Getting organized

Ever since my semi-trusty Palm went on the fritz last summer, I've been engaged in an on-again, off-again quest for more organization in my life.

I tried FLY-Lady for awhile, but the old apartment had too big a head start on me in terms of mess and general chaos; I just couldn't get hold of it. Now that we've moved into a new place, I feel as if I have a fresh slate, a clean plate, as it were. I'm starting to get back into my "habits of tidiness", although I have yet to get all the way back to FLY-Lady's way.

I'm also getting back into paper-paced systems again. Doug Johnson's DIY Planner site is a wonderful place to start on this. It's got lots of templates to play with, made not only by him, but also a lot made by other users. It's all open source, using Open Office to build everything, so you can build your own if you like. Whatever size planner you may be using or want to use, there are templates that size. I was using the Classic size for awhile (5.5" x 8.5"), but I got tired of lugging the "Book of Doom" everywhere. Now I'm playing with the Hipster size; I can print them on 3" x 5" index cards, so it's a much smaller bundle. I buy lined cards and print the templates on the blank side, leaving the lined side for notes and details. Doug also has lots of links to other useful sites, so check it out.

A Decent Night's Sleep

Last night I got the best night's sleep that I've had in awhile. After a week's worth of insomnia, I finally got a couple of my prescriptions filled that I'd missed when I got the rest done. Neither of these is specifically for sleep; they just help to make the stress lie down and be quiet so that I can sleep. Here's hoping that tonight goes as well.

Insomnia

I have at least one night of insomnia every week. Usually, it's Sunday night, so I wind up fried at work on Monday. This week, it was last night. I just could not fall asleep. I went to bed at 10 (which is actually kind of late for me these days, what with getting up at 4:30 every workday morning); by 11:30 I was ready to admit defeat. I figured it was better to get up and do something with the time than to lie in bed wishing I was asleep and getting frustrated. I also figured that it might improve my odds of sleeping well tonight. We'll see how that goes. So I turned the TV back on, and got out my knitting. I did finally go to sleep, at about 4, I think. Woke up at 8 feeling fine. I think I'm going to bed early tonight.

Labels

Today, I'm starting to use Blogger's "label" feature to add tags to my posts. I've added tags to some of my most recent entries, but I'm not going to go back and do it to all of them unless somebody asks me.

I'm also trying to work out a way to add tags to my computer files, to make it easier to search for things. I think I've figured out how to make Windows XP do it, but it will mean visiting each and every file to add keywords to the properties, and that's a pretty daunting task. I may have to tackle it in chunks. I understand that Windows Vista can do this more easily, but I'm not going to upgrade any time soon, for several reasons:

1. I can't afford it right now
2. I can't afford the upgrades that I'll need to make to my computer to make it Vista-ready
3. I hear there are still more than a few kinks in the system, and I'd rather wait for a more friendly version of it.
   

Saturday Morning

One of the things that I really love about our new home is Saturday mornings.

To clarify, allow me to describe my morning so far:

I slept in until 8am (which when you get up at 4:30 during the week, is quite late indeed). Honey had made coffee, so all I had to do was go fetch it from the kitchen and bring in the morning paper from the front stoop. Then I brought both paper and coffee back to bed, where I sat for an hour or so with Honey, drinking coffee, reading the paper and watching cartoons.

When I was done with the paper, I made my side of the bed, got dressed, and came out to the corner of the living room that serves as my office, opening doors and windows on the way. The weather is so beautiful today: sunny and mild with just enough breeze to keep the air fresh. I turned on my computer, and poured another cup of coffee while I started checking email.

I thought about turning on the TV to watch the crafty shows that the DVR had recorded during the week. But I realized that the neighborhood is quiet this morning, and I like it. I have birds singing on three sides, and somewhere a woodpecker is at work on a tree. Honey is still in bed, alternating between watching cartoons and sleeping to them.

Although there are things that I should do today - dishes, the household books, and sometime today I have to walk up to the store (I love that I can walk to the store here!) - there is nothing that absolutely requires my attention right now. So I've been able to use this morning as a little vacation, if you will. Taking time for myself, doing nothing more important than check my mail and read other people's blogs.

I love it here!