TAKING CHARGE 6 Feb 06

apparently nobody was filled with an early-morning rush of enthusiasm, so I guess the ball's back in my court.

I've had a few ideas about where we could take things this week and mostly they are about going back to review what we've covered so far. I don't know about anybody else but I feel like the motivation is wearing thin and I'm trying to do too many things at once, which is invariably disastrous. So I think our better options would either be to review all the themes and challenges we've done so far, perhaps playing a little catch-up on some things if you missed them the first time around, or else spending another week back on routines. I'm not suggesting we take a break, but I am suggesting we take a breather sort of... step back for a moment to asses what we've achieved, what still needs working on and possibly think ahead to where the next steps might take us. I'm really not sure this is the week to be taking on yet more new things.

What do you all reckon?? I also think this might be a good idea every few weeks, so we can pace ourselves and not keep pounding away without ever seeing the big picture. I think to a greater or lesser extent we're all in the same boat as Anahata, where we have issues with taking charge of our lives. For some it's as simple as feeling out of control because there's no time to get IN control, for some it might be that it never occurred that we could control certain aspects of our lives, and for others there might be mental/emotional roadblocks which actively prevent us taking charge of our lives. Whatever applies to you it's probably best for all of us to not blow our energies, but to build ourselves up to this gradually, like Jo and her marathon training. We've made a fantastic start, but now it's time to catch our breath, revise what we've learned so far about ourselves, and plan our next moves.

I freely admit this could just be the way I am personally feeling at the moment! I'm not sure the jetlag has worn off and I had a very surreal week back in Singapore. Plus we (DH and I) are actually trying to take over DH's franchisee's business ourselves - it's almost official, and the avalanche of data and work that brings with it is just threatening to engulf me completely, so my brain keeps shutting down to protect itself. That's my excuse anyway!

So what have we covered so far?? Taking on something that we've procrastinated about for ages... Did you do something for that? Is there one more thing you could take care of this week? Routines... how are you progressing with those?? Financial stuff... anything you could take care of this week that really needs doing, or some planning that has been left a bit long?? Has anybody tried reading labels on their food more frequently?? None of these are things which only last a week and then go away, so we can always afford to revisit them for evaluation and crossing another something off those amazing lists we all have, whether physical or mental!

This week, challenge yourself. Pick at least one of our previous challenges and see if you can't do something more for it. Jana's 'I need to do...' would fit perfectly with this too. If you can take in a couple or more, good for you, but take it a bit easier this week. We aren't slacking... we're pacing ourselves to avoid burnout!

Kerri.

I like that!

According to the scales, I've lost 4.5 pounds in the last week. (fairly normal for me in the first week) Now I need to brace myself for the loss of only about 1 pound that will likely follow this week...and NOT get discouraged! (the discouragement=also normal for me! )

Aside from my normal Monday sweep-and-swipe, I have several out-of-the-house errands to run today...which I hate on Mondays.
I think I'll hop up soon and get them done this morning...just to have them out of the way.

DD15.5 has an eye Dr. appointment this afternoon and then we have GScouts this evening. Tomorrow, an electrician-friend is coming over to install ceiling fans/lights in both DDs' bedrooms. This is more complicated than it sounds, as neither of their rooms has a center light fixture (nor switch for one.) This also requires that MY closet be given some attention, as the access to the attic is in there. YIKES! Now THAT'S a task!

I'll (hopefully) find some time to check in later!
Happy Monday!

Blessings,
Lenora
"...if woman's work is never done, why bother about how much of it [isn't] getting done at any given moment?"
~ Claire Fraser in The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

I locked myself out of the house earlier! It wasn't a total disaster because I had my phone, car keys and handbag with me so after some stupid calls I went to collect our spare from my parents' place - once Mum had reminded me that though she wasn't at home I had their house key on my car keys. I haven't had my house keys there because I don't take the car when I take the kids to school. Need spares. Desperately.

I seem to be moving through a constant brain fog at the moment and I just can't get it to shift.

here's to Tuesday!

Kerri.

