Good moning NaNoWriMo

Here's Novemeber,
And with November comes NaNoWroMo again.
This will be my third time trying to write a novel, and this time I will get further than before.

My Novel is called Codename: Bear Island
That is all I have to say for now about this topic.
I hope to write alot this month, but it will probably never be published..still, it's fun to get it out of my head

The sun is shining, housework needs to be done, I have worked 40 hours in 4 days, so today I feel a little tired. Still...it's time to get the dog out for a walk, and enjoy the sunshine.
Dinner today will probably be a chinese...last day before I start  eating properly again.

Honestly, this sugary high carbohydrate foods I have been eating is not good for me..I am tired, sluggish and I feel hungry all the time. I have had enough. And next time we go shopping, I will for sure get some decent food in the house. I will try to update a little on what I will eat this month.

But for now, enjoy the day friends. Smiles and sunshine coming your way.
Linn

Minimalist Inspiration Tag Questions

Hi again,

As i already mentioned before, I am working on actually owning less things, I will even eventually go through my books as well, but they get to stay for now. i do love my books.

To get inspiration to tidy, organise and get rid of (donation, recycle or in the bin) stuff i no longer need, want or use i often watch YouTube videos

Abundantly Mimimal is one of the many channels I watch, and this time Sarah has made a Tag video and I thought i could try to answer her Tag questions.

Minimalist Inspiration Tag Questions: 1. Why do you want to be a minimalist? OR Why do you practice a minimalist lifestyle?
I have realised that i get stressed when it's really messy and I can't focus with too much stuff lying around..so to "free my mind" and make my life easier..i need to have less clutter around. Well, that's the main reason anyway. 2. What have been the toughest items or toughest groups of items to get rid of, and how did you overcome that?
Actually nothing yet...or maybe the knitting magazines...I haven't gotten rid of the completely..I have kept the patters I may wish to use at a later date. I think hard..do i really want to keep this thing..most of the time it's no..sometimes yes.
3. Who or what helps inspire you to declutter when you get stuck?
YouTube videos, might talk about the different channels I follow at some later point. 4. What did/does your decluttering process look like?
My goal for 2018 is to have 2018 things less than in 2017. I have my Bullet Journal spread and my colouring pencils..and I fill in one square for each thing I "get rid" of. I go into a room and just look through things...do I use this old cheap necklace? Have I worn in the last 5 years? If I haven't...why hold on to it, obviously I don't love it! 5. How has your minimalist journey benefitted you so far?
I have less stuff, and it seems easier to clean. My mind is a little more focused..but of course..li am far from finished, so maybe in 2019 I'll feel completely free.
6. What is your best piece of advice you have for other who are seeking a more minimalist lifestyle?
Honestly...just start in one room, in one shelf or one drawer....!

One thing at a time..if it's hard to get started..just try to find ONE thing every day. Today, i have so far found 5 things..very small things, but still...! Yesterday..ashamed to say it...i threw out 4 balls of useless wool. I had kept them for years. How silly is that?

I want another two things less in my house today, so I better start searching for them.

Take care, until next time.

Hugs, Linn

2018

Good Afternoon everyone,
2018 is here, can you believe it? I guess it happens every year...always a shock that another year has gone by.

Anyways, my plan for 2018 is to update a tad more often, about the few things that I am passionate about.

Last year I had a goal of "gettng rid" of 2017 things, I did really well, and ended up at around 2270 or something like that.

I have made a similar goal, and this time it's 2018 things I will be getting rid of in 2018.

YES, it's definitely getting more difficult to get rid of things...but today I decided that that old stripey grey and green short sleeved hoody...that is around 10 years old , it has to go. While it still looks pretty ok, it's not something i want to wear anymore..and i haven't worn it for years.

It's likely that a couple of scarves will also end up in the donation bag.

It feels really good to have less "stuff" around.

I really hope to be more active here this year, and hopefully you will enjoy reading about what's going on.

Welcome 2018

C T S

Good evening everyone!
It's has been a busy week for me, I have joined a challenge..the challenge is to get rid of 2017 things in 2017.
I am well on my way, I don't know how I have managed to actually get rid of nearly 600 tings in just one week. It's basically everything from paper clutter to pens that don't work any more.

