Day 5: Smile at a Stranger

I've decided to break through my barriers and smile at a stranger each time I leave the house, (not in a creepy kind of way), but you never know what someone else is going through and a smile might be just what they need.

I've also thinking I'm going to have to do a rewatch of Wednesday and Stranger Things before the release the next seasons in each show. At the moment I'm watching Vera on Brit Box, I'm up to season ten, so I only have a couple more seasons to go. I've really been enjoying it. I like to watch a couple of episodes of something after I'm done writing for the day... it just helps me unwind.

You'll all be happy to know that I'm almost at the end of my washing. Who knew having a few extra people in the house for a couple of days would create so much. It wouldn't have taken me half as long if it hadn't rained like nearly every day since they left, and I've mostly had to hang everything inside. Luckily, yesterday the sun stayed out and I managed to use the outside line for that lot of washing.

I need to have a haircut today. It's getting to the length where it's starting to annoy me. So, I guess I'll be pulling the clippers out this afternoon and crossing that job off my list. During my stocktake of the pantry yesterday. I realized I had four bottles of salad dressing. I guess I can cross that off the shopping list. I'm going to have to teach myself to go through the pantry in the couple of days leading up to grocery shopping to know what I need and what I don't. Right now, I'm trying a method of having everything on a list and I cross it off when it's used and add it on when I buy new to replace. I'm going to try the same method with my freezer foods as well. I'll let you all know how it goes

On that note I'll say goodbye as I have to go downtown and buy some water, (we can't drink our tank water) when I get home, I'm getting stuck back into my write for today.

Day 4: Today, No Social Media

 

Today I have decided that after writing this blog I'm not going to go on social media. (I'll probably cave later in the day). Only because if I do I'll get sucked into; and sidetracked by watching garden rescue/renovation videos. I don't know why, but I always do... Lately Lois Denise are my favourite ones to watch. I'm not even going to turn on my TV and get distracted by Vera (I'm up to season 9).

I'm determined to get some writing done today. as you know I talk mostly all my writing stuff on my other blog. The link is on my page here. just press it and it'll take you there.

Today I have no grandbabies, so I might also catch up on my housework in between turns on the computer - when I need to give my eyes a rest.

Also, today's major job is tackling the pantry. I want to find out exactly what's in there and how much I have of each item. This year I'm determined to shop smarter - not harder. Means I might actually have to think about making a meal plan for the fortnight, before I do the shopping and buy accordingly. I'm trying to teach my daughter how to manage a budget and not waste food etc... then I realized if I want to show her, I need to do those things myself. I do budget and I don't waste food. My problem is I buy ingredients for my pantry and then never use them. I either have to give them away or they expire.

Plus, with my sore arm/shoulder, I need to find a better place for my dinner set. I just swapped it out from the heavy one I had to a nice light Corelle one; but at the moment it sits too high in my pantry. my arm just doesn't want to lift that high. Though, I also can't have it too low, or my grandbabies will want to play tea parties with it.

On that note I better stop procrastinating and get some writing done.

Day 3: Grandbabies

 

Gotta love them - Can't live without them - Counting down the days until they go back to school, (in case you're wondering there is 25 days). My year won't get easier until the two older ones are back in school, and the younger one is being minded by her aunty Lace (second cousin). I don't call the two younger ones Hurricane and Monsoon for nothing.

We've been going through the process of decluttering my daughter's house. I admit something we shouldn't have started during school holidays, because little hands are not helpful. They try to be, but in the end, they make the job ten times harder. We might have to postpone the job until they are back at school. Especially, when it comes time to go through all the toys. Today the little angels are at my house while their carpets are getting shampooed at home.

I know by looking at their pictures... butter wouldn't melt in their mouths. when they get with their cousin it's like the four horsemen of the apocalypse have descended upon us... but tell the truth, I'm looking forward to seeing the dynamics between them as they grow... now they are all between 3 & 6, and the cousin is 7. I wonder if they will always remain as close as they are now. We have one (the cousin) who is on the low end of the spectrum; and another who is diagnosed ADHD... fun times because those two are frenemies, (or so they tell us). The ADHD one is starting Prep this year. and she is looking forward to it.

