Castle in the Mud

As mentioned in one of my earlier posts my plan is not to spend any money on Sundays or Public holidays apart from recreation spending. The reason for setting myself this challenge is as a statement against extended hours of opening for retailers. I dislike the fact that it takes away family recreation time for all those who work in the retail sector as well as the encouragement for people to spend as a recreational activity.

Today was a success with no spending on groceries, petrol, whitegoods etc. What did I do?? I met another Simple Saver and family for morning tea at a local cafe. We also made friends with the resident Eastern Water Dragon. Afterwards I came home and washed, ironed, sewed and cooked. Sound boring? - perhaps, but the cooking and sewing are hobbies as well as necessities and the washing and ironing are all up to date so I don't need to worry about them during the week while I am working.

I am making a bathrobe for G which I have nearly finished so tomorrow I will post a photo of the finished article.

As promised I am reporting back on our trip to the movies last night to see Vicki Cristina Barcelona. G and I both enjoyed it. The scenery and architecture was stunning - maybe we should add Spain to our list of possible overseas holiday destinations. The story was fun and I thought Penelope Cruz's character was a standout. I would thoroughly recommed this film.

Today we have had another trip to Brisbane to look at a house for sale with our daughter and her partner. It was not suitable but gave us all an opportunity to think further about what they are really looking for - buying a house is such a big step that you really need to know that you are happy with it.

We went to our local fruit and veg shop to stock up for the week ($16.35). Even though we sometimes think food prices are expensive it does not cost a lot to eat well, especially when you cook as much as possible from scratch.

I have done a menu plan for the week:

Sat - Chickpea loaf (from the freezer)with onion gravy and baby potatoes, carrots, zucchini

Sun - Celery soup with fresh baked bread

Mon - Beetroot and bacon risotto

Tues - Spaghetti bolognaise and side salad

Wed - Bean nachos

Thur - Chicken burritos and salad

Fri - Stir-fry beef and asparagus with ginger, soy & chili sauce

Now I'm off to do some washing (just as well the line is undercover as it is raining here today) and tidy some more of the study.

Thanks to those who have left comments/are following this blog. I will endeavour to keep it valid and interesting.

I left home at 5.35am - dropped G at the station, drove to Brisbane and dropped off about 50 plant pots for a friend to pot plants for a garage sale. It was a great feeling to deliver recycled pots in a recycled bag that layers pellets came in which was tied up with some baling twine from some bales of lucerne which we had bought previously. I then headed off to pick up my mother and we wnt to the Gold Coast and spent the day with a dear friend of my mother's from 40 years ago. There was much chat and recalling of places, people and events and it was a lovely shared time. I am so glad that I made the time to go as these chances can easily slip away. This afternoon I picked up G from the office and we had a meal at an Irish pub then went to see Vicky Cristina Barcelona at the cinema. The review will be tomorrow as I am too tired now.

I could have easily disregarded my blog and just gone to bed but after posting that I would update my blog every day I would feel like a real failure if I did not post on only the second day of the New Year.

This post is for one of my other challenges I have set myself:

Buy nothing on Sundays or public holidays

No groceries, petrol, whitegoods, electronic equipment either in person or online.

The exceptions are outings and recreation activities such as movie tickets, restaurant meals, admission to galleries or other venues.

The reason for this is linked to my aim to simplify my life. What did we do when the shops were open 5 1/2 days a week. We organised ourselves and made sure that we had what we needed and if we didn't we went without. It is not that long ago and I want to prove that I can do it again. If nobody shopped on a Sunday then it would not be viable for the shops to open and we would be giving back 1 day/week family time to everyone who works in retail. A bit optimistic perhaps, but I am going to give it a go. Thanks Cinderella Complex for making me think about this.

Late this afternoon I noticed that there was water flowing from an open pipe under the house. HELP - what is going on?? G and I figure that it has something to do with the solar hot water system. The water was hot but the main problem was that the constant outflow of water meant that the pump kept running to top up the hot water tank. Note: we ONLY have rainwater tanks and no access to town water. Eventually I decided to read the manual for the solar hot water system. Under the heading "Maintenance" it talks about releasing the pressure valve on the tank every 6 months. It was installed 16 months ago and we have never done it :( So, in the fading light and with rumbling thunder approaching G was up on the roof and released the valve. It seems to have solved the problem but we will check again on the weekend.

Guess who has pencilled that little maintenance job in the diary for 1st July and 1st January each year - nice timing for ease of remembering.

It is one thing to have New Year's resolutions which I always sort of do but this year is different.

Since last year threw up more than its fair share of challenges I have really taken the time to think seriously about where I am in my life and where I want to be. I want to have some control rather than just being dragged (sometimes kicking and screaming) towards another year over and feeling like I have not achieved anything.

The new job will go a long way to helping live my life on a more even keel.

Lots of little things keep coming to mind so I intend to write them all down here so that I can check up regularly and see how I am going with the challenges I set myself.

A few other things:

Deal with the mail as soon as it arrives - not to gather dust in a pile on the desk
Menu plan our evening meals and try to incorporate a least 1 new recipe each fortnight
Find a new dentist in our area and go regularly
Have my hair cut every 6 weeks
Minimise the rubbish we generate - I was inspired by Sacha

Over the years I feel that I have done a reasonably good job of reducing our waste, particularly plastic packaging though a variety of means so now it is time to quantify it. I am going to weigh all of our rubbish so that I know exactly how much we contribute to landfill.

Update on the movies - we got to the cinemas and the foyer was packed with people. Note to self (and G) - do not go to the movies in a holiday area on New Year's Day when it is 37 degrees!

We plan to go tomorrow evening in Brisbane after G finishes work. I am going to the Gold Coast with my mother tomorrow to see a friend of hers from 40 years ago. She has not seen me since I was at primary school.

Time to start on my blog with renewed enthusiasm.

Rather than just being about the garden I have decided to make this a true record of life at The Castle for 2009 (and perhaps beyond).

Looking back (just briefly) on 2008 it certainly had its ups and downs. I am hoping for a more even 2009.

I have been inspired by all of my friends at Simple Savings and all the talk on the forum of goals and challenges for the New Year so today is the day to re-start my blog. Please join me and see how I go with some of my new ideas.

I have lots of goals for 2009 and will expand on my ideas in coming posts:

Write something in my blog EVERY day.
Each month I will meet and socialise with at least one friend with whom I have not kept in contact regularly.
I will read the AG magazines we have (20 years worth).
I will read at least 1 book each month - hope to manage more than this.
Do some sewing/mending at least once a week.
Tend the garden regularly and make the most of what we grow.
Do the ironing on the same day as the clothes are washed.


I will be changing jobs at the end of this month with a 1 week break between jobs. My new job is in the city and I will be able to catch the train. It is about 75 mins commute on the train each way but better than driving 500 - 1200km week as I do in my current job. This will allow me lots of time for doing things while I travel.

This morning I am cooking up a storm - so far I have made 2 x Chickpea loaves and a tuna pie. I am waiting for the chicken mince to thaw so that I can make Mimi's Chicken Roll then I will cook them all in the oven in one go.

This afternoon we are going to the movies (a rare occurrence) as we have 2 free tickets which we have had for nearly 12 months and will expire at the end of next week - that would be a waste! We are going to see Vicky Cristina Barcelona so will report back on that next time.

In the meantime I am going to do some more cleaning up in the study.

Look forward to hearing your comments.