What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?)
I'm not one that usually procrastinates. I jump right in when things need doing and just 'do it'. This usually relates to things at work or at home. I have to say though that I am a huge procrastinator when it comes to doing things I love. Things that fill my soul with contentment and joy. I always procrastinate when it comes to me.
This year I missed a few opportunities due to fear. I am shy and definitly an introvert. I worry too much about the 'what if's' and not jump in and do what I would like to do.
I am such a kind soul. I try to give more than receive and I try to help others as much as I can. One thing that I feel I should have done this year but didn't was some sort of voluntary work. I work now, as a child care worker and it takes a lot out of me. Anyone that thinks we just play with kids all day has never worked a day in the life of a child care worker. There is so much more to it. So usually I am exhausted after working. However I know if I managed my time more I would have found time to do some sort of volunteer work. I want to work with children and families in a volunteer role. I would love to provide an extra pair of hands to parents that aren't coping. To go into their homes and entertain their toddlers and preschoolers or to rock their babies to sleep. To do some simple household chores that they can't get done, to help with the grocery shopping. Anything like this would fill my soul. I know for a fact in my town there is an organisation that needs volunteers to do all of this.
So in anser to the question: will I?
If I can continue to only have to work part time when my youngest daughter starts school next year, I will ring this local organisation and find out what I need to do to committ to this volunteer work either weekly or fortnightly next year.
Wish me luck!
The Simple Life of Us.......
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The older you get, the less you worry what others think
I'ven been thinking lately how as you get older you tend to worry less about what other people think of your dress sense, your decisions, your actions and your life choices. I know I have changed and I know a few of my friends that really don't worry about what others think. I guess it really is all about growing up and maturing. I k now many people have looked at me when I mention I make my own laundry powder, have a strict budget, menu plan, cook from scratch etc as if I am mad. A few people ask me how I find them time and others have asked why I do this when other things are so much more convienient.
My answer is "Because I want to. Because I enjoy it. Because this is what I am meant to be doing".
I have chosen to live like this. I have chosen to bring up my children in a simple, loving family home without a massive amount of luxuries. I want my children to grow up with compassion, understanding, self-worth and most of all without having to "Keep up with the Jones'". I want them to have to work for things. To earn things themselves and save for things. I do not want them to be greedy. I do want them to be spoilt, just not in a consumeristic [is that even a word lol] way. I want them to discover the values and appreciation for the simple things like a walk on the beach, a kookaburra singing, whales diving out of the water, the simple rub our cat gives them. I truly hope I can, to some point influence them to not worry what others think and to choose their own authentic life.
I do feel guilty when they are upset they can't have all of those pre packaged, full of preservatives meals. But then I remind myself they will be healthy and strong inside and out and they don't need them.
I do feel guilty when they ask for things like plastic crappy toys and I refuse but I want to teach them that they can't always have what they want and spending a little more on something of value is more beneficial.
I have to say my guilt doesn't last long which is good.
And there is one saying I say to myself all the time and try and use as an affirmation for my children. It is a quote I used in high school when I had to get braces. I kept it beside my bed to read every morning and night. It is by Author Helen Glisic
"What other people think of me is none of my concern,
Only what I think of myself concerns me".
My answer is "Because I want to. Because I enjoy it. Because this is what I am meant to be doing".
I have chosen to live like this. I have chosen to bring up my children in a simple, loving family home without a massive amount of luxuries. I want my children to grow up with compassion, understanding, self-worth and most of all without having to "Keep up with the Jones'". I want them to have to work for things. To earn things themselves and save for things. I do not want them to be greedy. I do want them to be spoilt, just not in a consumeristic [is that even a word lol] way. I want them to discover the values and appreciation for the simple things like a walk on the beach, a kookaburra singing, whales diving out of the water, the simple rub our cat gives them. I truly hope I can, to some point influence them to not worry what others think and to choose their own authentic life.
I do feel guilty when they are upset they can't have all of those pre packaged, full of preservatives meals. But then I remind myself they will be healthy and strong inside and out and they don't need them.
I do feel guilty when they ask for things like plastic crappy toys and I refuse but I want to teach them that they can't always have what they want and spending a little more on something of value is more beneficial.
I have to say my guilt doesn't last long which is good.
And there is one saying I say to myself all the time and try and use as an affirmation for my children. It is a quote I used in high school when I had to get braces. I kept it beside my bed to read every morning and night. It is by Author Helen Glisic
"What other people think of me is none of my concern,
Only what I think of myself concerns me".
Sunday, August 8, 2010
I Looove Mondays
Mondays are super delicious. I love them. They are my only day when I can enjoy the freedom of myself, alone. The girls are at Preschool and school and Ty is at work. I am able to rejouvenate and recharge for a miniscule amount of time ready for the week ahead. I plan our meals for the week, bake, cooke, meditate, study, read. I enjoy the silence. I often have no TV on, no radio..... nothing. I listen to the birds outsidea and relish in the silence.
Working only three days a week allows me time to regroup and recharge ready for those hectic three days. I have always had to work full time but luckily for me for over 18 months now I have cut back to three days. My whole family and most of all myself have benefitted from this change. I know it sounds selfish to say 'most of all myself' however I am the core of the family. Although Ty does a heck of a lot and works hard I do the majority in the home and when I am not in a good head space it is not good for our family. I need these mondays and I am hopefully going to continue having mondays off indefinately even when Miss Mia starts school next year.
Tell me dear souls how you spend your mondays?
Working only three days a week allows me time to regroup and recharge ready for those hectic three days. I have always had to work full time but luckily for me for over 18 months now I have cut back to three days. My whole family and most of all myself have benefitted from this change. I know it sounds selfish to say 'most of all myself' however I am the core of the family. Although Ty does a heck of a lot and works hard I do the majority in the home and when I am not in a good head space it is not good for our family. I need these mondays and I am hopefully going to continue having mondays off indefinately even when Miss Mia starts school next year.
Tell me dear souls how you spend your mondays?
All things are for a reason
Well I have to say this week wasn't much better than last. I have had shocking sinus headaches that luckily spared me today.
I do feel like they must have been here for a reason but have no idea what that is.
I did however have an awesome spiritual time on thursday night when I went to see the psychic medium Charmaine Wilson. Once again she proved to be magical and inspiring and comforting. Although I didn't get a reading it was heartwarming to see those that did. What she does is so truly incredible and such a precious gift.
I have already finished her book "Spirit Whispers" in two days and it too was incredible. I now know that no matter what my Pop is with me, guiding me and watching over me.
This year I have taken to really finding out as much spiritual things as I can. I have read so many books about Angels, Tarot cards, psychic mediums etc and realise that this is a path I have had to travel. Even as a young child I had an uncanny way of being able to predict certain future events and even now I always trust my so called 'gut instinct' as it seems to always prove right. I am going to pursue my spirituality as much as I can in the future. My main goal is to be able to meet and talk to my own spirit guide. I know he or she is there with me but I have not yet been able to make contact. I will though. My aim is to open my heart and mind and allow this into my life. Over the past few weeks I have stopped talking to my angels too and I have noticed I feel less comforted so I will be making more of an effort with this aswell.
Overall I realise that all things in life happen for a reason and have a lesson behind them for us to learn. Unfortunately sometimes so lessons are so much harder for some people. Fortunately [touch wood] I have had a very lucky life with lots of blessings. I hope it continues this way :) I wish everyone love, happiness, light and blessings on their journey. Remember whenever you feel lonely there is always someone praying for you or thinking of you.
I am unsure who wrote this following poem but I have always found it comforting.
