Procrastination...

Everytime I read that word, I sing it to the tune of "The Inquisition...here we go..." from "History of the World, Part I". You know, Mel Brooks movie? Now I will be singing that for the rest of the day.

So, anyway, I am a world class procrastinator. If I have something important I should be doing, you know I will put it off as long as possible. Even if it's a task that I enjoy, like organizing a file system...At any rate, since I am not getting any younger, we have lived in this house for over 3 years now, knowing there are tasks I need to complete is bad for my spiritual energy...Here is a list of the tasks I have been putting off and need to get to. Perhaps having them out there, you all read them and know my shame, will spur me on to complete at least one task a week.

1. Edge my yard. I am in charge of most outdoor chores (I tend to enjoy them), and studmuffin bought me my electric edger 2 years ago. I have yet to use it. Yikes.
2. Strip wallpaper in bathroom and paint the walls. (we've lived here 3 years and this house still looks like the previous owner's - if a little dirtier.)
3. Strip wallpaper and border in kitchen. See above. Not my style. And I hate wallpaper.
4. Reorganize my MOMS Club files. (I've only been president for over a year.)
5. Clean carpets. (3 years of letting my kids eat in the living room and 5 cats puking have left their marks. And yes, I do clean up the vomit, but it leaves a stain.)
6. Dust the house...well. And keep it up. With our allergies the way they are, this is bordering on neglectful.
7. Adopt a healthier lifestyle: My mom had a heart attack at the very young age of 35. That, plus my weight, add up to a nasty set of risk factors. I need to start exercizing and eating better. In that spirit, I have started another blog documenting my weight loss adventures. check out http://missysweightyadventures.blogspot.com/ Or just go to my profile page and click on the link there. And wish me luck.
8. Figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Bizarre, I know. My daughter starts school full time next year, so I have a year to plan the next stage of my life. I know I would like to go back to school, but I need to have a job to pay for it first, and I don't want to waste the time or money until I know what I want to study. So I need to work on finding a way to make money next year, and I have the luxury of taking time to find something I may actually enjoy. From there, I can work on what I want to study. If anyone has any ideas, please, I'm listening.
9. Adopt a meditation and yoga practice. I know this will help me with my anxiety and depression issues, and I need to take more control of my health.
10. Develop and adopt daily and weekly routines. Again, will help with anxiety and depression issues, will help me become more organized and a better mother, will help my kids (kids thrive on routine, right?), etc. I am so not a routine-oriented person, so this will be a toughy.
11. Make jam from those blackberries I picked the other day. I should be able to complete this one today... (edited at 4:42PM the same day - I made the jam and it is good.)

Ok, I know there's probably plenty more I am putting off, but this is a beginning. I can always add to it. Obviously some of these are very concrete - painting, organizing - while some are more long-term and will take a certain amount of commitment. But all are important...and I intend to put some energy into completing, or at least working on, these tasks each week.
Again, wish me luck...and a lot of energy.