Day 45: Hopefully New Mower Day

 

I'm hoping that my lawnmower actually comes into the store today. I'm lost without my mower.

I suppose I should say Happy Valentine's Day to all the love birds out there. Not me... but out there, there are people who have that special someone in their lives. the one person who completes them. I wish you all a wonderful day.

Today Graceful has her solo dance lesson and then the three girls have swimming lessons today. which means I will have at least two loads of washing to get done this afternoon.

I still have my crazy-arsed headache. So I'm also kind of trying to take it easy, because I don't really have the energy to do anything to heavy or that is going to need me to remain focussed on it for too long.

Until tomorrow, remember: Believe you can and you're halfway there.

Day 44: Freaking Cats

 

Walked outside late yesterday afternoon to call the cats inside when my cate Oliver who kind of look a lot like this, came limping around the corner covered in bits of cacti. It took me forever to get them all out of him. I was lucky he just stood there while I used a kitchen dinner fork and combed them all out of him... PAIN IN THE ARSE.

Kids are all at school. My daughter is at work so mum, and I have the house to ourselves. I love the quiet days. The kids have struggled but so far, they have kept the house relatively clean. I am proud of the little doodle bugs for at least trying.

Getting back to the shithead cats my other cat Robson, has decided of late that is perfectly okay to wake me up numerous times a night just because he wants to have a cuddle. I know you are all saying just shut my door and lock him out... I can't because I need to be able to hear my mum if she calls out to me in the middle of the night.

Until tomorrow, remember: Life is short, smile while you still have teeth.

Day 43: Quiet Day

 

The three little hooligans are all off to school today, so I have the day off. I have some washing that needs to be done, but that will only take me a couple of hours. So I think today I might take some time out for me time. Give myself a little break. I still have my headache so I'm not going to be doing anything that needs a lot of concentration, because today, I don't think I have the ability to focus.

Going to see if my daughter is going to set the kids pool up again. They'll get no use out of it is it's pack away and sitting on the shelf. Maybe next week after we have mum's BBQ lunch.

It has been bloody hot here lately... I'm counting down the days for winter to get here. I hate the heat, freaking plays havoc on my head, and all my arthritic joints. You think it would be worse in winter... but for me summer is a killer.

Until tomorrow, remember: I may be wrong ~ but it's highly unlikely.

Day 42: Grocery Day

Have I told you how much I hate going grocery shopping. I thought all living in the one house was going to cut down on the grocery costs but then realised my daughter and kids don't eat the same food as me and my mum. It seems some people think it's okay just to buy a heap of crap that goes rotten in the fridge and gets thrown out each week. I'm tired of throwing away food. It really annoys the hell out of me.

I've decided I'm just going to be strict on what I buy this week. and make sure the people in this house only cook what they can eat so there are no leftovers. I also want to stop buying crap that sits in the pantry until it is well past its expiry date.

I'm going to keep a running tab of what I have in the freezers and pantries so that we don't end up with a heap of shit we don't need, which is something that usually happens in our household. Though today I have to chop up and make more chilli onions for mum. Well, I cut the onions and she does the chilli part.

Until tomorrow, remember: One day we'll make the onions cry.

Day 41: Can You Believe It

 

Dang it... my favourite lawn mower died. I was halfway through the footpath, and it just stopped. At first, I thought it was the batteries were flat, but no, they were still half full; and brand knew as I had only just bought two new ones. The silver lining in all of this is my favourite mower is coming back on sale in Aldi this Saturday, So I am definitely going to replace it as we are in snake season, and I don't want the grass getting too high. I like to be able to see the snakes coming into the yard... I'm also going to get another battery because I think one of my older ones is about to bite the dust. I always like to have the two in the mower and two on the charger ready to be used

I'm looking after Monsoon today while her mum is at work and the other two are at school. at least it will be a day of tv, drawing and in her case eating, which lately she does non-stop. Hence the reason I think she's having a growth spurt. She'll also pull out her little computer and work right alongside of me and that should occupy her for a while.

