As a matter of practice, I do find myself rather organized at work. Or at least I appear organized to others. The internal tornado that is my brain is fairly well disguised due to my punctuality, preparation and actual recall of previous interactions or communications. Those things come in handy all the time, and would imply that a person has their act together. I take pride in being on top of my game at work. So, when I drop the ball on things it really gets to me. I am embarrassed to admit how many deadlines I have stretched. I don’t like to make people wait any more than I enjoy it happening to me. 

But in my personal life, things take a drastic turn toward borderline procrastination disorder. Being on my own schedule for things in my personal life have some definite advantages and in a world of 24 hour everything, I have the luxury of paying my bills at 3 a.m. or working out at the YMCA at 9 p.m. Who am I kidding? The chances of me working out at 9 p.m. are that as a snowball’s chance in … you get the picture. But, a shout out to all those people out there at Iron Haus, Anytime Fitness or the YMCA getting their late-night burn on. 

As an example of what I am dealing with, in May I purchased some really awesome solar lights that I wanted to put in my front yard to line my hostas. I love my hostas and they are super easy for me to take care of. They come back year after year despite the neglect they endure. The best of intentions to add a little curb appeal. 

My daughter is getting married in September 2020. Of course, the week before Cheese Days. I am so excited for her. The joys of preparing for the big day are a light load. My daughter has become the wedding planner extraordinaire. No Pinterest page can escape the keen eye of the future bride. She has everything accounted for. This girl has check lists for her check lists. Even when we went shopping for her wedding dress, she knew what she wanted. Before I could even get choked up over seeing my little girl in a bridal gown, she was jacked up and saying “yes to the dress” while I was cruising the sale rack. 

The things I am allowed to help with bring me joy. Bargain shopping for wedding décor and unique table accessories is a great thing. So, I have been collecting vases and serving platters and anything else I can conceivably convert in to a container for flower arrangements. 

The other day, behind the glass pillars, and a box of puppy supplies I have yet to part with since my dog died in 2018, I found the really cool solar powered lights I bought to put between my hostas. 

Here is my dilemma. Do I put them out now and let them weather the frigid winter that is bound to take them down? You know I am not going to remember to take them in when I rake the leaves this fall. Do I leave them stacked with all the other wedding supplies and act like I planned to use them for the wedding to begin with? 

We all know, they will become wedding decorations. 

— Melissa Even is the executive director for the Monroe Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at melissa@monroechamber.org.