IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE

If we were having coffee - my round up post (and linky) for February 2018

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE

It's time to celebrate the end of February (a day late because February is such a short month!) 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.

Stirling Cottage in Harvey - a lovely little spot for a coffee date or lunch
My favourite coffee place - Stirling Cottage and its Gardens in Harvey, Western Australia
Here we are, back again at Stirling Cottage in Harvey, Western Australia, surrounded by absolutely beautiful gardens and a river walk. It's the first day of Autumn in Australia but the weather is still beautiful as Summer holds on for a little bit longer. So....these are a few of the things I would tell you I've been doing over the last couple of months.

NAN-ING

Drum roll.........This is my MOST exciting piece of news to share for February! Our son and his lovely wife have just announced that they are expecting a little brother or sister for their delightful Sophia. Another grandbaby to brighten our world! We're so pleased for them and rapt that another littlie will be joining our world later in the year. They celebrated their news on Facebook with this gorgeous picture:

Sophia and her new brother or sister
Sophia and her new brother or sister

FAMILY-ING

There were two big milestones in February that we celebrated. The first was my father-in-law turning 90. Not a small achievement by any means and we gathered together to have a barbeque lunch at our place for any family members who could make it. We had a lovely time together and it was nice to make him feel special.

The second milestone was our wedding anniversary on February 26th. I did a little overview of our story HERE if you missed reading it. When I look back it was all a bit of a whirlwind, but 35 (yes, 35!!) years later we're still doing life together - older, wiser, and more sure of ourselves. Ain't love grand?

Our wedding day 35 years ago - February 26, 1983
Our wedding day 35 years ago -  February 26, 1983

WORKING

Well it's been a month of only working two days a week and my stress levels are way down. I look forward to going each Monday and before I know it I'm home again and on days off. I feel quite decadent living a life of so few working hours - and I'm loving it! I've been busy looking at ways to fill in the extra day, but I'm also quite happy doing nothing at home and enjoying not carrying the load that I had last year. Best decision I could have made!

BLOGGING

On Wednesdays it's been all about the new Exclusive Mildlife link party Sue and I have started hosting. If you haven't popped over for a visit then please feel free to have a browse any time - add a new or old post that meets the criteria and then share and comment on a few others - it's a great bunch we're gathering.

Midlife - Share The Love Link Party - an exclusive party for Midlife Bloggers
I also discovered a wonderful little app called 1 second a day it takes your photos and video snippets for the month and mashes them into a 30 second montage. My first attempt is at the end of the post - hopefully it's viewable!

EATING

In a word....."Less" I'm trying to reduce those pesky calories a little and my husband and I are doing the 16/8 diet. It's been an easy one to stick to so far and he seems to be losing weight. I don't torture myself by standing on the scales, so I'm waiting to see if my pants start to feel looser - then I'll know that it's working. Until then, I console myself with the fact that a couple of hundred less calories are passing my lips most days. 

I don't stick to it on my work days because my brain feels a bit foggy in the mornings with no breakfast, and I really need to be on the ball when I'm working. I figure 5 days a week isn't a bad compromise and hopefully will show some results down the track.

EXERCISING

I've actually enjoyed my fitness monitor and it's spurred me on to try to make those magic 10,000 steps each day. I rarely get all the way, but I'm around 8,500 - 9,000 each day so that is a huge improvement on where I was previously. I've been so inspired that I upgraded to a more expensive Fitbit to see if I actually was doing as many steps as the cheaper version said - and thankfully it matches so I'm feeling quite proud of myself.

Adding an evening walk to my morning excursion has almost doubled my previous step count - and the added bonus is that my lovely husband comes with me, it's a nice time to wind down and have a pleasant chat at the end of the day.

Fitbit Alta - Half way through the day and on target
Half way through the day and on target

THAT'S IT FOR NOW

So that's about it for my first day of Autumn coffee and chat. I hope you enjoyed our catch-up and maybe we can do it again at the end of this month? I'm sure there'll be new stuff happening and lots to talk about. Is there anything interesting happening in your world? 



