101 update- address book No.82

101 update

This afternoon a good well done- I finally got round to filling the address book that I have had for 2/3 years (brought it at a charity auction that mum held at her house). Writing the Christmas cards will be easier next year as all the addresses are now in one instead of stored half in a book and the other half stored on the address book on the computer. This was on my 101 list - which i have updated the item is now bold to show i have completed this task.

Shopping yet again- hunting for those bargains!!

Today we went shopping at Lakeside I brought more clothes. I don't think the sales have been all that really, it is only select not as many items as I though but I have got some great bargains nevertheless!! The best bargains was from Ashford shopping designer village.
The clothes the girls chose in Adsa Living were fantastic bargains 4 t-shirts Bex chose and a pair of jeans, Mills a waistcoat/jacket and none of the items were marked as sale yet they all came up half price all the items only cost £38.50 so that was a bargain.

We went afterwards for a meal in Harry Ramsdens, the meal was quite nice but it was cold in there. I would not have mash in there again though as it was Smash!

Back home 2:15 and Mills was disappointed as she hadn't got a hat she wanted and also she thought we were going be be out ALL day as she was complaining to Bex I overheard her in the Study- the girl takes after her mum Shop-till-you-drop!!!

Tidy up / organising

Today I spent most of the tidying / organising in my sewing room, lounge and kitchen. I managed to get both of the dinner services into my lounge cupboards making more room in the kitchen which I needed. My sewing room is sort of looking tidier but still a way to go. The finishing off of the dolls clothes that I have started will probably take up most of January to complete (which is on my 101 list) and that will clear a lot of space. I also need to work like mad to clear some of the fabric too also on my 101 list.

It has been a lovely day taking it nice and easy. Mills and hubby went and posted the New Years cards which I wrote yesterday.

And now I'm enjoying my MacBook and will progress with making up Project notebooks for the coming year with all my lists and projects etc to be done or attempt to achieve in 2009 .

Bex birthday trip is coming together, she posted a sticky note on my MacBook - don't forget my birthday!!!

Another washing load in - Oh its a never ending cycle!!

A little Spring Cleaning

Today was quite a lazy relaxing day really, although hubby may not agree as he was loading up software to my MacBook ( Digitizer, t-shirt maker, Scrapbook and Cross stitch enterprise) and taking the PC out of my room and setting up my laptop (PED basic and setting it up with mouse etc.) so now I have more storage space with the PC box gone.... yippee I need it but my plan is still to work through a lot of the fabric before buying more!! But when I do go fabric shopping I do get carried away so I need to clear a lot before I even think about it!! I have now managed NOT to buy any new fabric for the last 6 months!! That defiantly needs putting in the dairy.

I'm really enjoying my MacBook its absolutely fabulous and hubby found me some tutorials on the web and book marked them for me so I am looking forward to working my way through them and making the most my my MacBook and organising all my work.

Ironing up to date and washing cycle started again with two loads done and three left to go.

New Year cards wrote and thank you notes done all ready to post tomorrow.

Statred Christmas shopping for 2009 on the net today but will have to start making notes so I do not over buy but everyone will have a nice set of presents. I hope to be very organised next year!

Fabulous Day

Hubby and I went to Bluewater today, it was really enjoyable, we had a lovely time. First I looked at M&S sale but decided there was nothing there that I really liked so on to John Lewis where I brought an Apple Mac - hubby I think is overjoyed too as now he can get on his Apple Mac now!! That was his treat to himself last year. My ebay did well so I thought I'd treat myself and I'm so pleased and happy with it and Bex is keen to show me how to use all the features etc too!

We went for a coffee in Costa at the back of WHSmith as its generally quite nice and quiet there. While hubby was getting the drinks in I was marking all the clothes stores (12 in total) I wanted to go in. We enjoyed our coffee and hubby then took me to all the stores I marked. I brought a couple of items in Monsoon which wasn't marked on my list but hubby suggested I look in - the jeans were half price and the top not quiet such a bargain but it is very nice. The only other clothes was a couple of tops from next which hubby was beginning to wonder if I had got lost I left him sitting on a bench downstairs while I looked around the store - found three tops and even tryed them on and brought two before going back to him half hour later. Some of the tops i liked I was unlucky as they only had small sizes (8 and 10) left. We arrived back home at 2pm. Hubby treated the family to a coffee machine, I joked with the girls that it was dad that took most of the time choosing the coffee machine!!! The girls liked the clothes I chose which was very nice to hear. It was a really lovely very enjoyable shopping trip.

