Tag Archives: 2012

Monday resolutions

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It’s been awhile since I shared my progress with my 2012 resolutions and I know that you haven’t asked for it, but here it is – another chapter on my journey of intentional living.

Sunday I had the best day so far. I managed to meditate twice, twenty minutes each time. I even got off the couch and went for a walk – in the rain! Until now I had made no progress with exercise at all, but I woke Sunday morning and just had to go for a walk. I knew if I didn’t go, even though I knew it was going to rain, I felt as though I would never achieve that goal, so umbrella under my arm, off I set. I was only around the corner a little when it did start to rain, but my large umbrella was great shelter and I continued walking. Well, at least I can say that I did go for a walk in 2012! Bonus points for the rain too!

I had my green tea, and my vitamin supplements (I take a multivitamin with selenium, a fish oil capsule and a little extra vitamin B at the moment as felt a sense of approaching depression).

Sunday I procrastinated no more and attacked the walk in robe in our bedroom. I actually bought some large storage containers so I can pack away the out of season clothes (and it will make moving faster, I hope). It is a task that will take more than one day, but I did manage to break the back of it. I have a bag of clothes for charity, as well as more books.

I have been quite ruthless with clearing clutter. I had a lot of silly holiday mementos  that friends had given me when they returned from overseas holidays, and it all went into the bin, as I thought what was the point if I have never been to that country anyway? I was only holding onto it so as not to insult the givers, many of them people I no longer see, so why continue allowing it to gather layers of dust? It feels so good to get rid of clutter and to imagine a life less weighed down with stuff. I am never going to allow the clutter ever again, that is my everlasting gift to myself.

Monday is a public holiday to celebrate the Queen’s birthday (I know, it seems to be  a never ending event, but no one rejects a holiday!) so Daughter 2 and I are off to visit Grandma Flamingo Dancer. BIL was admitted to hospital late on Saturday night as a precaution. as it was suspected that he is developing pneumonia again, so we are trying to take the care of mother dear a little more so that sister is free to be with BIL. Considering all that is happening, it is a blessing that Mum is now in care and doing so well, as sister would have not been able to cope with a dependent mother and an ill husband. Still it is an hour’s drive for us to visit Grandma so not much more decluttering will get done this week!

And a little off subject, we have finally discovered which animal comes each year and eats our pine trees! It has happened every June or July for the past three years and only last week I was thinking how well the pine trees were recovering from the last attack. Son walked outside just after dark and found a large deer, with antlers rutting at the tree! It took fright and headed back towards the bushland, and I expect Son probably made a hasty retreat inside as well!

The first year we thought it was local teenagers, but the following year we started to think maybe an animal and our money was on a kangaroo, but it turns out to be feral deer! Deer are an introduced species to Australia, but we have the odd sighting in the area as we are near the river. I know nothing about deer, and can only think that there must be something seasonal in their need to attack our pine trees in June or July each year (our winter). Maybe he is getting ready for Christmas in July! I do hope they stay away as it won’t make the front garden look all that lovely to prospective buyers with damaged trees! I guess we can make it sound romantic by saying “deer graze in the front garden!”

I hope you have a great day – it really is there for the taking!

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it’s in the genes

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Now that we are faced by the reality that both our parents have suffered memory loss (Dad’s seems to have been vascular related dementia, whereas Mum’s appears to be Alzeimer’s, though really, it is six of one and half a dozen of the other, as they say – no difference) we really can’t pretend that we are not in the firing line for the same susceptibility to memory loss.

My sister, being eight years older than I, is a little more worried (freaked out!) than I, but I have to admit that it is occupying my thoughts a little more than it did a few weeks ago. Especially after every visit to Mum and seeing how she now has such a struggle handling every day life.

I have even fallen for purchasing a book, 100 simple things to prevent Alzheimer’s, or something similarly titled. Of course the majority of the top 100 were things we should all be doing for a healthy life, such as exercise, healthy diet, maintain relationships.