Somewhere there's someone who dreams of your smile, who finds in your presence that life is worthwhile so whenever you're lonely remember it's true, somewhere someone is thinking of you :)
I do feel like they must have been here for a reason but have no idea what that is.
I did however have an awesome spiritual time on thursday night when I went to see the psychic medium Charmaine Wilson. Once again she proved to be magical and inspiring and comforting. Although I didn't get a reading it was heartwarming to see those that did. What she does is so truly incredible and such a precious gift.
I have already finished her book "Spirit Whispers" in two days and it too was incredible. I now know that no matter what my Pop is with me, guiding me and watching over me.
This year I have taken to really finding out as much spiritual things as I can. I have read so many books about Angels, Tarot cards, psychic mediums etc and realise that this is a path I have had to travel. Even as a young child I had an uncanny way of being able to predict certain future events and even now I always trust my so called 'gut instinct' as it seems to always prove right. I am going to pursue my spirituality as much as I can in the future. My main goal is to be able to meet and talk to my own spirit guide. I know he or she is there with me but I have not yet been able to make contact. I will though. My aim is to open my heart and mind and allow this into my life. Over the past few weeks I have stopped talking to my angels too and I have noticed I feel less comforted so I will be making more of an effort with this aswell.
Overall I realise that all things in life happen for a reason and have a lesson behind them for us to learn. Unfortunately sometimes so lessons are so much harder for some people. Fortunately [touch wood] I have had a very lucky life with lots of blessings. I hope it continues this way :) I wish everyone love, happiness, light and blessings on their journey. Remember whenever you feel lonely there is always someone praying for you or thinking of you.
I am unsure who wrote this following poem but I have always found it comforting.
Somewhere there's someone who dreams of your smile, who finds in your presence that life is worthwhile so whenever you're lonely remember it's true, somewhere someone is thinking of you :)
Sunday, August 1, 2010
What makes one truly ruly happy?
Being the diligent blogger that I am lol I had no idea what I was going to write about this week. However upon re-reading last weeks post about feeling blurgh [which I am not so much now] I thought I would write a post this week to remind me of the good things in life and what makes me happy. So today I am writing about the 10 things in life that make me truly ruly happy!!!!
1. My husband Ty and I met in 1999 and as the cliche goes it was pretty much love at first sight [well for him anyway it took me a few nights to admit it to myself lol].
3. My house or should I say my home? I love it. It is a small two bedroom cottage that has more paint off it than on it but I love it. It is mine. I brought it at the ripe old age of 25 and am so proud of that fact. It was my lifelong dream. It needs more than a tonne of work and we are about to undertake renovations and extensions but I love it. I have created it. It has my touch added to it and as I drive up my driveway I am proud to say it is my home and I have never felt more secure in my life than I do when living here.
4. My pets Faith and Ollie. We rescued our dog Ollie at 5 weeks old from a local rescue group. He was dumped in a cardboard box by the side of the road. He was supposed to be a staffy x lab but is now huge. He really is a gentle giant and I love him to bits. When I pull up in my car he bounds up to me tail wagging and is so happy to see me.
5. Where I live is awesome. I live in Northern NSW near Byron Bay. I love it and would never want to live anywhere else in the world. We rarely go on holidays [partly due to $$$] but also because seriously there is never anywhere I would want to go more than where I live.
1. My husband Ty and I met in 1999 and as the cliche goes it was pretty much love at first sight [well for him anyway it took me a few nights to admit it to myself lol].We married in 2002 and welcome Ella into our life in 2002 and Mia in 2005. We have our fights and arguments, we annoy each other but at the end of the day he is my soulmate and makes me totally happy. My girls are my life. They are scrumptious and divine [and sometimes downright feral lol] but I love them with all my heart and soul and coming home at the end of the day to the two smiling girls gets me all excited.
2. My parents [and parents in law] and all the other extended family are awesome. My parents are the pure essence of my soul. They have brought me up better than anyone could imagine and have instilled wonderful values in me. They are there for me and my family no matter what and I love them with all that I am.
3. My house or should I say my home? I love it. It is a small two bedroom cottage that has more paint off it than on it but I love it. It is mine. I brought it at the ripe old age of 25 and am so proud of that fact. It was my lifelong dream. It needs more than a tonne of work and we are about to undertake renovations and extensions but I love it. I have created it. It has my touch added to it and as I drive up my driveway I am proud to say it is my home and I have never felt more secure in my life than I do when living here.
4. My pets Faith and Ollie. We rescued our dog Ollie at 5 weeks old from a local rescue group. He was dumped in a cardboard box by the side of the road. He was supposed to be a staffy x lab but is now huge. He really is a gentle giant and I love him to bits. When I pull up in my car he bounds up to me tail wagging and is so happy to see me.
My little girl faith only came to us two weeks ago. After researching ncat breeds we decided a British Blue is perfect for us and she is. We love so so much. She woke me up this morning by jumping on me purrring and rubbing me. Oh I love her so.....................
5. Where I live is awesome. I live in Northern NSW near Byron Bay. I love it and would never want to live anywhere else in the world. We rarely go on holidays [partly due to $$$] but also because seriously there is never anywhere I would want to go more than where I live.
This photo was taken a year ago about 10 mins from my house.
6. BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS!! Have I mentioned I love books ? I can read all day everyday. I could live without the TV if I could just sit and read. I read anything, fiction, non-fiction, motivational books, new age books, etc etc
7. Crystals. I have been drawn to crystals since I was a little girl but only about 12-18 months ago did I learn about them. I now have them around my home, under my pillow etc and they provide me with a sense of calm and healing. Just seeing them makes my heart sing .
8. At the start of the year fate stumbled me across a website called GoddessGuidebook.com for some reason I felt the universe led me there for a particular reason and I am so glad I found it. Leonie is so truthful and truly inspirational and I feel I am a better, more creative person since reading her blog [ www.goddessguidebook.com]
9. Gardening makes me happy and healthy. I have only recently gotten back into it but growing, planting, harvesting etc is peeerfect for my soul.
10. I looooooooove baking. I loooove eating more like it lol. But seriously I enjoy baking goodies. I am nothing like a chef and my hubby cooks most of our meals but I bake cakes, slices, cookies etc and love the end result which is usually a rustic type look as Ty likes to call it.
So dearest readers what makes you happy? I would love to hear your 10 things that make you happy?
Sunday, July 25, 2010
What do you do when you feel Blurgh?
The past week I have lost all of my enthusiasm and energy both mentally and physically and I feel downright Blurgh:(
So today I have a child free day and I have decided to blog, charge my crystals, a do a healing meditation to see if that helps.
I have already vacuumed the house and mopped and done a load of washing and I will also do some baking and reading. Hopefully these things will rejouvenate my soul and I will gain some perspective on things happening around me.
Things are getting hectic. We have been getting plans drawn up to build an extra room onto our house and they are finally finished and will be submitted to council for approval and then it will be go go go. Honestly I am excited about this but also nervous as all our back up money will be spent. I don't know how I will cope with builders etc everywhere and lots of mess. I know the outcome will be worth it and will add value to our house but I am still nervous as it is huge for us and I have never renovated big time before.
Money is tight at the moment due to this and I feel horrible.
I know I have to change my patterns of thoughts and use the law of attraction to bring back the positivity and make my dreams come true so today within my meditation this is what I am planning on doing.
So back my original question what do you do when you are feeling blurgh to make you feel better?
Look forward to hearing some replys:)
So today I have a child free day and I have decided to blog, charge my crystals, a do a healing meditation to see if that helps.
I have already vacuumed the house and mopped and done a load of washing and I will also do some baking and reading. Hopefully these things will rejouvenate my soul and I will gain some perspective on things happening around me.