Today I also want to go around and spray for wasps I did it a couple of weeks ago; but I saw yesterday there are a few new ones, or I missed them last time. seeing as most of react badly to any sort of wasp/bee bites they have to go.

Until tomorrow, remember: The worst thing you can do is nothing.

Day 46: Another Week Done

 

I kind of feel like this rabbit today. I feel like I have been through the wars and survived. I'm proud of the fact that I have made this far through the year and not killed anyone (in my stories that is ~ you have to remember I'm still an author at heart). 

Today, I'm also doing some washing, mainly bedding as it's starting to look weird. and I know it's just from the cats and kids napping on them. I like to wash them at least once a week.

The kids are driving me batty today. not because they're being naughty, but because they haven't stopped eating. anyone on the outside looking in would think we starve them at any other time, because no sooner have they finished one thing and then about fifteen minutes later they are all starving again. It didn't help that we also had a family BBQ for mum's birthday so there was 1 ADHD kid and one on the autistic spectrum, who clash whenever they are together.

I'm just going to send them down to mum every time they come and ask me for something.

Until tomorrow, remember: I licked it ~ so it's mine

Day 40: I Woke Up This Morning

 

First of all, it was a good feeling of just waking up and knowing that I was alive. Okay, so maybe the cats woke me up at the arse-crack of dawn because they wanted to be fed and let outside for the day. But I did wake up with David Bowie songs running through my head... So I think I may be listening to him today. he will definitely get my headache to settle down especially if it's his earlier work.

I weighed in today and I'm 104.7KG so down by 1.1KG which is good. I'm going to also give myself a haircut today (shaved head) so that will also release some of the pressure on my headache/migraine.

Once the two oldest girls are at school today, I have to do a quick tidy up, and then the household chores will be over and done with. I find it easier if I can keep on top of everything and don't let it all build up.

I also want to separate out all the too small clothes as our girls have had a bit of a growth spurt. So, it looks like little darlin' across the road is going to be getting another lot of hand me downs. It's good when we can hand them onto someone else who can get use out of them.

Until tomorrow, remember: If you can't be perfect ~ be useful.

Day 39: Soundtrack Sunday

 

Until tomorrow, remember: Next time a stranger talks to you when you're alone just looked shocked and whisper, "You can see me?"

Day 38: First Of The Decluttering

 

Today I'm going to attempt to go through the plastic storage tubs in our garage. We have about twenty of them, and I'm hoping to get them down by half. to make the garage look and feel less cluttered.

I'm determined that 2026 is going to be the year of embetterment for all of us, I just have to work on getting the others on board with it all. they find it hard sometimes to see that things will be good for them. good for us all as a family.

Though honestly, most of the crap in the tubs is mine, so I have to be the one that has the tough love on myself. I have to be the one who throws the shit away that I'm holding onto for no reason. My new mantra has to be: that it's okay to let go.

Until tomorrow, remember: today is a good day to try.

Day 37: Inspection Day

 

Today is the day. Thank the heavens there are no kids at home today while everything is happening. Also, I'm glad we got everything done. I knew we would. I'm not so sure about my daughter's bedroom; but that's her problem not mine. She is a work in progress. though basically she has her closet to go... She has way too many clothes. It's just not something I can help her sort through for her.

While I have been cleaning the house this past few weeks, I have been thinking of ways I can better set it out. a better layout if you will. A way to make it appear larger than it really is. Which will start with another round of decluttering. If we haven't used it in the past year, then we don't obviously need it.

I was going to have a day of rest, but the paddock was calling my name. So, it looks like I will be doing a couple of sessions out there today. Just so I can get another section completed.

Until tomorrow, remember: Whatever you do, give it 100% unless you're donating blood.

