Laughing at Motherhood

I have seen the most hysterical musical...

Well it has been a great few days of no-spending, but I had a wee splurge and for the cost of a train ticket to Melbourne, I was fortunate to see a 'spit the dummy' preview of Motherhood the Musical. A 'spit the dummy' session is very much like a cry-baby session at the movies where babies, toddlers and tears are more than welcome. From the mob who brought Menopause the Musical to the stage, this is a cack of a show so many can enjoy. Whether you're a mother, a grandmother or have a mother ~ there are classic lines we've all heard come out of our mothers' mouths - if not our own!!

It was 90 minutes of laughing over swelling ankles, leaking lady bits (and the way lovely, luscious ladies can't laugh, cough, sneeze or dance without a little wee coming out if those pelvic floor exercises aren't maintained - for life) and the joyous moment when the children are finally asleep! Even if it does mean stepping on deadly pieces of Lego or horny dinosaurs in the dark - although with the invention of luminous dinosaurs this is a lessening occurrence!!

The audience had a smattering of babies and toddlers ~ some were almost 'trained' to cry at the most appropriate moments! Word of warning ~ if you do have a wee one adverse to loud noises, it may pay to have earmuffs at hand because there is some mighty fine re-enactments of the noise of labour, the dulcet tone of the average mother screaming organising the kids into the car. Thank goodness I'm good with those aforementioned pelvic floor exercises ~ otherwise I think there would have been a little puddle left on my chair!! 

I must say a big BIG thank you to Dannie who had the free tickets to Motherhood the Musical ~ and also a HUGE thank you for my first store bought cafe latte in almost six months! Oh my - if getting out for a social outing wasn't thrill enough ~ that glorious sip of a freshly brewed glass of roasted bean bliss made the morning just so so special!! Such a simple pleasure some think nothing about enjoying many times during the day. It might sound silly to some but that $4 cuppa was the creamy froth on top!! Who needs cherries?!

One Clever Save

It's easy to understand the benefits of checking what food supplies are at hand, menu planning around those supplies and shop accordingly. By sticking to a shopping list consisting only of required items is a sure way to keep costs down. Doing the same can apply to the way you use the car. Too often appointments are scheduled at different times on different days or in a way which ends up using the car unnecessarily many times a day. 

We've started making appointments to fit around the run to school or can flow into the school pick up. It's helped save on petrol and maintenance ~ as well as saving time, stress and the environment by planning our trips carefully. Combining appointments or working out a route which allows for several things to be done along the way makes for petrol saves. We share the school runs with another family a few times a week ~ we pick up their boys in the morning or drop them home and their folks do the same. Both of us have benefited with savings. Instead of needing to fill the car twice a week, we've been managing on one tank a week to get to and from school each day (about 20km per day), several therapy sessions each week, helping MudGuts with appointments and volunteering. Sometimes it lasts longer than a week which is fantastic!

Carpooling not only saves on the petrol, wear and tear ~ it also helps saves sanity with the increased social interactions. One of the greatest benefits I've gained is the ability to renew friendships of old, left on the sidelines while recovering and the new friendships being built. Not just my friendships but those of SmallBoy and for Husband who has spent most of our regional life working and interacting with workmates in Melbourne. It's been a major strain on his social life not having met many blokes unless it has involved the pub or dinners with other couples.

Another few items sold on eBay has taken $18 off the VISA debt this week ~ very pleased to see that chestnut reducing. Plus it makes a little more space and less clutter with every item sold.


Lunching with love
SmallBoy has been craving a lunch order from the canteen. While $5 for a pie, donut and chocolate milk isn't a great deal ~ its not in the budget. However, in order to become a little more creative than the same old sandwich day after day, I've sent him to school with pikelets, date scones and an extremely popular addition - celery with peanut butter down the centre groove. Tonight I've made the savoury impossible pie (or cheats quiche) and SmallBoy is taking a slice for lunch. Fingers crossed it goes down the same way as the zucchini slice.

Impossible Quiche 

1 cup grated tasty cheese
1 chopped onion
1/2 cup SR flour
4 eggs
3-4 chopped bacon rashers
1 1/2 cups milk
Salt, pepper and herbs to season 

powdered parmesan cheese (optional)

Mix all together well and pour into grease tin

Top with a sprinkling of powdered parmesan and bake 35min at 180c 

Other fillings to add
1 Tuna, chives, parsley

2 Ham, peas, corn
3 Leftover veg, broccoli, cauliflower
4 Bacon, tomato, garlic
5 Asparagus, ham

Ten Tips for Tidy

Oh I feel sick...

For once, the least of my worries is the money and, after paying the rates yesterday, the amount we have available through to the end of the month is so little anyone in the same situation would be curled up in a little ball of fear, dread and terror. Not that anything has been going down the drain on frivolities, anything and everything is going on debt and the dent seems to be showing! We haven't bought chocolate for so long, and I am hankering a block of Caramello or a few Cadbury Creme Eggs.

As much as possible I've tried to be positive and recognise we have sufficient food in the pantry, a full tank of petrol, feed for all the animals and the opportunity to get another $20-$30 if more fresh free range googie eggs are sold. I know no additional payments are due until the end of the month, all medications are at hand and the therapy costs have been budgeted and available for the coming fortnight. Regardless - it doesn't stop that churning in the guts with the realisation of how 'broke' really is the feeling as well as the status of the bank accounts.