A couple suggestions I had read before, such as eating curry. Mr FD and I have often wondered about the curry link, as Mr FD’s father, who died at the age of 93, having been born in Ceylon, was a devotee of a good curry and ate it on a regular basis, and his mind was relatively clear until the final year. He also did crosswords and was widely read, all things that help maintain the brain.

One suggestion was to eat cinnamon as it assists with maintaining insulin levels. The recommendation was one half to one teaspoon a day! That is a huge amount of cinnamon in anyone’s estimation. I don’t think I would ever achieve that one!

A more insidious suggested cause is stress. Now that is the hard one. I try to meditate from time to time, especially when stressed or ill, but I was crafted anxious in the womb, and though I have come to recognise my triggers and worked hard to overcome them over the years, I doubt if there has ever been too many days without my being aware of feelings of stress. Now I get to be stressed about my stress causing me dementia!

I guess, this is even more motivation to stick to my 2012 resolutions, so that I can live a good life now, and for as long as I can, and maybe keep my gorgeous brain functioning to the best of its abilities for as long as possible.

Travelling the long goodbye with a parent, again, not only makes me aware of my own biological clock ticking, but also acts as a reminder to live in the moment, for the moment is all we really have.

Resolution Monday, April style

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Resolutions 2012:

I must change.

 

I must remove all the excess.

 

I must get rid of all the clutter.

 

I must eat healthier food.

 

I must exercise.

 

I must read more, for pleasure and professionally.

 

I must watch less TV.

 

I must be more active in my own life.

Where do I start on this list? The easy stuff – read more and less television – has progressed. I joined the bookclub at school and so I am being prompted to read things I would not choose for myself. Tick and tick.

Food? Well, the diverticulitis has sealed that one. I am so worn out with suffering with it that I am no longer tempted to roll the dice on anything that might even remotely cause an issue. However, thanks to Easter the chocolate scale has blown sky high. That will take its natural course as the supply runs out and I avoid all the chocolate now on sale! Half a tick.

Life has reminded me of a couple of things lately. The sudden death of a colleague, that the moment is more important than the grand plan, but do have a grand plan. Also, not to hesitate to do the good deed, to be open to change and not to forget to tell people that you love them. Or can tolerate them, at least!

My Mum’s sudden illness has also been a wake up call not to take her for granted and to think she will always be there for another visit, on another day. It is also a reminder that we; Mr FD, our siblings and I, are bordering on become the elders of the clan.  Scary stuff indeed and something I assume no one is every ready to accept. I am not sure that I am ready to be that grown up, but hey, I am going to be a great old lady.

Haven’t had much opportunity to work on the excess during school terms, but I have certainly not brought anything into the house that was not needed. I can’t remember the last time I purchased anything on a whim; except for a book or two, but even my book purchasing is down 90 per cent on what it was. Magazine subscriptions have not been renewed. Maybe a three quarter tick?

I feel that I have changed quite a bit this year, already. Who would have thought that perfection can be improved, but if anyone can do, I am your woman!

I have really pushed my boundaries professionally. I am now working towards becoming an IT coach to other teachers, assisting them with including more ICT in their lesson and unit plans. It terrifies me to think that others will be depending on my meagre IT skills to expand their own, but I am committed to upskilling and so the journey has begun. I find it incredibly empowering, and rewarding as well.  Big tick!

My colleague taught me to realise that the only thing I control is myself, and that was a real ah ha moment (late Oprahism warning, sorry!). I use that knowledge numerous times each day and now I realise how much anxiety and stress I was creating for myself by trying to control that which I never had a hope of controlling.

I slip up frequently though when it comes to Mr FD, who still, after all these years, refuses to be controlled. Why he doesn’t learn I don’t know, but now I have developed a coping mechanism – when he refuse to heel, I look out the nearest window and go “lalalalala” in my head. I spend lots of time staring out of windows and lalalalaing  to the extent that when we are in the car, I feel like one of those dogs who love to hang their heads out the window and feel the wind in their ears, but hey it works. And of course I always hold out hope that eventually Mr FD will learn to do as he is told. He obviously has never made a resolution to change…  A tick for me, a “try to do better” for Mr FD.

