Hello Dear Reader,
I’ve had a lovely day, busy but useful. I’ve been and collected a chair I bought from an ebay seller, would be £1800 new and I got it for £23. Hand made English armchair, recently recovered but will be recovered again as soon as I’ve saved up for it, along with my good sofa. All part of my house renovations. I also freecycled my large, many times repaired and far too low for my long legs, old sofa. It was twelve years old and we’ve mended it many times over. It now has a new home and a couple who were very grateful to have it. Talking of being grateful, thanks so much to ‘Stash busting nurse’ for sending the most fabulous parcel of fabric; there are so many lovely ideas all wrapped up in that fabric and I’m really looking forward to setting them free.
So, where was I? Arm chair here, sofa gone and fabric arrived! I’ve also finished some quilted table runners that I started before Christmas. Even though the decorations are boxed and back in the loft I’ve still enjoyed finishing them and they will be carefully put away for next year.
Here’s what you’ve been waiting for, my second resolution:
2. Make good use of everything you have.
Let me think of all the things I have that I can make good use of. Firstly, those long legs! I can and will walk more. I always walk to the local shops and carry my shopping home. I can walk on beaches and the moorland, I can meet up with friends and go out for walks with them. I can take a walk at the end of the day instead of even thinking of joining a gym (which we all do in the new year). We all have bodies, do they do enough for us? Do we make good use of them? Or do we leave them sat on a sofa? Next, I have time. I need to use my time really well. It takes me fifteen minutes to give one room of my house a quick clean and I can do a room a day. Do you use your time well?
I have a really good sewing machine and need it to pay me back for what it cost me. I shall make quilts for sale and now I have a paypal account will link them to my blog so they can be bought. I have skills and need to use them to hold more workshops. If there’s something I do, that you want me to teach you to do, then contact me and we’ll see, distance permitting, what we can arrange.
I’m going to make really good use of my resources, from my bread machine, to my sewing machine that I’ve already mentioned. I’m going to learn new quilt blocks and designs and I’m going to use up all my odds and sods to make a scrappy bargello quilt!
I shall use the library more, if we don’t use them this ConDem nation will close them down. I shall use the coastal footpaths more, I shall make good use of the moors and beaches. I will use my garden furniture more and sit more often and enjoy the view. We all have a lot that we can make good use of.
Let’s hear from you all on this one. What do you have that you don’t make enough use of?
Until tomorrow,
Love Froogs xxxx
Brilliant post. I love your plans for your long legs! I plan to get my very short legs heffing my shopping home from t' fruit market on a Saturday. Keep these resolutions coming Froogs- although I am only making one this year (it's a biggie though), I always take something away from your posts to use in my own life xx
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Hiya Hunny, wow you have been busy!!! We went out today and braved a few of the sales, we bought a new house phone as the one we have is giving up the ghost, so we got a nice one in the sales. I bought some bathy bits in the boots sale. And they did end up being way cheaper than if I didnt buy them in the sale. So that is my haircare/body/skincare taken care of for the year.
I have tons of free craft supplies for anyone who wants them!!!!! Including you froogs, I found various things including a dyepress machine and a slice, but I might hold on to that. But if anyone wants scrapbook papers let mrs froogs know.
We have also done the loft and took two car fulls of rubbish there!!! And the garage the day before.
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I have a breadmaker that I received as a gift about five years ago - used four times. That is my primary goal - to bake homemade bread - either by using the bread machine or by hand to save money. If I hate the breadmaker (didn't turn out very good last time) then give it another home on Freecycle.
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Evening Froogs.
Sadly I think I have plenty that I dont use to its full advantage.
My new food porcessor doesnt count as I have only just gotten it and not yet had chance to get it out of the box with poorly kiddies and my step son sleeping over.
First thing would be my chest freezer , despite working in the coop by mid month it is half empty and for financial and practicality reasons I need to keep it stocked (I read your post abotu when you were a single mum and the 'empty cupboards syndrome', this is me at present!) so I need to keep it stocked - with either home made ready to bake goodies or whatever bargains I can find.
