It's probably not surprising, but I live by lists. Perhaps you can relate.

Here are some of my lists: Phone list, assignment list, weekly reporter story and to-do lists, special supplement story list, daily time card list, white board list of upcoming events and vacations, page layout list, saved email list, husband ("honey do") list, domestic duty list, granddaughter events list ... and I am sure there are several others that I am not thinking of right now.

Thank heaven for computer filing. If computers weren't invented yet, my work area would be peppered with sticky notes, multiple calendars and I'd have to have a desk drawer just for lists.

I am also grateful that my wife takes care of the grocery list, the list of bills, the checkbook ledger, the monthly calendar of doctors' appointments, the “official” granddaughter event list and more.

Once in a while, I have to consolidate my sticky notes onto a to-do list -- or onto some of the aforementioned lists.

Speaking of notes -- I will always remember Mary Brewer's desk. There were stacks and more stacks of papers on her desk, from the standard 8 1/2-inch by 11-inch letter size down to a 1-inch by 1-inch scrap of paper. I don't know how she kept things organized but somehow she did. I should also mention that she went kicking and screaming into the computer age.

Then there are others I have worked with who either have a list and lose it or who didn't live by lists at all. How do they live?

I couldn't live if I didn't have my lists. But someday, I will look forward to not being saddled by lists. By that time, however, someone will have to probably do the lists for me.