Weirdly Busy Week

I haven't written here since last week; and I feel horrible for it.  But it's been strangely busy; and I haven't been well since Wednesday also a few plans I had this weekend have fallen through.

Sunday was a day of getting up late and reading the paper.  But I was nervous all day and had everything done too early to get in late... if that makes sense.  On Monday, I was off to the post office early and found not much in the mail; which was a relief, at least I don't have any bills.  

From Tuesday onwards, I was busily writing away on the computer and fixing up my erotica book I have been working on for about a year now.  I started out writing short erotic stories, then thought I could join up the plots; and the next thing I knew, I had a book!  Jeez, I can't win can I?  No matter what I do, I can't just write short stories about a subject.  They all line up in the end anyway.  Oh well, I guess that's the thing about being a writer.

Well, I had a good time about getting in and writing and editing my work.  But I began doing it until late at night and that wasn't good for my system.  So, I woke up on Wednesday and felt like crap... really, I felt so ill I nearly didn't want to get out of bed!  So, I carefully looked at breakfast and nibbled at it, did a few things around the house, hid from the sun, cringed from the sound of the stereo and didn't know why I felt so much like crap... but endured it.  Then, on Thursday, I felt so much ... worse!  I was convinced I had a virus of some kind... so I called into the Logan Art Gallery and said I was crook (something I don't do very often) but if I had something bad, I didn't want to be ill there.

I sat on the net, read blogs, drank a lot of water and dragged myself around the unit until the sun went down... then I had to look at food again... blech!  I really had to eat... something, anything.  I didn't care what, so long it wasn't greasy.  So, I made myself some veggie pasta and sauce and ate as much as I could and settled in for the night.  I got to bed late after reading a good lot of 'Blockade Billy' by Stephen King and crashed once the light was out.  

Today,I woke to a nice, cool, clear morning and felt great... so it was my hormones playing the horrible tricks on me.  I had a chiropractor's appointment and kept it.  It was good to get out and about today and so when I had to go for my walk, I went up to the Springwood Community Centre and looked around there.  However, they were in the last preparations for a Wedding Expo tonight; so I didn't go inside.  As I was walking away, I was asked by two elderly Asian couple about where Dennis and Springwood Roads join; and I said it was a long walk from where they were now.  So, working with the Community Centre people, we were able to figure out a way to get them to their destination without them walking all that distance.  

Once back at my folks' place, I tried to get on the internet and it didn't happen, so I looked around on their modem, reset it, and tried again.  Still, it didn't happen.  So, I turned on Dad's computer and a blue screen came up with 'Warning' in red letters and it talked about virus' and trogans.  Well!  I shut it off with the emergency shut-off and when it didn't shut off fast enough - stalling on the 'saving your settings' screen, I switched it off at the wall; thus shutting off the whole system.  This worried me about how his computer was running; and so I called him up and told him what happened and was concerning him too that their internet wasn't working and neither was his computer... something he had to get looked at urgently.

Well, I came home, and enjoyed my final episode of 'Head of the Class'; and episode I don't remember seeing.  Then, I went to see some neighbours and chatted until it was dark and came home for dinner a dvd and now I'm on here blogging away before tomorrow where I might not be able to get online.  I'll be taking some work with me to edit and books to read while I'm there.  And seeing I finished two books this week, I'm ahead of schedule with my reading this year... having read five books in three months.

Well, that's my week.  It's pretty late and I better get some sleep before today turns into tomorrow...  Until my next post, keep warm, keep safe and remember, I'm always here. 

Wet Old Weekend

After a week of pretty good weather, we've had a weekend of pretty horrible, cold, wet weather.  It's good reading weather, good dvd weather, good anything but go outside and enjoy the day weather; and really when it's raining 90% of the time, it's best probably to just pull the old duvet over your head again and ignore the phone.

But really, I didn't.  I went out and bought the paper, talked to some of the neighbours and had my first bowl of rolled oats for the year.  And Little Miss Stevie was kept behind one of the front curtains for a good part of the day just to keep warm; and she still is.

The rain began at 4am Saturday morning; and it hasn't really stopped.  It's been good dull, drenching rain; and so, last night, when I felt like take away food, I cooked a nice pasta dish and jumped into that... it was so lovely, I really didn't want to be full because it warmed me up so nicely. 

