At last I am feeling a bit better today. Still coughing, still got a really sore throat, but at least able to do a few chores without feeling totally exhausted.
I pulled myself together today and:
- stewed some apples that were going soft and put them in the freezer
- made a tomato sauce to use up tomatoes
- made a vegetable soup for lunch to use up old veg
- made beef casserole and dumplings for tea
- cleaned the fridge
- cleaned the kitchen
- cleared my washing pile
- cleaned the bathroom
This doesn't seem like much, but much more than I managed yesterday. I hope to get loads of sorting out done tomorrow, as I continue on my mission to clear the clutter.
So far I have listed 14 items on ebay and have bids on one item! I will list some more tomorrow, but each item sold is less clutter around the house.
I also want to bake a couple of cakes tomorrow, but we'll see...
Mandy x
Fed up of things not going according to plan...
Why is it that when you make plans ahead, something always crops up to spoil them?
I broke up for half term on Friday afternoon, but have achieved hardly anything so far because I feel so bad. Surrounded by snotty noses for the last week - I knew I would catch a cold just in time for my week off work. I actually had a sore throat from last Wednesday and now I am sat in bed feeling like poo!
Yesterday I did an hour of ironing and loaded the washing machine - that was pretty much it!!! Alice cooked tea (again) and it was really nice (what I could taste) - minced beef and onion pie (in my new enamel pie dish), mash, carrots, broccoli and gravy. THANK YOU ALICE xxx
I am going to get up now and tackle that ironing pile/mountain again and begin photographing and listing my 'stuff' on ebay. Motivation is nil cos I just feel like doing nothing :-(
Mandy x
Can't wait until half-term!!!
Hi, I'm back again, but only briefly. Soon it will be my half-term holiday and I will have time to add some photos and blog properly.
I have loads of ebaying to do - got to clear the clutter and raise some cash. I seriously need to sort my stuff, there is stuff in every room! What I really want to do is start my own business, selling vintage stuff - but I am a long way off from that. Once the stuff is cleared, the housework should get easier and I will have time for my new hobbies!!!
It's difficult to know where to start, but I have to get motivated. I will blog my progress to keep me on my toes.
We had a really busy weekend because Ashley turned 21 and we had a wedding reception to go to. This meant that little chores were done and I ate like a pig! I did manage to lose 1/4 pound at my weigh in today, despite my weekend of celebrating. I will do much better next week.
Until Saturday...
Mandy xxx
I've been so busy since my birthday. To be honest, I have just been too tired to blog in the evenings. I have not been sleeping very well lately, which is really annoying, and you never seem to catch-up on lost sleep do you?
Since my last post, I had my birthday. I was spoilt rotten by my family and friends! My husband bought me a gorgeous rotary watch, Ashley gave me a silver bangle, Charlotte gave me a pair of diamond earrings, a leather purse, and some lovely bracelets. Alice bought me a book on crocheting, some wool and a hook. I am very happy and very lucky.
Since my birthday I have been busy with work and trying to declutter my house. I plan to start putting bits on ebay next week. My largest addiction to hoarding is books. I have far too many and especially keep on buying cook books. I have never had much luck selling books on ebay though. I think I will probably try car booting them in the spring. I will post my success in selling my junk as soon as it happens.
I have a busy week ahead again, but will post up some birthday photos during half-term week.
Bye for now
Mandy x
Another lovely day ...
Today my lovely husband took me to Moreton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds. We had lunch in a tea room and wandered around the shops. Most of the shops were way too expensive for us, but we found a sweet little book shop and kitchenware shop. I bought a book on discovering the Cotswolds and one on retro cooking. In the kitchen shop I bought an enamel pie dish and pudding basin (have seen these in Lakeland and wanted them for ages). I also found some disposable foil trays which I prefer to use to for my traybakes. Steve treated me to these things...spoilt again!
I wonder what tomorrow will bring???
Mandy x
I have had a wonderful day ...
Today has been lovely. My friends at work have been plotting for some time now for my birthday celebrations. Today was full of surprises and they managed to make me cry twice! I have been feeling really emotional about turning 40 and today that emerged!
First the children came into the classroom each wearing a party hat and carrying a helium balloon. They sang 'Happy Birthday' as they walked in (about 10 times) and each greeted me with a smile chanting happy birthday.
The presents from the children (really from the teacher)came next. I had a CD... a fabulous 80s compilation, a damson and pomegranate candle and a chocolate rabbit. Next I was treated to a giant french fancy cake with a rocket style sparkler candle and the children ate their lunch still wearing their party hats.
After lunch we had a party for me... dancing to my new CD and more cake! After playtime we had assembly. I had to go up to the front and was given flowers and wine and everyone sang happy birthday.
After work my friend took me out, but I didn't know where we were going! We ended up at Fawsley Hall for afternoon tea. When we got into the car park I spotted cars belonging to my other friends (a complete surprise) which set me off crying. There were twelve of us sat in a circle on sofas and chairs around a huge coffee table. We had coffee, tea, sandwiches and scones with jam and cream. Sitting with friends by the fire in a great hall was the perfect treat.
Totally overwhelmed, then came my presents ... my friend handed me a parcel which was a large fluffy towel (Anthea Turner style) tied up with ribbon. Inside were GHD hair straighteners!!!!!!!!!! I cried again. There were loads of posh smellies too. I have been spoilt rotten.
So to my friends - thank you so much for such a special day xxxxxxxx
I took photos, so will post them up soon.
ps: It's not actually my birthday until Sunday!
I'm not that good at blogging yet...
Well I started off with good intentions, but I have a problem with sticking at things!
I have either been too busy or too tired to blog lately. I have managed to keep to my low carb diet though and have lost 3 1/4 pounds so far. I probably could of lost more if I hadn't gone out for two meals and eaten a slab of birthday cake. The first meal was lovely - with two friends after work on Friday. We went to Ikea in Milton Keynes (bought some scented candles, a new duvet set for my bed, two preserving jars and two washing-up brushes -only 31p!)
The second meal was on Monday when we had a farewell meal for a work colleague. I decided not to have a starter so that I could have a pudding. I seem to put on weight so easily, so I was convinced that instead of losing weight this week, I would have put more on. I actually lost 1 1/4 pounds this week even with my over-indulgence. I only have a salad for my lunch every day and I am quite used to this now. These small changes really make a difference and I'm sure that I can keep this up long term. I normally give up at about day three of all previous diets, but this is life changing otherwise the weight will go straight back on again. I am fed up with being fat and unfit, getting puffed out walking up a hill. I now weigh 11 stone 9 3/4 and I wear a size 18 top half and 14-16 bottom half. Ideally I would like to wear a size 12 top and bottom eventually, but one step at-a-time!
I haven't started learning any new crafts yet because I am tackling the mountains of clutter first. I plan to list some bits on ebay at the weekend to start selling again. Previously, I have done really well selling clothes and made over £200 towards last Christmas. I hope to clear the mess and earn some money to spend on stuff we need in the house. I am seriously considering opening an ebay shop and starting my own business but don't know what to sell or where to start!!! I think a lot of research is needed. Has anyone else noticed how food prices are increasing? I only buy the bare necessities now, but my money doesn't seem to stretch very far. I cook from scratch and bake, but I still need to cut back even further.
Work again tomorrow - roll on the weekend!
Mandy x
