Making A List.

For as long as I can remember, I have always enjoyed making lists.  I have a list for everything!  For some lists, I prefer to write them down on paper.  For most, I use the "memo" app on my phone.  Anytime I'm in the market for a new phone, the first thing I check out is to see if it has some sort of application for making notes/lists.  Making lists helps keep my mind from getting too boggled or having to remember too many things.  If I just jot it down while I'm thinking about it, then I don't have to stress about trying to remember something later.  Many of my lists are for future things that I just don't want to store in my brain for that long.  Here are some of my lists:

Grocery.  This is a paper list, because I make it twice.  The first time I just write down everything I need.  The second time I write it in order of the aisles at the grocery store.  No matter which grocery store I go to, the isle layout is mostly the same. Produce first, then canned goods, then processed box crap, then cereal/breakfast, then baking.......all the way through to dairy and frozen.  I get in and out of the grocery store very quickly by following my list and I don't go down aisles I don't need.  Most of my list usually contains items on the perimeter of the store anyway so I don't need to go down too many aisles.  My husband on the other hand...has to go down every frickin aisle looking for a good deal...don't even get me started on why I hate his "bring home way too much crap" method :)

Trip Packing.  I doubt I would ever forget anything for a trip, but I just feel better if I make a list of things to bring and then cross them off as they are added to the suitcase.  I used to do this for every overnight trip, but I have stopped doing it if it's just one night that we will be away....nothing can be that critical to forget for one night.  This list is also always on paper.

"To Do".  At least once I week I make a "to do" list.  Sometimes this is a list of things I want to get done over the course of the week, and sometimes it's just a daily list because I have a lot I want to get done on that particular day. This one is usually on paper as well, because I love the satisfaction I get from crossing the items off once they have been completed!

Gifts.  I don't know about you all, but I have a terrible time thinking of a gift for someone's birthday or Christmas once it gets close to that date....but 6 months prior I can have a great idea.  I've started jotting down ideas for people as they come to me, no matter what time of year it is.  Then when the event gets closer I check out my list that I've already made and pick something from that.  Rylee's gets particularly long as she tells me all year long things she wants for her birthday and/or Christmas :)  After my "Favorite Things" party a few weeks ago, I have started a list of items I love, so that when our next one roles around I'm not scrounging for an idea. 

Books to Read. Because every time I feel like reading a book, I have no idea what to read.

Trips to take.  Whenever I hear/read about a particular place I've never heard of before or hadn't thought of visiting, I jot it down to review later when I want to take a trip somewhere.

Places to take the kids.  Similar to the trips list, I jot down places/events I want to remember to take the kids to.  That way when we need to get out of the house and don't have anywhere particular to go, I can consult my list for some place new to try out.  Most of them are warmer weather related though.....cannot wait for Spring!!! 

Blog Ideas.  Almost daily, something sparks a blog idea in my head.  Sometimes it's something I want to write about immediately and other times I decide to just put it on the list and get to it later when I have more to say about that topic, or have more time to write.  I have been blogging a lot lately, as it has been sort of therapeutic for me and gives me something to focus on besides cold weather!  So glad March is here!  Spring ahead next week!!!