IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE
It's time to celebrate the end of August, Winter should be on its way out soon down here in Australia - so, in the meantime, 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
This month I covered the Four Agreements and how they related to Midlife. As well as that, there were five lovely guests who joined me for Social Saturday: Janet, Suzanne, Karen, and my amazing mum Faye. Thanks to each of them and I've linked their post to their name if you missed any and would like to catch up.
I also got around to changing my profile picture for the first time since April 2016 - I thought it was time and my new one was taken by my lovely DIL in the photo below (and cropped). A change is as good as a holiday (or so they say!)
GRANDBABY-ING
So much excitement in our family this month! Our son and his lovely wife have a new little baby girl born on the 18th of August - Georgia Skye. They chose our daughter's middle name for the baby's middle name and that made her even more special (especially to her aunty!) Georgia was four days early and weighed 8lb 13oz - a nice solid weight and such a joy for us all - and now Sophia has a little sister and we have two granddaughters - bliss!
BUYING
We made the decision to sell my husband's beloved car and to buy a newer one that would cost us less in repairs and would be more reliable. There was a lot of gnashing of teeth (figuratively speaking) as we discussed the sort of car he should buy - so much so that there is a post coming in September where I cover the upheaval and re-adjustment that took place. Ultimately we have another car - a Kia - and it's the best compromise we could come up with. A pretty good one I think. |
| Our new Kia |
READING
I've been stepping back in time this month and re-discovering Anne McCaffery. I loved her The Tower and The Hive series and I've just finished re-reading book 3 with two more to go. Then I'm going to move on to the Dragons of Pern because I remember enjoying those back in earlier years. It's comforting to delve back into old favourites.
WATCHING
Mum and I went to see Mama Mia Here We Go Again at the very end of July (we both LOVED it!), and then I mixed things up a little by heading off with my husband to see Tom Cruise do his thing in Mission Impossible Fallout - the man is amazing with his stunts - to the extent of breaking an ankle jumping from rooftop to rooftop - now that's dedication to the job!
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 September (we should be heading into Spring by then in Australia) and I'm sure there'll be lots to catch up on.
To keep up to date with my posts, feel free to add your email into the spot especially for it on my sidebar and I'd love you to share this post by clicking on a share button before you go xx
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Here's cheers to all of that. Love your new profile pic and all your news. Congratulations again on your new addition.
ReplyDeleteIt's the first half decent photo I've had in the last couple of years Jo - I saw in your 101 things to do, that you want to have a professional profile pic done - me too!
DeleteCongrats on the new little one! ENJOY!
ReplyDeleteThanks Janet - grandbabies are a complete joy!
DeleteLeanne, Love your catch up! I too got a rose gold new phone last month - yes color is critical! I was thinking just yesterday I need to get a new head shot for all my social media outlets. Your picture is lovely. Every picture taken of me in the last 3 years, I'm in sunglasses and a hat. Definitely need something better for my blog. Oh yeah, I loved Mamma Mia Here we Go Again too. First movie I had been to in almost 10 years... a great girlfriend date.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you understand the importance of what colour your phone is Patricia - my husband just shook his head :) And I really need to get a professional profile pic done too - this was the first half decent photo I've had taken in years!
DeleteNice recap and gorgeous grandbaby! As we are winding down our summer, you are just getting started with your spring. Although I love the fall, it would be nice to look forward to spring and summer again. I am considering getting a new car too. Lots of gnashing of teeth going on around here too.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how differently my husband and I are when it comes to buying a car Janis - mine was all about comfort and usefulness, his was all about speed and style. His teeth could be heard grinding at least a block from our house!
DeleteGreat to read what you've been up Leanne. Love the new pic and that new grandbaby is so cute. We're still waiting patiently for our little one to arrive.I'm tempted to do something similar this month, I missed publishing last month's sentence a day but have it all in draft form still but might just mix it up a bit! There's a lot been happening.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely need to keep up your monthly catch-up posts Deb - it's how we know what we're all doing! I can't wait to see pics of your first grandbaby - you will fall in love the moment you meet that little soul x
DeleteWhat a busy month Leanne! Congratulations (again) on Georgia's arrival, we know she will bring much joy as Sophia has done already!!
ReplyDeleteI also love a good Tom Cruise movie, and enjoyed that one very much when we were in Sydney recently. I haven't yet seen the new Mama Mia movie, but will be taking my mum to see Aladdin on stage when she's here next month.
I definitely don't share your taste in fiction novels!!!
Have a lovely day xx
I guess you can't really compare Anne McCaffrey with John Owen Sue - so we'll just have to talk movies instead of books when we finally get to meet for a coffee :) And yes, I am so blessed with those two beautiful grandgirls we've been given - such joy!