This Christmas we were smart. They didn't get a lot of toys. they got three big outside ones they could share and then a couple of little things; then we stocked them up for school. Though, leaving the shoe buying until last minute in case they have a growth spurt between now and the 28th. trust me, it happened when the eldest one first started prep, and her mum bought her shoes too early.

Sadly, I have come to realize my grandbabies know their way around a phone better than I do. When did that happen? One day they are coming to me needing help with something, and now I have to get them to help me. Smart little buggers.

On that note I will away, because we are about to hang out some washing and Hurricane and Monsoon like to hand me the pegs.

Day 2. To Do Lists

 

This again is not my image. I've decided this year to share with you all, images that I find beautiful, or cute (this one is definitely cute). I think the people you take, or create the pictures are brilliant and deserve to have their works shared.

Today, after I've had visitors, I'm slowly getting my house back to its natural order.  Weirdly, I have a lot of washing. Yet, we are having rain showers/storms every day. So, I can only do bits at a time - because I'm one of those people who doesn't own a clothes dryer... Speaking of, I just heard thunder. So, I guess it will definitely only be the two loads that I can hang on the airers inside.

I went through a heap of my storage boxes searching for something, only to find it had been hanging on the back of my bedroom door the entire time. At least it's found now. One more thing to mark off the to do list.

I've decided that each week I'm giving myself certain number of jobs around the house that I need to get done. I have to get them all done by the end of the week. They don't have to be done in any particular order. Just as long as they get done. I'll give you an idea of what I mean.

This week jobs:

1. Stocktake the pantry (so Ican shop smarter-not harder).
2. Stocktake the freezer (so I can shop smarter-not harder).
3. Clean out the kitchen drawers and reorganize (easier access).
4. Rearrange pot larder (easier access).
5. Clean the Air fryer & Microwave.

Mind you, the freaking heat isn't making the work enjoyable. I've just decided that 2025 is the year I say stuff it all let's get the job/s done.

Healthwise: I have to ring up and book back into the physio, for not only my back, but now my shoulder as well. I don't have a frozen shoulder, but I have very limited use of my left shoulder at the moment. I need to go and get it all figured out.

On that note, I will let you all go and get back to it because I need to get up and get some more water. I'm trying to drink more water this year... So far it just makes me wanna pee more...LOL.

Day 1: New Year ~ New Start.

 

This image is not mine I just thought it was beautiful; and thought I'd share it.

I was under the assumption this year was going to be a lot easier than the last, but I've had some news that made me realize. I was way off. So, I'm going to just suck it up and get on with it, because that's what family does. Though, I'm not going to let that stop me from reaching the goals I have set for myself this year.

There are a group of us in my family have personal goals that they want to reach, so we are all going to keep an eye on each other. encourage each other to reach said goals, and make sure we don't get off track. One of mine is to start writing again and to reconnect with friendships that have fallen by the wayside and form new ones along the way.

2025 is the year I turn my life around. If any of you want to jump on the bandwagon. Leave a comment. We'll be cleaning (chores in general). We'll be eating healthier. We'll be writing for some/ crafting for others. Some of us will also be keeping track of exercise and weight loss. Sometimes it's just easier if you have someone to do these things with, even if it is a total stranger. Just as long as someone holds you accountable.

I had been really looking forward to 2024 ending and this one beginning. Hoping that I could finally get a pep in my step. A new lease on life as my body resets itself for the next year. It's like the weather lately... I feel like the rain is washing away the negativity of 2024 and make way for the good vibes of 2025.

On that note, I'll sign off for today and catch up with you all again tomorrow or the next day. Remember, drop me a comment if you want to join in the keeping track of your goals.

New Computer & WIPS

 

I feel like I have been out of it for so long... and I really have. I have had a horrendous year health wise so far. Every time I think I'm getting better something else knocks me off my fricken feet.

