J & J report #10

Hello Friends,

from the point of view of the challenge this week hasn't been anything special. No Spend Days 1/7, YTD 22/83. Again I haven't spent money on anything untoward, so all is going well.

I am feeling a bit frustrated about how little non-Uni stuff I am getting done at the moment, even though it is completely understandable when I apply my logical brain and common sense. And focussing on the little things that are coming to fruition (literally) helps. So, although the garden is a mass of weeds and I barely spend any time in it at present, I can celebrate harvesting some apples from our young trees, the fact that there are a number of lemons ready to pick, and that we ate a beautiful dragon fruit (the red, almost purple, centred kind) for dessert this evening - fully ripened on the plant in our own back yard and only picked last night.

 http://www.growables.org/information/TropicalFruit/dragonfruit.htm

I can also celebrate being placed at a very reputable State High School for my teaching placement in May/June. One that is accessible by public transport too. Just what I wanted. I'm very excited.

Further on the topic of focussing on the positives of where you are on your journey, and recognising the positive changes made, rather than continually beating yourself up for not being perfect - I would like to direct you to one of my favourite blogs again "House of Humble" and their post of yesterday "Simple Living Our Own Way". They say it far better than I can (especially when I should either be sleeping or studying right now).

Best wishes for the coming week.

Ravs

J to J report #8 & #9

Well - I missed a week, no major surprise there - the workload from Uni has ramped up pretty quickly with two assignments due at the end of week 5 (just about to start week 4).  I did keep track though, so I can still fill in the update. The data for the previous two weeks are as follows:

Wk 8: 0/7 No spend days, YTD 20/69

Wk 9: 1/7 No spend days, YTD 21/76

As you can see - not so successful this past fortnight in terms of limiting the days I spend. And the main culprit is University. Although I have been taking lunch and coffee most days (I did forget one day, being too intent on getting kids to school on time) I have been finding that one cup of coffee isn't sufficient for a full day of study. If I ignored the days where my only expense was that extra cup then my statistics would be very different (2/7 and 3/7) so I'm not feeling too bad.

I'm still managing well with the Naughty & Nice list, mostly. Another couple of reference books purchased (on sale), and a children's book in support of the charity "Room to Read" that I will donate to the school library. It is a child's version, in rhyme, of how this charity started, with their first delivery of thousands of books to a school in rural Nepal (that only had three books until then, and kept them locked up, they were considered so valuable). Books do seem to be an ongoing theme with me don't they?

We are so fortunate to be able to afford books of our own.

I think I should probably add Charity to the Nice list, it seems selfish not to, and then I don't have to feel guilty about the two charity 'dos' I went to in the last couple of weeks. It is nice to have a night out and support a good cause at the same time, don't you think? We went to a lovely Vietnamese dinner organised by a good friend of ours in support of Room to Read, and specifically girls education in Vietnam (where she comes from), and the next night I went to an International Women's Day event.

The hard part is deciding who to support, there are so many worthwhile causes, but I'm not Bill Gates, and even he couldn't fund them all - so choices have to be made. In the past I have been a regular supporter of the Red Cross, UNHCR, Surf Lifesaving and the Salvation Army. Right now I am supporting The Conversation because independent, intelligent journalism is so thin on the ground in Australia at the moment, yet so essential. Other causes I support on a more 'ad hoc' basis.

How do you decide what Causes to support?

J to J report #7 - And life just got busier

No spend days this week 3/7, YTD 20/62.  My averages are getting better!

I did buy a book for my professional library, not exactly necessary, but of value. Otherwise completely on track this week. Even down to remembering to take along my thermos of coffee and a packed lunch to Uni. So I am pretty happy with myself right now.

I have a very busy month ahead, now that Uni has started back and I have started tutoring a morning a week at the local high school (first day today, loved it!). Unfortunately this means that my blog posts are likely to be short and sweet, starting with this one.

I will say that the decision to change cleaners has been vindicated. The new lady did her first clean here today - everything I asked to a high standard and she took the initiative and cleaned the ceiling fans without being asked. She has even requested I get the step ladder out for next time so she can finish them off properly! I am over the moon.

And with that I am going to have to finish - time to do so preparation for tomorrow.

What went well for you this week?

Ravs

J to J report #6, on the value of Cleaners

No Spend Days this week 2/7; YTD 13/55

I've been debating the value of having a cleaner over the last couple of weeks, given that I'm currently not 'working'. Can we justify the expense when I 'should' be able to get this done in my 'time-off'?

I qualify those words above with single quotes because: 

I am working, or at least I will be again next week, I'm just not in paid employment, I'm studying to change career, to one that will be better for the family long term (and that I want to do as well, I'm neither completely selfish nor a martyr); 

Why 'should' I? I plan all the meals, cook most, and make sure the pantry & fridge are stocked for those meals; organise all the logistics for pretty much every activity undertaken by members of the family; ensure that we maintain contact with family and friends; wash, dry, sort and often put away all the clothes and linen; organise medical, dental and hair appointments for the children; make sure the bills are paid and the house is maintained; communicate with the children's teachers and keep track of their work; volunteer at the school; do most of the planning for any trips we take; make repairs to clothing and other items; organise tradespersons where necessary. I'm sure I could go on.

What 'time-off'? I can always find another job that needs doing. My difficulty is usually getting myself to stop. I have to take myself out of the house so that I won't 'just do that job before I…. stop for a glass of water' (or similar).

Mould, easier to ignore when it is outside and not visible to visitors.

I have come to the conclusion that, for us, having a cleaner (and it's only once a fortnight) is worthwhile, even if I had to go out to work just to afford it, and here's why.

1. I dislike cleaning.

2. I get very tense when I have to operate in a dirty or cluttered environment.

3. I have perfectionist tendencies.

These three points lead to the following scenario.