The main part of feeling sick today is the side effects of withdrawing from a five year relationship with opiate pain medication coupled with the other night's glass of champagne, glass of red wine and an intensely bright sunny day this morning. My rose-coloured glasses help by assuring me the partaking of alcohol is to blame but the sad reality is this is the start of my narcotics withdrawal. My head wants to explode, my eyes want black-coloured glasses to block the light (not that helpful for seeing tho'), my tummy is turning and basically I feel like I am moving about 3cm above the ground in a hazy cloud of psychedelic sparkles. Some might think this sounds like fun ~ be assured, it is not!! 

The things we do!!  OK ~ Onward and upward. Can't fall down now ~ I've got too much to do. I hope those sparkly bits will catch me...

Getting Organised to avoid CHAOS

Being out of action the past few years is a great explanation as to why the household is cluttered, disorganised and rather messy. Sadly, its not the sole reason because we've always been hoarders living in clutter, disorganisation and untidiness. While using the brilliance of Simple Savings steered us in the right direction with saving ~ I discovered we suffer from a disorder called CHAOS "Cant Have Anyone Over Syndrome".

Can you see the desk?

CHAOS affects lots of people and for various reasons. Ours is the embarrassment of the constant state of shambles. It's not unhygienic or putrid ~ there is just crap and clutter everywhere. So one aspect of Our Mission has been to find a semblance of order and maintain it. Being such a daunting task, I established a few methods to get this under way without being overwhelmed every day.

For me the word 'Chores' translates as hard work ~ I prefer to use 'Goals' and these are the 5 Golden Rules for my 'Cleaning Goals' list:

1. Identify the trouble areas
2. Write a weekly cleaning goals for the house
3. Write a daily daily goals list at night for the next day
4. Establish a "Room of the Week" list
5. If you see a piece of paper/rubbish ~ pick it up and throw it out

I am not one for having a huge attention span amount of energy or strength and possess excellent procrastinating skills. These skills seem to have me flit back and forth without a Daily Goal list to bring me back on track. The infamous "They" say don't plan too much to avoid failure. I say write what you hope to achieve, complete at least half and carry the rest over. If I don't, I forget what I'd planned ~ have I mentioned the medication makes me forget things this post yet??

As every area is a trouble area at the moment, the 'Room of the Week' is in play and, ideally, 15mins every hour or two is taken in the designated room to remove the stress of it being 'such a big task' and steadily pick away at the clutter. There are three boxes (choose what is wanted; throw this rubbish; sell or give to charity) and a basket (keeping this, its needed) which comes out at the end of the 15mins to find or return to its designated location.

All going in different directions

I've also stuck to the following Ten Tips for Tidy regime:

1. Lower my expectations for the house 

 ~ I want a tidy, lived-in home, not a structure where nothing is touched for fear of finger prints...

2. Fill the sink with hot soapy water in the morning for:

 ~ breakfast bowls

 ~ empty cups

 ~ other dirty dishes during the day

 ~ deterring ants

3. Doing a little housework often and one big tidy on Thursday in anticipation of weekend rest strikes visitors

 ~ pack the dishwasher from the sink, run when full
 ~ ensure every cook up makes at least another 'fast' dinner option
 ~ make school/work lunches over the weekend, wrap and freeze to get out each morning
 ~ do clothes laundry one day a week, linen and towels another

 ~ placing folded doonas and sheets inside a pillowcase avoids a messy search

 ~ put clothes away on the day

4. Menu plan for a week

 ~ freeze leftover roast for pie/pasta sauce

 ~ divide meat into meal portions before freezing

 ~ cut or portion fruit/veg into the crisper (FridgeSmarts) immediately

5. Grocery shop alone in the evening 

 ~ hubby can watch his TV shows stack the dishwasher

 ~ no interruptions means no impulse buys

 ~ its mark-down time

 ~ no chance to buy from other (closed) shops

6. Trying not to double handle things

 ~ rubbish goes straight in the bin

 ~ fold washing as it comes off the line - pair and fold socks there too

 ~ underwear does not need to be ironed or folded to go in the drawer

 ~ put clothes away on the day

7. Leave rooms better than seen on arrival - it takes less than 5 minutes to:

 ~ put laundry from the floor to the hamper

 ~ straighten a doona, make the bed

 ~ wipe a bench

 ~ change the toilet roll

 ~ say something is empty (- write it on the shopping list)

 ~ put clothes away on the day

8. Recruit the family to help 

 ~ everyone over the age of 3-4 can put dirty dishes in the sink, collect toys to away in their room, dirty clothes in a hamper

 ~ everyone over the age of 5-6 can pick up rubbish. have an exclusive chore, put their clothes away on the day

 ~ everyone understands the repercussions of remotes/power cords withheld until things are done

9. Writing the shopping list progressively through the week 

 ~ matched to the menu plan

 ~ when you notice an item is low or finished

 ~ try to include a reward for yourself occasionally

10. No beating myself up or calling myself a failure if I don't get 'everything' done.

 ~ I am only human

 ~ There is always tomorrow

 ~ Chocolate can ease the feeling of failure

Found it (and shelves)

This is, by no means, a complete list but as a general weekly guide to getting organised or reorganised as a household. Ideally the weekend is available for the family and friends. I like the idea of focussing on a big clean on Monday to start the week and another major whip-around on Thursday so there is a semblance of order for the weekend. 

Should Better Homes and Gardens ever wish to visit ~ I think I will steer the focus onto the garden and outdoor areas. If Vogue decides to come over ~ I'll be drawing the curtains and pretending no one is home. When friends or family drop in ~ finally I almost feel happy to have them waltz in without a three day advance warning... almost.

Supporting Our Mission

Simple Savings - If you use the link for Simple Savings ~ remember to mention you were referred by Mands because Simple Savings offer members either $10 or extra membership for sending new members over. It's a really helpful and beneficial website.

