December challenges (update)

I should have realised that setting myself challenges in December was a tall order but we live and learn.

Here is what I have managed to achieve:

Ø Declutter the shed and pack stuff into boxes as I go on
Nope

Ø Work on doing the splits.
Nope

Ø Sort out the kitchen (again)
I have made really good progress with that and the floor is clear of clutter.

Ø Sort out the twins room
Nope

Ø Sort out stuff for the charity shop
I have done that (I managed to get rid of a lot of videos and books which really has helped)

Ø Sort out the coat cupboard and cupboard in eldests room
Nope

While I have not been that good it has not been a complete disaster. I am pleased that I have managed to get some of the things done and that the things that I have managed to achieve are the important ones.

Happy Christmas

I managed to get a lot done in the kitchen but I did not do as much as I would have liked to have done. I did however manage to clear the floor and that helped a lot. Thankfully there was enough surface space for us to work with.

I have had a lazy day and while I have eaten more than normal I have not eaten to total excess. I have allowed myself a day off from getting my 10,000 steps walked but I will get back to normal tomorrow.

Sadly my eldest has been not sleeping well due to a cough so that has meant that once again that I will not be going to bed any time soon as I have the kitchen to clean and a few other things to clear up as well. We will get there though and I will do my best to have a restful morning before my stepdaughter comes around.

Pre Christmas blitz

I should have realised that I would not get any of the December challenges done. I will just do what I can get done.

I have not managed to get a lot done in the kitchen that I would have liked to have done so tonight I am going to cheat to get the job done. I am just going to dump the junk in the shed but I need to get the sides and floor clear.

May the force be with me tonight as I am going to be a busy bunny.

Operation gut kitchen

Now that Christmas is pretty much sorted I need to sort the kitchen out desperately so that we will be able to prepare the Christmas meal in a funky place (well and any meal as well really)

It is a terrible state and after I read something in a magazine I have been inspired to sort it out.

I will sort out the cupboard where the coats are hung next but for the next few days I am going to be a busy bee gutting the kitchen. I will even have to sacrifice a relaxing night so that I can get the job done.

I have ordered some cheesy movies today so hopefully some of them arrive soon so that I will have something fun to watch when I am cleaning. I have ordered Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, Robot Monster and the infamous Plan 9 from Outer Space.

I have been a very busy bunny today

I knew that I would be busy today even though it did not start off that well. I had a lie in which meant that I did not take the books and videos to the charity shop in the morning.

I got all of the younglings ready. Put the twins for a nap and took my eldest to nursery. I then took the books and videos to the charity shop. That was a challenge in itself. I had managed to sort out a lot of books to go. They were books that not only had I not got around to reading but I realised that I would not read them at any point so it is best that I just pass them onto someone that will read them. I am afraid that I just have not got the time to sell them online so passing them onto a charity shop is the easiest option.

The bags that I carried weighed a lot so by the end of the street my arms were aching. Thankfully I had my shopping bags so I was able to turn some of the bags into improvised backpacks and that helped so much. It meant that I was able to make the journey. While I was in the shop I found a book to add to my friends Christmas present and a book on toddler meal planning so I am glad that I was out to the shop today.

When I got back I was then busy wrapping my friends and their daughters presents up so that I can pass them on. As soon as I had done that I had to rush out to get my eldest from nursery.

When I got back I was keeping the younglings out of trouble as Devil Boy was not well and then I was sorting dinner and basically doing all of the jobs myself while doing my best to stop the younglings getting into places where they should not do.

I wish that I could have a relaxing night but I have to clean the kitchen and make sure that I am in bed early as I am up early in the morning and I need a good sleep, especially after today. The good thing through as that should help keep me motivated to get my jobs done as I have managed to fold up all of the clothes that were scattered about the living room.

On a different subject I have decided to give my computer a festive feel by putting the picture below on the desktop. I wish that they would produce a higher resolution version of the picture. I think the picture is so funky. I think I will have to contact them about that.

Now that Christmas is about sorted I can start on the challenges

I have sent off the Christmas presents that need to be sorted out and while I have some cards to sort out that is about it. All the presents are ordered and even the food order has been placed.

I need to wrap up presents but will not take long. I am planning on getting that done tomorrow night.

I am going to work on the kitchen and getting the clothes that are scattered about the place picked up and put where they need to be.

