The New Parish Magazine

Has arrived from printer. No one is more relieved than me. There are 1000 of them all ready to be delivered to the 7 villages to which the magazine now serves.

And yes I'm pleased with it. Its how I thought it would look, but would now be the time to say I've never done this editing thing before...

Resolutions

A late post. I know the date. I've been trying to get to write this since the beginning of the year when I set this resolution. Since everyone has gone back to work and school its as if I've gone back to work as well. The first publication date of the new parish magazine fast approaches and as well as mopping up the remains of the project management side of it all I've been setting pages. Its tense and daily work. I'm learning how to juggle it with family life and home responsibilities but I still find distractions (cat let a live mouse go in the house one morning, a ring had gone on the cooker and I found a poorly wild rabbit in the garden) All demand some organisation and problem solving time. Long days.

It means that this years chosen resolution is even more apt. In one word:

ME

I've always believed that we have to balance 3 sides of ourselves. physical, mental and spiritual, in order to stay healthy. All areas have to be worked on and cared for - that sounds like hard work, but that's not what I mean.

Last year I  started looking after my physical health better. I've taken the gym more seriously and been more mindful of eating habits; which has resulted in me dropping a dress size. I was only marginally over weight in the first place but I didn't want it to be a slippery slope! I've summed it up to anyone who asks that in under 2 years I'll be 50 - I've no intention of looking 50!!

Spiritually I'm in a better place too. Its not something I ever discuss publicly online. Like my politics I know what I believe, but its not up for open discussion.

Mentally I'm a strong person. Self reliant and driven. I get down like everyone else of course, but not usually for long. I bounce with an inbuilt optimism and enthusiasm. But that needs protecting and  I need space to think and day dream. Relaxation is important so I'm not taken advantage of or  get burnt out.

I resolve to work on looking after myself and  creating a better work life balance this year. Its hard for women to take enough care of themselves especially if they have children or home responsibilities. I seem programmed to put children and community first. But I must set boundaries. Make sure for example that my twice a week gym habit which gives me more energy and strength physically and mentally (all those endorphins!) doesn't get sidelined

I've recently realised that if I take on something else like the magazine then something has to go. I am at capacity. What that something is I don't know currently. Once the first couple of editions have gone out then I'll be able to see just what a normal month's workload is like and I can plan accordingly. I have to have space to think.

So ME translates in to looking after myself more. Continuing good health habits, making sure I have enough rest and  relaxation time  - and not feeling guilty about it.!

Final thoughts on #less365 *

This has been a fascinating project and I can see that following it for a whole year has ingrained some very positive habits and change of thinking.

Looking back its clear its more than literally throwing out one thing every day. In truth due to life getting in the way that wasn't always possible, although I found myself then tending to throw out 10 items in one go which either made up or put me in credit.

I don't think there was an area of my home and my life that I didn't sort through and declutter.Although there are still some areas of the garage that would be reduced further. However I stuck firmly to my own things - apart from trying to encourage periodic clear outs of my childrens' rooms - I feel its up to the individual as to how they manage their belongs.

I interpreted #less365 quite widely and took it to mean an overall reduction in everything. So I reduced the magazines I bought, cancelled catalogue and email subscriptions and halved the number of weekend papers we had delivered. I didn't record every empty bottle or packet I threw out - that would be normal recycling wouldn't it? - but as I set out to use up things in a more systematic way, especially where toiletries are concerned, then actually throwing out an empty bottle was relevant. For example I had a selection of hand-creams (gifts rather than bought myself) which I tried to use up in order, thereby reducing the overall toiletries I own. I'm on the last one. #less365 shouldn't be about throwing out usable things just for the sake of it.

I managed my money better and thought about what I spent it on. Sometimes using things I already had more imaginatively rather than just purchasing the exact thing for a specific function. I don't need separate A4 pads for WI and personal things when I've got a perfectly good loose leaf A4 for parish magazine notes that could be used for all purposes.

