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An imperfect study on the Psychology of Downsizing. Part 2

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Firstly, thank you for your responses to my last post on “An imperfect study on the Psychology of Downsizing“. I am thrilled it has touched so many people. I am amazed that I actually finish a post so I am excited when it touch so many people. Let me explain. Publishing a post is a miracle in and of its self.

First there is an idea. My ideas typically come from:
something that is bouncing around in my mind, or
a funny event or incident
an interesting conversation maybe

From there I ponder the angle and the rough title… Once I have a rough idea of the title I can start writing. The title keeps my writing anchored and on point even though I may take the long way around… which you observably don’t mind if you are still reading…

Thanks for staying with me so far.

When I write a post I am constantly amazed that I actual can finish a train of thought. That is miracle number 1. From there I hand it over to Martin Lloyd or Bill Fuller to proofread. Otherwise, it would never be published. Then finding the photos to use takes time.

Then we get to the publishing phase. Facebook is easy to post to while the blog site consumes a little more time, with image location, size, tags and SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). It is all a learning curve.

So, the fact that it actually gets published at all is miracle number 2.

I never expected to write a “part 2”. So let’s just say that this is miracle number 3. Due to your response to last week’s post and interesting in the Psychology of Downsizing I find myself compelled to write a companion post.

Some truly beautiful things are happening. Thank you for sharing with us your thoughts and actions. Here are a few…

A friend (we did our jewellery apprenticeship together at different firms) said I got him to think about moving his tools on. While another shared a similar story about passing on his tools of trade.

From my own experiences of the Psychology of Downsizing the takeaways are:

  1. Pay it forward
  2. Create space for a new future
  3. Know what you are moving away from and towards

Let me explain…

Couch phycologist (aka me) takeaway number #1. Pay it forward. You create new stories and adventures for others. I am loving living vicariously through others from their actions.

Kevin Wilton made me an awesome pair of earrings.

3 Generations enjoy their catchups over Royal Dolton.

One-lady, gifted her daughter a china set that matched the teapot she gave her for her 30th birthday present. Now three generations have afternoon tea together off Royal Dolton.

A famous artist (Horacio Cardozo – header image) now has one of my easels and is using it to paint a canvas for our boat’s saloon. So, excited… And yes, we are adding this one painting to our collection.

My Tulips 2015

Some of my original paintings are feature pieces in new homes. Some of our art collection has turned my sister Judi Stewart and a few friends homes into mini art galleries.

Our gorgeous egg chair is now a statement piece in a photography studio and I suspect will be used in many photo shoots.

Two of our bookcases are being set up as a reading corner and loaded with classics and many more of our books are creating more hours of enjoyment for many others…

While it is hard to let it go, receiving a photo of something that was ours, set up in its new home is wonderful. And having them sign up to our blog to follow our journey is the cherry on the top.

So, if you are hesitating, Pay-it-forward and create new stories.

—-

Some days are easier than others… Because it is hard. It is a fundamental shift in thinking and direction. After all we have been collecting (consciously and unconsciously) to fill our home with things that make us happy. So to be letting the very same items go is challenging.

Having a deadline helps with our motivation. One of my friends commented

“Wow. I am loving your posts and borrowing your tips as we continue the long journey to declutter (with a spare farm and huge shed the lack of imperative is slowing us down a bit, but one day we will have to sell the farm and then what?!!!). Will forward this post also to some of my family who are struggling with prepping for downsizing! Hugs to you….”

I understand the challenge. I can’t decide on what stays or goes so I make a cuppa and the decision waits for another time. Along the same vein, I have ordered a number of times a document shredder bin to clear out old work stuff. I have extended the hire again and again and again.

I enjoying pondering the psychology of downsizing, however that only gets me so far. The following tips have worked for me;

Tip number 1 – Get help. This could be a friend or a professional.

Twice I have had friends help me sort and toss. One girlfriend helped with my professional book collection. About 18 months ago I re-homed many books. And since then I have bought and downloaded the kindle version of my “go to” books.

More recently, another friend helped me with my art equipment. I am pleased to say my books and art equipment I have not added to either collection.

In each instance we came up with some rules before we started and then they kept me focused on the rules. It was awesome and fun. And I did not need counselling afterwards. I have to admit I have still to sort out the paper from the office. And past moves tells me that is always the last to go.

