IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE

It's time to have a coffee and a chat - I'll tell you all about what's been happening in my world this month

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE

It's time to celebrate the end of October, Spring is well and truly underway down here in Australia - so, why not share a lovely pink and Springy 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 there were four more lovely guests who joined me for Social Saturday: Lori Jo, Jean, Lise and Kristin. 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'm also in the middle of a blogging re-think that I'll delve into in November. I think it's time for a bit of a change in the look and feel of my blogging. I'm wondering if Spring has gotten into my blood and I'm feeling like a change is in the wind? My first step this month was changing my header after four years - and stay tuned for next week where I update my thoughts about the future.

FAMILY-ING

At the beginning of October I had a lovely visit up to spend the day with our DIL Hannah and our two lovely granddaughters. Our daughter Erin was on holidays, so she drove over to be part of our girl's day and it was so nice to see them all. We did a little bit of window shopping, a little bit of baby rocking, a little bit of toddler entertaining, a little bit of eating, and a lot of talking - a wonderful day all in all.

We made an end of the month trip as well to catch up with everyone - and to see the girls who keep growing and changing every day. It's amazing how much they change in a few weeks! It was also a lovely pre-birthday visit for me and I received some lovely early birthday presents - more on that in November too!


Georgia                                                                                      Sophia 

 LOSING

Our beautiful Scottish Fold cat, Callie was hit by a car two weeks ago and killed. We are missing her sweet little face and her soft, fluffy body. She was my husband's baby and we're both feeling her absence with sad hearts.
Callie

READING

This month I moved on to a bit of a binge of the Dragons of Pern series (continuing my Anne McCaffrey trip back in time) and found the first six in the series on the online library - an enjoyable reading spree.




JIGSAWING

I thought I'd tackle another jigsaw from our local library - I do enjoy a thousand piece puzzle now and then, so was happy to launch into this latest one.....only to find out (after I had sorted about 150 pieces) that it was actually 1,500 pieces (half as big again as what I usually assemble). Well, I wasn't going to waste the 150 I'd already sorted and so off I went - only to find that there were two missing pieces, so my puzzle was actually 1,498 pieces in total - and I made it to the end - can you spot the missing pieces?


WATCHING

There's been nothing on at the movies this month that has been engaging enough to inspire us to pay good money to see. Instead, we tried watching the first season of a Star Trek spoof called "The Orville" and gave up after a few episodes - I guess it's not our kind of humour? So we settled back into the latest season of Elementary - nothing like a bit of quirky Sherlock Holmes to fill a quiet hour or so in the evening. 

I'm also still deciding if I like Dr Who being a woman - it's messing with my head (but I didn't like the last guy much either so she's an improvement on the old Scottish Doctor IMHO). All I can say is bring back David Tennant.

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 November (we should be heading towards Summer by then) plus it's my birthday month, so I'm sure there'll be lots to catch up on.


It's time to have a coffee and a chat - I'll tell you all about what's been happening in my world this month

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57 comments

  1. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your cat Callie, Leanne. They become part of the family and the loss of them hurts, I know. I look forward with interest to hearing about what changes to the blog you have in mind. And, yes - I can see the two missing jigsaw pieces. How annoying for you! Have a wonderful week! xo

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    1. Hi Min - yes we were surprised at how upset we were with Callie's death - they do take up a special place in our hearts. No huge blog changes - just a bit of paring back to come.

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  2. Love your new header, I noticed it the other day. I agree with you bring back David Tennant for Doctor Who but I am impressed with Jodie so far. It's funny as I was reading your post my husband has his 1000 word jigsaw on the loungeroom floor - he loves having one on the go! I couldn't find the missing bits on yours! I look forward to reading of your changes as you let us know of your plans. I'm working on my monthly taking stock post as we speak :) . I always enjoy catching up with you this way.

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    1. I'll be checking out your monthly post Deb - it's always fun to catch up with what everyone's been doing over the past few weeks. I'm happy with the new header - it was time for a change and I'm looking forward to the rest of the year and cutting back a bit.

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    2. I hear you Leanne, take it easy :) . Sharing for #mlstl

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  3. Had to get my cup of coffee to read, I love this series. First of all I like the new header. I am so sorry about the loss of your cat. The grands are adorable. I am jealous that you have spring and we are entering the dark more than length of sunlight , fall. I notice 'Watson' wears lots of ties. They look great on her, and I love her fashion.

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    1. Watson is definitely a very snappy dresser - my husband comments on her love of suits and ties - she can carry them off with her figure! And I'm so pleased that Spring is finally appearing and our days are getting a bit warmer - it's a nice change from being in Winter and looking at all the US bloggers who were in Summer!

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  4. So nice to have time with family! Especially Littles! And I grieve with you for your little fur baby. I didn't know you jigsawed! Come over! It's the best way to have a visit! I have an 18,000 piece doozy to work on. Might take an afternoon. Or two . . .