Then, I watched 'Paris Blues' starring Sidney Pointier and Paul Newman and Louis Armstrong.  When the people in this film weren't talking, the filler music was jazz and blues.  I had this turned up really loud and loved every minute of it.  And the band that played all that beautiful music was the Duke Ellington Jazz Band... what a great band!  I love his work.  And Louis got a good talking part as a big Jazz musician; instead of a few lines in the beginning and a few at the end; in this film, he meant something and played his best!

Today, I've been on and off the net all day talking to my friends and Googling things, checking on the bird, listening to music and hoping to get my house tidy before the end of the day.  I ought to be able to make it soon.  Otherwise, late last night, I got within 30 pages of the end of 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho; and so I'll be able to get through my fourth of fifth book this year soon and onto my next one, I can't wait.

Anyway, enough from me.  I haven't mentioned half the stuff I want to do - and have gotten done.  There's mail to organise for tomorrow, the lounge room to tidy up (and keep tidy) a bag of paper to get through, a the kitchen to keep exactly the way I've gotten it and the bathroom to clean up.  And I'm trying to get through it all in good time.  Last year, I worked on cleaning out the house, this year, it's a matter of cleaning it up.  There's still things to clean out - which I'll do as I go along - but still I need to clean up more than anything.  

So, what are you getting done - or planning on getting done - that you've put off?  Leave a comment and let us know.  Until my next post, keep safe and warm.  And remember, I'm always here.

My busy week!

Wow!  What a week! Sunday and Monday weren't much... really, honestly, they weren't.  I read the paper and did a lot of cleaning up and found out my kitchen counter was much bigger than I originally thought... but other than that, all I did was edit some writing I was working on and get into some sorting out some reading material.

On Tuesday, I paid my phone bill (I think) and then did some laundry, washed up absolutely everything, wiped down the counter, opened up the house and swept the kitchen floor.  Then hopped online for some serious time on here... which only lasted around three hours before I got really bored.  There was nothing on here that kept my attention for very long - yep, I had the attention span of a gnat.  So, I did what any avid reader would do... I kept with my challenge to myself from the day before and set up my deck chair out in my carport, grabbed the books I promised to read, my two phones, Little Miss Stevie and the bottle of Cranberry Juice and got my nose into the pages of three great books I've been meaning to get into over the last year.  That big reading splurge began at midday and finished at 3:30pm... what a massive lot of reading!  By the time I had pulled in the deck chair and put my dear sweet budgie back inside, I was tired; and I didn't want to do anything.

Wednesday was great.  I got all my shopping done.  Every last thing on the list was bought, right down to my Biotene (dry mouth toothpaste) and my deodourant and I had exact change for the cab driver.  Then, I found out on Thursday morning, I still had $50 left over in the bank on my keycard!  How good is that?  What a brilliant thing to happen!

I bought a few things that day... like a 3kg bag and a prepaid envelope.  The bag was for some books I wanted to post off to a fellow Bookcrosser and the prepaid envelope was for the receipt book that was to be sent back to the Leukaemia Foundation along with the sponsorship page.  I hope they find the credit card payment in the back... they probably will.  On the same day, I bought some milk on the way home and sat on the computer and edited some written work, looked up some things on google... then jumped offline, had a much-needed shower, put away some laundry (but not enough to make a dent) and then, made dinner. 

Today, I got up before 8am - for once this week - and had breakfast early.  I was happy to see that my kitchen sink wasn't full of dishes... washing up every night is a good habit to get into.  If only my neighbours would fix their plumbing so my pipes didn't make that horrible knocking noise, then I wouldn't worry about having a shower at night so much.  I checked the mail earlier than usual and jumped online to find my friend in Canada, Gerald, was there.  We chatted but his isp kept kicking him off.  Then, Mum phoned me and she invited me out to the biggest closing down sale around!  It was the Angus & Robertson Bookstore 75% off sale!  How could I say no.  I promised myself I would watch the melee of people politely fighting over books... but instead, I got well-involved and found books by Stephen King and Peter F. Hamiton... and what should have cost me over $70.00 only cost me $24.00!  The store closes on Sunday; and it was close to empty at around midday today.  Be quick if you want your choice of books!

So, that's my week.  It had everything.  Housework, shopping, money, greed, books and sales.  Now, all I need to do is find a place for the new arrivals in my ever-growing collection.  I hope you had a great week like I did.

Overcast Wednesday

I have had a good time this week.  It's been busy and fun and enjoyable and relaxing... and that's since Sunday.  Hard to believe I've had this much fun.  Well, I have.  Sunday, had us with a new events magazine in our Sunday Mail... very swish.  I think it was okay; except the book section was kinda small.  They could've made it bigger; but they squished it right at the back on a quarter of a page, making it not very impressive at all. The rest of the magazine was full of movies, places to go, things to do, food to cook and taste... but the book section looked pathetic; as though it was a sin to read.  