I am also following the lovely Virginia Wells, A professional organiser and founder of The WellSorted Group – Declutter and Organise Your Home. I have enjoyed her posts and her daily challenge. There are a few things I am struggling to let go of. Little things and so I am engaging her for a personal session to help me part with the little things… Perhaps I will write about that separately.

Couch phycologist takeaway number #2. Create space for your new future. Past or current possessions will keep you anchored to where you are now. Let go and make space for your new future. Your new adventure or life stage.

In our case our possessions are changing:
A new ratio of high heels / flats in my wardrobe (more flats)
A new ratio of vehicles / sailboats (the dinghy is a little sail boat)
Hard copy books to ebooks
And a new collection of sheets and lines (or ropes as they are called) for all sorts of purposes

—-

To wrap it up and reach my third takeaway… Talk about what you would like to do. Our journey started with conversations. We started talking years ago about what retirement looks like. We thought it would be a batch (beach shack) by the sea with a boat. As life events unfolded, our conversations continued and evolved, finding new ways to learn, understand and accommodate each-other’s needs and interests.

I suggest you start talking with each other. We have had people say to us, I would love to live on a boat. While their partner has said, I could not do that… Find the comprise for each. Book a holiday and go sailing. Trust me hiring someone’s else’s boat is heaps cheaper, Please, trust me on that one.

Ask yourself, what would you like to do when the kids finish school, uni etc. And before they have their own kids.

What do you want to do when you retire? Why wait? Start doing it now. What’s holding you back?

On an adventure!

When Martin and I met, I had a long list of things I wanted to do written with liquid chalk on the glass sliding door of my bedroom cupboard. The list included local travel and overseas travel. I always had my next adventure planned (or a couple of options). I had a short list and possible dates ready. And when I returned from the current adventure I could to start thinking about the next, which one when etc. Otherwise it was too depressing to go back to work. Even though I loved my clients and my work. I always knew what I wanted to do next…

Adopting these strategies and building your “retirement possibilities” means you will know what you are moving away from and what you are moving towards.

And that is leads me to…

Couch phycologist takeaway number #3. Know what we are moving away from and towards.

One of the most compelling reasons we decided to move aboard and start our adventures earlier, is we want to do it while we can. In the last two weeks we have had one friend pass away after living with cancer with 17 years and another friend pass after having a stroke on Tuesday and life support being switched off on Thursday. You never know what will happen and when.

What are your retirement possibilities? What are you waiting for?

#Ilovesailing #Whatareyouwaitingfor #liveyourlife #downsizing #payitforward #Createspace

I am sure there will be a third post on “The Imperfect study of the Psychology of Downsizing”. As I said previously, I have been amazed at the response to these posts on the Psychology of Downsizing. I encourage you to start your own conversations with your family and friends. It will make it easier to take incremental steps towards your new future.

Stay tuned.

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An imperfect study on the Psychology of Downsizing.

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Yes, we are back to downsizing. Take 3! There are no more extension dates. We will be out of the house on the 17th June.

First things first, recently Martin had an aggressive skin cancer removed from the back of his hand.

The great news is they believe they removed it all. A week later they took another one off the top of his foot and again we have good news. Supper happy.

Dr Tan and the staff at Coorparoo Skin Clinic are brilliant. Not only at diagnosing and removal of the offending tissues but at the fine art of calming down a grown man with a genuine phobia of needles and knives. Watching this was magic.

If you have not had a skin check-up recently, do so. And don’t forget – wear sunscreen.

Downsizing took a back foot for many reasons, new engine, Martin’s hand, his foot (you can stop there baby) and the COVID restrictions. It is kind of hard to sell anything if people can’t visit to collect. So, with the slight lift in restrictions we are placing ads on-line and starting to move things once again.—Downsizing is a study of the psychology of inner conflict. Psychology as defined; The study of the human mind and its wide-ranging functions and influences.

Downsizing is a journey into our past with the aim (in our case) to be free of possessions that hold us to house and land in order to roam freely and un-encumbered into a new future.

My inner voice; “Wow – did I just write that? That is deep.”

In the process of shifting and sorting we stumble across things that have stopped us and make us reflect.

My reflections fall into a number of categories:

Possessions and collections.
Habits and silly conversations with self.
Family and friends.
Our identities.

Possessions and collections

• Am I really letting that go? I saved for so long for it.
• Wow, I have spent (or wasted) a lot of money!
• I love this collection. I really need it to go to a good home.

