Happy New Year...

I do hope all of you see the new year safe and sound.

 

2013 was a good year for me...

 

I completed and passed my course, got myself a job that I am loving and graduated as well.

 

Master T turned 11 and he is growing into a lovely young man

 

We went to Disney Paris and love it

 

My sister came to visit for 4 whole weeks and it was wonderful having her round

 

My brother and his girlfriend came to visit

 

2013 is also the year I became an aunt. I haven't had a chance to go visit my little nephew but will be going down in February when I have some time off.

 

It might not seem like much but the above has made me so happy. If 2014 is half as good as 2013 I will be a happy bunny.

 

2014 is nearly upon us and I have a list of resolutions/goals that I would love to complete. Most of them are the usual lose weight, b good with my finances blah, blah. blah. You know the rest. If I could summaries what my resolutions/goals for 2014 are I would say to take back my life. If I manage to do this I am sure everything else that is not covered under that will just fall into place.

 

Over the last few years I have stopped doing the things that I love. The things that make me me were overtaken by studying, placements and work and just trying to juggle all the other general life stuff. At the moment I have no other commitments apart from work and daily living so I am very hopeful that I can somehow start doing the things I love.

Making Plans...

I am sure at this time of the year everyone has the same thing on their mind, that thing being new year resolutions. I am naturally an unorganised person but I am trying. Because I am so unorganised I never seem to have any resolutions and when I do I never see them through. At the moment I am taking time to think about what I would like to achieve in 2014. When I make up my mind about it I am going to try my damn hardest to achieve them. I am sure I will come up with some unrealistic goals but I am sure their is no harm in dreaming.

 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to 2014.

xx

Merry Christmas...

...to you all. Hope you all have a wonderful. The Christmas tree and decs are up and I am getting into the Christmas spirit. Master T is watching Rise of the Guardians while I sip on some red waiting for Harrison Ford ;)

 

Stay safe and enjoy the holiday.

xxx

An Update...

Thank you Kezzie and Scarlet for your best wishes for my graduation. I had an absolutely fabulous time and loved it but by Wednesday all the excitement had worn off and had to come down to earth. Unfortunately none of my family could make it due to other commitments but they shared in all my excitement and they all made sure to tell me that I had made them proud. It's times like these I am glad of modern technology because we were constantly whatsapping and skyping all day.

 

Now that the excitement of graduation is over I might as well start looking forward to Christmas. I have bought everything for Master T including the DVD we will be watching on Christmas eve. I just need to buy a present for my secret santa at work and complete 2 hampers for my friends and that will be it apart from some food.

 

Have you completed all your Christmas shopping.

 

Hope you have all had a good day.

 

xx

Goodbye November...

...hello December.

 

November was a good months (not that all the other months aren't), but for some reason I just feel as if I was paying more attention this month. I have written lists for all the things that I needed to do. Unfortunately I haven't been blessed with the gift of organisation or memory for that matter. I am not am not a natural list maker even though I have wished so much that I was. It has taken a lot of will to write things down. Having a pretty notebook and colourful pens has definitely helped.

 

My list making wasn't just for the things I need to do but it extended to my shopping list. I have tried many times before and failed to stick to a shopping list. I either leave it at home or I just abandon it completely and shove things in the basket. In November if it wasn't on the list it never made it in the basket. I used the mantra do I need it, will I use it and is it worth it. I can tell you it helped. I hope this is a sign of things to come.

 

Anyway enough about that. I am graduating tomorrow. Yay!!! I never thought it would happen to me of all people. I have worked my socks off for the past 3 years and it has paid. I have a job that I trained for and I love it (it's only been 2 months) and I think I made the right decision going on this career path.

 

On to more good news, I opened my sealed pot today thanks SFT and had £156.70 which I will use very wisely.

 

I hope you have all had a relaxing weekend like I did.

 

xx

Looking Forward...

I know from reading different blogs that most people have Christmas on their mind.  Christmas lists of all sorts. Planning meals, Christmas shopping, decorating the tree, making presents or wrapping them. I managed to wrap 3 presents over the weekend so that is 3 people sorted.

