13 Things I Have to Do Today (minus 2)

I thought I'd follow my friend Michele's example and detail 13 things I have to do today.

1 - Return DVD's to the library. I watched The Soloist (Robert Downey Jr and Jamie Foxx) which I adored. The kids watched Hotel for Dogs which was predictable and sappy, but they liked it. [DONE}

2 - Dig out my essay evaluation paperwork so that I can speak to the SAT prep class at co-op tomorrow. [Found the stuff I need. But what am I going to tell these kids about writing their essays? I feel clueless.]

3 - Read a whole bunch of The Count of Monte Cristo. I have about 400 more pages to read before Saturday! [Read to page 333]

4 - Take Suzy to her soccer practice this evening. We'll probably ride our bikes there; it's just two blocks away. James doesn't have practice tonight. Bob will be AT WORK. [Took her and brought James along. He was invited to practice with his last year's coach's team and I sat and read Monte Cristo. D & E stayed home and cleaned up dinner and got ready for tomorrow.]

5 - Hang two loads of laundry on the line, or actually make the kids do that. I hang out all of our laundry, only doing laundry on days when I can do that. Not looking forward to cold weather but I will still hang out the laundry if there is a breeze, until there is actually snow on the ground. [Emily hung out and brought in the laundry.]

6 - Follow up on some job applications. [Applied for one job, printed out info for several for Bob to apply at tomorrow. Still need to send a few emails.]

7 - Call a couple places that we owe money to and tell them why we haven't paid the bills. Hard to pay when you have no money and payday is a month away and the check will be really small. (Oh, I am really not looking forward to that one.....) [Update - this is done. Did the most distasteful task first. Made small payments so that our internet, phone, and cell phones will stay connected. Important, so potential employers can contact us and so we can job search and apply online for work!]

8 - Take some chapters of Fiery Cross and A Breath of Snow and Ashes off my MP3 player and load new ones. I am trying hard to finish ABOSAA quickly so that I can start An Echo in the Bone, Diana Gabaldon's NEW book that just came out this week! [DONE!]

9 - Push the kids through their lessons - an uphill battle (especially when I am blogging! lol) [STILL WORKING ON THIS! ARRRRRRGGGGHHHHH - Later - I gave up on the lessons for today. Next week is a fresh start. Right? RIGHT????]

10 - Watch pointless videos like this one. [Watched those, but no more. See? Not so much a time-waster! LOL]
Jackie Chan's On Me
Or this:

11 - Run 2 miles [OK, I already did that. And James went with me and ran part of the way.]

12 - Weigh myself since it is Thursday. [OK, I already did that too. And I lost another 1.4 pounds! 30 pounds lost now.]

13 - Figure out where to put all the board games since we moved stuff around upstairs and those no longer have a home. [This can wait until the weekend. I am whipped.]

Getting it DONE

I haven't been blogging but I've been doing quite a lot. And none of the things I actually HAD planned for the week happened, like Movie in the Park. lol But here's what DID keep me occupied....

Soccer

• Returned an AWFUL LOT of soccer phone calls and then returned even more
• Updated the soccer coach list and the website
• Registered several new soccer players, several of them in person
  
• Ordered a batch of soccer uniforms
• Downloaded Openoffice and Firefox onto the soccer laptop (yes, this job comes with a laptop!)
  

Homeschool Group

• Arranged a field trip (free!) to see the King Tut exhibit at the Indianapolis Children's Museum
• Dropped off a couple books to co-op teachers
• Organized the homeschool group's storage area at church (along with two friends)
• Updated the homeschool group's policy statement (with one of my co-leaders)
• Called several people on the co-op waiting list to confirm their interest
  

Exercise

• Went to kickboxing class two mornings (one hour each) - Anyone want to come along?
  
• Jogged/Walked two mornings (2.5 miles each time, can now run ONE MILE without stopping - Can you believe it?)
• Went for a four-mile bike ride with some of the kids (all good except for that last hill - eeeeeek)
• Bought an exercise ball at a yard sale for FIFTY CENTS! Whee!
  

Errands and more!

• Bought David a pair of running shoes and a pair of soccer cleats
  
• Ordered a wireless router and then set it up (now we have a wireless network! Whee!)
• Called David's soccer coach to let him know he'll be missing practices next week
  
• Called Verizon Wireless to arrange a back-dated text messaging plan (now you can text me!)
  
• Went grocery shopping at Meijer and Walmart
• Did a MILLION loads of laundry, all of it hung on the clothesline except one load
• Sent a resume for a teaching job
• Stopped at Arby's Thursday (TWO times) for FREE sandwiches because the Tigers hit three home runs in their last game (Thanks to Maryann for the tip! You have to print out the box scores.)
• Went to a lot of garage sales
• Got David all packed for his missions trip
  

FUN!

• Watched Slumdog Millionaire and King Arthur and Knowing and one episode of John Adams (The only one I really liked was John Adams.)
  
• Listened to several disks of The Fiery Cross (a couple of them while grocery shopping). LOVE IT!
  