Habits and silly conversations

One of many collections

Backups. This habit is becoming abundantly clear as we are down-sizing. I always have a backup. This habit has served me well e.g. Dishwashing liquid when the current bottle is finished, I easily can reach under the sink and grab the back-up bottle. In my next shop I buy the next backup bottle. No emergency dashes to the shops for anything if possible.

Silly Conversations. My inner voice in a serious tone, “Do I take this (hair) conditioner or that conditioner. How did I end up with so many?” Pause… shouted from the bathroom, “Do you want a cuppa baby?” Clearly too hard a decision. Best be decided later…

Family and Friends

Cards, notes and keepsakes

The people who have shaped, guided and influenced my life. I have found notes that I have kept, cards and photos. None of which at this point in time I could write coherently about. It would take a few months bopping around at sea to have the time and space to express how grateful I am to you all. So, let’s settle on a humble thank you to everyone who has made me who I am today.

Our identity

For both of us we are exploring our next adventure. As you know we are not waiting to get any younger. And while we feel able, we are feeling the challenges our bodies are presenting. Martin perhaps a little more than me.

For me, a quandary has been drifting in and out of my consciousness for some time. I did not realise that it was associated with how I saw myself. These thoughts started to become clearer after a conversation with my friend Kevin Wilton.

One of the biggest downsizing challenges for me…

Martin’s Wedding Ring

has been what to do with my jewellery bench and tools. Some of you may not know that I started my working life as a jewellery apprentice and went on to become a jeweller. I worked in the trade full-time between 1984 and 1992 and then part time for a couple of years while I studied Industrial Design. In the last 28 years my jewellery bench has been set up ready for work for about 20 of those years. I have tinkered occasionally. It was packed away when Martin and I met.

When I proposed to Martin, he insisted that I make his wedding ring.

My cries of, “Sure you don’t want a bought one?” were firmly resisted, all the while insisting I make his wedding ring.

Back to my conversation with my friend. I first meet Kevin when he was working as a professional photographer and had been engaged to take some photos of my jewellery for a funky menswear shop that made limited edition men’s shirts.

Alternative Silver

I had the opportunity to be at the photo shoot. And this was where I connected with Kevin the photographer. He included me in the discussions of photo composition, light, angles and beauty. Since then we have happily bounced in and out of each-other’s lives. He has since fallen in love with jewellery making. Impressively, driven by his passion is self-taught and making a living from his craft in a really tough environment. He has set up under the banner of Alternative Silver and makes commissions, sells at the markets and runs classes. He is truly passionate about jewellery.

I was discussing the downsizing dilemma of letting go off my tools. And he shared a parallel story. He still has his photography studio and dark room setup; he has not used it in years. But it Is still a part of his identity.

My mind has been mulling over

packing up my tools until the day that I may return. Or giving them to Kevin to use and create as they were intended to be used. And so we have reached an agreement that he can have my tools indefinitely.

There is an old tradition in the jewellery trade (that sadly has largely fallen by the wayside) that when a jeweller retires or stops making jewellery, they gift their tools to someone. This thought has also been bouncing around in my mind. I have been admiring Kevin’s passion and his making a living out of jewellery when most jewellers are ready to give up.

Somehow and I am not sure how, I have settled and become comfortable with the indefinite loan of my tools to Kevin. Having trained a number of apprentices, seeing someone with such passion reminds me of my early days in the trade. It feels right.

Now, we move forward, letting go of old identities, making way for new ones.

And with that one more story of identity springs to mind… a professional colleague (and client) Tracey Bode introduced me to her husband one evening last year as “sailor girl”. It went like this, “Hey Derek, this is Sailor Girl”. And with hearing that, my face broke out with a massive grin.

#ilovesailing #Whatareyouwaitingfor #Liveyourlife #Downsizing

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The kaleidoscope of life as seen through our 1st garage sale.

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Our 1st garage sale…“So, you are the guys going on the boat?” was stated a few times today. “Yeh, that’s us,” we replied. Which was followed by;

“That’s brave…
A little crazy
Good on you.”

And there is always someone that has to tell you about a disaster they know of. Fortunately, we quite like these stories because we learn of ways people get themselves into (and out of) trouble or what to avoid in the first place. We also like checking out these stories on YouTube.

