The little birds...

If you watch little birds you will see they are busy and happy! Using whatever they can find they create the most gorgeous little nest.
I would be the little bird with some glittery thread in her nest!
We can be like this. Happily working away with the things that are available to us to create a beautiful and happy home.
All the while with a little song in our heart.

Banner by Free Pretty Things for You.

Sunday 9 October 2016

The Vicky Challenge. Getting more done in a day.

Last weeks Vicky Challenge was great mainly due to all the painting that happened here. I had checked on the prices of having this kind of work done professionally I know I saved a lot and probably much more than I wrote in my savings book.

I wrote in my usual $100 for all the lunches.
And $500 for all the painting.



My helper for three whole days, Allie.


Yay! My white front fence (painted before I ruined my arm!)  And now the house actually goes with it! 


I can't show what the whole house looks like as the verandah is still covered in painting junk and mess and the front door isn't painted yet!


But you can see there is really nice lace work and a lot of carving and moulding which I love. It was all just really dark and dingy before.
This week I will get the front door done and then stand back and take a picture of the whole effect! 


I also counted$150 for the fixing and doing up of a window. Andy did the fixing, I did the painting after that.


This was in the living room. Now that is another area that is finished! So all up it was a really good week. Over the weekend I felt as if I had been run over by a truck. I was so tired it was pitiful!


My savings subject this week is about getting more done in your day. All the things we want to do and ways to get ahead and save all take time and effort. Actually finding time to do many things is a big factor. Whether it is making lunches the night before or painting the whole house you first have to find time to do it!
This is a massive subject. And we have to be realistic too. Sometimes it is about using time more efficiently and sometimes it is about cutting less important things in order to do more important things.
I wrote a post a while back called Your Time. This is a good place to start since everyone is short of time many people would like some of yours!

Several ladies asked about a comment Glenda made regarding her five extra things challenge. So I asked Glenda if she could explain it further. This is Glenda's way of getting more done in her day...

 Annabel, asked me to write about the five extra things I do per day. I am honored to share with this wonderful group of ladies. You all inspire me to keep trying and to be more productive. As we age we tend to slow down and health issues, sometimes, can drag us down and make us less productive than we can actually be. You are all a blessing to me and I love reading about your accomplishments and seeing your creativity in posts.
    The five extra things per day challenge came about, for me, because I felt I was wandering instead of being as focused as I should be on details. This was foreign to me and not how I, at all, ran my household in past years, prior to my husband's retirement. I prayed about it and the result was five things extra I could do each day that helped move things forward and helped me feel more productive.
   In addition to my normal daily chores of laundry, cooking, and cleaning, I write down five small things that can be done in a limited amount of time. These five things contribute to one of the overall main duties in my life, such as, cleaning, cooking/baking, sewing, household accounts, preserving/food storage/preparing. There are other areas that I have to address, such as, Social relationships, Holidays/gifts, Redecorating/Painting, etc. I consider those, also, when writing down the five extra things per day.
   I try to do six lists of five things, at the beginning of each week. That way, my days are already lined out and I don't have to mentally think that I have so much to do and am not getting anywhere. I am motivated by productivity and seeing something accomplished; yet, I have a very high stress level and feel like I should be on top of absolutely everything all the time. In reality, this isn't a possibility for anyone, so the five things satisfies both those issues for me; I am being productive in small increments and I am attempting to stay on top of the areas I am responsible for in our household. 
   None of my five things on the lists take a lot of time, but they are the types of things that can weigh on a person and can be an annoyance. Here's a couple of my lists:
*Clean out drawer's in both sofa tables
* Write or call a cousin [all my cousins are in their 70's and over]
* Text a friend to see if they can meet for breakfast
* Iron the washed curtains
* Dust out the drawers in the stoves
__________________________
*Clean out the cleaning closet
* Wash the dog bowls
* Clean out one long drawer in our dresser
* Wash patio doors and front glass door
* Cut lavender and hang it to dry

