IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE
It's time to celebrate the end of July, and we're firmly in the throes of Winter down here in Australia - so 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 as I share my news.BLOGGING
Month two of my Social Saturday series has gone really well - another great set of bloggers offering to share a little piece of themselves with me on the blog. A big thanks to Cherie, Sue, Debbie and of course.... to my lovely husband Ross who was brave enough to share his thoughts online (very scary if you're not a blogger at heart). If you missed any of them, I've included a link to their post on each person's name.I also had the pleasure of a surprise email arriving in my inbox to tell me that I'd been nominated for the 2018 BUPA Blog Awards - I'm not counting on making it to the finals, but I was very flattered to have been nominated by someone who must enjoy my blog.
READING
Along with my usual free Kindle books, I read the fourth book in Sarah J. Maa's series - I love a good fantasy series and this one has been fun. To counterbalance things I also managed to squeeze in the latest Nora Roberts offering - nothing beats a good Nora Roberts' novel IMHO!
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| A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas |
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| Shelter In Place by Nora Roberts |
JIGSAW-ING
I hadn't done a jigsaw for a while - so I thought I'd tackle this 1,000 piece puzzle from the library - I love that I can borrow them and then give them back when I'm finished - no boxes to store! This was a jigsaw about the library and borrowed from the library - almost poetic really.
FAMILY-ING
The 28th of July was my husband's birthday, so it offered the perfect excuse for a trip up to the big smoke for lunch with the "kids" and our lovely granddaughter, Sophia. She is growing up so quickly and her mum is due to have another baby in a month - so possibly some exciting news to share in my next coffee post at the end of August! In the meantime we enjoyed catching up with everyone's news and letting Ross be the centre of attention - a rare gift for him!GRANDBABY-ING
Sophia scored an extra late birthday present during July and couldn't wait to try it out - toys these days seem to have more bells and whistles (while costing less) than they did back when we were buying them in the 1980's - I guess the bells and whistles have gotten cheaper over time. Notice teddy was discarded in favour of the new bus (well until nap time anyway...)
MOVING
The office I work in - not our house. But it felt like it's been almost as big a move. I work for a surgeon who had rooms in the hospital but (after a lease re-newal headache) he decided we would move out to a new set of rooms in town - a BIG change for them after being in the old office suite for 11 years. Still, a change is as good as a holiday and we're all settled in now and I'm loving the fresh new reception area, being out of the hustle and bustle of the hospital, and having our own space.
TICKING
Another thing off my Vision Board with a surprise gift in the mail - check out my new favourite tee shirt! My husband gets bonus points for reading my blog and helping me achieve another mini goal on my list. Now I just have to live up to the shirt's declaration! |
| Awesome Nana Time! |
TAI CHI-ING
My Tai Chi continues - there are 140 moves in the Lee Style Tai Chi - I think I have about 30 of them down pat now - so barely a quarter under control. I can follow most of the others and each week I slowly grasp a few more. The benefit of finding myself in a senior citizens' group is that they are all so helpful and nice - no trendy fitness gear or competition (the ones who take themselves seriously are up the front looking very determined). I'm happy in my spot towards the back just doing things in my own time and with my Learner Plates firmly in place!
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| Some of the Tai Chi class |
THAT'S IT FOR NOW
Is there anything interesting happening in your world? Feel free to update me in the comments and I look forward to having another virtual cuppa with you at the end of August and I'm sure there'll be lots to catch up on.
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This post was shared at some of these great link parties
When I lived in Beijing, I saw groups of people doing Tai Chi in corner parks all over the city, usually in the morning. Sometimes with swords, sometimes with scarves, usually with no props. I never got up the gumption to stand at the back and try to follow. I've always wanted to do Tai Chi, and this outdoor, wordless gathering seemed so organic. Ah well. Another time.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading a Dean Koontz book - because he is a best-selling author, and the book I'm reading about writing uses him as an example of writing description and action together. But I'm not loving it. Too much description! I find myself re-reading the same paragraph multiple times to remind myself what he was talking about. How is he so popular! I guess it takes all kinds.
I also started a light-hearted book called Miss Spelled, by Morgana something. An Australian author. That is a very fun read.
I used to do a different type of Tai Chi several years ago where we did a bit of stick/sword stuff - it was really cool, but this one I'm doing now is more flowy and "zen". I saw a Tai Chi dance on youtube - so I guess there's something for everyone.