Kerri, sounds like you're having a rough start on the week. You know what always makes me feel better when things get crazy? Chocolate - - A LOt of chocolate. So Kerri, indulge a little and do like kids do when the game is going bad - - demand a "do-over".
As far as taking a breather - - I am putting some ideas for my routine on paper. I started by listing all the tasks I do and how long it atkes me to do each one. Then, I wrote next to each item if it is something that can be done while my liitle one is awake or napping. After that, I made a rough draft of a weekly chore list. I will test my list this week and see if it actually works in real life. The only thing I did not include was exercise - - I think I need to get the feel of this routine before I add something like that. I actually have meal planning in my schedule (my least favorite item) and I will see how that goes. Well I must go now, because according to my written routine, today is bathroom cleaning day
And to Lenora - - 4.5 pounds in one week??? WOW - you go girl! How are you doing that?!

when I got back from collecting my keys and had to go grocery shopping I added a pack of chocolate mousses with the intention of eating at least 2 out of the 4!! So thanks Moonpi... I like the way you think!!

sounds like you're doing well with working out your routines too. You need to have them going non-stop for quite a few weeks before they really become the kind of auto-pilot routine we dream of, but anything that takes the thinking out of the worst jobs has to be good in my book!

I think maybe the lack of sleep didn't help either because I got less than 6hrs, and I really don't function well on less than 8hrs. If I was in peak health and things weren't so chaotic I could get away with it, but I need to be a bit smarter about looking afte myself. With DH away it's for darn sure nobody else is going to do it.

Need to get the Chinese classes going... What would help that would be better storage/organisation of the materials. They're currently stuffed in a couple of boxes under the office bed - hardly accessible. I have a whole long list of things I'd been saying I'd get to 'after CNY' so I wrote some of the list down while I was visiting my MIL (and trying to stay awake!) as being for February. If I get through half of it I'm doing well I reckon, but I shan't be beating myself up if I don't manage, just try to do whatever I can squeeze in.

Tonight's programme is to print out, fill in, scan and email some forms to do with the new business... whilst bathing the kids (who are fortunately sleepy). Then I am HAVING A BATH - come hell or high water I am.

nobody else feeling challenged enough by this to even bother posting?? Come on... I know you must have something which fits a previous challenge that you didn't get round to. So do it now. Or just play catch-up on those irritating little jobs that need to be out of the way, as Jana suggested. What's your plans for this week Jana?? Silence from Honey, despite being on here at least twice today... Has your day been that bad too?? Come and whine, then plan the rest of the week!

Kerri.

That does sound good, but I like to make maple mousse even better.

Kerri, I like the idea of a rewiew. That makes a lot of sense to me, as I am also working on having less of an "all-or-nothing" mentality.

With all the doctor's appointments etc. last week, I didn't get to the treadmill on two days. One of those days was yesterday, and to top it off, we went to my SIL's for a Super Bowl Party and all the food available was high calorie junk. Those two events combined would have put me off the "shape-up" effort entirely in the past. I would have thought, "Well, that's it then....I lost it....This will never work....I may as well just give up....Typical loser behavior....." and so on.

This morning when I got up I put on the workout clothes and got on that darned treadmill anyway. Now that's what I call progress! I reminded myself that it will take awhile to get back in shape, and it doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. It is a process that will have to keep evolving.

Then I went to the marathon website, the one in May I've been training for. I checked the two-person relay team lottery results. My name wasn't there!!!

This is OK. I can find another goal to work on. I called the marathon office and got my name on the waiting list so if someone drops out I have a chance to buy their spot. I also reminded myself that there are two great fundraising local 10K races I could do in April and June instead, and that could be my goal.

So, I'll re-adjust, cope, evolve, ride the wave, change the plan, whatever.

And slow down, review, keep at it.

it's the old babysteps thing that Flylady is always reminding us about isn't it. We always try to be perfect about everything all at once, then give up in disgust when we flop a bit. We just need to keep reminding ourselves that it's okay for us to take a time out, as long as we know to get going again rather than waiting for some elusive 'quieter time'. We've been working hard at taking charge in a variety of new ways, but if we keep it up we'll all have our heads in a spin and end up getting nowhere.

this isn't do-nothing week... it's pick up something from the last few weeks and catch your breath week. Review, revise... not collapse in a week-long nap, as much as that feels like a good idea at the moment.

so where's everyone else??