   None of these items take very long, but will help in the overall scheme of keeping the house cleaned and getting things done in a timely manner. When looking at things, such as Fall Cleaning, people tend to get overwhelmed, because it encompasses so much. I don't do seasonal cleaning any longer, I work on areas year around, so the house stays reasonably clean. 
   For instance, instead of doing an entire room for Fall Cleaning, I break the rooms down into my five extra items. Dusting and washing trim in one room doesn't take a lot of time, but gets the job done. The next day, I might wash the window in that room. The goal is to not overwhelm yourself, feel burdened, feel stressed, or to feel frozen because there is so much to do, not enough time, and where does a person start. 
   I hope these tips help someone who, like me, can get overwhelmed with so much to do. We are all at different times in our lives and busy ladies taking care of our homes and families. For those of us who are older, we might experience quicker fatigue and battle chronic health issues, while the younger ladies might have children, possibly home schooling, or a job, in addition to their home work. Bites sized pieces are much easier to chew and digest, even when it comes to running one's
home :).
Love and hugs,
Glenda

Thank you so much Glenda. It is really interesting to see how there are different ways we can get more done. Next week I am going to share mine. 
So over to you... how did you go with your savings/ Vicky Challenge last week?
And how do you get more done in your day, week and year? If we share the ways that work for us I think we might help each other a lot. Sometimes it is one sneaky little tip that makes a world of difference.

I hope you have a really good week! Today I am going to Aldi and I hope to finish undercoating my front door and screen.  Then I am ready to paint it the final colour! Very excited about this as it is the last step to a whole new front of the house! It already looks like a different place! I love it already but the colour I have is so beautiful to me. I can't stop looking at it, it is delicious!  I said this to Vicky and she understood saying how a colour you just adore makes you feel so good and happy.  Even painting it on will be a joy so I guess that means I chose a good colour for me! xxx

48 comments:

  1. Annabel your house is simply stunning, your streetscape is beautiful. I bet the neighbours are now re assessing their own homes - oh wow look at next door's place, we need to do something here, we look all dowdy now. I think that is how streets pick up their looks, one person starts and before you know it theres a movement to improved. Anyway it looks amazing. The style that went into homes of that generation is a thing of beauty.

    Wow your post Glenda spoke to me, I am JUST like you, I feel stressed and and even annoyed and sometimes a bit down if I don't achieve a zillion things a day.
    I can't achieve what I used to, I have some health issues and such that mean in my 50's I need to perhaps not expect myself to be like I was in my 20's. I too have done a similar sort of thing to you. I only started two weeks ago and Instead of telling myself to sit and sew for the afternoon, I set a challenge such as "cut out and complete xx item" or "finish xx". It seems to be working for me. I can do increments of time, I can't sit any more like I used to and sew all day, same with cooking. I used to have so many things on the go, meals, cakes, slices and half prepared meats for the freezer. Now I tend to concentrate more on doing a couple of things at a time.

    I've picked up an extra shift at work today so will go now as it's time to get ready. I've got a roast almost finished in the oven so have a nice meal to take with me and leave also for my partner. Feels a bit weird having a roast ready to dish up at 11.45 in the morning. My hens are now laying five eggs a day and we have so many, I've been giving the dogs an egg every few days, cracked over their dinner and they love it.

    anyway have a lovely day Annabel and all the other ladies. Hoping Rachael and Bluey are improving. Fi xx

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    1. Thank you, Fiona. Your idea for sewing is excellent. I have to be specific, also, as general ideas or categories, leave too many options (LOL).
      Blessings to you,
      Glenda

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    2. Dear Fiona,
      Thanks! I think maybe some of our neighbours think we are the crazy people who do everything ourselves. It is a lovely tree lined street so we are lucky with that.
      What you have said, plus what Glenda has said has really made me think. I just expect to be able to do everything like when I was 20 and having an injury came as a shock to me. Being worn out kind of comes as a shock to me too! But realistically we all have to adapt around everything from simply too much to do, injuries, health conditions and all kinds of other demands.
      Anyway I am glad what Glenda said spoke to you and I think breaking things down into steps really works for me too.
      I love that your chooks are laying! Now you are being rewarded for rescuing them! When you have lemons on your tree plus eggs I think you could make lemon butter!
      Many thanks Fiona, with love Annabel.xxx

