The Nanny Diaries

I'm off

2009-03-07T18:50:00.004Z

I'm finding it increasingly difficult to upload my blogs the way i want to so am giving wordpress a go to see how that fairs. So you can now catch me at

http://becgoldsmith.wordpress.com

Come visit me.

New purchases

2009-03-04T21:49:00.003Z

Monday and Tuesdays pic - as seen on twitter lol

2009-03-04T21:23:00.008Z

On Saturday the family I work for threw a 70th Birthday party for My bosses mum so that means -

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm LEFTOVERS!

I enjoyed leftovers of all sorts for lunch and it was gooooooood.

But of course Birthday Party = BIRTHDAY CAKE!

Not just any cake costco soft icing cake so I devoured it on Monday and Tuesday (hence allowing myself monday and tuesdays pic allowance :@)

MMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm C A K E ! ! ! !

The size the cake was to start with!

Last 3 days photo's

2009-03-02T10:36:00.008Z

This weekend I've been to Luton Salvation Army with Saswe (Salvation Amy Symphonic Wind Ensemble) and to X Factor Live at Wembley, so here's few pics from the weekend to make up last weeks average.

More pics of our gorgeous God children.

Yes Mark has a funny look on his face but I still quite like this pic. So there you have it another week over.

A proper blog!

2009-02-26T12:26:00.005Z

This morning I went on a walk round a local country park, which is quite unusual for me. But i've been trying to be a bit more active - not go mad but be more active rather than dragging my sorry backside to gym. So have been go on wii fit, my fitness coach and this week we cheer. I also bought a pedometer and "My health coach" for my DS. It was one of the challenges from my health coach that was the reason for my walk. So I picked up my ipod set it to shuffle and off I went.

Ended up thinking about a lot of things hence this blog.

Firstly my ipod

Ok so its an older ipod and slightly bigger the one of the same gb that you get now but its just me and its got all my stuff on it. Like you have a cd collection there's stuff on here that never made it into a physical cd collection. As Mark now has an iphone I can have his ipod (which incidentally I bought for him) but its just not me and it would take me hours and hours to "pimp" his pod to get ths stuff I want on there, so I stick with my faithful ipod.

As I mentionned i'm trying to be a bit more active cos I can find it a real chore to go to the gym so if I can be a little more active everyday then I think I could exchange that for visits to the gym, cos I don't necessarily want to lose weight just stay healthy. Now I am currently very lucky to have free membership to esporta through my job but the gym in general just doesn't inspire me and its an effort most of the time to drag my sorry backside there and I get very very bored. So getting outside and walking or cycling is a much better option. I drive past various woodlands and country parks on my way to and from work that I've never explored so this morning that exactly what I did and it was really quite nice, It wasn't overly sunny, but it wasn't overcast and it was a moderate temperature so it made for a pleasant walk.

I spend most of the day every week day by myself, which i've evaluated recently can actually get quite lonely. I'm in a unique position in that the girls are at school during the day and so I have most of my day free, but am "on call" as it were should they be taken ill, have a teacher training day and such like, so I have to be flexible. When I have kids of my own by the time they are the girls age I imagine I will be working so I won't be in this situation but even if I am then I'll be in my local area with people I know and jobs to do and people to meet, but due to me working and living in 2 different areas it leads to either usuing extra diesel or spending a lot of time on my own. Recently I've refound my love of msn simply because its that little bit of adult communication that I crave. So instead of going shopping and constantly spending money, I'm trying to use my time constructively and usefully (doesn't always work but at tleast at

the moment the intention is there.

Whilst walking I'm aware of something in my shoe which actually sadly as it may seem led me to think about my trainers - now although I wouldn't like to I could do without my heels, but I couldn't do without my trainers. I very seldom have run of the mill white sports trainers. They're usually trainers come walking shoes which are suitable for most terrain, so unlike a lot of girls most days I don't/ don't have to plan my footwear, I just put them on and off I go.

My current pair;

So there you have it a proper blog for once. Did take a couple of pics to put on her for my 1 photo a day challenge but have put these on instead.

Sunday's pic - can't just choose 1!

2009-02-23T09:54:00.003Z

No words necessary - PRICELESS!

My current fave pic

2009-02-21T22:48:00.002Z

Spot the difference :@)

2009-02-20T20:55:00.002Z

Guess who's staying this weekend!

2009-02-20T20:43:00.004Z

I couldn't resist taking this one earlier this afternoon

Mark took this one about an hours ago, fast asleep while his sister was screaming

Cookie time!

2009-02-19T17:11:00.004Z

The girls wanted to bake today see here they are measuring and the end result. May I say i didn't have a hand in any of this (well until they had finished them , they needed taste testing of course!) I was there simply to stop them from killing each other when the novelty of being nice to each other wore off - which it did about 20 mins into the exercise - which actually is quite good going.

Wednesday - the kids are coming :@)

2009-02-18T21:56:00.001Z

We've got our godchildren coming to stay this weekend and are out tomorrow night so have cleared flat up and got all the baby and child stuff out. Here's kiddicorner.

Tuesday - Bridesmaid dress shopping day

2009-02-17T14:02:00.004Z

2 very happy chilled out babes after a hard morning shopping.

Monday's pic

2009-02-17T13:59:00.001Z

Me at 7.15am about to embark on 4 days of madness - otherwise known as half term lol -x-

"Leftovers"

2009-02-15T14:01:00.001Z

Mark warming up the leftovers from last night for lunch - this is what was left after we pigged out last night - how much food was there to start with then?

LOTS!

1st Photo

2009-02-14T18:48:00.004Z

Valentine's Mansion just renovated with £2 million heritage lottery money.

It was a good day to start my new project. Walked from Mark's mum through Valentines park to valentines mansion for the open day. WOW what an impressive restoration!

Lovely day, lovely scenary, lovely restored 17th century house.

Doing a new thing

2009-02-13T22:06:00.002Z

Well i've been sat thinking today and I used to always have my camera practically surgically attached to me (to the annoyance of many of my friends in my teenage years) but I seem to be taking less and less pictures. So I am going to endeavour to take a new photo everyday well at least average it out and take 7 new photo's a week (gotta give myself a fighting chance once the novelty wears off a bit as it always does with new projects)
Some days may not seem particularly interesting but I shall post everyday's photo on here. (again I doubt I will post it everyday but will do it periodically).
So as from tomorrow I should be blogging a lot more frequently at even if its just a picture on some occasions.