First, I avoid cleaning. Consequently the dirt in my environment increases. When it reaches a particular level, still far from squalor, my stress levels increase and I get cranky. This crankiness increases because I realise that to reduce the dirt I am going to have to do something I really dislike and actually clean the house. This fight between the need to live in a clean space and the desire not to clean has, in the past, lasted well over a week (before kids of course, the rate at which the dirt accumulates is faster nowadays).

Once I reach tipping point I start cleaning, during which process of course I am extremely cranky, like most people when forced to do something they hate. Then comes the influence of point 3, my perfectionist tendencies. When I start cleaning I struggle to stop, because I keep seeing more that needs to be done. I could spend upwards of three hours cleaning our (very small) bathroom to my satisfaction, because it would mean scrubbing the bath until not only could no grime be seen, but it was completely smooth to touch, the door runners scrubbed with a toothbrush, the walls washed, the top of the cupboard spotless, no rust on the plug hole, the grout white rather than grey - and then I would start to see the repairs and touch ups that were needed.

Then I'll start the next room, which will probably be the kitchen as these are the two rooms in the house where being clean is most important to our health. Can you imagine how long that would take me? A whole day gone, without a break for even a glass of water, and no other 'jobs' done - you got it, I am now cranky beyond all recognition, hating cleaning even more than before, and resenting my family into the bargain.

In contrast, when I have someone in to clean for me, I know that the cleaning tasks essential for maintaining our health, and my sanity, have been done well once a fortnight and that, for the following two weeks I can quickly and simply maintain an acceptable level of cleanliness. If I can stop myself from getting into a lather I can keep the perfectionism at bay and live with what seems to be a relatively normal and socially acceptable level of grime (when I objectively observe my friends' houses). I have even developed the ability to leave the children's beds unmade and lego on the floor and just shut the door (most of the time). I (almost) only get cranky once a fortnight when I try to get my family to help tidy up so our Cleaner can actually clean.

What is your essential, sanity saving expense?

Ravs

J to J report #6 - Naughty!

No Spend Days this week 3/7 Yeah! YTD 11/48

Although I had the best week so far in terms of 'No Spend Days', I had my first slip on my journey of not purchasing unnecessary items.

Now, notice that I said 'slip' and 'journey', I am not seeing this as a failure and giving up on my goals. Not unlike trying to lose weight, give up cigarettes (thankfully something I never started), or stop biting your nails, this is not something I necessarily expect to be completely successful at first time. I may trip on the journey again, but hopefully next time it will take a larger obstacle to make me fall.

What I do feel proud of is that this slip was not an unconscious one. I did not make any 'spur of the moment' purchases. I bought two items I wanted (though don't need) after much thought. 

The first was Emma Dean's recipe book "A Homegrown Table". I have wanted this book ever since she won Masterchef last year, and after reading it at Mum's I knew that there were a lot of beautiful simple recipes in it that I would use. I have already put some in my meal plan for this month, so unless I was going to steal my mother's copy, I had to get my own. I didn't just go out and buy it from the first place I found it though. I looked around thoroughly and eventually bought it at a department store for almost ½ the price that the major bookstores were charging.

The second item was a DVD of a television series that I had missed but particularly wanted to see. I tried sourcing it through the BCC library network, and through video rental stores, but no-one had it. So, after a lot of careful consideration regarding how much I wanted to catch-up with this series, I bought it, and it is one that I will watch more than once.

It is important that we don't berate ourselves for not being 'perfect' all the time, but that we continue to see it as worthwhile to take steps to improve our capacities in the areas we consider important. My elder son used to get upset when he couldn't do something perfectly first time, until we pointed out that when he was a baby he couldn't walk, and that it took a lot of falls before he was fully proficient, and then he went through the same process to learn to run, to kick a ball, to talk, to read ……Learning to live in a new way is no different.

Now - off I go to watch that DVD.

Have a good week.

Ravs

J to J report #5

No Spend Days this week 1/7. YTD 8/41.
Pretty consistent.

I ordered the books. In the end I had to agree with Riley (see comment, previous post) that books are important, especially to encourage the love of them in children.  Separately from book club I also ordered a boxed set of Malory Towers (Enid Blyton) for my niece's birthday, and a book of poetry for the school library. As I explained to Riley in my reply, I do this each time my children have a birthday, it is of far more lasting value than sending 'party bags' or similar to school, and cheaper too. Not that everyone does this (send party bags), but it was common at our childcare centre which was when I started with the book 'thing', and I felt it was a tradition worth continuing, and yet another way to show my kids how much we value books and reading. I would encourage others to do the same - the school librarian will have some ideas about what would be welcome. Imagine if everyone in the school did this - what wonderfully stocked libraries we would have!

So I guess I am amending my 'Nice' list to include the odd book.

I have also been to the movies a few times - this is getting my socialising in before Uni starts back, because I will do almost nothing except study once I start. That is on the 'Nice' list. I have seen 'Saving Mr Banks' about the author of 'Mary Poppins' PL Travers, and 'Philomena' about a lady whose child is taken from her in 1950's Ireland, both moving stories closely based on true events. I also plan to see '12 years a slave' this week. There are so many quality films based on true stories out at present, two others that would be worthwhile I think are 'Mandela' and 'Tracks'.

Coffee is still my downfall, so I have also purchased a decent thermos to take coffee from home to Uni. 6 coffees not purchased from the cafe will cover the cost so it seems justified. What do you think?

How did your week go? Did you achieve your own personal goal for the week?

All the best

Ravs

J to J report #4

Books - my weakness.

2/7 No Spend days this week (7/34 YTD). Better, but I would really like to get my average to 3 no spend days out of 7.

There has been some serious spending though -  all necessary as I am trying to get major tasks out of the way before Uni starts. Feel a bit guilty about the movies & lunch, though that too will disappear almost completely when Uni begins, no time for much once that starts.