DeleteI've also decided that I only like novels that are fun to read - heavy going ones are just not on my list atm - maybe one day???
Another very enjoyable post Leanne. It’s good to know just what you get up to when I’m not around. I’m not in the least bit surprised to hear that you have been nominated for the BUPA blog awards. I do look forward to reading your blogs each and every week. Obviously many others do too, judging by the 72 comments on your post about handwriting being a lost art. Keep up the good work, I love it
ReplyDeleteWell, it's good to know that if everyone else deserts me, there will still be my Mum reading my posts each week - nice to know that there is someone out there hanging in through it all! And there was also the lovely anonymous person who nominated me for the Bupa award - that was a lovely surprise too xx
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteG'day Leanne - it has been high summer up this end - yes an ACTUAL summer and I was getting homesick for OZ it felt so familiar! I was travelling for four weeks am back a couple then have blogpals from Canada arriving for a week here in the Bonny Land, then it's festival time over in Edinburgh... the months are flashing by! My reading (and my writing) are suffering for lack of attention, but there's been plenty of blog-fodder.
I love jigsaws. Then I discovered Jigsaw Planet Online!!! (If mine don't appeal, there's a gazillion others to pick from under 'explore'.)
Heading into August... YAM xx
I've missed you Yam - it's funny how it's cold and rainy down here and hot and sunny up where you are (the complete reversal of our assumed weather patterns). Glad you've been out and about enjoying yourself, with more to come and I think sometimes the blogging needs to take a back seat to living life while the sun shines!
DeleteThanks for the coffee, Leanne I always enjoy our catch ups. Congratulations on the BUPA nomination and at least you have been nominated which is an honour in itself. I've never tried Tai Chi but definitely on my list. Little Sophia is growing up too quickly and yes you are an Awesome Nana! Lovely to see photos of you as well. I look forward to next month's coffee. xx PS I enjoy Nora Roberts so will be checking out your suggestion.
ReplyDeleteYes you'll definitely have to read her latest novel Sue - I guess she writes them to a formula, but I like the formula so I'll keep reading them for as long as she writes them. Looking forward to catching up on your news when you do your round-up post x
DeleteHi Leanne, I've shared on social media from our #MLSTL link up. My Coffee Catch Up is now published as well. Thanks for being my BBB and co-hosting Midlife Share the Love Party. xx
DeleteNice to chat over a cup of tea Leanne. Thanks for having me as a guest in your Social Saturday series, it was fun to write a guest post for you. I have read the books by Sarah J Maas and enjoy them. Congrats on being recognised in the BUPA blog awards, we’ll deserved! I’m also becoming a grandmother in a few weeks time (first one) so we can chat next month about grand babies 😊
ReplyDeleteHi Deb - another Sarah J Maas fan! Yay!! Thanks for being my guest - I loved your post and that you managed to do it while swanning around the Continent! And I'm also excited that we're sharing the joys of a new grandbaby soon - they are just the BEST!
DeleteI'm reading this in front of the fire with a gless of red at the Country Club at Cootamundra in Southern NSW. Tomorrow we're off to Tumbarumba to catch up with some family and retrace some memories from childhood. So for now, here's cheers to July!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading your reply over coffee Jo - I've never gotten the hang of wine drinking - it's like vinegar to me (poorly developed taste buds??) Glad you're having fun but found time to stop by and say hi before July departed for good!
DeleteCongratulation on the blog nomination. Great Work. I love to read on my kindle too. It's prefect for when I'm struggling to sleep because I can hide under the covers and not wake up the other half. I haven't read a Nora Roberts book in ages. Might check that out. I am currently reading Eden for my book club. It's a tad gory for my liking. But that's the great thing about a bookclub - it's stretches your reading.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I could do a gory book Caz - I guess book clubs do take you our of your comfort zone and introduce you to new writers - which we all need at times. My kindle goes everywhere with me now days - it's so small and versatile :)
DeleteOh my! Haven't checked in with you lately as July has been so very busy with LIFE!
ReplyDeleteIt's so good to read and get caught up with you!
You're Amazing, and always my Inspiration!
I also have a grand-child (another grand-daughter) debuting in late October! So excited as I imagine you are also!
Wishing you the most Wonderful Day as we work on completing our July 2018!
Take Care!
