A whole new year - a new set of short to mid-term goals. I find goal setting far more achievable than resolutions - I've had a perennial resolution of drinking more water, and have failed year after year. But when I set goals and write a plan (and keep reviewing said plan) I get there - often ahead of the target date.
So here we go for goals for 2012.
House: After making sure most of the house was clean and tidy - especially the kitchen table - for January 1 Mr Trifectagirl agreed that it was really nice to get up to a tidy space. As such, Mr Trifectagirl and I have agreed we need to get some systems and routines in place. For a few years I used Flylady, which worked really well for me, but fell over when various people moved in and out of my place and I struggled to keep it going. I plan to educate Mr Trifectagirl on that particular system and put it back in place. The advantage of this system is it's set up to be gradually implemented, rather than an all in. Our biggest issue is a lack of space, and Mr Trifectagirl using our kitchen table as a desk - and boy does he have a paper monster. That is one thing we want to tame this year.
Work: I know I'll need to find a new job early in the year - there are a few up in my old field at the moment I have to get applications written for, so hopefully by the end of the week I'll have applied for about 5 roles, plus I should hear during the week how I went on an initial phone interview for a role just before Christmas.
Mr Trifectagirl has a few assignments to finish on his qualifications, and hopefully he'll find something quickly once he has the bits of paper to support his experience.
Money: We also need to review finances, budgeting and financial goals. I've been investigating Dave Ramsey's system in a bit more detail, having used some of the techniques successfully in the past to deal with utility bill blow-outs, so we may look at implementing that in more detail.
We'd really love to move and do up an older property, so we'll work towards that too. I also need to really push the guy looking after my step-father's estate to get the last of my sister and I's inheritance issued and put a very crappy 2008 finally behind us - the delay is quite frankly ridiculous - and that's taking into account the unique circumstances of this estate! That will give us a good deposit for a new home.
So, here's to a fantastic and successful 2012.
Monday, 2 January 2012
Saturday, 24 December 2011
Adult Assembly Required
I grew up with out any consistant Christmas traditions. I don't think I actually missed out on anything, but they're weren't things that we always did or had that we'd look forward too. I remember my mum made chocolate cherries each year, but there's not much else that sticks out.
I want to do things differently for Baby J. I want to assemble a collection of traditions and practices that will mean Christmas to J and any future children.
So we have "Elf on the Shelf" - still un-named and didn't get up to any mischief this year, but I have photos of J with it for his first Christmas.
We'll go to childrens service at our usual church tonight, and hopefully the Brewery Riverbank Lights on the way home.
I'd like to start stockings, but next year for that.
Tomorrow we have a single family lunch. Mr Trifectagirl's mother is in residential care, so we're springing her from the home and she will join my Dad and Step-mum and us for lunch at Dad's place. And sister dear may well come, too which is most unlike her.
Food wise, I have a couple of types of cookie that I've made regularlly over the last 20 years which I'll keep up, and maybe add a simple sugar cookie or gingerbread man that kids can decorate for family/friends. Plus the last few years I've made "pudding" muffins, which we'll probably have for breakfast since we have a Christmas Cake and a Pudding that Mr Trifectagirl won in a raffle!
My Mum made a variation on Jamie Oliver's Christmas Bombe for a number of years before she passed, and I'd like to start that again, too. I may also re-instate her chocolate cherries - glace cherries (brandy-soaked and 'kidsafe' versions), coated in chocolate.
Oh, and I'll try not to get gifts which have any variation of the phrase '(some/adult) Assembly Required' on the box!!! A BBQ for Mr Trifectagirl - set and ready for use on Boxing Day, a toy box, a bike and a swing/slide set are all on the 'assembly' list this year. Lesson learned - possibly more so later tonight as I get frustrated with constructing the swing/slide!!
I want to do things differently for Baby J. I want to assemble a collection of traditions and practices that will mean Christmas to J and any future children.
So we have "Elf on the Shelf" - still un-named and didn't get up to any mischief this year, but I have photos of J with it for his first Christmas.
We'll go to childrens service at our usual church tonight, and hopefully the Brewery Riverbank Lights on the way home.
I'd like to start stockings, but next year for that.
Tomorrow we have a single family lunch. Mr Trifectagirl's mother is in residential care, so we're springing her from the home and she will join my Dad and Step-mum and us for lunch at Dad's place. And sister dear may well come, too which is most unlike her.
Food wise, I have a couple of types of cookie that I've made regularlly over the last 20 years which I'll keep up, and maybe add a simple sugar cookie or gingerbread man that kids can decorate for family/friends. Plus the last few years I've made "pudding" muffins, which we'll probably have for breakfast since we have a Christmas Cake and a Pudding that Mr Trifectagirl won in a raffle!
My Mum made a variation on Jamie Oliver's Christmas Bombe for a number of years before she passed, and I'd like to start that again, too. I may also re-instate her chocolate cherries - glace cherries (brandy-soaked and 'kidsafe' versions), coated in chocolate.
