"Ditch the List"

It's vacation week and it's spring clean-up time. My husband teaches, so he is off this week. He also does tax preparation and tax planning. Many think tax season is over, but he has close to 100 extensions because the clients either brought their stuff in too late or he doesn't have everything he needs from them. I know the number because I helped him make the list.

This is normally his week to catch-up on the extensions and get some projects done around the house. We have a list - we always have a list of home projects. Everything goes on the list because if it doesn't, then we forget.

I'm thinking it may be time to ditch the list because it's just stressing him out. I'm taking tomorrow off so that I can help address the list. He's close to popping a cork because the list gets longer instead of shorter and the vacation week is slipping away. When I mentioned that I thought I might be able to take tomorrow off, I could see his blood pressure go down. I'll probably regret using my earned time this way - especially when I can't move on Saturday morning because I was hunched over mulching gardens for 13 hours!

We have 3 teenagers. One is on a school trip and 2 are probably on the couch or computer right now. They are not stressed about the list. Although I have found that when I leave them a list of things I want them to do, they can actually complete most of the items. We're not talking advanced physics here, I'm talking empty dishwasher, pick up family room, that kind of stuff. No list, absolutely nothing productive comes out of them.

So hubby and I will do what we can to make progress on the list. (Did I mention his mother also has a list for him of stuff she needs done at her house!?) After this weekend, pending completion of the list, I say we move our lives into a list free zone.

I almost said that with a straight face.