The Difference Between a Planner and Time Management

At 9:47 a.m. this morning, I got my first cup of coffee. Considering that I start my day at 6:45 a.m., this is a problem. 

Multiply the poor timing by my first day back at work after a vacation, my lingering pneumonia, and a bit of an autoimmune flare, and that's a set-up for disaster!

But, wait, you say...isn't Giftie a guru of time management?

Keeping a Monthly Master Calendar in Your Planner

Even though it's summertime, a glance at my monthly calendar shows just how overbooked I truly am at the moment.

In Pursuit of Imperfection

It's been a rough month for me.

The Importance of Using a Planner in Crisis Mode

I almost have no words for how hard last week was for me and my family.

Closing Time - When to Stop Working the Planner at the End of the Day

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I use my planner all day long.

The Truth About Mothering a Child with Exceptional Needs

I've drafted the first line of this post over ten times. It started as a celebration of mothers who raise kids with exceptional needs.

But that wasn't enough.

It morphed into a cutesy illustration of what moms of "normal" children can expect - footprint art, tissue paper flowers, or breakfast made from cereal and spilled milk - versus what moms of kiddos with special needs can expect.

But if a child can't remove his corrective foot braces, has inadequate fine motor skills, or had seizures pretty much every day this week, moms already know they won't be getting that traditional stuff. They don't need me to tell them (or you) that.

I owe it to the mom who stood by me in the special park (the one with a wheelchair swing and an adult-sized harness swing) - watching our two "probably have autism but doctors are nervous to label them" kids to make sure they were at least not physically mean to each other - to tell the truth.

Why You Should Be Taking Notes in Your Planner

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I love that moment when I sit down with a blank planner page. 

Filling in my schedule and listing my tasks, cup of coffee in hand, is so much more fulfilling than doing the tasks! (Truth, right?!?)

Creating Happiness in Your Planner

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I've talked about depression many times at Giftie Etcetera. One of my most popular posts ever is about depression. 

But what about happiness?

6 Ways to Use a Free Planner Printable - 12 Month Tracker

When I team up with Becky at Planner Fun to offer free printables and new ways to use them, I am rarely stumped.

Usually, my problem is limiting myself to 6 ways to use the printable.

Sometimes, the Village Just Needs to Hush

With some kids, it's hard for strangers to tell when children have potentially serious special needs. 

When Your Exceptional Kid Needs a Schedule

As most of my Loyal Readers know, my kid has some exceptional needs. 

Chronic Diseases and How They Destroy Your Time

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I spent an hour this morning sorting my prescription meds, calling the pharmacy to order refills, and making sure my epilepsy kids had his meds in order.

An hour of my life, gone every single week.

Just gone.

When Your Planner Is a Hot Mess

I am a few hours behind on getting this blog post published. 

Sometimes, life gets in the way.

When Your Friend Has a Chronic Illness

If you invite me over, I might say no. Or I might say yes, but cancel at the last minute. 

That doesn't mean that I don't want to see you.

Small Groups on Facebook Can Change Your Mental Health

Lots of my planner and blogger friends are members of huge Facebook groups. There is even one for Giftie Etcetera fans.

Improving Your Life By Tweaking Your Planner

If you haven't read about how I set up my goals in January, you might want a quick review.

Surprising Day Planner Secrets

I use a planner. 

I am generally on time for meetings, mostly get stuff done by the deadline, and can sometimes stop worrying about missing stuff.

But I am far from perfect.

Organizing Medications for the Household

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This morning was a parenting nightmare.

My epilepsy kid flat out refused to take his meds.

The Many Ways to Use a Planner to Battle Anxiety and Depression

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Confession time...I'm currently wearing brown nail polish. Honestly, it's more a dark bronze than an actual brown, but no matter.

What matters is the reason why I'm wearing such a dark, difficult-to-ignore nail polish.

Don't Use a Planner as a Journal (Unless You Want to Be Unhappy)

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Most of you know that I am struggling a little bit right now.