Monday saw me washing my brown shirt that I wore on Saturday... it had gotten a big spot of blue hair spray on it and I couldn't get it out.  However, after a soaking, I did; and it had transferred to the front of the damn thing!  So, on Tuesday, I got in and sprayed it with some stain remover and scrubbed it; only to have the gold that was on that transfer come off!!!!  Jeez!  I just can't win!  My favourite shirt looks all washed out instead of cool and retro... bugger!  All Mum could do was laugh at me.  Next year, I'm wearing a painting shirt to the Leukemia Event; so if any of the spray gets on the shirt, it doesn't matter, the shirt is supposed to get dirty. 

Also on Tuesday, I got a whole lot of washing done.  Jeans, undies, Summer shirts and a mini-skirt were washed; and it all dried by around 3pm.  Yep, it was a warm enough day for it.  I also washed up a little, and ended up outside in the carport with Little Miss Stevie doing a reading challenge I had put on for myself.  It was great.  I set aside three books, grabbed the deck chair, my hand-painted table, a bottle of Cranberry juice and my camera and phones and took in the cool afternoon between midday and 4pm to get some chapters behind me of 'Catch-22', 'The Gargoyle' and 'The Alchemist'... all three were great choices; as I read a good lot of each one.  And I think I'll do it again in the coming months when I want to read more than one book at a time again.  I enjoyed the time of just having the afternoon to myself and being able to watch the day slide by and not have to be anywhere, have to do anything but listen to the radio and I ended up observing a young Blue Tongue Lizard strolling across my carport floor right in front of me, using his tongue to smell the air (as they have the worst eyesight).  And the best thing was that I got a great shot of him with his tongue out (as you can see from the collage).  Little Miss Stevie had a lovely bath in drinking water before she realised that her real bath was in her cage... such a funny and stubborn bird... and then she really jumped in.  And she enjoyed feeling the warm breeze on her feathers and played around the cage happily; until the Mickey Birds came around and put her off.  I had to put her back inside then as the family of them made her nervous.

Time flew by quickly; and I really didn't want to go inside, and yet I had to.  I had a shower to take, dinner to cook, the laundry to pull in and the shopping list to finish off.  I also thought it would be a good idea to get my washing up all done last night.  So, by 9:30pm, it was finished.

Today, it's been sunny and hot; with a bit of cloud to make us wonder if it's going to rain.  I found a few good scores at the Life Line Store at Logan Central, found steel wool scourers at Woolworths and picked up everything I needed while I was out.  I didn't go over budget at all.  It was great.  I even got home early - well before midday - and thought I had to get a new seal on my freezer door; but it was because there was too much in the door, making it pop open when I closed the fridge door.  

Well, that's been my day.  The radio's going and my last sponsor dropped off their money today; this means I can cash the money at the Post Office and send in the book and sponsor sheet tomorrow morning to the Leukemia Foundation.  The amount I've raised completely will show online... I know around $300 doesn't sound like much, but to the people who need it the most, it is.  And I'll be doing this again next year.  Until my next post, keep safe, and remember, I'm always here. 

The World's Greatest Shave Event!

Today was the day where I attended the free event at Springwood's Centro Shopping Centre and got my hair sprayed with purple and blue hair spray... and did we have fun!  

It poured rain on the way there, so I got my family to meet up with me down there.  And while I was waiting for them, I ran into Maria and Kory Koppenol; my cousin's wife and his son.  They had donated there but sponsored me too after they heard I was getting my hair coloured.  However, Kory got a little restless and so Maria had to take him home soon after my family arrived with Riley in tow.  

I signed up and waited my go and while we were waiting a policeman got his head shaved and his legs.  Then a man got his head, arms and legs shaved and a few ladies got their head shaved too.  The MC for the morning offered Dad to get his beard shaved off and started getting people to bid; but Dad said his work was doing a fundraising day of it next week.

Soon, it was my turn and I went up there, sat in the seat and had the bright orange smock put on me.  The hairdresser asked me what I'd like and I said to do one half purple and the other half blue... and we had fun doing it.  The spray stunk to high heaven, but it was for a worthy cause and I kept in mind all the people who I was doing this for; mainly my friends on Bookcrossing who are dealing with Cancer in one way or another, my Uncle who has begun his battle with it, family friends who have been fighting it for years and those who have passed on from my life I have fond memories of who lost their battles too soon.  Also I have fought it also and survived it too; and so I did this for anyone else who might get this or any other kind of cancer so they can get the research they need as the government here doesn't supply any money to support them.