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  2. Dear Annabel, This post really spoke to me as I find I am slowing down (turning 70 soon), and I do most of the outside work, as my husband is not so well. I found Glenda's post most helpful as I realised I wanted lots of things done, but at the end of the day had done nothing. I started making similar lists to Glenda and have now achieved several small steps toward completing bigger jobs. I love to cross it off my list. I love the look of your house, Annabel, and it is wonderful your neice helped out. Thanks, Lyn

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    1. Dear Lyn,
      I, too, love to put a check mark by the accomplishment as I can look back and say, I did do quite a lot today :). You are the same age as my husband and myself, and I find I have slowed down a lot over the years; now my brain needs to realize it (LOL).
      Many blessings to you,
      Glenda

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    2. Dear Lyn,
      You have a lot to do with both the outside and in. So yes, breaking it down into little bits is really good. My neighbour at one time was in her 90s and she had a really big garden. I was amazed it never had weeds. She told me she pulled four weeds everyday. That was it! Yet 265 days a year this worked!
      I love crossing off my list! Then I make new lists! But they really work for me too!
      Thanks so much Lyn, Annabel.xxx

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  3. Dear Annabel,how lovely your painted areas look and as Fiona says that old lace work and fancy edges are gorgeous!
    Thankyou Glenda for your tips on 5 extra jobs per day no matter how small.
    I know for me that if I do all the basic chores then the extras don;t get done. Last week I made a plan for collating emergency supplies and pantry stores, photo albums and photos, and other miscellaneous like medical kit items , tool kit for my needs without asking hubby for his, lightbulbs,and a few other items. The written plan helped me get started and I worked on that for 203 days and so the job is done.
    This week I have a few appointments Id like to get done, and visiting as well as keeping to my organized weekly plan. Today I did the visiting and then went to one appointment on the way home that will save me going out for it another day.Today's lovely weather has helped :-)
    There is always more to do ahhh the challenges hehe.
    Have a lovely week everyone, love Maria xxx

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    1. Oops In my post I meant 2-3 days I worked on the collating jobs not 203 days!Cheers Maria!

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    2. Hi Maria,
      Thank you. It sounds as if you accomplished some very important things last week. Preparing is a high priority. Congratulations.
      Blessings to you,
      Glenda

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    3. Dear Maria, Thank you! Well done not he emergency preparations. It is really a good idea. I very often see the news of an earthquake in NZ and always have to look at the map to figure out if it is near you. And this week I keep looking at the map to see where the hurricane in the US is affecting and where the ladies all live! Big mess over there.
      So after our storm I am thinking we are not nuts to be prepared. Its just sensible!.
      I hope your week is going really well. With lots of love Annabel.xxx

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  4. Your home is beautiful and love that your working so hard to keep it up. You will be all ready to enjoy your summer soon it looks like. I love the idea of putting down 5 things each day. Sometimes I'm not able to finish a big job so I split the job and do it in small pieces. I know it's not all done at once but it's all I have time for sometimes. I like the list for keeping up with family/friends because that takes work too. Very rewarding and important work!

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    1. Hi Vicki,
      I have a separate planner that I have dividers for other facets of life that are important other than chores and related work. I have lists of things in there, also, that I want to make sure I keep up. Relationships are a very high priority.
      Many blessings to you,
      Glenda

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  5. Dear Annabel, it's heartening to see everything coming along at your end there! Your home is looking truly lovely! I love Glendas idea too, and it's one that could really reap rewards! I've had a crazy week, but saved so much due to advance preparation of meals and so on. I saved heaps cleaning my home from top to bottom today, and of course grooming hair, nails and so on, always saves a fortune on outsourcing those things. Have a great week. Love Mimi xxx

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    1. Dear Mimi,
      It sounds like you knew your crazy week was coming and planned well. The Pre emptive strike! It really pays off!
      A freshly cleaned house is lovely. I feel like I have too many painting messes. But I have done quite a bit of spring cleaning and soon I can pack up most of the painting and it will be just all in the back yard.
      Have a good week Mimi, hopefully easier. With love Annabel.xxx

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  6. Hi Annabel and friends!!