Let’s not talk about exercise. Well, if we must, I have to admit that the only thing being exercised is my sense of guilt that I have not motivated myself to do anything more than to move from one end of the couch to the other. But I did move. I even fluffed the pillows with gusto. I worked up quite a sweat slapping that foam rubber about, so I am well on my way to increasing my exercise routine. Next week I might even contemplate moving to another room!

How is 2012 working for you? (Once again, pretend that I care).

It’s Earth Hour 2012 – what are you going to do about it?

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In 2007, WWF-Australia inspired Sydney-siders to show their support for climate change action in the first ever Earth Hour event. It showed that everyone, from children to CEOs and politicians, has the power to change the world they live in. In Sydney, Australia, 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights out for one hour to take a stand against climate change.

In 2008, the plan was to take Earth Hour to the rest of Australia. But then the City of Toronto, Canada, signed up and it wasn’t long before 35 countries and almost 400 cities and towns were part of the event. It said something compelling to the world: that the climate challenges facing our planet are so significant that change needs to be global.

With the invitation to ‘switch off’ extended to everyone, Earth Hour quickly became an annual global event. It’s scheduled on the last Saturday of every March – closely coinciding with the equinox to ensure most cities are in darkness as it rolled out around the Earth.

In 2011, Earth Hour saw hundreds of millions of people across 135 countries switch off for an hour. But it also marked the start of something new – going Beyond the Hour to commit to lasting action on climate change. And with the power of social networks behind the Earth Hour message, we hope to attract even more participation so we can build a truly global community committed to creating a more sustainable planet.

Monday resolutions

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The week just passed was one of those weeks when I felt that I did not present my best self to the world. I also saw some rather disappointing sides to some of my colleagues.  Yet other surprised me with their generous and selfless natures. Such is the human condition, I suppose.

I was also forced to spend two days in bed, felled yet again by diverticulitis. It annoyed to lose two days, which meant I scrambled through the end of the week trying to catch up, but never quite achieving everything.

Friday, new staff were sent to an induction day. It was part religion, part history, part enculturation. As one who has schooled through the system I was sure I would be bored out of my brain, but I was honestly surprised by how much I did enjoy the day. I  think that due to my interest in history, hearing  about the Australia origins of the independent education system was intensively interesting to me. Luckily the religious side was not too heavy; as no doubt they were aware that not all teachers were of the same belief system.

Another interesting facet was to hear the stories of how so many of us came to teaching. Quite a few were late converts, such as myself. Some had been nurses and now teachers; others had worked in business for years before going back to university. A number were returning to the workforce after babies, and of course there were some new hires from the government school system. It just goes to show that teachers come from many and varied life experiences. We were all convinced that life experience made us better teachers.

This week, I am facing numerous meetings before and after school. I am getting a ‘flu needle on Monday (arranged by the school, but paid for by the individual). I am so happy to be able to get an early vaccination as last year Mr FD and I both went down with that horrible ‘flu that almost killed both of us (and contributed to his father’s death) so I shall be dashing like a gisele to get to the head of the line.

I don’t know where this all leads me on a list of resolutions. I am certainly most active in my own life. I am still working to declutter our house (working on our walk in pantry at the moment – found packages with use by dates of 2010 and some jars of spices even older!). I think I am living a more uncluttered life style also. Being busy helps as it makes me prioritise and it means I don’t like to suffer fools, especially if that fool is me (yes, I know how impossible is that!)

My cholesterol is elevated again, no doubt due to my bad habits, so back to paying attention to what I put in my mouth. Easier said than done! By the time I sort out all the foods that someone with diverticulitis should avoid (tomatoes and seeds of all kinds, and hard grains etc.) and then low fat foods, it leaves a fairly limited menu;  one can but try! How tedious it all is though!

Three more weeks and first school term is over. How fast it is all flying by. The happiest term I have ever experienced. Long may it continue!