25 Random Facts

2009-02-09T10:49:00.002Z

Thought I would also post this on here as I went to the effort of doing this exercise in the first place!

Mainly put it on here for those not on/no longer on facebook - Ed you are a pain! Lol!

Firstly explanation of how I came to do it-
Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

25 Random Facts

I am a nanny.The girls I look after are 9 and 11!

I do really enjoy the girls being off for the school holidays, but only 1 week at a time.

During the school holidays I usually only eat and sleep when I get home cos I’m knackered.

I’ve never wanted to do anything else career wise other than look after children.

I don’t work on a Friday.

I do have PROPER job despite what other people may refer to it as :@)

I got engaged 2 days before my birthday.

Getting married 22nd May 2010.

Really looking forward to my honeymoon – Holiday of a lifetime!

I’m not particularly looking forward to the long flight – I get too Fidegety

I really do believe my fiancé is my soulmate.

I never believed in Soulmates till I was with my Mark. (Yes I know it sounds slushy)

Me and Mark ideally want 2 kids.

We have a fair idea of what we’d call our children. Although it won’t stop us having fun with the baby names book.

I have played the tenor horn since I was 8.

I really do love playing my tenor horn (although I don’t get much opportunity to play it)

I am currently (technically) a percussionist in Thundersley Brass Band (much to my dad’s amusement)

I have 2 gorgeous Godchildren

They are the Children of 2 of our 3 best mates.

I hate washing up – with a vengeance.

I have a blog.

I would blog more often but don’t really have that much to say that often (in a blog that is)

My current favourite car is a Ford S-max, which I think makes me very strange. But I just like it and its practical, what can I say I’m very odd.

I’m very much looking forward to living in a house, having lived in a flat for the last 3 and a half years – need more space!

This exercise has really made me think, which I’ve liked.

Where I'm up to - Yes I know its been ages!

2009-02-02T09:07:00.011Z

Well hi-de-hi here I am, yes Ed finally.
Day off due to snow so ideal time to update my blog.
So whats happened/ been going on since August?

Well I suppose I should start with the obvious - Yes I am engaged to my lovely man Mark yay :@)
January 24th top of the London Eye he got down on 1 knee and asked me to marry him woop woop yay :@)!!!!!!!
So on Saturday 22nd May 2010 I will become Mrs Hambleton.

(Pic taken 2 mins after he proposed)

On a slightly less impressive note I've rearranged my lounge so I now have floor space and everything has a home and nothing lives on the floor woo hoo!

Oh yes, I now have a new Godson who is the cutest little boy, his name is Mark :@)
Brother of my God daughter Bethany

Well thats about it really am happy with life, but not a lot else to report.

If I think of anything else I will blog again

August 08

2008-08-28T17:01:00.008+01:00

Well here I am at the end of my 2 weeks holiday from work.
Thought it was about time I updated.
Over my 2 weeks off I have done next to nothing and its been absolutely great!

Yesterday I ordered a new sofa, and although its pretty sad i'm well excited. I've been living in my flat 3 and a half years and have never bought my own let alone a brand new sofa.
Here is my new sofa, it won't be cream it'll be "camel" which is a browny cream. Well happy.

Anyway update on the girls. Every year they go to a holiday club in the 2nd week of the summer holidays, its run by churches together in Hornchurch and I have to say its fab, anyway i digress. This year one of the new songs they learnt really stuck and Jess asked if they could get it on Cd I of course obliged and so they sang it all the more actions and all of course :@) That weekend Mark and I babysat and low and behold of course he has to endure/enjoy a performance of said song, but it was well worth it. Following the song Jess asked if we would read the bible with her :@) :@) :@) so we sat down and went over one of the passages they learnt at holiday club (about walking on water) and Jess had a real grasp of it and completely understood it and had remembered it perfectly. I then asked Jess if she knew what the words of the song meant, she had a vague grasp and Mark and I filled in the blanks and associated it with a paasage in the bible as well as an illustration using a candle that sits on the table everyday.

The words of the song are;

Shine, from the inside out, That the world will see you live in me,

You know me, and you love me, you fill me, so send me.

Shine from the inside out, so that the world will see you live in me

Know me, love me, fill me, send me.

I think the song is awesome, so simple yet profound and gave us a great talking point. I was grinning from ear to ear for the rest of the evening. God really gave us a fantastic opportunity and we used it to the best of our ability. Not only was I able to share that amazing opportunity of sharing the bible and God with Jess mark and I did it together and it was a great experience.

Later that week completely out of the blue, jess once again asked if i'd read the bible with her. We must have sat there for over an hour reading and chatting and sharing I was in complete awe of the opportunity God had given not once but twice in one week.

More update to follow at a later date........

2008-05-28T14:18:00.005+01:00

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Just completed the spiritual gifts questionnaire (last one I did was 3 years ago)
Sitting thinking and evaluating in my head, just wanted to get down my thoughts.

In a period of limbo.
Of waiting.
Of sitting and waiting God's time.
Learning in a period of rest and stillness.
Not able to DO.
Just having to BE.

Could say a lot about the situation at the Corps, but i'm not going to.

Just the above thoughts.

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Encouragement and Opportunites Update 1 WOW!

2008-05-14T13:50:00.004+01:00

Well what a week! I've been so encouraged and thankful for the opportunities that have been put in front of me.

Following my blog last week Jessie's bible arrived the next day and I gave it to her. She wanted to start from the beginning, so we went out in the sunshine last Wednesday afternoon and I sat with Jessie reading her bible - WOW!

She read the first 7 Chapters of the bible in her first sitting. She stopped occasionally and passed the occasional comment like "I understand that now" or "that makes a bit more sense now" I was just beaming from ear to ear and thanking God for the inquisitive little lady I had the priviledge of introducing to the bible and to God - WOW!

There was one question she asked (I think it was about the intricasies of Cain and Abel, and I was just honest with her and said to be honest Jess I don't know the answer to that, but I can find out if you'd like.

When Jess and I went inside I had the chance to have a chat with Becky who asked if she could have a bible like Jess's. So Ipromptly ordered her one and got it delivered to her house as I would be awasy at the weekend. I went to work yesterday and it had arrived and she'd read about creation and Noah already and then went on to read up to genesis 7 yesterday. Wow!

I had a brief chat with Julie (their mum) and said I hoped it was alright that i'd bought Jess a bible and explained the conversation i'd had with Jess. She then went on to tell me that Jess had also asked mummy and daddy if she could have a bible and they were going to get her one, so she thanked me for getting one for her! Thank you God for willing parents.

