One project a day- 2nd thread!

[BlueLobelia]

Welcome to everyone, old hats, lurkers and newbies.

This is a thread where we try and achieve something, no matter how small, a day.

This was the preamble to the previous thread ;

''......many years ago when i was first on MN I started (or maybe just actively participated in, cannot quite recall) a one (house) project a day. It made the most profound difference to my home. The project could be time consuming or not. It could take seconds, minutes or hours. I recall things like changing the lightbulb and lampshade in a hallway table lamp for example as a single day project. One day i also threw away holey and raggedy cushion covers and bought news ones. Little things, that really mattered.

If anyone is interested I wish to start another thread.

Today, as my one project a day, I cleared out my dehydrated and weed-ridden window boxes (2 of them). I put new compost in them and planted them with lobelia (obviously!); red geraniums and some dianthus. I am happy looking out (and in!) my front windows now. :) ''

everyone welcome!

Also Australia. :) Parents are now in Melbourne. My DSis went about 20 years ago and the parents loved visiting so much they went and stayed. It helped that Dmum was a dual citizen anyway. I'd like to go very much as now my ILs have died we are not 'needed' here as we once were.

My worry is that we have left it too late now that DS1 is heading towards GCSEs. Our plan was to spend the bulk of the summer holidays last year in Australia to check it out and what was possible. But you know, the Bloody Covid.....and time is ever marching on.

I have never been to Perth but people I know who have adored it.

Your DCs though- I would think it might be easier to settle in, then settle back in here at those ages(?). I suppose there is no chance of a trial period of a year or so?

very best of luck.

I’m so sorry to hear about your dad, peridot. I was unconvinced about hospice care for my dad but as it turns out he thought they were wonderful. Perhaps your dad will change his mind while he is there.

Iceisnice where in Australia? I’m here now but it is a BIG country. We frequently drive interstate to see family (the roads are so much easier than the U.K.) and the differences in own country are quite amazing.

My day started out well. DH and I got out of bed early and went for a walk. We have plans to do the same tomorrow. I did my first of the month bill payments and transfers and money management stuff. Then the cat was sick. I went to IKEA and bought what I needed and a bunch of stuff I didn’t. Had a phone call while I was there from a friend who is having some problems (entirely not her fault) so I went to visit here. More problems occurred while I was there. Then DH made the decision to accept a better job offer and leave a very political office so I had to help him draft a script to call his boss. He wanted me to stick around to witness the call so I was sitting there holding up a mini whiteboard with various messages on it. I think big boss has finally realised that little boss has gone off the reservation - 4 resignations in two weeks all citing the same people as problems. Thank fuck a better offer came along when it did!

Most of today’s to do list has become tomorrow’s to do list. So until then…

Sorry to hear about your Dad @Peridot1. Hospice usually have a wonderful reputation and it’s good that there is a space for him.
I have fully painted one side of another dining room door and it is flipped over and ready to be painted on the other side. DS and I rehung the kitchen door.
I have found a boob lump this evening whilst showering. It wasn’t there yesterday so I will try to get a moment to ring the breast care nurse tomorrow and get her to see me. I had multiple cysts drained almost 2 years ago and the consultant said he would see me again in 6 months but I cancelled the appointment as I knew he was isolating due to Covid and we were crazy busy with things ramping up- and I was fine. This lump wasn’t there the day before yesterday so...

I've got 8 boxes of old toys, books, clothes and miscellaneous items ready for the car boot sale next weekend. Any profit made will be used to buy school uniform for next term.

Iceisnice somehow I missed your last post. Perth is lovely, what I consider a very liveable city.

Today started with getting up early to walk. DH and I had a good chat, rehashed the work stuff, all good. Then, I went to work and everything went downhill. A lovely newbie started which slowed me down considerably as I was showing her the ropes. Then a friend with problems called - more problems resulting in a trip to the police station to report stalking and harassment. I went home and got all the forms etc printed out for her. Then I got sidetracked into an emergency sewing project for DH for a function he has tonight.

