Day 4: Shit Happens

 

I was hoping to have reached my back fenceline on my top drive by the end of today... alas I think I'm going to need another day, possibly two. And yes, the damn dog run is still up. We don't even have a dog. I just want it gone because it's an eyesore.

Today's lunch is another classic favourite of mine, a salad wrap.  Some days I just don't feel like cooking up a big meal. though I do cook my mum whatever she wants, at almost 94 she can eat whatever she damn well pleases.

I'm feeling the burn of doing the paddock now, but it is so gratifying looking back at what I've already done and seeing it all down. As it is just as daunting looking ahead to see what I still have to do, but the best part is knowing that I am doing it myself... (okay, in all honesty, I did have to get the young fella across the road to put my brush cutter together for me. I had no freaking clue).

Today I also marked off the three shelves for the plate pantry.  This is another of my January goals to get done. I have all the supplies. I just have to get it done.

Until tomorrow remember: Drink more coffee, because murder is still illegal.

Day 3: Hit A Snag

 

You guessed it. still more yard work. I'll be at it for the whole of January I think, but at least the gras is coming down easy. I'm not as young as I used to be and move a lot slower these days. Anyway, today I have hit the old dog run. I need to figure out how to get the damn thing out of the tree and rolled up (It stretches from tree to tree), and I'm too damn short to reach it. Might have to ask the young fella across the road to give me a hand.

Another overcast day today, so I'm not dying while out in the paddock. though, I did get bitten on the same damn foot. they look like bull ants, could be worse, it could have been green ants or fire ants, thank God, we don't have them. well, not that I have come across any; nor have I seen any snakes as yet.

Today's lunch was a steak and salad wrap. It was another delicious meal. I have banned myself from deep fried food for a while. It was making me feel bloated and lethargic. So, I've cut it from my repertoire for the time being and see how I feel.

Is it bad that I'm counting the days until the kids go back to school. Graceful and Hurricane have twenty-four more days, and Monsoon goes to kindy the day after the house will be quiet again. All the gifts they got for Christmas and for the last three days they have been digging mud pits in the yard. They didn't like it when they were made to fill them in.

Until tomorrow, remember: Reach high like a giraffe and stay grounded like a turtle.

Day 2: Just My Luck

Here I am slogging away at the top driveway which is literally a third of my yard. (Seriously underestimated how big this yard was). Anyway, I got bitten three times throughout the day and all on the same foot (my left one). I wonder if that is significant. I'm about 2/3 of the way down the top driveway I swear to God, the more I whipper snip, the further away the back fenceline seems to be getting. At least today is nice and overcast, but I'm still sweating like all get-go. Today I used my brush cutter for the first time. The damn thing is longer than I am tall. Thank the be-all-and-end-all that it came with a harness.

I've decided this year I'm going to try at least one new meal a week to broaden my horizons a little. Mind you, I'm talking about food I cook myself. Today I decided on stuffed chicken. (I stuffed it with green capsicum, onion, chilli, garlic, and cheese). I really liked it though the filling needed a little salt. I must have forgotten that part. the others in the house weren't too fussed on it. so next time I make it, it will be just for me, and the others can have plain old, crumbed chicken. That is always a winner.

My niece made me a feelings journal she wanted me to test it out for her. I have to fill it in every day and give her any suggestions on how to make it better. I've had a few. We'll see what happens when I see her on Wednesday for a BBQ.

Until tomorrow, remember: I may have woken up tired, but at least I woke up.

Day 1: Happy New Year

 

TWO YEAR PLAN

Today is the first day in my two-year plan to be debt free, and to have bought/replaced all the things in and for the house that I need to. After a shocker ending to last year, (where I was sick more than I was fine), I've decided this year I will start off on a positive note and get my mind in the right headspace.

Over the next two years I have certain goals that I want to achieve. I've decided if I set my mind to it than anything is attainable. Here are just some of my goals so you can see where my mind is at.

GOALS:

* Pay down my debt: This means setting a budget and sticking to it. Budget is not a dirty word. It's what makes sure the bills are paid on time.

