Reverse finds

The lovely Catherine over at pencils and pins has started Reverse Finds, a sort of clean up and make space for new op shops ... a very welcome thing given the op shopping I like to do.

This is actually my very first Reverse Finds and the launch of Reverse Finds as well, so I'm veryexcited to get started. And it's very timely given the time I've been looking into how to sort and organise and rationalise ... and really just plain clean up my act!

The sanest and most sensible place to start was the sheets in the linen closet ... rather fitting considering the number of vintage sheets I've purchased over the last six months. Not to mention the darn cupboard was like humpty dumpty; ready to fall down.


So sheets it was ... and the closet looks wonderful now. A lot less sheets ... and neat and tidy to boot.


The result: a couple of sheets in the bin, this small stash to the op shop, and a larger stash of single bed doonas and sheets to my brother Mr J for my niece Miss T.


I hope I can do equally well next week. I just have to work out what to tackle next ... the list is pretty long.

If you think this is a good idea, or you have a list of stuff to clean out and you'd love the inspiration to keep you on track ... join up with Catherine at pencils and pins. I know I'm going to enjoy getting my life in some sort of order.

What's Hot & What's Not

I'm glad it's the last Wednesday of the month ... I'm a little lost for what to write about the last week and looking at my plans for the year seems easier somewhow.

WHAT'S been HOT

Finish 5 Craft projects. I managed to get two things finished during the week ... the cutest baby beanie and a matching scarf for a (third?) cousin Liam who's only 8 weeks old. And don't they look cute on? I didn't really understand the size of babies--it's been such a long time since I had one--and I guessed the dimensions. It was sheer good luck I got it right but I think I'm going to make the beanie and scarf a little bigger next time.


Spend more time with friends and family. It's been a big week for spending time with family .. my mum and her brother and his family. I enjoyed that and I only wish they didn't live so far away. On the upside though I discovered a second cousin in Melbourne ... that is so exciting.

And then when I got home my mum arranged for a birthday get together and I got to see everybody, with the exception of my niece Miss T. Everybody is so grown up, getting on with their lives and doing well. I liked seeing that.

Travel more. I got to do that this last week and I really enjoyed it ... it was sad Horace wasn't there to experience it with me because I really missed him. I so wanted to go home and see him.

Cook more. I actually cooked last week. Wow! Several breakfasts and dinners too.

WHAT'S NOT been so hot

Exercise more. A week off work and a week off exercise too. I suppose I could write that off as a good thing but I feel better when I exercise and I just can't do it on my own.

Renovate. No actual renovating happening ... although I have started on the reverse finds so I'm treating the clearing out of my life as the first step towards renovating.

Find something good each day. Not a good week for this ... I'm more aware of how I let little things play on my mind and then reacted to them. Not the most impresive week.

If you want to play ... to consider your life for the last week, your day, whether you're meeting your goals? Pop your name and link in the Linky below ... I'd love to hear how you're going.

Because I can ... I'm a work in progress

I love I Saw You Dancing’s blog … she’s a fabulous writer and a couple of days ago she wrote about stocktaking her life, and how the way she currently lives impacts on her and others around her.

I like that sort of posts because that’s me … especially about a year ago, and it's comforting to know you’re not alone in wanting more … not just for yourself but for others.

I know the reasons why I cocooned myself from life … but my life has changed and last year I began the process of reclaiming my life and myself. (And a big thank you to Cathy from tinniegirl. Cathy started this process herself and mid January she offered to be the custodian of wishes made by others. Being given that opportunity was a great catalyst for me, and the icing on the cake was winning the wish canvas created by Cathy to celebrate.


And it was about time I did something.

Setting small goals for the year was the first step and I’ve tracked them every month.

Some of my goals have been duds and they’ll need to be added to next year’s list … mostly home renovations but my environment is as important as who I want to be on the inside.

I’ve taken the “working on myself” goals the most seriously including the spending more time with friends and family, and especially the exercising more goal.

Exercising feels like the foundation of what’s changed for the better. I have so much more stamina .. and it occurred to me the extra oxygen getting to my brain might be the reasons why I feel more positive about things!

Sometimes I feel so fireproof after I've finished exercising I could add new things to the list I made at the beginning of the year … but so far I’ve stopped myself. Change is incremental … you can’t just do ten new things or do them differently and it happens overnight. It takes time and work to get there, but the beauty is that with even the smallest success comes a confidence boost. I really like that bit.

So far I’ve managed to achieve the finishing five items, exercising, exploring my world more (through regular crafting groups and a group that eats together and blogs their experiences), and spending more time with family and friends. And I’m going to do the same thing next year … with a new list and new things to work on.