Had a lovely relaxing bath this evening with the jets on and candles lit, oh just so nice to relax.

So now there is one item crossed off the Wish List before the New Year 2009. And I must say I'm enjoying it very much its fantastic and such a pleasure to use although I have got to get used to the touch pad.

Off to get some Bargains

Ashford Outlet shopping village her we come. It takes about 45 mins to travel there and we arrived just on time 10am. The first stop Nero!!
We then just strolled around taking it easy and popping in to the shops that we liked. Bex brought a jacket from the designer room, Millsbrought herself a Guinea Pig calender and a Kipling bag, hubby some shirts from Van husen and also spent some of his M&S vouchers on 3 pairs of trousers and still has some left to spend in Bluewater too. Myself fantastic bargains from principles a dress £22.50 (£79), 2 skirts £13 (£45 each) and trousers £13 (£45), from M&S a top and trousers and finished off with knitting page a day calender and also a art deco calender for my sewing room half price . We spent about 4 hours there. Just before coming home we nipped to Asda as Bex wanted to look in George and she got some great bargains 2 pairs a=of jeans and a t-shirt for £19.50 so she was very pleased. I brought a shirt and a belt which were half price.
We all had a lovely day and very happy with our shopping.

I'm still dreaming......
about the Apple Mac I may just treat myself as I have spent quite a while thinking about it, and my sewing funds did fairly well over the last two months with Ebay sales.

Boxing Day

We invited mum and dad over today and they arrived at about 11:30. I enjoyed cooking the lunch which we enjoyed at 1:15 and everybody enjoyed it. We had starters and main but a long beak before dessert, I planned coffee and a cheese board too but everybody was so full after the main meal so enjoyed the cheeses in the evening along with the buffet I set up.

We all enjoyed opening presents after lunch. Dad enjoyed his power nap too. Mum and I had a nice time chatting.

It's Christmas

A little lie in now the girls are getting older, we all got up at 8:30 had breakfast before opening presents. We have a bowl of stars and pick one out so it's nice surprise to see who's next to open a present. We started this idea a few years ago and the girls liked it so we have kept it up ever since- it was talking to dad about how could Christmas,as be different and he came up with the idea of names in a hat - I took it further to make it extra special and make stars - this year Mills wrote the names on the paper and Bex and I made them into the stars.
It was a wonderful Christmas time everybody was very happy with all their gifts. Mills is enjoying her DS very much and Bex was really happy with her ipod and loaded it up with all her music, games and also was very happy with the two Sims games too. The stocking had virtually the same items in so as soon as Mills opened one Bex put that present to the side as she guessed that it would be the same as Mills and opened other presents that would be a surprise.
The Christmas dinner that I cooked we throughly enjoyed even Bex cleared her plate.

It's Chritmas Eve

We always spend Christmas eve with mum-in-law. Hubby was working from home in the morning while us girls got ready!! The girls were wearing the dresses they brought in London on our day out and they looked absolutely gorgeous. It has been quite a while since Bex has worn a dress she is a practical trousers-jeans girl!
It was a really wonderful day, very enjoyable.

Day starts with a nice lie in a hubby is working from home. I get a nice cup of tea in bed and make my lists for the day - shopping and jobs to be done.
Shopping: a little food, a couple of gifts, sawdust and hay
We start off by posting the last parcel for Ebay a late payment, then on to Crayford finishing off in Bexleyheath later hubby drove me Bluewater to go to Hotel Chocolat to get the last present.

Jobs:

1. Girls to clean out the Guinea pigs
2. Make stars
3. Finish wrapping
   
4. Make sure we have everything for the menu plan

Enjoy the festive season

The girls enjoyed making Gingerbread men and they tasted good too. The girls also enjoyed making the tacos meal too! Both tasted very good and they really enjoyed themselves too!
To finish the day off nicely in a festive mood we watched Polar Express.

London- Shop till we drop!

Today the girls and I went up to London, we caught the 9:31am train with the day day planned to walk down Regent street, Carnaby St, Oxford street and on to Hyde park Winter wonderland.