After that I really need to sort out things to take to the charity shop. In fact I need to get something sorted out for next Tuesday. That would help clear out some clutter ready to fill it right back up with it being Christmas.

I also need to start doing my yoga again at least every night (even if I do not do the whole DVD every night but some yoga most nights) and I also need to start cleansing, toning and moisturising every day.

I cannot do everything strait away but I need to start working to that point after my lazy November.

December challenges

Here are my December challenges:

Ø Declutter the shed and pack stuff into boxes as I go on
Ø Work on doing the splits.
Ø Sort out the kitchen (again)
Ø Sort out the twins room
Ø Sort out stuff for the charity shop
Ø Sort out the coat cupboard and cupboard in eldests room

November challenges update

I have not done well this month as I mentioned before. I have really struggled with motivation and the month seems to have passed so quickly. Ah well I will do better next month.

Ø Declutter the shed and pack up the stuff as I am going along ready to move (number the boxes and list what is in them)
I did a little before I stopped and loosing the key the shed did not help when I got a little motivation back.

Ø Work on losing the remaining weight that I would like to lose.
I did lose some weight and I am now just under 9st. So I did well there.

Ø Plan a healthier diet
I did not do that.

Ø Write out ideas for my home business.
I did not do that.

Ø Sort through the records in the twin’s room and clean up the stereo ready to put on freecycle.
I did not do that

Ø Declutter the coat cupboard and the cupboard in DS1’s room.
I did not do that.

Ø I have always wanted to do the splits and I have never done it so I am going to work towards begin able to do the splits (I am also going to do Yoga most nights to help me stretch)
I started stretching and I managed to do that up until halfway through the month. I think I even made some good progress.

I did not do well but at least I managed to get something done which is better than nothing. I am sure I will do better next month.

I found the key to the shed

So that means that I can get started on it again, Hehe and on a lighter note I will be able to get the younglings Christmas present from my mum and dad.

While I am not yet motivated I can feel that it will not be long before I am. I think I am making the most of my time off before I get busy again. I think I will get started at the start of December ready for the next set of challenges. That works out well, as that will be nearly the start of a new week as well.

I will also restart doing yoga next week. I also have a hip-hop dance workout DVD to have a go at. I really would like to lose the remaining weight that I need to loose. My best friend has managed to do it (she lost an amazing 3 ½ stone) so I know that I can do it too. I am also going to start cleansing, toning and moisturising my face every day and I am going to put almond oil on my hands, as they are really dry. I need soft hands if I am to become a masseuse. I really enjoy massaging people and I know it is something that I can do. I just need to go on a course. I was talking about it with the woman who did the make the most of yourself course last Thursday at homestart.

I am actually looking forward to next week now. I think I will have to get a plan sorted for what I will do.

Not doing well with the November challenges

I do not know what is the matter with me at the moment. I am finding it hard to motivate myself to get the challenges done. I have not even been doing Yoga at the moment. So I am just going to write off this month and carry on the challenges for next month. I have managed to do some of the things so what I have managed to do I will remove and maybe add replacement challenges.

I have still not found the key for the shed so I will have to work on the kitchen tomorrow in the hope of being able to find the key.

The only thing that I have to do is start going to bed earlier. Now that the younglings are getting better with their sleeping I can get to bed earlier. I have to make sure that I am in bed by 12 every night so that gives me time to read before crashing. I am happy though as the latest Star Wars book has been dispatched to me. I am so much looking forward to reading it. Though for some reason the delivery estimate has changed from the 1st December to the 3rd December. I hope that it will be delivered early (fingerscrossed)

Oh though there is something positive. I would love to be able to write short stories and recently I have had some funky ideas for some stories. I just hope that I am able to translate them from ideas to reality.

Working well in the kitchen

I have managed to make some good progress in the kitchen again. Well thanks to the pesky mouse that I cannot catch at the moment. I have been meaning to sort out under the sink for ages but I kept putting it off. I noticed that some stuff was nibbled so I sorted it out. It looks a lot better now. There are still some things to sort out but it is looking good now (well just for the cupboard are getting clear and organised now)

I have also managed to get a bit of work done on decluttering my desk and while it is not perfect it is better. I really must get that sorted out tomorrow. Tonight I have been busy sorting out my Star Wars books into order. I have been meaning to do that for ages. I have also put a duplicate book on Amazon Marketplace. Hopefully that will sell.

