Tuesday, September 04, 2007

My Perfect Schedule



My Perfect Schedule does not exist. I give up. For the past 30 years my life has been pretty much on a schedule so perfect that a burglar could time breaking in my house and knowing just what time I was returning down to the second. I can't believe that never happened. I was like clockwork. Everyday. Same time out. Same time in. Always in a rush.


I always carried a little datebook/calendar/journal in my purse so that I would know where I was supposed to be at what time, who had a game that day, who had dental appointments, and what I had to get at the store. I was useless without that book! I still carry one and it seems just as full as ever. WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?
Even back then, in my busiest time of life, I never seemed to get it all done. All 3 kids were super involved in school and all sports! As now, I never want to miss anything so most of the time........you get it, right?

Even when it was off season it was on season for something. I was running kids everywhere. Not just my own. I always seemed to have a carload of mine and everyone else's kids. And, I loved it. The kids called our car the family truckster. It was a silver Chevy station wagon and it was always loaded. We ate breakfast in there on the way to school and had changes of clothes, uniforms, and sporting goods in the back. I could have pulled over at any given time and had a garage sale out of my car. That car is a legend and has provided many laughs for our family. It's a post of it's own!

But no matter how hard I tried and still do I just can't ever get to the bottom of my to do list. My extreme desire to try though has led me to a life of being a multi tasker. I am a perfect and self taught multi tasker. You can be in a conversation with me and you would never realize that I am planning a dinner party, making notes for next project, or randomly selecting appointments that I need to schedule via mental satellite.



I believe in post in notes too. They are everywhere around here and in my car. They work too! They remind me of things a million times a day. I wish I would have invented those little buggars.


So, this week, I am starting to realize that I have got to get a grip and face the fact. I am retired. I am not at that desk with a million deadlines and balances and checks. I just don't have to worry about getting all those things done anymore. I don't have to worry if I forgot to mail something or lock something in the safe. Or if I returned a phone call or scheduled a field trip, or made a school deposit. But, I miss it. I miss the energy and the camaraderie of people. I have been just staying in this house and not leaving for days! I know.....not.good.for. your. mental.health.

The good news is that tomorrow starts my volunteer job at the public library. I am so excited. I am going to set the alarm and then I am going to get up and get dressed. I am going to get my little book bag that I have packed with my story, my craft stuff, and my songbook for kids and head downtown to greet all the new bookworms that are coming in to meet me! It is good to have a purpose.

But I do have to concur with other anal retentive, OCD, schedulers, planners and post it noters, that before you can have a purpose you have to have all your ducks in a row before taking on new projects. I have been bombarded with phone calls telling me how invaluable I could be to this organization or to that organization......but I am being very careful what I say yes to. Because as Confucius say, "Too many ducks in a row cause boat to sink." At least I think it was him that said that!






7 comments:

Alana said...

That is very well said. I think you'll really enjoy your new purpose volunteering at the library. Can't wait to hear all about it!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Lynn,
I didn't start multitasking til I worked for Dr Goss in Bastrop. Actually, I only multitasked at work..never seemed to be able or willing to do it elsewhere...But, man! When we moved here...it kicked in bad. I just couldn't shake it. I tried to do everything..and I did and then had nothing to do. It was rough..I sympathize with you. Breaking the diet coke habit was the next worst habit to break. whew! Remember, you're are retired, you're retired. Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Hey, it was from me...duh..Vicky

Heather's House said...

will you breathe already? ha ha. ENJOY your retirement. I wish I lived closer and we could go shopping everyday! HA

Love you.

Unknown said...

You're okay...I wish I could come to the library while you are volunteering. But, one thing, when you see people and you get all excited and start squealing, will that violate the "quiet" policy? Have fun!
Hugs!

Kelley said...

Retirement isn't supposed to be this hard.
You are cracking me up!

Jenna said...

Can't wait to hear about your first storytime! You will be awesome. Love you...