Riding a wave...

Are the days getting brighter?

Not enough here in Ballarat! Boy the rain can pour down!  Big, heavy, straight lines of torrential rain.  Anything drying and finally not a soggy bog was like an instant soup mix dissolving with the buckets that landed here this morning!  And yesterday morning.  Of course at any given time you can look out the window and see sunshine, blue skies and white fluffy clouds.  Walk away for a moment and all of a sudden it is raining.  It would be snowing if it were colder...

I've made some commitments to myself ~ and am actually upholding them.  Like being in bed at reasonable o'clock.  Of course reasonable varies but so long as I am in bed by 1230am, computer off, one commitment is honoured.  If I am awake by 800am, not necessarily up and out of bed, this too is on target.  Breakfast by 930am - and this does not count a mug of coffee, chocolate or water - it must be either a cereal or a green smoothie.  Today's smoothie is kiwi, pineapple, apple, pear, banana (frozen), celery, romaine lettuce ~ delightfully refreshing and surprisingly tasty.  Hoping SmallBoy will have some when he emerges from slumber.

If you've not worked it out by now, I tend to write off and on all day.  I mention this because sometimes I may have said something at the start that ends up not happening or changing as the day goes on.  Also, now I am more active and mobile, there is not as much time spent resting or laying flat ~ the brain is playing catchup and reset after a myriad of pain medication.  I feel like I have been in a slight coma only I didn't feel that way while under the influence, more I am noticing the clarity of thought and ability to remember.  It is a wonderful feeling!!

Then the bottom falls out...

If its not going well, it's going crapola!  No even steady middle - just one extreme to the other. Got a wee glitch in the finances and I feel like it is my fault.  Well, in some ways it is but only because I was slack - its the incoming, not the outgoing!  Darn it bad.  Plus with Husband under the weather, he can be a grumpy ol' woman at times.  I think it can be because he gets frustrated at the slowness, the inability to get an extra pair of hands on the job and just the whole changed dynamics of the way his day pans out.  It takes some adjusting - I know that.  Man ~ how long before I understood what 'stop, rest, chill' meant! Probably about 9months post op!

Then the day swings up in the highest of highs! Spotted a very special old friend on facebook, bit the bullet and sent off a quick note to say hi, love to reacquaint but happy if time has moved us on to different directions.  Well strike me down ~ she'd had a dream about me, been thinking after me ~ we've chatted and I am stoked! Hoping we will catch up soon and I think it is almost the Slatey Chicks birthday!!  Bubbles would be good hey love (don't know if she's found this yet, but hi love if you have!!)

~Mands is on a Mission

Having just gone through our budget - again - our total debt has come up around the $25k mark.  This does not count the mortgage and we've been really good at getting ahead on our payments by adding $5-$10 extra dollars every few days.  As interest is calculated daily ~ I figured by making the amount lower every day the interest is not ticking over on the same amount for a fortnight at a time.  We hope to make repayments weekly, but we need to clear the line of credit first or it will be 'rolled' on to the mortgage total (currently under $165k) and delay our goal to pay it out in under 10 years.  It's only been four years, but we have already reduced the amount by $50k so we are on track, sort of...

So, setting up an eBay account to clear the clutter and make some savings along with the space.  If I could do it myself, I'd love to say to Husband and SmallBoy we can have 100 items each and the rest has to go.  Maybe it would work if we were not including clothes and the kitchen would have to be exempt too.  If I halved what is there it might only be half as full ~ funny that.  I mean how many saucepans, cake tins, plates, bowls or mugs do we really need.  Still need to keep two peelers because team work gets the potatoes peeled quicker!

I am going to run a separate page on 'The Mission' with an aim to raise $25,000 and clear the debt, create some savings and get things on track for Queensland 2011.  If we clear the line of credit and the personal loan, this would be ideal and leave around $7,000 to have aside for our first few months in QLD ~ or a new car if that doesn't pan out.  It is very exciting because we think it is entirely possible.  On our income we couldn't save that much in a pink fit ~ but downsizing and de-clutter it might happen (with help from above - carn Angels, spirits and my fine fairy friends - lets get it together!)

If we did get stuck, at least we've got eggs.  Just found 22 in the blackberry bushes up beside the garage.  Let me say ~ funny but not fun *chuckles*  Picking out the prickles from my arm as I sit here.  Oh ouchie!!  I knew I was about a dozen short of what I had expected these last few days - but 22!  Of course they were right up the back and in the thick of it all.  I have no egg cartons left and am now in desperate need.  Actually if anyone turns up here with more than one carton I will give them back a full one because we currently have 10 dozen - what to do with all those eggs!  Might make up some cake mix, cook a few to freeze and think of something else to make, bake and/or freeze.