MandsMission on eBay - There one lonely little item up for sale at the moment. But there is plenty on its way since we started following the list above to declutter.


Well, time to tidy up in the kitchen and get that dishwasher stacked. Table is cleared, benches are wiped, rinsing done only stacking to go. Plus all the washing was put away. Even writing about it positively rubs off ~ see how you go and please report any successes.

No idea what is in store for tomorrow other than getting in the garden to weed the 'big garden bed' and move the little roosters ~ who aren't that little any more. We really must get them into the freezer because we are almost out of chook in the freezer and the prices don't seem to be going down any time soon.

This week I will . . .

Experience a miracle to do with money...

And with that in mind, let the miracle begin. While I believe in the law of attraction, I think this will have a lot to do with the de-cluttering from the house of all superfluous items of clothing, shoes and other such wear-ables. Seriously, does any woman really NEED 14 different winter coats?

Well, I've selected the three I like the most and the rest are up for grabs (and $5) at the lawn sale we are having this weekend. I've selected five work type blazers and the rest are going, that's another 18 items for sale. I'm keeping four pairs of trousers (which either partner the blazers or can be worn with them) and have too many to count in the box.

As for skirts and dresses ~ we'll say there are 50 to choose from and I'm keeping about a dozen. In my defence, I did work for Country Road and I have been employed in the corporate side of business and administration for over 25 years, however I don't really need to retain those suits, shirts and outfits I've had since joining the work force. *blushes* But I am keeping the first suit I ever bought when I started in advertising because it is a classic and it still fits.

There are items of the male variety ~ even being ruthless the mens, boys and baby stuff is barely half as much as what I've collected. I've now the dilemma of sorting into sizes and types.  It's a dilemma because my hoardings range in size from US4 to AU28. Nuts really ~ I've never been bigger than a 14 even when pregnant. I don't even think there are maternity items in the mix, although some of the bigger clothes would have be used then and while I was trying to disguise the skinny bony me.

Waxing the Lyrical

If you didn't know, I like to write. I also like to create prose and poems, songs and lyrics. With Our Mission, my old Meanderings have fallen a little by the by ~ so please indulge me every so often when I feel the need to include something that has popped into my head and must be written and shared. Such as now:

~ Calling On Old Friends ~

Oh my

I see you falling, from way up high

If only you had heard my cry

This day was coming but you made your choice

You chose to listen and not use your voice

Now the lies are being pinned on you

What can this old friend do

Oh I

Know the reasons you took this path

It was love that you thought could last

We tried to tell you there was half a truth

And you know because you hid the proof

Now the blame is falling back on you

What can a good friend do

Listen as you work it out

Hold your hand as you shout

Sometimes sisters arent a friend

Even when

You to mend

The broken heart of love

In time

You will work out who to forgive

Remembering its your life you need to live

Only you can let her take control

Tell you how she in her world revolves

I have been in your shoes too

You always knew

What to do

Didn't you

I have heard you work it out

Held you hand when there was doubt

Sometimes family's not a friend

You can't depend

The twisted end

She breaks your heart again

Hear me calling

In your mind

How to fix things

You might find

Living lonely

Left behind

She never wanted

Us to bind

My sister

Resist her

The Twister

Is gone

Sometimes when I've written pieces in the past, family or friends (and the odd bod from 'out there') has thought the story is theirs. If a piece of writing can be taken to heart and claimed as ones own, I think it means there is something special in the words. Those who have read my pieces before know the inspiration comes from the back realms of my brain and, once started, flow out quickly, simply and in its entirety. 

Truly, I rarely write about people or instances directly ~ the odd one or two for sure ~ but I once said to my sister it's a bit like the Cheap Trick song where the lyrics imply his parents were taking drugs and having sex on the couch and he walked in a caught them. Somehow I doubt this actually happened and I guess I am saying this to ensure this is not something about my family, any friends or any acquaintance who might feel this is about them. These are simply words that, if I could write the melody, would be a song an artist might record. Let me hum you a few bars and you'll see how it should go . . . *grins*

Well, I've got to get back to sorting those boxes into type, gender sets and sizes. It's going to be a big few days getting that done ~ if it all goes and sells the way I hope ~ there will be several hundred dollars to remove from the debt tally, an empty room in our house and the ability to put the spare bed and sewing machine, hiding somewhere in the garage, up and to good use. Somewhere to put visitors that's a bit more civilised than a mattress on the floor. It's getting exciting.

As always ~ hoping you will help us beat the debt and add a single dollar into the Treasure Chest up there on the left hand side of the blog page. If you don't have PayPal, there is a bank account listed on the Q+A page for bank transfers ~ always happy to receive any financial support and know it goes only on the debt. No doubt there will be more for eBay after this round of clutter removal ~ and I've got one piece left to send from the last listings!! Cleaning the mess from the recent rains has interfered with that.

Have a wonderful Australia Day everyone ~ somehow I think there might be a few fireworks going off around Lake Wendouree tomorrow night. Catching up with really good friends and seeing people we know up on the stage later in the day! It's going to be a fun day and night!! May yours be just as enjoyable :D

A-way above the tree tops...

 

Hello Mother Nature 
You are as beautiful as you are unpredictable!  May the disaster in QLD/NSW come to an end, the rains in VIC slow and the raging fires in WA be quashed.

Taking advantage of the use of MILs car, we took a day trip to the Otways and traversed the SkyWalk before heading down to Triplet Falls to skim down a mountain and splash in the crisp, cold waters.  We took a roasted chicken and some fresh made rolls, salad, cheeses and chocolate muffins, a bottle of juice kept chilled by ice-bricks in the esky and had an absolutely wonderful day. We had hoped to go on the ZipLine tour but at $375+ for four, the $55 family walk was really our only option!

