December 2009

I’m working on not sleeping in even though I’m on a stay-cation.

I couldn’t wait to break into our cinnamon chip bread.

I made a quick breakfast of oven-broiled toast with real butter and a fried cage free egg with coffee – 1/2 Christmas Blend + 1/2 Peppermint Creme.

How-to Multi-task Errands

I love to multi-task it when I’m doing errands. I feel like, when done correctly, I can get so much more accomplished than when I take things step by step.

Step 1 – create a list of tasks.

Step 2 – note whether a task takes a short duration or long duration and which ones need 100% attention (vacuuming) and which ones can be left alone (laundry)

Step 3 – start a long duration, no-attention-needed task. While Task 1 works, do some of the shorter tasks. When Task 1 needs your attention again, work on it or complete it, and repeat Step 3.

Continue till you’ve completed all the errands you’d like.

Example:

Today, I had the following on my task list:

• a load or laundry – long – no-attention
• groom Bailey – short – attention required
• find a recipe for my new blender – short – attention required
• lunch – short – attention required
• mop bathroom 1 – short – attention required
• mop bathroom 2 – short – attention required
• sew a fabric gift – long – attention required
• design business cards – long – attention required

I multi-tasked some of my errrands:

• I started by putting my laundry in my washing machine.
• While my laundry ran, I turned Food TV on in the background. I sketched out some ideas for business cards. I consulted my Martha Stewart cleaning bible to see the best way to mop my bathrooms. I groomed Bailey. I noticed a meal on Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller that used a blender to make a yummy tomato sauce. I printed the recipe (click for recipe).
• When my laundry was done with the wash cycle, I hung the hang-dry clothes, moved the rest to the dryer and got the dryer going.
• While my clothes dried, hubby surprised me by bringing a friend over to show them the house. I was utterly and completely embarrassed by the state of the house, but helped hubby give our friend a tour. After our friend left, I mopped both bathrooms. Next, I had lunch. I started pre-washing my fabrics for my craft project. I watched a blue heron fly across my yard and into my neighbor’s yard. I browsed my new cookbooks and selected recipes to try out in the next week, possibly for Eat in Month Challenge.
• Then, it was time to fold my laundry.

Next on the agenda:

• iron/fold cleaned craft fabric
• rug shopping
• basement furniture shopping
• plastic bin shopping
• sorting + organizing in the house
• maybe some other stuff…we’ll see how productive we are

Dear Bloggers…

Please…PLEASE…stop saying “Viola!” when you mean to say “Voila!” A “viola” is a musical instrument. “Voila!” is said when you want to express something like “Ta-da!” Not everyone does this, but I’ve seen it on so many blogs…you know who you are.

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