Time Management

Four 'o Clock or Marvel of Peru

I'm trying hard to get back into my routines and get my house at least as good as it was before I went on vacation. I tend to be a horrible procrastinator about a lot of things, especially when it comes to cleaning up. I have gotten better about picking up after myself, especially when I'm working in the kitchen, putting things away as soon as I've measured out what I need.  I just need to work on doing the same thing everywhere else!

It is very easy for me to sit down in front of the computer and get sucked in for hours. I have every intention of getting up and doing something else "in a minute" or "when I finish this" but sometimes the minute stretches out to an hour and sometimes when the project is finished it's waaaaay past my bedtime. A lot of this comes from what I am doing here. I don't play games, actually I'm mostly working. I have 3 other blogs besides this one, ( there are links to these over on the right) I belong to 3 forums, I write articles on Squidoo and I make products over on Zazzle, all in addition to my own website, Face Book and now Google+. whew, no wonder I need more hours in a day! Oh and not to mention taking photos of everything which then have to be edited before I can post them anywhere.

So what I am trying out is that every time I sit down at the computer I set my timer; usually for 15 minutes. When it goes off I get up and do another task from my list. This way I am not sitting for such long periods at once, I'm still getting things done online and I am also getting things done around the house. So here are a few things I have accomplished the last couple of days.

planting daffodil & tulip bulbs

planted purple pansies along the edge

Star Jasmine storm damage

Star Jasmine after clean up

a cleaner desk

Another 15 Minutes in the Kitchen

Kitchen after a second 15 minute session

Alright, I know I'm not done in here, but there is a vast improvement! I did that first 15 minute session in my last post a couple of days ago and of course since then more stuff accumulated on the counter.

So I put away all the clean dishes in the drainer and then set my timer. In 15 minutes I had all the dirty dishes done up, one counter and the stove wiped down, some bags of groceries put away and lots of trash gone.

And I made a dent in another counter. So now there are few dishes in the sink from over there. But that's ok, I'll get to them this evening when I wash up after dinner. I might even make inroads on the counter to the left of the sink!

I've Been Such a Slacker!

kitchen, before I did 15 minutes

Oh boy! I have been such a slacker! Since I came home from Italy and jumped right back into full time work, along with trying to get some painting done, writing over at Squidoo and making new things for my Zazzle shop, I have sorely neglected my routines and my house!

But all is not lost! With my trusty timer I can do anything for 15 minutes! See what that short amount of time did for my kitchen.

Kitchen, after the first 15 minute session

Yes, I have a ways to go to get back to where I was before I left on vacation, but I know I can do it 15 minutes at a time. I also know that if I stick with it, I can get everything done that needs doing, I just need to keep my eye on the prize and persevere!

Getting Back in the Groove...

sunflower field

It's really been hard getting back in the groove! Next time I'll take an extra few days at the end of vacation to unpack and get caught up before returning to work. In the meantime my timer has become my best friend. I have to set it for 15 minutes every time I sit down at my desk, otherwise I would never get up off the computer and get anything done!

I am still editing photos and trying to finish up blog posts about my trip. I'm also selecting photos to add to products in my Zazzle shop and to use for paintings. Hopefully I'll get back to our daily decluttering sessions over the weekend!

In the meantime the folks over at Get Organized are having a 20% off Everything Sale!
20% Off Any Order at ShopGetOrganized.com. Use Promo Code AG090811, now through 9/12

Home Again!

fresh fruit outside a village shop

Well it is certainly nice to be home again, although I could easily live in Italy! It is so lush and green. All along the country roads there is food going to waste, figs, blackberries, apples, plums, pears, nuts, even an occasional grape vine. In some spots even a little wild thyme, chamomile and other herbs and of course in the woods are tons of mushrooms and truffles. Mmmmm. But it was good to come home and sleep in my own bed. It was also nice to discover that I actually lost 5 pounds while gone on vacation, eating so much fresh fruit and salad!

I arrived home on Sunday morning and after looking around and doing a few things like unpacking my suitcase and starting a load of laundry I took a nap all afternoon! The jet lag was catching up with me. I did a little more on Monday, working outside in my garden while it was cool and catching up on email and things when it warmed up. Today I had to go to work. After being gone for 3 weeks it was about the last thing I wanted to do. I am really looking forward to the day I can stay home all the time!

So of course now I still have photos to edit and a few more Italian adventures to relate over on my art blog, The Artist's Way. While I did empty the suitcase I haven't put everything away yet, I imagine it will take me a few days to get everything sorted out and get back in the swing of things.