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    1. 18,000 pieces is beyond crazy Diane - you are a better woman than me!! I'll definitely drop in and pop a few pieces in with you when I'm passing your way - you probably still be going with it by the time I save the funds to travel over :)

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  5. So sorry to hear about Callie! I also had a Callie decades ago that was hit by a car. Your Callie was a beautiful kitty. So sad...

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    1. So it looks like Callie cats don't have a lot of road sense Laurie. We live on a really quiet street and she never ventures that far, it was just such a cluster of bad timing on her part - and such a sad result.

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  6. Just this morning I was thinking about the cats I've loved. One was hit by a car and one was bitten by a rattlesnake. Makes me think my overprotectiveness isn't all bad. If they'd been indoor cats that would have happened to them. I'm sorry you lost her. xoxo

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    1. I wonder about keeping them in too Brenda - but when they're sitting out on the back lawn in the sun or the moonlight just enjoying nature, I think how much they'd miss out if they were stuck inside all day. I guess you can't stop accidents happening - and there is always a little bit of sadness that touches our lives at times.

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  7. So sorry about you kitty. Pets are such wonderful friends. On a plus note, your library loans puzzles? That's fantastic!

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    1. Yes we were very sad to lose her Leah - and yes our library loans quite an assortment of puzzles - I love being able to give them back and not to have to store them in a cupboard to gather dust. It's also nice to pass any that I'm gifted on to them afterwards as my contribution to the service.

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  8. I am so sad to here about your cat, that is so tragic and such a loss, my heart is with you. So nice that you can spend time with all of those sweet girls! Puzzles are so great for the mind and to go low-tech for relaxation as well. I am reading "Radium Girls" with my book club, it is true and disturbing, but an important point in our U.S. history, I will need something light to read after this to settle my thoughts! Thanks so much again for mentioning me as a guest poster, I am looking forward to hearing more about your blogging plans, change is good :)

    Lori Jo - 50 With Flair
    www.50withflair.com

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    1. I read a few articles on the Radium Girls - such a sad part of history that they suffered so much due to ignorance. Thanks for your kind words about our little cat, and yes it was also lovely spending some time with family and running around after Sophia and having a cuddle of Georgia - grandparenting is a lovely time of life.

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  9. Losing beloved pets are always devastating so am thinking about you and wishing your sweetie a sweet afterlife...

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    1. What a lovely thought - thank you so much for your kind words xx

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  10. Hi, Leanne - I had recently noticed your new blogging header. It looks awesome! It seems like there are many of us out here rethinking our blogs. I look forward to discovering the other changes that you have in store!

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    1. Hi Donna - I think a lot of us are at the same point in our blogging journey - where we reinvent what blogging means to us or throw in the towel. I'm just paring back and relaxing more - not pushing so hard from now on.

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  11. Oh, RIP Callie. So sad to lose your pet, especially like that. Sympathies.

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    1. Thanks Chris it really did rip our hearts to pieces - such an awful alignment of events with a sad outcome.

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  12. So sorry to hear about the loss of your furry friend. We have an aging dog, and I dread that day. I do love your new header and look forward to seeing what other changes you have in store for your blog. Happy spring to you! We're deep into fall in my neck of the woods, so that seems strange to say. :-) #MLSTL

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    1. Hi Christie - we lost our old dog a few years ago - we had to make the decision to have him put to sleep. I think it actually was easier to bear at the time because we were prepared and he went so peacefully. The unexpectedness and awfulness of Callie's death just really hit us hard.
      I'm hoping people like the fresher look of the blog and I'm paring back further over November to give myself some breathing room to do other stuff.

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  13. Hi Leanne - I like your new blog header and enjoy reading your monthly 'taking stock' posts. I look forward to reading your update next week about the future. #MLSTL

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    1. Thanks Natalie - the months ahead are just going to be about being "less" - to give myself room for "more" in other areas - it's all about balance really and I think my blog was taking up too much of my time.

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  14. What a wonderful month you've had...so many great memories but sorry about the kitty. It's never easy.

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    1. Thanks for the shares and for your condolences Donna - it's been a tough couple of weeks in our house.

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  15. Oops...hit enter too quickly.

    #MLSTL visitor (shared on SM)

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  16. So sorry about Callie! And so great that your library has Jigsaw puzzles! I love them - but am currently 'percolating' how to solve the issue of my son's kitten who visits too often for my puzzle to be safe. I've got a few ideas and hope to get one started in November. I found the two missing piece spots! Thanks for another great post!

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    1. I'll be interested to see what you come up with in the puzzle protection department Janet - fortunately mine don't go on the table so I've been spared the heartache of watching several hundred pieces get rearranged by a napping cat!

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  17. Visiting from #MLSLT and thanks for continuing to host that! I look into a number of folks thru that link. I noticed your changed header as well and as others said - I also like it. I'm curious to see where you're heading with your blog. So many folks I'm following seem to be taking breaks from blogging.

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    1. Hi Pat - I love hosting MLSTL - it seems to attract just the sort of Midlife blogs that Sue and I enjoy reading. I've just been having a bit of a re-think in regard to my blog - time for a change and time to step back a bit - not completely off the radar, but just less time on the laptop and more time out in the sunshine is what my body's telling me.