For the rest of the day, I spent it with my family eating lunch, drawing with my niece Riley and reading 'Catch-22' as well as uploading a photo album on my Facebook page of the free event.  However for those who aren't my friends on there, I've put up some great photos here.  

A before shot with my choice in hair colour!

Halfway through with mad-eyed look... hehe

From the back... not a bad look really.

With the MC today after my new hair style.

Jay the dog was with us too and so it ended up being a good day for everyone.  I got home from Mum and Dad's and washed my hair with Anti-dandruff shampoo and bi-carb soda (to get the blue colour out) three times and then washed it with my usual shampoo and conditioner and my hair colour is back to its normal colour!  Can't say the same about my shower!  There's still a few spots of blue hair colour on the tiles and glass I've gotta get off.... eeewww!  My t-shirt has a big blue stain on it the back and my ears are still full of the blue hair colour too!  Thankfully it came off my neck and face.  Well, that's all from me for now... until next time, stay safe and keep well; and remember, I'm always here.

Brisbane Autumn - At Last!

I love Autumn in Brisbane; it's just a lovely mixture of Summer and Spring and Winter all rolled into one season.  We have had a dreadful, wet Summer where my hometown flooded for a second time in my life (but the first time, I didn't remember it thankfully).  And now, we've got the windy, overcast days where the cicadas are out ringing, I'm reading two or three books at a time and I'm going to get my hair coloured in two days' time.  Yep, it's a good time to get into fun things in Autumn.

In the last week, I've been to Bent Books at West End, and did a great review on the very colourful store; and also scored myself 'Catch-22' by Joseph Heller.  I went to a birthday party where it got chilly, began to rain and then turned really cold that night.  But the company was great, so was the food; so we forgot about how bad the weather was outside.

In the coming weeks, my brother's band, Blue Honey, is playing at The Zoo in the Valley on St Patrick's Day.  This ought to be fun as everything is going to be green and Brisbane is going to come alive with the Irish.  Anyway, I'm also looking forward to finishing a collage I've been painting up, finishing up reading a few books I'm halfway through and then getting some art into 'Inspired Gallery' in June.  I've also asked Blue Honey to play there on opening night.  Gabe's been looking forward to seeing my work on the walls of a gallery for a long time... so have I.  

Anyway, that's all I have for now.  Little Miss Stevie's going well.  Her foot is getting better.  My piano playing still sucks; but I'm still working on it.  I'm forever cleaning out parts of my house and throwing out bags and bags of crap... and that's a good thing!  And well, I'm hoping to work on a few new books soon, once I finish an erotica romance and a serious naturist romance... both of which are being written side by side; it's really strange how totally different they are.  Well, until my next post, take care and remember, I'll always be here.

The City - Brisbane City

Today, I went out to the city for the first time since the floods.  It looked just the same; and was very busy and wet with showers coming and going, and there was me without my umbrella.  It didn't matter as I waited under the massive awnings of the Queen Street Mall and other buildings and waited for it to leave while leaning against the buildings.  It was nice to be in the city for the first time in almost a year and enjoying the busyness of it all.

I did have things to do in there.  First, I had to find a book for my Mission:  Bookcrossing game.  On the list were books I had never heard of; and for a good reason... they were kids books.  So, I headed off to a Dymocks store and asked the shop assistant there to see if they had one of the books off the list I had with me explaining the game to her.  She said it sounded like fun and helped me out.  So, now, I have the book and now, it's ready for transportation... and seeing some of my followers are Bookcrosser, I'm not letting you in on what my mission is.  Sorry, it's between The Chief and me.

But between the showers, walking around the city and perusing shops full of vinyls, books and other things, I managed to get home at around 2pm.  I also had a wicked lunch of pizza; and not just any pizza!  It was pizza from 'New York Slice'!  A place where you could buy pizza made just like they do in The Big Apple.  And man, it was delicious!  The slices were thin, laden with ingredients and you could actually see that garlic chunks on it too.  I loved it all... and it was so hot!  What I didn't eat, I gave to the pigeons.  Two of them fought over what I was tossing on the ground for them; greedy little things.  

On my way home, I dropped into Garden City to recharge my Go-Card and found that 'Good Reading' Magazine had shown up.  It was a week and a half late, but I'm glad it made it; and so I bought that to read at the bus stop while waiting there.  Half an hour later, it arrived and I was only ten minutes from coming home.