We had a lovely time popping in and out of the shops and looking at all the Christmas lights and window displays. The window displays are not like they used to be though!! We walked up through Leicester square to Regent St, nipped down Maddox St where I used to work and now the shop is a wine bar. Before carrying on we stopped for a Subway the girls were hungry I just had a tea. Popped in to the Apple store, Karen Milen had some fantastic reductions now that I brought anything. Carried on to Oxford St has a lovely stroll popping in and out of a few shops - I fail to see the fantastic reductions that the papers keep saying. On to Hyde Park such a rip off with prices - hubby and I was there 5th Dec the Bratwurst were £4 NOW they are £5 and the ride tokens were £1 each and most rides required 3 or 4 tokens - Becky and I enjoyed a Bratwurst to the only stall that hadn't put their price up. Sat down at a table and it was really nice.

Back to Oxford street and Bex gets the dress that she tried on in Bromley in her size so she was very pleased. We had a nice coffee break stop in Debernmas and looked around the store as they a a fair amount of reductions but did not buy anything.

Carried on and into H&M the girls seem to like that store and Mills choices herself a nice dress and jacket trues in on and looks fab, so Mills is really happy.

Wow the time flies when your having fun, its now 4:30 and we're about to make our way back down Regent st, one last look in Karen Milen and on to Cranaby st to see the snowmen in the dark and look at the shops, there was a lovely little arcade that we walked down and it was decorated really nice too. ...then Leicester square to meet hubby and we all enjoyed Pizza Hut before coming home.

It was a wonderful day the girls thoroughly enjoyed it, as soon as they came home run the bath to put their feet in as they said I walked their feet off.

We arrived back and the post included a couple of Christmas cards and the last item I won on Ebay.A book- Christmas beading.

Christmas food shopping

Oh the joy of food shopping at Christmas. Trying not to over buy is quite a hard thing to do with so much choice with all the Christmas festive food. The use by dates also creates problems too especailly when certain foods can not be put in the freezer, so a few of our choices changed as I did not want the hasssle of going back later to get the items in but we got some great tasty food to enjoy and indulge over Christams. I think this year we've finally managed not to go overboard with the food that either some gets wasted or we are still eating it mid January which isn't particularly good for the healthy eating plan which we want to follow next year to keep and lose those few pounds!!

We done most of the shopping in Sainsburys £105 and finished off in Waitrose £22 getting the meats for the main meal. The girls and I went to Asda on Friday and spent £60 with getting drinks, snacks, nuts, bread, and ingredients for making gingermen biscuits which the girls wanted to do on Tuesday.

Christmas day we are spending as a family and Boxing day mum and dad are coming over.

Christmas nearly here...

The usual Saturday over to mum and dads. Mum and I walked up the road, not much Christmas atmosphere about though. There were a few carol singers in M&S. but thats about the only atmosphere there was!!
Didn't do much shopping, a Christmas bag for nan's present, a Christmas card for Aubs &V, The Times for hubby and finally hopefully a lucky lottery ticket.
Lunch at mums was burgers and chips from the chippie very nice it was too.
The bag I brought for nans present is gorgeous, had to take a photo. The on the bag is just like -Toby a cat we had a long time ago- he was just so loveable.

Wonderful end to the Day

Tidy up day and finished creating my 101 list in 1001 days

Two customer collections today Maggie and Lorraine. Maggie was pleased that I managed to finish them as she was going to wear one of the dresses on Saturday and also asked how Mills was settling into her new school which was really nice.

Created a food shopping list and went to Asda and managed to get over half the items the rest we will do over the weekend although I do not want to over buy on the goodies this year!!

This evening was easy as I just got three meals that I had frozen that was left over from the meals I prepared earlier in the week- all I had to do was warm them up. Mills had the lasagne, Bex had the Spaghetti bol. and hubby and I had the 'posh' shepherds pie.

Watched Polar Express this evening as a family.

101 things in 1001 days

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Some common goal setting tips:
1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.

2. Stay Focused. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.

3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.

4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.

5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.

And here's my list!! I'll keep you updated for sure!
Bold - Completed tasks!

