Planning my Week: Sunday 26.01.2020

Happy Sunday Everyone!

Are you happy that it’s Sunday and you (hopefully) had the day to yourself or are you already feeling blue over the fact that tomorrow is Monday?

I’m the latter. Not because I hate Mondays but because I never feel that I’m quite prepared for the week  ahead or organized enough. I feel like I’m always this half organized mess. Just last week, my husband was very proudly making a list of all the things we had accomplished over the weekend. As for myself, all I could think about was all of the things we didn’t get done. He says that the house will never be clean enough for me and that I tend to see the glass half empty but still… I definitely think I could do a lot better most times.

Anyway, apparently I don’t consider 3 planners to be enough (I shit you not I do have 3. Maybe I’ll blog about why I have 3 planners and what I use them for) so I’ve decided I might as well use my blog as a backup to do list.

 

Monday – 27.01.2020

Obviously I’ll have to work, because I need a roof over my head and to pay bills and eat. On the plus side, I do like my job and my coworkers are awesome.

I have a therapy appointment scheduled for 7 p.m.

We need to stop by the store and get some groceries as well, nothing special but I did have to make pancakes without eggs today. We didn’t go during the weekend because Rui was sick (serious case of man flu) and you all know by this point that I can’t drive and we live in the middle of nowhere.

Also, I’m in charge of buying the presents every time someone has a birthday at work and I’m very late this time so I should get that done ASAP.

 

Tuesday – 28.01.2020

Work again, unless I win the lottery over night.

Uni classes start on Tuesday. Which is very scary. I’m not used to being there. There’s kids there. By kids I mean 18-year-old students and they’re very scary and annoying. I don’t want to look like the geriatric student. Also, I’ll have to tell some professors that I’m a working student and that I won’t be able to attend class, only do the work via some sort of e-learning (reading all the materials, going to the tutoring sessions and handing in the essays), which some of them hate. Back me up, people.

 

Wednesday – 29.01.2020

Work, work, work, work, work, work. UK banking needs me. And one very angry customer needs help with “taking ya mum outta the tub”. That was one the best ever.

I’ll then have my appointment with a nutritionist at 5.30. I’m obviously nervous about this because I’ve actually met one who flat out discriminated me because I was fat. You’re a nutritionist, aren’t you supposed to make fat people feel like you have their back? I wish with all my heart that I was making this up. I left her office in tears. Well, this lady works at my psychiatrist’s office so I have a good feeling about the whole thing. We’ll see.

 

 Thursday – 30.01.2020

I’ll be working as usual. I could marry a rich guy but that would be illegal now.

I don’t think I have anything happening other than work so this would be a nice day to get home super early and like tidy something up like laundry and maybe the kitchen.

Oh, and we should go buy a present for our friend whose birthday is the next day.

 

Friday – 31.01.2020

You’ll be able to find me at work. For which you’d need to know where I work. Which I can’t tell you. All you need to know is that it is a banking related. UK. Angry customers mostly.

After work we have a birthday dinner for one of our dear friends, Sara. We actually got married in the same year, which is great because we got to share and experience so much together.

Saturday and Sunday –  Not planning yet.

Extras: We do cook at some point during the week, either of us. Usually for more than one meal and to take lunch to work. We also do laundry and put it away as we go, not as fast as we should/like to. Rui does usually clean the kitchen, though I’ve been trying it to do it more. The heavier cleaning happens during the weekend, but we do not clean the whole house top to bottom every weekend. I’d love to, but then I wouldn’t do anything else.

It’s 7.13 P.M and I want to start my bedtime routine soon so I will now publish this post, fix something very quick for dinner, make sure my purse is clean and tidy for the week, shower, mentally pick something to wear tomorrow and go to bed at about 9 p.m to read until I fall asleep.

What about you? What does you week look like?

What do you still have to get done tonight before you’re done preparing for your the new week ahead?

Have a lovely week!

Mrs. Martins (Chey)

Photo by Irina Iriser from Pexels

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Things I Don’t Buy or Spend Money On – Part I

Good morning everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well and ready for Easter, if you celebrate it. If not, I hope you’re ready for the weekend, after all, it’s Friday eve.

I’ve been seeing this topic a lot, both on blogs and YouTube channels and I thought I’d write about myself. I thought long and hard about the things I don’t spend money on (for different reasons) and I think I came up with a decent list.

Paper Towels

They’re too convenient, meaning I’d use them too much. They’re extremely wasteful and so I stopped buying them years ago because I’d never use something like a kitchen towel or cloth because the paper towels were right there and I could just toss them after using them.