I climbed this ~ with much encouragement and support from strangers!

Lots of pictures were taken, so you'll get to see more of our Ranges Adventure, however I am pleased and proud to say I not only did the walk, I climbed to the top of the viewing tower ~ a slow, laborious climb with a walking stick and people passing, and heaps of cheers of encouragement! *pants* Boy it was a climb ~ but such a glorious view! All it needed was a dinosaur to trundle through - it looks almost prehistoric in there!! It's an hour or so walk, but we made it last three hours ~ value for money!! Well worth taking your time - so don't rush and miss some spectacular views. I'd saved $120 for the Summer Holiday spending/entertainment and still came home with $45. Husband and I enjoyed a wee beverage at the end of our walk and the boys had an icy-pole each!!

While we are not in Queensland, our little patch of Australia is also getting a deluge bringing water to the door and making a muddy mess inside and out. Still, nothing like our Queensland friends.  And I am so glad to know one young special person is safe and well ~ cut off from one parent but secure with his dad. Probably a great thing for him. Here's hoping everyone I know and love stays just as safe.

We've been really clever on the spending front - well I think we have.  With a need to shop for basic items, yesterday I did two supermarket mystery shops for $15 each and spent about $30 at each, saving $40 from our usual shopping budget and will be reimbursed $30 in a few days! The reimbursement amount goes straight to the LOC and the savings will be put against the outstanding bills debt.

As our SmallBoy has a friend visiting for a sleep over, I decided it was time to make scones. Rather than using up eggs, milk, butter and more - I gave the old 'lemonade scones' a try. Bit hesitant as you'd think this could end up in disaster ~ but no ~ and 28 scones were made. The recipe is up on the FaceBook page!

Left over scones ~ in the freezer for 'ron...

Delicious - and now I'm keen to try this with ginger beer as I've heard it is delicious. If you've got a can of beer in the fridge you get to have a wee drink as well!! Lemon soft drink gives a tang for a dessert scone ~ even Passiona works (I've added a heap of alternative on FaceBook!!)

The pantry has been de-cluttered with all foods past expiry by over 12months or past best before by 2 years in the compost or the bin. The chickens have enjoyed every bit - and we also discovered they love (and I mean adore) old cat food. With the humidity, the cats have not been eating as much and flies are getting in to their bowls during the day. Well ~ the chookens cannot get enough of the stinky, smelly, maggoty mess. Turns my tummy but makes everyone happy as cleaning up is not such a disgusting chore!!

More clothes packed away ~ more items to get up onto eBay ~ so much activity going on...
I decided it was time to do a three card draw on the Intuit Soul Cards - very much about truth, natural elements and personal choices or destiny -  and I asked for confirmation of my direction or assistance to find the better route or option. Now, some people might think 'mumbo jumbo' and that is perfectly fine by me ~ this was more for a personal affirmation through truth as I can interpret it to be.

I asked aloud: I am seeking insight and guidance ~ self affirmation I'm on the right path where less is best, de-clutter make space; demote those providing no respect, support or love; ease my heart and soul by forgiving to rid the pained memories. The outcome was:

The Situation

Actions to Take

Final Outcome

Add this to my week's horoscope : During January 12-16 you'll feel that luck is bound to visit you, in one form or another. Love brings contentment and personal endeavour success. A little extra money may also come your way : And things are getting stronger and better with all this positive affirmation we are applying to ourselves. *cheers*

Here's to receiving a few more coins into Our Mission's Spare Change Jar or via the Treasure Chest. 

I know once the weather clears our Lawn Sale is going to be very successful - just waiting for that break in the weather!

More on saving, low cost cooking and debt repayments tomorrow ~ so much to catch up on, the actions have been taking precedence over the words this past fortnight! Can't wait to share...

So far so good ~ the wallet is shut...

Christmas Dragonflies ~ the one's that come with love 

Wonderful lunch with Dad today ~ 

We hadn't yet had the chance to catch up with the old man and his lovely lady ~ as happens with separated families, extended families, in-laws and out-laws, everybody catches up - eventually. Dad's a good sort - he is happy to make the trek up to us, especially while I've been recovering and now while we are rather 'poor' or lacking in the funds to bring us to Melbourne frequently. So he brought a roast chook, rolls, salad bits and enough left over for a chicken pasta sauce ~ so that's dinner sorted! 

Bit of onion, garlic, flour, sour cream, the last of the mustard (swished up with water) and voila ~ a brilliant sauce to cover the .65c packet of pasta spirals.  All full and happy!!  Plus there is still a thigh, a drumstick and a wing ~ more than enough to make a pie later in the week!  Brilliant - and oh so low cost (no cost actually!)

No spending at all today ~ and there should be no spending tomorrow either. Today was spent tidying and going through the 'No Screens for January' rules ~ we felt SmallBoy should be able to earn screen time to be used during the heat of the day when staying out of the sun. He earned 2hours screen time today and was a brilliant help. Very pleased to have a spotless bathroom again for the first time in a long time! Wrecked me tho' ~ I must remember small steps... 

So what do the horrorscopes say tomorrow will bring : 

SCORPIO (03 January NZ/Australia) 

As much as you may be looking ahead to your new professional year, you can not only afford to step back and take some time out, but you probably need to. There is no doubt that things are going to become busier on the work front, but not for another few weeks, with Venus’ final days in your sign and Jupiter and Uranus’ alignment in your romantic and creative sector urging you to embrace the spirit of romance and to follow your heart.

Sounds good to me! That romantic and creative sector could do with some attention. *grins* I am pretty sure I do need to take it easy and slowly get back into working - even if it is only around the house. Seriously, loving the way the house is coming together and I need to remember to take before shots as well as the after shots for the compare.  