I've bought less books; in part due to no longer working at Oxfam so I'm less tempted. Instead I've read what I've already got. Don't we all have things on the bookshelf that we've barely had time to skim through before the next book is bought? In general without the temptation of a weekly visit to town now I'm not working there, I've spent less. I've no need  to buy myself a sandwich for lunch for example which I use to treat myself to periodically.

I've had much better value out of things I already own which also has a lessening effect. An important lesson of #less365 and indeed any sort of eco, decluttering, minimalist way of living is not to bring just as much stuff back in to the house as you've got rid of!

I've been very careful not to waste food. Our Christmas 4kg turkey crown fed 7 people well on Christmas day. It was served cold with chips and salad for 4 on Boxing day, made a pasta bake for 4 on Bank Holiday Tuesday and the very last slices went in to a leftovers pie for 4 on the Wednesday. Not a scrap left. This reduces food spending - something we all have to be mindful of these days.

Has it changed me at the end of it? Yes. I'll never be a minimalist - as I said before I like books and fabric too much, but I have changed my attitude to possessions and 'stuff' around the home. When we redecorated the sitting room we only put back a few ornaments and objects. Surfaces are clearer as a result and  the room is peaceful and easier to tidy. I've much less interest in shopping for its own sake. I see less and less that I actually 'need'. Tim and I use to spend a day off at a different town and I'd invariably come home with something. Although we have done that this year; Hungerford and Marlborough were lovely, we discovered that wandering round the parish churches and exploring footpaths, admiring old things in antique shops, and finding somewhere nice for lunch were preferable to 'shopping'.  We noticed the architecture of  old high streets rather than going in to a chain store you could find anywhere. We often came home with no more than the ingredients for a supper - good cheese and local bread from an independent deli perhaps. Nothing else. I learnt to admire, but not necessarily own. That's almost the most important lesson I take from this year.

Of late we've preferred country walks with maybe a pub lunch along the way. This holiday we've not even strayed from our village to set out across the fields for the afternoon and after an hour or so have returned home for tea and homemade cake. The recent acquisition of a hide key at a local lake ( for a nominal sum) means a morning quietly watching bird-life has cost us little more than a bit of petrol and our time. I need town less and less and open quiet countryside more.

Its been a very worthwhile project. I was probably already motivated to reduce my things in any case, but doing something everyday focused my decluttering and made me think deeper about the whole subject. I've no need to record further reductions, but there are things I can see who's days are numbered - I did mention the garage didn't I? And now Christmas is over its a good sewing time of year for me and I'm keen to use up existing materials  for projects first rather than purchase more. It doesn't stop because the year is over...


*If you're new to this subject then you'll find a variety of posts on it by putting #less365 in the search box at the top

New Years Eve

Long ago when the children were small the whole issue of what to do about celebrating New Years Eve began with the realisation that of course one had to pay for taxi and baby sitter even before you'd set foot in a pub or restaurant. I know these costs won't have gone down any. Seemed a ridiculous amount to spend on one night.

So we had the idea of celebrating at home with a romantic meal for just me and Tim. Boys safely tucked up in bed, house all quiet. Whether we could afford the night out now is no longer the point. This is one of the loveliest nights of the year We make a real effort for this evening with nice clothes just as if we had gone out. The table is set  properly with nice china and candles and the champagne is chilled.

This years menu was -

Starter - warm salad of garlicky mushrooms ( I added a few cashews in to the mushrooms just to warm through and add some toasty crunch to the salad

Mains.- Stewing venison slow cooked in our own homebrewed ale ( which although a tad cloudy is very drinkable) with onions and herbs. Roast potatoes and parsnips. Slow braised red cabbage - you know the old English recipe with cloves and vinegar in it. Oh and some peas for balance

Dessert - Homemade meringues with own raspberries and a drunken mascapone ( I stirred a little raspberry vodka in to it turning it a lovely delicate pink colour!)

We worked out that as the menu used some of our own homemade or homegrown things it probably cost under £15 for 3 courses for 2 people. The champagne had been a gift so that's not included either.

Its a lovely chance to look over the year to mark what we've achieved both in the home and personally and  to look forward to next year with our goals, ambitions and resolutions. I wouldn't change this way of celebrating New Year for anything.