 

I also had a little discussion with Master T about when we should put up the Christmas tree and we have agreed to put it up on Christmas eve. In past years we've put up the tree 2nd week of December but only put the star up on the 24th. From this year on it is going to be different, we are going to make the most of advent and look forward to Christmas.

 

When will you be putting up your tree.

xoxo

The World of Finances...

I am still up at this hour trying to sort out my finances and it's a nightmare but has to be done. Since I now have a job I have decided to see what's what instead of playing the guessing game. I have moved all my direct debits to the beginning of the month so everyone gets paid when I get paid. I have looked at ISA's, savings accounts, saving versus paying off debt, the whole lot. I even checked my credit report and it's not pretty. It has however improved since the last time I checked so I must be doing something right.

 

When I checked my credit report I have noticed that there are a few things wrong on it. At some point I have apparently borrowed  or owed £999 998. If my maths is right that is £2 short of  a £1 000 000. What I would have done with that money. This same account says I owe something like £53 which I know I don't, I don't know whether it was before or after I had paid off the £999 998. It's just ridiculous. There is also an account on there that I don't even recognise so both items are on tomorrows to do list.

 

My head is full of information and I need rest before I can make any big decisions so I best take myself to bed.

 

Hope you've all enjoyed whatever you have been doing.

What I've Been Up To...

I know I have been absent from my blog since June. Life became hectic then and I was busy with everyday things as well as trying to complete my course. The good news is I passed my course and was lucky enough to have 2 jobs waiting for me and a few interviews to go to. It's been a month now since I started full time work and can honestly say I love it. I still have graduation to look forward to which is in a months time so fingers crossed it all goes well.

 

Summer went by so quickly and I am still longing for it. Autumn and winter are nowhere near the top of my favourite things. Anyway I had a wonderful summer and it was made better because my sister came to visit for 4 whole weeks. Master T and I also went to Euro Disney the 1st week of the holidays and to be honest I surprised myself. The whole experience was amazing and I enjoyed more than I thought I would and more than Master T. I took loads of photos but I don't know were I put my camera.

 

My brother and his girlfriend also came to visit and I am going to be an aunt very soon. Summer also gave me a chance to evaluate my life. There are so many things I would love to do and so many others that I have to do. I have a list in place but I need to prioritise and give myself a timescale for some of the things.

 

Anyway I best get going. Hope you had a wonderful day.

How Did This Happen...

...that I am a mother to an 11 year old boy. It's as if I just blinked and it happened. Time definitely flies. Master T has turned out to be wonderful, loving and caring young man. I must be doing something right (position halo on top of head). We celebrated yesterday with a meal and movie and we took it easy today. I prefer my Sundays to be chilled. He opened his presents today and we have munched on cake (thanks M&S).

Sorry I have been AWOL just been very busy.

Will be back soon.

Ta-dah...

Warning!! Photo heavy post ahead.

 

In my previous post, I briefly mentioned that I had decorated Master T's bedroom.

I decided he needed a more grown up look than what he had.

I know he wasn't bothered with what he had but I was.

Here are the pics.

 

I'm sure you can figure out which photos are before and which ones are after.

 

 

 

Cover via Debenhams

 

chest via friend

 

Beach towel via Debenhams and pillow case TK Maxx

 

 

Canvas frames via my shed and wallpaper samples

 

Shelves via boot sale and painted by me

 

Frames via Debenhams. Photo of Mini car wallpaper sample

 

Camera via auction, post box via car boot sale.

 

Little yellow cars via car boot sale

 

 

Mirror very old from my early car booting days, clock via Debenhams, chair free from a friend.

 

Cabinet via charity shop. Radio Christmas present, flag from my brother.

 

Bin via car boot sale.

 

Everything in this room is either second hand or was bought in the sale. The most expensive items were the duvet cover and the beach towel which cost £9 each and the cheapest items were the yellow cars at 20p each and the small frames at 30pence each. In all I spent just about £30 on this room.

 

Unfortunately I never got the chance to take a photo of the whole room but I hope you get the picture.

 

Master T was and still is so excited about his room, I did it all as a surprise. I have never heard so many lovely things being said about me by one person as I did last Tuesday. Words like wonderful, best, amazing (insert word here) I heard them all.

 

Linking up with me and my shadow

A Week Off...

