Macgirl's "Stop Procrastinating and Get on with it" Diary

se999

Just thought on the curtains front, the last time I was looking for curtains it was cheaper to buy ready made curtains and adjust the length etc if necessary than to buy the fabric and heading tape etc.., it was a few years ago though. It could be worth looking into. It could save you time and money

Also you mentioned leg waxing, epilators are bril when you get used to them, I use mine once a week, and it's not bad at all. When you start the best things is to run it over your legs before it needs doing, and then it will gradually remove the odd hairs as they grow long enough. Don't leave it until hairs are too long :eek: It will save you lots of money, and it's quick and easy and non-messy.

macgirl

Thanks all. In my case, I ignored the debt as I had other more important things to worry about - building a career, then babies, then one who never slept , then post-natal depression and anxiety....

It was easy to ignore. If DH ever said "We can't afford it" I said "I'll pay for it" Like I was Rockefeller.....He didn't know the debts were so bad.
It sounds odd to some, but we didn't share finances. He felt I earned my own money, so who was he to tell me what I could and couldn't afford. He now recognises that was a mistake.

Anyway, we are where we are and now is the time to get a grip of it.

Firewalker I like the term "Protected Wants", but am not sure what you mean - like a house? Or intangible things that money can't buy? Thanks

Se, I am going to buy ready made Ikea curtains for here as we renting it out. I think they are about £17.99 a pair. I toyed with the idea of leaving ours here, but I made them and they are nice, so I want to take them to the new house. They'll be too short, but I'm going to add on some contrast fabric to the bottoms.

I need to make one pair for DD1's new bedroom, so will get the fabric this week for them and probably make them at my Mum's as they're away on holiday.

Thanks all for your comments - they are much appreciated

se999

When I had curtains that were too short I found some deep broderie anglaise lace to put on the bottom, it gave the extra 4 inches I needed, with it being broderie anglaise it was more solid than normal lace so still cut out most of the light. It depends on what style/pattern your curtains are as to if it could be an alternative solution.

It could be worth finding a good haberdashery dept and seeing what they've got as edgings. Admittedly they are few and far between.

BEAT_THE_DEBT

Hi Mac my goodness you have been busy. I feel the same as you about debt but at least we are not ostriches!!!xx

Firewalker

Hi Mac,

'protected wants' is something I came up with when trying to curb my spending. It is explained on my thread but in a nutshel@

1) it assumes that our needs are basic and given (we have to meet them;
2) what defines us as human is our wants not our needs;
3) thus we have to work out our wants and these are in a hierarchy;
4) the top five or so wants should be protrected when trying to curb spending;
5) faining to do that leads to discontent and increases the probability of dropping off.

I did this myself like that: imagined that I have to leave my house very quickly (15-20 min) and am not allowed to go back. It is made clear to me that I am not allowed to buy anything for a year and I am allowed to take with me 15 things. What are these things? How about five things? How about one thing? The trick is to make a list very fast so you don't reason but tap into the 'compultion' and 'desire'. I came up with about 23 things; after than brought the down to 15, 5 and 1. There were surprises but not many. Made me think and also now I know that for me running marathons around the World is not a luxury - it is a protected need (just like gudgets, cleanliness and books). So I cut from these areas but always allow myself a treat.

Feels better and easier - and the feeling of control is unbelievable.

Firewalker

macgirl

Thanks Se - mine are about a foot too short! We're moving to a house with very high ceilings. Once we move I'll let my creative juices flow and let you know how I get on

Hi BTD :hello: Long time no see - how are you getting along? Getting ready for Christmas already I see *faints*

Thank you Firewalker.
I wholeheartedly agree that getting organised has so many knock-on effects. For me it's bit like running, it is more beneficial for my mental health than anything else.

We've packed up about 70% of the house and it's in boxes in the cellar. The sense of happiness and calm is quite a surprise to me. I used to get so exasperated that I couldn't make things tidier - because there was no room for anything! It was so frustrating to never be able to get my act together. My answer for this was that we needed a bigger house to put all our carp in!
I haven't missed anything - apart from yesterday when I couldn't get to my stockpile of kid's presents.
But then, the stress/incovenience of having to buy a present is really far less than the irritation (which is only a thin layer of stress but adds up) of having loads of "stuff" lying around with no home.
What I've realised is that we don't need - not only half - but as much as THREE QUARTERS of the "Stuff" we have. It is so freeing to have a place for everything and everything in it's place.

When we move I'm going to leave as much as possible in these boxes for as long as I can. I'll see how much we really need them (I'm guessing we won't) then I'll get rid as soon as I can.....

That's why the Flylady email really struck a chord.

To be continued

macgirl

5th and final load has just gone in the washer, leaving me with more one small basket of ironing to finish.

Apple crumble and sausages in the (newly cleaned) oven :A I used the oven cleaner in a bag and it worked a treat! I decided against a "double dip" so washed out the bag and am drying it on the line ready to do the shelves for a final time before we move out.

I've washed the windows inside and out - back of house only, as I did the fronts last week. Then filled in the cracks inside the porch ready for painting this week.
I did want to paint the attic door and go to Ikea, but decided to get them done while the girls are at school this week, as I'll have 3 days (well mornings) to myself :j:j:j


In the category of "Things I have but don't need" are certain items of clothing that I have bought in the last few months, but maybe worn once
I need to make sure that there is a long life in what I buy. I do buy classics (well classic for me, I'm not really a twinset and pearls kinda gal!) but also buy whimsy, which I need to be mindful of.
I might list some items later to shame /remind myself....

Just off to finish the rest of the uniform labelling before dinner. Hope everyone reading has had a good day

hypno06

The words "sparkly leggings" come to mind :rotfl:

macgirl

Well, they are by no means the worst offenders - I've worn them TWICE I'll 'ave you know! And I will defo wear them this Christmas for all the (one) parties I'll be going to

PLUS, they cost £30, but I sold a carseat for £32 so that cancelled it out and it was cheaper than buying a new outfit for my friend's 40th (that group of friends had seen all my going out clothes). Really though, I'm sure I could have bought earrings or something cheaper and no one probably would have noticed.....so ok

1) Sequin Leggings

gilligansyle

Sparkly leggings?!

I once bought a sparkly lycra mini dress ( a la Dorien in birds of a feather), at the time I was a size 12, so it didn't look too bad, but I was never really confident enough to wear it. It has however done stirling work over the years for various people wanting fancy dress outfits......