Personal goal met

Well it's been a month since I entered the world of blogging.  No longer an innocent bystander keenly reading the wise words of other mums and organised beings, now I too have embarked on a blogging journey.  I am so happy that I had a go.  

I have achieved what I set out to do in my first month and that was to blog at least weekly, every Thursday.  

I realise my content hasn't been cutting edge by any measure, but already I feel like I'm growing as a writer.  This journey, the process has opened me up.  I have been writing so much, sticking to my goal of 100 words each day.  Some that I will share with you in the future, some that are words only for my family.  I have even started to write that book!

It's time to set some new goals for the months ahead. 

How are your goals coming along?  It's difficult to stay motivated in winter.   

Simple organisation system to create harmony

In my perfect world my home would be neat and tidy at all times.  But with a busy toddler, a husband that does not share my organisation gene and a time poor mama it's not realised as much as I would like it to be.  

Some evenings it feels like every surface disappears under books, hats, toddler shoes, toys, paperwork, keys, phones, sippy cups, bits and pieces from our various hobbies etc etc.  It was doing my head in!!  

So I needed to introduce a new system that worked for us all. 

I simply purchased 3 boxes, I made sure they matched our decor nicely.  Each member of our family was allocated a box and they were placed in a high traffic area of our home.  I just used different washi tape to identify which box belonged to each person.  

During the course of the day if I come across anything that was left lying around I would simply place it in the relevant box.  For example if my husband left a magazine on the couch I would place this in his box.  

Not only does it make me happy because I can see surfaces free of clutter but it has become a 'go to' area.  When we come inside from playing in the park for example, I will place littlelion's hat and sunglasses in there and then when we go outside next we know exactly where they are.  No more turning toys upside down looking for things when we are rushing out the door.  

At the end of the day we simply walk around with our respective box and place all the items away.  It makes it easier for me to make one trip into littlelion's room in the evening and put his collection of clothing, books and shoes away.  

My husband and I agree that we can use our boxes to store any items we are working on during the week.  But every Sunday it must to be cleared out ready for the week ahead.  

This simple system has provided so much harmony to our family.  Whilst I purchased my boxes you could have some fun making some or revamping some old boxes with new fabric.  

Let me know if my system helps you at all or what organisation system you could not function without in your household.  

7 things about me

Recently I have discovered an informative blog, please check out a recent post The Sharpest Pencil - 7 things you never knew about me.

As a newbie to this exciting blogosphere and struggling with the concept of writing about myself I thought it might be a good idea for me to attempt this.

So here are 7 things you didn't know about me;

1.  It irritates me when people make reference to putting in more than 100% effort.
2.  I cry when fictional characters die on television or in movies, I don't even know these people.
3.  As a child I wanted to be a dancer, but unfortunately I was not blessed with rhythm.
4.  I must put my left shoe on first.
5.  I like to smell print products ie. magazines, brochures, catalogues etc
6.  The door to my walk in robe must be closed before I can sleep at night.
7.  My favourite noise is listening to my littelion laughing

Try this yourself.  I didn't think I could list seven but once I started they kept coming, it was a really interesting exercise.  Please let me know if you can relate to any or add any of your own.

My backyard choir

Yay it's Thursday again, but what a cold miserable one at that.  We have had a hectic week and one we would like to put behind us, so in light of that I've chosen to share a little poem this week.  It was written during Spring of last year, I was sitting in my favourite spot in my garden having a well deserved rest whilst littlelion was napping.  Some local parrots sat above me in our tree and I just started to take in the sounds around me.  As you read along think of your favourite place in your garden or your favourite place outdoors, now use your imagination and feel the warmth and listen to the sounds.  Maybe it can make us feel warm and cheerful during this cold snap.

A reminder that spring is just around the corner.
(Photo courtesy of my personal library)

My Backyard Choir

I listen to them chatting amongst themselves
Sitting high within the swaying branches,
Blue sky in the background,
Warm rays of sun hitting my skin.

