OCD List Maker

I played Domestic Goddess/Nanny yesterday, as the boys didn't have school due to the holiday (President's Day). The best thing about NOT WORKING at my full-time paying job.....sleeping in. Unfortunately sleeping in was only until 7:30 am as my bladder no longer tolerates inactivity over 8 hours (yeah, yeah I know, TMI!!). So, after I quick trip to make the bladder happy I promptly returned to my warm bed for another 2 hours of blissful sleep.  It was around 9:31 am when the sound of Lego's rattling in a hard plastic container drifted to my ears. My youngest child was building, using his imagination and completely engrossed in his Lego project. One might ask "Why would a 12 yr old boy play with Lego’s?" Well, everyone loves to build with Lego’s and he has no technology privilege’s right now. Amazing what one can find to do when computer, cell phone, friend visits and video games are absent from the entertainment picture (that's another story which I may or may not post).


Another thing I love about being home on a non-weekend day (besides hanging with my kids) is the ability to mark things off my TO DO list. It is a great day in the life of an "OCD List Maker" when she can cross things off a list.


TO DO list for 2/15/2010 was as follows:


1) create a grocery list, inventory fridge, freezer and pantry
2) take trash to the dumpster (I loathe this task, don't ask why, I just do)
3) organize recycling bins
4) donate 30 gal trash bag of clothes to Goodwill
5) obtain food/meal requests from children (because I really dislike the words "Mom!!! There is nothing to eat!! or Mom!! What can you make me?!!")
6) update address at library, check out books on: blogging, 365 slow cooker recipes, house organization in one week, acrylic painting or drawing
7) return movie rentals before 6 pm
8) cancel Netflix subscription
9) shop for groceries/cleaning supplies (Aldi's, Dollar Store and HyVee)
10) put something in crock-pot so dinner is done for Tuesday night
11) start on-line tax preparation (yes I do myself)
12) catch up on laundry
13) return jeans to JcPenney and Target


This was a glorious day for me.  I was able to cross off every item except #11-start tax preparation, that has now moved to the weekend list.  The ability to complete so much in one day actually gave me time to start another list of things that never made it to the above list. At this point you might be wondering why more than one list?  How does she keep track of them?  If you really don't care, feel free to stop reading here and I'll see you at the next posting about another topic.  :-)

Why more than one list?  Because one can not combine lists such as grocery list, to do list, to buy, errands, etc.  So I have a grocery list on the fridge with the goal that when something runs low or is gone, it is added by anyone in the household.  Unfortunately I seem to be the only one using this list.  I have a daily chore list that hangs on the fridge.  Each morning I write what the kids need complete when they get home from school and it is placed on the kitchen counter for their review.  This chore list was added this Fall when I realized a 12 and 15 yr old are able to complete many things that I no longer need to do myself, i.e. folding and putting away their laundry (just one of many).  I have another Task list that is electronic and with me at all times (kept on my phone).  This has been a great addition to my life as it has eliminated my previous multitude of lists that were misplaced. I have a pen/notepad on my bedside table to write down things I think of at bedtime or upon rising. These items are transferred to my electronic list or the fridge lists. This probably seems like too much for most people but it works for me.  It is the way I manage my need for structure and control my OCD tendancies.  The list by my bedside is probably the most beneficial as I put all the thoughts swirling in my mind at bedtime onto paper.  This allows me to sleep and reference my thoughts the next day without worrying that something important will be forgotten.

So have I been diagnosed with OCD? No, I just know that I obsess over remembering things and lists seem to work for my chaotic world.

Hugs,  Erin