I really do feel honoured, excited and nervous about this new doorway God is presenting to me. I spend 4 days a week with these girls and love them to pieces and am really excited about them genuinely wanting to know and find out more. It's all coming from them and i'm taking it slowly - baby steps, prompted by them and where this may lead I am not sure, I am just so happy and pleased that we're going down this road at all. I'm trusting God step by step after all tiny mustard seeds and all that!

Please continue to pray for me and Becky and Jessie and their mum and dad and I'll keep you updated :@)

Encouragement and Opportunites

2008-05-06T14:46:00.002+01:00

Whilst I could blog about roots, i'm still processing all that stuff but the current thing occupying my thoughts is to do with a conversation last week.
I was taking the girls (Jessie age 8, Becky age 11) out bowling last Thursday as it was polling day and as they climbed into the back of my car noticed my bible on the back seat, they've seen it a fair few times before and so didn't think anything of it - or so I thought. Until we'd got a little way down the road and Jessie asked me "Do you have to have to take a bible to church" I replied no you don't and whilst thinking about what I was going to say next Jessie chirps in with "you just like to take it" so I said yes I did. Now the girls know I go to church every Sunday and also go to 1 or 2 church related things during the week. So little conversations about choir practice, band practice and bible study occasionally crop up. But this was a new one on me and I was and still am challenged and encouraged by what Jess said next. She told me she didn't have a bible which I queried so she explained that she did have one but it was a small one that she got at her Christening. (Becky then chirped in that she only got ornaments at her Christening - which is a whole other blog altogether) Jessie said that she could read the bible she had because the writing was so small. Then she went on to say that she'd really like a bible so she could read some of it and read about Jesus.
Well, there's a whole load of directions I could have taken the conversation. Knowing the girls as I do I kept it simple and relaxed and simply asked if she would like me to buy her a bible. She said yes please i'd like that. So having thought about which one to buy her I have now ordered Jessie a bible. I am now praying that God will give me the right words in conversations with the girls and the right approach for this situation. I want to be a positive encouragemnt to the girls without coming across to the parents as trying to "convert" the girls. Both parents attended church when they were younger and the girls go to church for church parade, so I'm sure it won't but I am wanting to tread carefully, yet effectively.
So I had what you could call a WOW moment last Thursday, and am looking forward to seeing where God wants to take this. Please pray for me and Becky, Jessie and their parents as it seems God has opened a doorway for me and I thank him for that.

Where I'm at.

2008-02-04T14:04:00.000Z

Have just been preparing the material for small groups this week and wanted to note down a few things I have drawn from it.
So although these verses may not make sense to anyone else reading them. Wanted to share them and also get them down somewhere I could easily refer to them.

Selected verses from Matthew 5, 6 and 7.

God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

Pray for those who persecute you. In that way you will be acting as a true child of God
By loving and praying for our enemies we can overcome evil with good.

Watch out, don’t do your good deeds publicly to be admired by others. Give your gifts in private, and your father, who sees everything will reward you.
Do things because they are right and you mean and believe in them, God knows your heart and will reward actions that come from your heart.

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.
Keep on seeking and you will find.
Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.

Please pray for me that I'll not just be able to tolerate those who are "enemies" but that I will be able to love them and treat them in the way I would wish to be treated and not in the way they are treating me.

Sorry heavy blog but just "where i'm at" as the title says.
I'm generally happy, just would appreciate your prayers for this one area.
Love to all who read this -x-

New Year, New Experiences?

2008-01-14T11:32:00.000Z

Well yes and no.
The start of 2008 has been how shall I say hmmm INTERESTING.

Well I entered 2008 in a new relationship, which of course is a good thing - at least for me. However to some people it is a controversial relationship for many different reasons.

I realise people will and do have some concerns and issues with the situation and if you are one of them reading this then please feel free to talk to me about it and we can chat it over. I'd much rather that than have people stew on it, or worse still react in a negative way about it. I don't bite.

So the start of 2008 has had its ups and downs. Its been very much a mixed bag both experiences and emotions and also reactions.

The good thing to come out of this (other than my relationship with Mark, who I click with more than anybody i've ever come into contact with before) is that due to some peoples behaviour its pushed me even closer in my relationship with God, both as me but also as part of a couple. I've never had the experience of praying with my other half before and yes it was strange at first but its a great thing and can only help to bring as closer as a couple as time goes on.
The thing that is strange yet comforting is that however people react good or bad when they find out whatever happens this just feels right. Its hard to explain but it just does, with all the issues that go with it it just feels right and with all the turbulance going on around me at times inside i feel at peace. God's pretty amazing sometimes. I've always said God has a sense of humour and I believe that now more than ever. I just know God must have something pretty amazing planned and is using this situation to mould, train and equip us for whatever lies ahead. Which in itself is pretty scary. But my life is in his hands and thats where its staying so hey lets see what happens next.

Time

2007-12-11T11:53:00.000Z

Ok so here I am again 2 months on - ah that'd be whoops then!

Truth is I suppose i haven't really had anything interesting to say so just haven't said anything.

Well, its now the 11th December (14 sleeps to go by the way) and my main thought at the moment is (other than the hundreds of little ones) Where does the time go?

I'm half way through the Christmas programme. 2 carolling stints done, 2 to go. 2 Sundays in advent gone, 2 to go. Less than 2 working weeks till Christmas and I suppose more importantly 2 weeks today till Christmas Day.

I was chatting with some of my friends on Sunday about the "headless chicken race" and where we were at. At th moment in the grand scheme of things yeah its nice to think we're half way through, but at the same time we're still climbing to the peak of the mountain. Work and preparation wise we haven't yet completed the big tasks, we're half way through at the army time wise but not work wise. We will have reached the peak of our "mountain" and be sliding leisurely back down the other side from Sunday.

Saturday is the big one. Me and Alan and Mark put the stable up (that is after 2 hours of carolling and once we have counted the money) So long day Saturday but once its done we can then relax and enjoy the winding down before Chrismas.

The start of the Christmas season also got me thinking I will have been doing the band for 2 years in January! I was astounded by that 2 YEARS. It's certainly been an interesting 2 years and in some respects its been a long 2 years but really its whizzed by.

Some the question i'm still asking and continue to ask is

Where does the time go?

(Hope this was ok for you Liz :@)

Rambly Blog, but just how it spilled out of my brain - Hope it makes sense

2007-10-10T10:54:00.000+01:00

Well, well, well, here I am again. Think i must be aiming for a once a month blog lol.