I think it is important to realise that there are times where you will spend more, and others when it will be easier not to.  Holidays are a big one, not only because you have time to enjoy all those activities that you have been looking forward to all during term time (or the working year), but also because it is when you have the time to get other tasks done, like painting the house, organising the dental check-ups, getting the threadbare sofa reupholstered. Beating yourself up about it is pointless.

But equally, it is important to stop the unnecessary spending at other times, and this is really the more important part of my challenge - only spending on what is necessary. So far I have been doing quite well, the challenge is really helping to keep me in check. Part of that is committing to blogging about it, I'm trying to do it once a week, as it makes me feel accountable.  If you have set yourself a similar challenge and want a similar prompt to keep you on track, but don't want to blog yourself, how about committing to commenting on this blog & updating us with your progress each week? Would love to hear from you!

I am currently struggling with one particular item on the Naughty List - Books!  I banned myself from purchasing anything but books required for school or Uni, but the boys were allowed one book each from school book club last year, and they are asking for them again this year. And sometimes there are amazing bargains on fantastic books (e.g. <$40 for 10 'My Story' books, stories for children accurately portraying various historical periods) which are hard to resist, as are age appropriate classics such as "The Secret Seven" and "The Famous Five" by Enid Blyton.  I feel torn - between the desire to save money and my love of books and desire to expose my children to the world that books make accessible.

What is your spending weakness?

J to J report # 3 - & 'Stuff'

The last two weeks have been about the same. 2/7 and 1/7 No Spend Days. YTD total 5/26 or about 20% (does that make it sound better or not?). I can say though, that everything purchased was on the Nice list (fist pump).

When I set myself this challenge, and thought about the 'rules', the Naughty and Nice lists, I thought I was being quite thorough, but as I travel the path new questions keep cropping up.

Such as: How do I treat those occasions when I don't spend money, but my husband does? I don't mean when he buys something purely for himself, like a coffee on the way to work, but when he spends money on things that the family needs, like going to get the bread and the milk? If he didn't do it, I probably would (though I might delay it by an extra day & make do ;) ). Or when I didn't feel up to cooking & asked him to sort dinner (the plan was sausages & veges) and he decided to order take-away? I would really appreciate some ideas on this.

I suppose that there are two main aims of this challenge, perhaps three, and I may have mentioned them before: to save some money; to reduce our consumption and environmental footprint; and to reduce our focus on 'Stuff' as a source of happiness and fulfilment, to instil the knowledge that these come from what we do, not what we have. I highly recommend that you visit "The Story of Stuff" (after you've finished reading this of course), and start with the title video, which may have been one of the catalysts, a number of years ago, for me to think more deeply about these issues and start trying to change.

True happiness & fulfilment come from what you do, not what you have.

Part of this, for me, is also about paring back the physical clutter in my life, clearing the house of things that are unnecessary, things that no longer have any use, that just take up space and energy. Now, please don't take this to mean any item that has no practical application, I might be an Engineer by training, but this doesn't mean that I don't appreciate the importance of beauty in our lives, and that some things are valuable purely because they provide that.

However, often the 'purely ornamental' things which we keep in our lives, the pictures on our walls for example, actually provide more than just beauty to our homes. As I sit here in my bedroom and look at the pictures on the wall I am transported back to Venice, to a trip with my mother when we met a local artist whose work seemed so much more evocative of the place than any others we had seen but which, as a student, I didn't feel I could afford, and of searching for, but not finding, him in the rain the next day because I realised that his art really was worth it to me. Then of receiving a parcel from my mother months later, after she had found a dealer who sold his work in Melbourne. Of returning to Venice a number of years later with my husband, and looking for the artist again, this time finding his wife and mother instead as they manned his stall, and purchasing two more pieces to remember our trip by.

Behind me hangs a wall quilt, would have served a practical purpose in mediaeval Europe, but not here and now. But this one was made by my mother and has photographs from our wedding on the front, and messages handwritten by our guests and overseas relatives on the back.

Some things might not serve any 'practical' purpose, but do serve the dual purposes of being beautiful and reminding us of people, places and events that made us happy and fulfilled, perhaps even helping us get through those times which aren't quite so wonderful.

Then there are other things, still lovely, and still with some meaning, that still could be classed as clutter. Most of the things in my life that fall into this category have arrived in my life as gifts, and they stay in my life because they are gifts from people who I esteem highly, but they are things maybe that don't quite 'fit' my life. Actually most of these are items that are both lovely and have a practical purpose, just not to me, and therein lies the rub. What do I do? How do I stop them cluttering my home/life without feeling that I am somehow sending the message that the person who gave me the gift is also clutter, when that is not the case at all. The photographs and memories of times we have spent together mean far more to me than gifts for my birthday or Christmas. Maybe if I printed a few out and added them to our photo wall? Or moved the albums to a place where I might pick them up more often?Do you think I could then find more appreciative homes for the beautiful, but unused, gifts?

Talk to you soon,

Ravs.

J to J report #2

This is a lot harder than I expected. Especially the No Spend days. I finally achieved one on Saturday, away on a games club retreat (that is board games, where you actually sit down with real people & have a conversation while playing a game, and possibly exercise your brain at the same time). But spent money again the next day when we had dinner out before driving home.

It seems the kids being on holiday and us travelling around etc makes it harder, it will be interesting to see how different it is when the kids start back at school and then later when I start back at Uni.

No Spend Days / Spend Days: last week 1:6 (absolutely lousy!); YTD 2:12 (the same).

Staying in the nice list is a lot easier, most of the spending has been on food, often only one thing per day, and the odd activity. But last night I fell off the wagon, without even thinking, and purchased a video download. I enjoyed it tremendously, and intend to watch it again in the next couple of days, but all the same……it happened so easily.

