Taking a very deep breath and reflecting back on an insane February/March! Perhaps now rivaling the traditionally jam-packed October/November, this past couple of months have been a fast-paced mix of family, work, volunteer and personal commitments all jumbled on top of each other. The calendar just looked ridiculous, yet there were hardly any clashes, allowing us to just keep running to keep up.
Through it all, I have kept up with my 365 Project, taking a photo every day. Just looking at those twelve weeks of photos since January 1st is exhausting! However, I am happy to say I have not missed one day of the past 86 and look forward to continuing the project for the next 3/4 of the year!
There have been celebrations - birthdays, weddings and more; sadness (the tragic loss of my doctor in a caving accident); busy paid and unpaid work periods and silly - but fun - challenges like completing a scrapbook layout a day (LOAD) for the whole month of February - even though I was at a conference for a weekend in the middle of it all!
So now, at the tail end of March, with Easter and its blissful long weekend next week, I have had a day of catching up and will have a week or two respite before our branch conference later in the month.
Wedding plans are chuffing along nicely, health is surviving quite well considering - and the family relish the challenge of life at warp speed!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
blog catch-up
I am sure there is probably a correct term for this, but I am just calling it a blog catch-up
I feel a little like 2010 is slipping through my fingers already, which is scary considering just what is on the agenda later in the year AKA The Wedding! So I am gathering my wits about me in an attempt to clear my head space a little.
It is already five days into February and I feel like January is still kind of new! But here we are - a week after the big Engagement Party and just about caught our breath after the lead up and actuality of that! We had a wonderful party , nothing went wrong and everyone said they had a terrific time. Still takes a lot out of you, even when it is all perfect. I have no idea exactly how many people we entertained over the day between midday and midnight (plus) but it was at least sixty.It was so lovely to bring together branches of the two families and entwine them into a new mix that will become the Greig/O'Dowd family. Amazing how many connections already exisited that we didn't know about - all feels very "small town" sometimes!
The lead up to the party inclluded the typical home improvements that seem like a good idea at the time but just add to the stress! So Rodney repolished the lounge room floor boards and resealed the deck, while I repainted the hallway.It all looks great but took a lot out of us at the time!
January 23rd was Rodney's birthday, but only a week out from the party, it was a bit hectic!So that means it is Kieran's birthday next week (February 13th) and Melissa's three weeks after that (March 9th)! Then some down time celebration-wise, until the whirlwind of pre-wedding stuff kicks in (oh, and my birthday in July, but I don't have to think about that!)
Creative-wise, I am tackling the 365 Project, which is a daily photo challenge for the whole year - I figured it is a good year to record! The photos are being compiled into a Project Life album, which I have set up to just add the photo and journal as I go. And just to add interest to chaos, I am doing a LOAD -LlayOut A Day - challenge for February, where I need to create a scrapbook page every day.
So, all in all, not really surprising that I am a little shattered on the health-front right now and feel like I need a year's worth of catch up sleep!This week saw the return of both yoga and water aerobics, so my fitness level will hopefully get back on track. And if we can get some reasonable weather, I can get my walking back on track.I am just pacing myself for now, frustrated as ever that my body prevents me doing all that I wish, and that my brain is foggy and thoughts are scattered and delayed. mmm.
So that's my catch up for now. One of my goals is to blog more regularly this year, so hopefully you will hear from me more often!
I feel a little like 2010 is slipping through my fingers already, which is scary considering just what is on the agenda later in the year AKA The Wedding! So I am gathering my wits about me in an attempt to clear my head space a little.
It is already five days into February and I feel like January is still kind of new! But here we are - a week after the big Engagement Party and just about caught our breath after the lead up and actuality of that! We had a wonderful party , nothing went wrong and everyone said they had a terrific time. Still takes a lot out of you, even when it is all perfect. I have no idea exactly how many people we entertained over the day between midday and midnight (plus) but it was at least sixty.It was so lovely to bring together branches of the two families and entwine them into a new mix that will become the Greig/O'Dowd family. Amazing how many connections already exisited that we didn't know about - all feels very "small town" sometimes!
The lead up to the party inclluded the typical home improvements that seem like a good idea at the time but just add to the stress! So Rodney repolished the lounge room floor boards and resealed the deck, while I repainted the hallway.It all looks great but took a lot out of us at the time!
