Back to School...

This week was the start of school for me.  Back to work.  Back to day care for the girls.  Back to our schedule.  And can I tell you, I really dislike the first week of school.

The first week of school is crazy.  New students.  New routines.  A whole new year.    It's all very intimidating.  I don't sleep well.

But I'm hoping for a good year.  Last year was hard.  Really, really hard.  We have a nice group of kids this year.  A new principal.  A new, later start time.  Things are looking good.

And the new school year means new school supplies (why do new school supplies make me so happy?).* And the fresh start that comes with a new year.  

I like to feel organized.  This year one of my goals is to keep things more organized at home.  To make sure everything has a place (and make sure it gets there) and to clear out some of the stuff we don't use anymore.  To have fewer late nights.  And fewer rushed mornings.  I have new calendars for planning, notebooks for lists and washi tape to make them look pretty.

My  new schedule gives me a little flexibility.  I have exactly 36 minutes from the time I can leave work to the time I need to pick up the girls.  One of my coworkers told me she read a book about being organized and the author said productive people don't think, I only have 10 minutes, I can't get anything done.  Instead they think, I have 10 minutes, what can I get done?  So I'm trying to think that way.  I have 36 minutes, what can I get done?  I can squeeze in a quick run.  I can go to the post office.  I can pick up a few things from the grocery store.  I can go to the bank.  All tasks that are more difficult with 2 tired girls in tow.  And being productive during those 36 minutes gives me a little more free time in the afternoon.  To read.  To write.  To relax.  

Does anyone have other ideas for how to stay organized/productive/motivated as the new school year starts? 

*E and I were watching the news over the weekend, and there was a story about Crayola.  I commented on how I love fresh markers.  E laughed and said most women my age are not excited about new markers.