So where to start…

Massive thank you to Bill who helped us clean out the garage and get it ready. He cleaned a never-ending supply of crystal and at 2am he decided to count the cash float (Scrooge McDuck style) in order to know how much money we will make. I am unsure if the cricket was boring or if he woke up with that in his head. Either way thanks Bill.

We met numerous characters who started arriving at 10 past 6 am. I am serious. I am not sure why I am surprised as some of the ads I saw when researching said “strictly not before” their nominated start time. Now I understand why. Our dogs greeted them and I politely told the first person to return at 7am.

Rob, a close friend of our’s, turned up a 6.40am walking past the already small group of people waiting to grab a bargain.

Rob was a god-send.

Having had a garage sale before, he thought we would need help with our 1st garage sale for the first rush. And he was right. We had our own scaled down version of the boxing day rush. They were worried they would miss a bargain they did not know they needed yet. I had a David Attenborough commentary going on in my head about some of the behaviours in front of me. The first hour was intense. All the toys sold out immediately. After the rush settled down Rob took his leave. Greatly appreciated Rob.

Well earned glass of wine on our 1st garage sale
Well earned

The day settled down into a steady pace with one quiet spot for 10 minutes around 10.30 where there was nobody here. We took the moment to restock shelves. Finally, around 12.30 we could sit down for the first time. Martin grabbed an ice block while I poured a glass of wine. We took the weight of our feet. We had a couple more punters turn up in the last half hour.

Some people we met…

A gorgeous Argentine lady, who has made a serious niche food business of making and selling Argentine food. Empanadas (equivalent to our pies or a British pastie). She also makes Argentine cookies, cakes and chocolate. And here’s the good news, she lives just around the corner and some of them her items are gluten free. Happy Dance. We learnt she misses home (which is very close to where my brother lives in Argentina). However, she loves Australia and living in Brisbane. It was wonderful to hear how much she loves our amazing country and the opportunities they are finding here.

Then there was an eccentric disorganised artist lady. She made a grand entrance by spilling beetroot juice when she arrived. She then proceeded to leave a trail of beetroot juice behind her. The good news is she purchased the items that she colour enhanced. She was talkative and would probably test the capabilities of the most experience negotiator.

Enter on queue my friend Tom, a mediator, who so very kindly brought us coffee and biscuits. I jokingly said in a Facebook live to bring coffee. I love you Tom. Sorry we did not get to talk properly. Tom however listened ever so patiently to our new beetroot juice artist friend.

Then there was a lovely couple that drove down from the Sunshine Coast to collect the coffee tables that solved a number of problems for them. Size, functionality and looks. They told us that they had been looking for a while.

I love it when someone else loves what I love.

We met a mother and daughter who bought a lovely trinket box with crystal bits and pieces and my car hail blanket. The mother was so happy to get the hail blanket. Her carport had recently been removed and she was worried about her car getting hail damage with the storms. She could not afford a new hail blanket. I think that made her day.

Along the same vein was a young couple who came in rather late in the day and spotted the Gerni in the corner. They bought it for her father who’s Gerni had died only yesterday and he was devastated.

It was also lovely to see familiar faces walk down the drive. Some of our friends who live nearby bought a small collection of things, books (20), furniture, glass ware and more.  And one of my hats for this year’s Melbourne Cup. So happy to have it go to an appreciative home.

And finally, the day wound down at about the same time as our energy did, or was it the second glass of wine as we were both chillaxing after a full on couple of days. I had a well earned power nap before we headed off to the boat to tinker. Not bad for our 1st garage sale.

Hit Repeat…. Look forward to seeing more of life’s kaleidoscope in next week’s garage sale number 2.

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Downsizing Artist Spotlight – “Michael” by Richard Roper

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“Michael” by Richard Roper

This spectacular painting “Michael” by Richard Roper was discovered on a Sunday afternoon drive on the Labour Day weekend a few years ago.

We had decided to have a long lunch up at Mt Tamborine and to wander through some art galleries and shops.

Why? Because the area is beautiful, and the clean crisp air, especially in May has a magic about it, the vista looking out over the Gold Coast is spectacular and why not!!!

We had been in and out of a couple of galleries and we came across Gallery Works. We wandered in and both kind of went quiet as we lost ourselves in the artist’s work. It was interesting, different, some of it mystical, some of it amusing. Some of the paintings were inspired by poems which were presented beside the painting.

We were lost in another world.