January 23rd was Rodney's birthday, but only a week out from the party, it was a bit hectic!So that means it is Kieran's birthday next week (February 13th) and Melissa's three weeks after that (March 9th)! Then some down time celebration-wise, until the whirlwind of pre-wedding stuff kicks in (oh, and my birthday in July, but I don't have to think about that!)
Creative-wise, I am tackling the 365 Project, which is a daily photo challenge for the whole year - I figured it is a good year to record! The photos are being compiled into a Project Life album, which I have set up to just add the photo and journal as I go. And just to add interest to chaos, I am doing a LOAD -LlayOut A Day - challenge for February, where I need to create a scrapbook page every day.
So, all in all, not really surprising that I am a little shattered on the health-front right now and feel like I need a year's worth of catch up sleep!This week saw the return of both yoga and water aerobics, so my fitness level will hopefully get back on track. And if we can get some reasonable weather, I can get my walking back on track.I am just pacing myself for now, frustrated as ever that my body prevents me doing all that I wish, and that my brain is foggy and thoughts are scattered and delayed. mmm.
So that's my catch up for now. One of my goals is to blog more regularly this year, so hopefully you will hear from me more often!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Refrigerator Zero
I am a big fan of Inbox Zero and am proud to say I achieve and maintain that state most days.
However, our family are not so good fridge-wise, which is why I have decided to tackle the Great White Whale with a similar attitude to email.
You see, the fridge is a place to keep food you are going to eat.
Not food you could have eaten and now it is too late.
Or food you should have eaten but forgot you had.
Or food left from when other food was eaten and now cannot be eaten.
So, here is my plan:
The old method was to wait until you couldn't stand it anymore, when the fridge was so full of assorted Tupperware containing unidentified mystery objects. You then stand with the door open so long the poor thing becomes hoarse with beeping at you, while you pile said Tupperware containers beside sink with one hand, while tossing anything non-Tupperwared straight into the bin. You run a cursory eye over the collection of half-empty jars and bottles, sigh deeply and shut the door. You then lose all motivation for the project, which is a shame because the worst is yet to come. You still need to empty the contents of those containers into the bin fast, so you can empty that bin to the one outside even faster and at the same time, get those containers washed before the smell takes over the house.
NOT my idea of a good time!
So now, I plan to take a moment each day - probably while breakfast is cooking (sounds grander than it is: just waiting for toaster and kettle to do their magic!)- and review the fridge contents. Like my email system I am going to evaluate everything and Ditch, Deal or Decide (I don't think Delegate is a wise inclusion :)) I will take no prisoners: you are either in or out.
Now, in case you are ready to scream about the waste, relax. You see another goal for the year is to reduce food waste. Bottom line is this family are terribly hit and miss, either everyone is here at mealtimes or nobody is, which makes dinner preparation a bit tricky. My husband works eccentric hours which means he might come home at 5pm - or maybe Thursday! So a lot of food is set aside for him but not needed and gets forgotten. We also have a couple of food intolerant and/or food preference issues to work around - which is cool, as everyone is an adult and everyone has rostered days for cooking - so sometimes a second or even third meal is prepared and it is easy to over-calculate what is needed.
At this point you can see the source of all those Tupperware-ensconced mysteries!
We also get all of our fresh food delivered directly by standing order with Aussie Farmers Direct, which is heaven, but if the person who eats most of the bread/eggs/fruit etc is not home much that week, you can be left with unwanted bread/eggs/fruit for consumption. And you can only freeze so much, especially when there is another delivery imminent.
So I have decided to take on the role of overseer and keeping on eye on stocks. If eggs and bread are mounting up, then I will make a bread and butter pudding. If apples are overflowing the fruit bowl, I will stew a big batch. Leftovers will need to earn their keep (and their Tupperware place!) and will feature more in lunch menus!
And with all this extra space in the fridge, the veges can claim a longer life in their own Tupperware Fridge Smart containers, of which we have a great collection, because they will fit! And I am getting back in the swing of pre-chopping/shredding/preparing vegies so everyone can just grab what they need to cook, rather than choosing to cook what is easiest to prepare!
So - no promises, but this is where I am at and so far, so good. Refrigerator Zero - my new productivity goal :)
However, our family are not so good fridge-wise, which is why I have decided to tackle the Great White Whale with a similar attitude to email.