Even the white IKEA dresser is going, hopefully tomorrow. I can't wait to get it out of the house.
I am not sure how I have managed to aggravate my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome once again...first I thought it was because I have been playing Slither.io too much...but now I wonder if it might be the whisking I did when I made mayonnaise.  I don't really know.

What I do know is that I have purchased a wrist support, super cheap one..but I think it helps a little. I am not a big fan of this particular one, because my hand sweats a lot with it on.

And I had joined InCoWriMo , but I have had to be super careful with my hand..so- so far I have only managed to write one letter, the letter is to Jennifer in Massachusetts. Might post it tomorrow, if I have the money to do so.

Oh...should I mention my kid...should I...well maybe or not? All I know is that I am really annoyed with my mother in law today. My daughter had an accident with her foot, and had a fair amount of skin scraped off. This was well over a week ago and the wound had gotten a nice scab on it and it was healing nicely. Today the mother in law made my daughter soak the wound so the scab got soft, and then she (the mother in law) managed to dry the scap so roughly so the scab was completely gone.!!
now it's all weeping and bleeding again. Oh my goodness...what was the deal with that please tell me someone!!!
I am hoping it will heal quickly, but I am sure she'll have to miss swimming next week as well!!
Rant over!

Better get ready for bed, it's nearly 23.00 o'clock.
Talk later <3 p="">

questions: what to do

The questions are: What am I passionate about, and what can i do with it? 

My passions:

I enjoy knitting, 

I enjoy decluttering (yes, I really do)

I enjoy reading and writing

I enjoy helping others

I enjoy eating proper foods

What can I do with this?

Make patterns

Knit stuff

Make lists of decluttering

Write my book

Blog more about

• decluttering
• minimalism or simple living
• lchf

This will probably be the future :D

I hope you will come and see me sometime. 

Hugs and kisses, LinnM.

Another day

Another day has started, I have spent my time watching declutter videos on YouTube, to get inspired, and it has worked. I have spent the last week decluttering, and it feels good.

My house is far from empty, and I don't want it to be empty either, just a little less stuff around. I have also started up with my own project Pan, Natasha V has explained it perfectly.

When I was an Avon representative, I ended up buying so much make up and so many nailpolishes, and I still have way too many. So I will focus on using up. I don't buy much makeup anyway..guess that is because I have so much, lol.

Anyway, base and top coat for my nailpolishes, and primer and mascara for my eyes is pretty much the only things I buy, because I only have one of each.

So, before I start doing any more decluttering and tidying up, I am going to finish my coffee. Have a lovely day.

LinnM

Good Afternoon!

I hope you have all had a wonderful start of the new year.
We haven't done much, apart from booking a holiday in Spain. Which is a pretty big deal.

I am currently looking into learning some Spanish before we go..but it seems I really have to go through the course a few times before my braid (that's a typo, should really say brain..but I think I 'll just stick with braid) remembers it.

Actually, I am doing on online course by BBC, and I think it might be ok for what I need.

Other than that, I have started running again, twice I have been running, and yesterday I ended up having a pretty sore back afterwards. BUT, I am not giving up on my dream of a 5K in about 30 minutes. It is possible!!

Today I have also done my Self assessment regarding taxes...and oh My Gooodness...it was tough to find all the correct papers. No doubt I need to really tackle all old paper clutter. I have always though my husband has loads..but I have it too...I have just put it neatly away.Without any systems whatsoever!

That's going to be my big project of the week...!

And purging and decluttering, that is my constant goal. To end up with less!

I will leave you here, with my wishes of having a great day where ever you are.

Hugs, LinnM.

Brambles

Last summer, I discovered that the brambles that was growing wild in  my hegde had berries, and I picked enough for us to have as a dessert. I decided to not cut them down, but just see if I could get some more berries this year.

Yesterday was the third time I picked berries this sumer,and still there are loads just waiting to get picked when they are ready.

I got 900ml yesterday, and that was enough for 3 bown FULL of Brambleberries, and I made custard and it was just the yummiest ever!