Things are getting hectic. We have been getting plans drawn up to build an extra room onto our house and they are finally finished and will be submitted to council for approval and then it will be go go go. Honestly I am excited about this but also nervous as all our back up money will be spent. I don't know how I will cope with builders etc everywhere and lots of mess. I know the outcome will be worth it and will add value to our house but I am still nervous as it is huge for us and I have never renovated big time before.
Money is tight at the moment due to this and I feel horrible.
I know I have to change my patterns of thoughts and use the law of attraction to bring back the positivity and make my dreams come true so today within my meditation this is what I am planning on doing.
So back my original question what do you do when you are feeling blurgh to make you feel better?
Look forward to hearing some replys:)
Sunday, July 11, 2010
My New challenge
I have to apologize for not posting regularly. I have lost my freedom of regular monday posts whilst school holidays has been on.
However after taking the girls to the park all morning I have now put a movie on for them so I can escape into blogging world for 10 minutes.
So back to my post title 'my new challenge'. Last week the library had a book sale of old books and I managed to scramble a few nice ones in really good condition. So I am putting them away for the girls for Christmas. What has this got to do with me new challenge I hear you ask? Well this year our Christmas is going to be a preloved, pre owned one. Probably not totally entirely. I will buy the girls a few brand new things but other things are going to be pre loved. I am so over the commercialism of toys and plastic junk. This year not one thing in the toy catalogues had me [other than the scooter Ella needs as she has outgrown her old one and Mia has now claimed it lol]. Everything was just plastic rubbish that the girls will play with for five seconds and then they will be over it. So I am going to be as thrifty as possible this year. I will scour op shops, online auction sites and garage sales to secure some lovely presents for the girls. This isn't a money challenge. This is a challenge to stop landfill and give the girls an appreciation of recycling and reusing and providing them with quality presents they will treasure for a long while. As time goes on I will post pictures of my finds and I will also include what they cost just incase anyone is interested. I cannot post pictures of the books I've found so far as the girls are home and will see them but hopefully all going well I will get around to it one night or next monday when they are back at school.
Being Mia's first year in school next year [yes my tiny baby girl starts kindergarten] she will need a few new things and both girls will need new swimmers and underwear, however everything else will be thrifted.
I recently posted on a parenting forum that I visit asking for ideas of unusual Christmas presents. Some of the responses were great.
They included craft kids and embroidery kits, gardening things like pots and plants, walkie-talkies, bedroom furniture, baking sets, fishing gear, wooden puzzles, board games, card games, a box of dress ups etc etc
So that's the idea anyway. So far the girls only have books and I brought my Grandfather a second hand sporting book too that I have put away until Christmas time [or his birthday].
So fingers crossed this goes to plan and I can think of some funky things and find some funky things to get them :)
Until next time
Kristy
However after taking the girls to the park all morning I have now put a movie on for them so I can escape into blogging world for 10 minutes.
So back to my post title 'my new challenge'. Last week the library had a book sale of old books and I managed to scramble a few nice ones in really good condition. So I am putting them away for the girls for Christmas. What has this got to do with me new challenge I hear you ask? Well this year our Christmas is going to be a preloved, pre owned one. Probably not totally entirely. I will buy the girls a few brand new things but other things are going to be pre loved. I am so over the commercialism of toys and plastic junk. This year not one thing in the toy catalogues had me [other than the scooter Ella needs as she has outgrown her old one and Mia has now claimed it lol]. Everything was just plastic rubbish that the girls will play with for five seconds and then they will be over it. So I am going to be as thrifty as possible this year. I will scour op shops, online auction sites and garage sales to secure some lovely presents for the girls. This isn't a money challenge. This is a challenge to stop landfill and give the girls an appreciation of recycling and reusing and providing them with quality presents they will treasure for a long while. As time goes on I will post pictures of my finds and I will also include what they cost just incase anyone is interested. I cannot post pictures of the books I've found so far as the girls are home and will see them but hopefully all going well I will get around to it one night or next monday when they are back at school.
Being Mia's first year in school next year [yes my tiny baby girl starts kindergarten] she will need a few new things and both girls will need new swimmers and underwear, however everything else will be thrifted.
I recently posted on a parenting forum that I visit asking for ideas of unusual Christmas presents. Some of the responses were great.
They included craft kids and embroidery kits, gardening things like pots and plants, walkie-talkies, bedroom furniture, baking sets, fishing gear, wooden puzzles, board games, card games, a box of dress ups etc etc
So that's the idea anyway. So far the girls only have books and I brought my Grandfather a second hand sporting book too that I have put away until Christmas time [or his birthday].
So fingers crossed this goes to plan and I can think of some funky things and find some funky things to get them :)
Until next time
Kristy
Monday, June 14, 2010
Blissful Winter Days
We've had a lovely long weekend. We were able to spend a lot of the weekend with Ty's brother and his kids. We don't get to see them very often at all so it was magical to be able to catch up with them.
The kids all played so well together. There was no arguments or fighting or anything. They all had their best manners and shared all their toys. I thoroughly enjoyed having four kids in the house at once too. It was loud and noisy and messy but so much fun hearing their squeals and laughter.
On saturday I had the pleasure of celebrating a very good friends 30th Birthday. We went horse riding in the morning. It was a sunny and crisp morning but so peaceful on our trail ride. I was so nervous and scared but all was good [except falling on my butt when I got off the horse lol].
We then went and had dinner and drinks afterwards at the local RSL club.
All day sunday and today we were blessed with cold and rainy weather [again]. We spent the time baking cookies and jam drops , and today the girls and I did some lovely paintings including me painting a lovely wax angel painting on canvas.
So all in all a lovely weekend.
As much as the cold isn't as pleasant for me as the warmth I am learning to enjoy the cool weather by rugging up in wooly warm clothes and adding extra layers. Savouring hot chocolates and vanilla lattes and eating lots of comfort food [which my hips are seeing the affects of lol].
Will post some more pictures soon.
Blessings
Kristy
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Meal Planning
Before Ty and I had our children we used to live in a unit with Ty's brother. We would go thirds in the groceries and I remember [and this was 10 years ago now] that we would spend about $180 - $250 a fortnight for the three of us. I cringe now remembering how we would throw away so so so much food each week.
Now 10 years later and as a family of 4 we can spend about $200 a fortnight [sometimes less]. I plan our meals right down to using everything in our cupboard. For instance this week I had two lots of mince left so one night I will make lasagne [which will last two nights] and another night I will make home made sausage rolls which will also last two nights. So their is 4 nights meals. I believe this works well for us as I am always using up things out of the cupboard and things don't just sit there for long periods of time and then get thrown out. I spend about $10 - $20 a week on fresh fruit and vegetables and EVERYTHING always gets eaten. If there are a couple of banana's left over going brown we will make banana muffins or banana bread or cake. We never seem to have much in our fridge or freezer as we only have what we are going to eat. We never ever go hungry.
I also make things from scratch. Today I won't use a jar of bechamel sauce for the lasagne. I will make it myself with flour, butter, milk and cheese.
I always have staples in the cupboard like flour, sugar, etc. We always have eggs, long life and fresh milk, bread in the freezer etc.
We never ever go hungry but meals are planned right down to each meal each day.
It often takes me a good hour or more to plan our meals and write a list. But it is so worth it. I hate hate hate wasting food and I really dislike crappy , foods like chips, musli bars etc so I don't buy these and I am sure that is why our grocery bill is so cheap.
So my suggestions for meal planning are:
* Look in your cupboard and fridge and freezer and see what you already have.