Kerri.

I think becoming more mentally organized. Stuff keeps falling through the cracks. That's why I'm trying out this GTD stuff. I like crossing things off lists and I like having a list in one place (my computer), because I keep losing the list otherwise.

Lynn Siprelle, Editor

I may join in on this thread (though I'm jumping in, not rereading everything.

Lenora's Weight Watcher comment got my attention. I'm half-assed doing that plan. I'm trying to keep up with my points, but I'm not going to the meetings (DH however, does go to the meetings. I'm just not going to spend twice the money for me to go too). I'm combining it with Slim Fast. Today, I had nothing for breakfast (no time!), A banana for a mid morning snack, a slimfast for lunch, and had a regular coke (diet sux) and a couple slices of cheddar cheese for a snack. Dinner is pizza (homemade) and salad.

I've got just over 20 pounds to lose. It's my baby weight. It's just not coming off like it did with the other three kiddos. I know I need to start working out, but I HATE to exercise! I can't walk much outside because I have no stroller for the baby (never had much use for one with the other three anyway). The weight bench is buried in the garage (yeah, I'll get to it someday). I've done my Cindy Crawford video a few times (and I guess I COULD be doing it now instead of posting here, something I'll probably not keep up with anyway). I did do a bunch of housework today, so can that count? LOL!

Bending, reaching, scrubbing... it is calesthenics without the fancy gym. Now Jennye, didn't you just have your baby pretty recently???? The baby weight will come off. You might want to add more fiber to your diet. I've never done WW points but have a friend who does and isn't it the higher the fiber the fewer the points? There's a cereal called Fiber One and it has 14 gms fiber per serving - - that's half the daily dietary recommendation from the... the ...the people who make daily dietary recommendations. There are two versions of the cereal - one has nutrasweet and the other does not. Oh gosh, I've gone and jumped up on my big old Fiber Soapbox. My husband HATES it when I talk about fiber.
Sincerely,
the Fiber Queen

Small wonder nobody else has posted today when it has taken me so long to get round to it myself!

what's everyone been working on today?? If you're taking a break tell me that's been your plan for today, then tell me what work you plan to do tomorrow. The whole point of taking charge is to be intentional about whatever you do. It doesn't mean doing more, just that you intend to do a particular thing, whatever needs doing (even if it's taking a well-deserved rest!), and that you get on and do it.

please note - I am having huge problems with that one myself, so don't be shy!!

I have to go collect the kids from school now (yes, it's that late in the day here!) so I'd better get a move on.

Kerri.

I don't look at labels. I could honestly care less how much fat or calories something has. Which is why WW appeals to me right now because all I have to know are the points. I drink whole milk because anything else is to watered down for me (I would drink half and half if I could!).

Kerri, I just dropped off the kids at school! LOL!
Moonpi, yeah, Drew is just 2 1/2 months old. Still, with my other kids, I was at least back into my fat jeans by now.

I'm splurging today. I am eating the leftover pizza for breakfast (because if there is pizza in the house, there is something wrong!). Planning on a slimfast (with whole milk) for lunch, and nothing but maybe a salad for dinner (dinner time will be spent at a basketball game tonight, and as much as I want to, I'm not going to eat at the concession stand. Maybe a coke, though. I have to sit thru 3 BB games, even though we are only cheering one). I think I'll do a workout tape today for exercise.

