Thursday, July 16, 2009

Spin Cycle: Routines

My Summer Routine:

1. Wake up early

2. Yoga stretches

3. Meditation and prayer

4. Water the plants

5. Coffee and writing (blog post plus minimum 2,000 words per day on book)

6. Blog reading

7. Exercise walk with border collie

8. Shower, then various activities, which could be

a. Reading

b. More writing

c. House project

d. Prepping for next school year

e. Watching TV or DVDs

f. Beach Day

g. Errand day


h. Something fun and out of the ordinary

HA!!!!! That WAS the plan…

Most days it looks a lot more like this….

1. Wake up kind of early.


2. Coffee and blog reading (sometimes, but not always writing a blog post first thing in the morning).


3. More coffee and more blog reading


4. Telling myself I will work on the book later


5. Water the plants and walk the dog


6. Shower, then various activities, which could be...


a. Reading


b. More writing


c. House project


d. Prepping for next school year


e. Watching TV or DVDs


f. Beach Day


g. Something fun and out of the ordinary


But am often waylaid by...

Errands

Helping SOMEONE ELSE with something on his or her list.

A whole bunch of crap and basic home decluttering that is somewhat a blur but seems to have taken up a lot of my summer.

And since I have the questionable ability to connect most life moments with a scene from Friends, I give you THE ROUTINE, a la Ross and Monica.



If I don't get to writing more of the book, who's going to be the loser then?
Ah. Well. At least I am having fun.

For more Spins on routines, head on over to Sprite's Keeper.

38 comments:

StaceyC4 said...

That episode of Friends is one of mine and my son's all time favorites!! I don't know how they did that with a straight face!!

darsden said...

You are busy regardless which list you are using for the day.. mine is very similar..wake up, coffee, read, comment, water 16 acres and plants, Drink 8 20oz of water a day go to bed ...get up in the middle of the night because of all the water. YAY that's my day

cheatymoon said...

I have never seen that episode. I think I've missed a lot of it, actually. More TV catch-up for me. (That has been on my list to do, and I'm not doing that either. Damn you, interwebs).

I am woefully out of any routine at all this summer, but in a good way.

I'm glad you are having fun. :-)

Liz Mays said...

I get distracted from my intentions on a daily basis. It's maddening but yet, in my case, it's my own fault.

I don't think I knew you were writing a book. I like this newfound knowledge!

Nicole said...

To be honest, I don't even think about making routines.. because if I were to do that, I'd be hard on myself if I didn't follow them.

But as long as you're still happy after making a routine and not following it, then so be it!

Anonymous said...

I'm on the opposite coast and do 1-5 every day. My 6 varies.

It's the moon. Don't fight it.

Amy said...

What a fun day. I love the Monica and Russ for sure. I miss that show.

Kristan said...

Oh, haha, I was about to say, 2k words a day, DAYAM!

Sprite's Keeper said...

I love this! I was thinking about "the routine" when I posted the topic! How funny!
I love how I will take a mental health day with the objective of house cleaning, errand running, mind relaxation, maybe a good read, and instead I end up blogging with a side of laundry.
Your list is a lot like mine! You're linked!

mo.stoneskin said...

Minimum of 2000 words a day? That's crazy. I'm gobsmacked.

Aleta said...

Blogging and reading blogs is a time sucker, but it's worth it to meet new people and enjoy sharing stories. I like the routine, or at least, the attempt at the routine. For me, the routine is rather standard and simple.

Duchess said...

I missed the part about the book too. What is it?

2000 words a day is too tall an order. I think Trollope did 1000 before he went to work at the post office. Sometimes it shows.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Routine? Oh, wouldn't it be wonderful.

However, your days sound pretty full and with the few weeks you have off a year, maybe not having one is okay.

Go to the beach for me, okay?

Captain Dumbass said...

One thing I really enjoyed about not having my computer for two weeks was how much writing I was able to do.

Anonymous said...

No set schedule is what summer is all about. Relax and enjoy it. I've read about your book in previous posts. Looking forward to it.

Anonymous said...

