This weekend, I got an email that said "Will you remind me that the concert tickets I bought for our group for December are in my jewelry box?"

I replied yes but added "Why don't you write it on your December calendar where you noted the concert date "Tix in jew. box."

I use my calendar for lots and lots of reminders that are not appointments for things. Looking at this week, I see notes that I placed months ago that say: Mail Sandy a gift. Make Sept. dinner reservation (for a special event.) Remind bookclub of next meeting location. Get a chimney sweep. Make fall wreath with one in closet.

Last year, I bought a simple fall wreath on 90 percent off during a clearance. I was going to embellish it with pumpkins and goodies to give as a gift in Sept. Here it is hot July and I had totally forgotten that wreath was in the top of my closet until I saw the note today. I have a month to fix it up to give as a gift.

Likewise, it is hard to get a chimney cleaning once it has turned cold out and last year, they were backed up for months so I put that note in the middle of summer for a good reason.

How do you remember all the little things like these? Do you use your calendar for more than appointments?

I consider those appointments with myself! I buy dated, lined pages for my planner that don't have the times on the side. I go through when I get my planner pages each each and jot down PAY MORTGAGE on the first of every month, etc. I jot down dog meds on the first of every month, 7 days prior to any birthday I write SEND XXXX a card. Just a few examples.

Those pages I toss at the end of each day, my weekly planner pages I keep forever as a record of what and when I've done something.

I hadn't thought of how to remind myself of these events that I need reminders for especially far in the future.

I was just noticing that this is August 1st week and I have a reminder to apply the dog's flea/heartworm protection. Poor doggie would never get it (and I'd have fleas!) if I didn't have it written on the first of each month.

I use my planner for items other than appointments.

I make notes on when to change the baking soda in the frig & freezer, when to clean the coffee maker, when to bleach DH's shower head, when to request new prescriptions & inventory the dialysis supplies.

It's way to easy for me to forget all the little details of life & how quickly time passes.

That's great hartbe! I didn't think to mention some of those. I put down decluttering on my calendar! I try to have two "clean sweep" weeks each year. I do a room each day that week and I open drawers, closets and cabinets and remove anything we don't need for trash or donation. My next one will be this fall...it is easier to deal with the holiday happenings without clutter around.

Anyway, I pick two weeks when I get my new calendar set up for the year. Otherwise, I would turn around and three years would have passed before I got around to it.

Is there anyone else who just loves to cross things off?

I sometimes make notes at the top or bottom of the calendar page to remind me of something to do that month or the next. Recently I obeyed a note to myself to stop taking Gingko Biloba, because it thins the blood and I shall be having a procedure in 10 days time which is invasive and should there be a slight nick, I would bleed like crazy if I was on Gingko.

I've never understood why dentists, doctors and medical staff don't remind patients about Gingko and also garlic, which thins the blood. Sometimes I think they just don't know!

WOW, I've found plenty of good ideas here. I love crossing off things on my to-do list (I actually high-light it). Unfortunately, I didn't put birthdays on my planner and forgot 2 important birthdays in July because I was too busy with other stuff but had it been written in my planner, I would have seen it anyway.

I sit down at the beginning of each month and look for all birthdays and events happening. I do the cards and then send them the week before. I also try to include the first few days of the next month so as to not miss any. I keep about 20 cards on hand so I don't have to run out for each one.