Well, phew! :-)
What a week and a half this has been! The summer holidays are almost upon us and EVERYTHING is happening at once! Add to that my husband being away and I feel like I've been pulled in a million different directions at once!
But tonight I'm taking a breather - I have nowhere to be tomorrow, well, except for a little trip to the Guide shop for some badges for the end of term party, so I'm enjoying a re-run of an old sitcom where the main character reminds me SO much of my Dad and an old family friend and watching the beautiful pink sky!
BLISS! :-)
We've just had a huge thunderstorm, so everything smells wonderful and the light is fantastic, - clear and bright, yet mellow and soft all at the same time.
After all the ridiculously HOT days we've had over the last couple of weeks it's so good to feel cool and watch this light again!
SO, what HAVE we been up to since I last posted?
Hmmmmm.
Well, we've had a sports day that sprog 3 and I went to watch - briefly before she had a major paddy so we had to leave until she'd calmed down. Much to Sprog 2s disappointment!
A Sports day we didn't go to - Sprog 1 didn't really see the point as she wasnt' doing anything....... but came back and told us she'd come 4th in the 800m (Grrrr!)
A HUGE Guiding event for our Centenary, held at the nearby Safari Park. Over 2000 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Leaders all out for a good time, arriving in over 20 coaches...... poor animals didn't know WHAT had hit them! :-)
Errrmmmmm, oh, a Concert I didn't know was happening (don't you just love the teenage ability to not communicate! Lol!)
A Church Flower Festival where I entered my very first flower arrangement!
A new job! (Yeah!!!!)
A music exam for Sprog 1 - oh, and a maths exam taken 3 years early (hope to goodness she passes, don't think I can stand the angst again! Lol!)
.......... And no husband for the best part of this last month because he's been out on tour after tour!
PHEW!!!!
No wonder I'm shattered! Lol!
Roll on Wednesday - LAST DAY OF TERM!
I LOVE the Summer Holidays!
AM
Friday, 16 July 2010
Friday, 11 June 2010
Company Girls Friday Coffee
Hi!
I've been reading all the Company Girls friday posts for a while now, and decided to take the plunge and join in!
Hopefully the thought of lots of people stopping by to see what I've been up to might motivate me to actually DO some of the jobs I keep promising!
Recently I've been very .... well not lazy exactly, but certainly struggling to get up and "DO" so this would be a great improvement :-) We'll have to see how it goes - I still feel pretty overwhelmed by it all. It's like facing a HUGE knot in my life. I know I can unpick it and wind up all the string, it's just a case of finding the right end to start at!
So, what HAVE I been up to today? Well, recent struggles and budget difficulties have left all the cupboards (and the freezer) drastically bare, so I decided that the only cause of action was to go and flex the recently emptied plastic and re-fill everything.
Because I wasn't pressurised by the need to stick to "the list" and only the list, and I wasn't counting the cost all the way round the supermarket, I actually had fun with my toddler. SHE got to pick the biscuits for the tin today (Hope you like Bourbon creams!) instead of me looking along the line for the cheapest, she also got to choose herself a comic - something she hasn't done in months!
OK the comic was an extravagance -especially as she decided to pick up one for her next eldest sister as well "because Cayin will be sad if she not got one when my reading!" (have to say that's Toddler's name for her sister as she can't yet pronounce it properly!) - but as I'm always trying to encourage sisterly love what could I say?!
It was so good to actually have fun instead of feeling so snippy and harrassed. I don't plan on making a habit of using the plastic to pay for my groceries, but today it was definately the right thing to do!
As for the rest of my "overwhelming" life...... well it'll still be there next week. Why not call back and see how far I've got?!
AM
I've been reading all the Company Girls friday posts for a while now, and decided to take the plunge and join in!
Hopefully the thought of lots of people stopping by to see what I've been up to might motivate me to actually DO some of the jobs I keep promising!
