Sometimes I start a week with a long to-do list and lots of good intentions, but somehow end up with a not so productive week. That's what happened last week. The long weekend didn't go well because I had a bad headache. It lingered for several days, and I didn't even touch the free magazine I got from the library. I did finish Poison in the Pen, but didn't start a new book.
It was another rainy week. We are in the peak hurricane season now. Last year by this time I was preparing for hurricane Irma. Fortunately so far there are no storms coming this way. I went grocery shopping on Friday and bought two bags of rice, coconut milk and several nonperishable items for the stockpile. I have to make an inventory of the stockpile, so I added it to the weekly to-do list.
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| Nonstop rain keeps the lake filled to the brim. |
I was feeling much better by this weekend. So I mended a couple of blouses, and did several loads of laundry. I air dried everything on racks without using the dryer. I also installed a curtain rod in the shower stall so I can hang more clothes.
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I didn't have time to cut curtain panels. But my friend and I were able to modify one plantation shutter. These shutters are taller than the window, so we had to remove several slats and shortened the shutters. Because I buy used shutters, each set is different. They have different mechanisms for slats and control rods. So modifying a shutter is time consuming. There are three more shutters, but it should be easier now that we know how to shorten this type.
I made another batch of soap. It's the same recipe I used for the first batch, but I added lavender essential oil. I bought several pretty silicone molds, so I'm very excited to see how they turn out.
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| The second batch of soap ! |
I didn't do much in the garden. Fig cuttings had died, probably because of too much rain. Moringa cutting started sprouting a couple of weeks ago, but the tiny leaves are turning yellow. I think the pots are not draining well. I moved both fig and moringa pots to a different location.
I forced myself to do yoga on Friday. I am glad that I did, because once I started I felt pretty good. Next week I am going to use a different DVD.
So that's my not so productive week. When looking back, it was not that bad. I did get some things done. But most of the time I had to force myself to start a project as I was feeling lethargic. I am back to normal now, so I hope this coming week will be more productive.
Results of this week's to-do list:
1) Continue working on plantation shutters. In progress
2) Finish another book. Finished Poison in the Pen, but didn't start another book.
3) Make another batch of soap.
4) Cut curtain panels for another window. Not done.
5) Exercise 20-30 minutes on Fridays.
6) Sleep 7 hrs.
Tasks for the next week: 1) Continue working on plantation shutters.
2) Take an inventory of the stockpile.
3) Cut curtain panels for another window.
4) Make brochures for a friend.
5) Thin mustard greens.
6) Exercise 20-30 minutes on Fridays.
7) Sleep 7 hrs.
XX
Nil
Results of this week's to-do list:
1) Continue working on plantation shutters. In progress
2) Finish another book. Finished Poison in the Pen, but didn't start another book.
4) Cut curtain panels for another window. Not done.
Tasks for the next week: 1) Continue working on plantation shutters.
2) Take an inventory of the stockpile.
3) Cut curtain panels for another window.
4) Make brochures for a friend.
5) Thin mustard greens.
6) Exercise 20-30 minutes on Fridays.
7) Sleep 7 hrs.
XX
Nil
Glad you are feeling better. And LOOK at those soaps! You're doing great! Don't you just love it?
ReplyDeleteThis morning I unmolded the soaps. They are so pretty. :)
DeleteHi Nil, I think that you have been very productive! Your soap looks great. I can't wait to see it unmolded. I'm sorry that you had a headache and were feeling lethargic. Take care of yourself. Hope you are feeling more energetic and back to normal.
ReplyDeleteThank you Stephanie. I'm fine now. :)
DeleteI unmolded soaps this morning. I will post a photo later. :)
Sometimes, these slower weeks can be that bit frustrating if we originally intended to get a lot done but I think they often happen for a reason. Sometimes, they are telling us to slow down or to rest or to think things through more. I think you still got quite a bit done. Your soap is looking amazing! Meg:)
ReplyDeleteYes, Meg. I can be a bit hard on myself sometimes. :)
DeleteAs always, I love reading about your to-do lists, and seeing how much you accomplish. Sorry to hear you've not been feeling the best, but you still crossed a lot of your list. I put my pots up on bricks, they seem to drain better that way. And it was fun to spot the bunting I made you peeking out from under your laundry 😊
ReplyDeleteYes, Nanette. Your bunting travels around.
