Simplifying Life

Keeping_Motivated

I have fits and starts its so frustrating... When I get on a roll I'm really good and I don't know where my motivation comes from its just naturally there BUT it never lasts :rolleyes:

mary43

KM - know the feeling................lol I got on better tackling one corner ot the room at a time. That way I felt I'd achieved something and didn''t pile up so much clutter round my feel as I chucked it out of the cupboards/drawers !
I kept saying I'd do some sort of 'timetable' like in school, and stick to it but then 'life' sometimes gets in the way of things so I've got to be flexible. 0 and also try not to re-clutter when I've done it !! Easier said than done though our kitched is relatively clear now (apart from certain cupboards, the contents of which I daren't mention !). Sadly our bedroom is fast becoming a bit of a 'tip' again, mainly because we're both a bit 'slobbish' when it comes to putting things away...........lol
You'll get there..........just set small achievable goals.............have a look at the 'Enough's enough' thread............loads of tips on there.............they amaze me they really do.................:j

Today hopefully will be a lot better than yesterday and I just might get around to covering an old shoe box, putting pressies in it all ready for ex foster lads birthday on Monday................shouldn't have said might -should have said will !

mary43

Actually got around to covering bright orange shoe box !!!! After much messing about with oddments of wallpaper and other stuff I opted for straight forward brown wrapping paper and stuck it on with some wallpaper paste I'd got. Then I decorated it with some slogans/quotes I'd kept and typed out plus odd randomly placed decorated paper - sounds gross when I try and describe it but really it looks ok - I think...........and OH thinks so too !! Think I'll put a coat of varnish on it tomorrow then by Friday I can put the goodies in it ready for giving to ex foster lad..........he'll be thrilled to bits.........always is !
Took me nearly all day doing this and I did begin to wonder if it was all worth the messing around but then I kicked myself into a reminder of who I was doing it for............its so easy to get a bit of cheap wrapping paper ......at least this has a bit of 'me' in it and I know that will be appreciated and he'll treasure it.
So, the hoover hasn't seen the light of day, nor has the duster but not to worry. Our young lad had a really good morning at school, fishing this afternoon was no problem (other lads were at school) and he's happy as a sandboy. Older lad comes home from work moaning that his wrists are hurting and he thinks he must have 'done something' so off he goes to the doctors...........comes back over an hour later.........no response when asked what doctor said (did he actually go I wonder?) and he promptly microwaved his dinner (including the salad !!!) ate it and has now gone out ! Not much wrong with him I'm thinking......................lol
OH is watching football while reclining on the bed (we can't get channel 5 down here and Liverpool are playing apparently) so..........kids out, me in...........oh what a good day it's been.:j

mary43

Shoe box number two now covered after much 'blood sweat and tears'........well almost. I was using up some scrapbooking paper-memo to self -next time use pva glue not wallpaper paste !! Still, it's all done and looking a lot better than it did. Just two beer boxes to do..............but not today............had enough of boxes for a bit !
Young lad did very well at school -two days on the trot which is unusual for him so I'm pleased about that and now, despite the rain, he's gone off fishing.
So, despite waking up with stinking headache......the day has gone well (so far) and I've done what I set out to do which makes a change
Been raining all day so al notions of sitting in the garden with a book, or casually dead heading the roses are a no-go.............trying to think positive - good for the 'veg in pots'.

Greenshieldstamp_2

Hi there Mary43,

Sorry I haven't replied to your postings but a bit of a busy week this one and working this weekend. I was sorry to hear the way some people have been treating your new foster lad. So unnecessary and cruel. Mind you, sounds like the fishing is going well. Does he catch anything that can be cooked?

We are also getting rain for the garden at the moment, but have managed to transplant some lavender plants which are getting bigger. The radishes are now galloping away to seed, which is a shame and have gone a bit woody. Not sure what I have done wrong there, but am wondering whether I can harvest the seeds from them and have another go?

Welcome Keeping Motivated - I too don't find it easy keeping motivated with all the simplifying jobs, tend to have mad bursts at it and then lapse, so you are definitely not on your own.

Have a good weekend when it comes, will catch up again next week,
Greenshield

mary43

Hello Greenshield - fishing still going well with our young lad but nothing we can eat............I'm quite relieved about that ! It freaked me out to see a trout in the fridge last night complete with staring eyes !!!:eek: OH had been given it so tonights dinner will be a cheapie one..........long as he beheads it first it'll be lovely.
Sorry to hear about the radishes. Never grown those so haven't a clue what you do but you've nothing to lose by trying to salvage the seed. Maybe someone on the Greenfingers board would know.

Sorted out the box I did yesterday and filled it with stuff for ex foster lads birthday along with a wine bottle full of cheap bubble bath(Had a load given me) with a wacky label on.He's calling hopefully tomorrow afternoon so that will all be out of the way.
Box I did this afternoon is due to go to the spare room out of the way (daren't tell you the state of the spare room !!) and by the weekend I'm hoping to have a few less things in my little den !