It's amazing when the garden gives us some stuff we can actually use. I really just love it. At the moment I am trying to grow onions, and so far they are looking ok. They are still just mini's, but I COULD use them I think. Next summer..I might even try potatoes..!

Abnormal week

Yes, the week has started, the weird abnormal week when Princess Sunniva is away on a school trip...and I am all alone from yesterday (Monday ) all the way to Friday.


That is of course not stricly true, as the husband Kris is also at home...but he's a little boring and he also cought our cold so add on a little bit of grumpiness and you'l get what I mean.

Sunday evening Kris was out at a concert, not my music taste, so it was great that he could get free tickets from his workmate and they could go together.

That also meant that Sunniva and I could have a nice relaxing evening before she went. We lit candles and watched a film..super cozy...or "koselig" as i normally would say.

So, last night I Sunniva was away and I was wondering how she was getting on while I enjoyed a little bottle of some cider while watching Coronation Street.

It was Kopparbergs cloudberry cider, I really enjoyed that and will probably get it again. I OH so miss the cloudberry yoghurt I was able to eat many years ago.

 I don't think they make it anymore, I mean it's probably a reason why they call it Gold of the Forest.

Today is my first full day at home, and I started a tidy up project. So...I have started..firstly I emptied the cupboard that was FULL of shoes, jackets and 2 chairs..and then I put our IKEA Trofast thing in there.

Now I have to EMPTY all the boxes, clean the shelves and then I can start putting everything back again.
WHY did I even start,,this is so much work!!!

I am sure it'll be better when I am finished.

Wish me oh so much luck! Not to mention that the Puma points Re-match started today and I need to get running before the day is over!

Take care, lovelies!

The other day

The other day, the sun was shining and the weather was lovely. Real summer weather..

But now...

Now we are back to grey cloudy and wind again. Still fairly warm..but not much sun. 

What is on my mind these days? 

Firstly..jogging..I am really trying very hard to jog several days every week. So far July has been a really good month. 

Also, I am really interested in old stuff...viking stuff, natural stuff...old ways. 

do you understand what I mean? 

I have several boards on Pinterest about Vikings and also reusing and also organising. Guess that the main interests these days. 

*****************************************************

We are leaving for our summer holiday soon, and we have a couple of parties to attend. 

Daughter got to choose new shoes and this is what she chose.

She is over the moon about them, loves them so so SO mucha nd have been wearing them nearly every days since she got them. 

I love seeing her so satisfied with something. 

We are in the middle of packing, so the house is a total tip. The plan is to get it sorted the next couple of days.

Hasta la vista, lovlies.

P:S. My fingers and crossed for my best friend and her family today, May all go well !!!

Big hugs, MariaLinn

Read this on fb (Natali)

Women's asceticism is the main women's asceticism is not fasting, not a vow of silence and not hardening.
The biggest austerity is to be a woman, develop their femininity, cultivate your feminine energy, share it with your family, to create a harmony, and the main thing in itself.

Try: a) talking like a true woman-soft and pleasant words;

b) look like real woman wear woman's clothes: dresses, skirts and cheerful colors, dress chastely, but fashionable and beautiful. Walk soft, rolling gait;

in) feel like a true woman-by developing the best feminine qualities-humility, care, kindness;

g) come as a real woman-wisely, patiently, d) to deal with women's Affairs: needlework, cooking;

And you will understand that this is a very, very difficult, but happy fruits such austerity will not keep you waiting.
It is very important to any woman to be beautiful and smart talk. Even the bitter truth-only kind words. And we're used to hack off the shoulder "truth uterus". Unfortunately, we have not been taught that neither family nor home. Not taught to speak simply good. But already "in the blood" to criticize and condemn. 

Important skill of his wife-the ability to be satisfied with what you have. Often, on the contrary, his wife unhappy, poisoning the lives of yourself and loved ones. You have to be able to be focused on her husband and invest only in one (without thoughts and comparisons with other) all my faith and energy. And then the man is moving forward.

MariaLinn

-what day??-

What a week ,not that is has been that out of theordinary but still...Schools were off on Monday- Inservice day, so when school started on Monday it just utterly confused me.