We share the space that surrounds us,
They entertain me,
The occasional car along the road,
The wind moving through the trees,
Just close your eyes and soak up the song.

In the post

For some years now I have followed a handful of blogs on a regular basis and many more randomly.  Mainly relating to organisational tips, parenting topics, home renovation and I love the insight others have to offer.  All in the pursuit of running my household more efficiently to give me more time doing things with those I love.

I have toyed with the thought of starting my own blog on numerous occasions but have always talked myself out of it.  Why would anyone be interested in what I have to say?  What would I write about?  I don't even know how to blog....the negatives continued!  But on a whim I completed a blogging course recently and I'm feeling a little more confident to dive right in and have a go.  I'm not entering the blogosphere to gain fame or thousands of readers, in fact I'm doing it for more personal reasons, this is for my own personal gain.  However with an open mind one never knows how this may evolve?

I feel that I will have random offerings, no set topics, however I do love organising and parenting topics, so I think that's what my focus will be.

Share...
I would like to share some of my life lessons, my skills and my fears and use this platform to support like minded others albeit from a distance, maybe even help others like I have been helped by reading other blogs.  I have had a blessed life in many ways but have also had to overcome many obstacles and by sharing my lessons maybe I can give someone else the confidence to make changes or see the good in every day (especially Thursdays)

Its a chance to reach and share with a greater community from the comfort of my living room.

Support...
When I think deeply about the why and if I was honest with myself (and you) I'm hoping a blog might make me more accountable and reduce my procrastination levels.  This might be the support I need to make some positive changes.

To be honest I need a good kick in the backside, I'm too comfortable.  I could plod along being a pedestrian, but I feel I have more to contribute.  Being a new mum it's easy to put your own needs aside and focus on your child and family.

Often I'm too tired to drag my backside around the house let alone go for a 5km run!!! Sometimes my lunch is my toddlers left overs.  If I set some goals and send them out into the blogosphere then maybe, just maybe I will feel more inclined to work towards achieving them instead of dismissing myself for the benefit of others.

Express...
Yes I'm a mum that has chosen to stay home to raise her littlelion and that will remain my priority but I feel a need for an activity that allows me to keep my mind ticking over and for me to connect with the outside world.  I need to know that other adults value my input, my opinions.  Look I can cut a mean Shimmy Shake with the Wiggle team but sometimes I'd like to chat without rhyme and jazz hands and I can't imagine sitting down with Dorothy the Dinosaur and discussing the state of favelas in Brazil.

I would like the chance to express my views, a release, I'd like to be thought provoking, learn something about others and myself and start a conversation

Learn...
Since I was very young I've wanted to write a book, more so a picture book for children.  I enjoy writing and have used it quiet often as a therapeutic outlet.  I'm not sure if I am any good at writing but i enjoy the feeling of getting lost in it, the opportunity to express myself without judgement.  So my aim is that blogging will give me a chance to improve my writing skills.

Life is a work in progress, everyday is a great day to learn something new or something about yourself.


One of the biggest factors that has held me back from blogging years ago is privacy.  I savour my privacy and that of my family's. Am I able to write a blog without exposing too much about myself and more so my family, yet be open to put myself out there and enjoy the benefits of such expression? It's important to me not to exploit my family and write with integrity, so please keep me honest and let me know if I cross that line.

I do have concerns that blogging may take my attention and time away from my family, so it's important that I set some ground rules for that from the start.

How did your feel when you published your first post? Has your blog remained on the path you first intended or has it evolved into something very different?

It's all in the name

red letter (thurs)day:
by definition a red letter day is used to describe a special day; a memorable, important and happy day; any day of special significance.

For some reason Thursdays have been my favourite day of the week.  I can't say for what specific reason, but on Thursdays I always feel at my best, more motivated, more confident.  Maybe it's the gateway to the weekend, the closure of a working week, I'm not entirely sure but I like Thursdays.