I was thinking of doing an article on procrastination but kept putting it off till now. In man-speak, I don't really procrastinate - I reschedule. All right, all kidding aside, I'm not a procrastinator at all, but just wanted to say those two things. This is more a rant, so you are warned.

I live with a procrastinator and it is hell! Things get put off and put off until there's no longer any point in doing many of them. Things like shopping for Christmas or birthdays? Nearly every gift is accompanied by a card saying ''belated" if I haven't intervened and gotten the gifts out in a timely fashion.

There's nothing really wrong with something coming late if it's unavoidable, but what's up with things being put off until they are? Why does this happen with some people? My person puts everything off and then gets anxious and goes nuts because he's under the gun to get it done! I've pointed out to him that, in almost every instance, he's in control of the situation, but it doesn't do any good. He says he knows, that he has to get better at getting things done and then continues on his "I'll do it later" path.

I do understand it if it's a doctor or dentist appointment or some other unpleasant thing we never look forward to doing. Even when a task is going to be difficult, there's reason enough to assess it first before tackling it. You can bring the job down to size by giving yourself time and perhaps making it less intimidating.

What I don't understand is putting a simple job off merely because it's not fun. How many times does this actually ruin a fun time? Case in point: you're going to go to the beach and you have to cut the lawn. Not being a procrastinator, I would cut the lawn before going out. That way I'm able to relax at the beach without thinking I have to go home and cut the lawn. I have been places with my husband where he fusses about a job waiting at home the entire time we're out. He can never relax and enjoy himself.