* Look up recipes in magazines, on the internet, ask friends and family etc for ideas.
* Look up ways to make your own sauces, pickles, jams etc
* Never let anything go to waste use up fruit for muffins or stew it and serve with custard. Or get chooks etc or a compost \ worm farm to be able to get rid of scraps.
We very very rarely eat take away food ever now. Partly because I don't want to drive into town to buy it and we simply don't have it in our budget. But partly because every time we eat it we regret it immensley and feel ill and bloated afterwards.
You can make your own version of take away foods at home byt making pizzas and burgers. It's much cheaper and healthier so make sure you include these in your menu plan for a treat occasionally.
Also include some vegetarian meals such as soups, sushi etc. Many of these are cheaper , yummy and healthy.
With the cost of meat buy cheaper cuts and put it in a slow cooker and it will be so tender you will enjoy it.
At the end of the day it takes time and energy to meal plan, follow through with the meal plan and take the time and effort to cook but not only will your family benefit from it but your wallet will too.
Now 10 years later and as a family of 4 we can spend about $200 a fortnight [sometimes less]. I plan our meals right down to using everything in our cupboard. For instance this week I had two lots of mince left so one night I will make lasagne [which will last two nights] and another night I will make home made sausage rolls which will also last two nights. So their is 4 nights meals. I believe this works well for us as I am always using up things out of the cupboard and things don't just sit there for long periods of time and then get thrown out. I spend about $10 - $20 a week on fresh fruit and vegetables and EVERYTHING always gets eaten. If there are a couple of banana's left over going brown we will make banana muffins or banana bread or cake. We never seem to have much in our fridge or freezer as we only have what we are going to eat. We never ever go hungry.
I also make things from scratch. Today I won't use a jar of bechamel sauce for the lasagne. I will make it myself with flour, butter, milk and cheese.
I always have staples in the cupboard like flour, sugar, etc. We always have eggs, long life and fresh milk, bread in the freezer etc.
We never ever go hungry but meals are planned right down to each meal each day.
It often takes me a good hour or more to plan our meals and write a list. But it is so worth it. I hate hate hate wasting food and I really dislike crappy , foods like chips, musli bars etc so I don't buy these and I am sure that is why our grocery bill is so cheap.
So my suggestions for meal planning are:
* Look in your cupboard and fridge and freezer and see what you already have.
* Look up recipes in magazines, on the internet, ask friends and family etc for ideas.
* Look up ways to make your own sauces, pickles, jams etc
* Never let anything go to waste use up fruit for muffins or stew it and serve with custard. Or get chooks etc or a compost \ worm farm to be able to get rid of scraps.
We very very rarely eat take away food ever now. Partly because I don't want to drive into town to buy it and we simply don't have it in our budget. But partly because every time we eat it we regret it immensley and feel ill and bloated afterwards.
You can make your own version of take away foods at home byt making pizzas and burgers. It's much cheaper and healthier so make sure you include these in your menu plan for a treat occasionally.
Also include some vegetarian meals such as soups, sushi etc. Many of these are cheaper , yummy and healthy.
With the cost of meat buy cheaper cuts and put it in a slow cooker and it will be so tender you will enjoy it.
At the end of the day it takes time and energy to meal plan, follow through with the meal plan and take the time and effort to cook but not only will your family benefit from it but your wallet will too.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Simple Cleaning
Part of living simply has been removing all kinds of clutter from the house [I have done my best but having two kids it seems to still appear lol].
But we don't have that much stuff to be honest. This makes it so much easier to clean every room in the house. And because I clean naturally I have way more room in my cupboards because I only use a couple of different cleaning products.
I have always suffered from Asthma and allergies and Mia has too. So we cut out bleaches etc and now we use Bi carb Soda and vinegar , dishwashing liquid and eucalyptus oil. That is it. I don't use furniture polish or bleaches and we use eucalyptus oil to clean the floors. It leaves a nice fresh smell and is 100% natural.
I also use a spray of the eucalyptus oil and water to clean the toilet and basin in the bathroom. In the kitchen I use vinegar and bi carb. We rarely get sick and no one is wheezing from inhaling poisonous bleaches.
Cleaning like this does me using a bit more elbow grease to scrub but honestly it isn't that much harder at all. You don't have to worry about bleaches staining and ruining your fabrics too.
Just a short post from me today. We are organising dinner and dessert as sunday night is our special dinner and dessert night :)
But we don't have that much stuff to be honest. This makes it so much easier to clean every room in the house. And because I clean naturally I have way more room in my cupboards because I only use a couple of different cleaning products.
I have always suffered from Asthma and allergies and Mia has too. So we cut out bleaches etc and now we use Bi carb Soda and vinegar , dishwashing liquid and eucalyptus oil. That is it. I don't use furniture polish or bleaches and we use eucalyptus oil to clean the floors. It leaves a nice fresh smell and is 100% natural.
I also use a spray of the eucalyptus oil and water to clean the toilet and basin in the bathroom. In the kitchen I use vinegar and bi carb. We rarely get sick and no one is wheezing from inhaling poisonous bleaches.
Cleaning like this does me using a bit more elbow grease to scrub but honestly it isn't that much harder at all. You don't have to worry about bleaches staining and ruining your fabrics too.
Just a short post from me today. We are organising dinner and dessert as sunday night is our special dinner and dessert night :)
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Eradicating Toxic People
One of the ways that I have simplified my life is by eradicating myself of toxic people. How is one to live a simplistic life when there are toxic people complicating it?
I had one of these people in my life. I do not like talking badly about people at all however this person was toxic. She was not in my life by choice as I had to work with her. Although she was relatively nice to me most of the time I held no trust in her whatsoever. I witnessed her unstable behaviour and the horrible treatment work mates of mine endured. It was horrible. I let this person be part of my life for two years. I was made to hate my job and also my life. I was anxious and lost all of my self confidence. I asked for help and prayed for a miracle.
That miracle did come. The phone rang and an old friend called me up and offered me a new job. I accepted. At first the new job was stressful. I came home from work in tears from being so overwhelmed. But eventually this stopped.
It was fantastic to work in an environment where there were wonderful and caring workers who treated each other with respect and decency.
After eradicating that toxic person and the toxic environment that I was part of my life has changed immensley.
I have delved into my spirituality which is something I have always wanted to do. I am now enjoying crystal therapy and meditations [when I a not so slack and I do them lol].
I am learning so much about Angels and Angel Therapy. I am reading books about developing my psychic powers that I have always wanted to do and have had signs that I have a gift if I work hard enough to develop it.
Before I rid myself of this person and environment my mind was too cluttered and my life too complicated to begin my spiritual journey.
I am so thankful, grateful and blessed that the miracle phone call came to me at the right time , and that I decided to change my life's path for the better.
I truly believe that if you ask you will receive. There are angels and guides here to help us.
I truly hope that if anyone is reading this and you would like to live a simple, carefree life that you really think about those you share your life with. If you feel that someone is draining you of all of your energy and is not making you feel good about yourself that you seriously think of removing this person from your life.
We are all beautiful and we all deserve to lead the best life that we can. Not one person is worth you, yourself being unhappy.
I had one of these people in my life. I do not like talking badly about people at all however this person was toxic. She was not in my life by choice as I had to work with her. Although she was relatively nice to me most of the time I held no trust in her whatsoever. I witnessed her unstable behaviour and the horrible treatment work mates of mine endured. It was horrible. I let this person be part of my life for two years. I was made to hate my job and also my life. I was anxious and lost all of my self confidence. I asked for help and prayed for a miracle.