Secondly I agreed to move into this house (its council rented) because it had a lovely big garden - I need to make more use of this and grow some things and stick to it - I started off last year, lost interest and therefore everything either rotted or just didn't grow and I got disheartened and gave up. This year that will not be the case - I need to get it growing and sorted. I think a large raised bed on the sunny side of the garden is most definitely in order though and then I can sit out and use my garden furniture more whilst admiring my hard work.
x x x
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My hands and my love of the written language are both things that i have and dont use enough. Thats my plan in 2013, to use them more.
I started using my hands this afternoon to make a pizza base from scratch for the first time ever, and couldnt believe how easy it was!! Much nicer than tesco bases (YUK!).
Do you have a foolproof pizza base recipe for me to try?
In regards to using my body more, i started that a few months ago b y walking my son toschool and back everyday, but i want to use it more, so am thinking more walks by the sea/lakes etc.
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Hi Froogs,
I plan to use my time more wisely. I will also use my iron more! I've got out of the habit! Though I do suppose not ironing saves electricity! I have a huge stash of wool that I fully intend on using up too. I am wary of making too many ” I will do this etc ” as I'm doomed to fail! So I will TRY this year!
Love Rachel x
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Hun, try using Webinars to teach people stuff:) you could even charge 🙂 http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/8440/How-to-Setup-and-Promote-Your-First-Marketing-Webinar.aspx
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Sounds like terrific plans you have. I have a yogurt maker that I bought a couple of years ago and have yet to use it. I would like to put that to good use. And I would like to make some granola as well. I have good intentions, I just need to put it into practice. 🙂
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I am a terrible waster of time so that needs to be sorted in the new year! And I also have a bread maker (as per Cheapchick) that is not being utilised. That needs to be used as well to make sure we save money instead of buying bread.
Cheers Judy xx
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I have a lovely back yard that needs a serious patio repair. I'd really like to use that yard all summer long, so fixing the patio might be well worth it.
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I agree with you about using our legs more.
It's a lovely walk from my house, through the Park and into town.
There's a brilliant library and a market 4 days a week that sells fruit and veg.
I have used some of today, tidying out cupboards and sorting out the fridge.
Tomorrow I'm going to walk into town and get the fruit and veg. I need and have a walk back through the Park.
Then it's the dreaded ironing pile.
You always offer inspiration and it's the kick up the bum I need.
Thanks
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I have a lovely back yard that needs a serious patio repair. I'd really like to use that yard all summer long, so fixing the patio might be well worth it. I didn't go out all last summer, and I'm very sorry I didn't.
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Two great plans, Froogs. I can't really follow the first reolution as I don't have anything broken, but the 2nd one is something I can put into a plan. Today I started tidying “my” room, where all my crafty bits and bobs are. I've decided to get rid of anything that's of no use to me. Not that there'll be much, I always think I can make use of everything. But there comes a time when you have to be firm with yourself and say “I've had that for 10 years and never done anything with it”. So,
Bernardos will get useable stuff and absolute rubbish will be binned.
Fabrics will be neatly folded, sorted into colours & textures and I'll learn how to quilt.
Wools will be tidied into colours and projects will be finished. And I'll start making presents for up and coming birthdays….and next Christmas!
I'm tempted to make things to sell, perhaps at a car boot sale or craft fair, or I'll look round for a charity that I can make things for and put some effort into using up my stashes.
Motivation….that's what's needed.
Thanks for the post….now where's my needles?
Mrs S
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I have a sewing machine that I don't use nearly enough, so that is a plan for 2013
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Lol Froogs
Went and bought some walking boots in the sale today saved very hard fro them and got a stunning pair fro half price even cheaper with some money left on an old gift card worked out to be £27.50 in total so no robbery there. Ruth like you need to sort out the back garden . mine is the size of a hanky but it gets good light and sun so will be good to breakfast out there in fine weather.
This weekend I will sort out my stash of fabrics and wool, finally getting a couple of bundles sorted out for people one was promised a while back so looking forward to doing that. Also a day of baking goodies and blanching veg and making some bits for the freezer. on Sunday i tackle the wardrobes!( like Oates I may be some time) lol.