I've been doing some 'volunteer' work ~ well, it is community service in lieu of a few traffic infringements incurred many years ago, quite possibly as Husband was using the car and Mr LeadFoot has finally worked out what a speedometer is so I expect no more. It's only a few hours a week as I still can't sit at a desk for any great period of time ~ and I am lovin' it.

I really hope it can continue ~ maybe into a paid position, but the refreshing of my skills and the experience is so rewarding. It hardly seems like a 'punishment' and in February I hope to be able to increase the time over two days. As beneficial for the children's respite centre as for me I think.

The Dinner Menu for the Week

Sunday:  Pasta with creamy chicken sauce

Monday: Sausages and Waldorf salad

Tuesday: Lamb Shanks in red wine casserole

Wednesday: Beef stir fry

Thursday: BBQ with friends

Friday: Hamburgers (home made of course)

Saturday: Chicken and vegetable Pie

Sunday: Gado Gado or a cous cous salad (weather dependent) 

Hope everyone will enter the competition ~ you can comment here or on FaceBook and contributions of 10c into Mands Treasure Chest (on the right) or the Spare Change Jar (on the left) are perfectly acceptable to help toward the postage. If this goes well, we have some other items to give away valued at over $100 ~ if it doesn't, then we will sell them on eBay on MandsMission.

Speaking of eBay ~ new items are up tomorrow. Yes, more Tupperware and some kids clothing 'lots' ~ this is probably easier than having clothes up one at a time.  I will probably do the same with some of my good clothes. That, or the Ballarat Buy Swap Sell or Frugal Friends on Yahoo. We really need to get cash on to those debts ~ on with Our Mission.

Until tomorrow, I'd like to share a piece I wrote for friends to get ready for 2011...

Getting Ready for 2011 ~ by Mands

As another year moves on to its end

The time has come for reflection again

For all the changes reaching your shores

In the end, truth & true love always endures

Through the toughest of seasons

The harrows of worry & pain

Know in this new year

Life will not be the same

The chilled snow's always melting

The warm sun rises each day

And the good friends around you

Will push dark clouds away

Making wishes, giving kisses, 

Happiness in the air

True friends need no sure reason

To tell you they care

As the year comes to closing

We wait for the new one to start

I must say that through this year

You've been so close to my heart

Thus I thank you with smiles

From a heart so sincere

May these last days be full of

Friends, fun, laughter and cheer

So we bid now farewell

It's been a long year for some

When we look back there no doubt

We have had heaps of fun

❀Bყ ~ℳ∢η₫☡ ❀ 

Dec 2010

✿ ℒΦϑє, ℐﻪ℧ჭɦʈeʁ & ʆίφђϮ ✿

Why wait for the new year?

Helping with the weeding... 

Busy little bees today...

The washing was up on the line at the crack of dawn (well, before 9am ~ it is the holidays still!) and the first known expense has been identified. We need new pegs. Urgg ~ how I hate spiders and the ones remaining on the washing line were full of them!!

While the boys slept in ~ a leisurely breakfast of muesli's was eaten reading the local paper from last week. Bit behind on the news, but not any more!  I didn't realise the Base Hospital volunteers had ended their 40year run ~ I loved seeing those ladies as I went in for tests, to A&R with bunged-up kidlets, to visit friends in the maternity wing. They will be missed!

Today was a day of de-clutter. With the weather finally warming up, Husband and SmallBoy attacked the carport and so much of the rubbish has just gone! At last ~ somewhere to put the items for the garage sale without adding more to the chock-a-block garage. What's more, some of the stuff from the garage can move over to the carport for easy access. Yay!! When it came to the weeding ~ even one of the chickens decided she could be a help! She did a great job.

Most impressive was the tidy up in SmallBoy's bedroom. Having a new doona for his big bed left a lot of single bed sized doonas, blankets and sheets with no home, no place to be other than the floor, chair or under the bed. Why? Not sure ~ laziness and disorganisation mostly. It's good to see these gone from the room and remembering what the carpet looks like.

Financially

Yes, I know ~ it's financial update day. Honestly ~ we've not used any money, spent any money, earned any money so the only cash flow has been the incoming of the pension and the outgoing of the bills on direct debit. Don't know if it is balanced, having an ostrich moment because life and the universe is all a little overwhelming at the moment. 

This new year is going to be about spending as little as possible on the necessities and nothing on anything else. Ideally this will mean more can go into the debt than ever before. We hope to start the year off with 'the' garage sale - the second week of January sounds good to me. We'll have SmallBoy's outgrown school uniforms so that should count for $20...

Besides, reading my stars, this is the best way to be going at the moment.

SCORPIO (30 December NZ/Australia) 

With Mercury in retrograde motion in your income sector and with no backup, you can be forgiven for thinking that you're going nowhere fast. In reality Mercury has turned back to help Venus, who lagging behind is now just 9 days ago. Confident that the planet of money is on the way Mercury turns direct today, creating a real mental shift when it comes to your income opportunities. Instead of looking back, you're now looking ahead.