Bottled Water

We drink tap water. I only buy bottled water if I’m out and about and forgot to bring water with me, which is stupid and wasteful. We do buy bottled water when we have guests because my mom and sister don’t like tap water. We also buy sparkling water because I drink it every day and you can’t get that from the tap, unfortunately.

Books

I own a few books, I’d say about 50, which isn’t much at all. I used to buy books all the time when I was younger but I don’t anymore. I’d love to have a huge library and I might someday but for now, I try not to spend money on something I can borrow from the library. Also, books take space and need to be dusted and I’m trying to keep less stuff. I used to be one of those “e-books are a crime” people but not anymore. I have a Kindle Unlimited subscription for which I pay about 10 dollars a month and I do use it a lot. I’ve read 42 books in less than 5 months, meaning about 9 books a month which makes those 10 bucks worth it for me.

TV Subscriptions/Movies/TV Shows

We don’t pay for Netflix or Hulu or HBO or whatever is out there these days. We download stuff illegally, like we’ve been doing for the past 10/12 years. We know it’s not the most ethical thing to do but we would end up doing it anyway. Those subscriptions are extremely limited and you may not find anything you like or the one show you want to watch and which you proceed to download anyway. Don’t call the cops on us, please. We do have cable, which is quite cheap in our country and we only have it because your internet is cheaper if you have cable and because Rui does watch TV.

 Music*

We don’t buy CD’s or anything on iTunes or any music at all. *Instead, we have a Spotify family subscription.

Pre cut fruit or veggies

No way. Not even a bag of chopped lettuce or salad mix.

Gym Clothes

Rui does because he runs and so he needs a few specific things. As for me, on the rare occasions I move my ass, I wear old leggings and an old T-shirt. I only buy gym bras and swimming gear.

Magazines

I used to by a Cosmopolitan every month but I haven’t for years. We don’t buy newspapers either. I get a few free magazines with my Kindle Unlimited subscription and we can always read news online. I do feel guilty because I don’t support paper publications but it’s either that or the environment. And my wallet, let’s not be hypocrites.

What about you? Would you care to share your list?

Even better if you write your own post and link it back here.

I’m sure we can learn a lot from each other so…

What don’t you buy or spend money on?

 Love, Chey

Weekend Plans: 23.02.18

Happy Friday fellow bloggers,

Let me tell you I’m very ready for the weekend. Not that I had a bad week or a particularly tiring one, I’m just in need of some sleep and “do nothing” me time.

I was out too much last weekend, which wasn’t that much, I just went for dinner twice, coffee once, a doctor’s appointment and a walk on the beach.

Our house needs some cleaning, desperately. I’m sort of behind on my freelance work project, meaning I’m on deadline but not where I’d like to be by now. My plants need some attention because I’ve been neglecting them for the past few weeks, while it’s rainy and still Winter. The weather is getting better and I need to make them ready for Spring.

Next week is going to be harder because the kids are preparing for their second and lasts tests of the second trimester. There will be so many hours of English, Portuguese and History tutoring. Fifteen kids for two teachers. Fifteen kids that are, more often than not hyperactive, overtired, nervous and anxious and nervous about the exams. Oh, have I mentioned their attention span issues? I’m in for a treat. Not that I mind, actually. I do love the business, endless worksheets, silly questions, dozens of exercises, hugs, jokes, kisses on their favorite teacher ever (yeah right, kid), gum begging, cracker crumbs, cellphone sneaking and laughter attacks. I love them, I have to admit. They are one of my biggest joys and sources of entertainment. However, they’re children. They’re 13, 14 or 15. They’re needy and childish and chatty and impatient. They complain and throw fits and call for me endlessly until I finally direct my full and undivided attention to them. They test me and push my buttons and make me mad. That can be harsh on your body and mind. It makes me tired for sure.

All of this to say it’s going to be a harder week. I don’t mind and I like the faster paced days but I get tired quickly and each day is a little more difficult, which then turns the weekend into a sweet, sweet reward.

Anyways, we’ll talk about next week when we get there, right? It makes more sense.

Tonight I leave work at 8, and we’re meeting friends for dinner, which always makes me so excited. We have come so far. When we were all working and going to college or having those entry level demanding jobs we would go 2 or 3 months without seeing each other and now we have dinner once a week, almost without fail. I love it. I’m feeling like pasta today, I think 🤔

It’s almost the end of February and I’ve done almost nothing of I what I wanted to do this month, so I know I’m not killing it when it comes to goals. I’ve been more active as a blogger and as a follower/reader, which is more than enough for me.