I had to go to the shops today for a couple of items, including new bathers (mine have finally given up after a number of years), but this meant I had to walk through lots of racks of sale items. Do you talk to yourself? In your head or under your breath? "You don't need it, you don't need it. Yes it looks nice/interesting, but you don't need it". At least I was conscious of the temptation this time. It helped that I had a specific purpose, and a very short deadline. Similarly when I arrived home the mail had arrived, including a catalog. I took the plastic cover off and put it straight into the recycling bin. In both cases I was able to avoid browsing - This maybe the key to avoiding unnecessary spends for me. How about you, any tips?

So - one lapse in the J to J challenge, I guess that is a pass. What do you think?

I need to add Bus Fare to the Nice list - transport costs being unavoidable for getting to Uni next semester. And postage - I'm not going to stop writing letters to friends. Is that fair?

I'm also not going to count paying bills such as utilities or rates (or bus fares to Uni) as Spend Days. This is because I have set most bills up to pay automatically so I don't even know when they happen, and they are also unavoidable. Catching the bus is more environmentally friendly (and more convenient) than driving the car, but as the cost is per journey for the bus, and chunked for the car I could rig my stats by using the car and not the bus. I don't want to punish myself (in terms of the challenge) for doing the right thing environmentally! Does that make sense?

BTW the video was "Much Ado About Nothing" with David Tennant and Catherine Tate.

J to J Report #1

Hmmm. This is going to take some practise.

Just back from 4 days away with the boys. Staying with friends, so no accommodation costs, but…….

• Petrol - OK unavoidable.
• Coffee enroute - unavoidable if I wanted to stay awake at the wheel.
• Food enroute - could have packed a picnic (the boys would have kicked up a fuss, especially as I was getting coffee).
• Dinner out - polite & pleasant way of thanking our hosts for their hospitality, otherwise I would have gone shopping so I could cook dinner for them anyway, so this one is justified.
• Ice-cream at a local berry farm The Bramble Patch (with fresh berries blended through on the spot) - our hosts suggestion, showing us around their region.  But did I really need to buy the three jars of chutney, two pots of fruit paste and one jar of jam as well? I know they had zero food miles and were supporting a local cottage industry but maybe just two items would have sufficed?
• Fruit at a renowned local fruit shop on the way home - good, we needed the supplies, the region specialises in apples, stone fruit and wine, the fruit was great value for money, very low food miles and supporting local businesses.
• Apple pie and ice-cream at Sutton's - probably not necessary, even if highly recommended by our friends. And then there is the box of different apple juices (I mean a box of 9 bottles)…OK they are pure fruit, no added sugar, no preservatives and delicious, but still. I won't be buying ordinary supermarket juice for a while though so maybe….OK. And we will be going back - it really is THAT good.
• Swim at Warwick pool followed by an icy-pole each for the boys - it's been in the high 30's for 4 days, and it is their school holidays.
• Earplugs - replacement swimming ones because otherwise I can potentially be partially deaf with that swishing noise in my ears for a number of days.
• Pies and coffee enroute home - necessary for everyone's blood sugar levels, and driver's concentration.

No Spend vs Spend Rating: Miserable - spent on 100% of days

Non-shopping Rating: Medium to good - I think that I am going to have to class the chutney's etc as a slight cheat, I didn't need more than two jars of chutney (already on the shopping list at home because we have run out). Food indulgences are obviously something I am going to have to watch.

Still - we did have a lovely time - and that is important too. The motivation for the trip was to take L9 & J6 on their first overnight hike, with our friends whose eldest (10yo) has been on one before, but for whose youngest (6yo) it was also a first. Very proud of all four kids.

Four intrepid adventurers

Meanwhile…..hubby (who I have not insisted be part of this challenge) has been shopping while I was away. I think it fits on the nice list though - as he did a big clear out of his wardrobe, and only bought four quality replacement items, with planned future activities in mind. I get all his worn out t-shirts to repurpose too.

NY Resolution - 'J to J Shopping Challenge'

Do you make New Year Resolutions? I don't usually, though at this time of year I do tend to stop and think about what is important to me.

Just before the New Year I discovered this blog: Frugal in Tasmania and her decision to try to go 365 days without shopping got me thinking. Now it isn't 365 days completely without shopping, just not shopping for un-needed items - you know, 'stuff' - food, drink, essential clothing etc are all OK.

Now I am guilty of buying stuff I want but don't need, just like the next person, often spur of the moment, but I also get quite stressed by 'clutter' and am forever trying to clear the house of things grown out of or no longer (or never) needed in order to clear my mind. How much better not to acquire it in the first place! I also actually rather dislike shopping (aside from op-shopping), the crowds and decisions are a cause of stress.

Too much STUFF! Though, aside from the alcohol (believe it or not), most of this gets fairly regular use. Still wish it were tidier though.

So I think I might take a cue from Frugal in Tasmania and give this not shopping a try, though I am only going to aim for 6 months. I'm calling it the 'J to J shopping challenge'. Along with this I intend to continue to declutter.

So - what is on the 'Naughty List' and what is on the 'Nice List'? It seems important to have some idea (and write it down) at the start - so I can't cheat.

Nice

Food & drink - including coffee with friends, eating out & occasional take-away.

School clothes.

Replacements for worn out clothes, shoes and other regularly used items (if they can't be repaired).

Items necessary for repairs.

School and University books & supplies.

Photo books (I do one each year for the kids).

Children's birthday presents.

Basic toiletry items.

Cleaning supplies (consumables).

Vegetable seedlings & other plants for the garden.

Medicine & first-aid items.

Naughty

Ornaments / Decorations.

Jewelry.

Make-up (exception - replacement of used up items).

Gadgets.

Books (except as required for school or uni).

Clothes (except replacements).

Fabric (yes, this is going to be hard, but I do really have plenty to be going on with).

Tools, including Garden tools (unless absolutely needed for an already planned project, or a repair, and where I can't borrow it from Dad).