With the screening of the first episode of the documentary House Of Food Obsessives, emotions are a little scrambled. It was great to have so much commentary from friends, strangers even. One of my sisters watched and posted on Husband's FaceBook, noting my funny little ditty. I knew she'd watch and get a buzz. I hope she enjoyed the programme, knowing it was only a snip of almost two months of filming.  Sadly, the rest of my family has made no comment ~ but this might be a good thing. Knowing it was on, I can only guess they decided it was not worth the time to watch or if they did had nothing to say. Again, possibly a good thing. Who knows? I don't *sighs*
If you missed it or are not in the viewing area, you can watch online here:
http://www.sbs.com.au/documentary/program/houseoffoodobsessives

Food fun

Looking for a pasta machine ~ I've had three of these puppies over the years. Used one but it seems to have disappeared in the last move, plus I lost my mojo and had no desire to do anything fiddly while waiting for my back op, more so after. I won two so re-gifted one and gave another away on FreeCycle. I love FreeCycle.  Here's hoping we can find another because I think I'd like to give it a go again, now I've got some energy back and the strength is increasing each week ~ especially when the warmth gets through to my bones.

Don't need one. However, as we plan to move off the grid in the next two years, I'd like to know if I can use one with the same joy & passion of 4-5 years ago.

Tonight's dinner used up some marked down pork strips from the freezer ~ from $7.36 to $2.49 for 500g ~ half an old cauliflower, the last of the beans and some frozen peas. Somewhere along the past three years a sachet of pre-made butter chicken simmer sauce appeared, so it was added and I tell you ~ delicious. 

That's about it for another day ~ hope you've had a great one.  Off to bed now and should catch up with you all tomorrow. Loving the opportunity and comments. Here's to getting some regular swing going and more people visiting for savings tips, low cost hints and extra help to fill up our spare change jar which we are putting on our debt.

Should mention the spare change jar is looking a little empty so if you've any to spare, please feel free to send it our way *all gratefully accepted* 

Not sure where this one is going...

Man we are having the most amazing storms.

It is summer, only just ~ and the weather cannot make up its mind which way to go!  The only consistent is there is a guaranteed torrential downpour at school pick up time ~ has been for the past week or so. Full of crashing, rumbling thunder vibrations and flashing sheets or random bolts of lightening! And the wind!!  Each morning seems to start warm, high teens moving into the low-mid 20s before big, blue-black storm clouds materialise across the sky ahead of a massive temperature drop. 

The heavens open, natures' symphony drum-roll hits is crescendo ~ occasionally throwing in hail to add to the varying and contrasting size, weight and pitch of the rain-drops ~ before we have a brief intermission of tumbling thunder, light, pattering rain and great sheets of lightening intermittently before the neighbours' dogs start up a new chorus, usually signalling a repeat performance of the stormy session!

At some point the temperature rises as Mother Nature composes her musical of sound, colour and light in a flurry of inspiration, often stopping and starting or focussing on a particular aspect of her storm. Just now there has been splatters of the rain, heavy, slow rhythmic drops moving into gentle with small needle point drops. As the wind again picks up sending her musical drops into hurried waves of off tempo arrangements, there are definite signs of more changes and possibly sunshine before sunset. *sighs*

We love storms ~ such a wonder, truly delightful, totally unpredictable and never the same experience.  To follow up today's blackened performance we have now been blessed with the bluest of skies, flecked with white fluffy clouds racing on a mild breeze in front of a blazing sun ~ well!  The setting skies have pink and orange hues so we can be led to believe tomorrow should be a rather glorious day.  At quick check at the Elders Weather page has set off a cheer - because its going to be 29oC tomorrow and 26oC on Sunday ~ what a lovely sounding weekend!!

Raising Funds to Reduce Debt
More items up on eBay ~ still of the Tupperware variety but other stuff is getting photographed at the moment.  http://myworld.ebay.com.au/mandsmission 

We really do hope to get a fair bit to refund the debt these items originally created on the VISA.  At one stage, a good $1000 of Tupperware was on this card so if we can raise even that through eBay it will be a worthwhile effort. I just don't know what else to put up which will sell - going to screen-doh eBay - an online version of window shopping, and just as inexpensive!

Staying on the 'not spending' track ~ nothing spent today. Ordered SmallBoy's Grade 6 "Bomber" jacket tho - $40 bucks!! All quiet from the wallets.  We did get firewood yesterday and Husband haggled with the price as it was red gum sleeper offcuts and scraps. He got it for $10 a metre less, and kept our usual $5 delivery discount. $280 - Good job. Boys stacked that up - well that which was not wet!

A Brief Distraction 

Well, my horoscope indicates good things for tomorrow:

SCORPIO (03 December US/Canada/UK/Europe - 04 December NZ/Australia)

A lot of things are falling into place, with the Moon in your sign as you settle back into your Venus return and as forces slowly come to a head on the income front. It’s the Moon’s position in your sign that is giving you an intuitive read on your heart, at a time when your heart has a lot to say. It was the 2 months Venus spent in your sign, combined with the 22 days that she steps back out, that has given you a clear sense of what you want and what’s a priority

Husband's is reasonably compatible, in synch almost:

VIRGO (03 December US/Canada/UK/Europe - 04 December NZ/Australia)

Whatever your plans are for the coming days, communication and home and family matters need to be high on your agenda. With the Moon spending his last full day in your communication sector before leaving Venus on her own, this creates an opportunity to speak from the heart. As you've reached an important point on the romantic, relationship, work and home fronts, the key to succeeding on all fronts and having it all is communication. 

Visitors up for the weekend, plus SmallBoy is hyper scatting as it gets closer to his birthday. Already we are getting some of the tears from the "fear he might not get..." knowing he really should be grateful for any gift received, knowing he is getting gifts and visitors and that overwhelming excitement and anticipation, even if just the presence of a relative, possibly without presents. Knowing doesn't make it any less emotionally unsettling when you're still 10yo. *shakes head a little sadly*

Time for sleep - can't spend while asleep.  Sadly, banks still apply interest while we are sleeping ~ some every night while we try to find peaceful slumber. Bit of a catch-22 for some of us, isn't it!?!

