TO DO LISTS

Jun
16

Daily To Do List {Weekly Plan} :: June 17-23

For Memory...

"But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,
even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many."
(Matthew 20:26b-28)

For Every Day...

Morning To Do List :: {if all else fails, I'll try to do this list every day....even if it takes all day!}
--Quiet time
--Drink water
--Exercise
--Pack lunches
--Make bed
--Shower, dressed, make-up, hair
--Start laundry
--Clean up kitchen and dishes
--Wipe up bathrooms
--Water plants
--Put water bottles in fridge

Afternoon To Do List :: {this will help my day go a whole lot smoother}
--Drink water
--Take vitamin
--Finish and fold laundry
--Early dinner prep
--Update checkbook
--Quick clean-up
--Fix dinner
--Kitchen and dishes cleaned up

For this week...

Weekly To Do List :: {this includes my weekly housecleaning}
~Day 1 :: trash and recycling; clean purse
~Day 2 :: weekly cleaning tasks (ie. vacuum, dust, mop, bathrooms, mirrors, appliance fronts)
~Day 3 :: files and paperwork 
~Day 4 :: wash sheets; wash delicate laundry; make next week's menu; make grocery list
~Day 5 :: catch-up on any tasks I've missed during the week
~Day 6 :: calendar planning; clip and file coupons; grocery pre-list (I do these tasks on the weekend)

Monthly To Do List ::  {if I miss something this week, I'll catch it next month}
dining room, other miscellaneous {Summer Simplify Challenge}
~Day 1 :: dining room clutter - The dining room is a place to eat.  Duh!  But it can also be a place to set things down to deal with "later".  The corners are perfect for hiding those projects we're trying to ignore or the piles we don't have time to deal with. Today, let's commit to getting the junk out of the dining room so we can enjoy using the space for...well...dining. 

~Day 2 :: clean out files - I have a filing box for things that we need or want to keep indefinitely (like tax and education records).  I have a pretty little file where I keep things for the current year. I have an expandable file for instruction booklets.  Mid-year is a good time to give those files a quick sort-and-toss. 

~Day 3 :: file paperwork - Paperwork is my nemesis (along with laundry and dishes, but don't get me started on those).  I'll use this simple filing system to get the stack of mail and the bulging wall file  sorted and stored in my lovely file box.  Finally (again)! 

~Day 4 :: sort books - We've got books.  Lots of them.  Too many of them. Evaluate if each book is worthy of shelf space.  Also see if the kids have outgrown their book collection. Not all books are worth keeping forever.      

~Day 5 :: bookshelves - After sorting through the books yesterday, today let's take a look at the bookshelves.  See if items are stored in a logical and attractive way, re-arrange or replace decorative items, and clean out the non-book items (such as homeschool supplies). Make the bookshelves look orderly and inviting.    

Are you playing along with the Summer Simplify Challenge?  It's never too late to get our homes in order!  Check it out NOW!

Remember, after the Daily To Do List goes up each weekend, you can easily access a printable version all week long by simply clicking the To-Do List tab at the top of the page (see it up there?). 

Leave a reply »
Jun
08

Daily To Do List {Weekly Plan} :: June 10-16

For Memory...

"but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart
with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which in God's sight is very precious."
(I Peter 3:4)

For Every Day...

Morning To Do List :: {if all else fails, I'll try to do this list every day....even if it takes all day!}
--Quiet time
--Drink water
--Exercise
--Pack lunches
--Make bed
--Shower, dressed, make-up, hair
--Start laundry
--Clean up kitchen and dishes
--Wipe up bathrooms
--Water plants
--Put water bottles in fridge

Afternoon To Do List :: {this will help my day go a whole lot smoother}
--Drink water
--Take vitamin
--Finish and fold laundry
--Early dinner prep
--Update checkbook
--Quick clean-up
--Fix dinner
--Kitchen and dishes cleaned up

For this week...

Weekly To Do List :: {this includes my weekly housecleaning}
~Day 1 :: trash and recycling; clean purse
~Day 2 :: weekly cleaning tasks (ie. vacuum, dust, mop, bathrooms, mirrors, appliance fronts)
~Day 3 :: files and paperwork 
~Day 4 :: wash sheets; wash delicate laundry; make next week's menu; make grocery list
~Day 5 :: catch-up on any tasks I've missed during the week
~Day 6 :: calendar planning; clip and file coupons; grocery pre-list (I do these tasks on the weekend)

Monthly To Do List ::  {if I miss something this week, I'll catch it next month}
Kitchen
~Day 1 :: cups and glasses - whenever someone reaches for a cup or glass, it would be nice if they could actually find one!  In our cabinet, we have lots of cups that are rarely used (i.e. coffee mugs), but we regularly run out of the glasses we use all the time (ie. stemmed water glasses).  Let's get rid of the clutter and store what we keep in a way that reflects our needs.

