Random Friday Five from RevGals - Thanks Karla!!

Hello dear Friday-fivers!  Without further ado, here is the Friday Five Random-Style meme for you on this September morning!

1. What is one of the best things that happened to you this week?  A supportive text from a colleague - meant all the difference in my week. Reminds me to send such texts to others when I see positive effects of their ministry/work.

2. If you were in a Ms., Miss, Mr. (name your country) Pageant, what would your talent be?  ALWAYS always choosing the slowest lane/line - no matter for what or where - OR finding the last item in a store that does not have a price tag...those are the two true talents in my life.  

3.  You were just given a YACHT!!! What would you name it, and why?  Probably Myrtle - I love to drive my family crazy by giving my technology and vehicles old traditional female names.  My cute little go-cart Versa is Agatha.

4.  If you were to perform in a circus, what would you do?  (I can't remember if I asked this before...)  I perform in the circus of my life every day - juggling is not my true talent, but I can manage it in short bursts.  Tap-dancing, ditto.  I do believe I am particularly adept at walking a tightrope, so maybe that's the circus talent.  

5.  What do you have in your bag/wallet/backpack that best describes your personality?  My wallet - it is very utilitarian and particular for it's purpose, but it has a cute exterior.  Practical and attractive, I think that describes me.  

RevGalBlogPals Friday Five: Smarter Not Harder Edition

KZJ Posted:

I returned to the office today after over a week of vacation. I'm not the best at re-entry, but I do find myself with a renewed interest in being a bit more stream-lined in the way I approach things. 

I'm also open to ideas.

What are 5 things you do or things you have bought that have made your life simpler/easier to manage?

1. After an incident about this time last year, I decided to simplify my electronics.  I decided to go  Apple, so I bought a laptop, iPad and iPhone last October.  I work from two office spaces - one at the parish and one at the diocese, so I need portable access to all my files all the time.  It has not solved all my problems, but it has helped tremendously.  Also, discovering Boingo for my iPad has been a game-changer (I didn't subscribe to a data plan for it).
2. I also now keep a file crate in the back of my car for ongoing projects.  The two jobs overlap constantly, so having access to the physical files no matter where I am is essential and saves a lot of time.  This sounds like a no-brainer now, it's sad how long it took  me to figure it out.
3. I bought several different colored mesh zipper envelopes to keep on-going projects in.  I have diocesan youth projects in one color, diocesan SafeGuarding in another, etc.  They live in my trunk in the file crate.  
4. I switched my day off from Friday to Monday.  When my day off was Friday, I ended up either finishing up stuff from the week, or feeling guilty for not doing so.  Now that my day off is Monday, I have a much easier time honoring and taking it.  
5. I have been mildly successful at writing my sermons on Fridays.  The summer has been odd with trips but before that I was getting better about having it done.  This frees up Saturday morning for family time.
6. Adding one more: Google calendar.  The church and the diocese both use it, so I love the "add this to my calendar" option for the things I need to attend.  Also, David and I both have access to it all the time in its most updated form on our phones.  I print out a copy for the kitchen counter also.