    This is a lovely, old style home that you and Andy have, Annabel! I can imagine the home industry of yesteryear, and think it's appropriate that the home is yours now!! What a beautiful difference your painting is making!!

    I am hoping that Bluey and Jane are finding grace in each day. I am waiting to hear how they are, but the Eternal knows, and it is He who makes the world go round.

    Thank you, Fiona, for your concern. Something good happened yesterday, and I have now had two days of both eyes working - without strain, and full time. I am mending up. The eyelid looks like it has the remnant of a pillow shaping it, but things are looking good! Using two eyes is wonderful. I highly recommend it!! Thank you, heavenly Father, for looking after my eyes!!!!! I need to tell Bluey that it's not just bulls and crocodiles that he should watch out for. I have learnt not to wrestle with a spindly little wild tobacco tree! - at least, not without a saw! Then, when medical staff warned of stinging eye drops, a thorny cannula in the arm, etc, I had to wonder ..... it wasn't as though they were coming at me with a wild tobacco tree!! That was horrible!

    Glenda, your list of an extra five things sounds inspiring! My thinking is currently turned upside down. If I did even five things in a day during the last week, I was really pleased! The warm tone that always comes through your comments has to be a key to your success in your home. I do agree, though, that we feel better when certain things are accomplished! This is a good post!

    In the biblical calendar, we are commencing the Day of Atonement, with the Day of Trumpets having occurred last week, while I was resting. These dates play pivotal roles in history. The Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot is nearly here, and this is a time of camping for us, just as the nation of Israel camped when they came out of Egypt.

    Thank you all!

    With warm regards,
    Rachel Holt

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    1. Dear Rachel,
      I was so glad to read the good news regarding your eye. May you and your family be written and sealed for a good year. Fondly, Cookie

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    2. Thank you, Rachel, you are most kind. I am so glad your eyes are improving. Please keep us posted so we can continue in prayer for you. Baruch Hashem Adonai.
      Love and hugs,
      Glenda




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  7. Everyone is going to say this Annabel, but your house is a stunner! I am totally suffering from house envy lol. What a wonderful feeling being able to tick jobs of that scale off the list!

    What great advice from Glenda, I will give that a go this week. I could see that strategy could be really useful in the lead up to christmas with getting cards written and presents wrapped.

    Annabel, I mentioned that I had been reading back through your preparedness posts from last year, and in the weekend I came across the blog you wrote following Harper's birth. I started following your blog after she was born so I hadn't read it before. I just wanted to say how touching it was reading about your experience as a grandma who had just met her grandchild. Your words were just beautiful. I am so happy for you that you will have another grandchild to adore soon! Hope the pregnancy is going well and the migraines are not causing so many problems now.

    Have a lovely week
    Jen

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    1. Hi Jen,
      Best wishes on trying the small lists for getting things done up to Christmas.
      Blessings to you,
      Glenda

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    2. Dear Jen, Thank you! Today I did the first coat on the front door!
      I feel like I better go back and read that post! I had Harper over today. She has grown so much and is gorgeous. And she is funny! No one tells you how it is to be a Mother and no one tells you how it is to be a Grandmother! But they are similar. You do not expect to feel the love you do, that type of love when you first have a baby. You have a lot to look forward to one day! And yes I am so excited and cannot imagine meeting another baby in our family! So lucky!
      Lucy is going well, she looks well. She does get headaches but I think better than she was before.
      Much love Jen, I hope the week is going well! Love Annabel.xxx

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  8. Annabel, seriously your painting looks so amazing. Your house needs to be in a magazine. Great work! Thank you for inspiring me.
    Glenda, what a lovely post. I love your 5 things and I love how you had different categories and wrote 5 things under each and at the start of the week. Such a clever idea. I need to start this as well. I always feel like I am not getting much done. But I think I get more done than I realise, which is why I love your Vicky challenge, Annabel. Thank you for a lovely post, Annabel. Love, Bridge

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    1. Dear Annabel,
      Thank you for sharing the progress on your house. It is just beautiful. I loved Glenda's 5 things post, which served as a reminder that getting things accomplished in small increments will keep a peaceful heart in me.