I even phoned my 91 years old grandmother thinking it was Monday...I bet that made her feel good about herself knowing she forgets bits and bobs.

Tuesday was a pretty good day,even managed to get ourselves too Highland dancing,and allthe mums sat there discussing stuff...can't even remember what it was but I enjoyed it nevertheless.

Wednesday was pretty cool too, after school it was time for dinner and then off to Brownies. While dsughter was at Brownies I had planned to continue reading Pyramids by Terry Pratchett (yup,I have been hooked on Discworld since December 2012) but alas, it didn't work out for me. Instead I went home with a friend of mine and had acup of coffee and a good chat. It was nice, don't see her half as much anymore as before the summer.

Yesterday was tougher, daughter was being difficult in the morning,but got her off to school atleast.Home,dinner then swimming...home to practise piano...tougfh day,I think she is rather tired and will get her to bed early tonight. After her piano lesson with Charlotte the great.

It was a tough morning today as well, can I excuse it with it being a Friday? I am not sure,but it's really hardgoing.

I am in my mind thinking that after the summer we finish the swimming, unless she really wants to continue. She is definetly doing well.

About me...My hair feels so long, and this Friday I have decided on getting rid of afew bits and bobs...you know : going for the minimalistic house. Not sure if I will ever manage,but I will give it a shot.

Wish me luck.
Have a good weekend lovelies!

Different types of feelings

Through one day I can go through an enourmos ampount of feelings, deep feelings of love for people I have never actually met such as all my penpals, sadness over what some people are going through, such as Mirka the mum of 11 kids..she is just such an unbelieable inspiring woman and when sad things happens to good people, I get sad.

And today I discovered Anais Nin...she has a hugs amount of fabulous quotes, and I am going to read a bit about her. I am happy I found her.

Then, looking at how my diet is going, I get angry with myself for not having more will power so I can resist the biscuits my Princess get s me to make, resist that bagel in the evening, when I am just slightly hungry...and annoyed with myself..and I aldo get determined that I AM GOING to do this.

I was hoping to be at goal around Christmas time, so I better behave.

One thing that makes me happy :I have only 6 letters to reply to, which means I have nearly cought up! Yay
And another thing that makes me happy: I am knitting again and I am almost finished with a new top..just another few days I think, and I will be able tp use it!!  Hurray!

I will finish with Anais Nin..

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.” 
― Anaïs Nin

Working

Just working towards a simpler life, a life without lots of stress. So today is the day for going through some old toys that my daughter has outgrown..she will be 8 in April and there is no need to hold on to ALL the baby toys..it creates alot of clutter to be honest.

I want a simpler life with less "stuff". Here goes, must be tough !!

Time

Evaluate your time. How do you spend your day? What things do you do, from the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep? Make a list, and evaluate whether they’re in line with your priorities. If not, eliminate the things that aren’t, and focus on what’s important. Redesign your day.


It's not the time that really is the issue...not really, the time is being spent getting rid of stuff that clutter up my life, when they are gone, the time will be spent on doing the stuff I love... so I need to do some decluttering!!


New conclusion..I spend way too mch time on the laptop, so I need to limit myself a bit. A couple of blog updates during the day maybe, and then not until evening time. I will also check my email during the day, but that's it!

Evaluate

Evaluate your commitments. Look at everything you’ve got going on in your life. Everything, from work to home to civic to kids’ activities to hobbies to side businesses to other projects. Think about which of these really gives you value, which ones you love doing. Which of these are in line with the 4-5 most important things you listed above? Drop those that aren’t in line with those things. 


Most of these as I can think of is in line with my important things, but might have to have a good think throughout the day.

Simple living

This is the first step of my new life, I will go through one by one and change my life and way of thinking. I found the list by googleing "The simple life".
Make a list of your top 4-5 important things. What’s most important to you? What do you value most?  What 4-5 things do you most want to do in your life? Simplifying starts with these priorities, as you are trying to make room in your life so you have more time for these things.


1. My family and friends
2.Knitting and making things
3.writing letters
4.makeup/work
5. keep fit- lose weight


These are the things I value the most and that is what I will start with. I