I have no concerns about food ~ while the garden is getting ready we have plenty of tinned and frozen fruit and veggies, a pantry of food and bulk basic items and several freezers full of meat so it is only milk and cat food that is needed.  Happy to start using the weeds for my green smoothies - maybe *grins*  Oh it is hard to get the head around that weeds are good (considering how weed implies marijuana implies drugs implies bad) but I guess it is the same for someone who can't eat lamb's fry or brains or other offal because it is the animal's guts.  I'll eat most offal although I am not a fan of tripe. Ox tongue is ok when cooked right but I've never cooked it myself.  Love the ol' livers, kidneys and brains if crumbed and cooked just right . . . how many are screwing up their faces and say 'yuck' right now I wonder!!

So ~ A Year without Spending...

This doesn't mean we won't be paying the bills, for food and health items, mortgage and all the other necessities in life.  It will only the necessities we will spend money on and everything else we might source, barter, trade or cut back.  Questions posed on Simple Savings to make this real and manageable have been thought about, mostly by me and hoping to have the boys on board.  I think SmallBoy will take to it really well if both Husband I are united in our actions and goals.  Hopefully these responses will form the basis of our plan:  

What is necessary and what isn't for our family?
Necessary:  Mortgage, Electricity, Gas, Water, Insurances, Basic/Bulk food items, Cat Food, Petrol, Internet, School fees, Medicines, Dental and Therapy costs; Wood

Unnecessary: Doctors private appointments (I'll bulk bill, sit in reception, wait); Newspapers and Magazines; Taxi's; Takeaway food, coffee and snacks; 

Is it for the money or the environment? 

Both ~ the main objective is to live within our income AND save a little on the side; this will result in environmental benefits due to the lack of wrapping, chemicals, petrol usage and more on home made cleaners, baking, home grown foods.  It's a wonderful way to teach family values, care and responsibility for self, the world and more.

How will we keep track of our achievements? 

Well the blog will be one way, along with the Simple Savings thread.  Visually we need to design some sort of calendar or chat where we can see the progress both financially and creatively.  Maybe an arrow to colour in or days to cross of as 'no spend' days.

How much money can we save - and where would this go? 

$6000 : For the Queensland move and relocation ~ I would hope we could get to save $100 a week ~ this might be a struggle in the start however it is planned that Husband will work in the new year as I improve and recover, if only part time. Plus, debt will be run down through 'The Mission' - which I'll talk about another day. It's not ready yet *grins*

Have we got a reachable goal to get us focused? 

I think the target is achievable - we saved $13000 in a year when getting our mortgage deposit together. Sure, our rent then was half the amount our mortgage repayments are currently and we were earning three times the income but our groceries were $300 a month so if we get back to that, the savings are extremely achievable. 

Are the family on board? 

I could say yes ~ but not sure entirely.  I think SmallBoy would get into it once he sees the benefit it will have with family activities, being out and about, being creative and having $500+ of his own savings at the end of one year.  Husband could be - it just might take some creative selling and rewards along the way *grins*

Do we have a list of the things that may come up that we think we will "need"? 

There will be ~ it's still being collated (in my head!)  Things like presents for birthdays can be made, from the 'presents' box. Haircuts are available at SMBs School of Hair, Beauty and Natural Therapies. I cut SmallBoy's hair - he's only had two 'real' haircuts in his 10years!  

How will we tackle this? 

Freecycle and ReUseIt groups are great ways to find things one needs that others don't!  Bartering, sharing, learning to do things ourselves will be on the cards - we have enough books on 'How to...' so we can read those.  Op Shops are always good for low cost quality items.  

Are we still going to use the same utilities? 

Probably - but I might make the home phone incoming only and use the mobile, Skype, VOIP and email for outbound calls.  Electricity and gas are combined and this is a regular amount each month which balances over the high usage in winter and nominal usage in summer.  An experienced haggler here - so I will always renegotiate rates, fees and payments.

How can we help the environment during this challenge? 

Our 'footprint' will be significantly smaller and other using less power, packaging and chemicals will only be better.  I wonder if I can haggle my rates down and only get rubbish collections every other week? *thinks*

What can we do to reduce waste?