Hope this finds everyone well
Rachel
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Hello Belinda I was given this recipe fro a low fat cauliflower cheese a while back its fab and also if you leave out the cauli you can pop in leftovers and word just as well
1 500ml carton plain yogurt 2 teaspoons grain mustard 2 eggs beat well poor over filling grate some cheese pop in oven gas 6/7 or 200/250 deg c and keep an eye on in it till done fab with salad if you want
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I resolve to label everything I freeze and date it too! This means I will be able to rotate the contents of my freezers properly.
I resolve to continue to research different ways to preserve the food I grow without the use of electricity.
I resolve to use up the mountain of materials, wools etc I have collected, before I take in any more, which will also help me with my next resolution, which is to make more presents to give than I did last year.
There are so many ways in which I could improve myself, but I reckon those four will do for now!
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Hi Froogs I work in a library so I appreciate your comments. Not everyone can afford Kindles and PCs or have a quiet place to study. Libraries are so much more now with story time , rhyme time and crafting for kids to name afew. Ok I'm off my soapbox now.
I too am going to walk more this year, and batch cook. I will also try and save a lot more as I don't know how long I will have my job!
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Hi Froogs I appreciate your comments as I work in a library. Not everyone can afford a Kindle or PC or have a quiet place to study. it is a valuable resource we should try and keep. Ok I'm off my soapbox now!
This year I will try and walk more and batch cook. I also want to save a lot more in case I lose my job!
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I'm collecting wool and yarn for a charity project, if you have any? Fostermummy
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My husband is regularly under used-he manages to avoid anything to do with the house 🙂
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Very apt post! I live between the sea and the South Downs and I don't make enough use of either of them. My legs need to be taken out and walked around! Funnily enough I have just blogged about using up my stash of stuff and about learning as much about my new embroidery machine. I want to improve my crafting skills and also I have a very beautiful old acoustic guitar which is hanging on the wall gathering dust. My friend has promised to teach me how to play it properly. So in the meantime be very glad you don't live within earshot of me!
Looking forward to more of your resolutions.
Linda xx
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This post made me think of all the stuff we seem to accumulate and never use.
Resolution is to get rid of a lot of it or use it more often.
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Dear Froogs,
I also agree with you about using our legs more. I will do more sports. But I will not pay for a member ship in a gym. 5 minutes nearby our house is a wonderful lake. I will go there for jogging and it will cost we nothing.
I really, really enjoy to read your blog during 2012. It was so full of good advices and helps me to be more careful in spendig money. Thank you so much! I wish you and your family good luck for 2013. Please stay the way you are! Nicolexxx
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I only have little legs and arthritis from the waist up so I cannot walk far but will try and walk one way when I go to the market to save £1.20 bus fare as my challenge now is to pay off the only debt I have so if (god forbid) anything happens to Hubby I am debt free.Cancer tends to focus your mind!
I want to use the breadmaker more but my everyday bread is not terribly good and so I thought I could use up my supplies to make and freeze lots of cakes and bread rolls rather than loaves.
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You be careful on those coastal paths at the moment - they are warning of cliff falls and landslips because of all this rain of late - looking forward to seeing more quilts - if there's anything you'd like to learn on the quilting front that I can help with give me a shout
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I watched a TV programme about hoarders last night and, although I wouldn't call myself a hoarder, it made me very conscious of the various “collections” of “stuff” I have. SO this year is going to be the year I DECLUTTER and get full use of the spaces and cupboards I have. I am also going to use up everything in the kitchen cupboards and freezer before I buy another thing I don't absolutely need. So that's two main areas of using things .m
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My little bread making machine.
I do make bread but usually by hand, so I will give my breadmaker a good try out in the New Year and if I don't fall madly in love with it making the bread while I'm busy doing other things then it will end up in the car boot sale box ready for next Spring.
Whatever doesn't earn it's place in the house and garden this year will be ruthlessly let go!
