father's day came. and went. and i had bought my dad a gift, and a card, but did i send it so it got there on time? noooooo. i DID call him. and then friday (tomorrow!) is my mom's birthday. 54. i will see her, so it will be a bit awkward if i don't have my stuff together. to show my extremes, i used to send a mother's day card to someone who i felt so indebted to, a friend who watched my son for a few months when he was about six months old, it meant so much to me.. i feel as though i've slipped. i love to make people feel special, important, and recognized, because i know that i like it when i'm thought of too.... and i do when i remember. that's the key. i'd been blaming it on 'pregnant brain' and then 'new mommy brain' and since my baby is nearly 14 months, well... can i use that excuse anymore? here was a time in my life (ah, say three years ago) where i was so very on top of things. i just remembered, got the card or gift in a timely manner, and shipped or dropped it off so the recipient felt special on his or her special day. and back to now. i've spoken to people on their birthdays without having a clue, only to remember the instant i got off the phone that it was their birthday. how do you recover from that one - call them back and say 'oh, by the way. i forgot'... i've got a special uncle who i swear every year that i'll remember but somehow, NEVER do. my list continues. you get my point.
so what do you do to keep all of that stuff in the forefront and juggle whatever else you have on your plate? a handy dandy calendar? (which i do have, i might add. but do i actually look at it every day?) a reminder service that emails you? my iPhone has a nice little feature that the hubs uses. but you actually have to PROGRAM your meetings and engagements in. or do you forget like me?
visit these others with thoughts for thursday: kim, jenny, nicole, kristi,
The only way that i can remember is the beginning of every month i go to the card shop and get all my cards for that month and gifts if need be. Then i come home and write on all them address them and set them in my special spot in the kitchen and mail them out three days before the special day. it seems to work for me!! I hope this can help you!! :)
Posted by: Miranda | June 19, 2008 at 08:05 AM
I am really bad at following through with things. I forget everything if it's not written down. I hate that about myself. I make a lot of lists and write everything down. I can only imagine what it will be like when I am old and gray..UGH
Posted by: Kim | June 19, 2008 at 11:33 AM
I have a calendar that I document all important dates and birthdays on but I am a HUGE procrastinator. I am trying to be better but it seems that there is always something taking the place of things that are so important.
I also think that with the technology people don't stay in touch with letters and cards anymore. They send text messages, voicemails, emails and so on that aren't always as personal.
Posted by: Denise H. | June 19, 2008 at 12:51 PM
I use Google Calendar. I created a calendar specifically for birthdays, anniversaries and any other reoccurring events that I want to remember. Then I can unclick it when I don't want to see it.
Since I also use Google reader, I login to my calendar first to check what is going on for the day, then go on to reader to catch up on blogs. I do also have a daily planner that I keep in my purse/car that I can write things down in if I'm not near the computer.
Posted by: Dana | June 19, 2008 at 04:10 PM
I have a master calendar that I write everything on. If it's not on the calendar I forget. But the problem is that I've stopped looking at the calendar.
Posted by: Karen | June 19, 2008 at 06:17 PM
um, i am super horrible at keeping up with birthdays, holidays, pretty much anything. i will be reading everyone else's ideas for a cure. i do have a calendar that i think i will finally start using...soon. :)
Posted by: jenny | June 19, 2008 at 08:14 PM
I have no idea I'm bad at that stuff too.
Posted by: Robyn | June 19, 2008 at 10:15 PM
I struggle with these things. I have been trying to write these things down, and as a result I am doing better at it!
Posted by: amy | June 20, 2008 at 09:39 PM
I've never done well at these things, so now that I have no time to remember...nobody notices the difference. I think of the birthday, or occasion often. But getting a card and gift in the mail on time is a whole different story.
Posted by: Hyphen Mama | June 20, 2008 at 11:54 PM