Oh, and I'll try not to get gifts which have any variation of the phrase '(some/adult) Assembly Required' on the box!!! A BBQ for Mr Trifectagirl - set and ready for use on Boxing Day, a toy box, a bike and a swing/slide set are all on the 'assembly' list this year. Lesson learned - possibly more so later tonight as I get frustrated with constructing the swing/slide!!
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Things I've Been Meaning to Do - December 2011
Since it's a crazy month, and we're already a good week in, I won't set any high bars for Things I've Been Meaning to Do this month!
1 - De-clutter my bathroom cupboards. There's a whole heap of stuff that can just plain go in there. I also need to do the medicine cupboards and clear out all the out of date stuff.
2 - Work on my budget for 2012. This seriously slipped this year, so I want to gain control back.
3 - Sort out freezer, and maybe try a few crock-pot freezer meals from pinterest.
Not a big list, but should be acheivable with the week between Christmas and New Years off work.
1 - De-clutter my bathroom cupboards. There's a whole heap of stuff that can just plain go in there. I also need to do the medicine cupboards and clear out all the out of date stuff.
2 - Work on my budget for 2012. This seriously slipped this year, so I want to gain control back.
3 - Sort out freezer, and maybe try a few crock-pot freezer meals from pinterest.
Not a big list, but should be acheivable with the week between Christmas and New Years off work.
Saturday, 10 December 2011
TIBMTD - November Wrap
How did I go this month...
I need to make my Neurnberger Lebkuchen since I didn't get it done in October. Done!! and they'll be eaten by the end of the month.
We bought some storage cubes that need to be put together so I can keep all the extra stuff Mr Trifectagirl buys!! Done, and slowling filling the shelves.
I still need to get the shelf for Baby J's room painted and up. Grandpa kindly painted the shelf, and we are all surprised at how pale it is. Back to the drawing board!!
My wedding flowers are back from being dried, so I need to arrange to get them framed with a few other momentos from the wedding. All with the framer, should be back mid-January.
A reasonably successful month!
I need to make my Neurnberger Lebkuchen since I didn't get it done in October. Done!! and they'll be eaten by the end of the month.
We bought some storage cubes that need to be put together so I can keep all the extra stuff Mr Trifectagirl buys!! Done, and slowling filling the shelves.
I still need to get the shelf for Baby J's room painted and up. Grandpa kindly painted the shelf, and we are all surprised at how pale it is. Back to the drawing board!!
My wedding flowers are back from being dried, so I need to arrange to get them framed with a few other momentos from the wedding. All with the framer, should be back mid-January.
A reasonably successful month!
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Thanksgiving
This past Thursday was Thanksgiving day in the US. I experienced Thanksgiving in 1991 when I lived in California, but it was a pretty simple day with my host family.
Reading Facebook posts, blog posts, it's a holiday I wish we had. Unless you follow a religion and express your thanks during worship, we in Australia don't really have a national 'be thankful' day. Some may use Christmas or Easter or other religious holiday, maybe ANZAC Day serves the purpose for some, but a day to reflect and be Thankful would benefit the country, I believe. I appreciate it's an historical holiday, based in the country's formation and therefore not really 'transportable', but I'd prefer Thanksgiving to have travelled here rather than Halloween.
There are some elements of Thanksgiving I don't want - it seems like an opportunity for extra family drama. Getting the meal right for Thanksgiving seems to be more critical than getting the Christmas meal right and there's inordinant pressure on the host household. Mind you, I've morphed green bean casserole to Christmas (and general use, actually), and want to sneak in marshmallow sweet potato - but Mr Trifectagirl's cardiologist would have his own heart attack with that one!
So, taking the opportunity, I am thankful for...
Mr Trifectagirl - the moment I saw him my reaction was 'that's him'. And as much as we drive each other up the wall and tease each other, I love him to death.
Baby J - Baby J is an IVF baby. I'm thankful I had knowledge through BPW Australia's Think Fertility project, that I knew when to start asking questions and advocating for ourselves. I'm thankful it only took two cycles to get Baby J, and I had an easy pregnancy (Mr Trifectagirl didn't, but I did ;))
My Friends, both on line and off. I've got a great circle of US friends that I've made on-line. In combination, we've shared infertility and babies and our lives. We'll circle the wagons when needed much more than off-line friends seem to. My off-line friends are a small group, and I we don't touch base as much as we should, but have events in place to ensure we do.
My Job- I love where I work, it's a fantastic program that allows me to learn about all sorts of topics from world experts I never would become involved in otherwise.
My House - as much as the lack of space is driving me completely bonkers, I'm thankful I have a roof over my head and am able to keep a roof over my family's head. I just gotta solve this space problem!