Well, I didn't get nearly as many things done yesterday as I had hoped. Bad weather kept us in and then as soon as I would get started on something I would get a phone call. A friend recently had her baby and I had to hear the entire labor and delivery story. I felt the bathrooms could wait, but a birth story is sacred to me. Then, my mom called and I always stay on long with her. My mom is great! This morning, my little princess smeared yogurt all over her head. We added a bath into the morning schedule and while we did that the cat for some strange reason decided to releive himself all over my bedroom and bathroom. I got Maddie dressed but it was a struggle - - she does not want to have anything to do with clothing after she has tasted a few minutes of naked freedom. I picked up cat poopies while Maddie had a little playtiem and then off for a nap ( her, not me unfortunately). Now I have to fire up the carpet cleaner this afternoon when she wakes up. Anyone want an old cat?

quick break in mid-desk-purge...

Jenny, although you're not losing baby weight as fast as you have in the past don't try to force it too much. Drew is your 4th, and you're a little older than each of the previous times, so I'm sure it will take a bit longer. If you're still feeding him of course you need to be extra careful too. Just take it slowly and it will go away eventually. Before he's a year old I'd bet, at the speed you move!

oh, and for anyone else who's tried to move down a level of milk... I used to drink only full fat too, and when I first tried semi (half and half) it was tasteless, but now I couldn't drink full-fat. I don't really see much point in the totally skimmed stuff though each to his or her own. Certainly no point for anyone who is breastfeeding I'd think.

this office is beginning to close in on me - it's just so damn small, and it's only going to get smaller once we are really running a business from here. I already have so much of my own stuff that I don't know where to begin squeezing to make space for business stuff.

listening to a CD of Chinese orchestral music at the moment. A thoughtful present from a special person in China, someone who managed to know me well enough to guess I'd appreciate it, despite knowing that my in-laws probably wouldn't and even his own sister probably wouldn't. I have a second one of Chinese folk music on traditional instruments too. Makes a change and is quite good background music.

back to the grindstone... better turn the screen off or I get sidetracked too easily!

Kerri.

Today (housebound with a friend working in the DDS' rooms upstairs) I'm going to clean out the closet in this room! (Random piles of it-doesn't-seem-to-have-a-home-so-let's-put-it-in-here-for-now stuff: EEK!) I also would like to outline at least two lessons and set multiple-age-level (grades 7-12) objectives...these would be something I could use if I go into a class as a substitute and the teacher doesn't have a plan that I can follow. That, dinner, and DD10.95's guitar lessons for today.

Tomorrow: Coffee with my sister in the AM, work on lessons, develop overheads/powerpoint for content (minimal, considering the scenario) and find/develop activities/discussion questions/object lessons which will (hopefully) involve/interest the kiddos and lead them to the point. (harder to do when you don't know the students!)

Both days: STAY ON MY EATING PLAN!

Kerri! I like the "today/tomorrow" format!

Blessings,
Lenora
"...if woman's work is never done, why bother about how much of it [isn't] getting done at any given moment?"
~ Claire Fraser in The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

I think the word 'format' suggests more organisation and forethought than I really used Lenora... I just didn't want people to stay quiet if they were having a day doing non-work (that includes resting and socialising - it's not 'nothing' just not 'work' either!).

still, whatever works!

Kerri.

don't even have their kids around and still need a stick of dynamite up their bums to get on here and admit that they've been using their time to read... hmmm....

there just isn't a smiley to cover this one!

Kerri.

I LIKE talking to myself...

washing day today so I'm going to pop the towels on and maybe do some bedding too, which never seems to get done until someone's itching or has wet it (just DS!).

shall keep on keeping on with the office clear up, may go out to collect some plastic drawer units too.

I have made a decision about the Chinese classes for the kids... Tuesday has been voted as the perfect day and we will start doing things during half term (week after next), then the Tuesdays will begin from the following week. I've also pointed out that this will be in addition to whatever teaching DH can manage when he's around. And I had a brainwave this morning to teach DD9 about the software which allows her to input Chinese characters... hopefully it will engage her more than textbooks! Now all I have to figure out is WHAT we'll actually be doing... figure out some kind of structure to the lessons themselves so we can keep them going. Lenora - any tips?!?!

Kerri.

