Memorygirls - The Matrix Reloaded

clairewop

aww that video was fab

Did farmers market today, didn't do well again

thriftyscotslass

Chin up chuck

It's the time of year and people are really beginning to feel the rising prices - I know we are. Was looking at our bills and in spite of increasing the amount we spend on petrol, we still can't make it stretch. Same story with our food, gas and elec - paying more and more for less and less.

Maybe you could incorporate an easter theme to your next market.

Bitsy_Beans

Boy it's a bit here isn't it!

Claire - sorry to hear that the farmers market didn't go so well xx

Right brain has been buzzing this morning Woke up feeling really good (sadly still stiff and swollen) but mentally felt great (even with a 6am start courtesy of DD).
Anyway was mulling a few things over whilst in this positive mood and came to some conclusions.
The 100 day Challenges I can't stick to I need something more permament, life long IYSWIM. I am tired of sticking losing weight as one of my challenges and I wondered why I just couldn't get past whatever was holding me back. Marru lent me a lovely book yesterday which I started reading and made me realise how food is tied to my emotions. I don't comfort eat the way I used to which is all well and good BUT I still use and see food as a reward or a treat. Unless I change this perception things are never going to change.
So that started me thinking about other things in my life, not big things, just little things so here is my aims list. I need to participate in my life more rather than being the queen of procrastination.

In no particular order:

• Use the timer for 15 mins for lots of things. It's a useful tool that I don't utillise enough.
• Work on cutting my emotional ties to food. It's fuel NOT a reward.
• Use my slow cooker at least once a week, I don't use this half as much as I ought to.
• Seek out and try some new recipes.
• Start reading ALL the books beside my bed. I've got lots that I've wanted to read for a while (years) and still not knuckled down to do it So rather than watching TV in evening or if I have 15 mins during the day try reading a book.
• Be more mindful, rather than reaching for something to eat pick something that I enjoy that doesn't involve food, find out what non food pleasures I really like.
• Tackle the re-grouting in the bathroom.
• Take time to enjoy the kids more. They won't be little for long enough.
• Sand down and season the garden furniture - URGENTLY NEEDS DOING BEFORE IT'S DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR

So some of that list could potentially be life changing, others not.
I don't want to hijack the thread with my ramblings so would people prefer me to start my own thread/diary? I didn't want to use the other side as if others who would like to join in with their aims but aren't members over there would miss out.

Ultimately this isn't a timed challenge. It's a work in progress which is why I think I've failed in other 100/50 challenges.

To end on a high note I was listening to this whilst I went round Sainsbugs this morning. Better break out my shades :rotfl:

ClootiesMum

Yo Bitsy - I agree with you - I had to go to page 4 to find the Matrix this morning.

Your challenges - kind of ditto & I was also thinking about starting my own diary (again "insert roll eyes smiley") as I need the proverbial kick up the butt.

I'm so organised & go-get-um at work but when I come home I just slob......

Anyway - away to have a coffee to have a think

oceanspirit

Hello MG and The Matrix,

I peered out of lurkdom last year at a time of tremendous momentum on the thread with people moving towards big goals and although I wanted to join in at that time I didn't, because I wasn't ready for going back to work or making decisions on big changes in my life and I also didn't feel I had anything to contribute, so I slunk back off into lurkdom to "get ready" to join in.

During that time you have all made fantastic, positive changes in your lives with the support of the matrix and I have followed your journies and gained so much from doing so. You have all kept me on track. I realised however that I have been very selfish in hiding away - I should have joined in at the start because I have made some positive changes in my life, done a lot of decluttering of my mind (including cutting back on electronic interruptions and diversions!) and my home, and researched and implemented some changes to help me improve my health. My contribution would have been sharing my journey with you all, just as you have all shared yours.