Rolling onto Christmas - decos will be out this weekend, and our Elf on the Shelf should arrive from the North Pole Thursday!
Reading Facebook posts, blog posts, it's a holiday I wish we had. Unless you follow a religion and express your thanks during worship, we in Australia don't really have a national 'be thankful' day. Some may use Christmas or Easter or other religious holiday, maybe ANZAC Day serves the purpose for some, but a day to reflect and be Thankful would benefit the country, I believe. I appreciate it's an historical holiday, based in the country's formation and therefore not really 'transportable', but I'd prefer Thanksgiving to have travelled here rather than Halloween.
There are some elements of Thanksgiving I don't want - it seems like an opportunity for extra family drama. Getting the meal right for Thanksgiving seems to be more critical than getting the Christmas meal right and there's inordinant pressure on the host household. Mind you, I've morphed green bean casserole to Christmas (and general use, actually), and want to sneak in marshmallow sweet potato - but Mr Trifectagirl's cardiologist would have his own heart attack with that one!
So, taking the opportunity, I am thankful for...
Mr Trifectagirl - the moment I saw him my reaction was 'that's him'. And as much as we drive each other up the wall and tease each other, I love him to death.
Baby J - Baby J is an IVF baby. I'm thankful I had knowledge through BPW Australia's Think Fertility project, that I knew when to start asking questions and advocating for ourselves. I'm thankful it only took two cycles to get Baby J, and I had an easy pregnancy (Mr Trifectagirl didn't, but I did ;))
My Friends, both on line and off. I've got a great circle of US friends that I've made on-line. In combination, we've shared infertility and babies and our lives. We'll circle the wagons when needed much more than off-line friends seem to. My off-line friends are a small group, and I we don't touch base as much as we should, but have events in place to ensure we do.
My Job- I love where I work, it's a fantastic program that allows me to learn about all sorts of topics from world experts I never would become involved in otherwise.
My House - as much as the lack of space is driving me completely bonkers, I'm thankful I have a roof over my head and am able to keep a roof over my family's head. I just gotta solve this space problem!
Rolling onto Christmas - decos will be out this weekend, and our Elf on the Shelf should arrive from the North Pole Thursday!
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Things I've Been Meaning To Do - November Edition
A new month, and new round of TIBMTD, thanks to Lazy Mom
I need to make my Neurnberger Lebkuchen since I didn't get it done in October.
We bought some storage cubes that need to be put together so I can keep all the extra stuff Mr Trifectagirl buys!!
I got one shelf up - I still need to get the one for Baby J's room painted and up.
My wedding flowers are back from being dried, so I need to arrange to get them framed with a few other momentos from the wedding.
I'd like to be ready for Christmas by the end of the month!!
Not much else for this month - I'm sure I'll find more as the month progresses!
I need to make my Neurnberger Lebkuchen since I didn't get it done in October.
We bought some storage cubes that need to be put together so I can keep all the extra stuff Mr Trifectagirl buys!!
I got one shelf up - I still need to get the one for Baby J's room painted and up.
My wedding flowers are back from being dried, so I need to arrange to get them framed with a few other momentos from the wedding.
I'd like to be ready for Christmas by the end of the month!!
Not much else for this month - I'm sure I'll find more as the month progresses!
Sunday, 6 November 2011
TIBMTD - October Wrap
1 - Get those shelves up. The toilet one is now at least painted, and the plan today is to re-paint the room ready for it. Done!!
2 - Sort out my office area and go through paperwork. The piles of paperwork is driving me nuts, and I need to make space for DH's as well. Done, finally.
3- Not a meaning to do, but due this month - start baking my christmas cookies. They need a couple of months to mature. I didn't get togetting a new oven and having it installed. Next weekend seems like a possible time, however. this - my oven died, so part of the month was spent getting that fixed.
4 - put more of the boxes around the place into storage - if there is room in the lock-up. Got one box of baby clothes put away. We also bought a modular system to make better use of closet space.
5 - cut and sew pants for Baby J - need to do this soon before he out-grows the size I've cut in the pattern!! Done, and they'll hopefully fit for a month or so. These little people grow so quickly!
A pretty productive month all up - I'm pleased.
2 - Sort out my office area and go through paperwork. The piles of paperwork is driving me nuts, and I need to make space for DH's as well. Done, finally.
3- Not a meaning to do, but due this month - start baking my christmas cookies. They need a couple of months to mature. I didn't get togetting a new oven and having it installed. Next weekend seems like a possible time, however. this - my oven died, so part of the month was spent getting that fixed.
4 - put more of the boxes around the place into storage - if there is room in the lock-up. Got one box of baby clothes put away. We also bought a modular system to make better use of closet space.
5 - cut and sew pants for Baby J - need to do this soon before he out-grows the size I've cut in the pattern!! Done, and they'll hopefully fit for a month or so. These little people grow so quickly!
A pretty productive month all up - I'm pleased.
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