Back to basics

Back to basics is something that I have seen done on a few other blogs.  It is basically a list of headings which you complete every few days or each week to give yourself and others an idea of what is going on in your life right now.  I am giving it a go. 

The headings come from a “simple lifers” page and I may adapt them in the future but for now they seem to fit in for me.

BACK TO BASICS

Doing: Not much really!  I am having a bit of a lazy day and enjoying some peace.

Making: I am currently working on Evans cross stitch embroidery which I started months ago before he was born.  At the rate I am going he’ll get it when he starts school!

Dinner: Roast belly pork with all the trimmings. A shop bought banoffee cheese cake for dessert

Challenge/s:  Getting through the day without Simon getting in a further huff!

Solution/s:  Keep out of his way and encourage him to go play in his barn. DO NOT ask him to do anything! I can report that he is now happily (hopefully) ensconced at his barn for the afternoon!

Transgressions:  Hmm...This week I have made a few purchases but they have been ones that should help me in my “simple” quest. My funky new wellies which I have already shown you all will be brilliant on the allotment so I don’t ruin any good shoes.  I have also got myself a copy of the Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn which I have begun to read and it has some good ideas.  It is a huge book.

Observing: How many birds are coming to my feeders today.

Reading:  The Tightwad Gazette, as above.

Utility savings: I am trying really hard to cut down on both gas and electricity consumption.  It is hard to get the others to remember. It also does not help that the hot tap in the downstairs toilet has been dripping for weeks.  I keep asking Simon to sort out the plumber but it obviously isn’t top of his list of priorities. 

Josh showed me today that it will no longer turn on but is dripping water (hot) at an even faster rate so maybe he’ll do something about it now. I could just phone the plumber myself but I hate it that I always end up having to do these things myself.  I shouldn’t have to do everything around here.  I know that I am just a “little housewife” and I am not currently bringing in any income but when do I get my time off, that’s what I would like to know? 

We have been having a problem for a while now with the hot water in all taps running cold for ages before it heats up. We only had a new boiler 2 years ago and the hot water is supposed to be instantaneous.  Up until today the shower had been Ok but Josh told me that it was running cold today too.  I have sussed it out....... It must be Joshua’s fault!

Actually I have decided that I will call the plumber myself tomorrow or it will never get seen to!

Contemplating:  The whole situation with visiting my Mum and how best to work in visits.

Sowing seed or planting:  Nothing just yet as the ground is far too wet but hopefully we can get some garlic in this week.

Maintenance jobs: See above!!!!  Get plumber to sort out the hot water and dripping tap.  Sew up my valance where it is coming undone.

Planning for the future:  I am continuing to do lots of research in books in the hope that we will be successful with at least some of our growing. We need to get some more seeds.

Harvesting:  Oh I wish!

Working for the Future: We are continuing to dig the allotment and to rake etc..... in the hope of lots of organic fruit and vegetables later in the year.

Building community:  Nothing done here.

Donations: I have 3 bags of stuff waiting to be taken to our local charity shop which is “Help the aged”.

Learn a new skill: I am learning about growing things from seed.