You see, the fridge is a place to keep food you are going to eat.
Not food you could have eaten and now it is too late.
Or food you should have eaten but forgot you had.
Or food left from when other food was eaten and now cannot be eaten.
So, here is my plan:
The old method was to wait until you couldn't stand it anymore, when the fridge was so full of assorted Tupperware containing unidentified mystery objects. You then stand with the door open so long the poor thing becomes hoarse with beeping at you, while you pile said Tupperware containers beside sink with one hand, while tossing anything non-Tupperwared straight into the bin. You run a cursory eye over the collection of half-empty jars and bottles, sigh deeply and shut the door. You then lose all motivation for the project, which is a shame because the worst is yet to come. You still need to empty the contents of those containers into the bin fast, so you can empty that bin to the one outside even faster and at the same time, get those containers washed before the smell takes over the house.
NOT my idea of a good time!
So now, I plan to take a moment each day - probably while breakfast is cooking (sounds grander than it is: just waiting for toaster and kettle to do their magic!)- and review the fridge contents. Like my email system I am going to evaluate everything and Ditch, Deal or Decide (I don't think Delegate is a wise inclusion :)) I will take no prisoners: you are either in or out.
Now, in case you are ready to scream about the waste, relax. You see another goal for the year is to reduce food waste. Bottom line is this family are terribly hit and miss, either everyone is here at mealtimes or nobody is, which makes dinner preparation a bit tricky. My husband works eccentric hours which means he might come home at 5pm - or maybe Thursday! So a lot of food is set aside for him but not needed and gets forgotten. We also have a couple of food intolerant and/or food preference issues to work around - which is cool, as everyone is an adult and everyone has rostered days for cooking - so sometimes a second or even third meal is prepared and it is easy to over-calculate what is needed.
At this point you can see the source of all those Tupperware-ensconced mysteries!
We also get all of our fresh food delivered directly by standing order with Aussie Farmers Direct, which is heaven, but if the person who eats most of the bread/eggs/fruit etc is not home much that week, you can be left with unwanted bread/eggs/fruit for consumption. And you can only freeze so much, especially when there is another delivery imminent.
So I have decided to take on the role of overseer and keeping on eye on stocks. If eggs and bread are mounting up, then I will make a bread and butter pudding. If apples are overflowing the fruit bowl, I will stew a big batch. Leftovers will need to earn their keep (and their Tupperware place!) and will feature more in lunch menus!
And with all this extra space in the fridge, the veges can claim a longer life in their own Tupperware Fridge Smart containers, of which we have a great collection, because they will fit! And I am getting back in the swing of pre-chopping/shredding/preparing vegies so everyone can just grab what they need to cook, rather than choosing to cook what is easiest to prepare!
So - no promises, but this is where I am at and so far, so good. Refrigerator Zero - my new productivity goal :)
Monday, January 11, 2010
I am an avid fan of Goddess Leonie and her inspirational resources and happy messages in my inbox.
As part of my New Year "stuff", I am working my way through her 2010: Creating My Goddess Year workbook
Its a little bit arty and a little bit spiritual but it is also a great way to do a bit of a brain dump and work out what you actually want to focus on this year. As an inexpensive e-book download, printing out all the colourful pages inspired me as much as anything! You know I like a bit of colour :)
I am not rushing through the workbook, rather relishing every bit of it. It is too hot to fluff around taking photos today, but I will do when we cool down a bit!
Lovely Leonie is growing a baby right now and I look forward to seeing her travel the journey of motherhood in a few months :)
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Getting back into reading
I was just reading this blog post and made a comment, then thought I would re-post it here to remind myself!
The topic is getting back into reading:
This is on my hit list for 2010. I have always described myself as a compulsive reader. I am a member of most of the online communities you have listed. I own more than 1000 books and actively support my local library. Last year I noticed a huge drop in the amount of books I was getting through compared to years gone by – even when those years had involved babies and young children or full time work, I was reading more. When I was prescribed reading glasses for the first time mid 2009, I thought maybe that was it, but I saw only a small increase.
I think I have identified the culprit and am putting together some weaponry. But, you see, it is what I doing right now! Reading blogs! Reading Facebook! Reading all day long, but on a screen instead of books, or even magazines! So my solution is to switch off earlier in the evening and hit the books instead.
I hope it works! Mount To Be Read is getting enormous!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)