Then, I went for my walk, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. After I came back from my walk, I put away the laundry from yesterday, changed my bed sheets, and did a load of laundry.
I took a lunch break from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Had lunch, replied to blog comments, and read for a little bit, as well.
On the schedule for this afternoon was cleaning the bathrooms and doing some paperwork. As part of cleaning the bathrooms, I decided to vacuum the bathroom floors (instead of sweeping them). Then, since I had the vacuum cleaner out (and because, as we all know, I prefer to clean the house to doing paperwork), I decided to vacuum the hallway, kitchen, and the bedrooms, as well (vacuuming the rest of the house is scheduled for tomorrow). I needed a short break after the bathrooms were done, so, I played sudoku online for 30 minutes or so. Then, replaced the batteries in the clock in the living room, planted a new pot of cat grass for Dancer, did a bit of decluttering, watered the front garden (the forecast calls for rain, but we haven't had any rain yet; I just watered some of the flower beds because, already, some of the mums I planted are dying), went through today's mail, and redelivered a neighbor's mail that had been delivered to my address. Then, had a cup of tea!
Finally, I stopped procrastinating and started on a bag of paperwork (they are not in stacks, but in bags!) I was determined to process the entire bag, so that's what I did, until 6:30 p.m. I tossed what I could, filed what needed to be filed, and shredded a few documents. Well, I don't have a shredder, so, I cut the papers with my pair of scissors, which broke last week and I duct taped together (but it is not holding together, too well, so, time to buy a new pair of scissors, I think!)
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| Low-Tech Paper Shredder! |
My neighbor T called then, to ask if I could help her program her thermostat, but when I went over to help, she said her dog was barking too much (he barks when I go over there) and she'll deal with it, herself. Later, daughter called to say she was home and shared her 1st day back at work with me. She now has a published a peer reviewed article which lists her as the first author!
I had leftover milk rice and fish curry for dinner. The rest of the evening is set aside for blogging, emailing friends, and relaxing. Later, I will video chat with my daughter and try to get to bed by midnight.
I think the first day of the new schedule went well, even with all the tweaking. But, I've had a productive day and I am rather pleased with it.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to accomplish all what I did, today.
- Daughter had good news about her article being published!
- A sunny warm day
- Having a schedule to help with time management
- A good cup of tea
Wednesday's To Do List:
- 30 minutes walk in the a.m. (
- Put away dried laundry - DONE
- Do another load of laundry (my bedding)/remake bed - DONE
- Clean the bathrooms - DONE
- Paperwork (process 1 bag of papers - includes filing) - DONE
- Sew 1 holiday gift
- Water the garden if it doesn't rain (forecast says scattered showers Wed. and Thurs.) - DONE
Other items accomplished (that weren't on the To Do List):
- Replaced clock batteries
- Vacuumed the hallway, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms
- Planted a new pot of cat grass
Thursday's Schedule/To Do List:
- Morning walk (10:30 - 11:00 a.m.)
- Put away dried laundry
- Afternoon cleaning - Dust/Vacuum Living room, dining room, family room (1:00 - 2:00 p.m.)
- Paperwork - 1 more bag, includes filing
- Do dishes
- Clean litter box
How was your Wednesday? What have you planned for Thursday?
You're off to a great start with your new schedule, even if there was some adjustment.
ReplyDeleteFantastic news for your daughter. She must be thrilled. X
Thank you, Jules. Yes, my daughter is very happy. It is quite an achievement for her.
DeleteIt sounds like day 1 of your newly structured day went well. Well done, and well done also to your daughter on the publishing of her article.
ReplyDeleteDay 1 went better than Day 2 is going! But, I am hoping to catch up, as the day progresses. Thank you, my daughter is very happy to have her article published. :)
DeleteYou did great with your first day living with your new structured framework. I don't know if you were able to fall asleep last night, but if you were to get up at your scheduled time, eventually your body's internal clock should reset itself. I guess that is the plan?
ReplyDeleteMy best time for doing physical work is in ;the morning, so that is when I plan to do the "heavy lifting" of housework. I take it that yours is in early afternoon, and that is why you have scheduled your day around that time. We will have better success working within our own limitations. I will pick something off my to-do list this morning (like cleaning the fridge) and do some more Xmas cards and maybe going out after lunch.
What great news waiting for your daughter after returning to work after a lovely holiday. Congrats to her.
