But still, TROs implementation of smart lists in Remember the Milk is excellent.  I feel like if I could get the scheduling part taken care of then the rest will follow.

For being so disorganized – I manage to get most of what I need to do done — but one of my resolutions this year was to be less stressed and all the unorganized floating puzzle pieces of my life isn’t helping.

So,  I’ve enrolled in Time Management Boot Camp of a sort.   I just signed up for the totally relaxed organizing (TRO) coaching program.  The program is an online class with a 21 day homework component.  Just from reading through the training – it sounds intense.  I especially like how you can get the training customized for your particular set of tools (I am using the Remember the Milk, Gmail & iphone version).  Note: I was impressed enough with Priacta to sign up as an affiliate…)

So my first steps were to set up RTM, Gmail and my calendars to play together and to get my office files labeled and organized. Of course, since I really don’t do paper and file in gmail – this was pretty easy.

I’ll check in from time to time and let you know how this project is going…

If you know me at all, you’ll know that me driving the 600 miles to see family was a big deal because:

1. I’m not much of driver

2. I hate driving in bad weather (which is one reason I live in New Mexico)

3. I don’t drive at night.

But, I made it there and back.  And, given the upgraded security because of the attempted bombing in Detroit and the sheer amount of stuff my daughter got for Christmas I’m glad I drove.  Here are some highlights and observations:

1.  The trip out there was quite an adventure with the Interstate being closed and getting rerouted through Navajo backroads (added 2 hours at least to the trip) and driving through a huge blizzard for the second day.  I avoided the “deadliest road in America” because I was too chicken to drive it in the snow.  I drove it on the way back and realize I made the right choice even though it added 3 more hours to the trip.

2. Why is it that the only radio station you can pick up in the middle of nowhere is always a country western station?

3. Thank goodness for DVD players.  Although  I wonder if kids are missing out on the “fun” of road trips now that they can watch movies the whole way.  Suzanne watched Annie at least 5 times… The sun will come out tomorrow….

4. People from Colorado drive *fast* except for when they are actually in Colorado… Why should that be?

5.  I survived a week without Internet.   I have a new computer and my address isn’t on her vetted list.  Nobody can remember the router password to change.  The world didn’t end — which is useful to remember.

6. My nephew who is permanently imprinted on my mind as a 2 year old with ringlets who was the ring bearer at my wedding is now a 15 and a half year old man who plays a mean guitar. Time flies.

7. I wonder of my daughter and her cousin who were inseparable during the trip will stay friends. I hope so. They are cute together

8. The smog in Salt Lake is a lot worse than I remember.

9. Why is it that going home is always quicker? We made it home in 11 hours (including breaks) and in one day.  Now that I know that the drive isn’t bad – I’ll probably drive again.

Still, great to sleep in my own bed again

Helping preserve our planet is not something that any one person can do.  It is one of those things where millions of tiny, daily actions add up.  And, the tiny daily actions do more than just take really nasty stuff out of our landfills, they change the attitude of whole neighborhoods, cities, states and even countries toward protecting the environment.  According to many, the big war against global warming is going to take place on a national scale with huge economic incentives for developing new energy sources.  I believe that even that shift wouldn’t have happened without the millions of people who think and care about the environment and who lug that little blue bin to the curb every week.

About a decade ago (can it be that long?) – I used to work as the public information officer for the Fairfax County Recycling Program.  I have to (somewhat sheepishly) admit that I wasn’t the best recycler or even an ardent environmentalist when I took the job.  But, the enthusiasm and passion of the people I worked with rubbed off on me.   The group was so creative in finding ways to spread the word and make things easy on people.  This was a decade ago when the economy was better and pre-hurricane Katrina when the incentives for recycling weren’t as obvious.

And, the group wasn’t just made up of starry eyed granola crunching environmentalists.  The recycling coordinator (one of the smartest women I have ever had the pleasure to work with) managed to marry hard science with great public relations.  The other team members were all very hard working and cared about getting our message out.

I really enjoyed being part of that team and feeling like I was really a part of making things better.  So, on this America Recycles Day, I’m thinking of and thanking my former colleagues at the Fairfax County Recycling Program,  I’m really glad I got to work with you.

I’m also thankful that my lifestyle allows me to take are of misc errands like taking the dogs to the vet – so my hubby can use his valuable time off to hang out with me