• Went to two libraries
• Spent Tuesday afternoon visiting with two friends (and our 12 kids)
• Visited another friend overnight on Wednesday and spent all day Thursday with her and another friend (and our 11 kids)
• Saw a movie at the theater Thursday night with a bunch of girlfriends (WITHOUT our kids, except for one aged 20 lol)
• Spent Friday afternoon at the beach with a couple friends (and our 12 kids - Notice a trend?)

Notice there is NO writing or querying on this list of completed tasks. NEXT WEEK FOR SURE! (Someone hold me accountable instead of inviting me to do fun stuff! lol)

To-Do List

STICKY POST - Go read the new posts underneath....

I have some things I want to get done before we start lessons (and I start writing again) on January 5th. Here's my list. NOTE - The list seems to be getting longer!!!

Write some thank you notes Dec 26
Take the kids sledding if the snow cooperates Dec 26
Make up my 999 Reading List Dec 27
Join Sparkpeople Dec 27 (but starting Jan 2)
Go clearance shopping Dec 28
Lesson plans for January (All done, just have to sort the paperwork) Dec 29
David's birthday plans He decided a half-birthday party in the summer would be best, for good weather.
Visit the in-laws Dec 30
Give everyone a haircut Dec 31
Plan any New Year's celebration (Looks like staying home for game night is the plan! I have food! I have games! Wish I had a big house, cuz then I'd invite everyone over!)
Search the house and drive around looking for my son's missing game player - argh (FOUND!!!) Dec 31
Set up a VCR/DVD/TV for the kids upstairs (James found the old DVD player and Bob found a cord. A while back I found an RF modulator at the thrift store, so we're good to GO! They're watching a DVD up there right now!) Jan 1
Hit the 50% off clothes sale at the thrift store (JACKPOT!) Jan 1
redo the job chart (and I am quite pleased!) Jan 1
Redo the schedule (we'll see how it goes..... may be re-doing in another 10 days....) Jan 1
Order pictures for scrapbooking weekend (183 - 4x6 and 13 - 5x7 to be picked up at Meijer sometime after Saturday afternoon) Jan 2
Go to Walmart to do a return (Long long long line) Jan 2
Drive the boys to pick up something they're buying off Craigslist (It was 58 miles away!) Jan 2
Grocery shopping (Walmart on a Friday night with 2 boys and a cart that veered to the right) Jan 2
Order replacement glasses for Emily (warranty!) Jan 2
Go to book club! Jan 3
Get organized for scrapbooking weekend - Will do tonight
Pick up the pictures for scrapbooking weekend - Will do one day this coming week
Type the kids' novels
Pack up Christmas stuff Jan 4
Get rid of some stuff (went through 2 3 drawers, Bob got rid of a bag of clothes) Jan 2
Write my resolutions (my resolutions are encompassed in my 101 in 1001 list) Jan 4
Order paper for co-op class (sent an email to my favorite company - haven't heard back. Will call Monday)
Make a list of 101 things to do in 1001 days (will be posting this list) Jan 4
Read - I've certainly been doing this, but I'm not DONE!
Relax (huh?)
FIND EMILY'S OTHER GLASSES!!! ($5 reward - any takers?)

Will update as completed!

Crazy Schedule

FRIDAY
9:15 Leave for co-op
3:00 Home from co-op
4:30 Leave to pick up Leah and drop off David (James and Suzy riding along)
5:10 Drop off Emily and Leah
5:30 Shopping with James and Suzy (groceries and birthday gift)
7:30 Home with James and Suzy - make some mac and cheese, do costumes and gift
9:00 David returns and I chat with Donna for a while while the boys run around in the drizzle

SATURDAY (if weather permits)
Finish getting costumes ready
Eat breakfast
10:00 Leave for soccer
10:30 James and Suzy soccer games
After soccer - trick-or-treating at local merchants (between 11-1)
Emily come home at some point
Take David to a different friend's house
1:00 James to a birthday party
during the afternoon, make food for Book Club
4:00? Go get James
5:00 Book Club
After Book Club, get David and bring him home

Nearly Empty Schedule, but Full To-Do List

Moving this up to the top position here......

Since I don't have to work this week and there are no scheduled homeschool group activities, I've got a calendar with not much scheduled. But that's never a problem here! lol

I've created another to-do list. Bear with me! I find I get SO MUCH MORE done whenever I have a list, and even more when I know other people are watching my list.

Since we'll be camping next week, I do have a lot to accomplish. I also have promised a couple of friends to spend time with them this week, since I haven't been able to do much of that over the past year.

Also, I need to get crackin' on the writing.