Household goods.

Camping equipment.

Games.

Sporting equipment.

Tupperware (even if it is from the op-shop).

Cake at the coffee shop.

Bicycle gear (except for repair & maintenance & to enable us to achieve our plan of independent cycle touring).

Can you think of anything else that I should add? Suggestions welcome.

I will also take another piece of inspiration from 'Frugal' and aim for more days where I don't spend any money than days on which I do. This should have the effect of making me more efficient in my shopping habits, which will in turn reduce the stress of having to go to the shops, the chance of being tempted to make unnecessary purchases, and give me more time for other things.

Intended (and hoped for) outcomes: Less 'stuff' cluttering up our home and our lives; lower stress levels; an increased consciousness about consumerism and needs vs wants; more money saved; less time spent exposed to commercial settings.

I'll try to keep a running record of how I am going here - just like Frugal (though I don't know that my writing style is as interesting to read) - starting with the first two days.

NY day - no spend (not too hard).

Today (2/1/14) - pre-planned spending mainly on items to take my boys for their first overnight hike: extra tent pegs; water bladders; micro fibre towels; water purification tabs; camping cutlery & crockery (this is actually a birthday present); plus iron on patches to repair a couple of pairs of jeans. And a coffee. Thankfully all of these items are on the 'Nice List' as they are replacements for irreparable items needed for an activity that the family participates in regularly, or to enable other items to be repaired.  I also have to go and get petrol, vegetables and medicine on the way home.

Now, I've made the commitment in writing, anyone want to join me for moral support? Or just add the odd helpful tip or comment as I go along?

Here's to 2014!

Ravs

So long - and big changes.

I can't believe it is over a year since I posted on this blog!
I completed my Permaculture Design Course at Northey Street City Farm - fabulous! But progress on implementing the plan in my garden has been slow. Firstly because it is just sooooo hot and humid here in the summer, and then because I began another course.
This one is a really big deal - I'm changing careers!
Saw the writing on the wall for my role of 16 years in the form that I love. When the Royal Children's Hospital (Brisbane) closes and moves to the Qld Children's Hospital it will no longer be possible to provide the same type and level of services that we have done in the past (as they haven't allowed for it in the plan - but we won't go into that), and I recognised that the job would change into something that I would not find particularly rewarding or stimulating.  So I have begun studying for a career I have long considered - Secondary Teaching! I am specialising in Physics.
This of course was a lot of work on top of paid employment & parenthood - so no coming back to the blog!

Soon after beginning the Grad Dip, Voluntary Redundancies were offered and, given the climate, prospects for the future, and my already determined plan, this was too good to refuse. It means I can complete my studies faster too! (As an aside, my workmates gave me a voucher to spend at Edible Landscapes - a volunteer run, organic nursery at Northey Street, as a going away present. Aren't they wonderful & clever?)
Not 'working' hasn't seemed to mean that I am making great progress on the garden though. Silly me took on Presidency of the P&C the day I found out I'd been made redundant. Thought I would have time after all (and no-one else put up their hand).
However - maybe, just maybe, I might be able to post a little more often. And over at my other blog RavsCreations - where I will write about some of the Refashions (like the one at right) that I have been doing lately in preparation for a demonstration at our upcoming Quilt and Textiles Show (August 31st, Milton State School for those of you in Brisbane).
I hope you'll hang in their with me.
Ravs.

After a while....

I thought I would give you an update on a couple of things.

Sourdough: A friend asked if I could bring some of the first batch along when I visited her - but I didn't think it would be great after 5 days (and in the end there wasn't any left), so I made my second batch a couple of days earlier than planned.
The first batch was made primarily with Coles brand wholemeal flour.  The second with Biodynamic Wholemeal Wheat Flour by Red Gum Milling.  This second flour was much finer, without all the obvious pieces of bran.  I also tried to handle the dough less between the first & second proof - to retain more of the air as I felt the first batch was a bit dense for my liking (SMD described it as tasting & feeling like a German Rye Bread - fine if that is what you want).  The other change is that the second proof took place overnight in the fridge, so I could bake the bread fresh in the morning.
This is the result:

I forgot to slice the tops - so they are very plain looking.

They turned out a lighter colour inside, and slightly less dense.

I have planted out the seedlings that I showed you in "Inactive - not quite" into the second vegetable garden.  And labelled them using plastic labels cut from a 2 litre milk bottle.  I found that the icy-pole sticks quickly grew mould and became unreadable, hopefully these will work better.

Seedlings newly planted - still in their toilet roll or egg carton homes.

As you can see I set up the automatic watering system at the same time, it's on the same circuit as the other bed, but has small sprays instead of drip lines.  The net cover is essential - when I had it open to work on the watering system Elsa (the Isa Brown) was in digging up the seedlings straight away!

The potatoes in the chicken feed bags are going well.

I have already added some lucerne hay to the bags, and straight after this picture was taken I rolled the sides up a bit and added plenty of soil, filling up the gaps as much as I could, then gave them a good water.

And lastly - the first vege bed is going OK - with its beetroot, carrots & bok choy.

Sourdough

My favourite sort of bread is sourdough - it just seems to have so much more flavour, texture & body and today I made my first loaves!

I've been meaning to try making a sourdough starter for a while, but you know how it is, I just didn't find one of those round to-its.

Fortunately J5 and I went to stay with some dear friends in Stanthorpe last weekend and, prior to leaving, I was given the generous gift of some of their sourdough starter, which originated in a bakery in Tasmania!

So, on Friday morning before leaving for work I fed it with 100g of wholemeal flour and 100ml of lukewarm water.  Then I fed it again when I got home.  An hour later I removed 200g and put it in a clean glass jar and into the fridge to keep for next time.  This morning this is what the remainder looked like:

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble.....

1kg wholemeal flour, 600ml lukewarm water and plenty of therapeutic kneading later......