~Day 2 :: silverware and utensils - stuff tends to collect in the silverware and utensil drawers.  Useless gadgets, medicine cups, twist-ties, broken parts, etc.  Don't ask me where it all comes from.  Any tool, knife, spoon, or piece of who-knows-what that isn't needed should get the boot.  

~Day 3 :: storage containers - we often have lots of lids with very few containers.  I don't know why.  It's something like the "missing sock phenomenon." Every now and then, it's good to sort through the food storage containers and see what is no longer useful.  It's also good to evaluate whether or not the eighty different plastic boxes from restaurants or the deli will ever be used.  Just sayin'.

~Day 4 :: pantry -  with the Summer Simplify Challenge in mind, let's look for clutter that is hiding in the pantry.  Get rid of food that is outdated or will never be eaten.  If it won't be used, it's just clutter!  Then, organize the pantry so things won't get lost (Ahem!). Finally, consider adding some meal ideas to next week's menu plan so some of the forgotten boxes and cans can get used up.

~Day 5 :: refrigerator - just like with the pantry, let's look for the clutter in the refrigerator.  It's a good idea to clean the refrigerator as you go through the week, but it's easy to miss the almost-empty bottles, the outdated salad dressings, and the jar of mustard that looked yummy but turned out to be gross so it's been on the shelf for the last year and a half.  I'm not the only one with that jar, am I? 

Remember, after this post goes up each weekend, you can easily access a printable version all week long by simply clicking the To-Do List tab at the top of the page (see it up there?). And don't forget to check out the Summer Simplify Challenge!

6 replies »
Jun
01

Daily To Do List {Weekly Plan} :: June 3-9

:: THIS WEEK'S DAILY TO DO LIST ::

For Memory...

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness."
(Lamentations 3:22-23)

For Every Day...

Morning To Do List :: {if all else fails, I'll try to do this list every day....even if it takes all day!}
--Quiet time
--Drink water
--Exercise
--Pack lunches
--Make bed
--Shower, dressed, make-up, hair
--Start laundry
--Clean up kitchen and dishes
--Wipe up bathrooms
--Water plants
--Put water bottles in fridge

Afternoon To Do List :: {this will help my day go a whole lot smoother}
--Drink water
--Take vitamin
--Finish and fold laundry
--Early dinner prep
--Update checkbook
--Quick clean-up
--Fix dinner
--Kitchen and dishes cleaned up

For this week...

Weekly To Do List :: {this includes my weekly housecleaning}
~Day 1 :: trash and recycling; clean purse
~Day 2 :: weekly cleaning tasks (ie. vacuum, dust, mop, bathrooms, mirrors, appliance fronts)
~Day 3 :: files and paperwork 
~Day 4 :: wash sheets; wash delicate laundry; make next week's menu; make grocery list
~Day 5 :: catch-up on any tasks I've missed during the week
~Day 6 :: calendar planning; clip and file coupons; grocery pre-list (I do these on the weekend)

Monthly To Do List ::  {if I miss something this week, I'll catch it next month}
Cars, entrances, miscellaneous
~Day 1 :: car clutter - Why, why, why??? Please tell me why our cars are always full of trash, toys, books, and other stuff that doesn't belong there.  Today (right now!) it gets cleaned out.  It's time to toss the trash and gather the other junk into a bag or box so it can all be put away.  Where it belongs.  Which is not in the car.

~Day 2 :: car glove box - The glove  box in my car really should be called the "coupon box" or the "napkin and ketchup box."  I have a sneaking suspicion that coupons with the words Happy New Year are hiding in my mini-van, and I'm also pretty sure there are yucky packs of ketchup and melted tubes of chapstick. Let's get rid of the clutter and make sure that we can find our registration and insurance information if we should need it.  Because it is very embarrassing to frantically search for it when there's a patrolman standing by your car.  Please don't ask me how I know this.      

~Day 3 :: clean inside of cars - After finally getting rid of all the trash and clutter littering the cars, it's time to wipe down and vacuum the inside.  It feels so nice to drive the car when you can't write your name in the dust on the dashboard.  At least, I think it's nice....I don't actually remember what it's like.

~Day 4 :: entrances -  The winter coats can be put away.  The boots can be replaced with flip-flops.  The pool bag can be hung in the place of the hats and scarves.  Take fifteen minutes and tidy up the entrances to the house.  Put away anything that won't be needed this season, and get rid of anything that is clutter (newspapers, extra keys, etc.). 