Now, I've been home for a few hours, have a rotten headache (I always get them when I go to town) and Little Miss Stevie got a good cuddle and happily flew around the living room a few times.  Such a good bird!  It may not have been a fun-filled time in the city, but I'm glad I got out of the house today; as it will be my last time until this Saturday when I get my hair coloured.  Until my next post, stay safe and remember I'm always here.

Vivienne's Birthday Party

Yesterday was a busy day.  I went out at around noon and got home today.  First, though, I sent Little Miss Stevie off to my parent's house for an overnight visit; and am I glad I did that!  It got so cold last night!

Well, Geoff picked me up around one-ish and we drove into West End to have a look at Inspire gallery where he has asked if I'd like to get some of my work put into it later this year.  As we looked through the front window of the doors, he told me that there was a stage where a band could play; and immediately, I thought of Blue Honey and wondered if Gabe and Nicki would like to take up a paying gig at this gallery for an opening night.  First though, we'd have to get dates settled and then ask them about it.

We thought to wait until the gallery opened; so we took a walk around to Boundary Street to Bent Books.  I haven't been to this store while it was open; always after dark.  So, to venture in was a real treat for me.  I loved the lines of bookshelves from floor to ceiling and was right at home; forgetting my worries as I peered at all the titles, authors and genres that surrounded me.  From across the store, I noticed 'Catch-22' by Joseph Heller and so went and picked it up off the shelf - thinking it was gong to cost me loads.  However, I was pleasantly surprised to find it was only $12.00 and in very good condition; most certainly brand new.  I chatted with the owner and he is very knowledgeable of his stock and has a great sense of being with his customers.  Geoff told me while we walked back to the gallery that some people like the guy, some don't.  Personally, I liked him as he is an original; and doesn't try to be somebody or anything he's not.

The Inspire Gallery still wasn't open, and we noticed that the weather wasn't on our side.  So, we decided to take off and pick up some booze for the party and other things on the shopping list too.  We went to Dan Murphy's and while Geoff got some wine and beer, I bought some Cascade's Ginger Beer.  We drove back to Thorneside and helped out with the rest of the preparations of the party as rain sprinkled from the sky and the day began to cool off.

As the afternoon sky darkened and the rain became heavier and the wind picked up, more guests arrived bearing gifts for Vivienne.  Geoff got in and cooked the snags and veggie burgers he had made and the salads were put out for dinner.  I began to snap photos as we all settled into our meals and drinks.  Then, the birthday cake came out - one that Geoff had made from a recipe one of his workmates had given him - and it was a great success!  What a gorgeous cake!  Vivienne loved her gifts that she received, from a jewelery box to itunes vouchers to two vintage vinyls of John Farnham from 1978 and 1980 (those two vinyls were from me; just something I knew she wouldn't have).  The vinyls really impressed a few of the guests and got us laughing at what he looked like back then and what he was wearing too.  But the music on those vinyls are just lovely.

As it got late, our guests left, having to go home due to work the next day or needing to meet up with other friends later that night.  Then, there only Geoff, Viv and me sitting around in the lounge at around 10:30pm chatting over a cup of coffee and saying we had all eaten too much food; but it was the best chillin' out party we'd had in a long time... where nothing bad happened, nobody got ill, nobody hurt themselves and nothing caught fire (I do remember a party where all those things did happen it was hilariously funny and memorable!).  Not long afterwards, Viv went to bed as she had been up since around 6am; but Geoff and I had had too much sugar and caffeine and so we stayed up to Google stuff on the net... until around 1am when my brain and eyeballs were off to bed before me too.

This morning, I uploaded all the photos from last night onto my Facebook as an album and within 20 minutes one of my friends had had a looks and enjoyed them; liking them immediately.  Then, before we left Thorneside, Vivienne shared the album on her Facebook and tagged some people I had missed out on tagging in it; then Geoff commented on some of the photos.  

I'm now home and awaiting the return of Little Miss Stevie.  Mum told me she was good until this morning when she tried to bite Mum for trying to help her with her gross poo situation... but by the time Dad had a look the gross poo had been picked off by my bird.  It's a coolish day; very much like the Brisbane Autumn we're so used to now... and it happened overnight!  Well, that was my weekend.  Now, today, I'm just going to chill out, read a book and hang around on the net while I contemplate the fluff in my belly button... yeah, it's a good day for that.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and remember... I'm always here. 