This weekend I really want to:

• Deep clean/organized the bathroom;
• Deep clean one of our bedroom walls that is getting moldy (there’s this perfect detergent that cleans any trace of mold or humidity marks without any damage to the surface);
• Deep clean/purge our kitchen;
• Laundry, always;
• Make a dental appointment;
• Schedule a vet appointment;
• Force Rui to schedule an eye doctor appointment;
• Meal plan and prep for next week;
• Charge my power bank;
• Work on my freelance project;
• Clean living room;
• Clean bedroom;
• Change bed sheets;
• Get two gym bags ready in advance;
• Get my clothes ready for the week;
• Do a little grocery shopping;
• Do some gardening;
• Watch a movie or two;
• Try making homemade granola/cereal bars;
• Get my eyebrows done;
• Write a few letters;
• Sell a few things online;
• Get something for my dry ends;

I know it looks like a lot but I’ll have help for the household chores. Rui does a lot and his brother, who is staying with us, is helping too.

Have a good weekend!

❤️❤️

A Week in The Life Kind of Post – Updates

Last time I posted any kind of planner and journal was on Wednesday morning. As usually, I didn’t follow through with everything I had planned, but I think I got quite a few things done.

On Tuesday Evening, I promised I would show you how our dinner experiment would go and if it was tasty. Remember? Trying this Indian store bought sauce for the first time?

It was really good. Not too spicy at all. Really yummy!! Would definitely buy again. We ate it with broccoli and rice. That’s sparkling water with lemon and red currant syrup.

I had to go to work for two hours on Wednesday morning and then I came home to this:

(I mean before being folded)

And this:

Nap hard, play hard.

I then worked for a few hours and got a few other things done, before taking a break and watching an episode of a show before they boys came home.

I can’t really remember what I did on Thursday but I obviously had to work so I did that for sure. I went to hydro gymnastics on Friday morning, worked and then we went out to dinner with my friends. My pregnant friend is already showing and I’m so happy for her. We had a good time.

On Saturday, we had to get up earlier than usual because I had an appointment with my psychiatrist at 1.30. I talked about it here:

I Have Great News

I looked like this:

That evening, we had dinner with one of Rui’s friends. I should say our friend, otherwise he’ll get pissed at me for saying he’s only friends with Rui, although they have known each other since high school. There was a game on and we watched it while having dinner.

On Sunday, we invited that same friend for coffee at our favorite cafe. Rui’s brother, Tiago, came with us this time. Rui’s friend really wanted to buy us a drink so we drove to the beach (10 minutes away) o have something.

It was a beautiful afternoon. We went grocery shopping and I making dinner while looking like Hulk.

It was really yummy!

Oh, I forgot to say, I made some spaghetti with the store bought sauce for the boys lunch and they said it was pretty good. I didn’t eat lunch so I have no idea.

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Monday – I started this post, and wrote this:

I am in a good mood and feeling positive despite not sleeping a wink and having had a bad day tomorrow. My mom had to take my grandmother to the hospital yesterday. They called an ambulance and were there from 7 p.m to about 1 a.m. I wanted to go there but my mother said there was no need because only person would be able to get in and we would just be waiting outside for hours, having to get up early for work today. So we stayed home and I went to bed but I kept waking up and texting my sister and mother. My mom finally texted me saying she was home at about 2.30 in the morning and I fell asleep, but woke up several times after that.

So, about my grandmother. You know she suffers from dementia. Most of her brain cells are dead and it’s simply getting worse. She was also somewhat dehydrated. She is really thin because she has no appetite and doesn’t really feel like eating. That’s why my mother took her to the hospital. Unfortunately, there’s no getting better for her and we all need to make peace with that which is really sad. Heartbreaking. If she were to see herself now, God. But she doesn’t,  which is a good thing, I guess. She can’t tell how bad she is. But we do witness everything and it hurts.

My grandfather passed away when I was 19, a week after my birthday. He was old and sick but I wasn’t expecting it. No one had ever really died. Not my people. But then he did. It was pretty traumatic, let me tell you. My family pretty much fell apart and was never the same after that. I guess he was the glue and we had never realized it.

I met my father’s mother but she was very old. She used to visit me when I was little and I think she was in her seventies. Then she passed away. I don’t remember that much about her, other than she would visit me. I never met her husband, my grandfather. He died before I was born. Everyone tells me he was extremely violent towards his wife and children, so may he rest in hell, I hope it’s warm and cozy there.

I’m closing the sad subject here.

Thank you for reading.

