someone who knows just how BIG that is!
HEAVENS YES
Your accomplishments list leaves me feeling impressed and slightly exhausted. My work ‘to do’ list is going well but that’s boring so instead I will ask a linguistics question that has me puzzled.
You say “buy a couple bags of … candy” where I (NZ and UK) would say “buy a couple OF bags”. Do you also drop the ‘of’ in, for example, “a pair of shoes”, “a herd of cows” or is ‘couple’ the exception? And if so does anyone know why? Language variations are so interesting, aren’t they? (or just to me perhaps).
I’m an American and I categorize the word “couple” along with the word “few” so “a few bags of candy” or “a couple bags of candy.” They signify an amount, so it’s similar to how I’d say the more specific “four bags of candy.” A pair or a herd is a specific kind of group, so yes, I’d say a pair of shoes or a herd of cows. And while a pair is always two, I don’t heard it used as an general amount of something, like “I’m going to buy a pair of apples.”
My accomplishments are spread out over a whole week because I have a 5 month old who has decided he doesn’t like sleep and/or being put down so some days putting on pants is a success. This week I cleaned the kitchen, bathroom and living room for a coffee group to come over (who then decided to look in every other room, all of which were in a complete state, sending my anxiety over the edge), shopped for the group, hosted the group and recovered from the group with only one strongish beer and a generous helping of comfort food.
I sorted out the logistics of getting the car repaired and the baby to his swim class, started another baby group, booked the baby in for his vaccinations (although I think I might need to rebook because their scheduled for his grumpy time), arranged to meet with my boss to discuss my plans for going back to work next year, booked a counselling session, half planned to meet friends for lunch, did an impossible amount of laundry and cooked almost every night.
It feels like a lot writing that out, I’ve really struggled with the seemingly fruitless monotony of baby raising so this was a very helpful exercise.
This week I managed to reorder nebulizer supplies, buy play tickets, change a dentist appointment, make a dentist appointment for my son, schedule painting estimates, cook dinner and still get myself to work and son to school every. Dressed. With food. It feels good to note the small things.
I am still so satisfied reading through these comments! I want to give everyone a gold star. We should do a weekly “look what I Accomplished” thread like askamanager.com’s open Friday thread!
I’m late to the party, but only because I’ve been accomplishing SO much. In the last 3 weeks: 3 orthodontist appointments, 4 dentist appointments, 4 flu shots, a well-child visit (within a week of his birthday, WHA??), annual physical for my own self, creating 6 fabulous Halloween costumes, throwing a surprise baby shower for a friend, oh, counseling for my 8 year old, precious little crying, and ALMOST keeping up on laundry.
I may be holding off on a shower at this minute while clean underwear finishes up in the dryer.
But I am incredible. Thanks for the opportunity to toot my own horn.
I’ll chime in late as well with the hope that Luke an above poster I’ll feel more accomplished.
I have a 3yr old and a 10month old. 3yr old goes to preschool for 2.5 hrs but today is not a school day.
I got dressed. Changed baby. Made waffles for breakfast. Nursed baby. Put some dishes in dishwasher. Through away trash. Found lost folder w baby’s SSN so husband could complete benefit enrollment. Found birth certificate form (oops!). Filled that out so hopefully we’ll have it in time for our flights for Christmas. Got baby nursed and down for first nap. Heated leftover pizza for lunch. Sat w 3yr old and encouraged him to potty. Cleaned poop out of potty. Fed baby pizza crust and some pears and apples. Sorted out dark clothes and put them in washer. Took out frozen chicken to (hopefully) thaw for tonight’s dinner. Picked up and rehung clothes that fell off toppled hanging drying rack. Endured an hour and 23 minutes holding baby and trying to get 3yr old to take nap. Nursed baby to sleep for 2nd nap.
Now I’m sitting here under both of my sleeping children. (The 3yr old woke up and cried for 10mins before going back to sleep in my lap. )