If we were having coffee - my round up post (and linky) for February 2018

This post was shared at some of these great link parties
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50 comments

  1. jodie filogomo1 March 2018 at 07:57

    It's so nice to catch up this way, Leanne!!
    We've been trying to work out more lately too, and even when for a walk today!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Leanne1 March 2018 at 09:07

      It's a lot easier when the weather is warm Jodie. Balmy Summer evenings make for a lovely stroll - not quite as easy on cold dark afternoons - especially with snow thrown into the mix!

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  2. Jo Tracey1 March 2018 at 08:28

    I love our virtual coffee dates... congratulations on another grandbaby. So much to love this month for you xxx

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    1. Leanne1 March 2018 at 09:08

      Thanks so much Jo - we're really pleased about another little person joining our family - our daughter is in no hurry at all to produce any grandbabies so it's lovely that our son and DIL are taking up the challenge :)

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  3. retirementreflections1 March 2018 at 09:53

    Hi, Leanne - Thanks for the great catch up. Congratulations on your upcoming new grandchild. And thanks for the recommendation for '1 Second A Day.' I am off to check it out now!

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    1. Leanne2 March 2018 at 10:18

      It's a really fun little app Donna - the only problem for me is that I don't take enough photos during the month - it's been good motivation for me to snap one now and then!

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  4. Natalie1 March 2018 at 10:23

    Congratulations on another grandbaby, Leanne! February looks like a great month for you.

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    1. Leanne2 March 2018 at 10:19

      Thanks Natalie - yes, wedding anniversaries and grandbabies have a way of bringing a smile to life don't they?

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  5. Min - Write of the Middle1 March 2018 at 11:53

    Congratulations on the baby news! How exciting! Also - thanks for the link to the second a day thingy. I will be checking that out! I have a fit bit too Leanne but had to stop wearing it because all of a sudden it started irritating my skin. I'll try it again once it cools down as I thought maybe it was the humidity causing the problem? #TeamLovinLife

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    1. Leanne2 March 2018 at 10:20

      I had fun with the second a day app Min - Denyse uses it a lot for her round ups each month and it inspired me to have a go too. I'm finding my FitBit is motivating me atm - who knows what will happen down the track, but any help is appreciated when it comes to me and exercise!

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  6. Janet Camilleri1 March 2018 at 13:18

    I saw cats, puzzles, a vege garden and walking in your video - I approve! I can't believe you are celebrating 35 years of marriage - you must have been about 13 at your wedding. And congrats on your impending grandchild. I became a god grandmother (or is that grand god mother) this week, she was even named after me: Aria Janet. :-)

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    1. Leanne2 March 2018 at 10:21

      Janet you say the nicest things :) And yes, I saw that you'd been honoured with a grand/god baby named after you - that is really special indeed! Also what's not to love about cats and jigsaws?

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  7. Sydney Shop Girl1 March 2018 at 13:20

    So much happy news for your family, Leanne! Excited congratulations from me.

    SSG xxx

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    1. Leanne2 March 2018 at 10:22

      Thanks so much SSG - it's been a lovely month and I love it when there is happiness to share - so much better than doom and gloom :)

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  8. Jo ~ Lifestyle Fifty and ZigaZag1 March 2018 at 14:40

    Love these coffee catch-ups Leanne ... always so interesting. Makes me think we should organise one with WA bloggers IRL one of these days :) Those Queensland girls are partying their bloggie socks off together! The photos of your wedding day are precious - you looked gorgeous.

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    1. Leanne2 March 2018 at 10:33

      I did feel a little burst of envy when I saw all the Qlder's partying all over FB Jo - it makes me realize how far away they all are (blogging makes you forget distance!) And thanks for your kind words about our wedding - time has certainly zoomed by - loved seeing your boy's wedding pics this last week too x

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  9. JulieO1 March 2018 at 22:13

    Congrats, grandmama! What an exciting time for everyone in your family!
    Carol Cassara

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    1. Leanne2 March 2018 at 10:34

      Thanks Carol - we're very pleased for them (and so is our daughter because the pressure is off for her to be joining in the baby production for a while!)

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  10. Rena1 March 2018 at 22:57

    It's great to learn a little bit more about you. Instead of coffee I had sweet tea!

