The Holidays are over...

Back to school today 

Time to get stuck into life with a bit of gung-ho and gusto.  What better than a 0500 start to watch a MotoGP in Japan ~ go Casey Stoner race around that track...  The Husband has been asleep with the desire to be woken in time for the race - took a little coaxing but he is awake and watching. Next race is Phillip Island ~ however we shall be enjoying Powderfinger in Concert with family and friends.  We can watch the Qualifying sessions on OneHD ~ should have the aerial positioned correctly before the weekend.

Yes, I know I am up at a ridiculous hour.  My brain is a bit on a spin ~ lots happening, so much to do with our finances that it is scary. The Mission concept, method and processes were received with greater enthusiasm and willingness to get it all going from my dear Husband ~ this has left me with adrenalin to get some things in progress immediately, but first we need a list, a guide to keep on track and of course I've had to get that out of my head.  

Plus I am going to try a way to retrain my sleeping pattern.  Having tried to sleep a few times both last night and tonight and still been staring off into darkness wishing for sleep while the thoughts just keep coming, I followed the theory of getting up and at the next sign of tiredness, go back to bed to sleep.  After two attempts over two hours - I've resigned to now staying awake through breakfast and looking for snooze between school hours then a before 2300 bed time to achieve 8 full hours sleep. It's supposed to work. 

Today, and over the course of this week, the following needs to occur:

• The Spare Room must be prepared for guests 15/10
• SmallBoy's room must be prepared for sharing with guests 15/10
• The Alcove must be prepared for guests 15/10

It's going to be a full house Saturday for PowderFinger and Sunday for the MotoGP 

• eBay store, PayPal account, Bank account and Postal Box opened
• Photographs for prosperity and progress reports
• Sorting and snapping 20-50 items for sale on eBay
• Finalising the goals, setting land-marks of note

I do think it possible we will have a thousand dollars or so when our tax is completed, hopefully at the end of the month.  Maybe even some top-up family tax payment.  This will allow us to make payments for the mortgage and line of credit reduction. Ideally we shall have enough to carry us through to the end of the year. We need to feel safe in the security of our home's financial requirements.

• Organise a meal plan for this week
• Clean out the fridge, stock-take freezer contents and pantry supplies
• Note bulk and basic cooking item levels and requirements
• Set a shopping list - factor in advance some PF concert 
• Clear the dining table
• Clear the floor area beside the freezer
• Wash towels and linen -- towels washed, out to dry
• Other laundry washing ~ the soapnuts are working a treat, I'll fill you in
• Put away laundry on alcove table

Ideally, all excluding the pantry stock-take completion, completed Tuesday at school's end

• Clean laundry bench
• Empty laundry cupboard 
• Pack items for possible sale or gifting, record
• Check cat needs
• Make biscuits and muesli slice
• Transfer SmallBoys pictures, ready for project
• Clean bathroom, toilet and linen cupboard

If this is done today, even just in dribs and drabs throughout the day, it will make for a very productive day and much less to do tomorrow.  We need to get a variety of boxes and storage items to make this a productive, efficient pick, pack, sort and store.  From seeds to soapnuts, light globes to liqueur snifters - oh surprises to be re-found...


Quick side distraction
Let's just take a moment to stop, breathe in . . . and out... before we find out what the horoscope is saying for today: 

With Venus and Mars, the planets of desire and passion aligned in your sign and the Moon in a very competitive part of your chart, knowing what you want and committing to making it happen won’t be a problem. This is the Moon’s first visit to your career sector since Jupiter left your work sector and it’s giving you a clear sense of both your personal and professional objectives. It’s more important than ever that you follow your heart and your passions.

This is very uplifting and a welcomed affirmation of the directions we intend to follow.  So cosmic ~ it feels so very exciting and 'right'.  It really does fit in with today's goals and intentions and inspires me to really get stuck into this.  I might just step away from the computer and stop talking, thinking about it and actually go and do something physically while waiting for the day to begin.  *yawns*  Time to have some breakfast, fuel to keep me going until 900am.

*I'm Back*

Breakfast eaten, chooks locked in securely, laundry ready to be washed, meals being planned - - and all before the first coffee!  Have had muesli, an apple, ginger and water and now I need caffeine before the school day stuff begins.  15 more minutes...

