Lists

There's a week and a half to go and our apartment is looking sparse. The walls are bare, the shelves are empty, there are boxes in every corner and things are messy. It's not a fun way to live, especially for a couple of toddlers. But we're so excited, we don't care. Even Jake is excited, even though he doesn't REALLY know what's happening. He keeps asking if we're moving to a new house because every time I'm packing a box, he asks what I'm doing. I always tell him I have to pack up our stuff to move it to a new house. Then we go through the list of all the different things there will be at his new house--his own room, a yard to throw balls and play tee ball, a driveway to pull his wagon, ride his bike, and play basketball, a basement to wrestle with Daddy where the neighbors won't bang on the ceiling...

Along with the packing and cleaning, I have been making lists like crazy. I have always been a list girl. I love the satisfaction of crossing things off a list of to-do's. I love knowing that I don't have to worry about forgetting something on a trip because I checked my list before I left. But I don't think I've ever made so many lists at one time before as I have right now. There are so many things coming up, I feel like making lists is the only way to keep my head on my shoulders. I have a list of things that need to be done before the move, a grocery list of things we'll need for our one week in Ohio before leaving for PA, a list of things we have to bring to PA, a list of things I have to take care of while in PA, a grocery list of staples needed when I shop once we're home from PA, and there are more, but I just can't think of them right now. I know once we make the move, I won't have time to sit down and make shopping lists or PA trip lists because there will be so much to do in that one short week. And I have a lot of time here, so why not just get it done now?

I feel good about my lists. I feel organized, and when I'm organized I'm happy.

Hail the pen and paper!