DeleteIt was in the library last month. Now it's in the bathroom. I think it will go back to the bedroom next month. :)
I'll put moringa and fig pots on bricks. That's a great idea. Thank you. :)
Your work on the plantation shutters sounds so time consuming, but the shutters you've already done look great, so it's worth it. I don't always like fragrance in a soap, but lavender is a mild fragrance that I do like. I'm sure the soaps will be wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHi Priscilla, these new soaps have a slight hint of lavender. I think I put too little oil.
DeleteI too don't like scented soaps, unless it's lavender. :)
Your soap looks great! That in itself is productive to me! We have rain too! Andrea
ReplyDeleteThank you Andrea. I hope you are enjoying rain. Here we are already saturated. :)
DeleteGlad you are feeling better Nil.
ReplyDeleteGood idea to stock up in preparation for the hurricane season, I bet it is worrying at times.
The soap is looking good, I bet they would make lovely gifts.
Yes, Marlene. I made these as Christmas gifts. I always like giving homemade gifts and I'm so happy that I can add soap to the list.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Stephenie you have been productive.
Good idea hanging the rail in the Shower.
I do not have a dryer so it's always good to
have extra hanging areas.
Your outside space looks lovely and tranquil.
Thank you for reading and commenting Fiona.
DeleteYes, adding a second rod really helped. I have an old dryer, but I like to air dry. It saves electricity and I think air drying helps clothes last longer.
I'm glad you are feeling better nd hope you have a much more productive week, Nil. Sometimes I can be so motivated and other times not so much. Your soaps are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you Belinda.
DeleteI hope you have a productive week as well. 😊
Your soap looks wonderful and a rod in the shower is a really great idea for extra hanging space! Some weeks are like that aren't they? Like pushing yourself uphill the whole time. I hope this week is brighter and easier for you.
ReplyDeletexx
Hi Emma, I'm feeling alright now. Thank you. 😊
DeleteI saw your post about soap making, but it gave an error when I tried to open it. Looking forward to reading about your soaps.
I love the scent of lavender, it reminds me of my dad, who loved lavender very much. I always find it hardest to wait for a new soap to cure :-)
ReplyDeleteI do love your to-do lists, the goals are realistic and do-able. I really should make my own, although I have a tendency to make everything more complicated than need be and then I am overly obsessive about achieving. Competing with myself is a terrible habit!
Your back garden looks so lovely, I imagine sitting in the grass with a book is very relaxing. Wishing you a pleasant week. x
I used to be a perfectionist, Christina. And I found it so exhausting. Then I learned to let go and just be satisfied with less than perfect results. It took a while, and sometimes still I catch myself, but now I am more realistic about the results. :)
DeleteI'm sorry you had a lingering headache, last week, Nil. But glad to read that you feel better now. Even with a headache and not feeling like doing much, you accomplished a lot! I like the curtain rod in the shower stall for more drying space. I, too, hang all my laundry to dry because my dryer doesn't work properly (it tumbles the clothes, but doesn't heat up!) and I haven't bought a new dryer, yet. I hope this week is a better one for you and you don't get any hurricanes this year. Looking forward to seeing your new batch of soap. If you can, send some of that rain my way!
ReplyDeletehahaa I would send rain in your direction if I could. We have too much here.
DeleteHi Nil, I am a first-time visitor and really enjoyed reading many of your older posts about simple and frugal living. Too many people do not seem to relax and enjoy things. I have never made my own soap, but the ones I use are generally home-made by others and I buy them at craft shows or similar events. The lavender scent would be my favorite as I like anything purple!
ReplyDeleteHi Beatrice, thank you for reading and commenting.
DeleteI just visited your blog. I want to read all about your cross country road trip. It sounds very interesting. Now I have reading for the weekend. :)