I’m finally sitting down now. My legs ache and as I will be the only person in tonight, I am treating myself to a takeaway!

So tomorrow’s to do list will be a rollover of yesterday’s and today’s. And I have bookshelves to build! 😢

Thanks for all the good wishes people. Dad is resistant to the hospice idea but was supposed to be considering it. Social worker spoke to him yesterday and apparently he hasn’t really thought about it. She was talking to him about a hospital bed at home. He didn’t even have the strength to hold his phone yesterday to speak to my sister so I think he is much weaker. Really hoping they get a space in the hospice for him quickly as at least then we can see him.

@Sparklynewname - fingers crossed the lump is nothing. As you say it wasn’t there a day or so ago. You have reminded me to check mine though. I had treatment for BC five years ago but am still rubbish at checking.

Yesterday I think I only managed one job off my list which was sorting through my jeans and trousers. Also cleared out some tops I don’t wear so have another bag to go to recycling.

Today we are having our neighbours over for a bbq this evening so today will be prepping for that. Need a supermarket run so will do the clothes bags recycling then.

Otherwise list is

Washing
General tidy of downstairs
Vacuum
Clean downstairs cloakroom
Help DH clean patio and furniture
Food prep- am just about to make a pavlova

@Sparklynewname I hope all is fine. Very good luck.

@Peridot1 such a hard time.

Mad day today but tonight I hope to tidy the dining room.

@BlueLobelia I haven't been to Melbourne, my dh has a few years ago for a work related thing and liked it there. I have been chatting to dc6 today and showed her pictures from our trip to Brisbane, Sydney and Albury Wadonga(aw was the job related thing for dh) and reassured her that there are things that she is used to over in Aus like McDonald's etc and she seems keen. We have found that there is a possibility of a permanent visa but I think we are going to hire an emigration expert to help us out, if we can get out there permanently to start with and if we can afford it we will be going. I think if we don't we will look back with regret. Perth does look lovely, and I think that it would be better for the dc with regards to quality of life.
So with that I mind I need to start sorting stuff out although it will not be a quick process.
Hope you are all well.

@Sparklynewname I hope you can get seen by a doctor/nurse.

@Peridot1 I'm sorry about your dad, he'll be in my thoughts.

I'm in NSW, I've never been to Perth. Sorry can't help! But I love living in Australia, been here about 12 years and I've never looked back. Of course since coronavirus I've really felt far away from family.

I tidied under my bed today, it was so dusty.

[quote Iceisnice]@BlueLobelia I haven't been to Melbourne, my dh has a few years ago for a work related thing and liked it there. I have been chatting to dc6 today and showed her pictures from our trip to Brisbane, Sydney and Albury Wadonga(aw was the job related thing for dh) and reassured her that there are things that she is used to over in Aus like McDonald's etc and she seems keen. We have found that there is a possibility of a permanent visa but I think we are going to hire an emigration expert to help us out, if we can get out there permanently to start with and if we can afford it we will be going. I think if we don't we will look back with regret. Perth does look lovely, and I think that it would be better for the dc with regards to quality of life.
So with that I mind I need to start sorting stuff out although it will not be a quick process.
Hope you are all well.[/quote]
I also think if you do not try it you will look back with regret. :)

My DPs live outside pretty much all year round. They love it.

@Sparklynewname hope you get an appointment ASAP
I swept the patio today and hoovered the edges of the living room carpet.
I have one little corner outside the back door that I want to clear tomorrow as it's been bugging me for ages so that's the job for tomorrow morning before work.

Morning all.

Not much achieved yesterday. Dad seems to be much weaker so I have booked to go over on Wednesday. He knows and seems accepting that he will be going to the hospice. Not sure when as it will depend on when they have a bed available.

Cancelled the planned BBQ with our neighbours as do to all of that and a few other reasons I just couldn’t face it.

Busy few days now as I need to get a lot sorted in the house as my sister and her family are due to come to stay at the end of the month and we are still planning for that but obviously it could all change.