I finally got around to getting my new computer. now I just have to figure out how everything works. my last one was a Surface Pro tablet & keyboard combo; but after 10 years it was really starting to misfire on me. Hopefully, now I can get back into working again. though it is strange working on a real laptop again. it's taking a bit of getting used to.

Lately I have been working on books I probably shouldn't have been working on. I have been writing. I'm at various stages through each story from 3K to 65K depending on how energetic I was feeling

• Dark Frost 1: Accidentally Yours (Ari & Roth) 
• Dark Frost 2: Running Home to You (Zara & Vance) 
• The Connelly Chronicles 3: Because of you.  (Dan & Nate)
• Woden's Wolves MC 1: Stronger Than She Looks (??? & Ezra) - I don't like her name.
• Woden's Wolves MC 4: When Everything Shatters (Krush & ???) - I can't think of his name
• Misty River 1: The Calm to my Storm (Travis & Carli)
• Quaide's Crossing 1: Saving Grace (Jesse & Grace)
• E.P.I.C. 1: Blood Ties (Alyce & Brandon)
• Brothers McCrieve MC 1: Accidental Back Warmer (Justice & Charli)
• Mountain Made 1: Meant to Be (Gavin & Cara)
• Mission Falls 1: YTBT (Theirry & Gwynne) 
• Radford Way 1: Where We Belong (Johnny & Marnie)
• Beauford Boys 1: Silverton Hall-might change (Clint & Tamara)
• Carroway Ridge 1: Windblown Kisses (Wyatt & Logan)
• Crossroads 1: YTBT (Ella Jade & Cole)
• Hayden Falls 1: Christmas Wishes come with Kisses (Nikki & Asher)
• Hayden Falls 2: Trammell House (Bo & Cody)
• Cotter Girls 1: TASH (Talia & Vaughn) - it needs added wordage.
• Ravengers MC 1: YTBT (Raden & ???) name change possible
• Demon Riders MC 1: YTBT (Maisie & Jonah)
• Iron Skulls MC 1: YTBT (Rory & Levi)

The ones that are the same colour, interact at some point even if it is just by mentioning other characters or events that happened in other stories. As you can see, I'm going in a different direction with my writing. I've decided to try my hand at writing what I like to read.

I'll try and not leave the next post so long in coming.

until next time... take care & stay safe.

Updates on life.

 

I've missed a lot of this year due to being sick. Every time I think I'm on the mend it comes back and slams me for six. I'm not sure what's worse. The aches and pains, the coughing, or the neverending ringing in my ears and mad headache. But that's enough about that. Nobody wants to hear me complain.

I need to get a new computer. Mine is quite a few years old and failing a lot lately. and seeing as it is Windows 10 and doesn't have the components to upgrade to Windows 11. Plus I got the message Microsoft is no longer doing something for Windows 10. I'm not computer-savvie. I just know it's now hard to open crap. Find crap. Save crap. I don't need a lot from a computer. As long as I can send and receive emails. Work on my writing. Use my Dropbox. Have Excel, and have Chrome search engine all will be hunky-dory in my world. I'm thinking about a Lenovo 14" laptop. 4/128GB (not that I know what that means). All I know is the screen is bigger than the 10.5" I'm using now... Any suggestions? I don't know the difference between Lenovo, HP, Asus and all the rest. To me, they are all computers. Just as long as it isn't Apple I will be fine. Nothing against Apple. I just personally find them confusing as hell. I find it hard to work my iPod on a good day.

Other than that lately I have been back to working on E.P.I.C. 1: Blood Ties. I'm at 20K in wordage. I had to trash the original story; because it just didn't make sense to me. But I like where I'm headed now. I think it will go a lot faster once I have the new computer seeing as some days I get on this one and chapters have just disappeared--never to be found again. I hate having to do shit so many times. Yes, I know I should save all my shit to Dropbox, but the computer was being an arse, and wouldn't let me on Dropbox. I've gone back to the trusty old memory stick thingies for now. because I can't find my external hard drive. Though I probably need a new one of those as well.

Well anyhow, I'm off to take some more medication and do some writing--Maybe I shouldn't write while medicated. I guess we'll find out by the time I done. I will talk to you all again some other day.