In the beginning ...

... there was Eden.

The Eden Project has been the beginning of our holiday for the last two years (previously it had always been a very long, but worth-it day out). We stop on the way down and stay at their wonderfully quirky, unusual youth hostel. It is the perfect start to our holiday and never fails to send me off feeling so positive that I can change...

Because change is good - a bit scary sometimes, but good. Life is taking one of its frequent sideways shifts and I will be time rich again, which I love 😍 but frugality beckons - it's those swings and roundabouts again. However, after some time at Eden, I start to see a path through the wilderness. Less buying is never a bad thing (not sure Daisyfay is totally on board with this in practice; there in spirit but ...) and priorities need focus. Our priority is always the Miracle Girl and the summer - so less spending is back, but I am going with the fact that what do we really need?

The main exhibition at Eden this year is Earth Story - one part of it, about extinction, reduced me to tears - I just stood there thinking it's all about money. Other parts were so inspiring about how to do more. So for me this year is going to be about do more - we do try, but once on the hamster wheel it's hard to keep focused. Don't get me wrong, we all need the money ... but there are some positives to having less of it, and some more time.

So I have a plan (again), my journal is up and running, I'm writing 😀, and I'm positive (I love an Oxford comma almost as much as an ellipsis...).

An inspiring place, with so much to challenge you...

Plan B ... or is that C ...?

Well, that didn't work. I have not regained my life. Not in the slightest. I thought for a moment or two that I would, but that idea crashed and burned... looking on the bright side, we are relatively (money-wise, for us, it is always relative...) solvent at the moment.


The big news is our trip - we did a wild and reckless thing ... and it was fab! Instead of saving my extra money for the summer when I can't work, we went to Disneyland Paris, and to Paris too. Life's too short and all that. We had such a good time.


Back on the frugality train now - but saving to go back too...


Trying to assert control of wrack and ruin land too - slowly but surely I am denting disaster - any progress is progress, however tiny.


I didn't know what to expect of Disney, but I loved that bubble of positivity - it's sticking with me, anything is possible ...

Wishful Thinking!!

Knew it was - the SCHEDULE lasted precisely two weeks, before crashing and burning under the unexpected, yet typical, requirements of an average week. Being completely honest, the second week was rather dicey ...

However, this is the week I get my life back - and, oh, does it need it - my house is at wrack and ruin point - I have great plans, again, so watch this space ... I'm feeling all positive...

Having a bit of a moment...

I've been having a bit of a moment - for quite a while now - been trying to move on, but not quite getting there. So, now thinking it's time - deal with it and ...


Pick yourself up girl, dust yourself off, and start all over again ... think it was the disappointment really - got so close to the campervan, and then ... but also it was Daisyfay's last term of Y5, which was really rather stressful - not nice to listen to your child decimate themselves, because, you know, I actually think she's rather fab! Anyway, as it went, it could have been worse - and we've been working on the positives - and maybe now is the time to look at my positives too...


Back being itinerant, which I do like, but frugality is also back big-stylie, possibly not a bad thing ... planning some forward-looking positivity ... sorry for being introspective, but love the fact that people out there listen...


Next time I WILL see the positives, one step backwards, two steps ahead...

Epiphany on the horizon

It is - I've made a plan - and we all know how well that usually works ...

* house - pretty okay - even stretched to a bit of gardening...

* exercise - chest infection improved  (but not gone sadly) - been walking ...

* positivity in place - have created a plan!

Tuesday is the day - new me and all that ... I have a menu plan sorted for a couple of weeks, into May ... Primal, sort of  - still can't get my head round the legumes, and potatoes ... but it's a start... And I have timetabled exercise - again not tons but it's a start... And wine - Primal eating approves (!) - but I'm intending a reduction...

Starting slow - hoping to up the running rather than walking once I feel better - and yoga, I want yoga back ... and I'm contemplating early get ups and going out then ... now it's light and sunny ...

I want it to be achievable, I'm aiming at 21 days, then I can review it ... but if, if (!), I can get that far I should be on a roll ...

Heading for the horizon, full of the joys of spring ...

Trying to epiph

I promised epiphanies, I think. Rather a long time ago. I'm having lots of good intentions in the direction of the aforementioned epiphany, just need my willpower to co-ordinate...

Steps needed for an epiphany:
1) get house into a fit state so that you can think...

2) get going with some fitness stuff...

3) feel all positive...

The sun is shining - that's helping too. I have been for a long walk on two mornings this week. I was going to run but, as always seems to happen when it's the holidays, I've not been well - chest infection - antibiotics - dodgy breathing - hence walking not running!
Step 2 is getting there.

Today the seesaw tipped and I glimpsed the end of the cleaning tunnel - the house is starting to look like I'm in control...well, almost! I have sorted most of the craft stuff, to the point of sorting sequins into separate compartments in a hobby box ... there's something telling me that's probably not good...!  The downstairs is basically fit to allow other people in, and I feel better ...
Step 1 is getting there.

And positivity - I've always been okay at that ( although I wasn't last weekend, feeling all ill and self-pitying) - and with sun and tidy house and a fair wind behind me ...

So, an epiphany ... running - less wine ( yes, again!) - less wheat - more fruit and veg - fresh air ...

And this will lead to feeling good and saving money - which will in turn lead to savings - which may yet, one day, in a post-epiphany life, lead to a campervan ...

Please ...