That miracle did come. The phone rang and an old friend called me up and offered me a new job. I accepted. At first the new job was stressful. I came home from work in tears from being so overwhelmed. But eventually this stopped.
It was fantastic to work in an environment where there were wonderful and caring workers who treated each other with respect and decency.
After eradicating that toxic person and the toxic environment that I was part of my life has changed immensley.
I have delved into my spirituality which is something I have always wanted to do. I am now enjoying crystal therapy and meditations [when I a not so slack and I do them lol].
I am learning so much about Angels and Angel Therapy. I am reading books about developing my psychic powers that I have always wanted to do and have had signs that I have a gift if I work hard enough to develop it.
Before I rid myself of this person and environment my mind was too cluttered and my life too complicated to begin my spiritual journey.
I am so thankful, grateful and blessed that the miracle phone call came to me at the right time , and that I decided to change my life's path for the better.
I truly believe that if you ask you will receive. There are angels and guides here to help us.
I truly hope that if anyone is reading this and you would like to live a simple, carefree life that you really think about those you share your life with. If you feel that someone is draining you of all of your energy and is not making you feel good about yourself that you seriously think of removing this person from your life.
We are all beautiful and we all deserve to lead the best life that we can. Not one person is worth you, yourself being unhappy.
Monday, May 17, 2010
A lovely family oriented spirited weekend
We all went to the Gemfest on the weekend. The crystals and gems were amazing. We all love them. Ty did too. He brought the girls both an opal each [their birthstone]. When they are older [probably 18] we are going to get the opals made into special necklaces for them.
I too brought some lovely crystals. I was very drawn to amazonite. I found out it's properties and it's quite an amazing crystal. Just holding it in my hand I was getting a heaviness and vibration from it. It was incredible.
We came home and Ty made a lovely vegetable soup. It was delicious. I then made a yummy chocolate pudding too for dessert.
There is nothing more satisfying than feeding my family a lovely hearty meal and dessert. Putting them to bed, knowing they are loved, having a full belly, warm flannelette sheets and a cosy bed.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
As the days cool down
We live in Northern NSW so it doesn't get too cold where we live. Never below 0 of a night anyway. So at the moment we are having such lovely weather. Not too hold and not too cold. Just perfect. Usually I suffer from SAD [Seasonal Affective Disorder]lol. I get cold, tired and very grumpy. I used to despise winter so much.
The older I am getting the more I am enjoying it. I love the fact I washed and put flannelette sheets on all our beds last night. I love that Ty and I snuggle on the lounge under brightly crotchered rugs. I love that he makes me hot chocolates at night with peices of chocolate. I love going to bed with a hot water bottle and I feel so lucky to be warm and snug in my bed.
I love making soups and big hearty meals for my family. I love winter vegetables. I love being able to snuggle with the girls and not be hot ans sticky and not wanting to snuggle because I'm hot and sticky.
I love bathing the girls early and putting them in their warm and cosy pjarmas with yummy fluffy bed socks.
Ok I'd better stop now.... But honestly if you asked me about winter a couple of years ago there is no way the world 'Love' would have been mentioned at all.
But now it's evolved. It's become my friend. I will enjoy snugging down in my cosy cottage with hot water bottles, gorgeous pjarmas and cute crotchered rugs and I will be thankful that I have the privilage of being able to live in a warm house with a gorgeous family.
The older I am getting the more I am enjoying it. I love the fact I washed and put flannelette sheets on all our beds last night. I love that Ty and I snuggle on the lounge under brightly crotchered rugs. I love that he makes me hot chocolates at night with peices of chocolate. I love going to bed with a hot water bottle and I feel so lucky to be warm and snug in my bed.
I love making soups and big hearty meals for my family. I love winter vegetables. I love being able to snuggle with the girls and not be hot ans sticky and not wanting to snuggle because I'm hot and sticky.
I love bathing the girls early and putting them in their warm and cosy pjarmas with yummy fluffy bed socks.
Ok I'd better stop now.... But honestly if you asked me about winter a couple of years ago there is no way the world 'Love' would have been mentioned at all.
But now it's evolved. It's become my friend. I will enjoy snugging down in my cosy cottage with hot water bottles, gorgeous pjarmas and cute crotchered rugs and I will be thankful that I have the privilage of being able to live in a warm house with a gorgeous family.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Mama's Day :)
Well generally speaking I could look back at Mothers Day yesterday and say "Yes it was pretty average". I mean I have had a head cold since Thursday morning and Ty was vomitting all night saturday and then had to work all day. BUT you know what? I had a gorgeous day. The girls made me beautiful gifts from school and preschool [see pic]. Mia made me the bowl over several weeks as she had to paper mache it, wait for it to dry out and then paint it. Ella made this gorgeous garden which I now have hanging up in my room. Mia's bowl is also on my dressing table and I sit my daily jewellry into it :) See I told you it was a gorgeous girl. Ella also picked me two coffee mugs, complete with tea bags, a crabtree and evelyn lavender body cream and a lavender soap from the mothers day stall. There is something lovely about the girls being able to pick something that comes from their heart or that they creatively made themselves. It truly is a wonderful gift.
All day I was thinking of several parents I know that have lost their children, either during pregnancy, through illness or accidents and I truly felt blessed that my girls are happy and healthy and not only in my heart but in my arms.
I hope you all had a blessed, family filled, gorgeously wonderful mothers day. There is nothing more precious in anyone's life than their mother. The one who brought you into the world and would sacrifice their life for you.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Interest rate rise, The cost of Living and the Environment
Well the RBA lifted interest rates this past tuesday for the 6th consecutive time. Whilst it raises our mortgage slightly each time so far we can handle the rate rises. This is due to us living in a small house in a small area and we purchased a typical 'Fixer upperer' lol. It needs work. Mainly on the outside of the house but a small bit of work on the inside would help too. Anyway we purchased this house because honestly it was all we could afford. And I am so happy for it because the lifestyle we lead of living simply, the house is all we need.
Whilst many people with large houses and mortgages suffer with each interest rate rise, due to our low mortgage it puts our mortgage up by about $15 each rise so it's ok. I often wonder though if many of the people with large mortgages ever think about downsizing? I often wonder how much happier people are knowing they are in a lot of debt as opposed to people have little debt?
I also wonder how many people need the huge plasma TV's, the nicest furniture etc. Possessions really don't make me any happier. Either does working full time and being away from my children. Given the chance I would embrace the opportunity to be a stay at home mum, however even living as simply as we do, Ty and I find it much easier both of us working part time and being home more with the girls. We are happier for it. We are healthier for it. Being home more gives me more time to spend with the girls and be the home maker. I can provide the girls with nourishing home cooked healthy meals. I am not picking up take away food because I am late home and don't have time to cook dinner.
With the cost of living too I know I am saving money on the food bill each fortnight due to cooking from scratch. We never purchase pre packaged foods. Everything is cooked from scratch and we know what is in everything. No preservatives, artificial colours, flavours and additives.
Poor Ella gets teased because she never takes chips and musli bars etc to school but I have told her that she is better for it.
We avoid the shops too. I used to love shopping for nothing in particular and buying unnecessary items. Not anymore, the less I got to a store, the less I want to. We only go for necessties and even then I look at Op shops first [Did I mention the awesome crotchered rug I got from my local op shop last week for $4], it is awesome. I was going to take a photo however the camera battery had died so I will try and get around to it soon.
The other way I am saving money is I don't buy magazines. I am so happy in my own life I truly don't want to read about celebrities and their lives. Every time I ever brought a magazine and would read it cover to cover I never felt satisfied and fulfilled. I never felt like I got anything out of it.