Recently I've been very .... well not lazy exactly, but certainly struggling to get up and "DO" so this would be a great improvement :-) We'll have to see how it goes - I still feel pretty overwhelmed by it all. It's like facing a HUGE knot in my life. I know I can unpick it and wind up all the string, it's just a case of finding the right end to start at!
So, what HAVE I been up to today? Well, recent struggles and budget difficulties have left all the cupboards (and the freezer) drastically bare, so I decided that the only cause of action was to go and flex the recently emptied plastic and re-fill everything.
Because I wasn't pressurised by the need to stick to "the list" and only the list, and I wasn't counting the cost all the way round the supermarket, I actually had fun with my toddler. SHE got to pick the biscuits for the tin today (Hope you like Bourbon creams!) instead of me looking along the line for the cheapest, she also got to choose herself a comic - something she hasn't done in months!
OK the comic was an extravagance -especially as she decided to pick up one for her next eldest sister as well "because Cayin will be sad if she not got one when my reading!" (have to say that's Toddler's name for her sister as she can't yet pronounce it properly!) - but as I'm always trying to encourage sisterly love what could I say?!
It was so good to actually have fun instead of feeling so snippy and harrassed. I don't plan on making a habit of using the plastic to pay for my groceries, but today it was definately the right thing to do!
As for the rest of my "overwhelming" life...... well it'll still be there next week. Why not call back and see how far I've got?!
AM
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Getting Stuck In!
Right, no time like the present is there?!
I've just wandered into the kitchen - which has been ignored TOTALLY today (and not had much Tlc all week! Ooopss!)
Here is what I found......... yuck!
Isn't that just DISGUSTING!!!
How can I even think about "organising" when I can't even keep dishes done?
As for the pile on the table. Well sadly, a lot of that is homeless. No excuse for it being on the table..... but at the minute I don't know WHERE to put it!
It will have to go though, as my goal for the family is to get back to eating at the table all together (well, at least me and the girls, DH works such silly unpredictable shifts we never know when he'll be about!)
SO, no more computer. I need to get cracking. I'll come back later and post some (hopefully) better pics of my grotty kitchen! :-)
AM
Overwhelmed!
Someone once told me "It gets worse before it gets better!"
I've no idea what they were refering too, but it might as well have been my house! I just don't know what to do next!
It seems no matter how much "stuff" I get rid of, find homes for or dump, it just multiplies over and over again. We're now getting to the point where WE are going to have to move out - there just isn't room for us amongst all the "Stuff"!
My biggest problem?
-Well other than the fact that 5 of us are now crammed into this little house that was so lovely as a "starter home"?, or mthe fact that all 5 of us collect things (I have Guiding parafanalia, school "stuff", the children have toys, books, favourite pictures, my husband.... well he's into trains, enough said really!) -
My biggest problem is ME!!!
I procrastinate.
BIG TIME!!!
I like "to organise" .... in other words, browse everybody else's Blogs and websites and find the "perfect" organising solution, then spend hours and ££££s sorting out lovely little boxes/labels/bags/timetables...... you get the idea!
And of course, in the process, NOTHING happens..... except the piles grow, topple, get moved and create whole independent life forms of their own!
Time to get back to simple I think! ..... Is anyone hosting an organising project?
AM
I've no idea what they were refering too, but it might as well have been my house! I just don't know what to do next!
It seems no matter how much "stuff" I get rid of, find homes for or dump, it just multiplies over and over again. We're now getting to the point where WE are going to have to move out - there just isn't room for us amongst all the "Stuff"!
My biggest problem?
-Well other than the fact that 5 of us are now crammed into this little house that was so lovely as a "starter home"?, or mthe fact that all 5 of us collect things (I have Guiding parafanalia, school "stuff", the children have toys, books, favourite pictures, my husband.... well he's into trains, enough said really!) -
My biggest problem is ME!!!
I procrastinate.
BIG TIME!!!