Both of us were lost in our individual bubbles. Gradually we gravitated towards Richard, the artist and gallery owner. We talked about his multimedia techniques. The conversation meandered on to living and painting on Mt Tambourine, how art has been a passion all his life, his working career, his goal to have a gallery and paint full time when he retired which he was very happily doing. We learnt that Richard was taught to draw as a child by aboriginal children using layers of wet clay on the banks of the river. You can see in this painting his cleverness of creating layers to paint a picture and tell a story.

He invited us into his studio, which I loved. I felt like I had died and gone to heaven.

We started wondering through his studio. I first saw “Michael” in the floor leaning in the corner. It was captivating. It was fresh and different (different to the work he had hanging in the gallery). I then turned to see Martin spot Michael for the first time. He was also captivated.

We looked at each other and smiled. We asked Richard why this painting was not in the gallery. He told us it was an experiment and that he was still thinking about it and the techniques he used. I asked him, when he has finished thinking about it would he consider selling it to us. He was not sure.

We left the studio giving Richard our email address in the hope that he would sell “Michael” to us.

The painting was burnt on my mind’s eye.

Richard in front of his Gallery

Twenty-four hours later we received an email from Richard, saying thank you, our love for his experiment has encourage him to sell it and to move down the path of doing more in this style. We were thrilled. We organised a day and time to pick “Michael” up (and have another long lunch at Mt Tambourine). When we came to pick Michael up, we spent a couple of hours sitting on the bench seat at the gallery talking with Richard about life, the universe and everything.

I really want to honour Richard and highlight his work. Each painting tells a story.

It appears Richard is now selling his studio, gallery and house (perhaps he is downsizing as well) His website reveals that he is moving solely to on-line sales now.

In summary:

Artist in the spotlight – Richard Roper
From – Gallery Works (Formerly at Mt Tambourine, now on-line only)  https://bluethumb.com.au/richard-roper
Artwork title – “Michael”
Media – All original mixed media. This is a combination of water colour and inks on canvas.

About Michael

I understand Richard meet Michael at a conference. Michael is an indigenous Australian who was the first from his family to go to university. I understand his mother asked him, “Why do you want to work in white man’s world?” When his portrait was painted he was the curator for indigenous artefacts at Queensland Museum. It is an important role to share his world to people who may never normally get the chance to see it.

I love the joy that Michael has given us as he has hung over our piano in the lounge. I am also thrilled to say, he is now hanging in a serious art collection with other stunning paintings.

And on a side note, Martin and my birthdays are a day apart. “Michael” was a joint birthday present to us.

I encourage you all to go walkabout, check out your local backyards, have long lunches. You never know who you will meet and what you may walk home with. What are you waiting for?

Check out Mt Tambourine Art Trail

Gallery Works http://www.galleryworks.com.au/blog/

Current works for sale http://www.galleryworks.com.au/blog/category/richard-roper/2014/

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They say, art is not art until it is shipped.

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I painted “Tulips” in 2014. It was within the first 6 months of meeting Martin. Today “Tulips” went to a new home.

I was thrilled to see her end up with a long-term friend who also has been a jewellery client of mine, albeit many years ago. 

While I will miss seeing my tulips everyday. I can visit her when I visit my girlfriend. 

When we are on the boat I think I will be going back to pen and ink nudes and water colours. 

Same but different. And a different scale of course. This canvas is from memory 1200mm by 800mm.

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Downsizing Shoe Spotlight! Nat-Sui sandals.

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Nat-Sui Sandals + Bling = One Happy Girl

A magical day
A magic day

I have rehomed a favourite pair of sandals. Yes sandals. I do own some. Not many.  You know me, I prefer heels. Finding sandals is not on my list of fun shopping. And finding ones that were perfect for the occasion even harder.

These sandals were purchased for my goddaughters wedding. She phoned up to tell me it was to be a beach wedding and actually ask me if I owned any flats. It was a beautiful day on Champagne beach, Santos Vanuatu.

Here are the specs (on the shoes that is):

My Nat Sui Sandals
Good bye my friends

Brand: Nat-Sui
Heel height: 0 cm 
Colour: Pastel, mushroomy pink with bling
Purchased: The old Nat-Sui clearance store* in Emporium in Fortitude Valley.
*Note: the store has moved.

