I'm a procrasrinator too.Some people are just "Adrenalin junkies"-the last minute panic gives you the energy to rush around. As a kid, I always did school projects the night before they were due. Somehow I always get things done in time. When I'm planning a family party, I stay up all night the night before , cooking and cleaning. It helps to have a written down list of chores. Be crazy but be organized. I always say "never again" but I remain a procrastinator.

Jannie, I'm the same way with deadlines. I used to just rake myself over the coals because of it. Basically what I was doing was giving myself a hard time for not being like other people. I let go of that! I found out at the ripe old age of 50 that I actually have a pretty significant case of ADD!!!! One of the classic symptoms is procrastination. It's completely a neurological issue I have NO control over! I can't take the medication for it, either. So, I have learned to be kind to myself! It's not my fault! But I do make jokes about myself, just to lighten up about it! ADD has benefits and drawbacks, just like everything else in life! I'll pray for you not to procrastinate today!!

I'm exactly like jannie. But, as I've gotten older, I find that I don't have the physical stamina to get it all done at the last minute. My mind knows this but I don't seem to be able to change my procrastinating ways. What I have found is if you leave the minor things undone, no one seems to notice. Thank the good lord.

So, bigbaby. Don't draw attention to it and no one will notice.

Just a thought: Here they do have open houses or come and go parties for graduations--BUT not at the homes. They use local country clubs, community meeting rooms, churches etc and sometime more that one family gets together. 200 is alot of people and I do hope you have several helping you. My only suggestion is to keep it simple, have a box with cut is top for cards, keep someone at the desk/table that holds any gifts--rotating the people as sad to say sometimes things just disappear. Depending on the time, maybe cake, sandwiches, salads, and find out if you can get some of the salads catered or simple like coleslaw. If afternoon, no hot dishes, maybe chips and/or candy/nuts.
Have a couple of people taking pictures and have them write down the names in the pictures as they take them. You can get plastic/paper.
Congratulations, and do not be afraid to ask for help, even from the younger kids.

Wow Marie, thanks for the tips. We have the menu all worked and helpers lined up. Call me crazy but we have a wonderful home and I love having the event here. We have 5 acres and we'll have a canopy up and the food will be in my studio. The weather looks fabulous so far-- predicted to be sunny and in the 70's. I agree with you, Pris!!

So far today I cleaned out my son's stinky room (why does it stink so!!!) and am washing EVERYTHING in there and have drug his bed and foam topper outside and it is airing out. I worked some more on the studio and inventoried the decorations I have (not many, probably need some more).

The thing I am putting off the most is a chair I have been recovering for about 2 months now!!!! It's all in pieces in the basement. I would love to finish that so I can clean that all up! That's the plan for the afternoon, anyway!

Bigbaby, forget about that chair! You can finish it later. Who's going to be in the basement anyway?

Figure out what you need for decorations, plates, cups, napkins, plastic ware, any food items that you can shop for early, and get all that out of the way now. The day before, vacuum and dust, clean bathrooms ect for last minute swish of the toilet and picking up dirty towels, putting out fresh after everyone has showered for the day. Febreeze son's room and mattress. Keep things as simple as possible.

I am also a procrastinator, and I've done grad parties twice. I'm not sure I'd do it again! If so, it wouldn't be here. Just too much stress!

Have you thought about what to do for cold foods, drinks? Here's a suggestion that worked great for us. I bought a couple of kiddy pools, inflatable or molded hard plastic, and filled them with ice to put the cold salads in. A wheelbarrow works also.

What about garbage cans and bags? Are they on your list? Sterno pans for hot foods?

Congratulations, and good luck!

Tami

Maybe later, tomorrow for sure!

If the house isn't spotless nobody will notice, what with 200 people coming in and out. Just give it the usual weekly swipe over (at least that's what I do) and call it good. I always do all the cooking I can the day before and also get out the serving bowls and all the plates, cups, plasticware and napkins.

I hope you're good at giving orders, because you are really going to have to. I can't imagine 200 people so I'm sure glad the weather will be cooperating.

I'm the world's worst at procrastinating but very good with lists. Whatever you do, don't lose the lists!!

Hope you all enjoy the party. It's a very nice thing to do for the youngest one soon to leave the nest.

And don't forget to tell us all about it next Monday--well, maybe Tuesday since you may sleep all day Monday :-)

Trying to finish the chair is PROCRASTINATING! It's a way to avoid what you need to do for the party.

You have people coming to your home - and they aren't going into the basement. They don't care, and none of them will be sitting in that chair.

Just do the party.

You guys are wayyyyy cool! I appreciate your comments very, very much. I think I'm in good shape for the party. I'll have to do the rest of the shopping tomorrow, Thursday is going to be mostly doing the funeral thing, Friday will be decorating and doing the yard stuff, Saturday will be finishing the cooking and decorating and Sunday morning will be the finishing touches and getting everything out. I have been chipping away at the chair here and they, when I need a break from other stuff. I'm actually having very productive days lately!!

There will be people in my basement because that's where one of the bathrooms is and there is literally not place to put this chair!!! It's a dining chair that is upholstered on the seat and back. Not terribly complicated (no sewing) but has springs, etc.

Today, since it's supposed to hit 98 degrees, I'll be steaming the rugs in the basement and shampooing the dog! The house is straightened out for the most part and will just need a once over by the weekend. (We live on a gravel road and the dust is constant!)

I'll post some before and after pics of "the chair!"

An interesting aside re ADD behavior. I decided to NOT do an audition this Friday and NOT do stand up last Thursday or this Thursday. Before that I was just paralyzed and didn't know what to do next. Since I'm taking off from "work," I have been able to really focus on the house/party and enjoying our baby's last weeks of school, track mets, orchestra concerts, awards ceremonies and banquets, etc. Such a blessing. It has also given me time to grieve a bit and let it all go!

Wow, this is long! Thanks for the venue!!

Silly girl! Spend a couple of minutes straightening up around the chair (if needed) and showcase your talent. Your guests will be so impressed with your diy abilities and gumption for attempting this job that they will not notice anything else. You'll be the talk of the town no matter the age. The young folks will go home and tell their parents and the older folks will be jealous.

Okay! Finally got the rest of the rugs steam cleaned. Danged steamer kept acting up so it took twice as long. Ron decided to knock off early so he shampooed the dog for me! Woohoo! Now we can work on the chair a bit more.

Pris, you have some great ideas! If we don't finish that rascal, then we take your suggestion!!

Just throw a sheet over the chair! It won't bother anyone if it's not done. Put the parts in a spare clothes basket in a corner so they don't accidentally get scattered.

I missed a post about a funeral for you. My sympathy.

Tami

Please pray for me. Im a procrastinator and have finally come to admit. Im a 22 year old young lady who has almost let her past define her. Im trying to move forward with my life and enroll back in college to become a young lady that my parents and God would be proud of.