I have to confess though that I have lost the key to the padlock on the shed so I have not been able to get in to the shed to work on that but as I work through the kitchen I am hoping that I will find it (I have my fingers crossed)

A delay with the housing application

I got a letter through today telling me that they needed some information from me that I had not put in. I was not happy at first, as I was really worried that they wanted some information that I could not give. This meant that I was not able to concentrate on getting the jobs that needed to get done while my eldest was at nursery.

I went up to the housing association office in the afternoon and I asked them what I should do. They were really helpful and let me use a phone to phone the number on the letter. They told me what information they needed and thankfully it was something that I could answer (strangely enough I found something today which gave me the information that they needed) so hopefully that will mean that the application will continue to go through with no more problems. I am so much looking forward to Devil Boy and I having our own bedroom and not having to sleep on a buckled mattress anymore.

I have managed to get some things done today though. Not much but at least I was able to get something done. I just cleared out some of the paper waste from the kitchen. I will do a better job tomorrow.

Making progress

I have not been doing as much as I had hoped but I am not doing too badly either.

I have not been sorting through a bag a day from the shed but I have been getting some done and I have been packing away stuff into boxes ready to move. I have been able to get rid of a lot of things though and thankfully most of it has been paper so I have been able to pout it in the recycle bucket. I just have to make sure that I do my best to do better.

It has been hard recently as Devil boy has not been feeling well so has not been able to do much around the flat so I have been doing my best to keep on top of things but slowly it is getting on top of me.

I think that tomorrow I will not go on the computer while my eldest is at nursery so that I can make the most of the time that he is away.

Getting on with my challenges and a new haircut

I have made a good start to getting my challenges done. I was slow to making a start on the shed (I had planned on sorting through a bag from the shed a day) but today I made a good start by getting two bags from the shed sorted out. As long as I get a bag a day sorted out then I will be happy.

I am going to write out a list to work out how I am going to get the rest of the challenges done. I have also been working on being able to get the splits done. I have also been good at getting the yoga done. I have been doing it most nights. I really enjoy doing it and it has been good for me as well.

Recently I have been getting fed up with my hair still falling out so while I have been thinking about shaving my hair off I actually did it (I decided to get it done at home as I thought there was no point in paying for something that we can do at home) I actually really enjoyed cutting my hair off. It felt quite liberating. I also like the style. I think I will keep it for a bit before growing my hair again (once the hair has started growing again) it was amusing though as I went into the hairdressers where I usually get my hair cut to show them. The woman who cut my hair last time was really shocked. I told her that I was planning on it but she did not think I was going to go through it.

I have had a few days relaxing but now it is time to get started

I have had a few days off from my challenges due to being busy for a couple of days and going to a party today.

Another reason why I have to get back on track is that I need to make sure that I keep on top of the work that I have already done as well as finding a home for all of the things that mum brought up with her (they are in the kitchen and there is not too much room for them in there)

Once I have worked on the kitchen and the living room I plan on sorting the coat cupboard out and then the records and stereo in the twins room. While I am doing this I plan on sorting through a bag a day from the shed.

I have managed to make a start with attempting to do the splits by stretching my legs. I have to make sure that I do not strain myself though but it would be so funky if I could manage to do the splits.

November challenges

Here are my challenges for November:

Ø Declutter the shed and pack up the stuff as I am going along ready to move (number the boxes and list what is in them)
Ø Work on losing the remaining weight that I would like to lose.
Ø Plan a healthier diet
Ø Write out ideas for my home business
Ø Sort through the records in the twin’s room and clean up the stereo ready to put on freecycle.
Ø Declutter the coat cupboard and the cupboard in DS1’s room.
Ø I have always wanted to do the splits and I have never done it so I am going to work towards begin able to do the splits (I am also going to do Yoga most nights to help me stretch)

Hehe, that should keep me out of trouble for this month.