I honestly wish I was a kept woman, this business of waking up at the crack of dawn is just not me but hey what I can I do. I bet you are wondering what I am on about. I was on nights the whole of last week and because of that I got this whole week off. Unfortunately all good things must come to an end so it's back to reality on Monday for both of us. Master T is off school for 2 weeks instead of 1 at this time of the year. The reason for this is his school only closes for 1 week during Easter. I actually prefer 2 weeks this time of the year because the weather is a lot better and most kids are back to school the second week so we can go places without feeling squashed.

 

The weather this week has been absolutely brilliant. On Monday we had the first BBQ of the season after a trip to town.

 

We spent Tuesday at home and I decorated Master T's room as a surprise. We both love it now as it has a bit more colour and feels more homely. I also managed to quickly mow the lawn and catch up on a load of ironing. Wednesday I had some kitchen blinds fitted, went to the hairdressers and took Master T to the movies to watch Epic (thanks to Orange free Wednesday). On Thursday Master T went to the child minders for a couple of hours while I attended a job interview (didn't get the job). I also had an appointment at the dentist which was a waste (long story). On our way back home we got stuck in traffic which was fantastic, can you tell I wasn't driving. I say it was fantastic because it meant we had to slow down, the weather was nice so we got to enjoy it while in the car and it was great watching all the other drivers.

 

Yesterday Master T and I went on a 31/2 hour river cruise on the River Tees (thanks to groupon). The weather did not disappoint and as for the views, they were AMAZING. Master T as usual found time to sulk but I wasn't going to let him ruin my day so I let him and I got on with enjoying the sun on the deck. He eventually got over it and came to join the rest of the other passengers.

 

Today has been a slow day, I have primed and undercoated my dining table ready to paint but haven't settled on a colour yet but for the most part I have pretended to catch up on house work but really scoffed a lot of ice lollies while enjoying the sun.

 

Sorry for the descriptive post but I just wanted to show you how simple this week has been. No rushing for the school run. No shouting at Master T to get a move on. This week has just been enjoyable. I just wish all my weeks would be like this.

These are the 2 last bouquets of my Tulips from my garden. They have really cheered me up

I had plenty of these pink and white tulips over the last few weeks.

 

But this is the only bunch in this colour

I binned these today as they were past their best and started work on the table.

 

I need to find time for my garden as it is a bit overgrown in places especially with weeds.. The flower bed is doing better than I expected as I usually buy reduced plants most of which will have lost their flowers and randomly plant them in the flower bed so most of the time I do not know what or how things will look.

 

Tomorrow I will be taking a trip to the car boot to source out some fabulous plants.

 

I best go to bed now.

xx

 

Painting and decorating...

Every year around spring/summer time I always start noticing bits of the house that need a lick of paint. If I am honest the only thing I had set out to paint were the 5 new doors in my house so I primed and painted them with an eggshell paint on Saturday. It didn't take as long as I had anticipated but painting those doors highlighted other areas that need to be painted i.e door frames and skirting boards. I am not going to do paint them now as it requires a bit of attention which I am not ready to give. While I was on a roll I decided to repaint the kitchen and one wall in Master T's bedroom.

 

Master T will be 11 at the end of this year and I think it's time I gave him a gown uppish room in terms of deco. I have just about everything I need to make his room a lot nicer than it is now but some work is required. I have been looking for a curtain that matches the deco but haven't found anything in the right colour or size. I had all but given up when I walked into Primark and saw a duvet cover in exactly the colour and design I required. I didn't even hesitate paying the £9. Now all I need to do is dust my sewing machine and start making a curtain.

 

This past week has been a good one. I have been listening to my body and sleeping a bit more. 3 years of not going to bed when I want too because there is an assignment to write are over. Sleep is good and refreshing. I have also noticed in the past week that I have been eating a bit more. Hope the pounds don't start piling.

 

Hope you all enjoyed the weekend.

xx

And Breathe...

Sorry lovely people I have been AWOL. University and assignments kind of took over my life since I last posted. I had a few back to back assignments and they needed to be done. Today I handed in my last assignment which means no more academic work. Fingers crossed I pass. I still have practical's/placement  to do till the end of September at 371/2 hrs a week so still full time. (No rest for the wicked) but I would rather have that any day than write assignments. It is way better than juggling academic and placements at the same time me thinks. After handing in my assignment I met some friends and we went out to lunch to celebrate.