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I was able to wake up earlier on Monday and go to the 9.15 a.m hydro fitness class. It was a lot of fun and harder than usual, which I like and my lower back didn’t.

Well, let me tell you, I’m 90% sure the teacher was high as a kite. Oh yeah. He was looking at the horizon rather than looking at us, he would smile and laugh alone and close his eyes for way too long. He was also enjoying the routine way too much. It was so funny. I’m going again next Monday to confirm if he’s a stoner or if he just looks like one.

I had plenty of veggies for lunch:

I worked, worked, worked, got home and went to sleep.

On Tuesday, I wanted to go back to the pool but was still sore so I just went to work and decided to go back on Wednesday, which I did. The class was pretty intense but with a different teacher. Because it was Wednesday, I had to wear pink:

Joking. It was a coincidence.

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So, today is Thursday and I’m still sore from yesterday which feels pretty good. I stayed home and tried to sleep in because I haven’t been sleeping at all. I couldn’t get more than 30 minutes to 1 hour of uninterrupted sleep. Don’t know why.

I’m about to get to work, I’ll work from 5 to 8 and then head home.

Tomorrow I plan on going to a hydro gymnastics class and then a swim class as I’m trying to improve some techniques. I have to dedicate some hours to freelance work and then work from 5 to 8 again. We’ll have dinner with friends after work.

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As promised,

Here are some pictures of my planner:

Would you be interested in a post on how I organize it? I would love to do one.

To finish, I’ll leave you with some Springy pictures. Thank you for reading.

Books I read in 2017 – Covers

This time last year: The looking back series (30/01/2017)

WEEKEND RECAP AND PLANS FOR THE WEEK

First of all, and before I share my plans for this week I should give you some sort of weekend recap. Bloggers do that, I guess.

So, what happened this weekend?

Nothing much and nothing too interesting. I washed and folded a ton of laundry, which we had to take to the wash station to dry since we don’t own a dryer and it was a rainy weekend. My boyfriend washed a ton of dishes from last week and cleaned the kitchen. We cleaned some more and took care of a few things around the house and thought about changing the position of our bed but decided it wouldn’t work, so we kept it the same way. Saturday night we ate pizza for dinner and watched American Horror Story.I think we only have an episode left from the third season… now that it was finally growing on me. We also watched a movie “keeping up with the Joneses“, which was okay. I’m not a big fan of comedies. I slept a lot and after that I took naps. We did some grocery shopping and on Sunday night I cooked for the week. Boring, right?

• Put away all the laundry that I folded and iron a few things;

• Find a new psychiatrist and therapist for a second opinion and to try a different approach. I think that I should be feeling better by now and I am not, despite taking so much medication. I take anti psychotics to help with my nightmares but I have them anyway. Bad ones. I take sleeping pills but I don’t sleep that well. I sleep many hours but I never feel rested. I take something that it is supposed to help me with my energy levels and well, did I tell you about the sleepy and exhausted part? I also take mood stabilizers and antidepressants but I think that those actually help, so no problem there. My therapist… I love her but we just… talk. My psychiatrist suggested that I should try some kind of therapy that goes a little deeper and makes a bigger impact, otherwise I’m just paying to talk about my problems, something I could do with a friend. I will do some research and schedule an appointment with someone else for a second (or third) opinion.

• Sign up for a gym membership or at least decided what kind of option I want to go for. I’ve been wanting to do that for a while but lately I almost feel the need to move and to do something… sporty? I don’t know how to explain it. It is as weird as my Brussels sprouts craving from last week. Am I getting “healthy” with age? Ewww. One of this days you will find me doing a whole-30 and crossfit. Just kidding. that would never happen, right? Right??? Anyway, I want to do something and I definitely need it because 1. depression makes you gain weight; 2. depression medication makes you gain weight; 3. I sit all day; 4. I have back issues; 5. my knees hurt most days so I guess I also have knee issues; 6. It helps with depression and anxiety, they say; I love swimming and I love yoga and Pilates and anything that is kind of slow and does not require running, so that’s probably what I should sign up for. And find time for. Before my boyfriend kills me. You guys, he’s the sweetest, most amazing man in the world and keeps telling me that my health is the most important thing right now and that I should focus on trying to get better, no matter how much we have to spend or sacrifice. Love you, babe.

• Find time to take my dog to get her vaccine. Which is a huge drama. Our vet described her as a “difficult patient” because last time she broke two muzzles, bit me and my boyfriend, ripped his jeans and 4 people were needed to complete the task of giving her the shot. I’m getting nervous just thinking about it. She also needs a bath, ideally before going to the doctor. I like a clean, good smelling pup.