What are you working on? Have you joined a gym but it’s hard to be motivated because there’s no-one to go with? Maybe you’re doing well with something and others could benefit from your secret. I know I wouldn’t mind hearing … I so need help motivating myself (to get those pesky renovations done) so tips on anything would be so appreciated.

Good things: My Place & Yours

This week’s My Place & Yours is what do you see when you walk through the door.

In my house it’s not pretty ... I see a work in progress with lots of work and absolutely no progress! LOL


This is the door jamb above the kitchen door ... the sliding door's been taken down and now the door needs to be fixed up, and replastered.

There’s lots more My Place & Yours at HelloOwl ... and I'm sure all of them are much prettier than my contribution.

WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S NOT/GOOD THINGS

It's hump day (again) and time for What’s Hot & What’s Not front … and yet again mostly in the affirmative.

What’s been totally Hot
Northern Craft Bonanza. I went to my second ‘meeting’ and it's so good. The gals are so warm and friendly, their crafty projects are amazing … and I just feel welcomed in every way. We even had a swap and I took some upholstery fabric and vintage pillowcases/table cloth and brought home some quilting fabric. My quilting stash is looking amazing.

Chinese New Year. I went to my third Chinese New Year in about 4 years and I love it. As usual we stood on the top floor of the car park on the corner of Russell and Little Bourke, and literally had a bird’s eye view. I also stroked the dragon more than once so I’m expecting lots of luck.


Cross stitch. The Be My Valentine cross stitch panel is finished … and I finished it on Valentine’s Day. What could be more fitting.


6x6 scrapbook layouts. I’ve had a bunch of 8x8 layouts laying around forever and I was recently reminded (through Facebook) of a Victorian based charity that organises 6x6 layouts for underprivileged kids on camps. So this stash is being cut down to 6x6 and will soon be winging its way to Southern Cross Kids' Camps.


Electrical renovations. I scoured the house for electrical stuff that needs doing and Mr H and I shopped like crazy on Saturday afternoon. In the end we took advantage of the Beacon Lighting up to 50% sale for the light fittings and ceiling fans, and trawled Bunnings for the extractor fans and 4 sock outlet. A good afternoon’s work!

Op shopping bonanza. I had the best two days of op shopping with four shops canvassed and the maximum number of scrumptious knitting patterns and a little sheet music from the 1920s extracted. My little stash is looking lovely at the moment … and I have a decent number of lovely knitting patterns from the 1940s to 1980s to share over the coming weeks.

Yoga. I did yoga again on Monday and I feel so good after I’ve done it … totally energised and ready to take on the world. And knowing I feel like that is what keeps me going back (oh and paying for the term in advance), because I spend the first half hour wondering when the class will be over! I hope that reaction doesn’t last.

What’s totally Not hot
Dentist. I’d been experiencing some twinging in one tooth and figured it was the nerve and thought I’d better get it checked out. I got the thumbs up on that tooth, no work required, and from now on it’s just watch and wait … but the dentist found 2 new grey spots (which indicates decay) that are all but invisible except to the trained eye. Bummer!

Being disorganised. I’m starting to push and pull myself into new routines that will help me manage life better … but I hate having to work so hard to keep it all together. Why does it have to be like that? Why, why, why ... oh, oh I'm hearing Julius Sumner Miller again! LOL

Good things/Clean up Monday Mon 15 Feb 10

GOOD THINGS/CLEAN UP MONDAY: Kitchen ceiling
I had a great weekend on the friends and outings front … and I even got most of the housework done. The long weekend I had made all the difference and some serious house cleaning was achieved … just a shame that I never seem to find the time to start on any of the major renovation jobs on the list.

Last week it seemed obvious the oven was going to be the next major job I tackled, but as usual life got in the way and the kitchen ceiling is next.

And why is this so? (Sorry, couldn’t resist the reference to Professor Julius Sumner Miller and here’s a taste for those too young to remember him).


This guy was totally part of my childhood ... he could put really complex ideas into relatively easy to understand language and that was a revelation to me.

The answer is because the electrician is coming on Friday to install a new kitchen fan and the new downlights ... and because it absolutely has to be done.


And now it looks like this.


Not perfect ... and I'm going to have to climb up on the stove top again to have another go, but at least it's part way to being fit to paint.

TIME TAKEN: 1 hour ... (and a lot of twisting).

What's Hot & What's Not Wed 27 Jan 10

WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S NOT
It’s Wednesday and that means time for What’s Hot and What’s Not … or at least it does in my world.

Thanks Claire at Loobylu for adding this to my world … it’s a great process for collecting my thoughts.

And at the end of each month I've decided I'll measure how I’m going against my 2010 Plans.

What’s Hot:
Painting the walls. Clarissa’s started on her walls … in the softest pink called Fairy wings. She’s finished one coat on one wall and is starting on the second coat tonight. Plus … and I was so proud … she said she was going to take before and after photos. All together now ... aaaaah!