 

I am going to take things easy and try to gather my thoughts in the next few days. My head is filled with so many things that I have neglected over the last 2/3 years and I feel I have the time and energy to tackle them now.

 

Hope you have all been enjoying whatever it is you were doing in my absence.

xx

 

Will be back soon

30 Ways To Save £1

Just thought I would join in the Money Supermarket pound saving tips.

1) Hand wash bra's and tights, they will last longer.
2) Save money on a window cleaner and fancy window cleaning products and clean your windows with free newspapers and water.
3) Look after your appliances so they last longer i.e wipe and dry your microwave after use to avoid water collection which can damage your oven.
4) If you have to buy potted herbs from the supermarket, repot them when you get home so you can enjoy them longer.
5) Buy pre-loved items to save money
6) If you have to buy new items shop around and use cash back websites.
7) Never go shopping hungry you will spend more
8) Pop some snacks in your bag when you leave the house, that way when you get peckish you won't be tempted to buy expensive snacks.
9) Learn to cook from scratch
10) Menu plan
11) Go shopping a day later than you would usually and try using up what you already have in your cupboards.
12) Go shopping with a list to avoid buying unnecessary items.
13) Have one meat free day a week.
14) Grow your own fruit and vegetables.
15) Find free things to do in your local area, go to the park or visit free museums.
16) Use bicarbonate of soda and vinegar for cleaning.
17) Use half the recommended washing powder when doing your laundry.
18) Wash your own car, a rag, water, bucket and a drop of washing up liquid is all you need.
19) Store food properly it prevents waste.
20) Buy Christmas and birthday presents throughout the year when they are a fraction of the price.
21) For items that you will probably only use one for example wallpaper stripper ask friends if they can lend you one.
22) Set a budget and know your income and expenses in and out to avoid small surprises.
23) For shorter journeys walk instead of using the car.
24) Stopping and starting the car wastes fuel. Try setting off early to beat the traffic it not only reduces fuel cost but stress levels.
25) Take your own snacks to the movies.
26) Not all items need to washed on a long cycle or in warm water. Were possible use a shorter cycle at a low temperature.
27) Clean muddy and dirty shoes as soon as possible they will last longer.
28) Car share to work and on the school run.
29) If you want to catch up with friends but can't afford to go out or make a meal for everyone. Ask everyone to bring a dish to share and their favourite tipple.
30) Buy a brand cheaper than you would normally and try cheaper cuts of meat or even goat meat, it's a lot cheaper.

What are your top tips when it comes to saving money?

Lifes Little Pleasure...

Lie ins

Relaxing

Cheap wine

Watching movies

Family and old friends

Brief encounter with the sun 

Spending time with Master T

Hot water for long baths and showers 

My house finally beginning to feel like home

Opinions aren't facts so I can take them or leave them

Glancing in the mirror and briefly seeing Master T in me (Shocker)

 

Some of the things I have been enjoying this half term

xx

RED...

Something to brighten up these gloomy days

New washing basket.

 

Ruby and Millie make-up case.

 Apple shaped paper weight with sticky notes.

I love this.

 

Hope you all have something cheering you up in this cold weather

xx

 

Shoe Boxes...

Some of you may be aware that I am in the process of decluttering my house and I have a feeling it will forever be a work in progress. I have avoided buying storage boxes just to hide my clutter so I am physically having to take stuff out of the house. Most of the stuff I have given away to charity and some things have made their way to friends houses or been relocated to the shed for the meantime . I have managed to sell a few things on ebay and have advertised bits in my local supermarket and am finding a good home/ place for the things I am keeping.

I do have a small collection of cd's that I am not yet ready to part with as I haven't transferred the music on to my ipod. Sometimes I just like playing them on my radio rather than sticking earphones and listening to my ipod. Master T has also recently been interested in cd's so his collection is also growing. I have never had any proper storage for these cd's, I have always stored them in shoe boxes but looking at a Clarks or Barratts shoe box was really getting on my nerves so I decided to prettify them (if there is such a word).