• Meet up with one of my besties Rita for coffee. She used to have a job that allowed her to meet me during the day when I had a break or when some student cancelled the class and I had a little time to kill. Now she has a new job (that she loves, congratulations honey!) and is only available maybe after seven, which is difficult for me because I’m rarely done before nine. But I love her and miss her so I need to do some magic and find the time!

• Answer the emails from people asking about English lessons. I don’t know if I can take anyone else so I need to check my schedule and maybe do some adjustments to see if I can fit in more people. Again, boyfriend will murder me.

• Bake a cake that actually grows!

• Cut the sugar!

• Drink more water. During the Summer I am great with my water intake (1,5 to 2 l each day) but in Winter, I forget to drink water and only drink it when I’m really thirsty or when my throat hurts from speaking for many hours while working;

• Eat a ton of fruit and veggies. This will be easy because I grocery shopped and cooked with that in mind;

• Start a book; (reading one, not writing one. I can barely handle the blog)

• Watch some of the Oscar nominees. Please! I need this.

Plans For the weekend – 20/21 January (update)

• Remember to drink water (1.5 l)

Not quite. I did remember to drink more but I’m not sure I got to 1.5 l.

• Remember to take my medication on time

Done.

• Remember to eat fruits and veggies

Did eat plenty of fruit (mostly pears) but not veggies.

• Make the changes we’ve been meaning to make around the house (bedroom will double as office, office will become closet and guest bedroom), we’ve been talking about it for weeks and postponing every time. We need to do it together as it involves moving heavy furniture.

Oh yes!! It took us 2 days but we got a lot done.

• Take Rosa to the vet, she might have some ear infection. It’s a nightmare. She turns into a pit bull with the strength of a friggin horse and it takes 3 people to hold her. Those three people end up being bit, scratched and traumatized. Gosh, I’m nervous just thinking about it. My sweet god turns into hulk when she goes to the vet.

Didn’t happen but we’re scheduling for this week.

• Eat whatever we have in the fridge, I think there’s some frozen soup. Maybe try to meal plan for the week? We haven’t done it in ages, Rui would be pretty happy.

We have found a way to use some leftover chicken, Rui is cooking some fish.

• Sleep.

Yes. We took about 2 naps together as well.

• Read. I haven’t been reading at all since Christmas.

I didn’t.

• Maybe watch a show? I’m behind on a few.

We began watching American Crime Story but I wasn’t very interested because I’m familiar with the “O.J. Simpson probably killing Nicole Brown Simpson and getting away with it” case and the outcome so…

• If we have time, Rui and I can watch a couple of the movies I’ve been meaning to watch (Oscar nominees predictions), light the fireplace and have popcorn.

There was fireplace for the show but no movie.

• I tried flannel sheets for the first time (Rui’s grandma Christmas present) and I’m in love, so I think I want to wash them and put them back on the bed as soon as they’re dry, instead of some of our other sets. They’re so comfortable and warm.

They took longer than I thought to dry 😔

• Cut my hair. Literally. I do cut my own hair and it needs a trim.

Nope.

• Go and get my eyebrows done.

No. Caveman it is.Plan what I’m going to wear next week, as I’ve been doing for a few weeks.

Nope, but can do it tomorrow. It takes me 10 minutes to pick 5 outfits.Do a 15-minute exercise video and some yoga. Now that I’m working out, I don’t want to slack off on weekends. I really need to do something every single day.

No. I was sore from my intense Friday workout (which means 45 minutes of water aerobics followed by 45 minutes of moderate swimming classes) and I moved a lot around the house so I don’t feel like I slacked.Decide whether I want to delete my Facebook account or not.

I’m pro deleting.Hopefully read a few blogs.

Just a few. Not nearly enough.< strong>How was your weekend? Productive, lazy or both?<

Plans for the Weekend – 20/21 January

• Remember to drink water (1.5 l)
• Remember to take my medication on time
• Remember to eat fruits and veggies

(These are the things I tend to forget when I’m not in my typical routine, usually on weekends or vacation)