I'll take any advice I can get. Unfortunately for me I'm teaching a language I don't know myself, so there are a lot of limitations. I managed to grab some materials in Singapore before we left last year, and if I get moving I can always get DH to find anything else I think I need. Problem is that the teaching in schools of Chinese (and any other subject in a S'pore school) is invariably about the textbooks. I have some poems with audio CDs to supplement that, and as I said I'm thinking of teaching DD to use the software so that maybe she can write (type) to some relatives, and it feels like less of a chore to her than actual writing. Her handwriting in both English and Chinese isn't bad so that's not something I need to bang on about. DS on the other hand can barely even remember how to write his own name, so I'm thinking that part of what she can do is help me by helping refresh him on the basics. It will reinforce what she knows and she loves to take charge. Unfortunately she also likes to get bossy and DS hates that!

I played hooky this afternoon. Mum's delivery arrived in the late afternoon so we popped out for a little while. I bought 3 secondhand children's books and she bought a stone mushroom. This is not her usual style but her next door neighbour has a fetish for them and it appears to be contagious!

so my bedding's not done (surprise!) - maybe Friday - but my towels should be. Haven't checked them yet but they'll probably want about another 20mins in the dryer just to finish them properly. I sent out one batch of signatures on the new business bank account and have to do a load more, plus retyping a standard form. Probably after hours when the kids are in bed!

I've taken two out of 4 mdeications and since I need a cold drink to get rid of these hiccups I shall probably get the other two down that require drinks.

I can hear the wretched cat in my garden downstairs... frightening away all my birds. Naughty critter!

What's everyone else been up to today?? Any new routines planned, or things out of the way that have been neglected a while?? Any achievements at all, no matter how small... Somebody must have something! You'd better watch out next week because I won't be letting you off as lightly as I did this week... I still have plenty of time to come up with something really hard-hitting for next week's challenge!!

Kerri.

hehehe...
Kerri, I had to chuckle about the cat in your garden. The cat in my garden is being really good. But then, she is dead. LOL! No, I'm not laughing that she is dead, just at the coincidence that we both have cats in our gardens. (actually, the hired kid was supposed to dump it somewhere yesterday so hopefully there is no dead cat in my garden).

I did my video yesterday and now my legs are sore! Walking up and down the bleachers was not much fun last night. I made yesterday's 3 pieces of pizza stretch for breakfast and for lunch and skipped dinner (didn't have time to eat dinner anyway). I've started out with a slimfast this morning and may do CC again if my legs allow.

Four days in a row now, after a planned rest day, of just getting up, getting dressed, and getting on the dumb machine. I really wish I could go outdoors, but with DD at home, and the guys all gone by 7:30am, I would have to get up before 6:00am to get out, and that's just not going to happen.

I got my tax paperwork all assembled and ready to go except the inventory. I need to call and find out if they want it itemized, or just a lump sum.

I also updated DD's homeschooling portfolio, which I have been putting off.

Not too bad. Let's see what the rest of today can bring!

Bye,
-Jo

I am here, just not being terribly productive. Yesterday my back was aching and I had a new book to read, so I spent most of the time reading. Today I have managed to get a few of those 'need to-s' done, calls I'd been putting off, that kind of thing. I also walked for 40 minutes and took care of some errands while I was out.

No headway made in either of the bedrooms, and both are crying out for an overhaul - particularly mine as always.

Ah, well. Tomorrow is another day.

Just because that bedroom's still looming over you don't underestimate what you've achieved... cleared up phone calls, exercised, got rid of errands AND relaxed a bit - hell, that sounds like a productive day to me!

I know that sometimes that amount we have to do, the amount that hasn't been done, maybe in ages, seems dreadful - a mountain we're never going to climb. WRONG ATTITUDE!!! We need to focus on getting something, ANYTHING, done and out of the way, not waste time being overwhelmed by all the things still to do. I know, I still have tons and tons to do at the moment - it's an unbelievably hectic time for me with all the muck that accumulated before we went away still waiting for my attention, and this new business - my mother mentioned a steep learning curve and I think that's putting it mildly since it's not a small family business. But I can't let feeling overwhelmed stop me from getting things done or we'll never get anyway. I need to just plod through it one piece at a time.

