Tag Archives: challenges

Weekly Challenge – Week 9

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Back to a slightly less controversial topic than last night’s post.  It is Monday and The Challenge continues…………it is now Week 9.

However, action for the planet does not need to be controversial.  Take a look at the list and you will see that all of the things I do every day make a difference – sewing clothes, re-fashioning garments, knitting dishclothes, re-purposing used furniture, giving away things that are no longer required and growing vegetables but to name a few.

1. Clean car inside and out -DONE

2. Finish making sandwich wraps for Miss O and Izz – DONE

3. Create a spreadsheet for future holiday packing needs

4. Make trackpants for Miss O and Izz – DONE

5. Send emails to book accommodation for New Zealand trip – DONE

6. Buy and plant seedlings for winter vegetables – DONE

7. Email friend to arrange to meet for lunch – DONE

8. Finish knitting dishcloth and sew ends in on first two – DONE

9. Make dressing gown for Miss O – DONE

10. Upload music to my iPod

11. Declutter and clean bathroom cupboard – DONE

12. Plan birthday celebration for Missy – DONE

13. Make an appointment to have our tax done – DONE

14. List 2 items on Freecycle – DONE

15. Clean kitchen windows – DONE

16. Book train trip  for New Zealand holiday – DONE

17. Follow up what I need to do to change my superannuation

18. Assemble the required paperwork for our tax appointment

19. Finish pinafore for Izz – DONE

20. Discuss 80th birthday celebration plans with my mother – DONE

21. Clean patio using high-pressure cleaner – DONE

22. Clean back wall of the house using high-pressure cleaner – DONE

23. Organise quote to have poinciana tree lopped and mulched

24. Plant seeds in seed-raising mix – DONE

25. Clean windows on southern side of house

26. Clean paths using high-pressure cleaner – DONE

27. Trace sewing patterns for my mother – DONE

28. Read 5 outstanding magazines & file or re-home – DONE

29. Clean out bottom drawer in the kitchen – DONE

30.Dust furniture in the front entry

31. Read  and re-home 5 more magazines – DONE

32. Thin out and re-pot bok choy seedlings

33. Sand and paint window frames in laundry and bathroom

34. Clean fronts of kitchen cupboards

35. Make a vinyl cover for the newly-created day bed

36. Buy birthday gift for Izz

I have crossed a few more things off the list, including the kitchen windows (and flyscreens).  I ended up listing about a dozen things on Freecycle.  Most have been promised so now to see if the people who have asked for them follow through and collect.  Some small items which are not worth the trouble of listing or people travelling to collect are in a bag ready to go to the op shop on Wednesday.

Perhaps, this week I will try to focus on the everyday things that we can all do to make a difference.  By incorporating some simple strategies into your life you will save money as well as doing your bit for the planet and the welfare of future generations.  The savings would more than offset the costs incurred that will possibly flow from the implementation of the carbon tax.

Weekly Challenge – Week 8

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7 weeks done and there are still a few things outstanding – need to get back on track.

1. Clean car inside and out -DONE

2. Finish making sandwich wraps for Miss O and Izz – DONE

3. Create a spreadsheet for future holiday packing needs

4. Make trackpants for Miss O and Izz – DONE

5. Send emails to book accommodation for New Zealand trip – DONE

6. Buy and plant seedlings for winter vegetables – DONE

7. Email friend to arrange to meet for lunch – DONE

8. Finish knitting dishcloth and sew ends in on first two – DONE

9. Make dressing gown for Miss O – DONE

10. Upload music to my iPod

11. Declutter and clean bathroom cupboard – DONE

12. Plan birthday celebration for Missy – DONE

13. Make an appointment to have our tax done – DONE

14. List 2 items on Freecycle

15. Clean kitchen windows

16. Book train trip  for New Zealand holiday – DONE

17. Follow up what I need to do to change my superannuation

18. Assemble the required paperwork for our tax appointment

19. Finish pinafore for Izz – DONE

20. Discuss 80th birthday celebration plans with my mother – DONE

21. Clean patio using high-pressure cleaner – DONE

22. Clean back wall of the house using high-pressure cleaner – DONE

23. Organise quote to have poinciana tree lopped and mulched

24. Plant seeds in seed-raising mix – DONE

25. Clean windows on southern side of house

26. Clean paths using high-pressure cleaner – DONE

27. Trace sewing patterns for my mother – DONE

28. Read 5 outstanding magazines & file or re-home – DONE

29. Clean out bottom drawer in the kitchen

30.Dust furniture in the front entry

31. Read  and re-home 5 more magazines

32. Thin out and re-pot bok choy seedlings

This week I have decided to put in BOLD the items that are still hanging around from previous weeks.  I will make a concerted effort to finish some.  It is easy to see how procrastination wins.

Weekly Challenge – Week 7

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6 weeks of the challenge now completed so it is time to review the list and how I am going.

The countdown is on – 17 weeks till our New Zealand trip.