So, I apologise for hiding away and hope that you will be happy for me to join in with sharing the rest of my journey and if so, the first item on my next challenge list which starts today will be to post on the matrix thread every day.

fantasia322

Welcome Oceanspirit. If you feel ready to join in, fantastic, we are all here to support and encourage each other, give opinions, tell it like it is etc etc etc.,

Bitsy & Clootie, I could not agree more with the fact that the thread appears to be losing momentum. I don't think its a deliberate thing. A lot of peeps have their own diaries or post on the other side etc, but have noticed things slowly sliding since MG went AWOL, but obviously her health came 1st.
Quite honestly I gave up on the challenges, I think mine were so small with they were'nt making much difference as to whether I achieved them or not and I just gave up the ghost.
I need to tackle one thing at a time.
My biggest thing was acquiring and adopting Leyla, which would have stayed a pipedream without you girls and especially Cheri, who totally validated my dreams and wants.
I'm kind of at a crossroads now with redundancy looming on the 8th of next month, and while I know what I want to do i cannot find a road into Animal welfare. I could study and gain a qualification but the lack of jobs in that field at the end of it make me think, is that the way to go. So at the moment I am kind of stuck in limbo.
On a positive note the job that I walked out on in the charity sector are clamouring for me to go back, but I walked out when I was almost at nervous breakdown point, and i don't really want to be in that position again. :eek:.

With positivity I can 'fake it till I make it' kind of thing but I just feel a little lost and a little demotivated. I think I got bouyed up on what what happening for MG and was well encouraged and motivated at the time, but I really now, don't know how many more knocks I can take. Am more than happy to take ANY job to pay the bills etc but cannot afford the luxury of not working.
SO am floating in limbo, soul searching and trying to muddle through, which is nothing new for me.
One thing I do know, redundancy or not, Leyla is here to stay, am not giving her up because of finances etc, it will be a struggle but she is here to stay.

Bitsy, your posts are part and parcel of this thread now and if they were'nt here, I would seriously miss them, so please, please carry on posting. You make a difference to my day, you really do xx

Tescodealqueen

Bitsy I for one would like to keep your challenges and associated "ramblings" on here. I am trying to cut down lall the time I spend on internet and although I try to keep up with all the diaries its just tooooo much for me. I do manage to get on this one most days though. I know what you mean about the challenges - I am finding it dificult to keep up with mine too so I need to focus a bit more.

Sorry you had a bad day Claire but I think everyone is struggling with the cost of petrol gas electricity food and all the other essentials and everything else is taking second place. I am sure its not a reflection on the merchandise.

Now I am depressing myself - need a kick up the b**t

Back to the rugby I think

clairewop

Good afternoon

Been a busy bee today, trying to get order to the house again, and try to home my craft stuff managed to home most of it and it's looking a lot tidier her again,

Been a lovely day here, dried 3 loads of washing on the line. Just checking emails, then its finishing touches here, putting bits and bobs away that haven't been found a home as yet.

Need to get a few biots put under the stairs too then downstairs has been completly de cluttered and cleaned I have even polished all the units

MrsMoo2U

Bitsy, love the smiley and it does sum up the way things have been on here for a while. I have been thinking that the amount of momentum that was created last year had to slow down eventually. Perhaps we were all rushing to achieve things and we are out of puff now. I like catching up on here. The motivation is great. I do visit some diaries but I have seriously restricted myself recently as I was getting bogged down with things. If you would like to start a diary go for it but would you be able to update on here? I think that you are so right about the challenges. I never really joined in those because I believe more in making changes that affect my life rather than going hells bells at something and running out of steam.

Fantasia - with regards to the charity job - was it really the job that caused you to become ill or a cumulation of things? Did you ever enjoy the job and if so what was it that you enjoyed. If they are clamouring for you then you must have been good at it. Before turning it down completely I would take a long realistic look at that period of your life, write down if you can what was happening then and see if it was just the job that caused the problem. In my experience it is usually an accumulation of things but the daily routines are what we focus on. If you can work that out then you will be able to see the wood for the trees. Mr C is currently not working and so I completely understand about worrying about the cost of a big dog but we have managed on several occasions so I am sure you can too. I also managed with two dogs when my ex left me and I was then responsible for a very big mortgage, 2 dogs and myself on only £10000 per year. Believe me it was hard but no way were the dogs going anywhere and without them I would have crawled under the covers and never come out. If you want to chat PM me and we can talk about stuff. Thanks again for the lovely praise.

TDQ - where are you up to with the challenges? What do you need to focus on.

Claire, you constantly put me to shame.

I need a kick up the behoozy because I am spending money I havent got - think that I am rebelling.

Right now I am off to the beach with Moo and Mr C.

clairewop

Cherisong, Why do I constantly put you to shame?? If your on about the cleaning, your house is probably cleaner than mine, so you don't have to clean all the time, or even you don't have a house of lazy people (including me) who leaves stuff lying around all the time.