• Make the changes we’ve been meaning to make around the house (bedroom will double as office, office will become closet and guest bedroom), we’ve been talking about it for weeks and postponing every time. We need to do it together as it involves moving heavy furniture.
• Take Rosa to the vet, she might have some ear infection. It’s a nightmare. She turns into a pit bull with the strength of a friggin horse and it takes 3 people to hold her. Those three people end up being bit, scratched and traumatized. Gosh, I’m nervous just thinking about it. My sweet god turns into hulk when she goes to the vet.
• Eat whatever we have in the fridge, I think there’s some frozen soup. Maybe try to meal plan for the week? We haven’t done it in ages, Rui would be pretty happy.
• Sleep.
• Read. I haven’t been reading at all since Christmas.
• Maybe watch a show? I’m behind on a few.
• If we have time, Rui and I can watch a couple of the movies I’ve been meaning to watch (Oscar nominees predictions), light the fireplace and have popcorn.
• I tried flannel sheets for the first time (Rui’s grandma Christmas present) and I’m in love, so I think I want to wash them and put them back on the bed as soon as they’re dry, instead of some of our other sets. They’re so comfortable and warm.
• Cut my hair. Literally. I do cut my own hair and it needs a trim.
• Go and get my eyebrows done.
• Plan what I’m going to wear next week, as I’ve been doing for a few weeks.
• Do a 15-minute exercise video and some yoga. Now that I’m working out, I don’t want to slack off on weekends. I really need to do something every single day.
• Decide whether I want to delete my Facebook account or not.
• Hopefully read a few blogs.

Daily Planner and Journal – 19.10.17 “What I’m doing right and what I’m doing wrong + Ode to my dry shampoo” edition

Hi everyone,

I’m coming to you a bit later today, for no special reason. I have just been doing other things this morning. Plus, I have already posted my 7th Student Wisdom post a couple of hours ago. Many readers and friends have told me how much they enjoy this series and how it makes them laugh every time. Since the kids and their crazy minds are not going anywhere and because they are very good at providing wise material each they, I will keep these coming for sure. I really love them too. I think of them as a little record of my daily classes as well.

First of all, and because I have forgotten about it several times, I need to tell you about my new dry shampoo. This is not a sponsored post at all because 1. I’m not that famous and 2. I’m unfortunately not getting any free stuff and 3. I’m no beauty blogger at all.

My can says “Britain’s nº1” so many of you probably know this product already but, because I live in Portugal a cage, I had never seen it until now. I found it at the grocery store for 3 something because it was 30% of, I think. Yes, I should know exactly how much it cost and the exact discount and all but, as I’ve mentioned, I’m no beauty blogger. I do have the receipt so I can find out if it comes to that.

Why do I love this product?

Well, when I first heard about dry shampoo I was pretty confused. Dry? I mean, how does it make any foam? Duh…

Anyway, I bought my first can of dry shampoo, after actually realizing what it was and reading about it on several blogs and websites. It was something fairly new here (at least to my knowledge) and I could only find one brand. If I remember it correctly I think it was either Syoss or Tresemmé. It was kind of expensive for the amount of product. I paid about €5, I think and it didn’t even last a month.

I know what you’re thinking: “you should wash your hair more often you dirty pig” and I can say, in my defense, that I was THEN washing my hair every other day and using it only on day 2. Still, it was kind of expensive. I fell in love with it but can’t remember if it got discontinued or if I gave up on it. I have recently been looking for some dry shampoo (because I’m a dirty, dirty pig) and couldn’t find any options so maybe there aren’t that many to be found at grocery stores. I decided I would buy baby talc, since I had read about using it as a cheaper (and cancerous) option. The day after I bought said carcinogen, I found this lovely product.

Finally… (finally) why do I love this product:

1. It smells amazingly. The scent is “floral and flirty” which describes me perfectly. Not. I have yet to find out what flirty smells like as I can only identify the floral part.
2. I am on DAY 4 of not washing my hair (because I’m a dirty, dir… you know) and it looks presentable. Bonus points because I didn’t even apply it today. That’s right, I used it yesterday and my hair looks rather clean(ish) today. Of course I must wear it on a ponytail because my hair gets all sorts of wacky if I brush it while dry and you have to brush it in order to get rid of the dry shampoo powder.

It works well (when it comes to wackiness) if I use the dry shampoo before bed, brush it, wet it a little but (NOT close to the roots) and sleep with it on a braid. Next day my hair is clean and cute enough to wear down.

So, how many times a week do I wash my hair with actual water?

I read on someone’s blog (from blogger not WordPress so not one of our million family members) that they only wash their hair once a week. That’s my dream. Less hassle, less time in the shower, less hair damage. I washed my hair on Monday morning so I’m actually dumb and this is not day 4 but 3. I would be very happy if I could wash my hair on Sunday night and never again (for the week, not in life). That would be really awesome. Can it hold that long?

Would you like me to try it and post pictures of my hair each day?

I’m probably try it anyway so I might as well take pictures and let you know, right?

Sorry, for wasting exactly 785 words on hair. Moving on.