Day 36: Cleaning Mode

 

Making sure the last of the big-ticket items are done for our house inspection tomorrow. I want tomorrow to be just get up, make beds, sweep out, do the dishes and change the kitty litter.

Not that there is much to do today, it's mainly just cleaning up anything the kids played with last night, and make sure there isn't any crap blown into the yard again.

I'll also mop the floors once the kids are all at school because it's a hell of a lot easier than they are at home. I must remember to get the crap off the front door. I have been meaning to do it for days and keep forgetting.

Until tomorrow, remember: Stay positive, work hard & make it happen.

Day 35: Wednesday's Woes

 

Today I have two little girls (Hurricane & Monsoon) who can't agree on what to watch (after school) one wants to watch Stranger Things, while the other wants to watch Teen Wolf or The Wizard of Oz.  I told them to pick something bloody different, as long as it wasn't K Pop. So instead, we are watch Twirly Woos. I have no one to blame but myself.

I have a massive headache today, and the fingers on my right hand are aching like a bitch. They have been since I fell off the ledge out the side of the house while whipper snipping, I must have done more damage to myself than I thought.

Today I'm deep cleaning my bathroom. Well rally only the shower stall as the rest of the bathroom is actually clean. But Hurricane is allergic to most soaps, so we use sunlight soap which makes one hell of a mess and I'm forever cleaning it up. At least it usually only a five- or ten-minute job. I just hate doing it.

Until tomorrow, remember: It's perfectly okay to wish more people were fluent in silence.

Day 34: Podiatrist Appointment

Toda is mum's podiatrist appointment; my daughter is going to have to take her as I have a flat battery. At least it's only in the next town over so only a fifteen-minute drive. I'll stay home with Monsoon, who will more than likely want to watch her favourite movie yet again The Wizard of Oz the original version that is. Today, weather permitting, I'm going to mow the house yard, the tank yard, and the walk through. Mainly because they are annoying me.

I also need to pick up all the crap that got blown into our yard with the wind yesterday. and depending on the wetness of the grass I might try and get some more of the paddock down. It seems to be growing back faster than I can cut it down. Luckily, I still haven't come across any snakes yet. My niece has in her yard. But summer isn't over and the paddock isn't finished yet and I don't want to jinx myself.

Also have to get the kids suitcases down for their holiday with dad and Kate. and pack up all the beach stuff for them to take with them. only going for a weekend, but they usually need ten ton of crap.

Until tomorrow, remember: Life is 10% of what happens to you & 90% of how you react.

Day 33: Happy Birthday To Me

 

Today is my birthday... I'm 57 at least I think I am) I was born in 1969, so you go and figure it out. I also did my weigh in today and I was 105.8 which is confusing as I gained .7 of a kg, but I actually lost cm all over. I'm not fazed by it though as I know it will all work out again in the end and I will start losing again.

The weather has been freaking hot here at the minute. You can't do anything without wanting to change your clothes at least three times a day because you've sweated through them. 

I'm not doing anything too crazy for my birthday. I might de-cobweb the interior of the house and spray the exterior for wasps. though it looks like we might be in for some rain today; so, I might hold off on the spraying until that passes us by. The wind has just started to pick up outside.

Hurricane and Monsoon are loving being back at school; Graceful not so much, but at least she has dance and jiu jitsu to look forward to. I'm loving the peace and quiet.

Until tomorrow, remember: Be like a crow> collect shiny things; hop down the road for no apparent reason & scream loudly whenever you see your friends.

Day 32: February Already

 

This week I have accomplished a lot off of my jobs list. I'm actually quite chuffed with the amount that I've gotten done. between wrangling chores and family, I'm all tuckered out... but looking back over the week it was totally worth it.

I'll use the whole plodding along thing while I do everything next week. It seems to be working for me. Hurricane and Monsoon are enjoying being back at school, Graceful not so much, but she is loving being back at dance.

