Thursday 26 July 2012

To-Do List

So the other day whilst having a moment of pondering I made a to-do list of things that I'd like to do between now and the end of the year so I thought I'd share it with you guys! Enjoy!


And check it out: I can cross number two off my list. My brand new stork embroidery scissors *CUTE*





Thursday 12 July 2012

The Hunger Games



So I might be a little late on the bandwagon with this but I have just finished reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I read it for work, since I work in a library. I've been asked to hold a discussion about the book towards the end of the summer holidays with a group of high school students and I jumped at the chance - read a book for work? YEAH!

I had cheated a little and saw the film at the cinema when it was out earlier in the year so I knew what to expect but I didn't think that the film would be exactly like the book! Now when I say this, I don't mean it as a compliment (sorry Hunger Gamers!); maybe I've read too much Harry Potter in my life (is there such a thing??!!), but I expected the book to have more detail about this future world and about the characters. Now I hate comparing books to movies but it is inevitable, and the one thing I will say for the film is that, I felt, it was much more gracious to the character of Katniss than the book. In the film I found her character had the balance as a protective older sister, survivor and confused teenager. However in the book she comes across as whiny, moaning, paranoid and unforgiving; it is not often that I read a book and I really dislike the main character but in this case I did.

I have to say though there were times in the middle when I started to warm to Katniss as she seemed to be growing up a little but it was lost by the end - how can she not see that Peeta is completely besotted with her??? And that Gale loves her??? What is wrong with her?! She also doesn't appear to feel much guilt about breaking Peeta's heart, but then maybe that will come later in Catching Fire and Mockingjay (which I am now going to have to read purely because I know that it is a trilogy.).

I have spoken to lots of people about this book, before and after I read it and the reaction seems to have been the same: adults think that it is a fantastic concept for a book, but they agree that Katniss is a bit paranoid and self absorbed (but then aren't most sixteen year-olds?). Kids: love it! They can't gush about it enough but I worry; because they don't seem to be understanding the themes or seeing flaws in the characters, and is that not what reading is about? Escapism, yes; but also about finding truth and seeing yourself reflected in the characters? Like I said what sixteen year old isn't a bit selfish, but is it possible that they're not seeing this as a flaw? Maybe I'm reading too much into it, or maybe I'm secretly ninety-three years old: "Back in my day..." Ha ha!

Like I said though I will have to read the next two books, and I hope that Katniss grows up a bit and stops the moaning; and that Peeta realises that she's not all that great and moves on; but maybe that's just me. In the mean time I am moving on to something I know I am going to enjoy - A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin - Game of Thrones anyone?? :)

Jxx

Tuesday 10 July 2012

A Place For Everything

Well it's been a week and I am officially caught up with my to-do list. All of the little (and big) jobs that I have been putting off for far too long have all been caught up! Here's how it went:

Now I have to admit that most of my little jobs were pretty dull, an email here, a phone call there but once they were done I felt relief. Why I had been putting off making a five minute phone call I will never know! If you have been putting off anything small like a call or email - DO IT! You will feel a whole lot lighter once it's done.

My big to-dos were a bit more fun in that I could see the difference they made almost instantly, this is because they mostly revolved around tidying and organising. It took me almost two whole days to get my bedroom organised. I feel I should say here that I am a neat-freak. I freely admit that, I like when things have there own place and I can find them easily. My problem was that the things had there place but the things I used together were in opposite parts of the room (shoes in one place, socks in another at the other end of the room) - no wonder it takes me forever to get ready!! So I set about changing that, and in my bid to change my life (and believe me it is life changing- I am late for EVERYTHING!) I turned to my new organisation guru: Mrs Thrify! Wow! This woman is amazing! Her blog is brimmed full of ideas of things you can make, do and reuse to help your life run a little more smoothly and to give you back time to do the things that you really want to do. Her are some pictures of my new and organised life thanks to Mrs Thrify!!


If you are looking to get your space more organised to make life a little easier I heartily recommend a trip over to A Thrifty Mrs' blog, all of her posts on organising, cleaning tips, things to make and a whole host of others can be found on her how-to page here. I also recommend following her on twitter - she has a fabulous sense of humour; and her Daily Housewifery Prompts are helping me to keep on top of things in the Bubbly Burrow.

Here is the truly miraculous thing, by Thursday I had nothing left to do. I had done everything on my anti-procrastination list: put things to ebay, tidy, organise, make calls, send emails, it was all done! My free time was my own again and I was free to enjoy, my favourite little nook...


My own little corner, where I can get back to doing the crafts I love and get a bit creative again, so when you're reading my blog - this is where I wrote it. I've got brightly coloured pencils for doodling and designing my own cross-stitch patterns; a cheerful little plant, books and magazines for inspiration, and as you can see I have already been making use of my extra free time! :) 

Jxx



Sunday 1 July 2012

The Procrastination Trap

"Starting tomorrow I will stop procrastinating"

How many of us have read that before? How many of us have then thought, "HaHa! that's funny...Oh, I really should: send that email/ phone that person/ make that appointment"? Any of this sound familiar? I'll bet!



Putting things off that we don't want to do is completely natural, and we all do it, there is absolutely no shame. The only problem is that when we don't do these things we have a dark cloud hanging over us until it's done, or we miss the opportunity; either way it's not a good way to live life. So I am intent on doing something about it! I am making this week: anti-procrastination week! Starting tomorrow I am aiming to do one thing each day that I have been putting off because "I don't have the time", "I'm too tired" or "I don't want too".

My motto this week: "What may be done at any time, will be done at no time."


Jxx