GAAAAAHHH!
It’s here! SHU’s book arrived yesterday! I’ve never known anyone personally who’s written a book, so that was exciting enough. But then… in Chapter 6, “Planning Your Day With Intention (Because Every Day Counts)”, she mentions ME! Little old me! Sarah asked me months ago if this was okay, and of course I said yes, but I just kind of assumed it would be edited out somewhere in the process. When I turned to that chapter and saw my name, I almost dropped the book. I cannot wait to read this entire book, and it’s not just because she mentions me, or because I know Sarah. I really feel like I connect with Sarah’s philosophy behind planning. The point of planning isn’t just to show up on time to our dental appointments and remember to get the car serviced… it’s so that we can live our lives as fully as possible, and make the most of our finite and precious days. While I’ve gotten better about planning, I definitely feel like I need some help. I’m good about the weekly planning (and yes, I show up on time to my dental appointments) but I have trouble with big picture planning. Every January I choose a word for the year, and by February I’ve forgotten all about it. I have Kendra Achachi’s seasonal planning notebooks (oh yes, coincidentally gifted to me by Sarah!) and I start them at the beginning of each season, but then never go back to look at them. I feel like I’m cobbling life together as I go, and things are going pretty well. But with some better planning, I could be living a bigger life, and I’m ready for that. I have a planning day coming up… BUT FIRST. I’ve shared the drama with my cat Charlotte. She was sick, she had a stroke, I spent a week caring for a VERY special needs cat, then we had to say goodbye. Now that I’m coming out of that funk, I’ve realized that oh yes, Christmas is still coming. IN ONE WEEK. AAAAUUUUUGH!!!!!!!!! You guys- I don’t think I’ve ever been this far behind. I’m still ordering gifts. Nothing has been wrapped. I haven’t done any baking. The house is a wreck (and we host guests for Christmas Eve). Of course I still have work- I have to fit in a long run- and on Sunday I’m spending the entire day driving my daughter and friends to Orlando for an anime convention. At first I was bemoaning the “loss” of that day. But… wait a minute. I COULD spend my time in Orlando (I’ll have many hours to kill while they’re at the convention) running all over the place looking for last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers. OR, I could get as much done as possible before then, and take that day on Sunday as a planning day. I’ll find a Barnes and Noble, and sit with my new planner, Sarah’s book, and a cup (or two) of tea and just relax. Christmas will still come and everyone will have gifts to open. The house may not be spotless (but hopefully our guests will be distracted by how cute Foxy is- they haven’t met him yet). All will be well! Do you consider yourself a good planner? Are you ready for Christmas???