DeleteJohn Owen fiction writer - lol Leanne :)
DeleteHi Leanne, my coffee catch up is next week so I hopefully will see you there for a coffee. You have certainly had an exciting month and of course your gorgeous new granddaughter would be at the top of the list. We have so many things in common and now you have two granddaughters and I have two grandsons around the same age. Perhaps a couple of arranged marriages in the future :)
ReplyDeleteHow cool would it be to become Nana-in-laws with each other?! You are so clever and we need to start working out the dowries in the near future :) Looking forward to our coffee date on your blog next week x
DeleteHi Leanne, if I lived near you I would have gone to see Mama Mia with you! As for the grandchildren they may have to live half way between us :) Wouldn't it be fun! Another good start at #MLSTL and I've shared your coffee catchup on social media. Have a lovely day xx
DeleteCongratulations on your new addition Leanne - how lovely. Sounds as if you have had a busy month, and so glad you saw Mama Mia with your Mum. Mine is now too old to go to the cinema. But I have just bought The Greatest Showman on video to watch with her at home - I'm not sure how her 97 year old Formula One loving partner will take to it thought - fingers crossed. Sorry I haven't been around the tracks - been super busy over here. Thanks for commenting on my #MLSTL post this week too :) I'm just catching up now.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that real life is making you too busy to be online Jo - that's a good sign IMHO! Let me know how your mum goes with the Greatest Showman - I haven't seen it yet but intend to in the not too distant future. Mum and I loved Mama Mia :)
DeleteCongratulations on your new arrival, Leanne! How exciting to have a new baby in the family.
ReplyDeleteSSG xxx
Thanks SSG - grandbabies are the best gift - like a consolation prize for all the hard yards we put in as parents :)
DeleteLeanne there is nothing quite like granddaughters I have 6. Your mother was a joy to read I want to be her. lol She sounds so fun. You are heading into spring and summer and much as I am not happy about it we are heading into fall and winter (ugh).
ReplyDeleteHi Victoria - SIX granddaughters - my envy knows no bounds! I might have to settle with my two for now (our daughter isn't in any hurry to join the motherhood brigade and I think Hannah has her hands full for a while now!) And yes my Mum's a hoot isn't she?
DeleteAnother granddaughter! You are blessed! You've had a busy August. New car. New phone. (I also lashed out on a new phone. Yikes!) I've been reading some old favourites as well: Anything by Madeleine Brent. Yummm . . . And also LOVED Mama Mia 2! Thanks for the coffee and the visit!
ReplyDeleteHi Diane - other than new grandbabies and cars, it sounds like we've had some similar events this month - I hope you're enjoying your new phone as much as I'm enjoying mine - I can't believe how much better it is than my old S3!
Deleteyou've been busy! congrats on new grandbaby and of course the new car and new phone. lots of new goodies, but the grandbaby is of course the most special. i just had a grand weekend w/ my grands (7 and 8) i'm exhausted, but really enjoy all of it!
ReplyDeleteI think grandkids are just the most delightful surprise of Midlife aren't they? I wouldn't mind a dozen or so - looks like I should have had more children to make it possible - might be a bit late now :)
DeleteHi, Leanne - Thank you for the virtual coffee catch-up. I greatly enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI had noticed your updated profile pic. It looks awesome - I like the pink in your hair. Welcome to baby Georgia Skye. Great name!
Hi Donna - I had my hair clipped back in the photo and the pink that's underneath managed to show up a bit more - it's my little bit of fun colour to keep me young. And thanks for the welcome to Georgia - yes, we think it's a pretty name too x
DeleteThank you for hosting another great Link Up. I've shared this post on my social media! #MLSTL
ReplyDeleteYour life sounds surprisingly like mine as my hubby and I navigate him buying a new truck. He is very slow to make a decision and take the plunge. Both his current truck and car are ANCIENT! Sort of like your Samsung 3...girl, so glad you upgraded, the cameras on the new ones are amazing! Love your new pic and the pink hair! I wish you a good transition from winter to spring, we are at the end of summer with unseasonable cool temps, but I cannot wait for Fall, my favorite time of year. And I am enjoying my afternoon cuppa coffee as I read today, Leanne, so thank you :) Love #MLSTL and also shared on Mix (the replacement for stumbleupon).
ReplyDeleteHi Terri - I can't believe how much angst went into that car purchase - and I'm glad we won't be doing it again any time soon! I'm loving my new phone and you're right, the pictures it takes leave my old S3 for dead (my DIL took my new profile pic with my phone and it's clear and bright - bonus!)
DeleteI see you've discovered Mix too - I miss good old SU and I don't think Mix has caught up with it yet but maybe down the track I'll see some results from it.
I look forward to our virtual catch ups Leanne. Congratulations on your new little grandbaby. Such a precious addition to your family.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jennifer - it's been such a delight having a new baby in the family - we're off to see her again this weekend and I can't wait. Grandbabies are the best kept secret!
DeleteCongratulations on the new grandbaby Leanne! What a doll. Also, congratulations on the new car. Your DIL takes a nice photo. Of course, it helps that the model is one gorgeous grandma. I still have my original photo, which means it's going on three years old. At some point, I'll have to break down and have a new one taken. Thanks as always for the #MLSTL. I always look forward to the posts I find there.