I realised how much money I saved when last year I took all of my old magazines to the local op shop and the ladies commented on how many I had. I added it up roughly and there would have easily been over $1000 spent on magazines. I would buy 2 or 3 a week at $5 or more each. So now the only magzines I have in my house are hand me downs from my mum and my sister in law when they have finished. Honeslty, I really don't miss my magazines at all. Instead I visit the library regulargly and borrow books which is much more satisfying.
I have also stopped buying several beauty products. I am a bit of a make up \ cosmetic junkie but recently have slowed it right down. I have looked at several ingredients in so called 'organic' skin care that the health food store sell and what is in these products is still toxic stuff. Some I can think of is phenoxyethanol, DEA etc etc so many next project is to make my own lip balm, and body butter and soap. It's going to cost abit more but will hopefully last longer and I can share my products with family and know they aren't placing toxic chemicals onto their skin. We will have all natural ingredients in the products and will benefit from this.
So wish me luck :)
Whilst many people with large houses and mortgages suffer with each interest rate rise, due to our low mortgage it puts our mortgage up by about $15 each rise so it's ok. I often wonder though if many of the people with large mortgages ever think about downsizing? I often wonder how much happier people are knowing they are in a lot of debt as opposed to people have little debt?
I also wonder how many people need the huge plasma TV's, the nicest furniture etc. Possessions really don't make me any happier. Either does working full time and being away from my children. Given the chance I would embrace the opportunity to be a stay at home mum, however even living as simply as we do, Ty and I find it much easier both of us working part time and being home more with the girls. We are happier for it. We are healthier for it. Being home more gives me more time to spend with the girls and be the home maker. I can provide the girls with nourishing home cooked healthy meals. I am not picking up take away food because I am late home and don't have time to cook dinner.
With the cost of living too I know I am saving money on the food bill each fortnight due to cooking from scratch. We never purchase pre packaged foods. Everything is cooked from scratch and we know what is in everything. No preservatives, artificial colours, flavours and additives.
Poor Ella gets teased because she never takes chips and musli bars etc to school but I have told her that she is better for it.
We avoid the shops too. I used to love shopping for nothing in particular and buying unnecessary items. Not anymore, the less I got to a store, the less I want to. We only go for necessties and even then I look at Op shops first [Did I mention the awesome crotchered rug I got from my local op shop last week for $4], it is awesome. I was going to take a photo however the camera battery had died so I will try and get around to it soon.
The other way I am saving money is I don't buy magazines. I am so happy in my own life I truly don't want to read about celebrities and their lives. Every time I ever brought a magazine and would read it cover to cover I never felt satisfied and fulfilled. I never felt like I got anything out of it.
I realised how much money I saved when last year I took all of my old magazines to the local op shop and the ladies commented on how many I had. I added it up roughly and there would have easily been over $1000 spent on magazines. I would buy 2 or 3 a week at $5 or more each. So now the only magzines I have in my house are hand me downs from my mum and my sister in law when they have finished. Honeslty, I really don't miss my magazines at all. Instead I visit the library regulargly and borrow books which is much more satisfying.
I have also stopped buying several beauty products. I am a bit of a make up \ cosmetic junkie but recently have slowed it right down. I have looked at several ingredients in so called 'organic' skin care that the health food store sell and what is in these products is still toxic stuff. Some I can think of is phenoxyethanol, DEA etc etc so many next project is to make my own lip balm, and body butter and soap. It's going to cost abit more but will hopefully last longer and I can share my products with family and know they aren't placing toxic chemicals onto their skin. We will have all natural ingredients in the products and will benefit from this.
So wish me luck :)
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Slow to blog
I have spent so much time reading others blogs that I have unfortunately neglected my own.
We had a lovely Easter with family. We enjoyed Ty's yummy seafood curry on Good Friday with his parents and a gorgeous lunch with mine on Easter Sunday. The Easter Bunny remembered to come so the girls were happy about that.
Yesterday we decided to embrace our creativity. I brought the girls a blank canvas and they painted it. Afterwards we all painted paper to cover our scrapbooks with :)
As you can see by the photos we had a lovely rainbow coloured day.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Happy Birthday Ty
Well another week has passed by and I must say living the simple life is definitley working for me. Although I have been doing it for a while now, the more effort I have been putting in the more I have been benefitting from it.
This week we have made blueberry muffins from scratch, chicken and vegetable sausage rolls and a yummy sponge cake for my wonderful husbands birthday which is today.
I have been enjoying my time pottering around at home making home where I am enjoying.
I make the beds each day, wash up, hang washing out, vacuum etc. Lately instead of procrastinating about it I have been just doing it and I feel so much better for it.
Ty has been fishing a lot recently so we are eating a lot of fresh fish and salads which is so yummy.
It's his 34th Birthday today and he enjoyed out to sea fishing with a friend and cooked us yummy fish he caught for dinner and then he enjoyed the yummy sponge cake that we made him this morning [his only birthday request].
Yesterday we enjoyed the afternoon at the beach swimming. Simple pleasures have by far been the best so far. Entertaining the kids doesn't have to cost a fortune which I am slowly learning.
I will post some pics of my cooking from scratch efforts this week and a photo of Ty and the girls from his birthday tonight.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
A blessed Week
I enjoyed a lovely week this week. Work was nice but busy with new children arriving. I also kept up with the washing and house work up until thursday when it got a bit hectic after arriving home from work at almost 7 both nights and being exhausted.
On friday we had a home day. I had to catch up on house work and wanted to save some $$$ so we stayed home. Also thursday night Ollie [our dog] was limping so Ty had to take him to the vet for us. He ended up only having scraped a bit off his pad on his paw but because he is such a big dog it was quite painful for him so he has a bandage on until wednesday and he also had his immunisations. Poor little puppy :(
Saturday Ty went out to sea fishing and managed to catch lots of yummy fish to stock up our freezer with. I took the girls to the pool for a swim before they begin swimming lessons. They are doing so well with their swimming that I have booked them in again for another term to ensure they can swim well.
This morning we enjoyed morning tea with mil and fil and then went and met up with my parents and my bro and his girlfriend as her Dad had his hot rod car in the car show we went to. He ended up winning the roadstar even which was enxcellent new for him :) Once we got home I enjoyed reading the sunday paper while the girls watched a DVD. It was just so hot and a severe thunderstorm warning came out so the idea to go for a bike ride was out of the question.
Tomorrow we may be taking Ella to the Dr. He foot [ankle] is quite badly swollen and we aren't sure why. If it's gone down a little we will go to the beach instead. I also have some washing to do and I want to bake some yummy blueberry muffins that the girls love.
Over the weekend I accomplished a lot of cleaning. We only had a new kitchen installed in August but the stainless steel sink seems to get rust stains easily and usually I use Jif to scrub them off. Well as I am working hard to avoid chemicals in our family I sprinkled bi carb soda on the sink and sprayed a little vingear and water on top and let it sit for about 10 mins. I then scubbed and the rust stains are now gone and my sink looks amazing :)
I also cleaned the windows and mirrors with vinegar and a cloth [have been doing this for a while now] and am using vinegar mop wash.
Next step is to make my own washing powder [couldn't find borax at the shops] otherwise I would have already started this. Also want to make my own liquid hand soap and possibly soap [am worried about the caustic soda though] so I am a little nervous about that.
Otherwise the kids and I have been eating well. Lots of fresh fruit and veges, yogurt, home made bikkies etc, no processed food.
I feel quite proud of this even though poor Ella is dreading going back to school as she worries she will be teased again for eating healthy food where the other children all eat chips and musli bars. I tell her they are just jealous tha they aren't packed such thoughtful and yummy food lol.
