Coping with life’s constant changes can often be challenging, particularly when there’s a part of us that resists the change.
Take the empty nest syndrome. When our youngest son left home, shortly after his two brothers, my urge was to grab him, hold on tight and never let go.
This was totally impractical, unglamorous and uncool. So I decided to create The Den, instead.
Spring cleaning – not the most glamorous fun…but someone has to do it
So you’ve de-cluttered your cupboards, wardrobes and drawers now it’s time for the big spring cleaning jobs.
It’s amazing how having a list to refer to can help you remember all those little jobs that only need to be done once in a while.
A few years ago I downloaded the Bushfire Survival Plan provided by the government to help us get ready for the season. I was sure I knew all that needed doing but I wanted the check-list.
To my surprise, there were things on the list I hadn’t considered, such as moving welcome mats inside. Welcome mats are particularly flammable – this I didn’t know.
Read on and use this guide as a checklist. You never know, you might even come across something you hadn’t considered.
Beautiful freesias in bloom everywhere
Spring has sprung in the beautiful Blue Mountains. Freesias are bursting with fragrance and beauty, birds are merrily chirping and the days are longer and brighter.
With all this excitement and enthusiasm comes a new determination to get things in order and make everything lighter. We start replacing the heavy comfort meals of winter with lighter salads and fruits. We start replacing the heavy layers of clothing with t-shirts and sandals. And there’s an urge to clear and organise our homes and to, well…spring clean.
I always feel the biggest part of spring cleaning is getting rid of unused and unappreciated items. I have several friends who feel the same way but get stuck right at the beginning of the task.There’s a little bit of hoarder in us all.
People with a hoarding disorder are psychologically unable to get rid of stuff. In the worst of cases, their homes are a cluttered mess of newspapers, junk mail and all manner of other ‘treasures’ they cannot part with. Ironically, given the mess and chaos of their homes, often hoarders are perfectionists. It’s their fear of not making the right or perfect decision about what to do with things that keep them from doing anything.
We recently became THAT family, you know, the ones that make you groan. You’re sitting there at a table for two, about to order from some lovely menu; maybe have a few wines and some quiet conversation. And then THAT family walks in. There are lots of them (in our case 11) and include children of an age you know will not sit quietly and let you eat peacefully. Even the process of them choosing seats and setting up their kids is putting your teeth on edge as you see the intimate peacefulness of your night disintegrate.
I did feel bad for the other customers but it was also good being on the other side as I’m hoping it gives me more understanding and tolerance the next time THAT family invades the space I’m in.
The occasion was hubby’s birthday and we decided we wanted to spend it with our family. Winter in the mountains is pretty chilly so a barbeque was out. Hosting at home presented space issues as we’d have to stay indoors. Due to everyone’s work commitments, we had to book the second sitting (8.15 pm) at one of our favourite local restaurants. I knew it was late for the Goddesses –at 2, 3 and 4 years old they are usually in bed by then. But I figured we rarely did this sort of thing so we’d risk it.
They were wonderful! They have never been brought up to be seen and not heard so yes, they did laugh and chat and even got off their chairs several times (we kind of had them corralled between some of us adults and the wall so they couldn’t reach the other tables). I may be biased (well, that’s a certainty) but I truly believe they did us proud.
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