Things home made don't come in packages, with boxes around the plastic filled stuff inside that may also be individually wrapped.  We will use cloth napkins, lunch-boxes, compost suitable items and reuse items more the once somewhere else within our lives.  Drinking water bottles can be used as covers against the frost, or mini hot-houses.  Why will we still buy water?  Because Ballarat water is the most disgusting tasting chlorinated dirty stuff - more so when we had tank water for 6 years.

How can we better utilise our free time?

Oh I have a list ~ there is two years or more of catch-up to do.  Add a vegetable garden to re-establish and maintain, chooks to pamper, things to fix ~ there won't be any free time *grins*  We are able to watch movies, go get things from the library, have time out exploring our local areas and parks.

How will we deal with birthdays, celebrations and Christmas? 

I've always had shoes, pyjamas, underwear and socks in the Santa Sack and from Easter Bunny (as you do).  There will be home made items, samples, free stuff that make great presents.  Others will hopefully appreciate these as much as a $10 note, voucher or whatever.  We can even give mini veggie garden/pots  for gifts.

Will we barter? What can we barter? 

Yup ~ well, we have eggs!!  We can baby-sit, help with house moves (I'll barter Husband's muscle with ease!)

What things can we do for entertainment?

Cards, board games, books and videos from the library, have friends over - we'll cook, they can bring wine.  There are lots of low cost things we do already.

Do we need to learn anything to help us through the year? 

Well, as we won't have the money to do our medical degree, we might look into some DIY sessions at Bunnings - they're free and you get to take stuff home. We'll learn new recipes, other frugal methods and anything else that might crop up.

How will we tell family and friends? Will they even know?

I'd like to share the adventure ~ not expecting anyone to follow our ways because that's unreasonable. I'd just hope the reasons are understood and respected.  And cheering from the sidelines with our successes would be such an added bonus!

And that should do it for now ~ this will change and we will start the trial now and tweak before the New Year is here hopefully getting a head start on the savings goals.  Now to gently break the news to my dear Husband ~ wish me luck! *laughs*

Where do you go when the sun goes down

I've looked for you often but you're never around

I guess it's because you don't want to found

In the evening

Why do you leave as the moon rises high

The light it casts over us from up in the sky

There so much to do, how I wish you would try

In the evening

You only call when at the first rays of dawn

When night's barely over, it's only just morn'

It's been this way since the day you were born

Bloody rooster

Sunday Wrap Up

So the footy was a draw...

More on that next weekend I guess ~ tipping the Saints to win, as this will result in a very happy Husband and we all like happy spouses! Feeling the pain for those Collingwood supporters ~ how are they going to to a second grand final? Sure feeling sorry for the Collingwood supporters - its gonna take them weeks to save all there Centrelink money to afford another ticket! *naughty, cheeky, evil grin* Enough on the AFL already!

Settling in to having Husband home and setting up plans.  We've really got to tighten the purse, belts and wallet because there's not going to be a lot left after each mortgage payment - especially if the rate hikes being speculated happen.  It's going to be the little things that tip the budget, like the Sunday paper, a couple of coffee's while out, a movie ticket or 3, petrol and hiring the lawn mower/slasher every 6-8 weeks to keep the grass down (particularly important with summer, snakes and stuff!)  As the savings are pretty much depleted now, its a bit like starting from scratch ~ and in true 'glass half full' mode ~ this can be a good thing.

I'm not confident ebay is the way to go with selling things we no longer want - do people really bid on items of (say) clothing that have had previous owners?  Or shoes, toys, games, utensils for that matter?  I read a book called Saving Kate - about a girl who got her self into debt, asked others for the spare change from their paypal accounts and sold items on ebay to rid herself of $30k or so in debt.  Aside from the mortgage, which is now 40% less that what it was 4years ago, we have less than $10k debt and half of that is the dreaded credit card. Does it take a cut as big as the one paypal takes on the Treasure Chest set up there on the side bar? -->  Or is a more reasonable deduction, or none at all if a donation?  I must be the most non-technical personal on the blogs!!

My biggest fear is that the laptop will finally decide it is way to old for this life and cark it!  I know its 'only' a few hundred to get a new lappie - but we don't have that available any more and as I am able to earn a little money doing some moderation on a forum or two, this won't be able to be done and we'll be in a worse pickle!  More so as, mentally, moderation and blogging (and facebook!) keep me on an even keel over the day ~ it so sux being limited to a regular, consistent day of physical ability.

