this is my brain on paper

I've decided to start posting some of my lists. My world is wallpapered with lists on post-its. I think I might explode if I had to stop making lists. If I can take whatever is bouncing around in my brain and put it on paper then I feel less crazy. I'm able to relax a bit because I don't have to hold it anymore, this friendly post-it will hold it for me.

I think I may have inherited this from Dad. He always has a list in his shirt pocket.

I have "to do" lists, "to bring" lists, lists of songs I like, lists of food in the fridge, lists of things to read, lists of interesting conversations to analyze for work....

A billion years ago, when I broke up with Randy (y'all remember Randy, right?) I made a list of all the things that reminded me of him. It was the best thing I could have done for myself. I put them on paper so I didn't have to hold on to them anymore. I did it because I just had a need to, I didn't realize how cleansing it was going to be.

My mantra has become "PUT IT ON THE LIST!" If we're out of toilet paper, "PUT IT ON THE LIST!", if I need to do laundry, "PUT IT ON THE LIST!", if I'm worried about getting work done on my paper, "PUT IT ON THE LIST!" If I can put it on a list, then I'll be able to take care of it. I think it gives me some space and lessens the urgency of things. I don't have to do it right now, because I can put it on a list, and then deal with it when the time is right.

This first list is just a list of things that I wanted to remember to bring to Thanksgiving.


I clearly need to find a better way to photograph post-its. The camera doesn't know how to focus on handwriting.

The first three things on the list are presents. The rest is food. I made all of it except the chapstick, water, and pumpkin bread, which was a gift from Amy.