What a weekend! The Main Event has been and gone, and it was fantastic. I spent the weekend in the kids venue which was totally awesome! God is great! he really blessed the children and the team over the weekend. Keeping kids from 5 - 12 years happy, interested and in touch with the love of God on their own level is no mean feat but i believe by the grace of God it was managed during the weekend.

It really did bring home to me how much i miss being part of childrens ministries on a week to week basis. But at the same time I know God's timing is perfect - let me explain;
I really do miss doing what i did over the weekend at Ilford. But at the same time I know that with my current commitments - both army and work, it just isn't feasible to add another thing - it wouldn't be fair to me or the kids at the army. But I also don't believe that God is going to waste my talents and that part of my calling. Coming home from the weekend (and subsequently being ill (I thank God that my cold didn't take complete hold until Monday - when i then lost my voice) its given me time to think and evaluate.
I truly believe (and have for a while) that I am where God wants me to be, doing what he wants me to do at the moment. I'm currently leading the band and am a small groups leader and I'm loving and getting a lot from both of those things. But i think that at some point in time there will be a shift and I will have the opportunity and necessaary time and focus to be able to fulfil the other part of my calling, which i believe to be in childrens ministries. So I am waiting Gods time, but i know time is never wasted when you are doing what God wants you to do.
I am in the place God wants me to be, doing what God wants me to do and will endeavour to continue doing so by not limiting God and by continuing to listen to him and following his leading down whatever paths he chooses.

Thanks to Liz for giving me the chance to be a part of the kids main event and hopefully I will get the chance to be part of many more kids events in the future.

The Summer is over and Bec is blogging!

2007-09-04T10:30:00.000+01:00

Well what do you know i'm blogging for the first time nearly 2 months.

Well a lot has happened in that time yet also not a lot has happened!

I would love to attribute my none blogging to the summer holidays but alas that would be an outright lie. Although I have still been keeping up to date on other peoples blogs I have simply been lacking the want or need to blog. But as I am child free as of 8.45am this morning thought that I would. I don't usually necessarily relish in the girls going back to school but for some reason this year I have. This morning I dropped them both off just before 8.45 (the doors always open earlier on the first day back - silly teachers, more fool them lol) and decided to treat myself to a sit down in one of the cafe's a hot chocolate and half an hour pure indulgent me time. I then did some bits in upminster and now here I am.

Well, what has been going on since I last blogged? Thats a very good question! I'm not actually that sure but looking at my diary here's a quick round up (Sorry for lack of pic's and photo's am at work so there aren't really any.

Since July 11th -

New Harry Potter Film came out - saw it the day before public release (so no-one could spoil it for me

Took the girls to see the Simpsons Movie 2 days before it officially came out - they were most impressed by that! (easily pleased hey?!?)

New Harry Potter book came out and read said book.

Took the girls to Southend for the day (which we do every summer) always a knackering but absolutely fantastic day and this year was no exception. As there are 2 of them I usually enlist the help of one of my friends for "a day of fun" and also cos the girls like different rides and more to the point dislike different rides logistacally I need another person. This year I let the girls suggest who we should invite and they chose my friend Mark ha ha ha ha. Now I know he enjoyed the day and the girls certainly enjoyed having him there but although I tried to describe what he was letting him in for - words just aren't adequate - you have to experience it - and experience it he did! That's what I call a baptism of fire lol!

Had a Christmas programme planning meeting - so yes in the summer holidays i have had to think about Christmas! But worse than that, due to the new practice schedule at Ilford we have half the amount of practices we did last year so will have to start Christmas music that much earlier. So not only have I had to think about Christmas, wait for it........................................................... I've had to listen to Christmas music!!!!!!!!!! Well for anyone who knows me quite well they will know I don't like to think about Christmas before I really really have to usually October or November but this year it was August!

Played family rounders in Upminster park.

Have been on holiday (yes again) this year I may have had a few holidays but have been away for no longer than 4 days at a time - Next year I am having 1 holiday that lasts the very least a whole week :@)

I had my "end of summer holiday massage"

And now the girls are back to school and will be back to some kind of normality. (Whatever "normal" is)

Well thats a BRIEF run down of what I've been up to.

Not particularly interesting blog I know but hey its a blog and we all know its been an absolute age since I last blogged so its an achievement.

Am still loving Facebook, have been having fairly long conversations with people I haven't seen or heard from in years so its a great.

Have also got to add that I am loving Glyn's new blog/ vlog long may it continue but I have to say I neither have the time nor the technical knowledge to be able to manage something like that so hat off to glyn but does he ever do any work? lol

Well thats about it for now, hopefully won't be as long till my next blog.

Long time no blog!

2007-07-11T10:38:00.000+01:00

Well i can't believe its been a month already! A month since I last blogged - whoops! Well been very busy and haven't really had a lot to say i suppose. Have been to Portugal and to Scotland on holiday since i last blogged, had a great time relaxed in one place hiked up to the top of a mountain in another.

View from my tent

Well I made it to the top of Ben Nevis!!!!! Me, Bec, I hiked to top of the tallest mountain in britain - well I never. 4 1/2 hours up, 3 1/2 hours down - not bad going so i'm told but i'm not sure if they were trying to flatter my ego. But boy did I know I had legs (and a bum) the following couple of days. But it was amazing and breath taking. My real life mountain top experience!

I can't quite believe there is now only a week and a half left before the summer holidays ahhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Well we'll see how they go. I do enjoy my job but in the summer holidays my job is practically my life as once i've finished work all i'm good for is my bed and thats where i head more or less straight after my dinner! So its hello summer goodbye life he he he

Well thats me, other than the fact that i am finally becoming less addicted to facebook, although i'm probably still on there more than i should be but hey!

Books

2007-06-11T11:43:00.000+01:00

This never quite made it onto my currently reading list. But can COMPLETELY recommend it. I read it in a week and only really read on Fridays. Fantastic book, just need to find another book to read now DOH!

Facebook is more addictive than blogging !!!

2007-06-07T11:06:00.000+01:00

Sarah Type Request

2007-05-29T11:24:00.000+01:00

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a humourous read. I've really got a lot out of the book i've been reading recently but at the same time could obviously be a bit hard going at times. So is there anyone who could recommend a book that made them laugh or a slightly more light hearted book?