      As for Vicky Challenge, there were many good deals at Aldi's this week, and I took advantage of those, including acorn squash for 59 cents each, 5 pound bag of flour for 99 cents, onions, 3 pounds for 89 cents and so on. I sent out 3 birthday cards this week to family that I made. So I would say that was a savings of about $15 alone as the cards were made with supplies that were on hand. For some reason I've never counted that we eat 99 9/10ths percent of our meals at home which I think would be hundreds of dollars saved each week. My husband mowed out property on the riding mower, which will be the last time this year saving at least $80 this time because it was all mowed.

      After all of the hurricane warnings and preps we were fortunate not to have anything but some rain and high winds.And for that we are immensely grateful. We continue to pray for the people and areas that were strongly effected.
      Blessings. Cookie

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    2. Dear Bridge,
      Thank you.
      I think having the items written down helps both with getting them done, for me, and seeing that I have actually done something (LOL). Annabel, has always encouraged us to write down what we did and she is absolutely right. It makes a difference is seeing how we are spending our time when we look back.
      Blessings to you,
      Glenda

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    3. Dear Bridge, Thank you! I know you are getting lots done and it is quite a challenge with a toddler. I had Harper for several hours this afternoon so I am well aware! :) Just do a little bit here and there as you can and it certainly adds up! With love Annabel.xxx

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    4. Dear Cookie,
      I am glad you didn't have any terrible effects from the Hurricane. I keep seeing damage on the news and now flooded areas. Thank you for your comments on the painting! I also got to Aldi this week and did the same as you... flour and basics that I stocked up on. It is so much cheaper. It was great! I hope your week is going well! With love Annabel.xxx

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  9. Your home is beautiful! It looks so clean and fresh. Great inspiration. I also love the idea of five extra things a day challenge. That really speaks to me! Have a wonderful day.

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    1. Hi Lynn,
      The five small things really add up; 30 extra small things a week, which calculates to 1,560 small chores a year. I think I have finally conquered the seasonal cleaning issue (LOL).
      Best wishes to you,
      Glenda

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  10. Your home is just lovely. Is your house a historic older home? Here in the USA we would not see such beautiful architecture on a newer home. I have been so tempted to look at older pretty houses for our downsize but hubby pales at the extra maintenance.

    I do much like Glenda. I have a rhythm to my days of work and rest that helps me to accomplish all that needs to be done each day.

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    1. Dear Lana, Thank you so much. It is an older home. However old here is still under 100 years. Also the front is old and it has had an extension at the back which is quite new so it is a bit of both worlds. I loved it immediately as it has pretty ceiling roses in each room and a lot of plaster work.
      I like the idea of a rhythm to the days and weeks. I think routine can create calm and peace which is very nice. Thanks Lana, with love Annabel.xxx

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  11. Annabel, You house looks lovely, I can't wait to see the rest of it!
    As for lists of 5 extra things to do, I usually have a list made of things I want to accomplish. I may not get them all done in one day but I have a list to work off for a few days.
    Have a lovely day!

