Kill the Spam Monster

Ah my poor neglected blog! The spam monster has been chomping away at it, leaving a massive amount of wildly hilarious and off-topic comments. Unfortunately this means that I have needed to change my settings so that comments now have word verification. Boohoo. 

Below, a prime selection of some of my favourites (a mere handful selected from approximately 100 comments). Some are lovely and flattering. One, copied below, made me feel a little sad until I counted all the mistakes in the comment itself.

You can certainly see your skills within the article you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren't afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart. my website :: borkum riff 

Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly don't know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks Here is my homepage ... amber leaf

This design is incredible! You obviously know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost...HaHa!) Excellent job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool! Here is my blog - youtube.Com

And one which is totally ridiculous:

I think that everything posted made a great deal of sense. But, what about this? what if you wrote a catchier title? I ain't suggesting your content is not solid., however suppose you added a title that makes people want more? I mean "Spring Blossoms - Free Crochet Pattern!" is kinda plain. You ought to peek at Yahoo's front page and watch how they create news headlines to grab people to open the links. You might try adding a video or a picture or two to get readers interested about what you've got to say. In my opinion, it would make your posts a little bit more interesting. My site - Har Vokse Review on Spring Blossoms - Free Crochet Pattern!

In other news, sorry I have been so absent. I know some people who have left comments and I have not replied yet (I could not find them in among the jungle of spam).

My husband and I have been walking through a rather painful time, and I have not had the energy to keep up the blog. Also, for the last month we have been travelling around Tasmania in a hatchback car and a three person tent. Fun times!

Once we are in a real house again I am going to try to do some update-y posts and so on.

In case I am unable to get back here in the next few weeks, I hope you all have a wonderful and joyful Christmas and New Year!

 

Pinch and a Punch

... for the first of the month!

As you can see, blogging is high in my priorities this year. *Ahem*

January passed quicky and smoothly, for the most part. My husband is still limping from hurting his knee about three weeks ago. It appears that his cartilage is damaged, and according to his medical certificate there should be "considerable improvement" in approximately two years. "Rest" is prescribed. Needless to say, I'm being much nicer to him, mostly because when he walks it looks so painful it makes my knees start to ache.

In other (and much nicer) news, my teacher's registration was approved VERY quickly (in less than a third of the time it usually makes) and now I can legally teach primary school in Tasmania. I am extremely happy! Private schools go back on Febuary 9, and public schools on the 15th, so it won't be long until I have relief work.

Looking at my photos, it appears that January has mostly involved taking photos of Bumblebees and flowers... here are some of my favourites.

 Next post, I'm hoping to show you some of the stuff I've made this year... until then!

Cleaning Schmeaning

This is brought to you by the Doctor Who episode, "The End of Time: Part Two".

Well, so much for posting everyday! Still, a couple days missed is of no importance in the grand scheme of things.

I think that I am just like most other people when it comes to cleaning... not particularly brilliant or consistent.

I have begun to attempt various cleaning schedules, including the famous FlyLady's, but none have worked. And I think the main issue is that I don't have kids, and many cleaning schedules are created for mum's who are busy. Also, due to kids, they need to do things like vacuum more often, simply because kids are mess machines!

So, what I've done is this: I wrote down all the things I want to do (but excluded things like making the bed, which I already do everyday - sometimes while my husband is still in it), wrote down the frequency I wanted to do each thing, and then divided it up into two weeks which repeat. 

Basically, I made this:

Week 1:

- Dust

- Vacuum

- Load of Washing

- File Papers

- Dishes - Mon - Tues - Wed - Thurs - Fri - Sat - Sun

Week 2:

- Change Bed Linen

- Toilet

- Bath

- Basin

- Dishes - Mon - Tues - Wed - Thurs - Fri - Sat - Sun

The "real" copy is slightly different: it has square boxes you can tick next to each thing, and it looks nicer, and a total of four weeks fits onto a page.

It's simple, doesn't ask too much, but following it will keep my house organised and clean. Yay!

If you would like a copy of this (it's a word document), leave a comment (making sure to fill in the field "email") and I will reply to your comment via email, sending you the attachment.

Easy peasy!

Now, as soon as the Doctor Who episode is over, I'm off to do the dishes!

At My House...

At my house it is lovely, wonderful, relaxed and peaceful, albeit untidy and in dire need of a vacuum.

I got out of bed uncharacteristically early (before 7:30am!!!!) because the cat vomited again. This is the third time in the last few days (four days I think), but at least now he has energy again, so I'm not worried about him.

Worry is so draining. I choose to believe for a good outcome, and to be glad over every sign of improvement - it is much nicer.

This is my gorgeous, funny cat... making the best of my husband's backpack being on his (as in the cat's) chair.

My brother unexpectedly popped in for a visit, which was lovely. I absolutely love seeing my brother. Later this week we're going to have some sushi together in Hobart. I'll try to remember to tell you about it.

So, at my house... music has been playing, talking has happened, plans have been made, breakfast and an apple have been eaten (and some chocolate... shhhhh).

Plans for the rest of the day: read a book for an hour or so, crochet a pig (finish it!), cook tea, do the dishes, maybe do some Christmas knitting (post on this is in the works) and (double-maybe) vacuum.

Hmmmm... not many photos today so far, sorry! There was a dragonfly outside that I tried to get pictures of, but it flew away too fast.

I'm joining in with Lou Lou again... if you have some spare time, pop over and be inspired to approach your crazy Monday positively. Turn that frown upside-down!

At My House...

...novel writing is still happening. 20,000 words has ben reached, and I'm still hoping to reach 50,000 by the end of the month.

...some storage has been upgraded to plastic tubs (it used to be cardboard boxes):

...the dishes got (mostly) done. (Those who know me will be amazed.)

...a new space has been created upstairs, in a corner of the bedroom:

I actually paid for amazingly little of what you can see here. Grandma made the rug, and most of the rest was either found or given.

This mirror and table were given by a neighbour who moved interstate. The chair used to belong to my mother-in-law and her husband.

I made this mini-logcabin quilt when I was 13 years old.

The picture, table and most of the books are from neighbours who moved/are about to move interstate. I found the basket. I bought the wool (and the vacuum cleaner...).

...some crochet is in progress:

What has been happening at your house?

Lazy Day

Today is a nothing day. I slept in (I was feeling sick) and my husband is reading the latest Robert Jordan book. 

Soon I'll be making some chai tea ice cream for a girly dessert night this evening (very soon, considering the time!), and I'll do some work on my Nano novel too.

These are some photos I took yesterday. Roses from a huge, overgrown and untended bush that grows outside my kitchen window.

Today I feel rather like this half-decimated dandelion puff. Like I might get blown away if a strong enough breeze comes along. I guess I'm feeling a bit frail... no, frail is the wrong word. I'm feeling distant, disconnected and insular, but peaceful. Strange.