These are the boxes I selected

 

One for tapes. I know still a bit old school

 

and one for cd's

This one is my favourite

but this one is not bad either

 

 

Hope you are enjoying whatever you are doing.

xx

 

Song Of The Week...

Last week it was 1Ds One way or another, the week before it was Taylor Swifts I knew you were trouble, a week before that it was Olly Murs Trouble maker and the week before that it was something else. This weeks song, well since Saturday morning is Do-Re-Mi... from The Sound of Music. Master T is a loud singer, bless him and every morning with no fail he feels the urge to sing in the shower. He doesn't care whether he sings in or out of tune he just goes for it. Ahh to be 10. Where he gets the energy or motivation to sing so early in the morning I do not. I just wish some of it would rub on me.

 

Some days all the singing gets on my nerves but I just bite my tongue and remember it is not going to last so I might as well make the most of it. 

 

Hope you have enjoyed your day.

xx

Thank You...

Thank you to everyone who wished me well in my previous post, your kindness is greatly appreciated. It seems I have pleurisy among other things and am taking antibiotics. I have been unwell for a while now but never bothered to go to the doctors. I know I should have taken time off ages ago but there was always something that needed doing from presentations, assignments, competencies to complete so I just pushed myself more and more everyday. I did start feeling a bit better but it was short lived. On Wednesday I had to be sent home cause I looked awful. I am taking next week off so I can recover. It pays to listen to ones body saves 4 weeks of wondering around in pain and feeling half dead.

 

I spent the whole of yesterday in bed and I suspect more of that will be happening around here.

 

I haven't managed to do much decluttering around here but I haven't brought anything unnecessary in the house.

 

I sorted out my keys this afternoon, they looked a mess.

 

Before

A mess

 

 

Better After

 

What do you think? Do you like it as much as I do?

I bought the CK key fob to make up an order so I could get free delivery.

It only cost me £2.

 

I don't think I am back to full blogging mode yet and will take a day at a time.

 

Hope you are all well.

xx

 

Hello...

It's me...Wednesday's child. Always full of woe.

 

Been feeling under the weather for the past few weeks. I am a bit better now but still a bit wobbly. I am trying to get back to my normal routine so will be blogging properly again soon.

 

Hope you are all well.

 

xx

Sigh...

Nothing much has been happening this side. Just a little bit busy with uni, placement and my new part time job. The little time i have left has been spent decluttering and that hasn't left much time for blogging or for doing fun stuff.

 

At the moment i just feel...

Please bear with me

 

Hope you are all feeling better than i am.

xx

Here I Go Again...

I am still at it. Decluttering i mean. I am beginning to like the inside of my house. There is less and and less clutter and the house looks and feels fresh. I don't know why i have been living the way i was. I am not THERE yet even though i don't know what or where THERE is. I suppose i will know when i am THERE.

 

I have started to notice some of the habits that i have when it comes to hoarding. I tackled the kitchen over the weekend and i was shocked. I found so many things that i didn't even know i owned and most of them had never been used. I cleared most of it and have only left the things that i need instead of things i want. Doing this has created a lot of cupboard space which i have put to good use by storing all the other things that have been cluttering my counter tops.

 

These 3 pieces of furniture have been languishing in the shed for nearly 3 years now (moved to a smaller house and have no space in the house) For the past 3 years i have thought of giving them away to charity or a friend, keeping them for when i need them, selling them. On Friday i made up my mind, they had to go. I just had to stop thinking of how much money i spent on buying because they were no longer useful to me.

I quickly dismantled them before i had a chance to change my mind and took them to the charity shop.

 

My journey continues.

 

On to a funnier and illegal note, I have been walking driving around with the wrong number plate on my car for the past 2 weeks. Only realised yesterday and have had it fixed today.

 

Hope you are all well.

xx

You Win Some You Lose Some...

Hello everyone. I will start my post with some winnings, seems like i have 3 new followers, Frugal in Bucks, Marina, Frantic's Antics and Totallydot. Thank you to everyone who reads my blog. I got my results for the exam i sat last Tuesday. I passed with a very good grade, it was so unexpected as i had convinced myself that i had failed. I had to phone one of my classmates to double check what the pass mark was and i was way over so i had a small drink to celebrate. What else can you do on a Friday night.