Resolution Monday

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Where am I in the adherence to my New Year Resolutions, now that we are two months in? Win some, some not out of the gate, yet.

I must change – Oh my, have I felt myself change! The bonus of a new workplace, and a job that is a challenge that I enjoy has wrought many changes within me. Some I can’t even put a name to, or explain, except to say that I feel more open, more willing to stretch outside of my comfort zone, and more accepting that despite my constant denial, I do have a few imperfections.

This week there was a quote on my desk calendar that said “imperfection is our paradise” (sorry I threw away the page so no author credit; shedding clutter is also a resolution!). I am quite certain I wouldn’t claim imperfection as paradise; in fact it reminds me of the wisdom imparted to a friend by her minister when she was going through a divorce: “We are put on earth to suffer.” I don’t think so.

So, no claim to be in paradise, but I am happier to say: I don’t know, but I will find out; I don’t understand, tell me again and of course, I don’t know how to do that, will you show me? The result of such an admission has allowed me to stretch into new areas that just weeks ago I would never have considered.

All I can say is what a difference two months can make!

One, one Flamingo File for 2012

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  • How to jettison friends and annoy the female population: tell them that, rather than putting on weight over Christmas, that you ate like a seasonal pig and still managed to shed half a kilo too

I can only suppose that it was the heavy scale gardening of the past few days that balanced the scales in my favour. Or someone moved the dial, but I am not checking!

  • How can a man, who squeals like a teenage girl at a Justin Beiber concert when he spies a spider, big or small, admonish his wife for refusing to enter the garden shed, with its possibilities of rats, snakes and mice, as well as filthy geckos and lizards? Surely, equality has allowed us equity of phobias?

I will smite any spider with foot, stick or book, but I will not battle with rodent or reptile, and if Mr FD keeps up his mocking he shall make it onto one of either of the lists, or both, and as an endangered species too!

  • I am yet to take down our Christmas tree. Why is it that everyone clamours to put the tree up and decorate it, but volunteers to take it down and store everything away are thing on the ground?

I could always leave it up until Mr and Mrs Boy return from Europe (they are currently in Paris, before travelling onto Spain) and make myself a heroine by claiming that I wanted to share another Christmas with them. Then when I have them all back in the same room, I could guilt them into doing the deconstruction work! Poor mother me, you spoiled my Christmas by having a marvellous European holiday, leaving me to feed your worms, the least you could do is pack away the Christmas decorations.

  • An ad on TV suggested I start the new year with a whole new body. I have searched the internet and not found anywhere where I can order a new body. Another example of false advertising
  • Why is it, that all the hints by organiser gurus online involve purchasing hundreds of small containers and baskets? Why can’t I just file things in a recycled computer paper box, two shoes boxes and an empty biscuit tin?

There is nothing wrong with making do and not having matching teal baskets, folders and buckets of varying sizes. I think the problem starts with we neglect to actually put things in the recycled computer box, or shut the lid on the biscuit tin, while piling things on top of every available space. I think we all start with best intentions, and things are great until the pressure mounts and the deadlines loom and that is when intentions get replaced by panic and expediency. Mess comes to visit, outstays its visa and moves right on in. It is not the pretty stuff that keeps us organised, it is our own effort and commitment.  Now where is that tin of short bread biscuits I received for Christmas?

  • First task checked off my 2012 list. I have organised my home office. I was ruthless, and it looks fantastic even if I say so myself, and I do. Such a feeling of lightness and relief.  I am just so perfect this week. Yeah me! And it didn’t even need flying pigs to achieve!

as I lay me down to sleep

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Dear Diary,

As a first day, the first day of 2012 was rewarding.  Mr FD and I greeted the New Year by trying to flick between television channels trying to find a decent broadcast of the fireworks. Eventually we settled for a delayed broadcast of the Sydney fireworks due to our state of Queensland not following daylight saving time. All was well, and the New Year was welcomed with a cup of tea on my behalf! Wild woman that I am!