I like "to organise" .... in other words, browse everybody else's Blogs and websites and find the "perfect" organising solution, then spend hours and ££££s sorting out lovely little boxes/labels/bags/timetables...... you get the idea!
And of course, in the process, NOTHING happens..... except the piles grow, topple, get moved and create whole independent life forms of their own!
Time to get back to simple I think! ..... Is anyone hosting an organising project?
AM
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Yeah! Progress!
Hurray for me! ....Well and DH who has worked really hard the last couple of days!
We've cleared out the Garage! You can now walk from front to back....... or at least you would be able to if the bikes weren't in there!
I can now get to my old Scout box which has housed all my Guiding stuff in secret for the last 4 years! (Oh and what treasures I discovered I can tell you!) and DH can get to all his maps instead of half killing himself leaning over the top of all the kids outdoor toys and the camping stuff!
And if we wanted to go camping at the drop of the hat ... we can! 'Cos I now know where all the bits and pieces are (including the new stove still in it's box in the living room!...Hmmm, still some work to do then!)
And he took 3 loads of stuff to the tip yesterday, so it really has GONE!!!!
YEAH!! Go us!
... Now if I can just get another 2 boxes of stuff back to my Mum then Sprog 2s bike would stand in the front of the garage and we really would be able to walk through!
Other great news is that in the middle of all the stuff yesterday I found 2 small cork notice boards that used to hang in the kitchen many moons ago when we first moved in. The migrated to the classroom and back to the garage when I left and had disappeared under all the junk.
I dusted them off and put them back in the kitchen - along with some pictures of other peoples "Family Command Centres" - and DH has said he will have a go at coming up woth something for me!
HUGE news... because he's not that into DIY!
I'll have to post a picture when it's done!
We've cleared out the Garage! You can now walk from front to back....... or at least you would be able to if the bikes weren't in there!
I can now get to my old Scout box which has housed all my Guiding stuff in secret for the last 4 years! (Oh and what treasures I discovered I can tell you!) and DH can get to all his maps instead of half killing himself leaning over the top of all the kids outdoor toys and the camping stuff!
And if we wanted to go camping at the drop of the hat ... we can! 'Cos I now know where all the bits and pieces are (including the new stove still in it's box in the living room!...Hmmm, still some work to do then!)
And he took 3 loads of stuff to the tip yesterday, so it really has GONE!!!!
YEAH!! Go us!
... Now if I can just get another 2 boxes of stuff back to my Mum then Sprog 2s bike would stand in the front of the garage and we really would be able to walk through!
Other great news is that in the middle of all the stuff yesterday I found 2 small cork notice boards that used to hang in the kitchen many moons ago when we first moved in. The migrated to the classroom and back to the garage when I left and had disappeared under all the junk.
I dusted them off and put them back in the kitchen - along with some pictures of other peoples "Family Command Centres" - and DH has said he will have a go at coming up woth something for me!
HUGE news... because he's not that into DIY!
I'll have to post a picture when it's done!
Saturday, 15 August 2009
Drowning under paper!
OK, I've been away, I've had a think.... and a look round a great many other fantastic blogs! -Don't you find you can get lost in those things? I read an interesting article and then follow the "you might be interested in.." button and end up going through another 3 or4 blogs before the dulcet tones of DH asking if I'd like a brew filters through the organising fog and I realise I've been reading for an hour or so! Eekk!
....But I digress (I'm good at that... which is probably why I'm in the mess I'm in! Lol!) Where was I? Oh yes, been away, had a think.
OK, the whole house is a mess - and has been pretty much since we started filling it 3 days after we moved in! :-) When Flylady defined "CHAOS!" as "Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome!" she must have been looking in my window!
But, as she says often "It didn't get this way in a day" - so getting it "right" is going to be a long term project!
Which leads me onto my title.
Paper!
What does everyone else do with it?