Ready for the first proof.

After a few hours, and a 6yo McDonald's party (which thankfully J5 sent me away from), we had fun punching the dough down and shaping it ready for the second proof - after which it looked like this:

In to bake, closely following instructions, including putting a tray of boiling water in the oven for the first few minutes to form a nice crust.  I enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine and ABC Classic FM while reading my latest Michael Pollen book "The botany of desire" and keeping an eye on the oven temperature (you have to gradually decrease it from 240degC to 180degC over 45 minutes).  The loaves were removed from the oven just as SMD & L8 walked up the stairs after watching our Senior team defeat Mitchelton 5-3, Go ACE!

Of course we all had to try a piece warm from the oven.  Not bad for a first attempt I think.

PS Talking of Michael Pollan, if you live in Sydney he is going to be giving a talk at the Opera House on the 10th July 2012.

The world in Harmony

Book Review: - Harmony, a new way of looking at our world.  By HRH The Prince of Wales.

I finished reading this book a couple of weeks ago, and I have since ordered myself a copy.  It is a really beautiful book, both physically and philosophically.

I grew up hearing about Prince Charles and his love of nature, he was often derided for 'talking to his plants', for being at the 'extreme' end of the green scale, and for butting his nose into the areas of architecture and town planning.  But we all know how the media likes a good story, and doesn't always let the full truth get in the way.

Reading this book will tell you more about Prince Charles as a person than you will ever get from any magazine or newspaper report.  It will reveal a man who was ahead of his time in his concern for the earth in a truly holistic way.  A man who has an incredible respect and even reverence for the different peoples, cultures and religions of the world, and sees their commonalities.  An intelligent, interested, well read & hard working man.  But don't think this is a self-congratulatory book, that is just the impression gained from the thoughts he expresses.

But learning about Prince Charles the man is far from being the primary reason for reading this book - it is for its holistic view of the interrelatedness of life on earth, how one thing affects another, of how our view of the world and our place in it has caused us to reach this point of imbalance, and how we might change our view and work towards rebalancing and renewing our connection and sense of place in the grand scheme.

He starts out with geometry.  Yes that's right, basic mathematics.  How beautifully complex patterns appear in nature over and over again and how ancient peoples identified these and used them in their sacred art and architecture.

He talks about how man viewed his place in the environment, and how that has changed over time. The importance of beauty and how our sense of what is beautiful relates back to the geometry found in nature.  Of walkable towns and civic design.  Of psychology and how our environment affects it. Rainforests and their importance in creating rain, especially the Amazon, the 'lungs of the world'.  Of education and organic farming methods (he's been farming organically for about 30 years).

Strong views are expressed - gently.

It is a lovely read.

This is the lecture that inspired me to read this book in the first place.

One of the foundations that Prince Charles has set up to work towards creating a better world is the Prince's Foundation for Building Community, but there are others.  Behind the scenes he must work pretty hard.

Ravs

Inactive? Not Quite

I know, long time, but I haven't been completely idle.
I'm 8 or 9 weeks post spinal surgery today,  I wasn't allowed to do any heavy work for 6 weeks, which explains a bit.  But here's what I have done in the last couple of months.

Garlic (far end), carrots, bok choy & two types of beetroot.  And I finally set the automatic watering up again.

Various vegetable seedlings, two local natives (a westringia & a calistemon) free from the council via the Greenheart Fair, and my Mother's Day Aloe Vera plant.

Repotted the strawberries (see them hanging underneath) with some capsicum & oregano - two pots worth.

Potatoes in chook feed bags - a good use of an otherwise wasted space.

I put two seed potatoes in each bag.  Two different varieties,  3 bags of each.  Hope it works.

Sacrificed the last few passionfruit (was too cold for them to ripen anyway) and chopped the vine right back.  Waiting to see if it resprouts, otherwise I'll plant another in the same area.

A member of the melon family - but which one I don't know.  It is self sown,  so we'll just wait & see how it does, growing between the bricks & the retaining wall!

On a separate issue - I suggested at the P&C meeting that we should try to take the Tuck Shop GM Free.  I was expecting some scepticism - but got overwhelming support!  Very happy.  So now I have another job - as, in order to increase my chances of getting agreement, I offered to do all the research & chasing down of info.  But great news don't you think?

And there is a another book review on the way.  Plus I haven't completely forgotten the Organic Certification reviews (it's pretty dry reading though, so sometimes hard to face, hence the delay).

Oh - and I've joined a 'box scheme'.  We are now getting most of our fruit & vege from Food Connect, which sources all the food from within 3 hours drive of Brisbane (they also operate out of Sydney).  Mostly organic, though not always certified, and usually small farms I believe.  This means we are eating in season, and very fresh & cutting down on food miles.  Have been thrilled with the quality so far.  Am also excited about the chance we get at some point to visit some of the people growing our food.

Anyway, life's pretty good, as I hope it is for you.
Best wishes
Ravs

Genetic Roulette

Book Review
Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods - by Jeffrey M. Smith

 I came across this book totally by chance - it was on display at the end of a row of shelves in our local library.  I picked it up, read the blurb on the back and decided it was something I really wanted to know more about.  Not knowing who Jeffrey M. Smith was, the fact that the foreword was written by Dr Rosemary Stanton, who I've grown up seeing promoting good nutrition, had some influence on my decision.
This is the Australian Edition, other editions are introduced by well known and respected people in their markets where they are sold.

This is not a light-weight book, it is full of scientific analysis, but it has been designed so that it can also be read by people who do not need all the technical data, and there are tips for the "quick scanner" and the "casual reader" on how to read it in the 'About the Author' section.  For example: "Part 1 (two-page spreads): Quick scanners can stick with the executive summary on the left page only.  Casual readers will have to pick and choose among the explanations on the right, since they vary considerably in their level of technical detail."

