Puttering

Main Entry: put·ter
Pronunciation: \ˈpə-tər\
Function: intransitive verb
Etymology: alteration of potter
Date: 1858
1 : to move or act aimlessly or idly

2 : to work at random : tinker
— put·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun

A few years ago a co-worker and friend of mine (Melanie) used to tell me that she spent way too much time puttering in the morning. Her and I would basically wake up for the day about the same time, but I would make it into the office before her almost always. What makes this more impressive is even with my commute time I could make it before her. :-)

Well, I think I now know what she means. Since I moved into the new house I may have become an expert at this phenomena. At first, I didn't realize this was what happening, but while driving to work I was able to identify. It all started when I stopped to get gas for my car this morning. I filled up the tank and walked into get my "cup of ambition" for the day. As I was checking out the clerk told me "You are running late today". What? How could that be? Well granted, I did hit the snooze bar a couple times and decided to skip the gym today, but I still should not be considered "late". I got into my car and noticed the time, it was a few minutes after 7:00. (Considering I am usually on the road by 5:15-5:30 this can be counted late.) Well, I began reflecting upon my morning. After I got out of the shower, I tossed the towel into the laundry hamper; which was when I thought to myself, I should probably do a batch of laundry this morning. No, I will wait until I get home tonight to do it, I don't want wet clothes sitting in the washer all day. Which was when I realized I had a batch of laundry sitting in the dryer from the previous evening. I walked to the laundry room to get the laundry so I could sit it on my bed; which would remind me to fold it tonight. As I was looking around I thought to myself: "I should get a garbage pail to put in here, so we have one close for lint from the dryer and the fabric softener sheets." Just then the idea of a garbage pail made me realize it was Wednesday, trash day.

At that point I begin collecting trash from the bathrooms. As I am collecting I look at the towels and decide they need to be straightened. So, I straighten the towels in my bathroom. I do manage to get the trash, then I head to Chris' bathroom and get his, take a glance at his towels and it looks fine, no adjusting here. I finally get all the garbage together and take it out to the can to be taken to the curb. I come back in side and have to wash my hands--of course. In so doing I realize that I am running low on soap and I wonder if I have a refill somewhere, nope not here. Guess I better put that on my shopping list.

While I am looking for my shopping list I see the stack of receipts that I need to finish putting in my check register, so I can finish balancing my checkbook. Which then sparks a thought in my head, oh no it is the 20th of the month, I need to mail my car payment. Now what did I do with the statement and the payment coupon? I spend the next 10 minutes searching for and trying to figure out where I have put the statement. In the mean-time I see some research material I have for an upcoming church talk sitting on the floor, I decided I need to pick it up and put it away, I also see the book I have been reading sitting on the floor. I don't know how it got there, I usually sit it on my nightstand. Oh well, I pick it up and then think, you know I probably really should vacuum the floor in here. Nah, I will wait until tonight to do that. Anyway, I finally finished getting ready and headed out the door, but first I still need to get that batch of laundry out of the dryer and put it in my room.

I take a glance back into the house as I am getting ready to walk out and I decided to open a few of the blinds, so we can have a little light in the house. After opening the blinds it lets just enough light in so I can see a few crumbs of something sitting on the island in the kitchen. Where do those crumbs come from? I just washed it down last night. Oh that's right, last night before I went to bed I had a taste of some brownies. Well, I figured that I would do it the quick and easy way and clean it with the Clorox wipes. Had to keep the used ones in my hand so I would drop them in the garbage on my way out the door. No need to start filling up the new trash bags just yet. I put my computer in my car, drag the garbage to the curb, get back to my car, started it up then "Oh crud! I need some fuel, why didn't I do this last night?" Anyway, had to stop and get some fuel in my car this morning.

Now I think we are back to where we started. I think I might have perfected puttering rather quickly. If this isn't puttering, maybe Melanie can offer me some advice.