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4 big reasons...why...

Lately, I have not been able to spend the time on  posting on my blog or commenting as much as I have in the past...I still read my blog lists, but seem to run out of time to comment...Sorry guys....There are many reasons for this...
1. I gave myself a Challenge several months ago now, to complete my chores before turning on the computer every day..This has been great as sometimes I just don't get to turn it on at all....This has given me amazing freedom...
2. I  created a chore list and a weekly fortnightly monthly- you get the idea chore list. This has certainly been very beneficial to our family..I now know exactly where I am up to in our household chores.
3. We leave early afternoon a few afternoons a week to attend Ballet class for Brid..therefore I am without internet connection...you may say, Why not connect to WiFi..Yes that would be easy, but seriously I am enjoying doing other craft and leisure activities whilst waiting in the Ballet foyer. I have been known to knit, sew, embroid, mend and replace ballet ribbons and make Brids Skirt - with a little help from a friend all in the foyer...
4. ...and the biggest one, is that  I have started adult Beginner Ballet classes. Its been loads of fun, I have learnt so much. I am understanding Ballet terminology and French. I am given position corrections by my ballet teachers, they care so much...
I have lost several kilos and most of all gained more flexibilty in a troublesome hip condition...I practice every chance I get. I am doing at least 1 class, if not 2 a week..
This week is open week At Ballet so I get to watch Brids Classes and she in turn gets to watch mine .The courtesy rules of open week is that she is to not interrupt or  talk during class.
Brid  has been a wonderful help for me. She is very encouraging and supportive, as is Dermot.
So I have made myself a new pledge, I will post once a week, hopefully Friday nights and comment on all those amazing blog posts I have seen lately...

As you can see our life is pretty full and we are all the better for our activities we are participating in....

Love Leanne xxx

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Just not enough......

Well its been so long since I last posted on my Blog.. Its been so busy around here.
I must let you into a couple of secrets ....
Firstly, I have been following my Daily Weekly Fortnightly household chores list and its been amazing the difference..
As I said in my last post, I thought I was organised, but writing it down and following the list, gives immense freedom..I say to myself when I am about to clean an area not on todays list "thats not on todays list". I then move onto what is on the list. The only thing that is still not under control is the Office. I am working on it though.

Secondly, Brid has increased her hours for Ballet, so with her Jazz and Itish Dancing it keeps us pretty busy in the afternoons. Her teachers Miss Kristy & Mr Rider are very happy with her progress, and are learning her aspirations.

Last week I did some research into shelving for our laundry.It clearly needed organisation, but what will what to do? After careful consideration I asked Dermot to come with me to investigate my research. We purchased the rails, the bands and all that was necessary for giving our laundry more storage and effieciency. I purchased a drying rack and several shelves, just enough to get my baskets and washing up off the appliances. We have our resident cat, Bailey, using the laundry, so we are unable to put anything at floor level. He needs room for his bedding and food etc. He doesn't climb so high shelving and washing baskets are safe from cat fur.

We helped a dear friend move into her new  home. Her first ever home that she will own.. We are so pleased for her. It was exhausting, but lots of fun, and having moved just in the last few years we knew a few tricks to help out on moving day..such as strip one room at a time once the all the furniture is gone, so it can then be placed in the similar room at the next house. Hanging clothes can be put straight into the wardrobes saving on sorting later.
So thats been our happenings and Its been  very busy time of late.

 

encouragement night

Our Last encouragement night saw some 9 or so women listening to a very organised homeschool mum discussing,  organising your household chores whilst homeschooling.

Wow, I was pretty impressed.

I thought I was organised.! I just hadn’t written it all down.
It took me a few days to take in all the information and process it all. I wasn’t sure how to go about this but I knew I could use this information.
I began drawing up my chores list. My zoned areas. How will I break it down. Hmmm.
You see I use Enjo and its pretty easy cleaning a home with it. No chemicals just a cloth and water...after 20  years of nursing in intensive areas my hands could do with a break...
So where did I start. I worked out the zones- mine are kitchen, laundry, lounge, family, bedrooms, bathrooms, office, outdoor. I am not going to be able to break these all up into individual days because for us Sundays are not work days.
Firstly, I looked at the jobs required daily for each zone. Then worked out the extras I wanted to achieve each week, fortnight, month, 3 months, 6 months and yearly.
Once I had it all on paper, it seemed really easy. I have drawn up my lists and placed them n my pantry. I used Saturday to do a complete houseclean and with enjo, it was pretty easy. The longest task was vacuuming.

Monday saw me enjo mop. Tuesday was my ironing day. I was meant to dust the lounge area but it was just attended to, so I began on some long term projects- wash main bedroom window and wash the curtains. Looking sparkling.

It has been quite freeing, as I had in the past kept all my records in my head- now they are laid out on paper and I can tick them off as I they are completed. I liked that Tuesday is my ironing day. No other extra job and it got done.
I have Brid do a job or two for me outside instead of sitting reading for her break. It has made a difference to her concentration level.  Dermot is helping out as well.
I have set myself a task do all my jobs before I sit down for a morning tea break with Brid. It certainly has given our home order.

So thanks Mel for your great tips and ideas. I was totally overwhelmed on the evening, but we have embraced a new order in our home.  

A Birthday Present...

Brid celebrates her birthday the day after mine, and it has always been said that she was my birthday present.
Each year Brid is Blessed to have a party to celebrating her Birthday...How indulgent you may say. I look at it differently, it’s an excuse to gather her family and friends around her and celebrate....I love figuring out what theme we should use every year. Its lots of fun planning and creating.  
Brid is Blessed to have a great group of teens to socialise with in her area.
So what did they get up to, you may ask? Well, inspired by a recent Body Shop party we attended, I suggested to Brid that we have a Pamper party.. Yes, that sounds fun.
The guest list was drawn up. The invitation were designed by Brid, The rsvp date  set and then the invites were send out.  A few friends were unable to come, but they were there in spirit.

The girls were gathered together and we began soaking feet, exfoliating and massaging with a gorgeous foot moisturiser. We moved onto hands where we soaked, exfoliated, massaged and then filed and painted their nails. There was lots of chatting and laughing, along with eating of yummy party food.
Brids sister, Louise popped in to join the party, it certainly made Brid’s day.

I thought several hours would be plenty of time for feet, nails, Hair and makeup. I was wrong; we could have another whole party with the activities we missed, buts that ok. Everyone got into the swing of things pampering each other and doing each other’s hair. The straightener, the Curler and the hair accessories were working overtime.

We barely had enough time to open the well thought out presents, sing Happy Birthday to Brid, cut and eat a slice of Cheesecake, before it was time for our guests to go.  
It was such a great afternoon, and a perfect way to spend your 14^th Birthday. It was only topped off by family arriving for a family dinner, just as guests were leaving. Busy busy day, but it was lots of fun.  Phew,,now to recover...!!!!

A movie we just.......

Brid & I love watching girlie movies, particularly when Daddy is out. The last week we have been watching The Princess Diaries.
Yes I know they aren't period dramas, but they have such appeal. So much to talk about. A real feel good movie, and I love Julie Andrews. So does Brid.
There are so many funny things that happen, so many threads running through the movies.
Have a little look at these images...

discovering she is a Princess...

At school before her life changed forever

transforming

A princess waves like this

being presented to her country

A shawl would be nice, but its a lovely shot

She plays any role well

Another monumental moment

enough said

Truly transformed .......

An embarassing moment, and a saved moment all in one

she played a great Queen

Did she get married?

               I hope you enjoyed looking at these images of these movies we really enjoyed