Favourite moment: The wedding…

A funny moment. The lucky beneficiary for my sandals was my goddaughter’s mother who is currently staying with us. I gifted them to her only to see them walk past me the next day, on my god-daughters feet. He, he…

At least I know my Nat-Sui sandals are loved and will be worn.

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Downsizing and happy discoveries in the bottom of my wardrobe…

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Downsizing and happy discoveries! Downsizing is challenging! No doubt about it!

Martin and I have each had a wobbly moment or two where we land on an item that we really, truly love. However the reality is that it won’t fit on the boat… Some of these items are going to be hard to part with.

And then, there is the occasional “problematic” yet happy discovery.

Happy discovery

I was rummaging in the bottom my wardrobe where I have a small present stash. This stash can accumulate over time. Here’s how. If I see something for someone that I think would make a great present I would buy it and it sits there until their birthday or Christmas, whichever comes first. Leading up to Christmas, I was rummaging through my present stash and found a fairly large bag of… wait for it… shoes! My God, I found a large bag with quite a few pairs of shoes… Hence the words “problematic” yet happy discovery. 

I thought I was doing so well downsizing my shoe wardrobe. Sold at the markets, gifted to friends or retired. My shoe wardrobe was about half full, or should I say half empty and then I found these. 

Unbelievable, right!  

Que music David Bowie singing, “Fashion” 
(Fashion, turn to the left
Fashion, turn the right
Oo, Fashion…)

Check these babies out…

And if you are wondering if I had missed any of them, the answer was yes a couple of them, however I thought I had lent them to a girlfriend! And others, if the truth be known, I had forgotten about.

Now my memories come flooding back.

The lovely purple shoes I bought to wear with my Wayne Cooper hot pink dress and Purple coat for Jo and Derek’s (bro) wedding. It was an amazing day and evening ending with 4 generations dancing the night away. Such a wonderful celebration and a fond, fond, fond memory.

The bronze pair I love however as gorgeous as they are they are uncomfortable. The fabric has no give. You get that occasionally.

New Years Favourites

The Burgundy pair has seen me dance in the New Year when wearing my baby doll dress that alas no longer fits me. This particular night has some awesome memories… in preparation for a big night my girlfriends and I decided to stay in the city in my office, yes my office. We arrived early and watched the sun set from my office (located on the top floor (23rd) of the building) accompanied with beverages of choice. Before heading out to dance the night away at Cloudland. We set up the office as a campsite ready for our return whenever that was going to be. We danced until well into the wee small hours of the morning and slept the night off before heading out to the iconic “People’s Place” for a late lunch.

However, the shoes that will take centre stage and are worthy of a spec sheet are these red babies::

Specifications
Brand: She
Heel height: 5” or 12.6cm
Colour: Patent leather red
Purchased: Some Spanish influenced shop on Adelaide Street Brisbane

I spotted them after an emergency run for an entire outfit. Here’s what happened. I had a personal training (PT) session in the city between 7-8am and I was starting a mediation at 9am. After the PT session ended I headed to the shower only to discover I had left my clothes at home(aAnd no, I did not wear these heels to the mediation). I found this funky little Spanish shop open and manage to find an outfit I could get away with. The shop was after all targeting a much younger demographic. They even had a couple of flats. I hate flats… I just do. So, it was solely out of necessity I bought a pair of flats that I knew I would never wear again. I got dressed in their change room and ran off to my mediation. 

I had spotted these babies in the window beside the shop where I bought my “rescue” outfit.

They had burnt their way on to the retina of my mind. I went back to try them on that afternoon.

It was close to my birthday and my mother-in-law had given me some cash, so I went back and bought these babies. There was no occasion for which I had planned to wear them, and at the time I was not sure if they were too over the top. I am not sure why I could think that then. I don’t have that mind set now…

Favourite moment 

Frocking up for the Rocky Horror Picture show. 

I have loved every moment in these shoes, Rocky horror, Halloween, parties… they have been truly party shoes…

#Iloveshoes #Ilovefashion #IloveBowie… he, he #Ilovesailing #Whatareyouwaitingfor #liveyourlife

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Thinking out loud

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Thinking out loud…

Martin: “Do you wander around the house and look at our furniture and ponder, Sell, Give or Donate?”

Tess: “Yeah, I do”

Martin: “It’s weird, right?” 

I took it more as a statement than a question.

And he is right…

It’s like this; when my head is not in client -and, or in the moment with friends, it is consumed and I mean consumed by what feels like a super-highway of questions about what life is going to be like on the boat.

