Wednesday, July 16, 2008

TT # 18: Ways I Use My Day Planner



I began using a day planner twenty years ago. At that time my days were very hectic. I had two school-aged children; I was working and going to school; and I had a busy social life. I knew I couldn't keep everything straight, so I selected a planner brand , and I have been using the same one all the years. It is like my right arm. I always have it with me. For this Thursday Thirteen, I thought I would list the uses I have found for the planner.


  1. My work schedule. Not only do I list appointments, I also list tasks I completed, phone calls made or received, and decisions made. By studying that planner, I can tell you just about anything regarding my work. (1999: August 25 I served on a search committee)

  2. Personal appointments. Doctor appointments, dentists, meetings with teachers, curch meetings, etc. Yep--I have them documented. (1998: May 1, son had dental appt.)

  3. Children's school assignments. One child was a self starter, and I never had to ask about homework or tests, etc. The other was a procrastinator, so I wrote down when the tests were, what grades he made, really anything about school, so I wouldn't be surprised. I didn't like surprises. (1992: Sept. 24, son's interim report card, B in English)

  4. Church. I documented our attendance and involvement---meetings, chairmanships, practices, programs, children's activities, etc. (1994: August 26, church supper club)

  5. Volunteer work. Hubby and I were always chairing this organization or PTO or civic club, so those meetings were always on the calendar. (1989: April 25, chaired Symphony Gala)

  6. My doctoral program. I went back to school with a husband, eighth grader, and fifth grader at home (yes, it was a family decision), so I marked the weekends I had to be away for class, important assignments, and important dates like dissertation research and defense.
  7. (1991: April 27, to library for dissertation research)
  8. Holiday events. For years, when the children were small, we had all manner of extended family to join us for Christmas, so I always scheduled the arrival of each family member and noted the names of those who joined us. (1994: Christmas Day--left on family vacation to San Francisco)

  9. Dinner parties. I listed guests and menus. (2005: January 10--Solomon Dinner Party, 11 guests, shrimp shooters, rosemary cornbread with figs and cream cheese, etc, Beaujolais Nouveau)

  10. Big parties. We do that, too. I list the events, the number of people who attended, the menu, etc. (2005: Oct. 23, Biketoberfest (biker party) at our farm, 49 attended, hot dogs and trimmings)

  11. Reminders. I wrote reminders to myself to make appointments, to follow up on projects, etc. (1994: April 20, call Thompson's Floor Covering)

  12. Weather. I document extreme weather--storms, hot, wet, cold. (1995: Oct. 5, 6 college closed for Hurricane Opal)

  13. Deaths. I list the deaths of friends or family members. (2005: April 10, my favorite uncle died)

  14. Trips and Guests. (1999: August 11, leave for Vail)

These planners serve as my memory, my reminders, my journal, my diary, my log. I just don't see how a PDA will work for me. How do you use a day planner?


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16 comments:

Chelle Y. said...

That was cool that you remember those dates.

Pretty Life Online said...

Great list! Mine's up too Hope you can drop by... Happy TT!

Anonymous said...

What a unique way to plan and be organined and journal at the same time!

Maisie said...

You must be so organized. I should think about getting a planner, too. I'll need to get organized since I'm going back to school while homeschooling 5 kids. I think that it's going to be much more hectic than I think.

Anonymous said...

I've totally transitioned to Google Calendar. I like that it rings my phone. I've used a day planner for a long time but never keep them... I'm clearly missing something!

Happy TT!

SandyCarlson said...

I should use one, Kay! I mess up every date that comes my way...

Anonymous said...

I live my my day planner. After struggling with several kinds, I ended up making my own.

Lori said...

I dont know what I would do without Outlook on my computer. Its a godsend. Happy TT.

Anonymous said...

Great list! I have recently started using the Google calendar. I still have to keep something to write on though. Happy TT.

Carol said...

I wonder if a Day Planner would work for me? Nothing else does.

SJ Reidhead said...

I'm exhausted just reading your schedule. I have a devotional, "God Calling". I've been reading the same book for 20 years. I use that for recording major events.

SJR
The Pink Flamingo
http://thepinkflamingo.blogharbor.com/blog

Karen Coutu said...

Wow! It sounds like you keep yourself very busy. I'm tired just reading your list. LOL!!

Here's mine . . .

http://3garnetsn2sapphires.blogspot.com/2008/07/thursday-thirteen-4th-edition.html

Anonymous said...

Every year I get the same calendar: The DayMinder Monthly view. I see what you mean about a diary. I can look back in time to see what I was going back in 2001 at this point.

Bubba said...

Holy. Cow. I wish I could be that organized. I had day planners for about 4 years but never kept up with them. I use online calendars now...but I agree with you. It's just not the same.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the world. Happy TT!

DoubleDeckerBusGuy said...

This sounds WAY better than my pile of post-it notes! :)

I only wish I was as organized as you must be with the planner!

maryt/theteach said...

Well, kay, I use a PDA. Day planners ARE going away just like the other things on my TT13. I hope you can keep finding them. I used to use them and loved them. But I'm a technology geek... :)