I was thinking you were a perfect saint style person (as Bridget Jones would say) following such a routine... I was jealous and impressed by your dedication.

I was relieved to find you were actually keeping a schedule much more like mine. Now I don't have to feel inadequate. :)

PS: I love Monica's and Ross' dance routine. So funny!

K Dubs said...

That was funny - I missed that episode!
And in addition to getting up every morning, I go to bed each night. There. Routine. :)

Mike said...

My list:
Wake up
Go to work
Blog
Bedtime!
LOL! I am such a simple guy!!!

Beth said...

How well I know this of what you speak of. I had great plans to clean out the entire house. I did manage to clean out my bedroom and the kitchen. We just need to de-clutter!

Keep having fun and enjoying the down time. You deserve it!

Joanna Jenkins said...

I know what you're talking about! I just realized it's the MIDDLE of JULY and I haven't done anything yet this summer!
Love the Friends clip :-)

Angie Ledbetter said...

Hey, we have this part of our routines in common:

3. More coffee and more blog reading. :)

Maureen at IslandRoar said...

Fun is important. Planning is overrated.

Fragrant Liar said...

I loved your first list. That's my ideal day! Unfortunately, I must go to the J.O.B. (sometimes I get there kinda early, but mostly never), and then try to work off my arse, and then come home and blog and then go to bed and do it all over again. And what happened to my book you ask? Hell if I know!

Anonymous said...

I had a similar routine for a while. Yesterday that cruel exercise section I included on my list of things to do has today left me powerless and unable to move without whining. The only part of my body that is able to move is my fingers (for random internet surfing) and my eyes (for watching the Friends clip you posted) ... Never make lists, they are dangerous!

Dingo said...

Ahh, yes, routines. I even made a schedule, printed it out, and posted it on my computer. It mocks me daily. I think I would've been better served had I stuck with coming up with a dance routine. Hey, it's not too late! I can stick it between my 4:15 Solve World Hunger and 4:25 Nap.

Unknown said...

Lists. Right. Gotta have 'em but don't have to love 'em.

2000 words a day is asking a lot of yourself but only you know what you can do or not do so good luck to you Pseudo; it's a fantastic goal.

Cajoh said...

Stopping by from Spin Cycle.

Yes… I too suffer from too many responsibilities which detract from my doing something fun. Too often I get home and my wife is hungry, so I have to start making dinner. Then after dinner I have to wash the dishes and clean up after myself. Then, and only then can I sit and relax and perhaps get some TV in before I go into bed.

Oh how I would love to just go to the beach or something instead…

Great spin.

Mama Badger said...

Sometimes I think it's harder to have a routine when there's nothing enforcing it (a job, work). That stuff gives us bounderies.

It sounds like you're having a great summer so far, though!

Cristin said...

Thanks for the Monica and Ross giggles.... dorkalicious.

Stacy Uncorked said...

I absolutely love that episode of Friends... :)

Cool! You're writing a book! Like blueviolet said, I like this new found knowledge! :)

I really need to schedule some sort of routine for myself...might make me a little less scatterbrained some days...or not. ;)

Shangrila said...

Heehee-love the Friends clip! Maybe you could write a book about blogging?

Cynthia said...

OK...Monica and Ross were hilarious!

Christy said...

Oh that is so funny. I have a schedule I like to stick to too...and this would be fun to write about! Great post.

Just Be Real said...

Routine, what is a routine? ;)

anymommy said...

Fun is really really important. Put it first, although, that book won't write itself. Seriously, you are so motivated, it's impressive. It should be inspiring, but so far, no.

Girl Tornado said...

As I started to read this post, I thought, is she really sticking to this routine?? Then I laughed out loud as you mentioned what's REALLY happening each day. Isn't that how it always goes? The best laid plans... gawd, do I know about that!

Smart Mouth Broad said...

My plans always seem to get waylaid. I'm easily distracted and not very committed to my schedule. *sigh*

Casey said...

Man, I was gonna say... when I read your first schedule I thought you were living the life. Then real life got in the way, I know all about that. Hope you're enjoying your summer, it sounds like you're able to fit some fun in with the other stuff.