Catching up on 'things'

With no technology ~ sometimes there is only the time to stop... 

Gee there is quite a bit to catch you all up on...

No car for 8 days, coinciding in part with no comms for 10 days makes for a very frugal period of time ~ creative making do and knowing only so much can be carried on a push bike! Fifteen days of prehistoric survival. No phone or internet, only mobile which changes to a 'plan' with free internet . . . on 24/11 . . . so there you have it. Cut off from the world ~ at the least the lawnmower was repaired at some point in there. We were fine with the mower ~ the repairer called us to advise how going, when going, collected and going.

Let's get the whole recap started with the car ~ the initial quote was $625, although this changed the day before Husband took it in as the wrong engine details had been provided. Now the quote was $700 ~ no sweat, better than $1000! That was Tuesday night, 9 November, organised SmallBoy to be taken to and from school, with the possibility of needing the next day (better safe than sorry). Husband was running a little behind schedule to get to the mechanic by 5pm using the deadly treddlie and called to say he'd be there no later than half past.  No point mate ~ she's not ready...

Ten minutes to collection time arranged and cool as 'it ain't gonna happen'.  Foine ~ not really ~ but what can we do?? Even though Friday here was a public holiday for Show Day, the mechanics would be and we'd have a car for the weekend. *phew* It's my birthday that weekend ~ and Show weekend ~ we could watch the Saturday fireworks from outside, enjoy a picnic at the side of the road even and avoid the expense and crowds. Not renown for reliable, safe, timetabled buses on the weekend ~ the only other (non) option is taxi and that isn't going to happen either!

Saturday came ~ so did the mechanic - to pick me up and drive me to a doctor appointment which had only been put back three times and I really did need the medication by Saturday. Friday even when said 'car for the weekend' was still on the 'wonder if it will be our car, a loan car or no car' level, we could have gone in after hours for prescriptions only and tried for Monday when, surely our car would be ready. Cap it off ~ didn't get to the Show, so that was a savings win; plus the weather was disgustingly bad and fireworks got cancelled so missed out on nothing there. 

It was a beautiful day on Wednesday 17 November when finally the car, set to be ready any time from the previous Wednesday, was actually there for retrieval, driving, to have the new registration paid for awaiting adhesion to the windscreen since Thursday 11 November, to avoid driving unregistered as of Sunday 14 November ~ a very auspicious day in the big scheme of things ~ my birthday. We did get a discount on the final bill, to cover my taxi home from the supermarket across from the doctor on Saturday - we were now expecting visitors up on Sunday as we were car-less (still) and unable to travel! 

All up, we were charged $600 ~ the original quote, less taxi fare ~ and having fared us well for the local, about town run *thinks*  ~ let's just say the longer journey of Melbourne and back was substantially more eventful that the usual trip, resulting in a lot more country-side seen, a lot less people visited and yet another family semi-inconvenienced with the need to bring the SmallBoy home to us... again!!  Saving $100 on the bill was good - but might be needing that to check all is actually running properly after the weekend drive.

Budget Re-done; Out-goings Reduced ~  

When we started our Mission, our financial status as at the end September / start October is listed on the Financial Report page.  We shall leave that as is, to show a starting point and this entry will show our financial status as at the end November / start December ~ the journey over the past two months. 

Our income has increased slightly - Husband and I each receive an additional 50c to our main payments, there is also a nominal increase in one of those family payments. We now receive $1340pf. *party*

The VISA interest rate has been reduced from 20.9% to 9.2%, the minimum repayment is down from $336pm to $100pm however we've kept paying $150fn (min), plus extra when under budget as mentioned in the Weekly Updates and your gifts.  All this has reduced the amount owing from $5836.33 to $4962.64 with $500 to be put on this week from the ATO :P

The Mortgage repayments have been kept up to date and (relatively) on time. While not forming part of the 'debt' we are striving to eliminate, it does form part of our regular outgoings and stress levels, we've reduced that from $165,900 end of Sept to being $164,300 end of Nov with $245 in redraw! All those little $5 deposited each Monday and Friday automatically is such a good practice! 

The Mortgage is the good side of our home loan package ~ time to hear the adventures relating to the evil twin, The Line of Credit... 

When we started, the Line of Credit was $21,764 - pushing the final few cents of its $22k limit (excluding the NIVA which we refer to later) ~ today the Line of Credit sits at $23,309 in debit. Just prior to Hellstra unleashing its evil communication-severing service 'magic' ~ we had been talking to our lovely lender about ways we could ease our financial stress and burdens without losing the house, or fear of losing the house, paying but not necessarily all the 'due' totals. On 12 December, documentation was emailed to us, thankfully downloaded and saved that day because that was the end of phones and the sudden limiting of Internet access.

Earlier in the month, we posted the outcome of a reader 'dare' ~ finally getting in touch and doing something about the never-reducing Line of Credit. We might not have been able to send anything using the convenient electronic/Internet connected methods accustomed to when our Internet provider InterNode has the ability to use the wholesaler (Hellstra) on a line connected to our place ~ no, not going there...

We did the math and checked it thrice ~ and have asked the NIVA part of our $25k LOC be reduced to $1k from $3k as we are not using it and is better there as a buffer of just in case we need cash, it is there. This 'pushes' $2k back into the LOC without trying to 'balance' a $3k-NIVA, and back under $22k (just). We are in the process of arranging to effectively 'freeze' the mortgage side of the account for three months, meaning $520pf is free'd up for 3 months ($3200ish) which can be paid against the LOC and bring it down to $19-$20k, during this same time. 