Sue xx
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Glad you got your parcel ok. I will be getting the breadmaker out the shed tomorrow. Unfortunately we have had to take down the ceiling in my eldest boys bedroom today. I have a cabin at the end of my garden which is my own sewing space. I was downgraded in my job as a nurse in may. Luckily I get protected pay for four years. I am going to get sewing and use the money to clear my loan, hopefully within three years. I knit, sew etc and have done for years. I am going to hold classes promoting making things from clothes etc. I am going to stock my freezer full of homemade dinners, make marmalade, chutneys and grow more veg, walk or bike and lose weight. I want to embrace not being caught up in commercialised living. I will be giving homemade gifts for birthdays, recycling cards. Passing on things I no longer use to someone who will.
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Great post, Froogs. I'd love to see a photo of the new to you chair. I've started over in a rental home with refurbished furnishings and acquired what else was needed, on the second hand market for the most part. Only new thing I can think of was my umbrella outdoor clothesline. Things I need to rediscover or have rediscovered: my ability to sew. I lived previously in very cramped, poorly organized conditions mostly due to lack of room. I now have much more appropriate living conditions and can easily go to the sewing corner of my bedroom and do a quick repair, sew a curtain, what have you. When I moved out, I donated alot of things but also rediscovered things that I didn't realize that I owned.
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2013 will be the year I finally kick myself up the bum and organise my home time and career. Hopefully I'll be returning to FT education in September. My house needs some TLC which I'll need to do on very little money. Time will be used wisely to hopefully achieve my goals!!!
Keep up the great posts Froogs, it's been a couple of dark days for me and your blog is always an inspiration… The ray of sun through the clouds.
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My job is very stressful and my free time is minimal. I do not take advantage of what I have and should plan it better. I tend to come home and just want to get dinner on the table and crash for the night and do some reading or Internet surfing (totally mindless stuff). I think that I shall tell the family dinner will be 1 hour later an use that hour to do a project such as organizing the closet, mending a garment, working out, filling a box with clutter for a summer yard sale,maybe even set the timer so I use the full hour….Then we will have dinner. No one will starve and it gives me an hour of accomplishment each night. I need to use my days off more wisely, too. I have a bread machine but working that dough on the weekends is my therapy and I am in good shape but it wouldn't hurt me to add 15 minutes to my lunch break to walk around my building or meditate (might alleviate a lot of the stress). My gym membership is paid until December 2013 and I swear to use it more. I like going it's the time constraint that I need to change. I am blessed with many things and I will choose to use them to the fullest and wisely.
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I like your thought process..!
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I like your thought process..!
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i have wool to get rid of, how can i get it to you? happy to post it! x
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Hi Alison, I will gladly take the “tons of free craft supplies for anyone who wants them!!!!! Including you froogs, ” off your hands - follow the link above for contact and email me for my address and I will recycle it all for you
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🙂
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Good luck with your sewing classes! I looked into doing this this year and got the go ahead from my mortgage lender and rates department to be able to hold them in my dining / sun room. I only had to put in a planning application with the council, which cost £24. It was quite an indepth form I had to fill out, then they replied saying that I needed a full blown planning application which would cost another £320 to put in, (with no guarantee of them actually saying yes, I did not dare spend so much money!). Hope your council is more ameanable?
I'm not sure in which direction to head now, maybe just look into being a home sewing / knitting tutor on a one-to-one basis instead of holding classes for 3-4 as I had hoped to do. x
Then
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You don't need planning to do this, unless you plan to change your house or build an extension. If you have three people in your home, who cares what they are doing. Sewing is legal. You could do what I do. I tell people to pay me what they thought it was worth.
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I don't make enough use of my legs - or my sewing machine.
That is all going to change!
Thank you for the reminder.
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I thought I would try and keep everything above board and was advised that planning was needed, even though there were no alterations involved in the accomodation, but apparently it is because of parking issues on residential streets.
It's a shame I gave them the opportunity of saying 'no' and anyway I heard lately that they were relaxing planning laws, so maybe I wouldn't need it anymore?
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