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    1. Dear Laurie, Thank you! I love my lists. Yes some things get carried over but eventually they get done. There is a big amount of satisfaction in finally crossing them off! With love Annabel.xxx

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  12. Your freshly-painted trim looks so pretty! I also find having a list helps me stay more focused on tasks to be accomplished throughout the day. It's so easy to get part way through something and then get distracted by something else and never have things really finished. But it certainly is nice to cross a completed task off of the list!
    Blessings, Leigh

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    1. Dear Leigh,
      I agree about the distractions. Writing things down helps me more or less stay on track! Thank you for your comment on my painting. Today I have been working on the front door! With love Annabel.xxx

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  13. your house is just beautiful Annabel, Painting freshens up everything and makes such a difference. The neighbours will be jealous. Doing it yourself much it so much more rewarding but tiring all the same. As we get older it just takes a bit more planning to get it done as we have a few more aches and pains now :)
    Love the idea of five things a day, I will write my list for today. Little jobs will get done and kept on top of so we don't have a major job to do. I have just been diagnosed with Hashimotos (an autoimmune disease) which explains the chronic tiredness and all the other symptoms but I can do five little things a day to make it so much easier.
    It is my day off today and tomorrow so I had better get to my jobs instead of sitting here on the computer.
    Have a wonderful week. Debbie xx

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    1. Hi Debbie,
      The smaller chores list really helps with a chronic illness. I have two autoimmune issues and fatigue is a big problem, so smaller bites of things helps in the accomplishments.
      I will be praying for you, as I know how stressful chronic illness can be.
      Many blessings to you,
      Glenda

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  14. Annabel you are a tease with the little bit of information re your front door. Bluey and I have it picked as a dusty rose colour. We will wait and see.
    I too am suffering from a large dose of house envy. My 80's bright orange brick home will never age into a character filled space as you have. Mind you maintenance is a breeze by comparison.
    Rachel I'm glad to hear that your eye is feeling so much better. When I see Bluey tomorrow I will let him know he has to stay away from mean trees. The poor surgeon actually thought Bluey was being straight up when he mentioned bull riding. It was hilarious.
    To all my lovely Bluebird friends, Bluey is out of ICU and on a ward. He is very uncomfortable as the stitches go from one side to the other. Our daughter told him the surgeons had peeled him open like a banana. It will be a few weeks before he comes home but every day is a precious one and we feel very blessed.
    Glenda thank you for your timely post. I have been feeling a little overwhelmed by the amount of work there is to do here at home without Bluey. I am going to look at trying to get five extra things done in a day. I live in a wonderful area and am surrounded by generous loving souls who will drop everything to help me. I just have to ask. I might have to get lessons in how to use the lawn mower. In the past thirty years I have never mown the lawn once. Time to learn.
    Now to my Vicky Challenge. What Vicky Challenge?

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    1. Dear Jane,
      Thank you so much for the update on Bluey. Prayers will continue.
      I have never mowed a lawn in my life and I'm 67 years old. My Dad wouldn't let me touch a mower and my husband would never either. I find, as we age and things happen with our spouses, the reality of how much we rely on them sets in.
      You have a full plate right now, Jane, so please pick small things. If you are anything like me, I have to do something or I think too much (LOL).
      Many, many blessings to you,
      Glenda

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    2. Great news Jane. It sounds like Bluey is progressing well. He is a good bloke! Not mowing the lawn in 30 years is lovely! I am so glad you have wonderful neighbours and people that support you.
      Say a big hello from all of us. I hope each day there is improvement and time flies so you can be together a home again. xxx

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    3. Jane, I hope your husband continues to improve. I've only used a mower twice in 28 years. I just said the other day that I could learn if I needed to, and you can too! Good luck!

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  15. Annabel,
    Your I thought your house was beautiful before, but wow you made it even better! I LOVE it!
    We pulled 15 pounds of onions-$5
    I was gifted a Kind Size comforter set-$35
    I was gifted 3 boxes of cinnamon quick bread mix and a big canister of coffee creamer-$15
    Chickens laid 3 dozen eggs-$6
    I paid bills over the phone 5 stamps at .46 each
    I turned in swagbucks for a Walmart gift card-$25
    I bought 40 pounds of chicken at .39 a pound and it's normally at least .99 so $24.00 I am making dog food and bone broth for us so I'll get a lot for the little I spent.
    Then more of the usual type savings.
    LOL Rick made dinner and of course he tells me how he is the better cook and I'm like oh yeah the spaghetti tastes so much better because you opened the jar of sauce! LOL Poor guy I'm so mean!