I have ideas I've printed from the net (darned thing! :-)) Papers relating to activities my older 2 girls do, papers for the Guide and Brownies units I run, papers and papers and papers from and for school (I'm a supply teacher and keep a stash of "quick things to do in an emergency!") a mirriad of papers drawn on with varying degrees of success by all 3 girls and all the usual fast food menus, bills, postcards and usual letters.
Long term paperwork (guarantees, birth certificates etc) are stored away in a trunk my Dad made me for college, (....which itself is buried under a whole heap of stuff!) ... But what can i do with the rest of it when I don't get time to file every day..or week.....hmmm, or even month come to that!
Ah ha! Just answered one question! I need to build time in each month somewhere to actually DO the filing don't I?! Doh!
OK, but what shall I do with the stuff during the month?!
Hmm.
Back soon, with pictures of the chaos!
AM
....But I digress (I'm good at that... which is probably why I'm in the mess I'm in! Lol!) Where was I? Oh yes, been away, had a think.
OK, the whole house is a mess - and has been pretty much since we started filling it 3 days after we moved in! :-) When Flylady defined "CHAOS!" as "Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome!" she must have been looking in my window!
But, as she says often "It didn't get this way in a day" - so getting it "right" is going to be a long term project!
Which leads me onto my title.
Paper!
What does everyone else do with it?
I have ideas I've printed from the net (darned thing! :-)) Papers relating to activities my older 2 girls do, papers for the Guide and Brownies units I run, papers and papers and papers from and for school (I'm a supply teacher and keep a stash of "quick things to do in an emergency!") a mirriad of papers drawn on with varying degrees of success by all 3 girls and all the usual fast food menus, bills, postcards and usual letters.
Long term paperwork (guarantees, birth certificates etc) are stored away in a trunk my Dad made me for college, (....which itself is buried under a whole heap of stuff!) ... But what can i do with the rest of it when I don't get time to file every day..or week.....hmmm, or even month come to that!
Ah ha! Just answered one question! I need to build time in each month somewhere to actually DO the filing don't I?! Doh!
OK, but what shall I do with the stuff during the month?!
Hmm.
Back soon, with pictures of the chaos!
AM
Monday, 3 August 2009
Playing Catch Up!
Oh I'm one for great plans I am..... but sadly I am greatly lacking in the motivation to follow up on them!
Why?
Perfectionism I suppose. Usually dressed up in "I can't do that, the girls never give me a moments peace!"
But I've been reading some wonderful blogs lately, many written by ladies who not only have more children than me (often younger than mine as well!), but who Home School at the same time! Eeekkk!
Whilst I'd love to do that (although I'd feel a little hypocritical seeing as I still work at one of our local schools) I'd never have any place for the children to write or draw or do crafts!
Definately time to "Catch up" with all my ideas and get them moving - I want a "Home Sanctuary" too! http://www.homesanctuary.com/
So, in the morning, after many lists on many scraps of paper, I'm off camping with the girls for a few days. DH is away - we both need a break from each other after the gripes of the last few months :-( , so we're taking the opportunity to get away too!
See you in a few for the "New Improved!" Riggers blog! :-)
Why?
Perfectionism I suppose. Usually dressed up in "I can't do that, the girls never give me a moments peace!"
But I've been reading some wonderful blogs lately, many written by ladies who not only have more children than me (often younger than mine as well!), but who Home School at the same time! Eeekkk!
Whilst I'd love to do that (although I'd feel a little hypocritical seeing as I still work at one of our local schools) I'd never have any place for the children to write or draw or do crafts!
Definately time to "Catch up" with all my ideas and get them moving - I want a "Home Sanctuary" too! http://www.homesanctuary.com/
So, in the morning, after many lists on many scraps of paper, I'm off camping with the girls for a few days. DH is away - we both need a break from each other after the gripes of the last few months :-( , so we're taking the opportunity to get away too!
See you in a few for the "New Improved!" Riggers blog! :-)
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