For example, this past week - we finally found the point of 'stretch' in this super flexible body. Call it double jointed, supermobile, hyper-extensive, whatever - I can put my hands flat on the ground in front of my feet without issue - or stretch or pull.  Considering EVERYTHING is about getting the muscles retrained - when there is no stretch being felt, it is fair to say, nothing is stretching.  But at hydro this week - the stretch in my right thigh actually was registered. Woo Hoo!!  This is good!  The big issue is not to twist to gain the stretch, otherwise the muscles are being 'taught' the wrong place or point to remember.  So, in a semi-contortionist one handed technique, I can be in the pool and stretch those muscles.

But this totally wrecked me for Saturday - and I slept 12 straight hours from 1130pm to 1130am - taking away any possibility of going out to friends, digging or pottering in the garden and made it a struggle to get meals up on time.  Even collecting eggs and wood for the fire was beyond me and with Husband in Melbourne for the football it was up to me to do the normal basic stuff this weekend.  With SmallBoy's help, we kept the fire burning but he can't grab the big logs and split them into reasonable sizes - and neither could I.  Still, thanks to Simple Savings, we may have a way to get through the year without going deeper into debt and actually save $5000.

Little Miss Frugal and Celebrating Life - two forum members - have set themselves a challenge to not spend money on anything other than the essentials in 2011.  This gives us three months to plan, prepare and practice for the new years' challenge and focus on reducing, reusing and recycling as much as possible.  I've copied the following 'guidelines' to ensure we can stick to this and now that I've found how to add pages to a blog, I will set it up separately in a few weeks with our final plans and goals. The inital questions to help with planning are:

1. What is necessary and what isn't for our family?
2. Is it for the money or the environment? 
3. How will we keep track of our achievements? 
4. How much money can we save - and where would this go? 
5. Have we got a reachable goal to get us focused? 
6. Are the family on board? 
7. Do we have a list of the things that may come up that we think we will "need"? 
8. How will we tackle this? 
9. Are we still going to use the same utilities? 
10. How can we help the environment during this challenge? 
11. What can we do to reduce waste?
12. How can we better utilise our free time?
13. How will we deal with birthdays and christmas's? 
14. Will we barter? What can we barter? 
15. What things can we do for entertainment?
16. Do we need to learn anything to help us through the year? 
17. How will we tell family and friends? Will they even know?

This sounds complicated to those who have not considered such a humongous goal, but for us it is not a case of wanting to do it - we have to do it.  After all, we only have $530 odd per week and the mortgage uses up one full payment each fortnight.  That's why I hope no interest rate rises are going to sting us before the end of the year - we need a few months to get a little savings up. My earnings currently pay the credit card debt and as the card is maxed out - we can't really use it for anything else than repayments.  I want to reduce the limit but acknowledge the card has been a necessity while Husband's entitlements and pay were nil.

I hate that things revolve around money, finances and income - and I know that when our tax is finalised there will be some relief but it needs to be placed on the mortgage/line of credit so we can be serious in our attempt to move to QLD where the weather will be a lot more helpful for my recovery. I am still writing my book, but until it is 'real' and picked up by a publisher it is all still just words on paper.  If the computer crashes, it will be words lost.  There is something we can't afford to happen.  *sighs*  Such a catch-22.

If it was just me, or me and one child, the answer would be simple.  I'd move, rent our place out, look for a suitable short term rental before buying a bush property of 5ac+.  The ideal would be for 20-60ac, with a dam or river through the property, higher than Gympie but not as high up as Cairns.  Bundaberg, Maryborough, maybe Rockhampton but I think Townsville is going to be too humid for us - possibly a little isolated.  Thinking aloud here but doing a few farm stays might be an idea and letting SmallBoy home school for a year or two while we find our place.  I'm just not sure I'd be 'strict' enough to maintain a good home school regime for him and there would need to be no xbox, tv or wii to ensure we get this right.  Hmmm - worth thinking about you know!

But back to the basics of now

So if we could manage a no-spend year, we could realistically expect to save $100 a week with a possible extra $100 a week if the invoices and tax rebates outstanding are received before the year ends.  I know we need absolutely nothing for cooking meals this week - nada.  There is enough milk, bread, meat and veg to get us through.  SmallBoy and I need to make more biscuit dough and then we will have some yummy snacks for morning and/or afternoon tea.  A few scones, cakes and other items will keep us happy and fed well.