Peace

2007-05-24T14:45:00.000+01:00

Today I went to they gym. However I went to the gym feeling really angry. Now I don't get angry very often - frustrated yes, angry no. But when I do its not good.
Now I needed to go to they gym cos I hadn't been this week but I knew that if I worked out angry then I'd push myself too hard and do myself an injury. So whilst warming up on the cross trainer I put on the soundtrack to amazing grace, I know in the past if i've been stressed its really calmed me down.
By the end of the first track and some prayer (which always helps :->) I was suitably more chilled. And went on for the next half an hour or so having a really great worship session (which actually isn't unheard of whilst I work out in the gym.
But I just wanted to praise God that he can and does come close to us in the smallest places and some would say the strangest places, whether that be at the gym or in a traffic jam (I HATE TRAFFIC JAMS!) or even in the bathroom.
He is an awesome God who is capable of anything and everything .

Query - perhaps a long shot

2007-05-22T23:59:00.000+01:00

Has anyone got a copy of Total Youth Invasion that I could borrow - I only want one track really so would prefer not to have to buy it. Is there a nice person out there who owns it by any chance who wouldn't mind me borrowing it briefly?

2007-05-14T15:06:00.000+01:00

One of the great things about being part of a church community is that it offers us the family that so many of us crave, and that is how it should be. I once heard someone say that if you go into a church and there are no unusual people there then something is wrong; if there are no social misfits, no weirdoes, no people with body odour, no people who have poor social skills... then the question is 'why not?' What is it about this church that repels people who don't fit in? The church should be the one place where everyone can feel they belong.

Jonah

2007-05-09T10:44:00.000+01:00

Well I was gonna blog about roots but there's so much to say that I wouldn't have clue where to start and i'd be here all day and still rambling on which would all be a bit long winded. I got an awful lot from roots some of which is very personal some of which will come out in the wash in conversations. All I will say is that I had an awesome time and came away with a great sense of peace which was great!
Right, onto blog subject. Sat down this morning and have read the introduction notes on Jonah in my study bible and instead of just highlighting the appropriate bits and not reading them again unless I open up that page. I thought i'd put it on here for me to refer to more easily.

As you read Jonah, see the full picture of God's love and compassion and realize that no one is beyond redemption. The gospel is for all who will repent and believe. Begin to pray for those who seem farthest from the kingdom, and look for ways to tell them about God. Learn from the story of this reluctant prophet and determine to obey God, doing whatever he asks and wherever he leads.

Rather than running away from God, trust him with your past, present and future. Saying no to God quickly leads to disaster. Saying yes brings new understanding of God and his purposes in the world.
We must not limit our focus to our own people. God wants his people to proclaim his love in words and actions to the whole world. He wants us to be his missionaries wherevere we are, wherever he sends us.

The Joys of being a homeowner!

2007-04-25T11:36:00.000+01:00

Well what can I say my on Saturday 21st April 2007 my washing machine went to the big soap bubble in the sky.

Yes its true I now have no washing machine, so what did I do on my day off on Monday, thats right, I took my washing bin full of clothes and trotted off to my mum and dads and did my washing - oh what joy!!!!!!!

So I am currently scouring ebay for a decent washing machine, but until I find one its off to "Jackie's Launderette" to do my washing oh ha ha ha ha ha - sorry i'm laughing out loud as I wrote that that really has made me chuckle - can you imagine it!!!!!!!!! he he he he he he :->

There are some bonuses to using Jackie's launderette I put the stuff in the washing machine and depending on whether I am still there when its finished depends on whether me or my mum hangs it on the line. Oh yes and one MASSIVE advantage is that I don't usually really iron much other than my army shirts but when I use Jackie's launderette I get my stuff ironed for me he he he THANKS MUM :->

Portugal vs Essex??!!??

2007-04-25T11:21:00.000+01:00

Well at the weekend I was supposed to go to Portugal with my mum and dad, but due to unforseen circumstances it has had to be postponed till June.
So whats a girl to do all geared up to spend a lazy weekend in the sun well i'll tell you she (with help it has to be said) felted the roof of her shed and cut her grass which resembled a jungle and wait for it wait for it....... WENT TO THE GYM.
But actually it wasn't all bad i did have a very productive weekend just not what was planned.

On Sunday (having already arranged that I wasn't gonna be at the army - got cover for the band etc) I decided to still have the Sunday off - which is very much a rareity!
And I must say I really enjoyed it - for many reasons. Just because I didn't go to the army doesn't mean I didn't spend any time in worship it just wasn't corporate/ group worship. I had my own worship time on the treadmill and cross trainer. Another reason I found Sunday interesting was because I got to see how everyone else does "sunday" Now I know I for one can get a bit caught up in my own little bubble on a sunday morning, it just doesn't really enter my head what othere people do on a sunday morning and here I was in the throng of it. It really did set my mind wandering and was an excellent catalyst for my thoughts.

So there you have it instead of going to Portugal i spent the weekend in sunny essex - which for a change isn't meant in a sarcastic way. The wetaher was lovely and I had a very productive weekend and best yet I still have the weekend in portugal to look forward to so there is a silver lining to this cloud :->

For those who are interested

2007-04-19T13:59:00.000+01:00

Tim (Fisher) and Helen are engaged -

Planning to marry Summer 2008 .

I read this...

2007-04-17T23:00:00.000+01:00

It seems odd to have to say so, but too much religion is a bad thing. We can’t get too much of God, can’t get too much faith and obedience, can’t get too much love and worship. But religion – the well intentioned efforts we make to “get it all together” for God – can very well get in the way of what God is doing for us. The main and central action is everywhere and always what God has done, is doing and will do for us. Jesus is the revelation of that action. Our main and central task is to live in responsive obedience to God’s action revealed in Jesus. Our part in the action is the act of faith.
But more often than not we become impatiently self important along the way and decide to improve matters with our two cents worth. We add on, we supplement, we embellish. But instead of improving on the purity and simplicity of Jesus, we dilute clarity, clutter the simplicity. We become fussily religious, or anxiously religious. We get in the way.

Comments please...

Haircut day is nearly here - HURRAH!

2007-04-12T17:15:00.000+01:00

At the weekend I am finally getting my haircut it was due for a cut a few weeks ago but I had to put it off so that I could get my hair up during my week off so it was easy when I went swimming and I didn't need to take my straighteners with me. But finally it is in sight. I don't know how you all feel but I just get to the stage where i'm desperate for a haircut and it becomes a really big thing cos my hair is doing my brain in - well I reached that stage a good 3 weeks ago and finally its nearly here woo hoo.

And yes for those of you who are interested i am getting a considerable amount chopped off and this is not just me getting all excited about a trim.