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    1. Leanne2 March 2018 at 10:36

      Sweet tea - makes me think of Sweet Home Alabama Rena - all Southern and girlie :)

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  11. Pat WD2 March 2018 at 00:05

    You (and Christie) have inspired me to get a fitness tracker. Looking at prices and hope to acquire one in March. Just in time for our spring weather to encourage me to be outside and walk more.

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    1. Leanne2 March 2018 at 10:37

      They are a lot more fun than I expected Pat - I thought I'd be annoyed at a gadget telling me to get off my butt, but I actually appreciate the motivation. I was also surprised at how accurate the cheap version was.

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  12. Diane Stringam Tolley2 March 2018 at 02:11

    This is wonderful! I love catching up! Sooo excited about your baby news! Twice as many grandchildren! And what a cutie-patootie your little granddaughter is!
    Really enjoyed your link party. What nice people you've gathered there! And I'm going to try your 16/8. Finally, something that sounds do-able!
    And Congratulations, again, on your anniversary. Well done!

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    1. Leanne2 March 2018 at 10:39

      Hi Di - I'm so glad you joined in with our Linky - it's such a great group of Midlifers and I love the posts that get shared. I'm not sure how the 16/8 will go but it's working for my husband and it really is easy to do - no calorie counting etc and very little deprivation - my kind of diet!

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  13. Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond2 March 2018 at 06:39

    I love your monthly coffee catch up Leanne and wish it could be IRL. How exciting to have another grandbaby on the way. We will be Nans again this year as Rachel is due in June. I'm so pleased your fitbit has spurred you on and you can see that your steps have increased already plus being mindful of eating less you will be even more Sizzling! Thanks for being such a great blogging friend and I love co-hosting #MLSTL with you. Have a great March - I can't believe two months of this year has gone already!

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    1. Leanne2 March 2018 at 10:40

      I love how our lives are running on a parallel course Sue - both Nans again this year and sharing the #MLSTL party - and I'm even working at getting my fitness up a bit so I can keep up with you and your amazing running :) I wish we had an IRL catch up too - but cyber coffees are still great xx

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  14. Unknown2 March 2018 at 12:06

    I love this coffee date Leanne, and your news is very exiting - congrats to all. You've had a busy month and I loved your post about celebrating 35 years of marriage :) I've been trying to eat better and move more too and the scales don't seem to move but the centimetres are disappearing so something's working! Enjoy autumn over in the west :)

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    1. Leanne4 March 2018 at 16:35

      I don't feel any thinner from the added km's or the reduced calories Deb, but I figure both have to be doing me good. I haven't been really well for the last couple of months, so maybe when I feel better I'll notice the difference?

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  15. Kathy Marris2 March 2018 at 16:24

    Another grandchild in the family is such a blessing. Congratulations on your wedding anniversary too. I've been caravanning down in South Australia so I've had a fabulous February. I'm not sure whether I'll like what the scales have to say when I get home next weekend! #TeamLovinLife

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    1. Leanne4 March 2018 at 16:37

      Grandbabies aren't going to be overly plentiful in our family Kathy so I'm definitely going to make the most of these two! And I've been following along on your caravanning trip - very pretty and very restful!

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  16. Jennifer Jones2 March 2018 at 18:05

    Really enjoy tour coffee catch ups Leanne. Congratulations on the new grandbaby. Exciting times ahead for you.

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    1. Leanne4 March 2018 at 16:37

      I'm so glad you enjoyed the post Jennifer - I love sharing a little bit about what's been happening - and I always enjoy reading other bloggers' round up posts.

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  17. Empty Nester2 March 2018 at 22:24

    Congrats on a new grandbaby! Do you live close to them? Grandparenting is just the best thing ever! I enjoyed this post. I love the format.

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    1. Leanne4 March 2018 at 16:39

      Thanks so much for stopping by - our lovely little granddaughter lives 1.5hrs drive away - too far to see as regularly as I'd like, but close enough to see every month or so. And yes, grandchildren are just the best!