Yesterday

Yesterday was an interesting day... it began good and ordinary and ended up being more than a little screwed up.  The one way I knew it was going to be screwed up was that I caught the wrong bus and had to walk an extra one hundred metres to the pet store to buy more bird seed for Little Miss Stevie; not my finest moment, but then, it was good exercise.

I walked to the local Life Line Store and found a few good things and a really lovely set of three commemorative coins from China of the Beer Festival there from 1992.  What a set it was!  And they were all still in their case too!  I didn't buy them though - even though I was thinking of getting them for Gabe and he loves beer, he's now into coffee more than anything.  So, I bought what I wanted to buy and left the store.  On the way to Woolworths, I noticed that there was a rubbish bin rolling around on its side with its door open in the middle of the footpath; and people were stepping over and around it.  Nobody made a move to pick it up and put it back on its feet!  They all gave it a sideways glance as if to ignore it would make it go away... how lazy can you get?  So, I put my blue trolley off to one side, picked it up, set it on its feet and pushed it against the wall with the door on the wall so it wouldn't flap open again; and kept going on my way with my trolley.  I had food shopping to do and so I pulled out my hand sanitiser and washed my hands.  Nobody helped me with the stupid thing and I think it was just because they all thought it was dirty.  Hey, my wheelie bin and my toilet has more germs than that bin did... what were these people scared of?

Well, I did my food shopping and walked off to K-Mart Plaza where I scored two more sponsors for The World's Biggest Shave at 'Woodys':  Carol and Stephen.  When Stephen heard I was doing the shave, he laughed and asked if all my hair was going and I said I was colouring it blue and purple and he immediately sponsored me $5.00; so did Carol.  Then, I told them which free event I was getting it done at and they said they'd try and make it to watch; otherwise, they'll look for the photos on my Facebook page.

I got home late yesterday as I had a few other things to do and money ran short.  I found that my monthly book magazine - Good Reading Magazine - hadn't shown up again... so I just now e-mailed the editor and asked where I could get my hot little hands on a copy.  I had this problem in January and received a free copy; I just hope I don't have to get this kind of thing all the time.  I'd like to pay for my magazines; it makes me feel like I've earned them.  But I did get Vivienne's birthday card.  The last time I was at the newsagency, I spotted these 1920's French Influence birthday cards and almost got one for Riley, but remembered them this time for Vivienne instead.  And so, I picked out a lovely one and will write on it tonight before I begin packing for the weekend.

When I got home, I had received a phone call from Mum.  But when I tried to call her back, she wasn't at home all day.  Last night, I found out that my Uncle was in hospital and they were doing tests.  I won't put up here for what as it's a little too personal, but I'm concerned about his health as he's the eldest of my Uncles and one of my favourites.

Well, today, I'm off to the Logan Art Gallery to do my volunteer work; an afternoon shift.  I was told this morning that quite a few volunteers have resigned.  So, I told Mum and she's thinking of signing on to be a volunteer there and I've encouraged her to do it too.  I hope she does as she'd love it there in the air-conditioning; a time to catch up on her reading and meet new friends and look at lovely art too.  Well, that's all from me for now.  I've got other things to do.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe, and remember... I'm always here.

The Big Clean-Out & Tidy-Up 2011!

Yes!  It's under way again!  Just like last year, I'm going to clean out, tidy up and organise my home again and try to keep it as clutter-free as I can.  Now, it's not going to be easy, but all I can do is try.  

The places I have succeeded in keeping in clutter-free from last year are:

In front of the stereo and television

The credenza - front and back and inside

The piano - now I'm really proud of this as I have kept things off the lid and have kept the dust off it too.

The pantry has been organised to the best of my ability... I clean it and the fridge out each fortnight around the time I go shopping.

Now, these were the problem areas in the past; and now I have to start on a how lot of new problem areas that haven't been addressed.  These are mainly:  the kitchen counter, kitchen table, lounge seating area, my bedroom, my wardrobe, my office, bathroom and the garden.  They have been left to go more than a little wild and really need to be pulled into line.  So, I'll be concentrating on one of these things every now and then and they will be looking good and kept good for the whole time. 

There has been an underlying problem to do with my next door neighbours that has been stressing me out, but I will try not to let that bother me; as it's being worked out by the Body Corporate (I hope).  

Otherwise, there's other events that are going on this year that I'll keep you up-to-date with as we go along.  I hope you enjoy this year's blog entries - as much I as I enjoy writing them - and you'll be finding out a lot more about me and how I live my life on a pension.