1. Clean car inside and out -DONE

2. Finish making sandwich wraps for Miss O and Izz – DONE

3. Create a spreadsheet for future holiday packing needs

4. Make trackpants for Miss O and Izz – DONE

5. Send emails to book accommodation for New Zealand trip – DONE

6. Buy and plant seedlings for winter vegetables – DONE

7. Email friend to arrange to meet for lunch – DONE

8. Finish knitting dishcloth and sew ends in on first two – DONE

9. Make dressing gown for Miss O – DONE

10. Upload music to my iPod

11. Declutter and clean bathroom cupboard – DONE

12. Plan birthday celebration for Missy – DONE

13. Make an appointment to have our tax done – DONE

14. List 2 items on Freecycle

15. Clean kitchen windows

16. Book train trip  for New Zealand holiday

17. Follow up what I need to do to change my superannuation

18. Assemble the required paperwork for our tax appointment

19. Finish pinafore for Izz – DONE

20. Discuss 80th birthday celebration plans with my mother – DONE

21. Clean patio using high-pressure cleaner

22. Clean back wall of the house using high-pressure cleaner – DONE

23. Organise quote to have poinciana tree lopped and mulched

24. Plant seeds in seed-raising mix – DONE

25. Clean windows on southern side of house

26. Clean paths using high-pressure cleaner – DONE

27. Trace sewing patterns for my mother

28. Read 5 outstanding magazines & file or re-home

Gradually making progress on the list.  It is good to see what I have actually achieved.

Meanwhile the sorting, decluttering, sewing and general housework continues unabated.

Please feel free to join in.  What jobs do you keep putting off?

Weekly Challenge – Week 6

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For those of you who are not familiar with the blog, I started a weekly challenge when we got back from our holidays in the middle of May.  Here is the original post about the challenge.  Each Monday I add 4 things to the list that I want to get done.  They are usually one-off things rather than everyday chores.  This week the challenges are ones which relate to outdoors and the garden.  They will mostly involve some input from The Duke.

It is now 18 weeks until our next holiday.

1. Clean car inside and out -DONE

2. Finish making sandwich wraps for Miss O and Izz – DONE

3. Create a spreadsheet for future holiday packing needs

4. Make trackpants for Miss O and Izz – DONE

5. Send emails to book accommodation for New Zealand trip – DONE

6. Buy and plant seedlings for winter vegetables – DONE

7. Email friend to arrange to meet for lunch – DONE

8. Finish knitting dishcloth and sew ends in on first two – DONE

9. Make dressing gown for Miss O – DONE

10. Upload music to my iPod

11. Declutter and clean bathroom cupboard – DONE

12. Plan birthday celebration for Missy – DONE

13. Make an appointment to have our tax done – DONE

14. List 2 items on Freecycle

15. Clean kitchen windows

16. Book train trip  for New Zealand holiday

17. Follow up what I need to do to change my superannuation

18. Assemble the required paperwork for our tax appointment

19. Finish pinafore for Izz – DONE

20. Discuss 80th birthday celebration plans with my mother – DONE

21. Clean patio using high-pressure cleaner

22. Clean back wall of the house using high-pressure cleaner

23. Organise quote to have poinciana tree lopped and mulched

24. Plant seeds in seed-raising mix

Gradually making progress on the list.  It is good to see what I have actually achieved.

Meanwhile the sorting, decluttering, sewing and general housework continues unabated.

Please feel free to join in (Denise – what are you going to do this week?) or just cheer from the sidelines.

Weekly Challenge – Week 5

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I forgot to post the new challenges yesterday as I did not realise it was Monday due to the public holiday , but here I am now, back on track.

Countdown time – 19 weeks to go!  I hope everyone and everything are OK in Christchurch after the most recent round of earthquakes.  Although we will only be spending 3 nights there, Christchurch is our arrival and departure point for our trip.  Keeping our fingers crossed!

1. Clean car inside and out -DONE

2. Finish making sandwich wraps for Miss O and Izz – DONE

3. Create a spreadsheet for future holiday packing needs

4. Make trackpants for Miss O and Izz – DONE

5. Send emails to book accommodation for New Zealand trip – DONE

6. Buy and plant seedlings for winter vegetables – DONE

7. Email friend to arrange to meet for lunch – DONE

8. Finish knitting dishcloth and sew ends in on first two – DONE

9. Make dressing gown for Miss O – DONE

10. Upload music to my iPod

11. Declutter and clean bathroom cupboard – DONE

12. Plan birthday celebration for Missy – DONE

13. Make an appointment to have our tax done – DONE

14. List 2 items on Freecycle

15. Clean kitchen windows

16. Book train trip  for New Zealand holiday

17. Follow up what I need to do to change my superannuation

18. Assemble the required paperwork for our tax appointment

19. Finish pinafore for Izz

20. Discuss 80th birthday celebration plans with my mother

Gradually making progress on the list.  It is good to see what I have actually achieved.

