A busy weekend

This weekend I have finally managed to get washing on the line. I love the smell of washing that has been dried on the line but with leaving for work so early in the morning, I can never quite get it out before I leave.
Yesterday before taking the caravan to get some work done on it, I, feeling quite virtuous pegged out some washing on the line. However by the time we returned, after seeing Sian, Ian and baby Ella, and doing the shopping, the skies had opened and it was pouring.
So this morning, when I came to peg out a second lot, I found that the first lot still hadn't dried so now there are two loads drying on the line.
Have to keep reminding myelf that it won't get dark til later tonight so there is plenty of time to do things - think the lawn mower is calling.................

Tired and exhausted

The end of another working week that once again confirms that I am making the right decision in retiring at the end of the summer. The demands of the job seem to be growing on a daily basis and despite having an excellent lesson with a class of year 10 students, I know that I can't keep it up. I will miss the students and will always want to know how they are getting on in life but the time is definitely approaching when I have to call it a day.

I came home full of good intentions to get all sorts done when I got home but I have done nothing besides preparing a salad for tea.

But tomorrow's another day and hopefully the sun will shine!

Latest photo of Ella

I absolutely love this photo. It's definitely 'like mother like daughter'. Only 2 months old and already surrounded by all her belongings - have you spotted a copy of The Hungry Caterpillar in the pram hood. She's already got her 'baby library card' and if this photo is anything to go by, she will make good use of it.

One Step at a Time

Ages ago I tried to have an alternative blog that would chart and record the changes I made in my life. It was a failure. Not only didn't I manage to make those changes but I also failed to keep up with the blog.
A decision had to be made. I still want to make the changes but trying to keep up two blogs is not possible [ I have enough difficulty with one ]. So as of today the two blogs are amalgamated. I have copied the posts from the other blog into this one just so I can look back at what I am trying to achieve.

Saturday, 26 February 2011

Another new start - Feb 2011

I am going to have another go at something I started last year but failed miserably at.
So here again is going to be a record of the changes that I need to make in my life. I've reached 54 and know that over the next few years I need to make some quite big changes in my life.
The changes I want to achieve:

1. substantial weight loss
2. retire at the end of the summer term
   
3. grow some of our own food
4. pay off the mortgage
5. cut our monthly expenses
   
6. to have more 'me' time
7. to have more quality time with my husband
8. to spend more time with my extended family
9. to spend more time with friends

There are some quite big changes there which is why I once again think a blog may help me keep track of what I am doing and where I am going.

Tuesday, 23 March 2010

Next step - decluttering

On one of the forums I belong to someone suggested trying to get rid of 100 items from your home by March 31st.
What a good idea I thought - surely it can't be that difficult - WRONG AGAIN!!!!!!

So far I have managed to sort out and put in the paper recycling 4 items - catalogues from Lakeland.

Now what else can I find?????

Monday, 22 March 2010

List maker

I don't know about you but I find the process of making lists therapeutic. It's almost as though I am on top of things if I include it all on a list. However increasingly I am finding my lists are being created but nothing is getting done. So change is needed.....


I need to find a way of ensuring the tasks I need to complete [whether household tasks, tasks associated with work or those family type commitments] are actually done. Over the years I have tried various solutions when finding myself in this predicament - yes, this isn't the first time I have found myself in this situation. You would have thought that I'd have learnt something over the years, but the truth of the matter is, that I haven't. I've done the lucky dip method, the advert space between programmes method, the kitchen timer method, to name but a few - and each one although working for one or even when I'm being really good, two sessions, soon fails me.......

So once again I must try and find ways to convince myself to get tasks completed. This time I have decided for the household task lists to use the 'get fit' method. Each household task must involve the burning of more calories than sitting here at the pc or at my desk sewing, knitting etc........mustn't it??

The trouble is I'd rather be doing this:

How do you convince yourself to complete all those 'horrid' tasks that take you away from what you'd rather do?

Step One

My first step is to eat a healthy diet today - I told you it would be one step at a time!!

So far I've had porridge for breakfast and salad, quiche and a yogurt for lunch. I have also had a snack mid-morning of a piece of fruit. I am still drinking coffee and reducing that will come much later.

Sunday, 21 March 2010

The beginning

I am starting this blog as a record of the changes that I need to make in my life. I've reached 53 and know that over the next few years I need to make some quite big changes in my life.
The changes I want to achieve:

1. substantial weight loss
2. growing some of our own food
3. pay off the mortgage
4. cut our monthly expenses
   
5. to have more 'me' time
6. to have more quality time with my husband
7. to spend more time with my extended family
8. to spend more time with friends

There are some quite big changes there which is why I thought a blog may help me keep track of what I am doing and where I am going.

Feeling sorry for myself

For the third time this winter I am suffering from a horrid cough/chest infection. I just wish I could go a few weeks without feeling so horrid.

Yes, you're right two posts in one day! Like buses wait for ages for one, and they all come at once!!

A perfect day!

Saturday started with a visit to Lowestoft to Claire's new shop. It opened the previous Saturday and so I was really eager to see inside it.
It was great...loads of super fabric, ribbons, sewing notions and some jewellery making equipment. Had a good look round and was hoping to get enough of the fabric below for a cloth for my kitchen table but unfortunately Claire didn't have enough left. Apparently it has been selling really fast but she is soon getting some more in and has promised to let me know when its back in stock.

After leaving Patch, we went to a model shop that Harry wanted to visit before going onto Bungay and a quilting shop there. Could only spend 10 minutes looking at material before the shop shut - good thing really as I could have spent a fortune. Then it was off to Sian and Ian's, where Harry cut their grass and I got lots of cuddles from Ella, my 7 week old grandaughter.
What a perfect day!

2011 Census

Have just received the 2011 census pack through the door. And want I want to know is, how is Ella is going to answer some of the questions on the census - what is your main language? Cooing. How well can you speak English? I can't. What was your main address one year ago?...... suggestions for this question please.....