It's got to a point that the few parking fines incurred by Husband, when working at stupid o'clock or on jobs where he could not get to the car quick enough to move it, are now overdue and we can't pay.  So we have been offered the ability to take it as community service.  This is not the end of the world, nor does it make for a criminal record by any stretch but will it jeopardise our hopes to become foster parents or placement carers?  If we could pay them, it would not even be registered or recorded anywhere but because we need to do it as community service it does create a record of default and a legal history.  This is so not fair ~ we don't want to weasel out of paying tho'.  Husband is a lot devastated as he has had a clean, no-fault record for over 45years - and now this.

All because the stupid fiancée of a lawyer wrote my car off and broke my spine.  What happened to her - I often wonder if there were any repercussions because they lied in court, had the only witness repair their car and change his statement, screwed us.  I've sometimes looked at how much I am worth dead - and it is a good sum you know - but thankfully I am now able to see that no money is worth that loss or the pain and suffering it would leave my precious boys with.  Having watched the BBC series 'Married, Single, Other' and seen what happens when a mother dies - I could not do that, not even a little any more.

I will still question why - why is it so hard, why did they lie in court, why did it take so long to find the fractured spine pieces, why didn't the physio listen when I complained, why is everything so rigid, why is there no help. I know the answer is 'because, it is' but it doesn't always put a smile on my face you know!

The week ahead

After we visit Justice for our community service roles - yes, even me - Husband is off to the dentist to finally organise a dental clinic appointment.  Then we will be in the garden for a bit and doing a tidy in the laundry.  Clearing things out for selling - be it a garage sale, ebay or one of the Facebook buy/sell pages. There is plenty - if we sold everything for $1 (which we wouldn't because some things are worth a lot more, like $5 *grins*) we could get $20k I think.  But people won't buy it all, nor will all be sold because we need to hoard a few bits.  Don't we??

Time to be a little creative and see if a flash of poetic inspiration hits me.  Let's see what flows from the brain today...

Help your Friends

Flowers stand up strong and tall

After rain drops sprinkle

The sight of flowers makes me smile

And smiling means less wrinkles

Grins are always well received

So are friendly notes

Spread the love to all you meet

And never ever gloat

You never know the kind of day

Another person's having

Your kind words might be the one

That keep another living

We're only ever a step away

From making the wrong choices

Sometimes a smile helps us carry on

Or just happiness in our voices

Take the time to look around

Admire life's goodness and beauty

Let your friends know how much you care

Tell them now for it's your duty

✿ ℒΦϑє, ℐﻪ℧ჭɦʈeʁ & ʆίφђϮ ✿

Ready? And ~ action...

Oh this head has finally stopped screaming

Husband and I have chatted and agreed ~ the implementation of change has begun.

Husband has done a brilliant job this past week or two and I can see what difference there is in life with him around and not travelling so much or being away from home.  And with 'his' team St Kilda in the AFL grand final - everything is already set so he can yell, cheer, celebrate or commiserate as required at the sound of the final siren, with poor demented other followers or barrackers of the 'opposition' Collingwood.  The next big celebration will be Powderfinger.

I cannot wait for this concert.  My sister had her birthday!  One more to the big 40 - just means I am getting closer to *gulp* 45. Jay and I manage to talk and discuss things happily, indepth at times, but with no argument or animosity.  She does get the whole idea of offering an opinion up and leaving it at that.  It's not her problem, but if you have one she is there to help.  Actually Jay was one to contact me directly when I had the major fall out with my ex-bestie.  She was there to listen, hear and empathise - perfect.  It was not her role to fix it or find solutions, she was there for me and to make me feel ok.  So for her final birthday of her 30s we have got her a ticket to Powderfinger and the weekend her to come along with us, party, boogie and be child-free for a night!

Along with mates from Melbourne (who will probably be able to help with travel), we are going to have a blast.  In many ways I am pleased that the whole concert ticket debacle has meant we will be going with an awesome group -  fun, fun people and if the party last week is anything to go by it will be a huge night out. I've really missed that social interaction, the getting together over drinks and music for fun. Ideally one big catch up a month will help maintain sanity and help me feel more normal again. SmallBoy is getting excited.

It still stabs at me how such a long friendship has been broken - I know its only been a matter of months, time will heal, yadda yadda but when someone you believe has your interests at heart talks you down, makes you feel useless and inferior, getting back to your own self confidence and belief can take a little more effort, struggle and conviction - I know my dear Husband sees how much I was hurt, hurt still and has let me know all which was said was not the truth but a reflection of how my old friend probably felt of herself.  He always said I knew her better than herself, but he also said she never understood because she always wanted more to be happy.