I came in under the heading 'those wanting it all' - i.e. I read virtually every word.  Partly because I can't help myself and partly because I decided fairly early on that this book was worth reviewing. Consequently it took me about 4 months to read.  Sometimes I went for a few days without reading any, sometimes I only read a few pages.  If you were to read it at the level of the quick scanner it would probably take only a couple of days to get what you want out of it.  This is one of the great things about it - it is accessible to all.

Now, molecular biology is not my field, and I struggle to get my head around genes, DNA, cells, chromosomes, proteins etc, but I do understand scientific method and the design of experiments, and this helped in understanding the details in the points made (i.e. the right hand side of the two-page spreads).  So many of the studies done by the GM developers are poorly designed, or analysed, yet have been used to justify approval for commercial propagation.

To give you some idea of the content - and the main points of the book (all backed by evidence and a 40 page small font list of references) - I will list the section titles from Part 1.

Section 1: Evidence of reactions in animals and humans
Section 2 : Gene insertion disrupts the DNA
Section 3: The protein produced by the inserted gene may create problems
Section 4: The foreign protein may be different than what is intended
Section 5: Transfer of genes to gut bacteria, internal organs, or viruses
Section 6: GM crops may increase environmental toxins and bioaccumulate toxins in the food chain
Section 7: Other types of GM foods carry risks
Section 8: Risks are greater for children and newborns
Connecting the dots: looking for patterns and causes

Trying to think of a few things that will definitely stick in my mind.

1. Gene insertion is not exact.  It is not like a surgeon inserting a stent into the exact artery of the heart that needs expanding.  It is more like a novice shooting to break in a game of pool, you are unlikely to be able to predict exactly where you are going to hit, or where all the balls are going to end up.  The gene you are trying to insert may get broken up, or it may land in the middle of other gene sequences, disrupting their operation.
2. Even if the inserted gene sequence remains intact it may produce different proteins to that desired, or the desired protein differently folded, and this can change the effect.
3. The new proteins will be produced in every cell of the organism, so they can't be avoided by only using one part.  For example "Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a soil bacterium that produces a pesticide" (Section 3.3 p95). "Bt spray is applied in organic agriculture only during high insect infestation emergencies. It is applied on the plant's surface and the concentration of the toxin quickly dissipates. .... it is broken down within a few days to two weeks upon exposure to UV light from the sun. "It is also degraded rapidly by high temperatures and substances on plants' leaves.  It is also washed from leaves into the soil by rainfall" or can be washed off by consumers" (Section 3.4 p97).  "A Bt crop, however, makes the toxin in every cell on a continuous basis.  The concentration does not dissipate by the weather and it cannot be washed off." (Section 3.4p97)
4. Most genetically modified crops have an antibiotic resistant marker (used to determine if the gene has been successfully inserted).  Should this transfer across to gut bacteria during digestion, and evidence suggests that the genes can, though it is uncommon, it could convey antibiotic resistance to them, giving them a survival advantage and resulting in severe infections.  The more GM food eaten the greater the chance that this will occur.
5. GM crops have been given a survival advantage and can easily become weeds.
6. Even if a GM crop is not intended for human consumption, should it be fed to animals it can still get through into our food.
7. GM crops have contaminated other crops.  It is extremely difficult to then get rid of.
8. GM crops are patented and the farmers are not permitted to seed-save (even assuming they crops bred true-to-type), they have to buy new seed each year.
9. 'Round-up Ready' and similar herbicide resistant crops are designed to survive spraying by the accompanying chemical, while everything else is killed.  This actually results in more herbicide being used.  Some of the weeds are consequently already developing resistance to the herbicide as well and new generation GM crops are being developed which can survive yet stronger herbicides - all this going into our soil, water, air and food supply (and creating super-weeds).
10. GM food will not 'solve the problem of world hunger'. We already produce more than enough food to feed the world, the problem is that many people can not afford it.  Vitamin A enriched GM rice (golden rice, one of the very few crops being developed for a nutritional benefit, though more likely it is purely a public relations exercise) will not solve the problems of Vitamin A deficiency in the areas where it is a problem.  A 2yo child would need to eat over 3kgs of rice a day to get enough Vitamin A this way.  In addition the body cannot convert beta-carotene to Vitamin A when severely malnourished.  Much cheaper, simpler & healthier alternatives exist.  Michael Pollan (In Defence of Food, The Omnivore's Dilemma) suggests, in his New York Times Magazine article, The Great Yellow Hype, teaching "people how to grow green vegetables [that are rich in vitamin A and other nutrients] on the margins of their rice fields, and maybe even give them the seeds to do so".  Another alternative, already being done, is to hand out high potency Vitamin A tablets, strong enough that only 2 are required per year to prevent blindness, at a cost of 5 cents a tablet.
11. I am far from a conspiracy theorist - but how much influence do Monsanto, Syngenta and the like have over our regulatory bodies, politicians and scientific community?  There are many examples in this book of scientists being bullied, losing their jobs or funding, or being prevented from studying the organisms in question.  When reading this type of thing I always ask myself "What does this person / organisation have to gain by promoting their side of the argument?"  And the GM companies have everything to gain (up to the possibility of control of a large portion of the world's food supply and never-ending and increasing sales of their herbicides), while the scientists putting the alternative research have nothing of major significance to gain.  I have great difficulty understanding people who put profit and their own benefit above the long term survival of our community.  For me it is like trying to understand why someone would break a bottle on the rocks at the beach where they have just enjoyed a picnic, or at the extreme end, Martin Bryant and the Port Arthur Massacre.  How can they think like that?  What is wrong with the wiring of their brains?  (Of course they might think exactly the same of me "Why should she care?")

