We’re in the process of cleaning out all of our computers and backing up the info on external hard drives. So what, you ask? I just found some old information that made me laugh. I have mentioned that I’m no where near as anal and organized as I used to be.
During the good ole days of list making and making lists of the lists and then cross referencing those lists on a whole schematic I would spend hours if not days perfecting those dear lists. Those of you who are list makers yourselves understand.
And I give you one example of how crazy I was. Here is a screen shot of part of a three page document listing 22 stores and every single piece of information I could find about them. This was for my shopping trip to New York in 2005.
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Notice:
- They are in alpha-numeric order
- I’ve got everything listed including hours of operation; address(es); metro directions
- The metros are color coordinated
- I’ve got the sales tax listed at the top of each page
- I’ve annotated what the store is if it wasn’t well known to me
Anal Retentive? Uh, just a little.
Now, here’s an example of my new way of list making: The plans for our Florida trip:
I jest, but it’s not as far from the truth as the old me shutters to realize.
I’m thinking I may need to go back to the old way of doing things if I want to feel in control of my life. Either that or start relying on God to show me where I’m disorganized and show me how to rearrange some things in my life. Hmmm….
Not So SAHM 
Personally I don’t make lists I’m so disorganized I can’t even find the skills to do that. Fortunately my husband is an anal list maker so we get by. Funny post.
That first list makes me laugh…. dunno why, cause I’m pretty much the same way. My only difference with the first one is that I would have marked them on my laminated pop-up map of Manhattan as well as making the list.
Shoot for somewhere in between the two. It will restore some of your sense of order but not let it get to the point where the list controls you.
I would make a list for a trip or to go to the store but we know how I love to lose them. 🙂 I stopped making lists for house projects beyond needed supplies. It was too depressing. Cross one thing off; add three more.
I actually didn’t think it was possible to find someone more a-retentive than me…but it actually is true! The only thing I WOULDN’T have done on your list is color-code the subway (I would have highlighted the map and figured out the shortest and most efficient route)!
Tori: “laminated pop-up map” I love it. I’m going to make one of those next time. Maybe we can just go together and use yours.
Mike: My highlighted map made the rounds all around NYC and was promptly thrown away when leaving the city to ensure than no more germs than necessary came home with us. 🙂
I am a list maker – but I am the worst kind of list maker. I make oodles of lists and then promptly forget about said list and do nothing on the list. I think list making calms me down, so I guess it has its place.
Ah…I remember being quietly freaked out by the itinerary for the NYC trip! Mainly because I didn’t help at all – it was a good thing you did it or we would have been wandering around like -ugh- tourists gaping at all the tall buildings!
I’m all over the Florida list…..it’s the cute little pictures that make it!
I love the new list. You can’t doodle on the computer….
Girl, I type my lists. Even my grocery lists. I’m not ashamed.
Remind me to post my Disney list for next winter…I’m not ashamed of it, either.
HAHAHAHA!!!! Oh . . . . I am SUCH a detailed list maker. It’s like a chronic illness, really, in that it’s often debilitating. LOL!