I woke up this morning with a mental check-list of everything that needs to be done today.
- Wash the dirty laundry.
- Put away the clean laundry.
- Empty the dishwasher.
- Reload the dishwasher.
- Sweep and vacuum the floors and couches.
- Go through all the mail that has been piling up.
- Finish organizing the basement.
- Straighten up Lily’s playroom.
- Clean and straighten up our bedroom.
- Get the grocery shopping done.
Nothing on this list was checked off today.
Instead, we went out to eat.
Instead, we went to the park.
Instead, we had a picnic.
Instead, we played with toys.
Instead, we read some books.
Instead, we kissed and hugged.
Instead, we created memories.
One Shoe at a Time 
I love your “instead” piece. What a great writing prompt it is. I’m going to try it son on this blog site. The beauty of retirement is that you can do “instead” activities every day if you like. But now my house is always a mess! Good for you for realizing how important it is to take a break to actually live I the moment. Keep it up!
https://barbarasut.wordpress.com/2015/03/07/coyotes-in-the-bronx/
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Sounds like the perfect day! The dishes and laundry can wait…creating memories is so much more important!
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Sounds to me like your priorities are right where they are supposed to be. 🙂 I love this piece because as a mother of young children, I. GET. IT. 🙂
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Michelle!!!!!!! I can’t stop looking at Lil’s adorable face, then that last picture with you and her, oh and the one with Howard and Lil on the slide…ok I don’t even remember what I was going to write. This is my ultimate favorite…so far! The list in the beginning, the insteads, the last line, the pictures, I LOVE IT ALL!
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Our to do lists will always be there. Our instead list will eventually grow up & not need us the same way. We must always remember to work on our instead list!
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I’m glad that you are putting the important stuff first. The time flies. Laundry can wait. Kids will grow up though without any slowing down.
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I’m so glad you abandoned your list. The memories you made will last forever. They grow up so fast. Your list can wait until another day. Thanks for sharing.
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Reminds me of the poem that reads, “Quiet down cob webs. Dust go to sleep. I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.” Glad you did “instead” all day. Your baby is adorable. Love the crinkly nose grin. Enjoy! The years go by way too fast. D 🙂
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Making memories is way better than all that other stuff! That will get done … some day. I have the same piles and filth collecting, but today we decided to ice skating one more time before the ice melts outside! Beautiful family fun!
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What a list…it made me tired just reading it…and then the list of what you did instead…ah…much better. Memories and good times are much more important!….and what a cute little girl!
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The dishes will always be there…the babies won’t!
The name of your blog makes me giggle and wonder….
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My maiden name is Schumacher, so many of my friends call me shoe! Lol. It was my way of saying I’m taking small strides to be a writer. 😉
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Once again, I love your post!!!! I’ve spent the past 16 years as a mom doing things “instead;” and I don’t regret a minute of it. Keep up the good work and the wonderful writing.
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I really love this. So similar to my every day. The dishes will always be there, but they are only so little for so long.
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Fantastic. Memories are so much better. I just bought a sign for my house that says “Pardon the mess. My children are making memories.” Most days, I use that to forgive the mess that surrounds our memories. 🙂
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The picture of swinging with snow on the ground is really neat. You’re creating childhood memories for your daughter with days like today.
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There’s always tomorrow for the clothes and the organizing. Make those memories while you can. These days are fleeting. Love the pictures of your precious one!
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Babies grow up so fast that seizing the opportunity to play instead of clean is often required! Looks like you had a lot of fun today creating memories!
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Love this one, too! Love the repetition of ‘instead’ – good choice. I agree with Crystal – that last picture! You look so happy. 🙂
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Great choice in playing instead of cleaning!
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I think I’ve misunderstood: seems to me you did exactly all the most important things on your list! 🙂
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Perfect. Ohmygod ponytail on top of head. It’s begging for all to-do lists to be tossed. Too stinking cute. LOVE all the pics. No words needed really. Just looks so simple and loving. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect.
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Sometimes you just need to that instead of all the “important???” stuff.
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What really is important anyway?
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Making memories is so much more important than a pristine house. Clean is important, but pristine can wait ’till your kid is in college!
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