THE YEAR THAT WAS!

Hi Guys,

Well, here in Australia it is the last day of 2013. 

I am sitting at my desk, in what I have turned into, my 'office', for better use of the space while decluttering .  This actually helped enormously.  But, boy, what a year I have had.  Stop, then start, then stop, then start again.  Up down and around.  I didn't know at times if I was Arthur or Martha!

The year began with this room being prepared for the new use.  Wish I had painted it now, but we were time poor.  Also, the weather here was stinking hot.  Mid January saw 40+ degrees Celsius - that's 104+ degrees Fahrenheit for those still using imperial measurements.  Bloody hot.

Most of this year, I felt like I was at a standstill due to the fact that I could no longer see my progress.  This is what happens and it can play tricks on you and make you feel like a failure.  I remember, I did a before and now, to perk up my being down in the dumps about it.  But it wasn't till mid December when a dear friend came to pick me up and had not been to my place for some years now due to living far away.  Her immediate response was, 'Wow, look how much has gone and how much better it looks... the photos on your blog do not do it justice'. 

Well, you could have bowled me over with a feather, as I had been feeling like I had made no progress at all.  But I had.  Little by little, bit by bit, you do get there.

Recapping on some of the main events of 2013 were:

- creating the office space.

-  rearranging the lounge and kitchen with my daughter and her boyfriend.

- holding the garden bee with loads of helpers to get the overgrowth back into check.

- started at the markets.

- sorted out again under the carport for Hard Rubbish and the triffid to be hacked at and gone.  Almost missed the Hard Rubbish, which would have been just wrong had I done that.

- had 2 or 3 total complete long stops through the year due to commitments outside of my control or via medical reasons and concerns.

- this year it was 6 years since I moved in and started this process.  Was hoping to be finished by now, but that was just not practical.  Being more than half way with that in mind just didn't seem good enough, hence why I started to feel low about it.

So that was the year that was. 

Doesn't seem like much, but it is much more than before and it is now out and gone forever. 

The bins have been full all year long and that is a good thing.  Where I used to live I would put the bins out every two or three weeks as I really didn't have much to toss out at that time and recycled really well.  Once my bins start to get that way here, then I know I will be done. 

Cannot wait for that day!

I also started out this year with the intention to sweep out the deadwood and clear the slate for a fresh start.  Along with eliminating any 'stressors' from my life to enable me to concentrate more on the job at hand, which was to get my home in order and to get a job being that I had been recently unemployed at that time.

Now, nearly a year on, I am still unemployed, but required by our Government to do some studies.  The first course was far too simple for me, but out of it came an unexpected opportunity and that was to get me to do a Certificate IV to become a Trainer and Assessor.  Loads of jobs in this field that lend itself to my abilities.  This will only be completed in March.  So 2014 is going to benefit from all the 2013 groundwork. 

Just like this one so had to toss it in for good measure.

            

 

 

Due to all the madness over the last few months my home has started to look like a dumping ground in far too many areas, but being time poor and having suffered a medical condition, I have had to let things pile up.  I have finally tackled my bedroom first with the floor now being free of boxes, bags etc and now onto the dining room table, which has papers and left over product still on it from my last job.

Next will be to tidy up the study once more and then lastly the lounge room that got a few boxes put in there for me to sort  through from the day we worked under the carport.  See how easily things can be derailed.  But if you are patient there does come a time you can tackle it. 

Managed to get some of my personal items out so I can fully enjoy them finally.

 

Now I have a 'go to' place for all my accessories.

Have to get a place to put all the perfumes my Mum had.  Some are just too good to just throw out and will use them.  I wont want for any perfumes except maybe for 'the' one I don't have.

This area below is still a work in progress.  Eventually, once I get through the whole lot, and I hope I then be able to go through what's left a second time round as I really do have far too much 'stuff'.  I fully intend to eventually cull it down to only the absolute favourite items.  I can hear a few of my friends having a full on belly laugh at that comment.  But I do mean it.  I just have to get through the first massive cull is all.

Again, if one cannot have a laugh or two along the way, then what's the point.  It just wouldn't be fun and what's the fun in that if one is not having fun!

            

 

Hope I am this interesting as I grow older.  However, I do have to start getting colour into my wardrobe.

 

 



           

This coming year I will attempt to get the garden looking nicer with even a foundation of some beautiful and colourful flowers.  This is more a dream than a reality at this stage though, but doesn't hurt to put it out there into the universe.

          

 

 

Even though my Mum tried her best to sort through her pile of treasures as well as her Mums, it really all landed in my lap to deal with.  I may not get to enjoy this as long as I would hope to, but I can rest easy knowing that I will have made life that little bit more easier for my children.  If nothing else we will have done that much.

 



 

                

 

 

I must say, I have not always felt all that confident that I would have been able to get this far.   The fact that I haven't gone further is proof that I am not perfect and that life does and will get in the way.  However, this does not entirely stop the process of decluttering.  It only slows it down.