Today I’m planning on sorting the spare bedroom ready for a dog sitter initially if we need one and then for them if and when they come. So need to clear the alcove on the landing, move the cupboard out of the bedroom and into the alcove and put all the books back. Will get sorting through to clear some out too.

Then I can sort the bedroom and get DH to put up the mirror and some pictures. Also need to sort through a pile of pictures on the floor.

Also catching up on washing and sorting my clothes, general tidying etc.

I've achieved a few gardening jobs today. Our hedge was overgrown, DH trimmed it a week ago, there are still just some branches he couldn't get.

I need to get some laundry on, I've really fallen behind.

Yesterday’s jobs done:

Five bags of clothes to charity recycling boxes
Cupboard moved to landing from spare bedroom
General washing plus spare room bedding and a blanket

Today’s list:

Towel wash - on
Dishwasher and vacuum
Clean bookcase and put books away
Put some pictures and mirror up in spare room and on landing
Change a bed
General washing
Clear out fridge

Cleared out another carrier bag of clutter. tried to rope in the DCs to fill a carrier bag of rubbish out of their rooms, but apparently they need EVERYTHING they have, even if it is random scraps of paper from 2016.

Lots more coats of paint done this weekend! Was BiL’s and MiL’s birthday so some time socialising yesterday and we had almighty storms which sadly gave me a migraine so I didn’t go to our friends to watch footy and left DH to go alone.
Did manage to talk to the breast nurse on Friday. Couldn’t get through on her phone so I was very naughty and bleeped her. I explained the situation and she said she’d get me referred through the secretary for an appointment. I saw an answerphone message yesterday and have an appointment on 20/7. It’s a little while away but actually no longer than getting a gp appointment and then the 2 week wait.
The worst part is having to get your boobs felt by a colleague 😧 but it’s fine. I scrub for him and he’s an amazing surgeon and a lovely man. Like your slightly bonkers Uncle and he is so clever.
We also rehung the hallway door this evening. Just one door left to take down and paint! I am so done with painting 😂

Clear out the freezer.
Pack books to recycle.

@Sparklynewname hope it all goes well.

Today- ordering more medicine for dogs
-thank you cards and presents for teachers
-1 carrier bag of rubbish out the door

@Sparklynewname I'm glad you got your appointment.

Well done on all progress everyone.

I have been trying to teach my kids not to be hoarders. They're pretty good at getting rid of stuff if I ask them to tidy their rooms. I tell them if some piece of artwork is special we'll keep it special, and put it somewhere special, but we cannot keep everything, but that's ok because not everything is special. Some art is enjoyable to do but we've had the pleasure from it so it can go now. They've watched me get rid of loads of stuff the last few months and I'm always going on about how much easier the cleaning and tidying is now.

I am going to try that @DownUdderer . I need to stop the hoarding gene stat!

Today i have called a rubbish clearance person and left a message (not heard back yet). called a plumber (not heard back yet) and called a green waste clearance person (not heard back).

I have however bought a little wooden drawer set that will do nicely for the downstairs loo.

I’m back in Dublin earlier than planned as my Dad sadly passed away last night. Much quicker than we thought.

@Peridot1 I'm so sorry to read your news. What a hard time.

@BlueLobelia I know I've had to learn how to let go of things and declutter. Once things are easier to cope with, because there's less stuff I know I feel much happier. I've tried to teach the kids as I go. Lots of times I've been surprised how good the kids are at throwing things away, even when I'd thought something was precious, they didn't. Everything can give us enjoyment, but sometimes the enjoyment has been had and now we can chuck it away without a guilty conscience. I do say things like "we can keep this or this but not both, because we don't have the space" I do let the kids think it over if it's too difficult for them to decide. Once their bedrooms are clear they can play with their toys so much easier so they never dwell on what's gone.

Peridot, I’m so sorry to hear that. Knowing that it is going to happen doesn’t make it any easier. I’ll be thinking of you and your family. 💐

@Peridot1 I am so sorry.