Packed and ready to go before 8.30am ~ absolutely brilliant.  Let's keep this up all week - all term even!  So a load of towels is ready to hang.  I shall put in a clothes wash ~ why not make it a good load to sort, down-size and simplify the wardrobe while the clothes are freshly cleaned!  I am finding the soapnuts an interesting experience and it has taken a few loads of washing and a second set of soapnuts to really provide a decent report.

Cleaning up with SoapNuts

The first hurdle is the lack of odour or fragrances that usually accompany freshly washed clothes.  Not there - but the clothes didn't smell dirty.  MudGuts washing has not formed part of this - too stinky!!  Using no fabric softeners and using essential oils needed tuning but I could see the clothes were clean, especially if a light coloured wash.  By the second bag, using 6 nuts and soaking the first time in hot, oil-infused water, the fragrance remains over several washes and I was noticing stains and soils cleaning out.  


Don't overload the wash.  The old cleaners perfumed the coverage I think so take out an item or two from your usual amount and this allows the little bag to tumble through more freely.  To see if I am using the soapnuts effectively, after about 6 washes, I've taken out the first 6 nuts and put in a new lot.  I think the first set still has washing strength left - the shells or inner skin has a waxy feel.  After 10washes with this set, I'll compare.  Also, before using the little bag the first time, turn it inside out and trim any cotton strands - they get all knotty in the wash, catching the nuts.  A stocking is going to be a preferred option for future needs for me.


These first set of used soapnuts will probably become spray cleaners or soaps once I've seen the outcome of this new set.  I'll keep you posted - but for those wanting to give them a try - perhaps while you're running down your current product - the Trial pack does seem to be worth the $5 or so.  I'd say the advertised 20-40 washes would be a reasonable statement.  I'm liking that by summer and getting additional chemical free grey water from the laundry wash, every wash, will be such an environmental and financial bonus through water availability.  Using common sense saves lots of cents... 

Supporting Australian business ~ I got mine from WildSoapNuts and would like to recommend this business.  Without speaking to anyone, emails received were written in a way I felt just wonderful about the whole transaction. New things can be scary the WildSoapNut staff made me feel at ease, no question being treated as 'silly'.  Top Job!!  Click the bold business name above to go to the website. I said if I thought the soapnuts I'd ask other people to give them a try - go on - give them a try. ~ Thanks :D 

Progress made:

Today dinner was planned, the rest of the week sorted against the pantry and freezer contents; the laundry cleaned, rubbish gone, benches wiped, floor washed and things taken out of the room and little hall; washing done, hung and some away; cat food required, water and some veg, Husband spent $30 on grocery. Coles is doing $1 fill the bag - there were onions, carrots available. Didn't need either, so didn't get any. Good Husband! *grins*


Although I commented I wanted all this done by tomorrow - I know that if more than half is done it has been a mighty fine effort.  Hopefully I will be up bright, sprite in the morning.  The rain that has been falling tonight has been heavy and the winds today brought down some big branches from the massive soapgum at the front.  Its a glorious tree, although fallen branches have previously required the help of the SES.  Fantastic people.  I might have written about it last winter. Not sure - that memory thing... *shrugs*


More was done - pictures were taken.  We've misplaced the cord for the camera for downloading on to the computer - office is being cleaned and cleared as I write so hopefully it can be found and you can see how we are going.  Bit of an absolute disaster area ~ now undergoing a meandering make-over!  


That's a day - final few words and I wish you good night... 

FLY HIGH

I can see changes

The world rearranges

Becomes shiny and new

All over the playground

You will hear a new sound

Of laughter so true

Out in the open

Still shattered and broken

Come see the parade

Welcoming strangers

Find friendships, not danger

What changes we've made

Oh love

We've finally made it through

Great start

Our spirits' are renewed

Move forth

We've now got things to do

As One

It's up to me and you

Fly

Pain eases gently

Find moments of plenty

Make change to our room

Take small steps that matter

Make time to just chatter

Laugh at the moon

With each new found battle

In pieces we'll rattle

Swept up with a broom

And our hopes and desires

Burn bright like warm fires

We've started to bloom