 

On to some losing now. Went into Morrisons today from posting my ebay sells and i paid for my items using the self checkout tills, guess what i did. I left some of my change on that till. 5 whole Great British Pounds. I only realised when i got home and i was looking for the money. I remember collecting the coins then collected my bags while i waited for the notes to be dispensed. I think i took too long with my bags that i completely forgot about the other change. I did ring the supermarket just to try my luck but as you might have guessed no one handed it in. Like i said you win some and you lose some.

 

On to a more brighter note i spent the weekend at a wedding, yes you read right, i spent the weekend at a wedding. One of my friends was getting married so there was a traditional ceremony/wedding on Saturday and a church wedding on Sunday.

 

Anyway hope you are having a good week.

Oh Dear...

I sat my exam today and i am not hopeful. It was rock hard but will just have to wait and see. I also got an estimate for the damage to my car and it's not cheap. I have sorted out what i need to stay legal so we are shopping around for everything else. I had to replace the front number plate and i couldn't do it until i produced my log book and drivers licence. Who knew so be warned?

 

I had the rest of the day off after the exam. The rest of the class went for drinks and lunch after the exam but i decided against it. I knew that the topic for discussion will be the exam and people will be comparing their answers. I just didn't fancy that and i did not want someone else telling me that my answers were wrong i will leave that to my lecturer thank you very much. It turns out i was right so going home is one of  the best decision i have made so far this year ;)

 

Now that all the snow is gone i decided to take a tour of my garden. I looked at my flower bed and most things are dead so that will need sorting out but there are signs of life, some of my spring bulbs have shoots. I bought a lot of spring bulbs hoping to plant them but then the floods happened so i never got round to planting all of them. I even turned my compost but ended up cutting myself on the compost bin. 

I will never achieve this but i can only dream

 

My garden is a work in progress just like everything in my life. There are so many spaces in the flower bed to be filled. I will be growing some plants from seed and will be visiting the reduced section of the garden centers round my area. I made a couple of raised beds last year so i will be growing some veg as well. Just thinking of the growing season is making me smile.

 

Do you have any plans for your garden this year?  

Hope It's Over...

It's been over a week now since my incident with the snow ;) thanks Kezzie and SFT and now the snow has melted round my parts of the world i will be back on the road. I will be getting a quotation on the damage i caused to my car tomorrow so fingers crossed. Due to the snow we spent most of the time indoors and it gave me a chance to declutter some of my stuff. This is an ongoing project which i am aiming to complete by the summer holiday.

 

I seem to go round in circles but this year is my year, i am going to try to be a minimalist to a point. I do fear that i might have some sort of hoarding syndrome (if that's what they call it). I find i buy 2 of just about everything just incase. Just incase of what i am beginning to wonder. I have been here before. Many times i have told myself i am decluttering and yes a lot of things have made their way out of the house but into the shed. What is the point. I always think well i might need that so i won't throw it or give it away or sometimes i think i will sell it. Then after a month or so the shed becomes so cluttered and it need sorting out and guess what i do. I move stuff from the shed into the house so the cycle begins.

 

 

Recently i realised what i was doing and have tried my best to take thing to the charity shop instead of putting them in the shed. It feels wonderful not spending my off days trying to create order in a very messy. It was seriously draining the life out of me. I know it's early days but i am a determined woman.

 

How do you manage clutter in your home?

 

I have an exam on Tuesday so i best get revising.

 

Hope the weather is better wherever you are.

Not A Good Start...

Christmas has been and gone and the New Year hasn't started well. First week of January i received some not so good news and i just went and crushed my car today on our way to school. We are both fine and the driver of the other car is fine as well but his car is worse than mine. My insurance company is dealing with it all as it was at fault. No question about my premiums going up when i renew. My car slid in the snow. We both decided to take the day off and came back home. I think i need new tyres as well. Anyway i am not going to let it dampen my spirit.

                                     

Hope 2013 has started well for you. On a brighter note we are both curled up on the sofa watching TV with the heating on drinking plenty of tea and Master T drinking hot chocolate.

 

Hope you are enjoying whatever you are doing

xx