IF WE WERE HAVING (ICED) COFFEE
It's time to celebrate the end of January (with a nod to December because I didn't do a December update - I was too busy enjoying Christmas!) Why not share another virtual cup of coffee with me while I update you on what's been going on in my life lately. I love a good 'Taking Stock' blog post, so I hope you'll humour me and sit a while with me in a lovely little cafe I love to visit while I share my news. |
| My favourite coffee place - Stirling Cottage and its Gardens in Harvey, Western Australia |
BLOGGING
This month I've begun a change to my blogging routine. For the last couple of years I've been posting on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. This year I'm only going to post on Mondays and Thursdays. Wednesdays are going to be all about the new Exclusive Mildlife link party Sue and I are so excited about hosting. If you're a Midlifer who blogs about their life then this party will be perfect for you. It's going to be all about helping each other grow our blogs - so no link droppers allowed! Our first party is on Wednesday so I hope you'll be back to join in with us.
We're also going to start linking up our end of month round-up posts (like this one) because it's always fun to read what other people have been doing with themselves. We'll start that one at the end of February and there'll be a place to link up at the bottom of each monthly post. If you've written anything that is about Taking Stock of your week, month or year you can share it with the rest of us.
HOLIDAYING
I'm sure you know that my husband and I went on a lovely week's holiday to Rottnest Island last month - if you missed it you can read about it here. We had a fabulous time and will definitely be going back next year. Just look at the weather and that white sand and crystal clear water - just gorgeous!
NAN-ING
Our son and daughter-in-law and our delightful grandbaby Sophia were down for several days over Christmas - what a joy to see Christmas through the eyes of a child again. Such a special time and it will get better every year. I am always amazed at how much energy she has - we were on the go every waking minute (hopefully it burnt off a few of those Christmas calories!) |
| Sophia enjoying a picnic in the park with her parents and grandparents |
MUM-ING
Our daughter didn't make it down for Christmas this time - which was a little bit sad (lucky we had the delightful granddaughter to distract us from missing her too much). But, as a lovely surprise, she "popped" down for a visit in mid January, bringing our Christmas presents and going out for a mother/daughter coffee catch-up. It was a lovely consolation prize for me.DRINKING
My husband is always big on trying new things - so we had a bubble tea the other day. I assumed it meant the tea was aerated, but it was something completely "other" - it was full of tapioca balls that felt like little, round, chewy slugs - not quite my thing but it's all about the adventure apparently!
WORKING
After making some serious changes at work to help me cope with the drama and ups and downs, I've decided to reduce my hours this year. Starting this week I'm only working Mondays and Tuesdays (instead of my usual three days a week) - so....more time for blogging, coffeeing, volunteering, and generally enjoying life! Hopefully this will be the perfect work/life balance I'm looking for.JIGSAW-ING
January holidays are the ideal time to finish my Christmas 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle. This one was really fiddly, but fun and interesting to do.
TACKLING
Being more active - I've even joined the fitness monitor brigade (although mine is a cheapie bought on ebay) because I'm determined to move more this year. It buzzes me when I've been sitting too long and I'm trying to get to the magic 10,000 steps every day. Midlife midrift spread is not pretty and I don't want to turn into a blob because I'm too lazy to move my butt.
THAT'S IT FOR NOW
So that's about it for our New Year coffee. I hope you enjoyed our catch-up and maybe we can do it again at the end of February? Hopefully there'll be new stuff happening and lots to talk about. Is there anything interesting happening in your world? If you do a round-up post about your month don't forget to link it here next month and catch up with some other bloggers who are sharing their lives.
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One of my favourite posts Leanne and I'm excited about our new link party too! I've never heard of a bubble tea but you haven't exactly given me the inspiration to try one LOL:) Your jigsaw is a great achievement and hasn't Sophia grown - she is adorable. I'm looking forward to our February roundup link party as well. Boy! We are going to be busy bloggers that is for sure!
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I can't say that I'd recommend bubble tea to anyone Sue - it was not what I expected (just plain weird) and I'm really looking forward to what lies ahead for the year blogging wise too - we'll be rocking it!
DeleteI enjoyed reading your January recap, Leanne. Good for you for taking steps to move more, work less hours, and do more activities that you enjoy. My January recap will be up on Wednesday Jan 31 on my blog.