Start Date: 19th December 2008
End Date: 16th September 2011

Health and Fitness
1. Lose a stone (ideal weight 8.6)
2. Yoga 3 times a week for 6 months (0/6)
3. Wii fit at least 3 times a week for 9 months (0/9)
4. Create a beauty regime and keep to it for one month
5. Use foot Spa once a week for 3 months (0/12)
6. Eat 5 pieces of fruit and drink 5 glasses of water a day (0/365)
7. Keep a food diary for one month
8. Meditate once a week for three months(0/52)

Food
9. Make birthday cakes (0/4)
10. Watch Jamie Oliver DVD's (0/5)
11.Menu plan each week include shopping list (1/52)
12.Make dessert 3 times a week for one month
13.Use smajar twice a week
14.Use the smoothie maker twice a week
15.Make a favourite recipe book
16.Bake once a week for three months(0/3)
17.Teach Bex how to cook 6 meals and 6 desserts (6/6)

Art and Craft
18.Knit socks
19.Knit a garment for myself
20.Finish Mills quilt
21.Finish all dolls clothes that I have in progress
22.Finish two small teds that I knitted ( girls claimed these)Completed 3-1-09 entry on blog (see label 101)
23.Finish the two dolls that a started knitted (again the girls claimed these)
24.Dye some fabric
25. Tailor a garment with the fabric I brought in Singapore
26.Watch and work along - Lucy Neatby knitting DVD's (0/8)
27.Learn to crochet
28.Create a scrapbook the girls growing up
29.Create a sketchbook (nature/seasons)
30.Make a papier mache object
31.Create a variety of items for my shop
32.Do a Christmas craft fair at a local school
33.Amigurumi - cute crochet
34.Fashion drawing create a sketchbook (brought a course book from Leeds art gallery)
35.Overlocker learn use it to its full using all the different feet
36.Embellisher machine create items
37.Free machine embroidery create sketchbook
38.Free machine embroidery project
39.Create an Art doll
40.Make a quilt
41.Make a miniature teddy (sewing)
42.Use beads on a knitting project
43.Learn how to make a beaded crochet item
44.Make birthday cards (Textile based)
45.Finish recycled denim jeans bags
46.Make a bag for mum
47.Knit cakes
48.Finish Art doll I started in 2007
49.Finish love knit bag
50.Tooth fairy cushions
51.Make beaded snowflakes
52.Work through embroidery books learning new skills creating a sketchbook
53.Complete a cross stitch kit
54.Make Christmas card and write up by November
55.Pyrography - a new hobby

Organizing
56.Recycle newspapers on a weekly basics(0/52)
57.Keep washing and ironing up to date(0/52)
58.Declutter all rooms (0/7)kitchen,lounge,sewing,study,bedroom,utility,storage cupboards3
59.Create a project list from magazines
60.Be organized and keep diary up to date on hallway table (0/12)
61.Keep sewing studio organised
62.Get my fabric stash to a more reasonable level
63.Organise my bookshelf and create a notebook - projects / study
64.Declutter loft and organise
65.Create checklists and laminate
66.Look through TV mag. & note programs I wish to watch (0/52)
67.Check my email every day and organised (0/365)
68.Plan 16th birthday party

Technology
69.Learn how to use digitizer software
70.Learn html
71.Etsy shop finish creating and upload a few items
72.Learn to to upload to my web shop
73.Use my ipod,phone and ninteno more often and keep them charged.

Reading and Writing
74.Read 6 books (1/6)
75.Create a journal of all magical moments
76.Create a journal of all the places I'd love to visit
77.Make a list each week of targets to achieve (0/52)
78.Make a daily list of tasks to be completed

Home
79.Paint summer house and all garden furniture
80.Create a home improvement plan
81.Repair snowman garland
82.Fill in new address book -Completed 31-12-08 entry on blog (see label 101)
83.Tidy lounge each night

Personal
84.Wear my hair in different styles
85.Wear more stylish clothes fed up of jeans everyday!
86.Tailor clothes that do not fit correctly
87.Blog daily(3/365)
88.Photo 365 - a photo each day
89.Listen to 3 podcasts a week
90.Movie night with hubby every Friday (1/52) see list
91.Be more confident write down a good thing that happened each day
92.Care for my nails everyday(0/365)
93.Learn German
94.Wear more dresses and skirts
95.Light candles more often and relax in the evenings
96.Surprise hubby once a month (0/12)

Money and Finances
97.Make a wish list and include ways to fund
98.For one month buy only essentials
99.Keep a money expenses diary for three months (0/3)
100.Use vouchers wisely to save money

To end
101.To complete this list and create Another!!