Thankfully, the way I treat a day is getting better.  Together during these school holidays we are setting up good habits with time, making change with the amount of mess and clutter ~ oh the bane of my existence.  I really do not like 'stuff' any more. Should be an excellent day for washing and drying - got those soapnuts to check out!  Tomorrow's focus needs to only be the kitchen and laundry for huge inroads to be made.  Here's hoping it comes together...

Galoomp

Went the little green frog one day...

The lounge room is looking tidy ~ gee our carpet is old and worn in a few places!  The previous owners had animals inside, but I think its probably been the same flooring down since the 80s.  Almost tenant carpet, but not quite the el-cheapest pile.  The eggs are now coming out our ears with a dozen guaranteed ever two days.  I'm going to put a note together for a few locals to come and get a dozen - with 8 cartons in the fridge here, I'm tipping people will be very happy.

The kitchen is getting there - can't see the dining table for the crap again.  Its frustrating  that it becomes such a dumping spot but we cannot think of anywhere else to put the table where it will fit and be away from the television.  Not that it really matters as we are back to eating at the round table in-front of the telly anyway. *sighs*  Honestly I don't know why it happens - even if there is no television on we tend to gravitate to that table and it is so bad for me to sit at for any great length of time. Strangely, proposing a week, a month without television did not receive enthusiastic agreement from SmallBoy or Husband. Funny that *chuckles*

I feel like I am letting the team down and not pulling my share of the load - heck, I think all I am really doing is saying what I would like to happen and dear Husband is getting stuck into it. Possibly this is one thing I must be grateful as so much has been done ~ I am sick of the clutter, the mess, the disorganisation.  I am depressed.  Not blow my brains out type of depressed, but wondering where the journey of life is leading me.  I feel anxious, almost panicked if I am expected to be somewhere, more so if I don't want to be there.  I delay to avoid confrontation - even if it is not there, just that it might be.  

II still carry the shame and the guilt of my actions the day the wardrobe was bitterly 'dumped' back here in a state of 'victim'. I hate the way some fall into the you 'cant be friends with her' and still be friends with others. Girls are so dumb sometimes. I stress and worry that the little bloke is hiding the unhappiness he was starting to open up about - I missed his birthday and so did not want to him to feel forgotten, but I just didn't know if it would be appropriate to take his gift around.  Communication was the failure, assumption was the cause, guilt was most likely the catalyst.  I will move past this loss.  In time.

Oh life can be a black, lonely place.  Losing weight again and that's not good or healthy.  Trying to include healthy food choices but really, I am back to not eating. That's one reason I am so tired, but you know it is more about avoiding - avoiding life, avoiding pain, avoiding conflict. There's a little revelation for you. *wonky smile*

ॐ  We think too small, like the frog at the bottom of the well. He thinks the sky is only as big as the top of the well. If he surfaced, he would have an entirely different view. ॐ   - Mao Tse Tung 

Today has also involved taking pics of all the stuff I am selling, getting rid of, palming off.  The great clutter clear out has begun.  So far I have 40 items photographed, now to upload and size them. Yay - not.  I don't know how people can sell on ebay for a living, it would fair drive me bonkers!  The spare room is looking rather tidy while I take pics and sort through the items. Most stuff is only going to be a few dollars, even the Italian leather jacket is going to be about $10 - oh it is lovely. Work, play, formal and kids - its all there!

Oh - funny phone call from MudGuts.  He's said a girl, who is a friend, not a girlfriend because she is a lesbian who is not interested in men (as one would assume to be the case!), is moving in with him.  Firstly, had to giggle to myself about the justification of her being ok to share with because she isn't interested in him just needs somewhere to live that is not home, but I just don't know how it is all going to work if they are sharing a one bedroom unit that is (a) an absolutely bomb site, (b) stinking to high heaven and (c) only going to mean a huge increase on the water, power and gas usage . . .  actually it will just mean those will have usage!  The water company has been out to his place twice to check it is tenanted because they can see some water use but assumed it was a leak and came to check and turn the water off.  His bill averages $25 for 6mths water; $200 a quarter electricity and diddly on the gas - $1.31 was the last bill.