*Getting the paddock cut down: I just didn't realize how large our block of land was when I started this adventure. I've decided to put a positive spin on it and look at is as a portion of my daily exercise. Trust me there is no getting away from the sweat while doing yardwork.

*Get my savings back on track: I hope to have a certain amount in the bank by the end of the year $5,000... let's see how close I get to my target.

*Get my health back on track> Not dieting, but eating healthier, if that makes sense... I also do indoor walking, which has taught me that I am very uncoordinated, but I get there in the end.

Our Year ended and began with Monsoon, Hurricane, & Graceful having the chicken pox, so three very miserable little girls, luckily, they are all on the mend now.

Until tomorrow remember: Deep breaths and get shit done.

Day 270: Last Day (The Holiday is Over)

 

Today I have to have the last room finished, as my reprieve is going to be over. My daughter and the girls are coming home today. I still have to organise a dump run, but at least everything is all neatly bagged and waiting to be taken away.

Then all that is left to do is the pressure washing and I still want to rearrange the garage storage.

I might even find time today to give myself a haircut. It is starting to get on my nerves. 

Today I'm also going to try and start on my hooping again. my back and shoulder are feeling okay. So, I'll give it a go and see how long I last for. Best to do it when there are no kids around to get in the way of the weighted ball. That's an injury that none of us want.

Day 269: Still Slogging

 

I'm making real progress. I just put my music on, and I get to work sorting stuff out. I'm not doing it all at once. I decided on the tactic of doing two baskets/boxes and then doing something else in the house so that I don't get frustrated and throw in the towel. I want to have it done before the kids get home.

The funny thing is while doing the rest of the house. I finally found all the missing grocery shopping bags. when my daughter would tell me "I don't know what happened to them. I don't have them." And yet here they all are in every room of the house. I just smiled to myself and folded them all up neatly so they could be put back in the care for shopping day.

Now if I could just find all the kids missing undies, socks, and uniforms I would be happy as a pig in mud. I don't know why they always disappear. Now the number of odd socks that I have is astronomical. I'm still holding out hope that I'll come across their missing brethren.

Day 268: Start Last Room Declutter

 

Today I plan on starting the last room while I have the house to just mum and myself. I work faster by myself. and considering I'm just sorting out a whole heap of laundry that needs to be taken to the correct rooms. It will be an easy job. Well, hopefully it will. I have all my empty tubs waiting and ready to go for when the others leave on their mini holiday.

This morning though I'm washing bedding and getting that out of the way. I have three beds to wash; it's something that can happen in the background. only needing my attention when I have to go out and hang it out on the line. I refuse to waste power by using the dryer when I have a perfectly good clothesline. I didn't spend a week clearing out that part of the yard not to use the damn thing. I must admit washing is one of my favourite chores to do.

If I get time this afternoon, I'm going to start mowing the house yard. it won't take long to get done. but seeing as I have a battery-operated mower it will probably take two batteries to get the job done.

Day 267: Today...

 

1> Grocery shopping, there were too many people out and not enough checkouts open. Between groceries and the chemist (pharmacy) I spent nearly $800 for the fortnight. Swear to God prices are going up and the packaging Ing sizes are getting smaller. Though I had to make sure I bought the magic Band-Aids that make all their boo-boos better.

2> The kids have been fighting nonstop. Driving us all bonkers, but it's only because there is no school and they are around each other 24/7.

3> I'm tired of not being able to find something when I need it, and no one is ever the blame for it being moved... (Bloody Mox the friendly ghost has been at it again.) I had to buy new screw drivers because ours all disappeared. I think I'll have to replace the spanners as well.

4> Can't eat at the dining room table as it is covered in linen. I have to find somewhere to store it all now that it has been washed. I'm hoping to get it all put away this weekend while my daughter and the three girls go to the beach for the weekend. I'll enjoy the peace and quiet.

5> Got home from shopping and realised I forgot the most important things... Garbage bags. But at least I remembered to put the bins out this week to be emptied... so that's a win for me.