Hi Amy! I was wondering where you'd disappeared to. Nice to know you've been off enjoying LIFE - so much better than sitting on your phone or laptop for hours (and something I need to remember at times!) And I'm really happy for you with another grandbaby coming - they are such a blessing aren't they (I had no idea how lovely they'd be - a wonderful surprise). x
DeleteYou have a well-balanced life! I keep planning on taking Tai Chi, but still haven't gotten around to it. Right now, it's so blazing hot here, I'm staying indoors and painting some walls. I hate the chore, but it's not even comfy in the shade, so it gives me an opportunity to get things done in the house. I also covered some ottomans -- the staple gun and glue gun are great tools. I also put in a kitchen backsplash using adhesive tiles and it looks great. My to-do list was quite long! Enjoy the rest of your week!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see a blog post on all the things you've been making and doing Jean - you are so creative (can you hear the little note of envy in my writing?) It's Winter down here so we're bunkered down too - but still trying to get outside for a bit of fresh air when the rain stops and the sun pops out.
DeleteLove your new t-shirt and the picture of your granddaughter? Beautiful
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer - she's such a sweetie and I'm working on my Awesomeness!
DeleteNot much work there! I love doing jigsaws too, but not much space for that now that we've moved in with Mom. And I'll take my coffee iced, since we're in the middle of a humid streak right now.
DeleteCongratulations on your BUPA nomination. I’m not familiar with those awards. I’ll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteAnd how lovely that you can get jigsaws from your local library. I wish ours did that.
The award is from a large health provider in Australia Kristin - not something I expected and a lovely bolt from the blue. And yes getting free jigsaws is great - you just have to check that there aren't any pieces missing (usually they tell you on the box so you don't spend hours searching for one piece!)
DeleteHey Leanne, I don't read Nora Roberts until they come out in paperback...I carry the books around with me (even to the beach) and so buy them in case they get messed up. (I donate them afterwards...or pass to a friends who also likes same authors I read). I've added Sarah J Maas to my authors to explore list... I know we have similar reading tastes... thanks for the suggestion. I've slowed reading in July since back from the beach. OK, I read 7 books in 3 weeks there. Three of the Outlander series, too! Beach time = reading time.
ReplyDeleteNever tried Tai Chi but am really enjoying yoga, which I'm trying to do now 2 times a week. Another one where you need to learn the poses as some instructors give less direction than others. I love the improvement in balance, flexibility, and strength its given me.
Wish my hubby would help make some of my vision board elements a reality! You've got a keeper for sure.
Have a great August!!
I'm glad you're enjoying yoga Pat - it's on my bucket list for when they bring an affordable beginners class to my neighbourhood - I know you can do it with a youtube video, but I like the idea of a class. My Tai Chi is progressing but I still have a fair way to go before I can do it without concentrating really hard.
DeleteOur library buys almost all their books in paperback these days and if I get in early the book still feels new (the cheapskate's way of reading!) And I can't believe you've ploughed through three Outlander books in such a short time - are you going to watch the series? The characters are just perfect - such a surprise when I watched it.
Hi Leanne... back via MLSTL. I'm not sure about watching the series. I actually don't watch much TV / movies at all. I'm not even sure we get the channel the Outlander series is on! Maybe I'll look into it this winter when I'm snowbound.
DeleteI understand about class for yoga and you need the right beginner's instructor as well. I was so lucky that early into my exploration of yoga I found a wonderful instructor that I really connected with. I've had some not so good ones along the way - not so good for me anyway. But I think you're probably getting some of the similar benefits of yoga in Tai Chi. Breathing, balance, stress relief. I've always thought I'd try Tai Chi at some point!
Well we are having coffee together..at least I am...LOL! And July sounds like it was awesome! Congrats on your nomination!
ReplyDeleteThanks Renee - and yes I'm swigging down a coffee (when I wrote this and as I reply) It's been a lovely July so I'm hopeful August will be great too.
DeleteCongratulations on your nomination - and keep up the Tai Chi, I am a Tai Chi instructor and can testify how good it is for your health and peace of mind.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you taught Tai Chi Dorothy - I have so much admiration for the lady that teaches us. She's so patient and she can stop and start anywhere in the sequence and talk us through it. Her patience amazes me.
DeleteI love your t-shirt, and your grandbaby is adorable!