Oi vie ~ my first baby is turning 20 tomorrow ~ how can this be? First I have a younger sister about to leave her 30s - and my son entering his 20s. Crap ~ I must be aging, growing old.  Might have to think about acting my age - one day *grins*

And in closing yet another odd, rambling, scrambled post about nothing ~ life sometimes gets too hard. I don't know if I am coming or going.  I am tired of the lies, half-truths, omissions to protect the guilt and other crap. I've decided to rid the house of negativity and will be cleansing these bad energies with Sage.  No - not the bloke, the bf of old.  The plant!

Smudging with white sage is a ceremonial practice that is meant to ward off negative energy, whether in a room, object or person. I know I have never done a smudging here, and it is probably way overdue.  The practice is better known in the Native American community as a ritual to ward off spirits. As it is important to burn the sage according to traditional methods to achieve the desired effect of removing negative, I've made sure to check with someone who knows about this stuff. RAS - you rock!

Night all - lets see what creative musings we get after a cleansing...

While I cannot always control what happens to me but I can control my attitude towards it. When I can do this I am mastering change rather than allowing it to master me.

Comet cars and traffic lights

Sitting still, gifted delights

Where are you on lonely nights

Alone?

Unicorns and fairy tales

Eating popcorn, frying snails

Who is home to get the mail

No one

Picking it up and taking it down

Who knew words could be so profound

Taking the chance to share love around

In the strangest of places in time

Didn't you know he was mine

Yesterday

Floating dreams and open boats

Wizard wands and soda pop cokes

Eating the whiz-fizz, please don't choke

Tonight

Toad in the hole and butterfly wings

Gentle breezes, voices that sing

If you want you can be anything

Girl

Stumblin' through the day...

This is Rossi 

I have a terrible headache...

Not sure if the change in the diet has anything to do with it or if this is a result of driving and pottering about with the chooks and garden after hydrotherapy.  Hindsight says I should have rested after that because I am out of practice, out of shape.  Because I look slim and have great muscle definition on my arms and upper body, people really don't understand that the issues lay in the spine and legs which have wastage, lack of strength and old memory imprints which have not been retrained with good habits as I have healed.

Things are changing and I really can see how the horoscope forecast for today is something to take on-board as a directive to keep going the way we have been, perhaps start gaining momentum and pick up the pace with actual activities, actions over the review of plans or ways we can get things done ~ if that makes sense to those who do not procrastinate! *grins*

As you adjust to life without Jupiter in your work sector, you're likely to be realising that this has done nothing to stop the momentum already in progress. What this has brought an end to is overwhelming work forces that dominated everything else, with a chance to restore the kind of balance that allows you to spend more time with your family, at home or doing the things you love. You're finally able to find that elusive balance between work and play.

Looking at this info ~ its almost confirming for anything to change in our situation, the stress and pressure of working so far and so often away from home had to be taken out of the equation of our life, because it overrode every other issue.  As work for my dear Husband is project managing his (and our) life back into a productive, progressive and profitable operation on the manual side as I manage and administrate the business frameworks, implementing systems and back ups offering job security and expansion opportunities. *grins*  I think in some ways MandyInc has been merged as an arm to the new operation of DankoCorporation and there needs to be a complete overhaul on the 'Damage' department which is going to have some 'positions' made redundant ~ like travel, transport, accommodation. 

One thing with budgeting I have always found easier is to deal in a third person, as though this is a friend or a business - the place of employment so to speak.  Because if you (the business) isn't running effectively, any component stemming from you is only going to be substandard, frustrating and detrimental for yourself and others. Bill's Budget has been working really well - in four weeks it has boomed along and made some savings that surprised us all.  Everything gets updated tonight and tomorrow so I can post that here for reference.  I need to find how to do tabs on this blog ~ I've seen pages, page tabs on others but I don't know if I can do this myself with this template or without losing this meandering history.

Come on NetWorkBlogs ~ get syndication working again...

If anyone has any suggestions on broadcasting these mutterings, please let me know.  I am not sure about all things technological - what does RSS do and should I be linked in there, or am I already *chuckles* It's all very frustrating - not being out in an actual workplace means I am not picking up new bits of information and technology by seeing how others are utilising different programmes, applications, features and such. Too many of the techno-babble blogs are just that - babble to me. I find it all a bit hard to decipher. *groans*  Still got this headache.