October challenges – What I have managed to achieve

Ø Work on decluttering the shed
(Done)

Ø Hand in form to housing association for hopefully getting a house
(Done)

Ø Declutter the flat and work out a system to keep on top of things.
(I have decluttered the living room, kitchen and hall. There is still the twin’s room, the coat cupboard left though and the cupboard in DS1’s room)

Ø Now that I have nearly lost the weight that I want to put a little more effort into getting rid of it.
(I have lapsed while DS1 has been off school)

Ø Start sewing begs to sell.
(Done)

Ø Work out what I want to do when I set up my home business.
(I have not managed to do that)

Ø Plan out a healthier diet for us all and look for funky meals for us to eat.
(I have not made a plan out but I have been thinking of way to improve our diet.)

I am really pleased with what I have managed to get done. I have not managed to get them all done but I have done most of what I set out to do and that is really funky. I am especially pleased with the work I have done in the flat. I just need to continue the good work and keep on top of things as well.

The kitchen is funky and clean

Thanks to mum and dad visiting has motivated me to clean the kitchen and I have finished it. It looks fab now. I have worked out the system that I will use to make sure that I will keep on top of things.

What I am going to do is that every night I will make sure that the sides and floor are clear of clutter. I will also make sure that the recycle stuff is sorted out as well. To make sure that I do not have too much to do at night I will keep on top of things during the day. I should be a lot easier to keep on top of things that to clean up a big mess. It is just so good to see the kitchen tidy again.

Now it is time to start working on the shed. I am going to bring through one bag at a time and sort it out as soon as it is through so that clutter does not build up in the kitchen again.

I think I am actually getting somewhere now.

Good work on the kitchen

My mum and dad are due up in a couple of days (I thought it was tomorrow so I have got an extra day to clean) so I have been gutting the kitchen to make sure that it is clean.

I have really made good progress. I have cleared the sides and moved away a lot of junk from the floor. I have also sorted out some videos to take to the charity shop.

I was not too happy though when I went to clean under my R2-D2 cookie jar. It was all gungy on the padded bits under the legs. I have cleaned and soaked them. I will have to keep washing them until they are clean.

The kitchen is looking so much better though and I will definitely get it finished tomorrow. I should get people to visit more often to inspire me to clean. Hopefully once I have sorted out a system, I will be able to keep on top of things, as I cannot let the kitchen get that bad again.

I have also decided to make a slight change to one of my October challenges. Instead of sewing bags to sell I am going to start sewing bags to add to Christmas presents.

Sorting the youngling’s clothes out and decorating the flat

I have not been able to get much work done with the shed due to being busy during the day (there is no working light in the shed) but I am hoping to get some work done either today or tomorrow. Today I will be working on the Kitchen when I get the chance.

I have though managed to sort through the twin’s clothes and take out the clothes that are now too small for them. I have sorted out DS2’s clothes into two piles. One of the piles is for a friend of my friend and the other is for homestart as they are running short of clothes for the crèche.

I am really pleased I have done that as I have been meaning to do that for ages and especially for DD it will clear room in her cupboard for the new clothes that she can now fit into. Another good thing about sorting the clothes is that I will have less to take with me when I move (that is vital as moving is going to be challenging enough without carrying more stuff than what we need)

Devil Boy and I will be sorting through our clothes next week, as there are a lot of clothes that neither of us wears anymore.

I am also happy as Devil Boy told me that his brother has been able to get some paint for us to decorate the flat. We was able to get some inexpensive white paint but it will mean that the flat should hopefully look nice when we leave it (well that is the plan) We need to paint the living room, twin’s room and maybe DS1’s room as well There is a medium sized hole in the wall by the kitchen door where some of the plaster has been knocked out that needs filling in and small bits of repair work to do around the flat (the cheap door that were originally in the flat have got some damage to them and the handles have fell off) The floor in the living room and hall needs sanding and waxing (that can be done once we have left though as it will be too challenging to do at the moment as we have no room to move the furniture to do it)

Carrying on the good work

Today I managed to continue the good work with the decluttering. I managed to get some work on the shed done. I sorted through some of my material that I use for sewing and the stuff that I do not want to use I took up to the clothes bank. I managed to get a lot of stuff taken up there.

I also managed to get some work done on the kitchen. There will be days where I cannot get much done so I am taking advantage of when I can.

I am really pleased with what I have managed to get done.

Better motivated today

Despite having a funky lie in and having a visitor I managed to make good progress on the side that was the most cluttered. It is not clear at the moment but it is looking so much better now. I can now see my R2-D2 cookie jar so that is really good.