Does anyone else have weird things like this comments please - or am I the only one who gets this compulsively obsessive about matters like this

SCARY SCARY SCARY!!!!!

2007-04-11T14:33:00.000+01:00

Ok so i'm not a mum yet, but I have to blog a whole "they grow up so fast" blog!!!!!!!
Today was a scary milestone. Today was the day one of my charges got her own mobile phone!!!!!! Ok so now i'm sounding really bad, but it's sooooooo scary where the time goes last thing I knew she was just turning 5, i blink and suddenly she's 10 and has a mobile. I know the average age of a person to have a first mobile is getting younger but still it's so worrying.

While I'm blogging I suppose I should also add I am also now appreciating how daunting it can be for parents to let go at different stages.
When the schools go back becky will walk home on her own for the first time. Now she lives less then 1/2 a mile from her school yet this is such a big thing. I can't work out though whether i'm feeling it so much because between 8am and 6.30pm she is my responsibility oh whether its just cos its a daunting thing now she's growing up I actually think its both but more a case of the whole letting go and the whole independance thing - which is a scary prospect cos how much worse will it be when it is my own child - actually no I love the girls almost as if they were my own so it'll probably only be slightly worse. I refuse to become neurotic :->

Having thought about this over the last couple of days i remembered an incident when i was going out on my own the first few times and when you're allowed to start crossing "the big roads" by yourself. When we were little we were allowed round the block on our bikes, but I wasn't allowed to the newsagents - which involved crossing "a big/ bigger road" so once I was out of sight what did bolshy bec do - headed straight for the newsagents!!!!! That basically sums up the way I was back then (shame certain members of my family don't realise I've changed and actually people do grow up and grow out of things - but thats a whole other blog) But anyway - at the time I just thought my mum was being silly i mean i was out on my own and had crossed that road thousands of times before and was literally only 100 yards further then the places mum let me go anyway so I didn't see that problem. But I totally do now ah hindsight is a wonderful thing. Sorry mum :->
Anyway, basically i'm gonna sound like a complete granny but I don't care -

THEY GROW UP SO FAST!

Whose Kitchen is this?!

2007-04-09T20:23:00.000+01:00

This is supposedly my kitchen, but I don't think i've ever seen this amount of work surface since I moved in 2 years ago!

2 Weeks ago I decided it was time to clean my kitchen blimey - I must have been ill!

I had to take pictures as I'm not sure i'll ever see that amount of work surface again - well not till I move out anyway!!!!!!

This is what it looked like afterwards.

(2 Weeks later I can assure you it no longer looks like this :->)

p.s Yes I got my new phone today (Woo Hoo) - hence being able to retrieve the photo's

Thought provoking

2007-04-07T16:17:00.000+01:00

Have just read Liz's blog and felt compelled to write this - yes I know twice in one day - i don't even manage that in a week usually. But hey.

Well our Easter weekend is being led by Jean and Ian Harris - they are classed as our "specials" as although they go to our corps we had to book them a year ago to ensure we snared them first - sorry just find that amusing.

Well they lead a very good if somewhat different to the norm Good Friday service. It was very well put together and very powerful - just the way G.F should be.

Anyway, was sat in my usual position in the hall (end of the cornet bench - oh how I miss my horn - but that's a whole other blog altogether) pretty much in the middle of the hall.

At Ilford we have a life size cross stood in front of the platform, behind the middle of the mercy seat during the singing of the first song I had to peer round the "arm" of the cross and actually thought "the cross is in the way" Woah! At that point everything stopped and I just sat there, Shouldn't the cross always "get in the way" or at least what Jesus did for us.

Wow amazing how something so simple can just stop us in our tracks and make us think and just how many dimensions that one phrase has - "The Cross is in the Way" yet it is the Cross that paves our way. So that was my big wow/ woah moment from Good Friday the moment that really made me stop and think.

Have blog ready and waiting

2007-04-07T15:34:00.000+01:00

Have blog ready and waiting to publish just awaiting my new phone. I have a decent blog all ready to go but need photo's for it to make any sense. The photo's are on my phone and I have mislaid the software to be able to transfer them onto the computer, am getting a new phone this week

So will blog once I have the pics on my computer.

Have been on a much needed holiday this week - just a few days away to great yarmouth but was some much needed R&R time.
All chilled and mellow and ready to face next week when the girls get back and we have a week of madness - fun madness but madness nonetheless.

*Disclaimer* Sorry very boring blog but needed to keep my average up as it has been somewhat lacking due to being away.

The Happy Family (And Proud Uncle Chris)

2007-03-28T21:00:00.000+01:00

Introducing Lyra Dawn Goldsmith

2007-03-28T20:37:00.000+01:00

T minus 2 Days and Counting

2007-03-21T19:36:00.000Z

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY!!!!!

Lethargically happy I have to say at the moment. What is the reason for your happiness I hear you ask?

NO MORE CELLO PRACTISE!!!!

The girls have their exams in the morning so I don't have to hear them practise again before then woo hoo! Now don't get me wrong I love them to pieces and they play very well for their age but it has long since reached the tedious point.

There is however another reason for my happiness;-

T minus 2 days and counting - 2 days of working left and then 2 weeks off WOO HOO!!!!!!

I am sooooooo ready for my time off and holiday. So there you have it a knackered, very lethargic but happy Bec, very much looking forward to the next 2 weeks!!!!! -x-

Bible Study bits and bobs

2007-03-20T14:26:00.000Z

The following probably won't make any sense to anyone but me and they are definately in no particular order. But are just musings and bits that I wanted to look up following several sermons.

Passage I wanted to look up;

Romans 8v26
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

Notes
As a believer you are not left to your own resources to cope with problems. Even when we don’t know the right words to pray, the Holy spirit prays with and for you and God answers. With God helping you pray you don’t need to be afraid to come before him.
Ask the Holy spirit to intercede for you “in harmony with Gods own will” Then when you bring your requests to God, trust that he will always do what is best.

Blasphemy
Something which you say or do that shows you do not respect God or a religion
*In connection with 1 John 5
Mark 3v29 Deliberate, ongoing rejection of the work of the Holy Spirit is blasphemy.

Christian love is not a feeling it is a choice.

We can choose to be concerned with peoples well being and treat them with respect, whether or not we feel affection towards them. If we choose to love others God will help us express our love (Notes on 1 John 2 v 10-11)

1 Peter 3v13-14
Now who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead you must worship Christ as Lord of your life.

