A Ramble about Lockdown Projects and Stuff..(Trials and Tribulations)

Kitchen
I decided to write about my exciting projects that have ensued during the last couple of weeks. The first being, (not at all exciting) is decluttering my kitchen cupboards and shock horror deep cleaning them and spraying with disinfectant (obviously) which, due to the lockdown thought might be prudent. Not exactly going to stop me getting Coronavirus but still. I also managed to get some yukky, stuck on, cooking debris surrounding and on the cooker hood off too. Very pleased with the overall result. The kitchen is now sparkling. One thing I’ve learnt about Lockdown cleaning is, it is better to concentrate on smaller areas but deep clean them properly. Boring as it is, at least it is done and you can declutter at the same time. I listen to podcasts during this task to make it less tedious. Oh, and who else is washing up their food shopping? The hot soapy water comes out and everything gets a good sloshing. Jeez. What a waste of time.


Lounge
Now I hate being stuck in the house for too long but even I’ve realised if the lockdown is going on for ages (ever!) then I will have to make use of the time. To be perfectly honest, all this flinging myself around the lounge, doing home workouts, doesn’t achieve much. Well, not really.
Now our lounge needed decorating and hubby and I hate decorating but I decided we should get on with it rather than procrastinating. Let’s face it, there isn’t much else to do.
Incidentally, I’ve started a small business which I’m supposed to be making official with an online shop but it includes being out with the public and so this isn’t going to happen now. So, the time had come to just get on with other isolation shite! Decorating. 
Bless him, hubby doesn’t do things by half. If we decorate it has to be thorough, and I mean thorough. This includes removing the blinds, our pictures, furniture, and covering the floor with taped up old sheets. We then locate and fill in the tiny cracks, and then rub them down and wash every surface. All this took a couple of days before we even start to paint. Phew. Exhausting this decorating malarkey. I do agree with doing all of this though, and as we haven’t decorated the lounge for ages, it was necessary to do it thoroughly. Also, it kept me occupied and for the first time in my life I quite enjoyed the tasks.
During all this, we texted the youngsters and my daughter was astounded and remarked: “Two days preparation? Cor, I barely do an hour and then tosh the paint on!”
Which to be honest, is what I suspected. People who enjoy decorating, probably don’t do it properly! There. I’ve said it. To be fair, sometimes it doesn’t need all the preparation but our lounge certainly did. Young people just move furniture out of the way, shove a few sheets over their stuff and paint. Yes, I’m probably being unfair. Who cares? I’m in a grumpy lockdown mood these days haha. Anyway, we did eventually paint the ceiling, walls and that was another surprise. I started painting the wall a light yellow and moaned I couldn’t see where I’d painted. My husband found the original paint pot and realised we’d only gone and picked the same colour! Couldn’t believe it, after all these years.
We had to ‘click and collect’ the paint (because of lockdown) so I knew the paint colours were a bit of a risk because we couldn’t just replace them. However, it is easy for me to make excuses not to decorate so I decided to take the risk on both colours and amount.
So, luckily, whilst we were choosing paint, we decided we were going to do one wall different because it would all look similar, although somewhat fresher. We painted the other (fireplace) wall green and of course, it dried out minty green and I wanted a lighter garden green, you know when the leaves first come out, sort of green. So that was a bit disappointing although I have to say, now I’ve got all my artwork up and furniture in, it looks kind of funky and modern and I’m really pleased with it. All the hard work paid off. I haven’t bought any new lighting, rugs, etc. because I feel it can wait until we are out of this lockdown.
All in all, I enjoyed the above tasks. It is better than being bored and scared. I found the whole project of decorating quite cathartic. No, I can’t believe I’ve just said that either!!! Fundamentally, it is good for my head to get on with stuff.
One thing I’ve learnt through this, is that I thought I was quite lazy but I actually like to keep busy. Hubby often walks into a room, sees me doing something, and mumbles something about “what is she up to now?” One tip, I can mention is to change your ornaments/art/photos etc. around. It gives the room a refresh. I took a much loved surrealist original painting from the dining room, into the lounge and changed all the other paintings and I love the change.
Since all this I’ve been reading loads and surprise, surprise escaping the world, by walking.

Thanks for reading. It is a bit of a rambling ‘type and post’ one. Comment about what you’ve been up to.
Toodle pip.
Andrea x

Minimalism – Progress at last…


Although I can’t claim to be an expert on the subject, I have now realised that I’m quite pleased, at last, with how my home is looking.

This has taken many months. Books, clothes and unwanted furniture have now been despatched to charity shops, decorating has been done and the place is beginning to look how I want it. Here are some of my tips that i’ve collected during my journey.
Take your time
Clear one section of a room at a time
Do something new
Take a trip to a new place and explore (mini, mini holiday)
Write about experiences – start a blog or journal

I’ve not managed whole tech free days.  I blame the blogging haha!  But I’m working on that.  Minimalism does change the mindset.  No more worrying about what people think or wasting time on arrogance or ignorance.  It isn’t worth the energy.

This encourages positive thinking and a healthier outlook. The parkruns and village jogs have been started and enjoyed or should that be endured! Now to sort the healthy eating (see previous blog).

If you follow me, a big thank you and if you don’t, please do!

Bye until next time…

3 ways to start a phone/screen detox!

Over the last few months, I’ve been slightly concerned that I’m looking at my phone too much. Not only that, I’ve become irritated by people using phones during social times such a eating in restaurants!

I’ve decided to reduce the amount I spend looking at screens and plan to do this by:

  • Leaving technology at home
  • Having tech free days (usually Sunday)
  • Pursuing life with vigour

Ok.  This is easier in the summer months.  When I go running or walking, I can explore local parks and fields because the mud has gone.  Also, I’ve realised that copeous amounts of destractions on the mobile, may not be conjucive to a good walk.  When I walk Oscar, it is better to simply enjoy the sunshine, mud, trees, bluebells, company and not be bothered by emails, texts, Facebook and so on.  I love it.

The tech free Sunday’s are also easy to incorporate into my life because  I have this thing about Sundays being a relaxing day.  Cooking and gardening may be slotted into this, but they are enjoyable pursuits.  I rarely bother with emails, texts and social on Sundays though.

However, I’m doing more online and wasting time so determined to reduce online activities to a minimal pursuit over the next few weeks and will keep you updated.  However, from July, the blogging will increase because I enjoy writing and researching interests.  This is useful and fun.  But I plan to walk, run, read (books), paint, cook, much more.  My phone will be consigned to the office or handbag, I have turned off notifications and I won’t take electronics to bed.  To be honest, I’m not too bad but suspect this has become an addiction for some!  I’m pleased we didn’t have the Internet in my youth.  Facebook at school must be a competitive nightmare.

Have you done any of the above?  Some people give social up completely for a while but that is not practical for all.  If we look online less, we don’t have to succumb to other people’s (political) agendas which will be fantastic, won’t it?  Or will we miss it?  Ha!  Join me and find out…