We all face deadlines of one kind or another. The deadlines may camouflage themselves as something else, but they are deadlines nonetheless.

Do you have a dentist appointment? That’s a deadline to get those teeth extra clean before you go in. Do you have to get to work at a certain time? That’s a deadline to meet or  maybe be fired. Do you have to pick up your kids or spouse or friend up at a certain time?  That’s a really important deadline — to be somewhere when you said you will.

Life is full of major and minor deadlines. For me, my frequent deadlines are when a piece of writing is due (to a magazine or to my editor of this newspaper) and I’m pretty good at making these. Sometimes I’m even early, but I haven’t missed a deadline for many years. I like to think this is prioritizing your life. Prioritize means to designate or treat (something) as more important than other things. (Synonym: emphasize).

My days don’t start very early but as soon as I do get out of bed there are things that need doing (besides the obvious). My priorities are: Brush my teeth, wash my face, get dressed, comb my hair, make coffee, empty the dishwasher (when needed), take my meds, and I’m ready for the day.

After that I check the calendar by the kitchen phone. It dictates my deadlines for the day.

Today (the day I’m writing this) I have a lunch meeting at the Hansville Store, then a drop-off of goods at a store in Poulsbo, then in the evening starting at 6:30 p.m., I have a meeting in Bainbridge at the library. Normal day for me lately although I usually have just two entries (but I can handle three).

By now are you wondering what brought on all this deadline stuff? Well, here it is. I think my schedule is busy, but have you looked at the May schedule for the Greater Hansville Community Center (GHCC) and all the deadlines they are meeting?

• May 2 and 3 is the Spring Fling. This is the day our local crafters bring their finished projects to the community center and offer them for sale.
• May 10 is the annual Flotsam and Jetsam Plant Sale (in time for Mother’s Day).
• May 15 is the monthly Social Hour where you can play cards, read a good book or just sit and talk to a neighbor with a cup of coffee and a cookie to munch on.
• May 17 is Rummage Sale Drop-off day (look at the web site if you’re not sure what they will accept for the August sale).
• May 21 is the Neighbors Luncheon (come meet someone new or hook up with those people you don’t see very often).
• May 25 if the Memorial Service at the Hansville Cemetery.

Now, I know there are several more things going on in Eglon, Shorewood, Driftwood Key and all the other neighborhoods that make up Hansville too. Busy world we live in.

After looking at this schedule I have come to one conclusion … I’m so happy I’m only in charge of the deadlines on my calendar. How about you — would you trade calendars with GHCC?

— Donna Lee Anderson  writes Hansville Happenings for the Kingston Community News. Contact her at WellToldTales@aol.com