I’m carrying on with my monthly goals and plans because writing things down really gives me that little kick up the bum to actually get things done. I always feel more motivated when I have a list to look at instead of just thinking I should probably do that at some point. When it’s written down it feels more official, like I’ve made a little promise to myself.
In March, I did really well with my goals. I felt like I got loads done. A few things even got sorted that weren’t even on the list to start with. I replaced the broken washing basket, I also got a new hoover which felt exciting. There’s something about a new hoover that makes me want to clean everything all the time. Even the random bits of life admin that popped up got sorted. Last month’s goals were mostly ticked off too and I completed every single one apart from having a date night with Stu! We ended up spending money on the house instead of going out and doing something fun. Hmmf. It was proper grown-up behaviour. I am not complaining though, because it is nice to have a nice house. The kitchen got sorted, which felt amazing. I decluttered the cupboards and gave them all a really good clean, I listened to plenty of audiobooks which made me very happy and I also painted the fireplace and all around it which turned out to be much more work than I expected. Someone said I should have shown a before and after photo, so there is one below. I tried a few new breakfast meals, which were fun, I planted some seeds, I watched more than four movies that were new to me and I actually started my Lego. Hooray!
This month I want to:
Paint the doors in the living room!
Since Stu decorated the dining room, I have started noticing that the living room doors could really do with a lick of paint too. As soon as one room looks nice, suddenly everything around it starts looking a bit tired. I know, I know it was only a couple of weeks ago that I said I was done with home improvements for a while but once you start you begin spotting all the little things that could be improved. It’s a slippery slope. hehehe The doors aren’t terrible but they are looking a bit worn and scuffed, so a fresh coat of paint would make a big difference. I did briefly think about painting the walls as well, but they still look pretty good from the last time they were done.
Use the washing line!
Now it is starting to get warmer outside, it is time to stop using the tumble dryer as much and make more of an effort to use the washing line. It will save a little bit of money on the electricity bill and it will keep me busy hanging the clothes on the line. I have got a little lazy over winter and the tumble dryer has been far too easy to use. So, if the weather is good, I am making a point of hanging the washing outside instead of taking the lazy option.
Wash the cushion covers and curtains in the living room!
Washing the curtains and cushion covers in the living room doesn’t get done as often as it probably should and now I can get things out on the washing line. That means they will be done without the worry of shrinking things in the tumble dryer. The cushion covers and curtains in the living room are definitely due a good wash. Once they are clean, the whole room will feel fresher and look brighter.
Have a family day out!
Ellie is off college for two weeks for the Easter holidays and hopefully Stu can get some time off work too. I want us to have a proper family day out somewhere. Becky has her set days off work so we will work around her. I have no idea where to go but I would like it to be somewhere we haven’t been before.
Read more audiobooks!
Last month I listened to a fantastic mix of audiobooks and they were all completely different from each other. I listened to Skin by Liam Brown which was intense and quite unsettling at times. Then there was What Does it Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella which was much more emotional but also surprisingly funny considering it deals with illness. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig was another one I finished and that one really makes you think about life choices and all the different paths we could take. The Surrogate Mother by Freida McFadden which was a proper twisty drama and finally, Swept Away by Beth O'Leary which I didn't love but I enjoyed it.
Watch four more movies that are new to me!
Last month I watched a few films that I hadn’t seen before and it was a really good mix: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy was one I had been meaning to watch for ages and I’m so glad I finally did. I loved it. It was sweet, funny and a little bit sad at times too. It felt a bit like catching up with an old friend you haven’t seen for years. I also watched A Minecraft Movie which was fun even though it was a bit silly in places. Then there was F1. Since getting back into Formula One I felt like I had to watch it and I’m glad I did because the racing scenes were brilliant and it had a good story too. Finally, I watched The Long Walk which turned out to be much darker than I expected. The tension really builds and I probably shouldn’t have watched it right before bed though, because it left me feeling a bit on edge.
Get my little greenhouses out of the garage!
I love my little greenhouses. They’re just the plastic-covered ones, not proper glass ones but they work just as well. I would say better because, in the winter, they just get moved into the garage and not damaged by the weather. They’ve been in the spider-infested garage over winter, so it’s time to give them a clean and get them set up again. At the moment, my seeds are growing on the kitchen windowsill but once the weather warms up they will move outside into the greenhouses and I’ll start planting even more.
Do some baking!
Finally, I want to do a bit of baking this month because I have quite a few baking supplies that need using up. It won’t be anything fancy. I’m thinking scones, cupcakes and maybe a carrot cake or two because carrot cake is my favourite cake.
What do you have planned for April?