Day 266: Eye Test Day

 

Both Mum and Hurricane have eye test happening today... Mum will definitely need new glasses, but we will have to wait and see about Hurricane.

My daughter also picked up a new drawer system to put in Hurricane and Monsoon's bedroom. then after their bedding is washed, their room will be done. culled their clothes, some for here. Some for Dad's house, and anything that no longer fit we gave to the little girl across the road. what doesn't fit typhoon will be donated to the op-shop.

I've decided I don't think I like the school holidays all that much. there are too many people around. And for the life of me I can't seem to find Hurricane's volume control. I have a headache each day before it even hits lunch time.

Day 265: Tired as hell

 

Lately I have been tired as hell; and yet at the same time I'm suffering with insomnia... Could my life get anymore fucked up? Apparently yes, I still have a mad ear infection going on, that has now thrown my sense of direction out of whack. the number of walls and other inanimate objects I have walked into is unbelievable. I've stopped trying to figure out where the bruises are all coming from.

We are down to the last two rooms in the house to be decluttered, and one wall of the garage to rearrange; then it will only be a dump run, and everything will finally be done. I still have to pressure wash the outside of the house to do and the patio, but that shouldn't take too long.

Mind you it's hard to get anything done when it's both school holidays and the kids are all underfoot, and when I'm not feeling the best.

Day 264: Playlist Time

 

Day 263: Back At It

 

Today we're back to the grindstone of the whole house declutter/spring clean. Hell, we've even started a scrap bin for the family across the road because they have a pig and chickens... though mainly because that way the scraps didn't have to go in our bin.

Well anyway, it rained yesterday so I didn't do any washing... (just so you know babysitting turned out okay = the three kids were all well behaved... the dog on the other hand was a pain in the ass). Today we only have the dog, as Flit has gone to the craft market with his mum and nana.

I'm hoping today is better with the weather as I really want to finish the bedding. and possibly give Hurricane's and Graceful's lunchboxes a good scrub out so they can air out over the two-week break.

Hopefully we'll also come across the missing library book from school. Once we have everything sorted out. everyone will come to see that there is a place for everything, and everything needs to be put back into it place... just so it can be found when needed.

Wish us luck.

Day 262: Let the Fun Begin

 

Today I am on babysitting duty. I have Monsoon and Hurricane while my daughter takes Graceful to her eisteddfod. I also have Flit and Coco (the dog). while my niece and sister are at a craft show. Hurricane has ADHD, and Flit is on the autistic spectrum. Then there is Monsoon who is happy enough to copy whoever she is with. 

My day is going to be loud, because for a majority of it, they will have to be inside (too hot outside). There will be yelling and then there will be tears. because these three even though they love each other... they fight like you wouldn't believe.

Wish me luck... I think I will have to take my strong headache medication just to cope... LOL.

Day 261: Last Day of Term

 

As of after awards ceremony, Hurricane and Graceful will officially be on school holidays. Two weeks of having all three kids home 24/7... Hopefully, they can take that time to help clean up... No. I wouldn't wish that on myself, their helping is going behind us and pulling out everything we've just put away.

At least during these school holidays my niece's stuff will be going from our garage; then it's a matter of rearranging the shelves ang that will be another room done.

I need to write a smaller list of chores that have to be done before my daughter and the girls go for their weekend at the beach... Plus, Graceful also has an eisteddfod in the at some stage. Actually, I think that one is tomorrow.

The mozzies are bad again tonight. the kids were covered in red dots. At first, I had a mini panic attack that they had chicken pox or the measles... took me about ten minutes to realize they were mozzie bites. I felt like a right royal goober then.

Day 260: More Chores

Today the two older girls had speed soccer at school. Hurricane came home with a medal... their mum went to watch them. I had Monsoon and we built a big plastic storage tub (from Bunnings hardware) that the girls are going to use to store all of their outdoor toys in. Hopefully it will stop them from leaving them scattered all over the ground.

Still washing the household bedding, but with six people (six beds) that's a lot of doonas, sheets and pillowcases. Plus, all the knee rugs we had been using.