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely have to pop across and have a read of your round-up Natalie and maybe you can link it up next month if we go ahead with a round up linky x
DeleteWhen I'm in Sydney for work I always stay at Mum & Dad's - & they always have a jigsaw going on the coffee table. It's one of those things that is somehow very calming, yet challenging at the same time. As an aside, I'm with you on the Bubble tea, but then I dont like iced tea either...or iced coffee...I'm very boring in that way! Here's to February.
ReplyDeleteIt was those round, slimy slugs that got me with the bubble tea Jo - who decided they were a good idea??!! And my in-laws always have a puzzle on the go too (maybe it's a retirement thing?) I keep mine for holidays.
DeleteIt's always good to change up blogging routines. This should give you more time to play with your new adventure and tea time. :) Good luck!
ReplyDeleteIt's all about getting the balance right isn't it Bren? If it's not working then it's time to change it up before I throw in the towel. I'm really enjoying the extra space in my head from less blogging and the beginning of less work days.
DeleteHi, Leanne - I enjoyed the catch up and the coffee...but I needed to drink my coffee hot because it is cool and rainy here. I look forward to checking out your and Sue's Midlife Blogger's Party on Wednesday. See you there!
ReplyDeleteIt will be great to share it with you Donna - you'll be an asset to the team :) Hope your coffee warmed you up :)
DeleteThe face on your grand daughter is too adorable! What a great picture. Yes the sea looks beautiful and I feel warmer having a virtual thrill from your picture. I am not a fan of bubble tea either but I do know some that are hooked.
ReplyDeleteHow can you be hooked on little balls of slime Haralee? Some people have no taste :) and yes Sophia is adorable isn't she?
DeleteAlways love a good recap post! With the current weather here, iced coffee is the way to go! :) Good to hear January has been good for you and that you're moving more. The link party sounds fun...good luck with it! And blogging routines? Wow! I'm impressed.
ReplyDeleteYou can always tell who's a fellow Aussie by the weather where they are Sanch - and yes it's nice to feel I'm moving forward this year rather than treading water. I am a woman of routines so it overflows into blogging too!
DeleteThanks for sharing. I do a Taking Stock as a prompt every 10th week so it will be interesting to see if that lines up to link up with you and Sue. I am unsure if I can keep up with my own linky too but I will do my best. I have already written my post for tomorrow to add to the link up. Best wishes to you both.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up for #lifethisweek 5/52. Next week's optional prompt is "Starting School Memories".
Denyse it will be a pleasure to have you sharing in our linky and any post is fine to use - you don't have to write one specially for us. The idea is to get more eyes on a post of any sort that fits our niche. So glad you're joining us xx
DeleteI am definitely going to be checking this out. I am a mid-lifer and I believe that there are more activiities in my life than there were in my earlier life. THis is either good or bad but I now have a chance to share thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteAngie it's going to be a great way to connect - I hope to see you there and sharing and engaging. I love this Midlife blogging journey - it's been a revelation for me x
DeleteHi Leanne! What a nice catch-up. It sounds like your 2018 is off to a good start. And good for you for continuing to "rightsize" your work schedule. The more you can do that in any area of your life the better. And two posts a week is good too. I'm happy with just one a week because it give me time to do research and come up with something I find fascinating without making me too crazy! ;-) I will look forward to more coffee/frappe catch ups! ~Kathy
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy - thanks for stopping by - and Yes! I'm so pleased I've dropped a day from work - it's only been for a week so far but it made a huge difference. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can fill the extra time with :)
DeleteCan I just say, I totally agree about the Bubble Tea. So weird. Haha. Thanks for the run down of what you're been up to.
ReplyDeleteI've decided bubble tea is some form of new evil Melissa - the liquid was fine but those slimy balls were disgusting!
DeleteHi Leanne, I truly loved reading your post and getting to know you better. I do enjoy reading this type of post, but when it comes to myself writing one I tend to think "does anyone really care about what is going on in my life". But maybe I shouldn't think that way, after all if I enjoy reading them I'm sure others do to! Thank you for sharing on the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty! Pinned to my Livestyle board and shared.
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