Thursday To Do List

 

To-Do List Thursday

Thursday, June 11th

This week has absolutely flown by! Before I knew it, Thursday had arrived, and honestly, I’m feeling pretty good about where I stand with my errands and responsibilities.

Today, I don’t have any errands to run after work, which feels like a little victory. I may stop and pick up dinner on the way home, but otherwise, I think I’ve managed to get everything taken care of for the week. Well… almost everything. I still need to get my nails filled. I’m not sure yet whether I’ll do that Friday evening after work or Saturday morning before we head to Norman, Oklahoma, for the Cheap Trick concert Saturday night. Either way, it needs to happen soon!

This morning started a little differently than usual. Mr. C wasn’t feeling very well when he woke up. As many of you know, his health isn’t always the best, and it always worries me when he’s feeling more down than normal. He looked at me this morning and asked, “Can I ask you a big favor? Will you pack your lunch today?” Of course, that wasn’t a problem at all. We already knew what I was taking, so all I had to do was gather everything together.

If you happen to think about it today, I’d appreciate any good thoughts, prayers, or positive vibes you could send his way. I’m hoping he’ll start feeling better soon.

Since I’ve been trying to be more intentional with my time lately, I’ve created a new to-do list for the next few days.

First, I want to order a new capri outfit for summer. However, I’ve made a deal with myself: I can’t place the order until I’ve gone through my closet and donated at least 20 items. I already have a couple of outfits picked out, so choosing isn’t the hard part. Letting go of clothes I no longer need is the challenge! Hopefully, that little reward system will motivate me to tackle the closet sooner rather than later.

Second, I need to finish Moira’s journal. I’m hoping to carve out enough time this weekend to complete it and get it mailed. I’ve already received hers, and it was absolutely fantastic. When I compare mine to hers, I sometimes feel like mine is lacking. But she has always seemed to enjoy my journals, so I’m trying not to be too hard on myself.

Third, I’d like to hop on Swap-bot and find a few quick-turnaround swaps. I’m thinking maybe a letter-writing swap, a postcard swap, and a happy mail swap. For those unfamiliar with happy mail, it’s basically a collection of fun little goodies like memo sheets, stickers, scrapbook paper, to-do lists, and other crafty bits and pieces that can be used in junk journals and creative projects. They’re always fun to put together and even more fun to receive.

Fourth, when I get home this evening, I plan to spend a little time in my craft room. Last night I bought another storage tote, and my goal is to gather all of my stickers into one place. Right now, they’re scattered through various drawers and containers. Having them all together will save me a lot of time searching when I need them.

Fifth, I need to sit down and make a meal plan. It’s been a while since I’ve cooked a full meal at home, and I think it’s time. Right now, I’m leaning toward a chicken pasta dish that’s similar to one from Olive Garden. I’ve made it before, and we both really enjoyed it. The best part is that it works well in the slow cooker. I’m even considering putting a little Southwestern spin on it by adding a few extra ingredients and some spice. We both enjoy flavorful food, so that sounds pretty tempting.

Overall, I’m just trying to stay productive and intentional with my time. I’ve realized that I spend more hours than I’d like scrolling social media or reading on my Kindle. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with relaxing, I’ve also learned something recently after dealing with my sciatica flare-up: when I feel good, I need to take advantage of those days. When I don’t feel good, I don’t feel like doing much of anything. So while I’m feeling well, I want to make progress on the things that matter to me.

Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the internet today. I hope you have a wonderful Thursday!

Before you go, leave me a comment and tell me where you’re reading from. I’d love to see how far this little personal blog reaches.

Cheers,

Karen

Planner Girl Makes Plans

 

                            Getting My Life Organized – One Master List at a Time

There is something incredibly satisfying about sitting down and getting all of your thoughts in one place. Recently, I decided it was time to do another master list for my life — the kind where everything goes in one spot. Not just chores or errands, but plans, ideas, books, supplies, and even little adventures I want to make sure actually happen.

I had made a list like this not too long ago, but I realized how helpful it was to see everything together. It gives me a chance to step back, reevaluate what I’ve accomplished, and remind myself of the things I still want to do or need to pick up. Sometimes life gets so busy that those little intentions slip through the cracks, and this list helps keep them front and center.

One thing I’ve really been focusing on for 2026 is embracing life more fully. I want this year to be about making memories and reconnecting with people who mean a lot to me. Over the years, it’s easy to let time slip away and suddenly realize you haven’t seen certain friends or family members nearly as much as you’d like.

This year I’m determined to bridge that gap.

There’s something so special about reconnecting with someone you grew up with. Sitting across from a cousin or an old friend and suddenly remembering things you haven’t thought about in years — the silly moments, the trouble you got into as kids, the laughter that still feels just as real decades later. Those are the moments that make life feel rich and full.

So naturally, a few of those memory-making plans made it onto my master list.

First up, I’m planning dinner with my cousin Blenda. It’s been too long since we’ve just sat down together and caught up. I can already imagine the stories and laughter that will come out of that evening.

Another fun outing with Brenda will be a shopping trip. I want her to come along with me to help pick out a couple of outfits for my upcoming New York City trip. Sometimes it’s just more fun to shop with someone who knows you well and can give an honest opinion.

We also have an important celebration to reschedule. Poor Mr. C’s birthday plans had to be postponed not once but twice because he wasn’t feeling well. So now we’re planning a grill-out celebration for March 15th. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we can finally celebrate properly.

Another item on my “things to do” list is dinner at Texas Roadhouse with my coworker Desiree. We’ve been talking about doing that for a couple of weeks now, and sometimes you just have to stop talking about it and actually make the plan happen.

And of course, at least one Sunday Funday this month with my friend Sherry. Everyone needs a day like that — a day to relax, laugh, and just enjoy being together.

Now my “things to buy” list isn’t very exciting, but it’s definitely practical. A few small things that make everyday life run a little smoother. I need cough drops for both home and work, some Vitamin D, kitchen sponges, and a pack of AA batteries. Nothing glamorous, but definitely necessary.

Then there’s the fun side of my list — my junk journal supplies for March.

I absolutely love putting together seasonal pages, and for March I’m planning something bright and festive. I need scrapbook paper in greens and yellows, along with stickers featuring leprechauns, shamrocks, pots of gold, and rainbows. It will be the perfect theme to celebrate the month and add a little creativity to my journaling.

Of course, I also made sure to include my upcoming reading plans. Two books are currently on my list.

The first is The Grid Is Gone by Joey Wills, which sounds like a fascinating read. The second book is One Lost Rainy Day, the first book in The Ravenhood Legacy series. I’ve heard that one is a little on the spicy side, and I have to admit I’m curious to see what all the buzz is about.

Looking further ahead, there are several exciting things already on my calendar.

In May, I’ll be heading to Oklahoma City with my friend Nancy to see Mac Saturn at Beer City Music Hall on May 23rd. I’m really looking forward to that concert and a fun night out.

Then there’s my New York City trip coming up in April 2026, which I’m incredibly excited about. New York is one of those places that always feels magical — so much energy, so much to see, and so many memories waiting to happen.

And shortly after that, I’ll be heading to North Dakota in May of 2026. That will be another adventure entirely, and I’m looking forward to every bit of it.

One thing I’ve decided is that I’m going to continue making these master lists at least once a month. It helps me see where I’m making progress and what things I still want to work toward. More than anything, it reminds me to actually live the life I keep dreaming about.

Because life isn’t just about getting through the days — it’s about filling them with experiences, laughter, creativity, and connection with the people who matter most.

And sometimes, all it takes to start making that happen is a simple list.