The morning was spent working on my office area, and I was able to box up two boxes of books for collection by Lifeline for their annual Bookfest. I have more books to sort, as a result of too many years working in bookshops and receiving a 40 percent staff discount! I never thought I would ever part with my books, but now I see so many as clutter. They have done their task and now it is time for them to find new homes.

The afternoon, was spent in the garden as I planned. I have cleaned all the palm fronds from the garden, and pruned everything that I wanted to in the back garden. Mr FD still has mulching to catch up on, and then we will move to the front garden. Hedges!

I phoned my Mum and we did our annual “oh I haven’t spoken to you since last year” routine. My sister and BIL were taking her out to lunch to celebrate the day, so no guilt there for me! As I said, it was a good day – no guilt at all!

One day done, 365 to go – remember this is a leap year!

Goodnight, sleep tight.

FD

And we’re off…

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In 2012,

I must change.

I must remove all the excess. 

I must get rid of all the clutter.

I must eat healthier food.

I must exercise.

I must read more, for pleasure and professionally.

I must watch less TV.

I must be more active in my own life.  

I read through my resolution list, yet again, and I know that it is no use making a list, if I don’t also match it with an effort to plan my way to success. As I remind my students, failing to plan is planning to fail! The New Year brings with it fresh hopes and a mark of enthusiasm and if I don’t harness it quickly, it will disappear the way of so many other good intentions.

So, how am I actually going to achieve these lofty resolutions? Walk the talk, Flamingo Dancer!

I have seventeen days of vacation less and by then I want the house and garden not only under control, but organized and serene so that I can concentrate on my new job. Let’s see how I go…

I have already embraced resolution one. I have acknowledged that I need to change in 2012. Perfect the perfection!

I feel that resolutions two and three: to remove excess and to get rid of clutter can be worked on together. Excess for me, is not just the giving away the one of two, or the many, many books that I have gathered, read and have resisted giving away, until now, but also excess in food,  and in indulgence. This in turn spins into eating healthier, exercising more and couch sitting less, less television and more activity, but I am racing ahead of myself.

Not one prone to patience I embarked on this course of resolution before the New Year arrived.   Mr FD and I have been working on our garden for the last few days. We have about a dozen large palm trees of various varieties in our back garden, which are really lovely as they provide shade, privacy and are popular with the birds, but they do drop their big dead fronds all too regularly. I have been pulling them out of the garden and stacking them in an area of the garden for what feels like years, and so this week Mr. FD and I are cleaning the dead fronds from the garden and mulching the green matter, that is then put back onto our garden as garden mulch. Nothing is going to waste, nothing is leaving our property it is either going straight back onto our garden, or into the compost bins to break down further. Mr Boy will be informed how he loaned us his mulcher when he returns from Europe! I am calling it payment for worm feeding!

Inside, I have been working on my office area. Since I have been a teacher I have gathered so much paper, filled numerous folders and files with resources that it has crept all over the house. It had even oozed into Daughter2’s bedroom (well, she did move out, what can she expect!).

The first place I started was in fact D2’s room and found many of the “important” papers and resources that I had so studiously gathered during the year I went back to university to study teaching – 2009! Disgraceful to say the least, but more sadly, most of it was really quite unnecessary now, and probably then as well! I emptied folders and easily filled the recycling bin from just that room. Daughter was impressed when she came home for Christmas and could actually not only see her window seat, but sit on it if she wished!

Strange how cleaning one area always seems to make a mess somewhere else! Cleaning D2’s room meant that empty folders and papers to be refiled, or found a new home flowed into the adjoining room, where my desk and another office desk sit facing each other. The room looks as though a tornado has been through, and that is what calls me today.

So, day one of 2012 shall be spent gardening and paying pack the earth for all the trees that died to fill my many teaching folders, as well as tacking more of the paper mountain. I collect far less now as I endeavour to have electronic copies of everything, and as schools move to one to one with laptops to students, the need for photocopies of worksheets and information becomes less, so that will be a win for the environment and for my house!

I anticipate going to bed with a deep sense of self satisfaction at day’s end!