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  18. Sorry for the loss of your cat. Interesting and pretty cool that you library lets you borrow puzzles. #MLSTL

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    1. Thanks Patrick, and yes, having somewhere to take my puzzles back to after I finish is definitely a bonus. I don't like the idea of a cupboard full of puzzle boxes - and I don't tend to re-do them once I've accomplished each one once.

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  19. I am a mystery person so I enjoy Elementary. Nothing like time spent with family. Husband was in the hospital last week so all of the kids were in for a visit which was very nice.

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    1. I like the characters and their interplay Victoria - it's just a little bit quirky too and that adds an extra edge. Lovely that you got to spend time with the family - but I'm sorry that your husband was in hospital and hope he's on the upward slope again x

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  20. Each month I enjoy catching up with you over coffee (I wish IRL) and hearing your news. Your granddaughters are just adorable and so pleased you could spend some time with them. I'm sorry to here about losing Callie, it feels just like losing a member of the family doesn't it? Your book series sounds interesting although I'm not sure it is my genre. Having a new header does give you a lift doesn't it and I agree sometimes it helps to change things up a bit and also reflect on our blogging world. Look forward to November's edition! Thanks for being my fabulous cohost at #MLSTL and have a beautiful week. xx

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    1. Hi Sue - I'm looking forward to your October post to have our second cuppa and catch up. I'm sure we'll do it IRL one day if one of us gets on a plane :) I'm still jiggling around on the blog - tweaking and re-thinking and I think you know exactly where I'm coming from. And thankyou too for co-hosting - we have a fantastic assortment of bloggers each week and I really love doing it.

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  21. I love your new elegant header Leanne. I'm so sorry to hear that you lost your much loved pussy cat. That was a bad blow this month. As usual it's great to have a virtual coffee with you. #MLSTL Shared on SM

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    1. Thanks for your kind words about my header and Callie Jennifer. It's been a very up and down month all things considered - but that's life isn't it?

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  22. That's wonderful you got to spend some time with your beautiful grandchildren. I'm so sorry about your kitty. I have a cat that is pretty much my entire world, so I understand what you're going through. I've been DVR'ing The Orville but I never watched a single episode, now after reading this I'm wondering if I ever will. There's so much to watch on Netflix and tv it's hard to keep up with it all. I need to be more selective and watch only what I really love.

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    1. We don't have Netflix because I'm worried I'll end up spending my entire life binge watching all the series they have! I thought The Orville would be a great mix of sci-fi and humour - it kind of failed somewhere and that made me a little glum because I'd hoped for a new favourite to watch on weekends - que sera sera.

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  23. As always, a great catch-up. So sorry to hear about the loss of your cat.

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    1. Thanks Jo - my months are never as exciting as yours, but I still love the realness of putting a little life snapshot on the blog each month :)

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  24. So sorry to hear about the loss of your cat, Leanne. Losing a pet is always so utterly heartbreaking. But can't wait to see where your new blogging direction takes you - and I love the new header! Clever you! I want to re-do mine, but it is time consuming isn't it!

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    1. I saw a swirl that I liked somewhere in the bowels of the internet Jo and showed it to my husband. He found several things he thought I might like based on what I wanted from the original swirl. We tweaked a design and then I pared it back even further (there were originally four lines) and sized it to fit. I quite like it and I think it makes a nice change after four years.
      There's not a lot else that I'm doing - other than clearing some of the sidebar clutter and paring back the number of posts each week - more on that next week!

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  25. It's so fun to catch up this way. Sending hugs for Callie. It's the saddest thing when they aren't with us anymore.
    I used to love doing puzzles like this, but now with my knitting, I can't find the time. It's so fun, and I did see the missing piece.
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. I keep thinking I should do some more knitting Jodie - maybe when Winter comes around again I'll feel inspired - it always feels like something I should be doing when the weather outside is cold and I'm snugly tucked away for the night.

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  26. Your granddaughters are cuties!

    I couldn't get into Orville either but I'd heard good things about it so I tried... but also gave up!

    So sorry to hear about your cat. xx

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    1. I'm wondering if Americans have a slightly different version of what's funny to us Deb. It all looked so promising and I was really disappointed to not like it. We gave it about five episodes and then threw in the towel. Mind you, I'm not loving the new Dr Who series particularly either (sigh)

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  27. Oh I'm so sorry to hear about Callie! :(

    Haven't done jigsaw puzzles in a long time but I used to love them. Hope your week and month ahead are good

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    1. Yes it was a very sad time at our house Sanch - I didn't realize what a special place she had in our hearts (it's always the quiet ones who sneak in and steal your love).

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  28. I'm so sorry to hear about your cat. That is so sad to hear but I am wishing you well. I miss David Tenant too. He was wonderful as Doctor Who! #anythinggoes

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  29. What sweet granddaughters! And so sorry to hear about your cat. Thanks for sharing with us at The Blogger's Pit Stop! Roseann from This Autoimmune Life

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