Bible Study 4 - 1 John 3

2007-03-20T14:25:00.000Z

1 John 3
Initial –

v10 Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.

v10 The Message
The one who won’t practise righteous ways isn’t from God, nor is the one who won’t love a brother or sister.

v15 Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.

Lets show the truth by our actions v18

The Message
My dear children, lets not talk about love, lets practise real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. Its also the way to shut down debilitating self- criticism. Once that’s taken care of and we’re no longer accusing or condemning ourselves we’re bold and free before God!

Notes from v4
There is a difference between committing sin and continuing to sin. Even the most faithful believers sometimes commit sins, but they do not cherish a particular sin or continually choose to commit it. A believer who commits a sin can repent, confess it and find forgiveness. A person who continues to sin by contrast is not sorry for what he or she is doing. Thus this person never confesses and never receives forgiveness. Such a person is in opposition to God, no matter what religious claims he or she makes.

Notes from v 8-9
We all have areas where temptation is strong and habits are hard to conquer. these weaknesses give the devil a foothold so we must deal with our areas of vulnerability if we are struggling with a particular sin however these verses are not directed at us, even if for the time we seem to keep on sinning. John is not talking about people whose victories are still incomplete he is talking about people who make a practise out of sinning and look for ways of justifying it.

Notes on v15 link to Matthew 5v21-22
Christianity is a religion of the heart;
Outward compliance alone is not enough.

Bitterness against someone who has wronged you is an evil cancer within you and will eventually destroy you.
Don’t let a “poisonous root of bitterness” grow in you or your church.

Linked passages;

v12 links with Genesis 4v7
Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and b its master.

v15 links with Matthew 5v21-22
You have heard that our ancestors were told “ You must not murder. If you commit murder you are subject to judgement. But I say, if you are even angry with someone you are subject to judgement. If you call someone an idiot you are in danger of being brought to court. And if you curse someone you are in danger of the fires of hell.

Message paraphrase – Sin is lying in wait for you ready to pounce, its out to get you. You’ve got to master it.

Notes of Matthew 5v21-22
Killing is a terrible sin, but anger is a great sin too because it also violates God’s command to love. Anger in this case refers to seething, brooding bitterness against someone. It is a dangerous emotion that always threatens to leap out of control leading to violence, emotional hurt, increased mental stress and spiritual damage. Anger keeps us from developing a spirit pleasing to God.
Have you ever been proud that you didn’t strike out and say what was really on your mind? Self control is good but Christ wants us to practise thought control as well. Jesus said that we will be held accountable even for our attitudes.

UPDATE - ANOTHER PROPER BLOG AT LAST

2007-03-20T13:33:00.000Z

Well, well, well. Have just spent the last little while sorting out my blog as it was a bit of a waste of space until now so am resoluting - if thats the right word to blog every now and then and actual use this space I created over 6 months ago!
Well today is Tuesday and I am so looking forward to Thursday, the 2 girls I look after - Becky and Jessie are both doing grades on their cello's B grade 2 and J grade1. And why you ask am I looking forward to it well its simple no more cello scales!!!!!!!!!!! for the last couple of weeks I have been i suppose the fairest word I could use is subjected to roughtly 30 -40 mins cello practise a day half of which has been scales!!!!!!! To add to that the pieces Jessie is doing becky did for her grade one about just over a year ago so it is the 2nd time i have had to aid the practise of these particular pieces!
I have to say they are definately getting better - which is a flipping good thing considering they have their exams thursday morning! but i am very much looking forward to only having to get them to do cello practise once a week Woohoo I now have another styring to my bow - excuse the pun "I the brass player can now play the c scale on the cello :->"
Anyway enough ramblings, I will sign off now before I bore myself - whoops too late! :->

Bible Study 3 - Romans 12

2007-03-20T13:17:00.000Z

Romans 12
The Message –
Take your everyday life –
your sleeping, eating, going to work and walking around life
and place it before God as an offering.

Readily recognise what he wants from you and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity. God develops well – formed maturity in you.

If you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate.

Love from the centre of who you are; don’t fake it.

Don’t let evil get the best of you, get the best of evil by doing good. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness.

v1 God has good, pleasing and perfect plans for his children. He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds living to honour and obey him.

v2 Wise Christians decide that much worldly behaviour is off limits for them. Our refusal to conform to this worlds values however must go even deeper than just behaviour and customs, it must be firmly planted in our mind.
“Let God transform you into a new person, by changing the way you think.”

v6-8 Be thankful for those whose gifts are completely different to yours.
Let your strengths balance their weaknesses and be grateful that their abilities make up for your deficiencies.
Together you can build Christ’s Church.

v9-10 God calls us to real and genuine love that goes far beyond being hypocritical and polite.
Genuine love requires concentration and effort

v21 onwards. Even if your enemy never repents, forgiving him or her will free you of a heavy load of bitterness

Forgiveness involves both attitudes and actions.
If you find it difficult to feel forgiving toward someone who has hurt you, try responding with kind actions.
Many time you will discover that right actions lead to right feelings.

Linked bible passages

v1 linked to Romans 6v13
Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.

v2 linked to Ephesians 4v23
Instead let the spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy.

v16 linked to Isaiah 5v21
What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.

v19 linked to Deuteronomy 32v35
I will take revenge; I will pay them back. In due time their feet will slip. Their day of disaster will arrive and their destiny will overtake them.

Linked with my thoughts through studying this passage; Proverbs 25v15
Patience can persuade a prince and soft speech can break bones.
The Message paraphrase –
Patient persistence pierce through in difference
gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses.

Following this bible study I felt compelled to email Andy to do what I could to heal any rift that has been caused for whatever reason – Thursday 18th Jan.
Friday 19th Jan I received a less than positive response requesting that I not contact him again as he has no intention of speaking to me again and suggesting that we can “co-exist” at church.

To me the phrase coexisting at church is an oxymoron. But whatver he believes I have done what I can, all that I can do now is pray for him and that he is able to deal with the issues within himself.

Bible Study 2 - Psalm 34

2007-03-20T13:15:00.000Z

Psalm 34

In the introduction to the Psalms, it says this

In reality only when honest feelings and emotions are shared
can real people be known, loved and helped.
Often patterns of superficial communications spill over into our talks with God.