Meanwhile the sorting, decluttering, sewing and general housework continues unabated.

Weekly Challenge – Week 4

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Another week – another 4 tasks added to the list.  While having the list has not necessarily ensured that I do everything each week it has certainly made me accountable and is a reminder of what I need to catch up on rather than just letting things slide.  It is now 20 weeks to go till our holiday.

1. Clean car inside and out -DONE

2. Finish making sandwich wraps for Miss O and Izz – DONE

3. Create a spreadsheet for future holiday packing needs

4. Make trackpants for Miss O and Izz – STARTED

5. Send emails to book accommodation for New Zealand trip – DONE

6. Buy and plant seedlings for winter vegetables – DONE

7. Email friend to arrange to meet for lunch

8. Finish knitting dishcloth and sew ends in on first two

9. Make dressing gown for Miss O

10. Upload music to my iPod

11. Declutter and clean bathroom cupboard – DONE

12. Plan birthday celebration for Missy – STARTED

13. Make an appointment to have our tax done

14. List 2 items on Freecycle

15. Clean kitchen windows

16. Book train trip  for New Zealand holiday

I have not achieved much from the list yet but I am ever-hopeful.

Meanwhile the sorting, decluttering, sewing and general housework continues unabated.

Weekly Challenge – Week 3

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Another week – another 4 tasks added to the list.  While having the list has not necessarily ensured that I do everything each week it has certainly made me accountable and is a reminder of what I need to catch up on rather than just letting things slide.  It is now 21 weeks to go till our holiday.

1. Clean car inside and out -DONE
2. Finish making sandwich wraps for Miss O and Izz – DONE
3. Create a spreadsheet for future holiday packing needs
4. Make trackpants for Miss O and Izz – STARTED
5. Send emails to book accommodation for New Zealand trip – DONE
6. Buy and plant seedlings for winter vegetables – DONE
7. Email friend to arrange to meet for lunch
8. Finish knitting dishcloth and sew ends in on first two

9. Make dressing gown for Miss O

10. Upload music to my iPod

11. Declutter and clean bathroom cupboard

12. Plan birthday celebration for Missy

There are a few outstanding things on the list but I hope that with a day off tomorrow I can catch up with the ever-growing list.

 

Weekly Challenge

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Last week I posted my first 4 goals. These are not goals related to ongoing housework such as washing or general tidying. They are mostly one-off things that I know I need to do. By breaking it down to 4 things per week and adding 4 more each week I have a better chance of achieving my goals. My Monday post each week will be a review of what I have managed to get done the previous week plus my new challenges. I decided on this strategy in order to get things done before we go on holidays – 22 weeks now.

1. Clean car inside and out -DONE
2. Finish making sandwich wraps for Miss O and Izz – DONE
3. Create a spreadsheet for future holiday packing needs
4. Make trackpants for Miss O and Izz – STARTED
5. Send emails to book accommodation for New Zealand trip
6. Buy and plant seedlings for winter vegetables
7. Email friend to arrange to meet for lunch
8. Finish knitting dishcloth and sew ends in on first two

This is not exhaustive, there are lots of other things that I do every day to make sure that our life is reasonably organised and runs smoothly. An example of things I did last week that were not on the list were buy and post books to a friend, drop botts in to be re-heeled, make hair appointment, have medical tests and contact medical specialist about test results. Today I need to collect Medicare refund, have haircut and pick boots from the repairer – all in a day’s work!

Anyone for Coffees?

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As some of you know I do not drink coffee so you are probably wondering about the sense of the title.

Since I have been away on holidays for the last 2 weeks with somewhat limited internet access I have had plenty of time to think and plan my future goals and action plans.  COFFEES is the acronym for at least some of my actions and goals.

CLEAN

ORGANISE

FRUGAL

FINANCES

EXERCISE

EATING

SUSTAINABLE

Most of my posts in future will have some link to at least one of these ideas.  Since there are seven words I could do one each day of the week but I think that could be a bit restrictive.  I would love to hear what you think.

Tonight we are at Glen Innes on the last night of what has been a fabulous holiday.  I will post some stories and photos of the trip once I get the photos organised.

Meanwhile, I have realised that it is exactly 23 weeks from when we arrive home tomorrow until we leave on our next holiday to New Zealand.  I have some goals which fit in nicely within this time frame.  One idea that I have taken from Peta at Great Googa Moogas is challenges such as “30 Things in 30 Days”.  I have opted for 92 things in 23 weeks.  For those of you who are arithmetically challenged, that is 4 things per week.

I will normally post my 4 things for the week in a post on Sunday each week but I have decided to get a headstart this week and post them tonight.

1.  Clean car inside and out

2.  Finish making sandwich wraps for Miss O and Izz

3.  Create a spreadsheet for future holiday packing needs

4.  Make trackpants for Miss O and Izz

That is enough for tonight.  It will be good to be back blogging regularly again.  I hope to make it every day if possible.  I look forward to your involvement and comments.