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  18. Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit3 March 2018 at 05:12

    Yay Nan!!!!!!! Woot. #teamlovinlife

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    1. Leanne4 March 2018 at 16:40

      I know! I think I'm nearly as excited as they are :)

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  19. Lise3 March 2018 at 06:08

    Congrats Leanne on the upcoming new addition. We'll be grandparents too in May for the first time and everyone says it's the best, can't wait. This is a great idea for a monthly post to catch up, I might steal it :) Like you, I have a fitness monitor and it's hard most days to get even more than 6,000 steps. It's still winter here, so waiting for better weather to get out and walk. The best place for me to get over 10,000 steps was on our last cruise :) Walk from cabin to food, back to cabin, (3 times a day) plus walk to shops and back. LOL

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    1. Leanne4 March 2018 at 16:42

      Hi Lise - yes everyone is telling the truth - grandbabies are the best thing ever! You'll be in love with the whole grandparent gig I'm sure. And you are more than welcome to steal my coffee catch-up (but only if I'm invited!) it's a popular format and I just pick my categories depending on my mood. I'm amazed at anyone who is outside walking in your weather - I'm sure it's a lot easier when it's warmer :)

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  20. Kathleen3 March 2018 at 18:25

    I enjoyed that coffee and your cafe, thanks. So awesome to be expecting another grandbaby. The photo of Sophie is precious, the dear little girl will be so excited when the time comes to welcome the new babe. Also congrats on the 35 years, I love to hear that, keep the years rolling.
    Kathleen
    Blogger's Pit Stop

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    1. Leanne4 March 2018 at 18:46

      Thanks so much for your kind words Kathleen - 35 years + soon to be two grandbabies is definitely something to be celebrated isn't it?

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  21. Amy Johnson3 March 2018 at 22:05

    Congrats on the new grand baby! How exciting?

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    1. Leanne4 March 2018 at 18:47

      I know! Grandbabies are just the best thing aren't they?

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  22. aginglikeafinewine.com5 March 2018 at 10:44

    Leanne, I enjoyed having coffee with you! Congratulations on the upcoming grandbaby. We have a new grandbaby due in June. Paul & I have been married 34 years so we are right there with you. And I am only working one day per week, but with blogging, grandchildren, crafting & a little house work thrown in, I feel sooo busy! We have lots in common!

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    1. Leanne10 March 2018 at 17:32

      Theresa I think we're at exactly the same age and stage! New grandbabies, less work, more leisure and 30+ years of marriage - it's a great time of life isn't it?

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  23. One Mother Hen5 March 2018 at 19:18

    How gorgeous a new addition! More love to spread around!
    I work Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, coaching and supervising under fives at our gymnastics club. So rewarding to see young, active little people engaged and having fun. So grateful for my days off though, even though I don't do full days!!

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    1. Leanne10 March 2018 at 17:33

      I love working two days a week Alicia - I keep worrying that they're going to want me to do more and there is no way I'll ever go back to working myself into a stressful mess. I'm sitting back and enjoying the view atm - life is great.

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  24. amotheradaughterandlife6 March 2018 at 00:03

    How wonderful to be expecting a new grand, nothing like grandbabies. Enjoy you new day off, before you know it full time retirement.

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    1. Leanne10 March 2018 at 17:34

      I see it as sliding gracefully into retirement Vicki - I don't think I'd find it too difficult at all to be home all the time, but I think my husband likes the fact that I'm out the door and not under his feet for those two days a week :)

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  25. Jean | DelightfulRepast.com30 March 2018 at 20:56

    Leanne, your current post mentioned 16/8, so I searched to see when you started it and came to this post. I started it this month, for its health benefits rather than weight loss, but have noticed my pants getting looser! What hours do you fast? I'm doing 6pm to 10am. Since it had been years since I snacked after dinner, it's really quite a breeze.

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    1. Leanne1 April 2018 at 17:17

      Hi Jean - I do 7.30pm to 11.30am - that way I can squeeze a cuppa in for supper! I tend to skip breakfast and morning tea so I guess I'm not really missing too many calories, but every little bit helps. I'm also now giving thought to how many hidden sugars I'm consuming and how to reduce that in my eating too - the fight goes on!

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