    Glenda- I love your five extra things a day. That is a great way to get things done and keep on top of things.

    Jane- I bet your house has a lot of character and that is funny about the bull riding! I hope the next few weeks fly by so you can have your Bluey home where he belongs. Hugs!

    Rachel- That is wonderful your eye is healing and two full days of no strain! It won't be too much longer and you will be full steam ahead. Fantastic!
    I hope everyone has a great week ladies!
    XOXO
    Vicky

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    1. Dear Vicky, Thank you! That was a very good week! All the onions are great. The chicken is an amazing price. I will have to tell you some of the prices of chicken here!
      If Rick cooks and you get a night off then that is handy. You can let him think he is a celebrity chef!
      I hope this week is going to be very good for you! With love Annabel.xxx

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    2. Hi Vicky,
      Thank you. WOW, .39 for chicken; that's amazing.
      Love and hugs,
      Glenda

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  16. Ohhhh, your home is beautiful!! So charming.

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  17. Dear Annabel, your home is just stunning, I cannot wait to see your front door and the color you have chosen! Our home before the one we own now was built in 1896 and it required a lot of maintenance. It was a Queen Anne style and I miss it, but I don't miss the fuss and cost of repairs!

    Glenda, I love the idea of 5 things. I get overwhelmed with chores and trying to get them all done at once for fear I will forget them! We have a large wipe-off board in our kitchen and I regularly write down grocery items we need and menu ideas, so I am going to start writing my 5 things on there every evening. Mine will have to be easier things as I am not home from work until 5:30 pm each evening. I am also going to start a longer list for things to do for the weekend. Thank you so much for this idea!

    Jane, I am so happy to hear that Bluey is on a ward now and out of ICU. Prayers said for his continued recovery.

    Rachel, I'm so glad to hear you are able to use both eyes now! I hope your vision continues to improve each day.

    I had a holiday off from work yesterday for Columbus Day and I took advantage of it by ironing 10 of my cotton shirts. I figure I saved nearly $70 by doing these myself as our local dry cleaner charged me $6.75 per shirt as they said they had to iron them by hand instead of using the big press. I made a shepherd's pie from leftovers that fed us dinner last night and lunch today at work, saving at least $12 on lunch. It's always a nice change to eat warm leftovers for lunch instead of cold sandwiches! I also made breakfast burritos using eggs, leftover spinach, some cherry tomatoes that were getting soft, and leftover bacon. This saved at least $20 as I got four burritos out of the mixing! That is a savings of nearly $100 just for one day's work! I'm going to buy a journal so that I can write all of my savings down, now that I've started focusing on these savings so I can share them with my husband.

    Fond Regards, Jeanette

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    1. Hi Jeanette,
      I like your idea of a wipe off board in the kitchen. I, also, admire you for working full time and trying to do things each evening. So many people just come home and sit.
      Blessings to you,
      Glenda

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    2. Thank you, Glenda, but I must also be honest and say that some nights after dinner is cooked and the kitchen is cleaned up, I do sit down right away and no chores get done! My hubby watches the TV and I skim the internet, knit, crochet, or take a little nap before bedtime!

      Jeanette

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  18. You are doing such a fantastic job on your house Annabel. It looks so fresh and lovely! Thank you to Glenda for sharing more about your 5 extra things, it was so helpful and encouraging! I often feel overwhelmed and kind of frozen with how to get extra, large tasks done on top of the normal daily duties, so this is a perfect idea for me to try. I will feel so much better moving forward with things, even if only in small increments! Hope everyone has a great week, Kelly

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I really appreciate your comments thank you! The aim of my blog is the be a place of encouragement and happiness. Very rarely is anyone rude. Actually only twice so far! If you post a rude or aggressive comment I will read it but not publish it, thanks for understanding.xxx

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