~Day 5 :: miscellaneous to-do's - Alright.  There are certain things on my list that I just never get around to doing.  There are doctor appointments to schedule, lightbulbs to buy, packages to mail.  This is a good day to knock out some of those little tasks that hang over our heads and just get passed on to "next week."  Here's to a guilt-free summer!

Remember, after this post goes up each weekend, you can easily access a printable version all week long by simply clicking the To-Do List tab at the top of the page (see it up there?). 

Leave a reply »
May
25

Daily To Do List {Weekly Plan} :: May 27-June 2

:: THIS WEEK'S DAILY TO DO LIST ::

For Memory...

"But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint."
(Isaiah 40:31)

For Every Day...

Morning To Do List :: {if all else fails, I'll try to do this list every day....even if it takes all day!}
--Quiet time
--Drink water
--Exercise
--Pack lunches
--Make bed
--Shower, dressed, make-up, hair
--Start laundry
--Clean up kitchen and dishes
--Wipe up bathrooms
--Water plants
--Put water bottles in fridge

Afternoon To Do List :: {this will help my day go a whole lot smoother}
--Drink water
--Take vitamin
--Finish and fold laundry
--Early dinner prep
--Update checkbook
--Quick clean-up
--Fix dinner
--Kitchen and dishes cleaned up

For this week...

Weekly To Do List :: {this includes my weekly housecleaning}
~Day 1 :: trash and recycling; clean purse
~Day 2 :: weekly cleaning tasks (ie. vacuum, dust, mop, bathrooms, mirrors, appliance fronts)
~Day 3 :: files and paperwork 
~Day 4 :: wash sheets; wash delicate laundry; make next week's menu; make grocery list
~Day 5 :: catch-up on any tasks I've missed during the week
~Day 6 :: calendar planning; clip and file coupons; grocery pre-list (I do these tasks on the weekend)

Monthly To Do List ::  {if I miss something this week, I'll catch it next month}
Desk, Garage
~Day 1 :: desk clutter - The desk seems to beg for stacks and piles of random papers and "stuff".  But, seriously, who wants to sit down to work when there are mountains growing all around?!?  Today, let's remove everything from the desk that isn't useful or attractive. 

~Day 2 :: pens and pencils - We have a pencil holder that is jammed full.  I don't think I can fit one more writing instrument in it (believe me, I've tried).  Want to know the funny part?  No one can ever find something to write with when they need it!  It's time to sharpen the broken pencils and get rid of the worn-out pens and dried-up markers. 

~Day 3 :: dust desk - The electronics on the desk attract dust.  Now that we can actually see the top of the desk (since we cleaned it up on day one!), we should wipe away that lovely layer of dust that's on every single surface.  Agreed?

~Day 4 :: garage clutter - One person's garage may take five minutes to clean up.  Another person's may take five entire days!  Just pick one area to clean up right now.  Think of the spot that bugs you the most.  Maybe you're tired of bumping the boxes every time you get out of the van? Do you have to jump over hurdles to put the trash into the cans?  Take care of one trouble spot today, and you just might be motivated to tackle the rest of it at another time!  

~Day 5 :: garage entrance - Many of us enter the house through the garage. Unfortunately, this entrance into the house can become cluttered and dirty very quickly.  Get rid of clutter that is near the entrance and then wipe down the door. Make this area feel clean (even if the garage itself leaves a bit to be desired!).

Remember, after this post goes up each weekend, you can easily access a printable version all week long by simply clicking the To-Do List tab at the top of the page (see it up there?). 

Leave a reply »
May
19

Daily To Do List {Weekly Plan} :: May 20-26

Just a quick reminder that tomorrow, we're starting our Hour a Day Challenge.  We are going to work on our homes for one concentrated hour every single day.  You in?

:: THIS WEEK'S DAILY TO DO LIST ::

For Memory...

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit,
but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests,
but also to the interests of others."
(Philippians 2:2-4)

For Every Day...

Morning To Do List :: {if all else fails, I'll try to do this list every day....even if it takes all day!}
--Quiet time
--Drink water
--Exercise
--Pack lunches
--Make bed
--Shower, dressed, make-up, hair
--Start laundry
--Clean up kitchen and dishes
--Wipe up bathrooms
--Water plants
--Put water bottles in fridge

Afternoon To Do List :: {this will help my day go a whole lot smoother}
--Drink water
--Take vitamin
--Finish and fold laundry
--Early dinner prep
--Update checkbook
--Quick clean-up
--Fix dinner
--Kitchen and dishes cleaned up

For this week...