Thank you, Susan; my daughter is very happy about her article being published. :)
DeleteDay 1 of the new schedule worked well, didn't it? Day 2 is still trying to get off the ground! I went to bed a bit earlier, but, couldn't fall asleep. As a result, I overslept, this morning! But, I am hoping to catch up, later in the afternoon.
Yes, afternoons seem to be my best time for housework. I'm hopeful that the schedule will become a habit, over the next few days. Keeping my fingers crossed! :D
Hope you are having a productive day.
Congrats to daughter! I try to stick to a basic schedule, but the good thing about being home is that I don't have to jump through hoops. You know me and lists, but I do try to keep on track! Hope you had a good walk. I love walking.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon; it is a big achievement for her. :)
DeleteI am hoping to find a good basic schedule and routine so that I feel I am accomplishing things, as well as relaxing. I do like my lists, so that is helpful. :)
I think you have some of the best walks! I just walk in my neighborhood, which is in the suburbs and there's nothing much of interest to see. Maybe, one of these days, I'll drive out somewhere where there are more interesting sights!
What a great schedule, I always have too much to do but I am working on that.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kim. You are one of the busiest people I know, but you always manage to get so much done! I don't have half your energy!
DeleteA very busy day, Bless. Paperwork is so daunting, and just seems, to me, to always keep growing (because I keep leaving it). I like the cutting up paper idea.
ReplyDeleteI have a love-hate relationship with paperwork! I love to have organized files, but I hate to actually process the papers and file! I get caught up, say I am never going to let it pile up, again, and go right ahead and let it pile up! Sigh. I do pull out the bills and pay them, so everything else is mostly statements, informational documents, etc.
DeleteI have plans for those papers I cut up; I'll post about it, later. :)
Isn't it amazing how being retired still keeps you busy, almost every minute of the day! It probably makes you wonder how you ever had time to work. Andrea :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, Andrea, I think what happened was, when I worked, I neglected the housework! I did the bare minimum and let things go. So now, I am trying to play catch up! I am, also, sleeping in and taking more (and longer) breaks! :)
DeleteCongratulations to your daughter, a great achievement!
ReplyDeleteYou did well with your schedule and you must be happy to have battled that paperwork and got it under control.
I swept birdseed from our long porch and refilled 2 feeders, and did some laundry yet again. I also had a rest on the bed, but compensated by walking to the communal mailbox and back. As I was leaving the house I was thrilled to see two pileated woodpeckers playing peekaboo round the bottom of a tree!
Thank you, Bushlady. I'll convey your congratulations to her. :)
DeleteI am still working out the kinks in the schedule, but it is going well, so far!
I'm glad you were able to take a little rest during your busy day, Bushlady. I'm sure your feathered friends were very happy to see you refilling their feeders. Pileated woodpeckers! I don't think I've seen any in my neighborhood. I have mourning doves, mockingbirds, hummingbirds, and a few other birds who visit my garden. There used to be sparrows, but I don't see them anymore.
Good luck with that new schedule! I'll bet you are much happier when you feel like you got something done. I get so few days where I get all day to choose what I do, that I've literally found myself spinning in circles in the kitchen, heading one direction, then another, until I settle in to a task. I guess it will take some practice to deal with days of freedom, if that day ever comes;). Most days, I am just rapidly doing whatever job is right in front of my face so I can move on to as many of those jobs as I can before I need to go to work, or have a kid to take care of:).
ReplyDeleteI know that both my mom and my aunt, who are both retired, say they have very little spare time! they fill it up with us girls, for one thing, for which I am grateful:)
Thank you, Becky. You are right, I feel much happier when I feel like I am getting things done. Having all the time I want to relax is nice, too, but then, I started to feel that I was just wasting my time! This schedule is a good compromise - I have the afternoon to accomplish things and the evening to relax.
DeleteYou are one of the busiest people I know, yet, you manage to get everything done and still take time to have fun, too. I admire that.
You did great! And congratulations to your daughter.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I see scissors at thrift stores. They are good enough to cut papers.
Your post reminded me that one of my clocks needs a new battery. :)
Thank you, Nil. :)
DeleteI must take a trip to the thrift store. I had to stop going because I was buying too many "bargain" items! :D
Glad to have reminded you of the clock needing batteries. :)
Congrats to your daughter. That's something to be proud of. Good luck with your schedule. It may take a while to turn your sleep around, but just keep getting up at the same time every day and you will get there.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Live and Learn.
DeleteWill keep trying to work out a good balance when it comes to my sleeping patterns. :)