Until tomorrow, remember: Your life has no remote; meaning you need to change it yourself

Day 31: Back Outside

 

Today I'm getting back into the yard/paddock I want to try and get another chunk of it done... 20 minutes at a time. That way I feel like I'm getting somewhere with it all. I just wish the brush cutter wasn't longer than I am tall. It makes it a little hard to manoeuvre.

In between times I'm going to deep clean the laundry. not that it's dirty I just want to clean the filters on the washing machine and wipe over all the clothes airers. Other than that, the laundry is already clean as I usually tidy and wipe stuff over every time I do the washing.

Still as hot as hell... All I can say is thank God for air conditioning. I get to cool off between outside work; so that's a bonus. Even though the kids are home for the arvo I still managed to get my work done.

Until tomorrow, remember: The worst thing you can do... is nothing.

Day 30: Just For Something Different

 

Today after I did all my daily chores; I've decided to spend some much-needed time re reading my stories and making notes. Also sorting through what notes that I have for next books in the line of each series. I'm hoping just taking some me time will reenergise me enough to finish all the mundane things I don't want to tackle in life.

I've been so focused on everything else, that I feel like I've lost a part of myself along the way. I promised myself I wasn't going to do that this year. I'm hate it when my shit has to always be pushed to the back burner. From today on I will carve out time each week just for me. Probably on the days all three girls are at school. Too hard to do anything when they are home.

Today I'm working one sorting through the Mountain Made series. Sadly, I don't even remember what some of the stories are about... how bad is that? I'll get it all sorted just like I have with everything else.

Until tomorrow, remember: Results happen over time; not overnight.

Day 29: Kindy Has Started

 

Monsoon is off to kindy for her first day today. The house is definitely quieter with them all at school. It feels good to be able to get shit done and have no one underfoot.

I'm still working on the puzzle of the hinges. The problem is the door, and cupboard is made of compressed chipboard. So, there is only so many times you can screw into it. I'm thinking I might be able to tether it into place with some strapping. I'll let you know how it all goes.

I'm still doing bits and pieces in the yard; and I do mean bits and pieces as it's too hot to be out there for long periods of time, but every little bit helps... I can't stress enough; I'll be damn happy when the ride on mower has been fixed. It will seriously cut down on my yard work time. Or... I'll get more done in a shorter amount of time.

Until tomorrow, remember: Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall.

Day 28: So much Still To Do.

Today I'm just pottering around the house. every time I mark one job off the list three more seem to get added. Like I've said before, it's mainly just wiping over walls, cabinetry, sweeping, and mopping. I'll get more done tomorrow when Monsoon is otherwise occupied.

That's when I'll tackle shampooing the carpets and mats. Too hard when I have a little helper who is more of a hindrance than a help. I just have to remember that tomorrow will be much better.

My back and legs are still hurting from where I fell off the ledge while whipper snipping, but at least I didn't break anything (except my glasses). But it's good to look out and see that I've got about 2/3 of the whole yards/paddocks done. Only the big paddock to go now. I'm not as stressed no I've decided to just take my time in doing everything.

Today I have been looking up ways to fix the hinges on the doors under the kitchen sink. Every time the maintenance guys try and fix it, they seem to make it worse, so I'll figure it out on my own. I saw these metal things on Facebook, but I'm sure I can figure out something similar. and way cheaper.

Until tomorrow, remember: Do something today that your future self will thank you for.

Day 27: School Is Back In Session

 

It's time to start celebrating... Graceful and Hurricane have gone back to school. We'll be able to get back into some sort of workable routine now. Hopefully now the house won't get as messy seeing they won't be home 24/7.

Depending on the weather, I'm hoping to get the footpath mowed today. not looking forward to it because we have one freaking long footpath, but as with everything else I know I'll get it done.

Two kids down and one to go... not that I'm counting or anything. The house will be so quiet when they are all at school/kindy. I can't freaking wait.

Until tomorrow, remember: Push yourself, because nobody is going to do it for you.