ReplyDeleteThose profile pics are killers Christie - I started with a cat and a coffee cup, then changed to an old one of me, then had the same pic for two years but felt I needed a change - it's so hard to get a decent photograph these days - the camera is very unforgiving I'm afraid - but thanks for your lovely compliment :)
DeleteI really enjoy your coffee catch up posts Leanne. Congratulations again on your new granddaughter. I can imagine it would be very exciting and ohhhh how I envy those cuddles. I love new born babies with all their squeaks and sounds and innocence. Congratulations also on your new car! It's exciting getting a new car. I got my new car in December 2016 and I still love it as much if not more than the day I picked it up. xo
ReplyDeleteHi Min - yes grandbabies are an absolute delight - I had no idea how much we would love ours - all the good parts of having children - and none of the tough love stuff we had to do with our own kids! I'm also hoping that we don't need to buy another car for a long time - mine is a few years old too, but I love it and won't be trading it in any time soon!
DeleteCongratulations on the newest addition to the family and I love your new profile photo. Oh and Mamma Mia Here we Go Again was such fun wasn't it. We saw The Book Club today and loved it - more of Andy Garcia mmmm ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi Jan - yes I loved Mama Mia - so bright and bubbly and fun. I'm hoping to see Crazy Rich Asians sometime this month because it looks like it would be a good fun movie too. Thanks for your compliment on my new profile pic - it's very daunting putting up a new photo!
DeleteThis is a wonderful catch up, highlighted by the birth of a new little granddaughter. Sigh. Love is having grandkids.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up for #lifethisweek. Next week's optional prompt for 36/52 is Taking Stock. Denyse
Hi Denyse - yes having another granddaughter is such a lovely thing - nobody told me that they would be so lovable - and so easy to be with (much easier than parenting!)
DeleteJust popping back to say I loved reading this again and have pinned it in my Embracing Midlife board and shared on other social media. #mlstl
ReplyDeleteThanks Deb - I love that you are back with us on #MLSTL x
DeleteOh, I loved Anne McCaffrey books too, it'e been ages. They are something I would enjoy re-reading. Congrats on that beautiful grand baby!
ReplyDeleteI've really been enjoying them Cherie - easy to read and so clever in the worlds she creates. I'm definitely going to read the Dragons of Pern next.
DeleteOh congratulations on the new grandbaby! What a pretty name!
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy - they did well with their name choosing - not too unusual but also not super common so she shouldn't have several in her class with the same name when she goes to school.
DeleteCongratulations,Leanne, love the great big smiles, a lovely family photo. Grandparents are very special. My Nana was to me. Yes, babies do make our hearts melt.
ReplyDeleteThe grandparent/grandchild relationship is definitely something special Suzanne. I had a lovely relationship with my grandmother too and I hope Sophia and Georgia will keep wanting to spend time with us too.
DeleteThank you for letting us have a glimpse into your world! There's nothing like a grandbaby, right! Mine call me Mimi. What will yours call you?
ReplyDeleteI love Mimi - mine just calls me Nan (or Nan Nan atm) which is lovely - I don't think I feel old enough to be a granny or a grandma!
DeleteHow did I miss your last installment about the four agreements? Heading off to find that post now.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it Leah - I found it really interesting to look at and apply to this age and stage - Don Miguel has a lot of useful insights.
DeleteCongratulations on the gorgeous new addition to the family :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband has a Kia and it serves our purposes perfectly. I hope you enjoy yours.
Thanks Molly - but don't tell your husband that he's driving a "garden variety" sedan - it might make him decide he needs a sports car!
DeleteLOVE your new profile pic! Congrats on the beautiful new granddaughter, too...such a lovely name. Grand kids are the best!
ReplyDeleteHi Candi - thanks for your lovely compliment - I dithered over changing my pic but it had been two years and I thought it was time to freshen things up a bit. It's so hard to find a half decent photo though - my lovely DIL took this one with my new phone's camera - so much better than my old S3 phone! And YES grandkids are delightful beyond description!
DeleteThat's a very eventful month with the new Grand daughter topping the list. How lovely you look in your new Profile picture. I haven't seen either of those films yet - but I did watch The Spy who Dumped me and it was a riot.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words Kalpanaa - I wasn't sure about the new pic, but they say a change is as good as a holiday! I'm planning on seeing the Spy who Dumped Me at some stage because it looks like it's be a fun movie to watch.
DeleteNot much..muddling through daily life and a new autoimmune diagnosis. Still working on self care!
ReplyDeleteGreat updated profile pic. I don't know how to change mine but it will be two years old next month and was taken on a very difficult day. Need to follow your good lead and get a new one up there.
ReplyDeleteI have Nissan Altima and it has been so reliable. I am almost scared by writing that here I am jinxing myself! Both of my daughters are proud Kia owners and love their cars. When the time comes for me to car shop again, I will be torn between another Nissan and joining my girls with a Kia.