That applies to most of the times when we have a lot on our plate. Write it down if you can. Then just work your way through it, congratulating yourself for everything you can cross and knowing that the rest will just have to wait for another day, because you'll do more tomorrow and the day after and the day after. Of course you should prioritise so time-sensitive items get dealt with appropriately. There's a saying which goes something like "Don't take care of the urgent at the expense of the important". Sometimes things seem like they have to be done now, now, NOW and if you keep getting sidetracked by those things you can easily lose sight of what's important but isn't clamouring for attention.

I understand this because it's exactly what I'm fighting with at the moment. I could all too easily be swamped by all the work that the (near!) future holds. Fortunately I've got a handful of good advisors to help me out, and if I try to keep my head, write it down and prioritise I know that I will find a way to handle it all. Sure, my floor might need vacuuming STILL but it can wait!

so be positive about your achievements and be less negative about the things you wanted to do but haven't... YET!!

Kerri.

Feb is a hard month for me so I am just trying to hang on.

Have made several calls that I needed to make. Waiting for some last bit of paperwork for the taxes. Keeping up with my homework for school. Had an eye appt that was scheduled back in the "scheduling month". Have an appt for the boys on Fri made at the same time. So I am crossing things off my list just not real fast.

Jana

Just got a dull head through a cold and lack of sleep (had to share a room with DD on Tuesday night. We were all up half the night. Actually, it was more like three quarters of the night ) I'm just about keeping along with the basics at the moment. We're fed, the house is (fairly) clean and the laundry is done. Oh, and I'm managing to be quite good about afternoon snacking too.

PhD day tomorrow, then a busy, busy weekend so I probably won't post again till Monday. But then, watch out, I will be ready to TAKE CHARGE!!!!!

Zillah

for everyone in fact... I wonder what we can do NOW to make next week better. Certainly if you don't have anything nice planned for your time between now and Monday you should probably do that. What else can we do to get ahead? Give up on this week's list and work on preparing next week's instead perhaps?? Sometimes a whole week seems like a dud, and that's especially true if you haven't been well or you've been taking care of someone else who was ill. I'll bet most of you have achieved something though - even I have!! Would it help to make a note of some of your achievements, rather than fussing over what didn't get done?? Go on, give yourself a pat on the back just for not running out into the street, completely stark naked and screaming like a lunatic!!

any ideas for next week?? Has anyone learnt anything at all from this week - whether something about themselves or something external or about the way they work?? We'll need to take pauses once in a while I think, but perhaps we can take on something easier rather than letting the whole week fall into a total shambles as it seems to have done this week to some extent. Maybe women everywhere are affected by similar moods at similar times of year, but I don't think it's so accurate that we can all have had the same horrid week at exactly the same time - that's just too weird!

I think maybe I'm lacking in naptime this week although I have mostly been getting to bed at reasonable times, which is one thing.

Kerri.

I think that's what's kept this week on track. The fundamentals are enough in place now that I can get through them even when feeling rubbish. That's a real achievement for me. I'm going to give some thought to next week.

Kerri, your business plans sound really exciting. Just glad you're keeping our ship afloat as well this week

Zillah

Sarah ban Breathnach is coming to my rescue a bit today. Do you take long deep breaths and release them slowly?? Well try it for a few minutest. Also, if it isn't raining (or snowing!) how's about getting some fresh air into your home today, blow some mental cobwebs away and some of that stale air you're been breathing all week. Spring's definitely coming because there are green shoots around and the days are definitely getting longer - I could see daylight when I opened my curtains at 7:15am this morning! It's easier to feel positive on a bright sunny day of course, but that's fine. I'll let the positive mood and the bright sunny weather bring me through the rest of the week on a high, and maybe I can share a bit with you too...

so breathe ladies, breathe... your body and brain will thank you for it!

Kerri.

...but very little else! I have been out of the house all day cleaning for my parents, so I have a credible excuse. I am roasting a chicken for dinner right now and when dinner is cleared away I think I'll attack DS14's bedroom for an hour or so. Maybe.