Clarissa working on the second coat ... you can only just see the colour on the wall but it's clearer on the roller.

Spend more time with family and friends. This has been going really well. I spent last weekend in Ballarat and had a great time, met up with people I haven’t seen since last year at the West Indian community day on Australia Day. And on Thursday I’m off to the Northern Craft Bonanza to meet some local (Melbourne) crafters (and make some new friends).

Cook more. I made dinner two nights in a row last week: a shepherd’s pie followed by lamb shanks. The shepherd’s pie wasn’t brilliant … I was disappointed. But the shanks were delish. Even Clarissa thought they were nice … and that’s saying something. (PS Sincere apologies to those who have to cook every night).

Finish 5 craft projects. I thought 5 was a very manageable number and getting that many done by the end of the year will be brilliant. Saying that however, I still haven’t finished one although I’ve finished the cross stitch portion of Tamika’s cushion and I’ve started on a red/white version for Wini.

Travel more. Horace and I did so much travelling around with Neil while he was visiting and I really want to keep the momentum up. My next plan is for Daylesford and its maker’s market in early Feb. I have a big day planned.

Find something good every day. This has been working really well … I think I’ve missed about two days for the month. I’m also planning to get the Becky Higgins’s Project Life kit from amazon.com and at the end of the year it’ll contain everything that’s been good in my life for 2010. I’m loving that idea.

What’s Not:
Exercise more. Yep … lots of plans to exercise more, a vague plan actually of an exercise routine. But actually implement an exercise routine … nope, not happened yet, although I walked so much with Neil being here. That was great… and will have to count for now.

Finish the bathroom. Nope … no plans yet. Too busy doing other stuff … see above!

Summing up: EXPLORE
Only a week or so ago I made a wish over at tinniegirl and came up with the theme EXPLORE. It seemed to sum up what I wanted from the year and judging by the huge list of things I’ve achieved so far I’m living my wish … and I now understand why my house looks completely trashed and I can’t find anything, including my pass to get into work.

Is the world telling me I no longer have to go. I wish!

Updated Thu 28 Jan 10: I checked my email this morning to discover an email from Cathy at tinniegirl telling me I’d won the wish collage … I have the perfect corner for this under the noticeboard next to my bed and I can’t wait to get it and frame it. It’ll serve as the best reminder for how I’m trying to live this life this year. Thanks Cathy.

Good things Fri 1 Jan 10

NEW YEAR'S PLANS
I don't usually make New Year’s Resolutions ... most people don't make it past the first few months so I avoid them like the plague.

But this year I’m going to make plan for the year ... 2009 was such a great year with the blog giving me great insight that this year I'd like to put my plans down in concrete and plot my year against them.

So ... here goes:

1. Paint the walls.
2. Finish renovating the bathroom.
3. Exercise more.
4. Spend more time with friends and family.
5. Cook more.
6. Finish five craft projects this year.
7. Travel … overseas or domestically.
8. And find something good or fun or interesting in each day.


Time to progress from the sample pots to the real McCoy ... and it's going to look so good when it's done.

It's going to be a great year.

Project 365 Sun 27 Dec 09

OF BIRTHDAYS AND RENOVATIONS
One of the reasons I wanted to return to Ballarat was for Jason’s birthday … and to get his computer set up for him.

I feel bad that didn't happen.

And after Clarissa made the effort to bring it down on Christmas Day and it's sitting at my mother's house until I can get the operating system sorted ... XP of course!

And it's Jason's birthday today. Happy birthday little brother, there's a little something extra in the computer stuff for you for your birthday. We love you.


The birthday boy at Carol's birthday dinner a few day's ago.

Instead I'm spring cleaning for Neil's visit, Clarissa and I've been playing with paint pots and plaster and sandpaper ... and I haven't been able to resist starting the Diana Gabaldon book. I just couldn't help myself.


Four of the paint pots.

The painting's been fun ... epsecially for Clarissa who can't make up her mind which pink to choose.

At first she was going with something bold and striking ... what else but red.

But she's drawn back from that after some strategic internet searching, which suits me fine because I really want a much lighter approach. If that sounds stark and you haven't seen it done before, check out the blog decor8. I love all the ideas I get from that site.

Everything's so light and fresh ... that's what I really hope to get out of what we're doing.

Clarissa's choice for bedroom of the year ... drum roll please ... is now something like this beautiful bedroom in pink and white from decorpad. It's a fantastic site I'm going to be visiting more often too.


The pink on the walls is so pretty ... I love it too.

And I've been working on the hallway walls for my testing ... they're currently a gentle cream colour which looks almost white ... I can see it from here and it looks so restful.

It feels really nice knowingmy first choice is what I'm going to go with.