What’s going to be the same but different?

What’s going to be challenging?

Here’s some insight into my list…
My printer...

Top of this list… I am going to miss my printer. I did not say it was going to be a logical list. It just is. I simply prefer to read on paper. So, I have set myself the task of converting to a paperless office in 2019/2020 FY. It is a struggle. And requires discipline. There are two aspects to this. Paperless makes sense for admin stuff. However, documents such as proposal’s, communication strategies and plans, and my blog articles are all things I prefer to read on paper. And I am not taking a printer on the boat. This has led to a recent discussion with a girlfriend who suggested reading from an iPad or Kindle. I kind of like that idea.

My books on the bookshelf

Which leads nicely into our books. And Martin has heaps more than me. Martins’ youngest said she knew I was here for the long run when Martin had unpacked all of his books. He has a lovely collection of SciFi, Crime, Classics, and of course Terry Pratchett. We have had a couple of interesting conversations about what to do with them all. Stay tuned… I am sure what we decide on will be captured in a post. In preparation for the move I have been gradually replacing my existing business books with eBooks. And I kind of like having them all in the one place, my trusty iPad. That’s fine for workbooks as long as my iPad is charged when I need it. However, reading a novel is something I believe I will always prefer to do in paperback. Perhaps, it is a ‘new’ luxury. 

The above fall in to the category of the same but different..

And then there is my white board. As I said, I did not say this list was going to be logical. My white board is an extension of my thinking space. I am trying to use my iPad more to mind-map. It is not bad. However, it cannot act as the visual clue sitting there waiting for me as I walk into my office. Or the landing space for new ideas as I think of them. Thinking out loud… I wonder what Martin will think of post-it notes stuck all over the nav station while I design a workshop. Time will tell. 

Thinking out loud… and now for some of the things I am really looking forward to.

Our boat is the size of a small two-bedroom apartment. I loved living my old apartment. Everything had a home and I could clean the whole place in an 1 hour. The vacuum cord, if plugged in the lounge room reach every room. Sweet, efficient, I loved it. 

Sliding doors.
Sliding doors.

The galley cupboard doors slide, so if I forget to close them Martin won’t hit his head. The other doors all have latches and if I don’t catch them I suspect the gentle sway of the boat will make them bang enough to be annoying and they will get closed.

I also love the fact that there are no chairs. All seating is built in. So, no untidy chairs kicking about. And I am as guilty as the next on that one.

We have two bathrooms…

Which we don’t have now. We are used to having one bathroom. The two bathrooms are small. Although the shower has a built in bench seat which is very nice. There is nothing like shaving your legs in a rocking boat. I suspect we will each claim one bathroom and have space for our toiletries and my makeup.

An interest habit to navigate…

Martin and I both stand with our hands on our hips. God knows why. Martin’s elbows stick out a very long way… A quick turn in a confided space risks a knock out…

And to wrap up todays post, we recently had a discussion with another couple who live on a Tayana 48ft and they were talking about getting use to each other’s music. We have a lot of music we both love! And, we each have music we gravitate to. And then there’s the music I put on repeat in the car. Somehow, I am sure Martin will get sick of Kylie singing, I did it again, on repeat. Fun conversations to navigate.

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In Down sizing

Attempting to get serious about downsizing…

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It is hard to get serious about downsizing. The conversations that go on in my head are funny, hardly significant however an inner dialogue that can keep me occupied for hours if I let it. 

OK, time to get serious about downsizing. I’m throwing a pair out today… I am saying this more to myself, than you. Why, I selected this pair to be the next to go several weeks ago and I have been admiring them ever since.

These beautiful babies have been a practical “go to” pair that I can honestly say I have worn to death. Not like worn to death because OMG I am so in love with them I have to wear them all the time. No, this is the type of worn to death resulting in the simple fact that they were not the best quality. Hence worn to death…

Notwithstanding, they are, (soon to be were) stunning… 

Specifications

Brand: Some Chemist brand that ends in ‘neise.
Heel height: 3.5″ or 9 cm 
Colour: Black, Fawn and White with a stunning red slash ankle strap
Purchased: A chemist shoe in Stones Corner

I spotted them walking past a chemist store (I know, amazing right). I quickly tried them on. Gorgeous, $50, bargain, decision-made! I bought them before a meeting with a client. We were meeting at a coffee shop near her office. I ran back and to put them in the car, so I was not seen with my shopping bag… He, he, he…

Not sure why because after the meeting, as we walked back towards her office, we walked past my car and I dragged them out of the car to show her. 