EagerLearner

Hi all I have been reading with interest for any tips in getting more organised.

For me, I sorted my recipes that had been mounting in a file in the kitchen, placed each recipe in a plastic wallet and we have been more motivated to try new recipes this way. Most of them from MSE including Curry Queen's fab base sauce which we made last night!

In terms of general house stuff, it's helped alot to make a Household Folder (A5) which has tabs for To Do, Contacts and Notes. The to do has tasks we want to get done (but have kept forgetting, so now written down should help). The contacts section has bank/bills/joint contact numbers so I don't have to get the Bills folder out each time I want to call someone. It also includes bank account numbers, elec/gas numbers etc etc.

We also batch cook more now, and freeze, as well as continuing to shop online for the big bulky stuff which saves money in the long run plus saves time/effort on the weekends etc.

I have started to make my own birthday cards, which I used to do alot more. I bought some A4 card very cheaply, then design cards in Word by using images from Google and coming up with themes (no fancy design programme needed) and then I print them, stick to blank card, then add glitter or personal touches. Last weekend I made around 6 which will do me for a while now. I am happy to send these template ideas to anyone who needs inspiration - just pm me your e-mail addy and I will send you some ideas in Word that you can use, or modify to your own needs...

annelouise_2

I wonder if I may join you lovely lot...

Having stumbled upon this thread last night I have read the first 1000 posts and will endeavour to read the rest in the next few days.

I have moved to Spain with my 3 young 9/8/4 children last year while other half finishes his time in the Army.

I am a Company Director (18.5yrs) of a successful day nursery and a surgical nurse - 40-50hrs per week in all and made the decision that although I had everything ( 3 houses,1 in Spain,lovely car,3 great kids,fantastic circle of friends,excellent OH ) I felt empty and sad.

My outlook is very sunny and I am forever doing RAK ( Random Acts of Kindness ) these make me feel great and appreciated but a dodgy relationship with my Mother after a heated work related arguement has left me feeling deflated and knowing I need to lower my expectations around her to avoid rejection / disappointment.(3 years ago)

So after struggling with a weight problem, I had a gastric band 2 years ago, have lost over 6 stone and look great,but more to the point this last year although separated from my OH for weeks on end due to his military commitments this has been a cathartic time for me.I will never be able to thank my husband enough for what he has enabled me to do,not only did I move,I took his children and left him managing my business alongside a fulltime demanding job to my own end in effect leaving him living a single life.

My OH has an interview for an excellent Overseas job which will involve more change across the board so after selling our 2 UK houses thankfully before the credit crunch and being able to invest the proceeds we have made the decision for me to return to the Uk with the kids into private Army accommodation ( 2 bed luxury batchelor pad )and put our Spanish house on the market.

The kids will go to their old school,youngest will start at same school,I will work in my own business pt and keep the manager on fulltime and I will nurse pt every week.OH will be on gardening leave so will do all the school runs and activity taxis and will love it.

So reading this thread has insighted me to do the following -

*Cleaned out utility and recycled loads of plant pots and cartons I was going to grow more seeds in.
*Sent 4 bags of childrens clothes to charity /clothes bank.
*Decluttered books and toys that would not come with us overseas if we move from UK.
*Dejunked kitchen drawers and boxed up stuff I want to come back with me as we are selling the house fully furnished.
*Taken all the kids school clothes into school to pass out to needy kids.
*Thrown a load of coathangers for recycling.
*Looked at the "jar journal link" and decided I will do 6 for my closest friends for Christmas and have got a lovely note book in which I have started writing special moments / memories for each of the 3 children. ie: favourite tv programme,toy,song,subject,day trip,festival,holiday,teacher etc etc to give to them when they are 18.
*I have had a message tonight to say I have a viewing tomorrow at 12 so I am fully prepared as we are immaculate!!!!

Feel renewed and excited about the move and knw that good things happen to good people and fate plays her hand so no amount of worry / stress is going to change the outcome.

I have made a note of the inspirational quotes and sent one to America to someone I met in Australia last year who is having some serious medical investigations and awaiting results this week.

Will check this thread regularly as I usually hover around the grocery challenge daily.

annelouise

annelouise_2

Well after 3 hours of manic sweeping,mopping,dusting,hiding stuff my agent phoned to say the clients had cancelled....

The upside is the house is sparkling for the weekend.

Have a massive white wash in and it's boiling hot today so thats an easy job later.

annelouise

Charis

Welcome to our long and rambling thread annelouise. It should carry a health warning that reading it may seriously alter your outlook on life :rotfl: I have made a number of radical changes since it began.

If you are still in Spain and coming back to the UK (?) don't recycle your cardigans. Boiling would not describe our summer this year. It's the same temperature where I live as the winter temperature in Brisbane.
I think you might enjoy Rhonda Jean's blog, a lady who once 'had it all' then made some radical changes. It's food for the soul. Even the comments people leave are uplifting. I can't think of one other blog where I just have to read the comments.

http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/