Well until next time...................
On friday we had a home day. I had to catch up on house work and wanted to save some $$$ so we stayed home. Also thursday night Ollie [our dog] was limping so Ty had to take him to the vet for us. He ended up only having scraped a bit off his pad on his paw but because he is such a big dog it was quite painful for him so he has a bandage on until wednesday and he also had his immunisations. Poor little puppy :(
Saturday Ty went out to sea fishing and managed to catch lots of yummy fish to stock up our freezer with. I took the girls to the pool for a swim before they begin swimming lessons. They are doing so well with their swimming that I have booked them in again for another term to ensure they can swim well.
This morning we enjoyed morning tea with mil and fil and then went and met up with my parents and my bro and his girlfriend as her Dad had his hot rod car in the car show we went to. He ended up winning the roadstar even which was enxcellent new for him :) Once we got home I enjoyed reading the sunday paper while the girls watched a DVD. It was just so hot and a severe thunderstorm warning came out so the idea to go for a bike ride was out of the question.
Tomorrow we may be taking Ella to the Dr. He foot [ankle] is quite badly swollen and we aren't sure why. If it's gone down a little we will go to the beach instead. I also have some washing to do and I want to bake some yummy blueberry muffins that the girls love.
Over the weekend I accomplished a lot of cleaning. We only had a new kitchen installed in August but the stainless steel sink seems to get rust stains easily and usually I use Jif to scrub them off. Well as I am working hard to avoid chemicals in our family I sprinkled bi carb soda on the sink and sprayed a little vingear and water on top and let it sit for about 10 mins. I then scubbed and the rust stains are now gone and my sink looks amazing :)
I also cleaned the windows and mirrors with vinegar and a cloth [have been doing this for a while now] and am using vinegar mop wash.
Next step is to make my own washing powder [couldn't find borax at the shops] otherwise I would have already started this. Also want to make my own liquid hand soap and possibly soap [am worried about the caustic soda though] so I am a little nervous about that.
Otherwise the kids and I have been eating well. Lots of fresh fruit and veges, yogurt, home made bikkies etc, no processed food.
I feel quite proud of this even though poor Ella is dreading going back to school as she worries she will be teased again for eating healthy food where the other children all eat chips and musli bars. I tell her they are just jealous tha they aren't packed such thoughtful and yummy food lol.
Well until next time...................
Monday, January 11, 2010
My simple life
I made a yummy batch of scones today. Such a simple recipe SR flour, butter, sugar and milk. They were divine with a bit of strawberry jam and cream. I would rather my girls have a scone with jam and cream or honey rather than pre packaged food full of preservatives.
I wanted to write a bit more about my simple life.
We brought a little old wooden house on a 733sq m block in a small rural town of 500. A bigger town of 18,500 is only a 10 minute drive away so we aren't exactly in the middle of nowhere.
Our house was rather cheap [under $200k] which is cheap these days but very run down. However we wanted to get into the property market so we decided we would slowly do it up. And other than the peeling paint on the outside inside is rather nice and homely. We replaced all the carpet and lino, painted the whole interior, replaced the kitchen [still havem't finished the splash back yet though], built back steps, built a sand pit for the kids. It's going ok so far.
I only work 3 days per week. I have always worked full time even after the births of both of my girls however 12 months ago my anxiety got worse and I needed to cut back and spend precious time with my kids before they grow up too quickly.
My DH only works 2 days a week [sometimes more]. We live on a low income of only $915 a week. Out of this we pay our bills, and all of our living expenses. After bills are paid including mortgage etc we have $376 left over. We sometimes scrape by and other times have money left. Our goal is to have lots of money left.
We don't grow our own vegetables or have chooks [thanks to my rather large dog not liking them] however we only buy food we will eat, never waste any, we use every last drop of everything we have, we have all second hand furniture and appliances and we don't want to 'keep up with the Jones' so to speak.
We live on about $100 a week for groceries, we don't have pay tv, or Iphones and we never buy anything we don't need. I guess we live quite simply.
My goals are to make our own soap and washing powder, hand soap etc.
Last year I stopped shopping for the sake of it. Now I make a quick trip to get groceries and necessities and that is it.
I also started using environmentally friendly home made cleaning products. I use vinegar and water to clean the shower, basin and windows and vinegar and hot water to mop the floors. I scrub with Bi carb soda if I need extra scrubbing. I avoid using the dryer and have cut down our shower times to 3 mins each. I wash up twice a day to save money and only do 1 load of washing every two days.
The kids borrow books from the library and so do I.
I have stopped buying pre packaged food and try and make as many of the kids snacks as possible as well as letting them have plenty of fruit and vegetables. We also cook from scratch where possible.
Other than our motgage we have no debt at all. No credit card debt, nothing which I am proud of. We do have two cars as DH drives for work and I work also but we try and drive my small car more often and other than DH's work days his larger car isn't driven at all.
I am looking back at this thinking my life isn't so simple however I look at friends who have everything and more and are up to their eyeballs in debt and spoiling their kids with plastic toys they don't even play with and then i realise we are quite simple.
Ella goes to the local school which is about a 3 miniute walk away which we try and encourage her to walk [with us of course] rather than drive.
Not only is my life simple this way but IO hate clutter and live clutter free. I get rid of stuff I don't need and keep a clean and organised, clutter free life.
I'd better sign off now as I have an early start tomorrow for work.
Tomorrow I will write more about my routine and how I structure my days :)
Cioa
Sunday, January 10, 2010
My home day
What a gorgeous day it is today, just magical. Ella got up early and went fishing with Ty. Mia and I woke up a bit later and I have dropped her down to Ty so she canhave a go in the boat too.
I have already vacuumed the whole house and am about to wash up.
Monday is my home day. I don't usually go anywhere it is a day of catch up and rest. Mia usually spends most of the day in front of the TV when Ella is at school. I know that is not entirely healthy but we lead such a busy life she really doesn't have much time to relax. I am usually ironing and washing, tidying and baking for the week ahead.
When school goes back and I begin to embrace student life as a distance education student at University Mia will go to our local community based preschool on a monday so I can enjoy a full day of study without any interruptions.
I will also need other study opportunities throughout the week however having that 6 hours to myself will be a big help. It will mean changing my routine to not include any housework that day to benefit my study time.
Well I must head off and start my day. Washing to fold and more to hang out. Washing up to do and some dusting and baking, ironing and mopping.
I love looking after m family by providing them a lovely clean, fresh and clutter free home to live in.
Ciao
I have already vacuumed the whole house and am about to wash up.
Monday is my home day. I don't usually go anywhere it is a day of catch up and rest. Mia usually spends most of the day in front of the TV when Ella is at school. I know that is not entirely healthy but we lead such a busy life she really doesn't have much time to relax. I am usually ironing and washing, tidying and baking for the week ahead.
When school goes back and I begin to embrace student life as a distance education student at University Mia will go to our local community based preschool on a monday so I can enjoy a full day of study without any interruptions.
I will also need other study opportunities throughout the week however having that 6 hours to myself will be a big help. It will mean changing my routine to not include any housework that day to benefit my study time.
Well I must head off and start my day. Washing to fold and more to hang out. Washing up to do and some dusting and baking, ironing and mopping.
I love looking after m family by providing them a lovely clean, fresh and clutter free home to live in.
Ciao
Fun in the Sun
Another beautiful day in paradise. What a beautiful place in the world we live no wonder why we rarely go away on holidays it is just paradise here.