The New Adventures of the Stocktake

One task which has never been fully completed, although started many times, is the pantry. I am hoping to set two projects in place which will involve Husband, SmallBoy and myself working together and separately on completing the clearing of the spare room and setting it as a place to use for guests and craft work as well as knowing what is in the pantry, fridges, freezers and use this for all meals for the month while getting everything ready to reconstruct the pantry.  It's got such deep set shelves and it is so dark - things just get lost in there.  I found chocolate and Sovereign Hill Raspberry Drops in there during teh week - good find!  For me that is *grins*

Groceries were $101 and DH did reasonably well in not buying heaps extra, other than some violet crumbles and a roast pork!  I had hoped for a $50 shop, but he did get a roast pork (the chicken, beef and whatever else in the freezer won't perish), extra veg, more potatoes, toilet paper and violet crumbles which are yum and something I must get back into making. We've been taking out a weekly cash allowance and using this over atm, eftpos or credit purchases. As this shop was $51 over budget it will come out of next weeks and let's just say I am aiming for a $21 week to get the pantry and freezer emptied.  

Hoping to avoid any need to leave the property until Wednesday ~ at least then DH cant find extra bitties to buy. I think he is sleep deprived after the 'LAN' night here last night.  SmallBoy decided to go to bed at about 6am, chalking up an impressive(??) 9 hours live play and slept until midday.  Aside from watching Babe, and now the football *pfft* he's not been interested in the screens today.  This is good.  We've been trying to get him to call his buddy to have a sleep over, this is a school mate who has only been here once before, but he is doing the shy-thing and wants us to call.  Hoping he can get the nerve to do this tomorrow morning ~ it's not about forcing him to do things he is not comfortable doing but to encourage him to step a little out of his comfort zone and interacting with others more.  He has done well lately, asking shop assistants questions when making decisions on purchases.

As it the holidays, my mother is wanting to catch up with the SmallBoy.  If all goes well, she will be able to work something in for the second week and then Husband and I can get stuck into pulling things out of bedrooms.  I can definitely free up space and get rid of any broken toys, paper scraps and clothes which have been outgrown. And no time to go out and spend money on unneeded items.   

The week ahead:

Let's talk about the food and just the dinners for the time being.  Having the smoothies and introducing them so it remains enjoyable.

Sunday:  Roast pork, crackle & roast veg

Monday: Chicken slow cooker something

Tuesday: Freezer surprise pie ~ possibly something like the lamb tika and add more cauli

Wednesday: Stir fry

Thursday:  Not sure - Mudguts' 20th

Friday: Tuna patties and salad and chips

Saturday: Minestrone soup with grainy rolls

I am quite sure nothing is required for any of the menu planned and it will be good to get some baking in.  SmallBoy and I will be making the basic biscuit dough again plus a few fruit puddings and pikelets for the freezer to grab as snacks. 

Is it just me...

Or is there an element of boring in the last few posts?  I need a rocket up me.  And a camera which can mean the uploading of changes that are occurring.  Sometimes seeing what is going on helps. Now the iPhone is fixed, Husband can take shots and email them to me so the pictures are already sized.  I'm keen to show the smoothies, preparation of the garden and nursery, adventures in the spare room or garage as things are found.  Must get things together to photograph for sale - tired of having crap everywhere you know and it has started, just lost the momentum.

I hope tomorrow is fine weather-wise.  I'd like to get washing out and start with towels as there are a few to wash after hydro and this past weather! Plus I received some of those soapnuts I mentioned before from an Australian company called WildSoapNuts and we are really keen to try them.  Husband was interested to find more uses for the soapnuts to clean up around the house without using chemicals.  

Time for snoozin' ~ I think the headache and stuff of the past few days has got to me. While trundling along nicely, that stab in the head, neck and shoulders is wearing.  Here's hoping your weekend is travelling well...

Mother always said there was trouble around you

Said I could do better, there were other avenues

Dont pick one like your father who could never tell the truth

Remember its all my way while you live under this roof

Mother didn't like your manner or the way your had your hair

She said your type were losers who talk of love but didn't dare

Forget about a romance look for stability over love

That's just the talk in fairytales, a home and babies is enough

What's wrong with love

How can it not be there

The force that brings two together

A special package for two to share

Stop pretending that you're happy

Envy shows in every stare

Give your heart unto another

Place your life with one who cares

My sister always thought and bragged she could do better than me

I never doubted her opinions, took them on board happily

Until the day I found her lying with a man again not hers

So she said I didn't hear her because of the lies within her words

The family will not challenge her, she'll hide shame under the mat

She's got so many sub-plots and so many different hats

When I put it all together there's relief this time she's gone

And now with pride and honesty I can finally move on