Make the Camping Week schedule
Plan VBS lesson for Wednesday night (I am subbing.)
Make camping menu
Pack for camping (starting Thursday!)
Grocery shop for camping (Sat)
Attend a soccer coach training (decided to skip it)
Make Dentist appt, preferably for this week (nope, not happening!)
Visit Friend A (Sorry Friend A! Maybe in a couple weeks?)
Visit Friend B (Friday) THANKS FRIEND B! (Or should I say Friend 'M.Y.'?)
See Nim's Island at the theatre (cheap matinee, prob Friday with Friend B)
Return the Twilight books I borrowed
order Angel Food
WRITE THAT QUERY LETTER!!!!! I DID IT! IT IS WRITTEN!
SEND THAT QUERY LETTER!!!! I queried 3 agents today. I will look for more later on this week.
Plan the Cinderella class (that might not happen this week)
Type in the parts of my new novel that I have already written
Pop the new camper and put our stuff in it (starting on Thursday!)
Make sure Bob gets the hitch on the van
Get in a schedule of going to bed earlier and getting up earlier (doing ok with getting up, lol)
ADDING MORE STUFF - I like to add stuff and CROSS it off if I did it and it wasn't on my list originally! lol
Complete Safe Haven Training for soccer (online training)
Figure out where my paycheck went and why I don't have it yet
Make my unemployment claim (Tues 5-6pm, dang! I missed it! Makeup time is Thurs/Fri.)
TEACH the VBS Lesson (Wed night)
Buy some copy paper & envelopes
Figure out how to get music onto my phone without buying the music kit (I ordered a mini USB card reader thingie that should work. When it arrives, I'll try it.)
File the DBA paperwork This was to register my business name.
Dye my hair (bought the dye! That's step 1! lol)
Order business cards
Transfer title for camper and buy a plate for it
Add my query letter/novel info to my business website
Wrote letter for new soccer players and addressed envelopes
Wrote parent information sheet for soccer team
Call work to see if I am still laid off
Buy a new camera

The list just keeps getting longer! lol

My boys want to see Clone Wars which comes out this Friday in theatres. (Yes, it's all new, according to the ads.) Maybe that'll happen on a rainy camping week day, if there is one.

PLAY vs. Work

I haven't accomplished a lot this week. We've PLAYED a lot, but not a lot of work got done. Let's see.

Visited family Sunday & Monday - PLAY
Drove home 2-1/2 hours - Work.
Took kids to dentist - Work.
Took David to pick up new glasses - Work.
Supported homeschool group at DQ fundraiser - PLAY.
Played homeschool kickball game - PLAY.
Went to local fair - PLAY.
Read Eclipse and Breaking Dawn - PLAY.
Went grocery shopping - Work.
Set up new cell phone - PLAY.
Looked for campers on craigslist - PLAY.
Looked at one camper, made offer on it, and agreed to purchase - PLAY (sort of!)
Tried to write query letter and was stumped - Work.
Took the kids to the beach - PLAY
Went to co-op registration - registered kids, attended teacher meeting, and connected with friends - some PLAY.
Worked on my LOTR Gift app on facebook - PLAY.

A lot more play than work on that accomplishment list!

The only things I had left over from last week's to-do list were ironing and writing the query letter. Neither is done. :::exhales in frustration:::: I better get that ironing done tonight. I have a couple movies I could watch.

And the query letter....

To-Do List Revisited

Time for one of my ever-so-exciting TO-DO LIST posts!

Believe it or not, these posts really help me. I suppose it's because y'all will be able to see if I accomplish absolutely nothing!

So, this week, I want to accomplish the following:
Order David's glasses
Attend soccer coach meeting (Tues or Thurs)
File for unemployment benefits (online)
Go IN PERSON to the unemployment office to have a paper "validated" @@ (Wed)
Make a dental appointment - Bob wants me to wait.
Make sure Bob makes his doctor appointment to discuss sleep clinic results
Figure out exactly our schedule for this weekend
Do some ironing (while watching a movie) - going to do at my parents' house, if needed
Choose a cell phone and order it OH LOOKIE! I FINALLY DID IT!
Sort through all our curriculum
Order any remaining curriculum - decided against ordering anything right now.
Finish editing Forget-me-not (that last pesky scene) GO ME! WOO-HOO!
Finish writing my synopsis for FMN I had more of this done than I remembered, but I ended up editing the whole thing to make it more readable.
Write my query letter for FMN - not happening today. Next week for sure.
Copy and send those (will do next week)
Pack for the weekend - almost done
Make sure we have clean presentable clothes for the picture taking
Make a dish to pass for Thursday Made Indoor S'mores. I made some for Sunday too, but they might end up to be too messy for an outdoor picnic. I'll know tomorrow.
Make a dish to pass for Sunday Decided to go with the Indoor S'mores. They are DELISH!
Find a watermelon WITH SEEDS (I am told I can buy this at Meijer - Thanks, Denise!)
Get my hair cut (Wed)
Have a mammogram (Wed)
Help with VBS Wednesday night
Call work on Friday to see if I work next week I don't work next week!
Take the kids to the waterpark
Take the kids to the playground they keep asking about (Tues)
Take the kids to a library program (Tues)
Take the kids to Lake Michigan (Saturday)
Go to the family reunion (Sunday)
Watch Pride & Prejudice with friends (Thursday)
Finish reading Twilight (Monday)
Pick up New Moon from Sarah (Tues)
Read New Moon and read Eclipse - taking these along to read over the weekend.
See if I can get through the weekend without reading Breaking Dawn (Maybe I can borrow a copy next week, or maybe my library copy will come in?
Eat chocolate (well, at least there's ONE thing I've done!)
Maybe pick UP David's glasses - they didn't come in yet.

So, there you have it! I better get moving! Keep me on track, will ya?