Is that enough do you think?  The evidence presented is certainly enough to convince me to start avoiding GM food.  I am thinking of proposing that our school tuckshop endeavour to go GM free too (and doing the research to help them achieve it).  In Australia we have a much lower proportion of GM food than in the US, but probably more than the EU, and it is hard to be sure about any imported food, seeing as labelling is not required here.  As of the publication date of this book (2007) 89% of soy, 75% of canola and 60% of corn grown in the USA was estimated to be genetically modified.

In the Appendix there are sections about how to stay up-to-date in the risks of GM food (try the Genetic Roulette site and http://www.responsibletechnology.org/), How to avoid eating genetically modified foods (two ideas, go Organic or use shopping guides, an Australian one can be found at http://www.truefood.org.au/), A list of GM crops, Food enzymes from GM organisms and a special alert on aspartame (e.g. Nutrasweet, Equal etc).

If you believe that GM foods are a bad idea, and that crops shouldn't be grown in this country, there are many ways you can have an influence, starting by trying to only buy products you know are GM free. Campaigning for compulsory labelling of GM content in food would be good too.  Then there is encouraging your local members, environment and agriculture ministers to learn about it, and get them to campaign so that our food regulatory body FSANZ (Food Standards Australia and New Zealand) demands proper research and full disclosure before approving crops, or imports, and that all test crops are grown in sealed greenhouses so no contamination can occur.  It would also be good if legislation were enacted such that the GM companies were held responsible every time contamination of other crops did occur.  The list could go on...and more ideas for creating a 'tipping point' can be found at the Institute for Responsible Technology, including an Action Tool Kit!

Anyway - if you want to know more read the book.  It is well written and you don't have to read every word like I did to get a lot of benefit.

Future Proofing - a couple more ideas.

I just thought I would add a couple of things to the list.

I started learning to play this in February.  I'm finding previous music studies (basic piano & violin) a great advantage.

• Learn an acoustic instrument.  Music brings joy & that is important.
• Keep all those old vinyl records & build your own wind up gramaphone (and when you find out how, let me know please).  Or if you are flush buy an antique working one - not as easy to find as treadle sewing machines, and much more expensive I expect.
• If you read a really good book - on any subject - and you think you might want to read it again, or refer to it (e.g. books of practical skills), then buy it in HARD COPY for your library.

All the best,

Ravs.

Fight for the Future

It is easy when reading about climate change and peak oil to get into a panic.  Easy, but not useful.  So whenever I start feeling this way I try to step back and think about what positive steps I can take to mitigate the situation, remembering that I am only one person with an individual set of skills, resources and emotional energy.  Nobody can do everything.

So, here are some ideas, in no particular order.  Some are things to help my individual family, some are about my local community, and some are concerned with the wider national & world community.  Some are things I am already doing, some are ones that I am considering & others are ideas for the future.  I think these are important issues because I believe we are going to see significant effects, if not within my lifetime, certainly within that of my children.

The Long Emergency

Book Review: The Long Emergency - Surviving the converging catastrophes of the twenty-first century.  By James Howard Kunstler.

This book took me a long time to read.  Not because it was boring, far from it (and anyway, if a book doesn't get me interested after a couple of chapters, I no longer waste my time trying to read it), but because the content was so thought provoking that I often found myself stopping and staring off into space for 10 minutes at a time while I digested a passage.  I would daydream & contemplate 'what if' scenarios stimulated by the things I was reading, or think about the particular interpretation of history that was being presented.

The other reason was that it is pretty heavy subject matter, and sometimes I needed a break from it, or conditions (internal or external) weren't quite right to give it the attention it deserved.

This book is definitely worth a read if you have any interest in how we got to here, and where we might be going as our fossil fuels, primarily oil, get harder and harder to obtain.

Although USA centric, the analysis of world political, social, technological and even climatical history and their interactions, bringing us to the society we know now (and Australian is similar enough to the US to draw many parallels) is incisive and comprehensive.

The book was published in 2005, prior to the GFC (Global Financial Crisis), but it has the best explanation of the causes of that, and a prediction of the tipping point even, that I have come across.  It now makes sense!  And I finally found out what Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac actually are; "...giant 'government sponsored entities' (GSEs), Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association) and Freddie Mac (FederalHome Mortgage Corporation). Fannie Mae was started as part of  New Deal policy to stimulate the housing industry.  In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson privatised Fannie Mae to get it off the federal budget......Its sibling, Freddie Mac, was created in 1970 to prevent Fannie Mae from monopolising the entire secondary mortgage market."

Another quote that struck me & made me smile & nod concerns large corporations.
"By 'corporation,' I mean a group enterprise given the legal status of a 'person,' with 'rights,' but in fact devoid of any human qualities of ethics, humility, mercy, duty, or loyalty that would constrain those rights. As Wendell Berry put it, "a corporation, essentially, is a pile of money to which a number of persons have sold their moral allegiance.....It can experience no personal hope or remorse. No change of heart. It cannot humble itself. It goes about its business as if it were immortal, with the single purpose of becoming a bigger pile of money." "

The final chapter, predicting what society might look like in various regions of the US, is really interesting.  The arguments are based on the underlying attitudes that exist in those regions (and you will recognise many of the stereotypes here), the climate, topography, the style of society that is there now, and resources, especially water.  It images are even quite funny in parts.

One term used in the book that might be useful to remember is 'Solar Carrying Capacity' - it refers to the number of people that can survive in an area (up to and including the surface of the earth) based only on the natural solar energy available.  This includes the ability of the land to grow crops.  Due to the extra (stored) energy available from fossil fuels, we have been able to increase the carrying capacity of many areas, and hence the whole world.  As fossil fuels decrease in availability, this carrying capacity will inevitably reduce - or so goes the argument of this book, and it is a convincing one.  We would do well to be prepared.

Ravs.

PS While looking for a picture for this post (was having trouble uploading from my computer) I found this site post-carbon-living - I was going to do a follow up piece on ideas for getting prepared, looks like I may not have to now (but I still might anyway).