I wish I could be as hot/sexy/gracious as this cow

 

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As the title of this post suggests, I decided I would give you a list of the things I have been doing right and the things I have been doing wrong, meaning where I have improved and where I’ve been a bad, bad girl.

I’ve just remembered I never told you about my last Psychiatrist’s appointment which is stupid because I kind of started this blog to talk about my mental health and all that.

My last appointment went really well and my doctor was very happy about my improvements. I do feel SO MUCH BETTER. I have been in a very dark, deep place. More than once. More than twice. Sometimes for months, even years. I now feel better than I have felt in a long time. Sure, I had moments of improvement, excitement and I thought I was cured. Then I had relapses and realized depression (bad, though, deep clinical depression) is not “curable”. If you have it in your genes (I do) and if you have had it more than once and for such a long time, it is probably something you will have to live with for a long time/ever. That and the fact that I have been diagnosed as bipolar type 2, even though we are not 100% sure about it, have made me think of my depression as alcoholism, for example. Once you become an alcoholic, you are always an alcoholic. You need to monitor your addiction and to be very careful about your health and mental space.

That’s what I need to do. Take care of myself, body and mind, identify triggers and stay away from them, take care of small symptoms before they become and actual crisis and manage (as much as I can) stress, emotions, pressure, tiredness and my workaholic tendencies. I also need to make sure I do exactly as I am told, when it comes to medicine, keeping appointments and all of those things that are the foundations of my mental well-being.

So basically I’m doing better than I have in years, my doctor is pretty happy about it, people are starting to notice my improvement and I’m down half a pill a pill each day (it’s something!!).

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What I’m doing right:

• I’m never late nowadays. (After a very shameful past)
• I go to bed early most days (around 11)
• I wake up early and without a fuss
• I’m taking better care of my skin (just my face but better than nothing)
• I’m blogging every day (this week)
• I’m more present on social media, posting something every day and trying to keep up with everyone a bit
• Packing everything I need for the day (not forgetting my phone or keys or charger)
• I’m keeping up with my doctor’s appointments and health checks
• My plants are all alive
• I haven’t had as many nightmares
• I have been reading more
• I have listened to music almost every day
• I have been learning and telling more jokes
• I have been having breakfast every single day

What I’m doing wrong:

• I’m not drinking as much water as I was in the Summer. I’m obviously not as thirsty in when the weather is colder but my body needs it just the same.
• I’m not exercising or doing my yoga at all.
• I haven’t been writing on my planner as I used to, which is not that great since I have the memory of a fish with Alzheimer’s.
• My house looks like I have 5 kids and 3 dogs. There are clothes everywhere, papers everywhere, shoes all over, I need to clean ASAP
• I haven’t been keeping up with the Kardashians your blogs
• I don’t talk to friends and family as much as I would like to
• I’m bad at answering: comments, text messages, emails, whatsapp, messenger, calls and carrier pigeons
• I bite my nails all the time

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To-do list update: (There won’t be one today because it’s already 4 p.m)

TO-DO LIST – 18/10/2017

 

• Tell my sister about the skin care products I no longer use and am passing on to her. I want to get rid of it and they will be good for her skin. There’s an eye cream, a day cream with 20 SPF (her skin is a few tones darker than mine so 20 is enough for her), a night cream which is extremely moisturizing (she has very dry skin), a cleanser and some micellar water. She’s basically winning the lottery lol;  – Forgot!!
• Show my students how angry I am and be mean for a few days, so they can see how their actions have consequences. The whole class is paying for the bad behavior because, when you are part of a group, everyone’s actions affect the whole group. Maybe they’ll learn something from this; – Oh yes. I was Professor Bitch for the day!
• Write a second article for the same client as yesterday; – Not yet.
• Answer a few customers (about the things I sell) – I answered to about…1.
• Please, please, please let me have the strength to clean my bathroom; – HAHAHA
• Read a few blogs and answer comments. Seriously! – I did. About 10? Maybe not.
• Decide if I’ll make another dental appointment. If I didn’t like the dentist so much I would never go back there, but she is the best doctor I have ever met (when it comes to dentists); – I’ll go back but I’m being grumpy and waiting to schedule. 
• Get my umbrella from the garage because it’s raining I might need it; – Still raining. Never thought about the damn umbrella again…
• Change our sheets; – …
• Work from 2.30 p.m to 6 p.m; – Of course!!
• Trim the my hair ends, fix my eyebrows a little, maybe wax? – I did fix my eyebrows a little. Not enough. 