It’s a girl thing, OK…

Favourite moment 

Loved looking for the perfect handbag to go with them. 

Picture this… I wore them only with a black dress… As most of you know I wear mostly colour and these shoes are a statement on their own. So, finding a handbag that really worked, complimented them and the dress without competing with the shoes. Yes, you heard (well read) right, without – competing – with – the – shoes. 

So, shopping for the handbag took, two summers of great enjoyment, wandering through shopping centres. This was not a full-on pursuit… It occurred two or three times over two summers. Most likely with a Xmas gift voucher from my mother-in-law in my hand and the two pairs of shoes the handbag had to match in a tote bag. Sometimes these adventures were with a girlfriend, other times not. It was a chill-out time of looking at and admiring handbags…

Funniest moment 

Leaving the Caf’ at Amberley RAAF base walking beside a 6ft 4 Group Captain on a 40-degree Queensland summer day. Offered said group captain a lift back to his building (due to the heat). My shoe blew out… And while the ankle strap held on (around my ankle – funny that) the sole was doing it’s own dance trying to take off and fly, as one does at a RAAF base, and I was trying to walk as elegantly as possible given the circumstances.

I did not have another pair of shoes in the car and had to navigate the rest of the day this way…

Again, I had to walk beside said Group Captain, who I am sure was trying not to laugh from the car into the building and up a set of stairs. Just glad I did not run into the Safety Officer who would have had the dilemma of trying to work out if it was safer for me to walk this way or bare-foot (which I am sure there is a policy against) or ask me to leave base. Glad to have been spared this dilemma.

Fair-well my friends. You have served me well.

Side note 1: Downsizing in general… Much, much easier. Especially when you start to get serious about downsizing.

Rehomed:

– 3 seater and 2 seater red lounge suite
– 4 white dining room chairs, and
– 2 teal coloured dining chairs (feature chairs) And before you ask what we are sitting on, we still have 6 dining room chairs and a big couch in the lounge.

#Confessionsofashoeaholic #Iloveshoes #Ilovesailing #TandM #Anewbeginning

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In Down sizing

Confessions of a shoeaholic!!!!

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As a shoeaholic, these beautiful babies have been a favourite that I can honestly say I have worn to death.

Specifications:

Brand: Christian Louboutin’s
Height: 5″ or 12.6cm 
Colour: The most beautiful red (That’s what they call it)
Purchased: Designer Archives (Brisbane)

They were second-hand, yes second-hand and they were virtually not used. I can only assume either whoever sold them must of have not been able to walk in them or not been comfortable in wearing patent red leather peek-a-toe pumps. 

Either way, they made me feel my natural 6”7’ and I loved every second in them. 

Favourite moments 
So many, Fridays in my favourite jeans and a nice jacket. 

A stand-out moment 
Going up a flight of stairs at Amberley RAAF base with a lady in uniform commenting, saying how much she loved them but she could not walk in heels like that and in response, she got a lesson in how to walk in seriously high heels. 

So, now for the shoeaholic to confess. 
I went to throw these out, wrote my post and my inner voice has said. I can fix them!!! 

What is wrong with them you ask. 

Christian Louboutin’s The most beautiful red

The cork on the back of the heels is peeling off. A couple of “You Tube” videos later and I have worked out how to repair them. Right! (I know – for all the right reasons, they are gorgeous and keep them until I move on the boat) Wrong! (I know – for all the wrong reasons, start throwing things out now. You don’t have enough room the boat).

So I sat on this post and my shoes for over a week. Since then I have repaired two other pairs of shoes… and a belt… LOL.

Where to now?
Still thinking about whether to repair them or not…

This week progress to down-sizing

SOLD – my gorgeous red leather office 3 seater and single seater. Bought by a young man in his 20s for his new apartment in the city. The man has taste. And I am happy they have gone to someone who feel in love with them.
TRASHED – Two pairs of flats… (easy)
REPAIRED – Two pairs of shoes heels… and a belt. 
PURCHASED – A new backpack. Easier to carry my laptop on and off the boat… I will write a review on it – it is seriously a brilliant backpack.

#Confessionsofashoeaholic #Iloveshoes #Ilovesailing #TandM #Anewbeginning

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