Weekly Planner

I like the way Karen uses her planner. Mine isn't always this clean and pretty.

I have a new system I've been trying out. Certainly you've seen Lobotome's Momme Weekly Planner all over blogland by now. It's not new but it's new to me.

I like to see my whole week laid out, everything at a glance. I love that there is a section for Me Time AND Exercise and it's not counted as the same thing. One day I will actually fill those slots in and double MY TIME. Dare to dream.

Photo from Lobotome.

In Pursuit of Happiness

We're all in pursuit of happiness in some form or another. You may even know of the GNH (Gross National Happiness). Evidently, I am not as special or unique as I thought. I fall into the majority of women (72 out of 100 if you are counting) who feel happiness as we make progress towards a goal--even if the actual goal isn't achieved.

It's a fun statistic but it means so much more to me. I NEED progress of some form. Chicken Little can be knocking at my door but as long as I have a plan towards progress of some kind I feel like I can weather it--even if 'the plan' does not stop the sky from falling. To feel progress is to feel alive, for me.

I haven't been big on New Year's resolutions in the past. As much as I like lists and planning and tracking I don't like anything compulsory. It seems too forced. That said, I am primed and the timing for my personal Renaissance lines up with New Years. So, brace yourselves. I have a plethora of listing tips and resources coming your way.

Starting with this List Me, Doodle Me from Lobotome. It's an all-inclusive approach to list making.

Top image from here.

Lists: Packing

I'm in the list mode and have a slew of helpful posts planned for you (can you feel my motivation?!). Since my most loyal reader, Michelle, is heading out for a lovely New Year's trip to Cabo with her family I thought I'd post this helpful packing list first. You know how you always feel like you are bringing too much stuff...

I have a few of these lists as templates in Excel that I have customized for our adventures. They are specific for the type of trip we are taking (snow fun, RV trip, boating, Portland, etc.). Then I have a column for the room the items are in. Husband handles the garage items and I handle everything else. It's very handy to hand it off a few days before the trip and let him chip away at his list. It also helps me to make sure I don't forget Anna's favorite blanket or Christopher's pillow. There is comfort knowing everything is on the list and I don't need to fret. When the list is complete I don't need anything else in those suitcases!

If I could ever figure out how to post my own items as a link (hint: help wanted!) I will post our packing lists for you. Until then, enjoy the lists at Real Simple. They are a good start.

Adios mi amiga!

Image from RealSimple.com