This morning we took the kids fishing in the boat [a small tinny]. Ella caught two small bream and Mia caught one. Both the girls hooked their own and wound them in with help from Daddy. The water was beautiful and so still and serene. The sun was hot and there were many other boats out with people doing the same as us. I have to admit fishing is actually fun but only when I have someone to bait the hook for me YUK!!!!
It really is true though. The simple things in life are often the best. Fishing cost about $8 which included the fuel for the boat and the bait. The river is a 1 min drive from our place so the car fuel was basically nothing.
After we got home the girls had some lunch and watched a DVD as it was too hot to be outside.
We then bathed our dog Ollie and set up slip and slide for the girls. Admittedly it wastes a bit of water but the girls love it and we only leave it on for a short period of time and the excess waters the garden :)
Afterwards we enjoyed a yummy home made Japanese chicken curry and rice. We then took Ollie for a walk and Mia rode her bike and Ella her scooter.
This year is all about being healthy, fit and active and not spending money to enjoy the simple things in life. We achieved that today with fishing, slip and slide and walking the dog. The girls enjoyed a small ice cream cone after our walk. We totally wore Mia out. She was exhausted and fell asleep within minutes of me reading her her bedtime story.
Ella's still awake but will hopefully drift off soon. She's a night owl like me and even when she is tired she seems to stay up.
I must say I am enjoying only working 3 days per week. This weekend I really feel like I have been on holidays or something as we have actually done things and nothing has cost me any money. Other than the new work shoes I brought on Friday [which may I add were on special and a necessity] I have not spent any other money all weekend other than $3.60 for 2 newspapers. So I am very proud of myself. And most importantly I and the rest of the family have had fun and we have enjoyed family time with the kids which is so so important.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Living simply
Well today was the start of our new life 'Living Simply'. Last year after I cut back from working 5 days a week to 3 days a week to spend more time with the kids we had to start living more simply in order to be able to survive. I stopped buying things we didn't need for the sake of it, started menu planning to save money on groceries, I use everything I have until it is empty where as before I would just chuck it away if there was only a 1\4 left because I couldn't wait to use the new one.
I also stopped wearing a watch on the days I don't work. I used to rely on my watch 24\7 now on my days off I rarely even know the time and enjoy not stressing about it all. I stopped buying magazines. Last New Year I took all the magazines I had brought throughout the year to the local Op Sop. The ladies commented how many I had and I roughly added them up and I had about $500 or more worth. Now all the magazines in my house are hand me downs from my Mum and my SIL.
So this year I am still going to enjoy the finer things in life. I will consume the occasional bottle of wine and head off to the movies every now and again but I also want to appreciate the free and simple things in life like taking the kids to the beach, the park or the library, instead of the movies and McDonalds. I am going to try and save as much money as I can to be able to take the kids on an over seas holiday in about 12 months time. It WILL happen and this blog my dear friend will help me stay motivated.
Today we took the kids to the beach. E ended up seeing a friend from her school who was there with her cousin so the 4 girls enjoyed playing together in the waves. Ty enjoyed fishing and swimming even though he didn't get a bite lol.
It was quality family time and the kids have fallen asleep easily as not only did they breathe in the fresh salty sea air they enjoyed splashing in the waves and tired themselves out running and playing. And it cost us nothing. It is only about a 5 minute drive so the petrol was next to nothing and there was no winging and sooking we normally get when we head out to the shops.
It was a lovely feeling seeing the girls playing and not fighting and enjoying the sunshine and sea air and being amongst nature.
Tomorrow we are going out in the boat to enjoy another day on the water and hopefully the girls will catch a fish with the new bright pink fishing rods.
Wish us luck :)
Friday, January 8, 2010
You sexy Mother
Well it's been a while and honestly I think I will post here more often now. After a horrible year last year [well the first 3 months were] but can't go into it on here. However as hard as it was I also had a few aspects of the year that were good too.
I went to P!NK in July and she was awesome, fantastic, wonderful, inspirational and amazing. Also went to see the Titans play at the Gold Coast which was fun too. As the kids have gotten older it is easier for me to go out and catch a movie which I did a few times as well.
I also managed to read the Twilight series which I totally loved.
Apart from that I really struggled at work. I cut my days down to 3 days but there were still problems at work with bullying and slack work happening with the boss.
When I was offered a job in September I decided to take it and leave the toxic work place. I struggled at first but now have settled in and work so well with such lovely people that actually treat people how they should be treated and it's great.
I had a lot of problems with my neck too for the whole year and my physio believed it was due to stress and funnily enough as soon as I left that workplace my neck has been good so far.
This year though is a NEW YEAR and I have new aspirations and goals. I am going to make the most of everything. I am going to be sexy, and have confidence within my self to pursue all of my life long goals.
I have reapplied for the loan to build the extension so I can run my own successful FDC business and if I get knocked back I am going to apply at another bank until I get what I want.
I am going to give E and M the attention and love they deserve. Not that I don't now but I want to be better and give them more.
I am going to invest more time in E's schooling. I am going to attend more P&C meetings and make more of an effort to go to each assembly etc.
I will do the same with M at her new preschool where possible.
I am about to start studying my Bachelor of Teaching [Birth to Five Years] and I pray that I am smart enough to do this successfully.
I am going to be more romantic with Ty and try and sechedule time for him that is valuable to our relationship. Not that we aren't secure enough but he does miss out.
I am going to create a loving home for my girls with lots more fun and laughter than before.
I am going to live a lot more simply. I am going to do more baking, make my own laundry powder, buy more second hand clothes, eat more fruit and veg and use my slow cooker on my work days. I want to get the girls outside more to be more active.
I want to eat and use more natural and organic produce and steer away from packaged and processed food.
AND I am going to blog more, to keep more of a record of our day to day lives for future reference.
Let's see how I go.
Ciao Bella's.
I went to P!NK in July and she was awesome, fantastic, wonderful, inspirational and amazing. Also went to see the Titans play at the Gold Coast which was fun too. As the kids have gotten older it is easier for me to go out and catch a movie which I did a few times as well.
I also managed to read the Twilight series which I totally loved.
Apart from that I really struggled at work. I cut my days down to 3 days but there were still problems at work with bullying and slack work happening with the boss.
When I was offered a job in September I decided to take it and leave the toxic work place. I struggled at first but now have settled in and work so well with such lovely people that actually treat people how they should be treated and it's great.
I had a lot of problems with my neck too for the whole year and my physio believed it was due to stress and funnily enough as soon as I left that workplace my neck has been good so far.
This year though is a NEW YEAR and I have new aspirations and goals. I am going to make the most of everything. I am going to be sexy, and have confidence within my self to pursue all of my life long goals.
I have reapplied for the loan to build the extension so I can run my own successful FDC business and if I get knocked back I am going to apply at another bank until I get what I want.
I am going to give E and M the attention and love they deserve. Not that I don't now but I want to be better and give them more.
I am going to invest more time in E's schooling. I am going to attend more P&C meetings and make more of an effort to go to each assembly etc.
I will do the same with M at her new preschool where possible.
I am about to start studying my Bachelor of Teaching [Birth to Five Years] and I pray that I am smart enough to do this successfully.
I am going to be more romantic with Ty and try and sechedule time for him that is valuable to our relationship. Not that we aren't secure enough but he does miss out.
I am going to create a loving home for my girls with lots more fun and laughter than before.
I am going to live a lot more simply. I am going to do more baking, make my own laundry powder, buy more second hand clothes, eat more fruit and veg and use my slow cooker on my work days. I want to get the girls outside more to be more active.
I want to eat and use more natural and organic produce and steer away from packaged and processed food.
AND I am going to blog more, to keep more of a record of our day to day lives for future reference.
Let's see how I go.
Ciao Bella's.
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