How Can One Fit More Into A Day's Time?

First off, let me say I'm not complaining.  I know I'm at a stage in my life where I'm more and more appreciative of all I have in just about every single aspect of my life.  Papa Pea and I have both worked hard (some would say too hard, but that's been our choice because of necessity . . . or, well, . . . choice) to get where we are today, no doubt about that, but it's all starting to pay off and feel really good.

I truly can't remember a time since we were married (way back in the Middle Ages) that the days dragged by.  And now, by golly, just when we've both decided to relax a bit and start doing all the things we've "put off until later," something weird is happening which seems to be causing the minutes and hours of each day to fly by at double speed.  If not faster.

Why is this?  We wake in the morning, get that first-of-the-day cuppa into our systems, discuss and sometimes make lists (the memory isn't what it used to be either) of what usual chores must be covered in the day, what move-ahead projects need to be worked on (please, can't we skip this part? . . . this is our hibernating/down time of year), and what we would like to do for rest, relaxation, recharging, rehabilitation . . . or the feeding of our souls.

Then, almost before we know it, the day is drawing to a close (already?!) and both of us are always sorry to see it happen because there are so darn many neat, satisfying, fulfilling things we didn't get to of the day.

Wanna see my "want-to-do" list of things I'm chomping at the bit to get into?  No?  Okay, you're excused and may feel free to leave.  But for anyone still here . . . 

So many books - How could anyone ever read all the interesting books available?  Even though I always have an audio book to listen to while doing mundane chores during the day, I love sitting down and reading a good book.

So much quilting - I love quilting. And I have enough fabric, patterns and ideas that, in all honesty, I will probably never be able to wade through it all before I croak.

So much knitting - Knitting was my first handwork love before I discovered quilting.  And I still enjoy doing it.  I purchased the yarn for a bee-yew-tee-ful knit afghan several months ago and am getting twitchy with the yearning to start knitting it.  (Just gotta finish this pair of socks on my needles first.)

Valentine's Day is coming - That means I need to make several dozen heart shaped sugar cookies for my daughter's small tribe of kiddies to decorate.  I've definitely created a job for myself in that they all look forward to plain sugar cookies supplied by Mama Pea to decorate for Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, etc.  I think they like eating them, too.

Blogs - there are so many really good, enjoyable, informative, funny, uplifting blogs that I want to read and comment on.  Lately, I haven't been keeping with them as much as I'd like to do.  Must change that.

Letters to write - Although e-mails and other means of computerized correspondence are fine and have definite advantages, there's still nothing like getting a card or letter via snail mail.  I've been trying to do more of that.  Not succeeding to a great degree.  But trying.

Garden to plan - I'm more excited about the garden this year than I've been in a few years now.  I'm thinking it's because I've made the decision (and did a bit toward that end last year) to cut back on varieties and quantities to grow.  Try as we might, we're finding we two can't manage to eat or give away all of the produce from the four acres I usually plant.  (Okay, not quite that many acres.  It just seems like it sometimes.)

Pantry to clean and reorganize - I have a beautiful, big pantry and I've had a bee in my bonnet to get in there and change things a bit.  I know I've talked of this for some time now, but really want to do it.  (Papa Pea won't see me for several days once I get in there and go for it.)

Plans for summer - My better half and I need to sit down with paper, pencil and our (sensible) thinking caps on to make a list of this summer's upcoming projects.  The list is always waaaay too long and insurmountable (sigh) but if we start with the first of the prioritized "A" items . . . at least we'll know where to begin.  There are also summer recreational plans (yay!) to make.

I'm betting I could think of many more things to list, but that would be an exercise in futility.  All of the above illustrates some of the things I really want to do.  I'm appreciative of and grateful I have the opportunity and freedom to pick and choose what I attempt to fit into a day's time.  And I do have the choice so I'm really not complaining.  I just want to find a way to fit more into each day's time.  That's all.