March is International Women’s month, did you know that? I had every intention of writing a blog post over the weekend about women who have inspired me, but you know what happens to the best laid plans… I ended up with the flu and in my fevered state, I found myself rambling and darn near writing a book. Yes, I will write a post by month’s end, though homework also interrupts my writing more than I care to admit. For now let’s celebrate National List Day. I am a day late on this too, must be the story of my life.
I love lists! I love making them and I love checking items off my to do list. As I draw a line over a chore or errand I feel a sense of accomplishment, even if I have done nothing more than mopping my kitchen floor. Lists make me feel more organized, in fact my lists may be the only thing I am good at organizing. I am fascinated with other people’s lists, as if I am learning a great secrete about that person. Books with the word list in the title hold a special place in my heart, and books about lists? Oh how I love them.
So, just for fun and a chance to get to know each other better, I have compiled a list of my favorite lists and hope you, dear Reader will share yours with me. So here we go!
Reading Notes:
Whenever I am reading, whether the book be fiction or non-fiction I keep a note book by my side (of course for my e-books I have a built in note feature) . On these lists I have words or phrases I want to look up, people or events I want to know more about and if I am reading a book to review, a list of things I want to talk about in post. I even have a separate list of quotes.
Book Lists:
Like most readers I have a list of future titles I would like to read. My list is broken in two; one is for books I am willing to buy new, and a list of used books I would like. Now that I have an e-reader, I have added one more list to the pile. I also list the books I have read over the year, though I have to be honest and say towards the end of the year, I don’t add to the list like I should.
Shopping Lists:
We all make shopping lists, because there is nothing like coming home from the store only to find we have forgotten an important item. This usually happens to me when I am preparing for a dinner party. Not only do I make shopping lists, I note how many of each item I will need, as if I am afraid once I am in the store, I will become brain dead and cannot think for myself. I know my weakness, so when I go shopping for clothing I make a list of what I want. I can easily become distracted by clearance signs and bright shiny objects.
Chore and Errand Lists:
Every Saturday morning I make a list of things I need to do over the weekend. This can be anything from cleaning to doing certain homework assignments. This keeps me on track ,as it is way too easy for me to sit in front of the computer for hours on end, or lose myself in a good book. I also have weekly lists. Just today, I knocked two things off my list; I sent out the Frank Delaney books and returned three library books. Speaking of the library, yes I have a list of books I want to borrow.
Christmas Gift Lists:
No, surprisingly I don’t list gifts I want to give, rather my Christmas list is made up of gifts I have bought. I started keeping this type of list after one Christmas of buying way to much. Four years ago I started my shopping early and did not keep track of what I bought. When I sat down in early December to wrap presents, my son’s pile looked like he had won a shopping spree. I vowed not to go that over board again, so not only do I keep a list, I make sure I have a box to put his gifts in. When it starts to become full, I know I am done.
Over the years I have listed things I like about myself, things I would like to change and once, a list of qualities I wanted in a man. I find having things down on paper help me commit to action. Sometimes lists help me make decisions. Many of my life’s big decisions have come down to pro and con lists. For whatever reason, a list is one the best ways I know to gather my thoughts or clear a path for my next goal. No wonder I love lists, looking back I can see every step in my life’s journey has started with a list.
So now it is your turn, tell us about your lists, or if you don’t use lists, why. I love to hear from my readers.
Sari
The View From Sari's World 