Planning, Lack of

So... I try to stay on top of things. Birthday. Events. Kids activities. That sort of thing.

I use a couple of systems, including automated email reminders, on-line calendar, and a physical calendar to keep track of, you know, life and stuff. Except sometimes I think I can remember it all and don't bother looking or updating my calendar....

Well, it shouldn't come as a huge surprise that I can't keep it all in my head and I absolutely need to pay more attention to my calendars. Earlier in the week, I saw an email reminder that my father-in-law's birthday was coming up. So yesterday, I kept reminding my husband to call his father so that we could all wish him happy birthday. The funny thing is, it wasn't actually his birthday yet - that would be tomorrow. It is even funnier that I sounded so sure of myself that I managed to convince my husband to make that phone call.... chaos ensued. 

I mean, the actual birthday is clearly marked on my calendar - I just didn't pay attention.

This coming Saturday we were hoping to go on a family outing, maybe kayaking or biking.. Because the next few weekends are going to be busy and then the school starts, etc, etc. And we had an absolutely beautifully open Saturday.. or so I thought. Ha. My son is going to his teacher's wedding ceremony. This Saturday. Again - it is on my calendar (and has been for months), I just thought that I remembered things well enough so that I didn't look at it! I couldn't sleep last night because I was a) disappointed that our plans wouldn't work, b) he has no gift, and c) he needs new decent-looking pants to attend the wedding.

Dear Reader, are you a planner? Or do you outsource it to someone else?