I am also really pleased as I managed to hand in the application form for the housing association so hopefully it will not be too long before we will be able to move into a bigger place.

I just need to carry on the good work tomorrow.

Need motivating

I have been struggling with the kitchen recently doe to lack of motivation. I really need to get it today but it is in such a state that the job is getting to big and is putting me off.

I have managed to get some things done but my goal of clearing the sides has failed due to me not feeling that well again today. I need to have an early night and I thin I will have to miss yoga again sadly but I will do my best to get that done as that might help me settle off to sleep.

I am pleased with how I have managed to clear and clean the recycle corner. As long as I am able to get the dishes washed and put away and get as much of the surfaces clean as possible I will be happy for tonight.

I was really good the other day. I managed to get the living room and bathroom when Devil boy’s dad, brother and friend came around to watch football. Hehe maybe I need to arrange for someone to come and visit the kitchen to help motivate me.

I will have to make clearing the sides tomorrows challenge. I have to win and the kitchen really has to be clean and free of clutter so that I can work out a system so that I can maintain it.

The decluttering begins

I have made a start to the decluttering. I had a good opportunity today and I managed to use it as well, which I am very happy about. Devil boy went out and while the twins were napping I started work on the shed.

As my eldest was here it was easier to work on the shed than cleaning the kitchen, as he was mostly able to run around in the garden. Bless him though he kept asking me if the shed was clean so he could go in. I said to him that I wished that it was clean that quickly and I then asked him if he thought it looked clean to which he replied yes. Bless him and his warped sense of what is tidy.

I managed to make a nice start and thankfully most of the stuff that I needed to get rid of was paper as there is not much room in the rubbish bucket. I also found some useful things in the shed that I have brought back into the flat. I have been ruthless though and I will continue to be so.

I just have to make sure that I keep up the good work, as I really have to sort the shed and the flat out.

October challenges

These are my challenges for October:

Ø Work on decluttering the shed.

Ø Hand in form to housing association for hopefully getting a house.

Ø Declutter the flat and work out a system to keep on top of things.

Ø Now that I have nearly lost the weight that I want to put a little more effort into getting rid of it.

Ø Start sewing begs to sell.

Ø Work out what I want to do when I set up my home business.

Ø Plan out a healthier diet for us all and look for funky meals for us to eat.

Operation make the most of myself

I go to homestart with my twins and this year we started doing courses when the crèche times were extended. Recently we have started a course called ‘make the most of yourself’ it is about obviously making the most of yourself. We have been learning about a beauty care regime and as a result I have started using a face wash and cleansing and toning at night. I have even stated using a facemask once a week.

This got me thinking and I have decided to make my own project of the idea of make the most of yourself, but I will be doing more than just a beauty regime.

Firstly I have decided that my computer must be switched off as much as possible during the day so that I can get jobs done and spend time with my younglings rather than on the computer. I will have a browse of the Internet during breakfast but it will be switched off until the younglings have gone to bed. The computer can be so distracting at times and there has been times when I have only meant to have a quick 10 minute browse and I have ended up being on the computer for an hour.

To start off my plan I am going to start by getting the flat sorted out. I have to seriously declutter and clean and then sort out a system to keep on top of the housework. I am hoping to be moving into a house at some point in the next year so it will make the move much easier if we can cut down the amount of stuff that we have to carry.

Once I have done that I will sort out going back to college. I would like to learn Gaelic, go on an art and creative writing courses.

I will then start planning out my home business. I will work out what I can do and what will be viable for me to do and then make a plan of action about what I will do. I am hoping to get this up and running when the twins have gone to school so I will have the time during the day to work. This will also give me plenty of time to prepare.

That is the physical side of my project so for the mental and spiritual side I am planning on working on my anger issues. I am a lot better but I can be very easily wound up and quick to temper. I do not like this so I am going to work on changing that. I have managed to fight off depression; I am slowly building up my confidence and self-esteem/opinion. I am sure that with work and time I will get the anger under control again.

I became a Buddhist last year but there is a lot about it that I do not know so I need to discover more about Buddhism as well as learning to meditate and taking the time to do so every day.

Every month I will set myself challenges to do so that I make sure that I actually do what I plan to do rather than do what I normally do which is make plans and then put off doing them for another day until they never get done.

The force will be with me.