ReplyDeleteBethany @ Happily Loco
http://happilyloco.wordpress.com
Hi Bethany - thanks so much! My lovely husband bought me the tee shirt as a surprise and I love it - purple is my colour and he got the size right too. And yes, Sophia is just delightful - we are so blessed to have her in our lives.
DeleteHi Leanne,
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to be able to visualize where a friend spends her days so thanks for sharing your new work digs. What kind of surgeon do you work for? I hope it's one of the non life-threatening specialties so that your interaction with patients is mostly positive.
Hi Karen - the guy I work for is a general surgeon - so mainly scopes, hernias and the occasional abdominoplasty or breast op. Fortunately 99% of his patients live to tell the story and the others usually get referred on, so it's not a stressful place to work (except for the occasional employee interaction drama - but that's a whole other story!)
DeleteSo many things to chat about with you. But first, Congratulations on being nominated for the BUPA award. All the best. Nice T shirt and pic and your granddaughter is very sweet. I've wanted to learn Tai Chi but can't find a class with timings that suit and I love jigsaw puzzles too but not sure I have the patience for 1000 pieces now. Nice chatting with you.
ReplyDeleteHi Suzy - that's what I love about doing these posts - I learn a little bit about other bloggers from the comments along the way. Thanks for your congrats and compliments - and I know what you mean about finding a Tai Chi class - I'd like to try yoga and can't find a suitable class anywhere nearby.
DeleteWhat a great tee shirt from your thoughtful husband! Being a good grandma is high on my list of retirement aspirations too. I have never tried Tai Chi, but I think I would like it because of the mindful practice aspect of it. This is one reason I enjoy yoga so much. Presently, one of my yoga studios is doing yoga in the garden for July and August and I love it. (It is summer here in Canada.).
ReplyDeleteJude
Thanks Jude - I think grandparenting is the best thing in the world - so much easier than parenting ever was! If you are a Yoga fan then I think Tai Chi would suit you perfectly - I'm still waiting to find a Yoga teacher somewhere local.
DeleteIt was lovely to be a part of your July Social Saturday, Leanne, thanks for having me!!
ReplyDeleteI love jigsaws, especially on a rainy cold wintry weekend, but I haven't done one in a while mainly because there are other things I love doing more!!
Glad you're loving the Tai Chi. My only experience of that has been during Body Balance classes at the gym, which are a combination of Tai Chi, yoga and Pilates. My mum has been doing Tai Chi for years though and now teaches it at her lifestyle village.
Looking forward to reading your August posts xx
Hi Sue - thanks so much for being part of Social Saturday - your post was so thoughtful and you could tell people enjoyed it by all the comments. I think Body Balance sounds really interesting but I'd have to go to a gym and that's never going to happen! I'll stick with the senior cits and their Tai Chi - your Mum would probably really like the lady who teaches us - birds of a feather?
DeleteCongrats, Leanne, on being nominated for the BUPA award! That's a great t-shirt from your husband. Glad your July went so well. I look forward to reading your August posts.
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie - thanks for the congrats - I don't think I'll get past the nomination stage, but it was nice to be included. The tee shirt was such a lovely surprise and I wear it all the time (I'm tooting my own Nana trumpet!)
DeleteCongratulations on your award nomination, Leanne! Love the t-shirt, which I'm sure you'll live up to, no problem, with that cute granddaughter. ☺ Happy Belated Birthday to your hubby!
ReplyDeleteThat tee shirt is a walk in the park for me with Sophia as my inspiration Deb - she is such a delightful child and makes being a Nan extremely easy (it helps that her parents are doing a great job - so no conflict in parenting styles to zip my lip over!) I'll pass on your birthday wishes to my hub :)
DeleteIf we were having coffee ... Wait! But we did have coffee! In real life! How awesome was that, although we chatted about all and sundry we still had more to go - such as some of the things you mentioned in today's post! Love your awesome Nana t-shirt - I'm sure you truly are one, and your grand daughter is gorgeous, and I'm sure growing up way too fast. I'll be routing for you in the Bupa Blog Awards and think you deserve to be shortlisted. Best of LUCK!
