How to Use a Planner... HOW do I use a planner, I mean?

[paragraphs]

I seriously am not sure how to use this planner I bought.  It is a coloring book as well.  I got it to help me keep track of what needs to happen when, even though my phone is perfectly capable of doing this.  But my daughter suggested writing down things would be helpful, and as I've recently discovered, I really like writing down things.  So I am giving it a whirl, writing down...things...into it.  We will see if I abandon it.  But some things are better typed up, like this stuff:

WRITING.  I sat down today at lunch and this evening at B&N (my favorite writing place) and hammered out a rough outline for the rest of my current ms.  I am being careful to follow the synopsis I submitted to Hodderscape, as I figure it would be pretty unwise to change things dramatically from what they are reviewing.  I estimate about 8, possibly 9 more chapters to go. Or 10.  At a chapter a week pace, it will be more like the end of February before this is done, but I think that is okay.  There are no signs that Hodderscape is in a rush now, so I feel a little more relaxed about it all, but am still pushing forward.  No lollygaggling here, nope.

EXERCISE.  We have a new gym here, called Youfit.  It is purple and green.  And gorgeous. And smells good. My son and I joined and today we had our assessments which mostly consisted of what a personal trainer can do for us.  I loved talking to James, and he is now my personal trainer for the next two months, twice a week. I am super excited about working with a personal trainer.  It is something I've always wanted toay's do, but frankly didn't have the money - it is expensive.  But I need to do this for myself.  I want to get strong, I want to lift weights, and I want to live.  So now it is time.  My first session is Saturday morning.  We shall see how it goes!

AUDIOBOOKS.  I love audiobooks - current listen is non-fiction, "Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Yourself... by Shonda Rhimes, read by Shonda Rhimes, who is head writer of Greys Anatomy, Scandal, etc.  Talk about a fun, interesting, and empowering book.   It was recommended to me by two of my writing group friends and I am glad they did as it somehow is reinforcing in my mind all the things I have already figured out about me and my writing, creativity, balance, etc.  A good listen for sure.

FICTION.  I have too many books to read.  This is not a bad thing at all.  I didn't join in on any reading list groups but I do have some certain books I plan to read soon.  The first is Uprooted by Naomi Novik.  I read the first few chapters at DragonCon as it was a booklet set out to grab--and I couldn't get it out of my head (read it during a boring panel).  So I finally treated myself to it today.   In book form.  It has been a long time since I've bought a hardback but I did today.  After this will be the next Lhind book, Lhind the Spy, by Sherwood Smith.  I am late to the party on this book, grrr (at myself) because I missed when it came out.  I love Lhind!

DOGS.  Awesome and silly as always.

FAMILY.  Well, my son is suddenly single - his g/f broke up with him and I am happy that he recovered so quickly. I liked her, but I guess it wasn't meant to be, and he says much the same.  Still it hurt, especially right after Christmas and her birthday and he went all out for both. Sigh. He has moved back in with me (with cat) and I love having him around.  I like living alone, but I love him here.  He does intend to move out again, of course, so I will just enjoy him while I can. He needs a better job, and to figure out a few things, but I trust he will get there.

My daughter is doing fantastic - she has an amazing job with amazing pay and amazing travel and has an amazing boyfriend who has an amazing new job, they are amazing, so amazing!  And they just got a new condo in Dallas (AMAZING never thought she'd land there) and they plan on getting an amazing Corgi.  Amazing!  I am so rocked out by how well she has been doing.  She's with a fantastic company and is moving up quickly in responsibility.  I am not surprised at all.

My sister-in-law is in jail for criminal trespass.  Wow.  Not much I can say there-- Nope.

And now it is 11 o'clock and time for me to go to bed.  That is it for now. Amazing!

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Bst wishes to the son! (Mine also had a breakup before Thanksgiving--after he'd paid a hefty sum for non-refundable plane tickets to have the holiday with her and her family, for the first time in his life) and he took it hard. It's though to see them go through this stuff!

Rest--sounds great!

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

It breaks my heart my son was heartbroken. :( Do not like. Am sorry your son went through the same (and dang it on the tickets...). Ouch.

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

I love planning - I always have a calendar and to do lists and milestone plans. I use priorities and estimates of needed time and all that stuff. And even if I have to change a plan, at least I know where I am.

Also, I can't plan on the computer. Or on a phone. I need pens and paper to plan.

And yay for hiring an personal trainer! Have fun in the gym! :-)

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

:) did you go through a multitude of pens before you found just the right pen? I write in purple with Pentel Energel X pens. They are my happy pen. I am still unsure about the planner really. But writing my outline and notes and everything by hand, even writing it over and over again, keeps me grounded.

You probably more than likely have a heck of a lot more to keep up with than I do! I basically go to work, come home, writer's group on Wednesday and/or Friday, a few things for the MIL, weekend events with friends... I don't need to write that stuff down.

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

I like the Mitsubishi uni-ball roller pen. It comes in various colours, too, which is great.

I don't have that many appointments, though, of course, I need to keep track of my seminars. And I need to make notes of when my co-worker or the intern will be there. But I use the planner also for project planning, defining deadlines and stuff like that. Not all of this goes in the planner; I also use extra sheets for to do lists and such. This year, I bought a planner that has milestone plans and checklists for each quarter of the year, which is great for keeping track of things.

I've been using planners since 7th or 8th grade, so this is something I just do. :-D

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

I looked at my pretty planner today as I left for work, and sighed. And thought - do I really need you? Except to color in? But leave the house without my Moleskins? (2 currently). NO WAY.

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

Hehe. I never leave the house without my planner and my writing notebook/diary. :-)

[aseas-words.livejournal.com]

A planner that's also a coloring book? Cool! I've been coloring Hidden Forest before bed; it's super relaxing to me.

Yeah! Keep up the great writing!

That gym sounds amazing! I'm glad you get to work with a personal trainer. :)

I cannot follow audiobooks at all unless I've already read the book a couple of times, but podcasts are about my speed, so I've been listening to a lot of those as I walk the three miles to work (and then back) every day. :)

Yay for dogs and family!

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

Colored pencils, or colored pens? Which do you prefer? That is great you are able to do all that walking! You must be feeling better!

I mostly listen to the audiobooks to and from work, when I am doing loans at work, sometimes curled up in bed or when doing stuff at home like laundry or kitchen stuff.

[aseas-words.livejournal.com]

I usually use colored pencils, but a friend got me some nice colored pens and I'm really enjoying them. :)

I'm having a lot of flare-ups, but I am determined to at least walk. Elbow's still a wreck, so I can't swim, which leaves walking about the only exercise I can get. Plus I need the time to let my brain wind down.

I like the idea of audiobooks, I just don't process things aurally very well, so I can't follow plots if I don't already know them. I'm glad they work for you, though!

[theemdash]

This update made me smile, especially the bits about your kids. ♥