Weekly To Do List :: {this includes my weekly housecleaning}
~Day 1 :: trash and recycling; clean purse
~Day 2 :: weekly cleaning tasks (ie. vacuum, dust, mop, bathrooms, mirrors, appliance fronts)
~Day 3 :: files and paperwork 
~Day 4 :: wash sheets; wash delicate laundry; make next week's menu; make grocery list
~Day 5 :: catch-up on any tasks I've missed during the week
~Day 6 :: calendar planning; clip and file coupons; grocery pre-list (I do these on the weekend)

Monthly To Do List ::  {if I miss something this week, I'll catch it next month}
Master bedroom
~Day 1 :: remove obvious clutter - For some reason, the master bedroom easily becomes a clutter zone.  We think we'll set something down until we have the time to put it away properly. Then, we start working on the laundry and realize we'll never, ever have the time to put things away properly.  Let's make the time today!  

~Day 2 :: baseboards and dusting - Winter has left a layer of dust everywhere.  A quick, dry cloth to the baseboards will help us remember their original color (who knew they weren't naturally grey?) The furniture could use a wipe-down, too.

~Day 3 :: windows - There is some sort of science project growing on my window ledges.  A very gross science project.  The damp and dark of winter is giving way to the breezy and bright of spring.  It's time to destroy the crud that built up on the windows over the winter so we can enjoy the view without cringing.  

~Day 4 :: sort clothes - With warmer weather here, it's a good time to pull out the short-sleeves, pack away the long-sleeves, and get rid of the clothes we wouldn't be caught dead in.  Oh, we could also get rid of those items that make fun of the fact that we're no longer the same size we were in high school.  They aren't kind and shouldn't be allowed to hang around. 

~Day 5 :: closet clutter - That clutter that gets piled on the bedroom floor (see Day 1), often migrates to the bedroom closet.  Ahhh, the joy of looking into the closet without looking around  a bunch of stuff that doesn't belong there.

Remember, after this post goes up each weekend, you can easily access a printable version all week long by simply clicking the To-Do List tab at the top of the page (see it up there?). 

Leave a reply »
May
11

Daily To Do List {Weekly Plan} :: May 13-19

:: THIS WEEK'S DAILY TO DO LIST ::

For Memory...

"Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever."
(Psalm 73:25-26)

For Every Day...

Morning To Do List :: {if all else fails, I'll try to do this list every day....even if it takes all day!}
--Quiet time
--Drink water
--Exercise
--Pack lunches
--Make bed
--Shower, dressed, make-up, hair
--Start laundry
--Clean up kitchen and dishes
--Wipe up bathrooms
--Water plants
--Put water bottles in fridge

Afternoon To Do List :: {this will help my day go a whole lot smoother}
--Drink water
--Take vitamin
--Finish and fold laundry
--Early dinner prep
--Update checkbook
--Quick clean-up
--Fix dinner
--Kitchen and dishes cleaned up

For this week...

Weekly To Do List :: {this includes my weekly housecleaning}
~Day 1 :: trash and recycling; clean purse
~Day 2 :: weekly cleaning tasks (ie. vacuum, dust, mop, bathrooms, mirrors, appliance fronts)
~Day 3 :: files and paperwork 
~Day 4 :: wash sheets; wash delicate laundry; make next week's menu; make grocery list
~Day 5 :: catch-up on any tasks I've missed during the week
~Day 6 :: calendar planning; clip and file coupons; grocery pre-list (I do these tasks on the weekend)

Monthly To Do List ::  {if I miss something this week, I'll catch it next month}
Living room, stairs, hall
~Day 1 :: living room clutter - Somehow, newspapers, books, magazines, legos, and video games always seem to litter the living room.  At least for one day, those things will be sorted and either put away or thrown away.  Boy, won't that be nice!

~Day 2 :: living room baseboards - A winter's worth of dust needs wiped off the baseboards.  A simple dry cloth or a vacuum cleaner fitted with the furniture brush will do the job.

~Day 3 :: stairs and hall clutter - Stuff gets piled on our stairs and in our upstairs hall.  Drives me crazy!  Today, let's put the "stuff" away or give it the 'ol boot!

~Day 4 :: stairs and hall baseboards - Just like in the living room earlier this week, the baseboards on the stairs and in the hall (upstairs and down) will be cleaned quickly with a dry cloth or the furniture brush on the vacuum. 

~Day 5 :: vacuum stairs and hall - At my house, the steps and upstairs hall only get vacuumed occasionally.  This is their lucky day!

Remember, after this post goes up each weekend, you can easily access a printable version all week long by simply clicking the To-Do List tab at the top of the page (see it up there?). 

Leave a reply »