ReplyDeleteHi Jo - wasn't our coffee catch up fantastic? I can't get over how it feels like we've been friends for ages - rather than just for a few hours of coffee! You truly are as lovely in person as you are on your blog and I will really have to lift my style game to keep up with you as well :) I saw that you won one of the Bupa Awards a few years ago - that is truly inspirational with all the blogs who are nominated - I'd be stoked with a shortlisting for sure. Enjoy your time with your Mum xx
DeleteLovely catch up! How exciting having a new baby arrived soon. Those times are so so special. If we were having coffee you would know that mine is a small latte in a glass with an extra shot...and I have to use serviettes so I do not spill in thanks to my mouth reconstruction!
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up for #lifethisweek. Next week's optional prompt is: Countries I Have Visited. Denyse x
Denyse if we were having coffee I'd be admiring how well you manage to cope with sitting in a cafe eating a scone and sipping coffee with all that surgery you've had! And yes, we're very pleased to be welcoming a new grandbaby into the fold - only 3 weeks to go!
DeleteAnother busy month Leanne. I look forward to your coffee updates where I get to see everything on the one post. I tend to miss a bitvdiring the month when work gets in the way of blogging and reading blogs.
ReplyDeleteI find these monthly catch-ups are such a fun way of keeping up with everyone's news when you don't see it on FB or miss a post here or there Jennifer. Sue does one now and I always enjoy hers too.
DeleteWow! Popping in from Creating the Hill Link Up - sounds like you’ve had a really busy month between birthdays and moving. Hope you get some R&R
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Sonia and yes, it's been quite a busy month - but fairly well balanced - so I'm excited to see what August holds.
DeleteI read your first line "It's time to celebrate the end of July" and I was like "What?" then I continued on and realized your in winter in Australia. haha! Here in Wisconsin I'm mourning that it is August 1st and summer is almost over. We didn't get spring until May. We had blizzards in late April. Why does summer always end so fast?
ReplyDeleteI've been reading lots of Summery blog posts Amy (I noticed you at the beach in lovely lightweight flowy dresses enjoying the sun). Down here it's rainy and blustery and cold - I'm looking forward to Spring but think it will be another month or so til it warms up.
DeleteLeanne it is always so nice to read your monthly catch up post. That is awesome that you got nominated for an award for the blog, I would be over the moon happy also. I remember when my office moved from one building to the other and it is almost like a vacation while it is happening. I know you are in winter now but I am sad to see our summer coming to an end I don't look forward to all of the wet dreary days ahead.
ReplyDeleteI felt a bit guilty with the office move Victoria - my boss and his wife put in so many hours of work to get it to all come together so well and for the actual move to happen over a weekend so work wasn't disrupted. All I had to do was unpack some boxes and find new homes for the stationery - pretty cruisy all things considered! And yes, the blog nomination was a lovely surprise - it keeps me going when I get a bit flat.
DeleteWhat a busy gal you've been! You're having so much fun with life! I enjoy seeing all the activities you're involved with.
ReplyDeleteSharing for MLSTL
Hi Trisha - it's always the highlights that you see at the end of the month - some of the sentence a day posts I see amaze me that people have something worth writing every.single.day! With me, it's just little bursts here and there with plenty of kicking back in between - bliss!
DeleteI always enjoy your catch ups Leanne and I love the look of the new reception desk and surrounding area. And that tee shirt, I have no doubt you will well and truly live up to it.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great reception area Jan - really well thought out and a pleasure to work in - not to mention they bought me a new office chair - much better than my old one that had a slight tilt to it. I always felt like I was about to slide off!
DeleteLeanne - I practiced TaiChi when living in Hong Kong and tried to pick it back up last year but felt myself resisting 'joining' anything. I know this is a phase so I am honoring it for now, but TaiChi is on my list. I'm jealous about your ability to borrow jigsaws from the library -- I love jigsaws but appreciate them more in indoor weather. I have one waiting for fall/winter. Thanks for sharing your recap. Enjoy your winter!
ReplyDeleteI've felt the same way about finding a class to join Janet. The Tai Chi I used to do was quite regimented, this one is more gentle and the group are really pleasant - a few who take themselves too seriously, but the rest are just happy to be there and are so encouraging. And the jigsaw thing is happening for me atm because we're in the throes of Winter down here in Oz - so I'm about to start another one while it's so rainy.
DeleteI love that Sophia is so often a feature in these coffee catch ups - it warms my heart to think that her Nan is so very fond of her :-). We had a lovely time with you for Dad2's birthday and it is really crazy to think that the next time we will see you guys there will be another grandbaby for you on the scene! :-O xox
ReplyDelete