I've noticed there has been a shit-ton of mozzies in the house every night. Going to have to fix the holes in the screen doors.

I'm starting to feel worn out again. I still occasionally have my cough. It's annoying as hell, and my nose is still sore on the inside. My headache is a constant... I think I should just shut today down and go and read.

Day 259: Seasonal Swap

 

Today I sat back and advised while my daughter rearranged the girl's bedrooms. She's still trying to find the best set up for them. I did more washing... yes, I know it's all I seem to be doing. I swear to the be all and end all that I will get to the end of it all soon... Admittedly, right now I'm washing all our doonas and putting them away for the summer. Nothing better than a bed made up with nice fresh linen.

It'll soon be time to put all the winter clothing back into storage for another year... A good time to get rid of everything that we know for sure won't fit Hurricane and Monsoon. There is no use in keeping them. not when someone else can get use out of them.

I have to ask. why do we always end up with so many odd socks? Our pile at the moment is ridiculous... and by ours, I mean my daughters and the three girls. It's insane the amount we have piled on the kitchen table. I'm hoping by the time we get to the end of this declutter/spring clean that I'll find a heap of the missing matches.

Day 258: Chores & Random Thoughts

 

Really starting to heat up. You can tell Summer is heading our way. I can already tell that it's going to be a bloody scorcher.

Chores today were slow going. I had Monsoon helping because her mum was at work and then she had to take Graceful to dance and then Jui Jitsu. Monsoon talked all bloody day long... and if you didn't talk back to her, she'd grab you by the face and ask... "Are you listening to me?" I was hoping she would nap, but no such luck. At least when Hurricane got home from school she had someone else to focus on.

Monsoon and I washed... there was more bedding to get through and some more clothes for the op-shop. I still think they have way too many clothes. Possibly some can go to their dad's house.

Had to watch Megamind three times with Monsoon today... it could have been worse. It could have been Captain Underpants again

Day 257: I Feel Worn Out

I'm absolutely buggered today. my lower back is burning, and my upper back is aching from all the washing I've been hanging out and then folding up once it's dry.

Today I did even more washing, though I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have a couple of blankets and a coupled of sets of sheets, but they are actually off the beds,

I'll have a busy day tomorrow as I have to run the drop my daughter off at work... the girls off at school... then pick my daughter up again after her shift because her car has something wrong with it. I suppose I should get off of here and get some sleep. Morning is going to be here long before I want it to be.

 

Day 256: To Do List

 

For the next little bit, I have a specific to do list...

1) Swap out the drawer runners in Graceful's chest of drawers.

2) Fix board to top shelf of open wardrobe to sit trophies on.

3) Fix the rungs on the bunk beds.

4) Paint the toybox

5) Fix Graceful's bike (Front wheel and training wheels) how hard can it be?

6) Try and reattach the netting around the trampoline

8) Paint the cubbyhouse

9) Paint the outdoor/mud kitchen

10) clean out the BBQ cupboard.

If I can get all of this done by the end of October, I'll be happy. The girl's grandad is coming for Christmas, and I'd like to have everything done by then.

Day 255: Hurricane & Monsoon.

 

Tackling this room... mainly it's just toys, and three bits of furniture that has to be removed. For the size of the room, it just seems cluttered. though while cleaning, I notice we're going to have to fix the rungs on the ladder for the bunk beds. the paint has chipped off. and the bare metal is showing. I might have to buy some grey rust proofing paint and paint them. I also want to repaint the toybox as it's hideous. Mind you, we're only going to use the leftover paint from the uniform chest of drawers, pastels in green, purple, pink and blue.

I'm going to have to wash their bedding. It looks like all of the cats have been napping on them at some point in time. That and it's getting to the point where we're going to be swapping from winter to summer bedding.

Graceful had an eisteddfod this morning, and she had dance lesson in the arvo. I have a headache today. Mainly, I think it's because Monsoon and Hurricane have been singing to me all day long on the top of their lungs. I swear to God they don't know the meaning of inside voices.