 

 



                 

 

This next one isn't quite on topic of what I wanted to say, but I like it enough to include it any way.  Basically, I have had to be selective at times to drop the process of decluttering in order to get on by, well, not getting on.  We cannot do all that we want to get done as we get older and if we did we would do ourselves an injury.  I do know of some who are like Sherman tanks and just keep on keeping on and seem to have boundless well of energy that springs from no where, but I don't.  I do happen to have health issues that get in the way, and I choose to stick around for the more important things in life and those are my children, the family who do love me and my gorgeous friends whom I all love dearly instead of pushing myself too far.

 

However, I have noticed some run for the hills when I am about to ask for a small 'favour'.  Was it something I said as I ponder!  No all jokes aside, not many of my friends mind helping out, as I don't ask all the time.  I make sure that I do not abuse their friendship or their own personal time.  Rather have my friends than the help. 

 

 



 

Going with the flow is more sensible in the long run.  Being that many things are out of our control any way, it is best to try and be as positive and relaxed as possible to ride through any given situation that has halted the process in the first place.

 

              

 

 

So when this does happen.... as in 'stop' due to a situation... no not just reading, but an actual life event...  we have to be mindful to not go into stress mode.  Stress is dangerous to one's health.  Well, it has been for me and am under doctors orders to lead a 'stressless' life.

 

 

               

 

 

Due to this, I have had to learn how to best use that time in a useful way rather than 'stress' or 'worry'.  I don't always succeed, but I did find the best answer for me in the end with what helps me most when those 'moments of a holding pattern' occur.  And that is humour.  And here are some other suggestions.  But humour does it for me.  Oh, and music, but humour first then music.... or both together... oh, whichever comes first then.



 

 

                 

 



 

Humour really is the best medicine for me.  Here I am with a fellow ex ABC TV artisan and all round fun guy, Paul McDermott.  I was on staff and he was the talent.  Now, I can highly recommend comedy as the best elixir and you can ask me till the cows come home and I would still profess that humour is the best elixir to all ails.  A good old fashioned belly laugh fixes all.  That and a huge gorgeous hug does it also, but laughing is fantastic to soothe your soul and take your cares and troubles away.

 



 

 

 

Have to agree with Mae West.  You can never have enough wonderful.  So glad I went on my quest to distress my life at the start of this year.  



 

 

As 2013 is about to be washed away, it is a time to not only reflect on what was, but what will be.

 

 



 

 

I did get what I set out to do, at the beginning of this year, as to what I intended to get done.  To rid myself of the worries, the stress, the added workload for others and any thing that was negative in order to allow the positive options in to open up a brighter future for my family.

 



 

 

The only thing I need to add to this list below is 'MORE TOSSING' as in getting rid of the over-abundance of stuff.

 

 

 

 

If I happen to have a few things happen  to get in the way this year to slow the process down, then all I have to do is remind myself some simple rules.  The main one is just to smile and laugh a little or a lot. 



 

All of us do not know when things may go completely pear shaped and turn our lives up-side-down.  We all suffer the same way.  We all cry, laugh, fear, protect and so on.  Let's hope 2014 brings more compassion, friendship, understanding, laughter, health into our lives.  It truly is only one world.

 

 

 

This coming year I fully intend to do more relaxing and concentrate on getting to the 'Y' to start on that all important start on my general health.

 

 

 

Get outdoors and enjoy nature and the sunshine more.

 

 

 

Go to Art Galleries, attend more local events and participate fully with my local community.

 

 

 

 

To seize the day rather than let it slip by.  However, it does say in this piece not to shed a tear or not be sad.  Now that ain't gonna happen.  Apart from that, not bad sentiments expressed.

 

 

 As for all of you, I wish the following...

  

 

 

Most who make resolutions may feel this way about it.... let's face... how many of us keep our NYE resolutions any way.  The reason being is we make impossible ones instead of realistic ones.  Make them achievable instead of going down this track of thought....

 

 

 

 

2013 has been one tough year.  I have done much.  I have learnt much.  Out of work for the whole year, but studied in two courses with this current one looking likely to gain me employment.

 

 

Found this and it is so eloquent.  The full poem can be found via www.linda-ellis.com.  Making the most of my 'dash'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just remember this...

 

 

 

  

Looking forward to watching the fireworks with my son and his friends, which is only 5 hours away now.  Just enjoying the simple things in life that are free.  Even though this is the Sydney fireworks, we shall be watching the Melbourne fireworks just for clarification.

 

 

 

Fully intend to have a laugh or more this coming year, listen to some music and play me some games.  For tomorrow, I will be back to decluttering. 

 

And I get to see my two children on the first day of the year, which is the day for family.   

 

 

 

 

 

What a great way to kick start the year off... couldn't think of anything better than that.  Sharing the love and friendship with family.

 

 

 

 

 

Have achieved a hell of a lot.  Have a long way yet to go.  Have to say I am glad this year will be over.  Have to say am looking forward to building a better, brighter and healthier new year ahead.  We shall see on next years reflection if this ended up being so. 

 

Ciao for now,

Thanks for reading my blog and for those who have contacted me and wishing you all a safe and happy year ahead.

Anita

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