There have been reductions made to our usual outgoings, shopping visits are able to stretch further especially now we can actually see items in the pantry ~ gee it is brighter in there with the wall gone! Must get those curtains up! Using 'new found' specials in the cupboard as made the menu planning easier and requires less from the supermarkets.  We are getting under the $150pf mark most fortnights now, $100 spent 'rich' week and as much under $50 the 'poor' week as possible.  The summary is now:

The Normal Outgoings 

$ 200.00 pf  ($522.13 pf) ~ Mortgage (min) ** if auth'd by 4 Dec, next due

$ 150.00 pf  ($200.00 pf ) ~ Food, groceries and sundries

$   90.00 pf  ($117.92 pf) ~ Internet, land line, mobiles 

$ 100.00 pf ~ Gas + Electricity payment plan 

$   57.07 pf ~ Insurance – House, contents, life

$   75.00 pf ~ Council rates, water rates, registration

$   20.00 pf  ($90.00 pf) ~ Doc (now public, was private); Meds

$ 5.00 pf ~ Microsoft Gold fees – connects XBox, Wii for me, Skype

$   20.00 pf  ($50.00 pf) ~ Savings

$ 100.00 pf ~ Fuel – petrol

$ 847.07 pf   ($1317.12 pf) Total per fortnight outgoings

We've stayed up to date, some with changes, on:

The Struggled Goings

$   33.00 pf ($44.00 pf) ~ Refrigerator rental - yoemans

$ 197.90 pf ~ Personal loan – wyndham

$   75.00 pf ($91.40 pf) ~ VISA (min)

$ 100.00 pf ($150.00 pf) ~ $5 - $10 to bills, water, home care, mortgage, bills collect 

$ 375.90 pf  ($482.40 pf)

Incoming pf:  $ 1342.90  ($1256.94)

Outgoing pf:  $ 1262.97  ($1800.42)

Outstanding Accounts

$ 836.00 ($870.00) - HomeCare Services

$   36.00 ($106.00) - School fees

$ 370.00 ($390.00) - Dental account

$ 249.90 - Magazine subs

$ 590.00 ($800.00) - Electricity and Gas - payment plan costs set

$   43.33 ($192.28) - Water arrears 

$1301.40 ($1421.40) - Collections

(reduced total by $570)

We have reduced our out-goings to free up almost $80 cash a fortnight, removing the struggle to try and find an additional $600 on top of our incomings each fortnight and continue to pay down the balance on overdue/outstanding bills. eBay has helped, as has reader gifts. But most of the action has been from Husband and myself, and a heap of understanding, tolerance and contribution by SmallBoy. Every canteen order not ordered is $5 we don't need to 'find as automatic' twice a week. The mortgage amount budgeted above most likely is to the LOC, it still going to be made within our budget and not beyond. In-roads have been made on bills outstanding - everything has a lower outstanding amount. We see that as a positively positive negative...

 ~ Action Stations ~  

As soon as the car was back, it was off to the library with ready, printed, finally signed and dated printed and hand written forms, letters, statements and guff to get the application in progress. Sure, cost $9.90 to send an eight page fax from a library, but its an investment in obtaining relief and reduction.  Chalk it up to experience because with the phone back on for the weekend (!?), yesterday I called our Salvos Centre and found this next set of requested papers can be sent for free from the Salvation Army Community Support office. Taking that as having saved $10 to get the medical reports and other guff required in addition to the first fax... *arrgghh*

Learn from our experience people ~ if you ask the right worded questions to the right person at the right service you will get an answer you can obtain help without it being for food or bills. Saving $10 to send a fax is huge - half a $21 Challenge week!  

The outcome of the Hellstra debacle did mean the line our Internode account was 'connected to' ceased to exist to our land-line ~ oh, and seriously, when you get the recording 'the number you are calling has been disconnected' think phone company cock-up not late bill payment, please :D ~ to get the Internet and VOIP we had to reconnect. We did need to come up with $120 immediately for that ~ we do have a credit on our land-line account for that same amount, it will pay the line rental for 5-6 months so that frees up $17 for a few months!

 ~  A Little Income-Tax Boost  ~  

And we've been rather wise ~ well, we think so ;D

With a little under $3500 in refunds being received (off course while with no car to go sign and collect, then no Internet to use/move the funds once paid into our account) ~ we decided on Friday we will put $500 onto the VISA, $500 onto the Mortgage, $1000 into the high interest savings for the LOC once the NIVA limit is reset, the final $1000 was used to secure solar panels with the maximum rebate and RECs higher than our outgoing electricity charges before changes to the limits end of the month. We've got a year to have the roof ready for panels that will be needed, but it secures all the rebates to $10k. The remainder of the refund is towards SmallBoy's birthday, my sisters' birthdays and Christmas...

Currently searching for any methods to get the roof fixed and stabilised for a 3kw system - even though we have not purchased that big, it can be expanded upon over the years and best have it roof ready now don't you think. As we expect to get the family tax payment reconciled and balanced with Centrelink, this might throw a few hundred of outstanding entitlements to top up the Christmas cheer, New Year merriments and some over for the LOC which should have been sorted by the time that is calculated. Fingers Crossed!

More to get ready for the Weekly Update tomorrow ~ so we shall leave the re-cap there for now. We are really pleased with our efforts, changes and boy is there heaps to get onto eBay this weekend.  Yes Tupperware fans ~ there will be some awesome items including a full original Back2Basics set, still in the box. Maybe two...

The Menu Plan and week schedule will be out on 'Mands on a Mission' on FaceBook later tonight ~ a small shop is expected this week (it is big shop week, but we might make it under budget as we use the pantry supplies). Feel free to 'like' or 'follow' or whatever there is to click and stay up to date!

Shall catch up tomorrow night