I am thinking hard about routines at the moment. I don't even have a morning/evening routine, let alone ones for days of the week and I think life would be simpler if I did. I am also planning on going to work outside the home in about a year's time, so I would like to use this year to get the house up to scratch and get myself nicely self disciplined Is there hope, d'you think?

I think the hard part is that you have no externally imposed routines, no deadlines, nothing around which you can fit your other activities. Not even something to get you out of bed in the morning, except maybe the call of nature or your stomach! We've discussed volunteering before and I think would help you get back in the swing of having some structure. If you try to go from your present situation straight into a proper job you're going to have an uphill struggle on your hands. Take it from someone who's beginning to see the same struggle looming. My routines have been fairly fixed within each day, and the additional laundry routine has definitely been helpful. Meal planning helps when it's working. Quite how I'm going to fit in real work on top of it all though mystifies me a bit.

Building up your wardrobe gradually will work better for you than trying to buy everything the week before you start. You've got a year, and as you say, you can use it constructively to prepare for the new changes ahead. But only if you really use it, not just talk about it. Sorry to be rude, but I know me, and I don't think you're that far different. Plan what you intend to achieve with this remaining 'free time', and break it down month by month so you will actually do something insteado turning round in 11 1/2 mths and realising you have to run round like a headless chicken just to get clothes, haircut and the basic necessities.

I've put a couple of big lumps on freecycle (Honey's clever suggestion), including the spare bed in this office. We've got a sofa bed downstairs for emergencies so the hell with it. This room is small, we're thinking of taking a chunk out to extend our neighbouring shower into, and there will likely be two of us working in here to start with. Need another desk, need a replacement notebook computer (DH's belongs to the company and he will shortly not be working for them!)... need TONS more storage. But first and foremost I need to stop reading about how to create home offices, get off the dratted computer and actually toss the rubbish out of mine!!!

How did everyone's breathing go today?? Did you find nice smells?? Did anyone breathe deeply too long and get dizzy??

It occurred to me that next week is Valentine's Day and lots of you will be getting romantic (DH is in Singapore until further notice!) so I wondered whether there was any mini-challenge we could add on to prepare you either practically or mentally for being soppy with your man. Mine will probably include making sure that all phone batteries have been charge! But seriously... maybe those of us on our own can pamper ourselves instead. That sounds like it's worth thinking about. We don't have to wait for there to be a guy around to get all soppy. Let's buy ourselves a nice bunch of flowers, or draw hearts on the mirror to remind ourselves how wonderful we are. This can apply to anyone of course! And if you've got perfume (you must have some somewhere!) dig it out and use liberally, even if the only person to enjoy it is you!!

Need to find a nice covered jug so I can have water handy while I'm working. I bought some slightly healthier snacks today because I've been gorging recently, and whilst I know I'll continue to gorge I will probably grab whatever comes to hand if there's a bunch of seeds in front of me (as there currently is - next to an open and almost finished packet of sweets!).

How have you been taking charge of your life this week??

Kerri.

Somebody wants the spare bed, so I'd better clear it off PDQ!!! THANKS HONEY!!! Unless it's an axe murderer in disguise, in which case of course I wouldn't be saying thanks, or much else! At least the emailer is female. I'm nervous because this is my 'first time'!

Kerri.

I had to mention that the bed was a little bit short (being as it was designed to slide inside another bed, sorta) and it turned out she was looking for her over 6ft brother. Thought I was bloody lucky.

good news is that the bed's almost clear because I didn' get the email until a little while ago, so I'd stepped up my efforts... until I fell asleep shortly after 10pm!

Kerri.

Better luck next time, Kerri

I think it's a good point about making a concrete plan for things that need to happen in the next year or so. I've just done it for finishing my PhD, and frankly, it's terrifying. But good that I've done it. Now I know I can't sit around on my arse, I have to work every moment I get on that PhD.

In the light on that I want to organise my evenings next week. I have to think about what time I might reasonably have, what days are out as far as getting a little work done in, and what I want to do in them. I'll post the result of my deliberations on Monday. Hold me to that, someone!

Zillah