When I first read this passage the very first things that jump out at me are;

v4 I prayed to the Lord and he answered me. HE FREED ME FROM ALL MY FEARS

v17 – 18 He rescues them from all their troubles
He rescues those whose spirits are crushed

Then through studying the passage

v2 let all who are helpless take heart
God promise great blessing to his people, but many of these blessing require active participation. He will set us free from our fears, guard and defend us, show us goodness, supply our needs, listen when we call to him, and redeem us, but we must do our part. We can appropriate his blessings when we trust him, cry out to him, take refuge in him, fear him, refrain from lying, turn from evil, do good, and search for peace, are broken hearted and serve him.

v9 To fear the Lord means to show him deep respect, reverence and honour. We demonstrate this attitude by humility and genuine worship.

v9 links with Psalm 31; 23 – For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes the arrogant.

v11 links with psalm 111 v10
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.

There is an obvious link between fear of the Lord (love and reverence for him) with obedience)
v14 Study note – Some may think that peace should come with no effort. But David explained that we are to work hard at peace. Paul echoed this thought in Romans 12;18. A person who wants peace cannot be argumentative and contentious. Because peaceful relationships come from our efforts at peace making, work hard at living in peace with others each day.

Psalm 71 v 19-21 The Message
v5 Look at him, give him your warmest smile never hide your feelings from him.
v15-18 God keeps an eye on his friends his ears pick up every moan and groan. God won’t put up with rebels he’ll cull them from the pack. Is anyone crying out for help? God is listening ready to rescue you. If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there (if you’re kicked in the gut he’ll help you catch your breath)
v21 The wicked commit slow suicide they waste their lives hating the good.

Bible Study 1 - PSALM 15

2006-10-31T10:37:00.001Z

Well I've taken the decision to do some bible study on a regular basis - its about time!
I bought a bible study methods book my Rick Warren and the first suggest chapter to study was Psalm 15. So I bought a study bible last week and sat down today to do it, and here's my thoughts, findings etc.

The theme of Psalm 15 is Guidelines for livng a blameless life.

The first verse to jump out at me in the NLT version was Verse 5 -
"Those who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent"
for obvious reasons given current circumstances and those over the past 6 months.

The first verse to jump out at me from the Message was Verse 4
"Don't hurt your friend, don't blame your neighbour, despise the despicable"
Now I have thoughts on that but also because it doesn't say HATE the despicable hate in my eyes is a very strong word it sayd DESPISE so I looked up the word despise -

To feel a strong dislike for someone or something because you think they are bad or worthless.

To regard with contempt, distatse, disgust or disdain - scorn - loathe.

As i said I have thought and feeling on hate and dislike I cannot honestly say i HATE anyone so yes despise is a good word to use it's not about hating - its about disliking someones actions or motives!

Psalm 15 we are given 10 standards to detrmine how morally upright we are (accorsing to my study bible.

Perhaps nothing so identifies a Christian as their ability to control their speech.

In my study bible it cross references verses so here's some of the cross references i found useful.

v1 Psalm 27 v 6
"Then i will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me."

v2 Ephesians 4 v25
Lying to each other disupts unity by creating conflicts and destroying trust.
It tears down relationships and leads to open warfare in a church

v3 Exodus 23 v1
"You must not pass along false rumours"
Even if you do not initiate a lie, you become responsible if you pass it on.

Psalm 28 v 3
ITS EASY TO PRETEND FRIENDSHIP
Wicked people often put on a show of kindness or friendship in order to gain their own ends.
True believers should be straightforward and sincere in all their relationships.

v4 Judges 11 v 35
"God does not want promises for the future, but obedience for today."

So in conclusion I have taken the verses I like best out of each translation or paraphase and this is my version of Psalm 15

Guidelines for living a blameless life

Walk straight,

act right,

tell the truth,

Don't hurt you friend,

Don't blame your neighbour,

Despise the despicable.

Keep your word even when it costs you,

make an honest living,

never take a bribe

He who does these things will never be shaken

Update 1

2006-10-03T09:51:00.000+01:00

Well my flat looks like a bombs gone off in it!
BUT that is because I bought some things yesterday. I was in dire need of some saucepans so I bought a new set of saucepans - 1st lot of rubbish box from saucepans and old saucepans. It was also time I bought a printer so 2nd lot of rubbish - box and trash from printer. Also at present my garage is full so have no space to do anything with any of it. So Saturday is DUMP day time to dump some rubbish and make some space!!!!
Tomorrow is Wednesday so it means housework day, I am swapping week 2 and 3 over as I have a couple of friends coming over wednesday night so need to do Kitchen but most importantly lounge! so thats what is being done tomorrow which means I need to find temporary homes for things. Also have solved my drawer storage problem I will not however meet my deadline technically - I have found a set of drawers that I am going to get from Ikea but they were out of stock on Friday so I will hopefully get them at some point at the weekend.
So - yes my flat still looks a mess but

Have found some storage just waiting for some stock
Have every intention of sticking to my housework schedule
Have bought a couple of necessity items for my flat

So I am not doing badly on getting organised.

Getting Organised

2006-09-27T12:35:00.000+01:00

Well Following yesterdays blog, I went off and tried to begin to organise myself and this is what I came up with -

Week 1 - Change my bed and Hoover my bedroom
Week 2 - Clean the bathroom
Week 3 - Clean the kitchen and hoover the lounge

(Obviously there are other jobs that need doing all the time like washing up, doing the dishwasher, food shopping etc but i'm doing ok with them and also am gonna endeavour to do any outstanding washing up on Mondays - which i've more or less been doing the last couple of weeks anyway)

Well I have to say I made a pretty good start this morning I

Changed my bed
Tidied my bedroom
Hoovered my bedroom
Hoovered the hallway
Tidied the spare room
Hoovered the spare room

So I have to say i'm pretty impressed cos I've made a darn good start. If I can stick to this and keep on top of it then i'll know i'll feel a whole lot better both about my flat and within myself. So its in my best interests to keep on top of it.

Also there are things that actually live on the floor in my flat mostly in my lounge and that drives me mad so I am going to get some extra storage for my lounge so that nothing actually LIVES on the floor (well except maybe my laptop) and I'm going to have got it by next Wednesday.

So there we go stage 1 of getting myself organised and its a pretty vital and necessary detailed stage but we'll see how its going in a couple of weeks and hopefully it will all be working as I hope it will.

Me and My Charges

2006-09-25T13:22:00.000+01:00

Well here we are!

2006-09-25T10:18:00.000+01:00

Well I used to blog on another page but that was ages ago and I thought it was about time I started blogging again and on my own page so here we are.
This is more for my own benefit than anyone elses but if anyone else is out there reading it then Hi! and I hope you don't fin it too boring!