I’m already at over 1700 words so I’m just discreetly leaving the room. Goodbye. Love. x

To Be Read & To Be Watched: August – December 2017

Hello everyone,

Do you still remember me? I’ve been kind of absent. I intend to get back for good , and return to my daily posting. Now that our vacation is over, I can get back to my routines, tasks and to-do lists. You like that, don’t you?

Today I bring you a lists of the books, series, films and documentaries I plan on watching from now until the end of the year. I never know what to read or what to watch, so I feel more organized if I make lists. Also, I can get your opinion and suggestions, which are both very welcome.

You’re already acquainted with my movie list: 

Day 1: The Godfather

Day 2: The Godfather: Part II

Day 3: Casablanca

Day 4: Memento

Day 5: Sunset Boulevard

Day 6: Requiem for a Dream (I’ve started this one but gave up. It was late and it was confusing. I’ll obviously get back to it)

Day 7: Before Sunrise (Already waiting on my computer so it will probably be the next one to watch)

Day 8: Lion

Day 9: Les Miserables

Day 10: Babel

Day 11: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Day 12: Munich

Day 13: The Aviator

Day 14: Pulp Fiction

Day 15: Suicide Squad

Day 16: Inception

Day 17: It

Day 18: It’s a Wonderful Life

Day 19: Selma

Day 20: Apocalypse Now

Day 21: Cinema Paradiso

Day 22: To Kill a Mockingbird

Day 23: Rebecca

Day 24: Winter’s Bone

Day 25: Hotel Rwanda

Day 26: Mystic River

Day 27: Chicago

Day 28: Beauty and the Beast (Waiting on my computer)

Day 29: The Zookeeper’s Wife

Day 30: The Shack

I intend to keep this list and go through it and I’ll only make a new one when I finish this one. I’ll probably watch other movies that might premiere until the end of the year or Rui’s choices for movie night. I’ll add them to the list as I go.

My To Be Read list:

This is actually the first time I do a to be read list, I think. I know many bloggers who do it and I actually read their lists. I’m also usually impressed with how many books they can read in a month or year. Very fast and avid readers out there.

Books I won:

I did a little shelf-shopping and found a few books I’ve bought and that I’ve been meaning to read for a long time and decided it was time. Why read something else before going through my virgin books? So, from my collection (which is not big, I own between 40 and 50 books), I’ve picked the following:

Death With Interruptions by José Saramago (Portuguese)

Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray

Os Enamoramentos by Javier Marías (Portuguese but from a Spanish writer)

The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James

Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D. H. Lawrence (One of my favorite writers)

Tender is The Night and The Last Tycoon by Francis Scott Fitzgerald

Books I’ve borrowed from the Library:

House Rules by Jodie Picoult

Perfect Match by Jodie Picoult

Keeping Faith by Jodie Picoult

I’ve borrowed these because they are lighter reads than classics. I do prefer classics but they can get boring and are more difficult and slower to read because of the language. I can read a little faster in Portuguese so these might come handy when I’m busy. They’re usually very good books, although a little bit tragic for my taste.

Books From Kindle:

I don’t have a kindle reader but I read them on my phone, which is fine. I would rather have some kind of tablet or ipad but the phone will do.

Better Off Wed by Laura Durham

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Audio Books:

Bunner Sisters by Edith Wharton

Now from books to series:

I’m currently watching:

• Poldark (season 3)
• Game of thrones (season 7)
• Mr. Selfridge (season 1)

I’m waiting for: 

• The Crown (December 8, 2017)
• Outlander (September 10, 2017)
• Victoria (Fall)
• The Walking Dead (October 23, 2017) – My Birthday!!
• American Horror Story (September, 5, 2017)
• Stranger Things (October 27, 2017)
• Call the Midwife (Spring 2018)
• This Is Us (September 26, 2017

Documentaries:

• One Man, Six Wives, 29 Children (Polygamy Documentary)
• The Victorian Way of Death
• BBC Mental –  A History of the Madhouse
• BBC 2017 – Nuclear Weapons
• The Bridge
• The Most Shocking Psychiatry Documentary Ever
• The True Story: The Silence of the Lambs
• The Origin of HIV
• Science and the Swastika: The Deadliest Experiment
• New York’s Hidden Past

(… among others)

Magazines I read: 

 

• Cosmopolitan UK
• Cosmopolitan USA
• Glamour UK
• Red UK
• Tattler UK
• Star Magazine UK (Don’t judge 1)
• Star Magazine USA (Don’t judge 2)
• Reader’s Digest
• Vogue USA

So, these are my lists.

Would you like to share yours?

Do we share any favorites?

Do you have any suggestions?

 

Thank you so much for reading.