IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE

Because I always enjoy a good 'Taking Stock' blog post, I hope you'll humour me and sit a while as I share my news. There's nothing like a virtual cuppa and a chat, and I have lots to share from the last few weeks. #ifwewerehavingcoffee

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE

If we were having coffee these are a few things I'd be sharing from March. It's the first month of Autumn here in Australia and the weather is finally starting to cool a little. It's been a long hot Summer and now that March is behind me, and because I always enjoy a good 'Taking Stock' blog post, I hope you'll humour me and sit a while as I share my news. There's nothing like a virtual cuppa and a chat, and I have lots to share from the last few weeks.

BLOGGING

My MIDLIFE SYMPHONY series continues with two more guest bloggers - Jennifer from Second Phase Fitness shared about Sliding into Simplicity and Donna from Retirement Reflections asked What Does Your Second Act Look Like? There were also two collaborative posts that I was privileged to share - I love when something a little bit different comes my way.

I also had the pleasure of writing a guest post for Allison's blog Start A Simple Life while she was away hiking and grieving the passing of her lovely and faithful old dog Maggy. It was an opportunity to look back and be honest about what caused my resignation and how I've recovered and moved on. If you missed it you can read it HERE.

FAMILY-ING

Early in March we had our first day-trip visit from the grandgirls and their parents (before coronavirus changed the world). It's a fair amount of driving (1.5hrs each way) for them and it was such a surprise when they offered to come down to spend the day with us to hang out at the beach and then for a river walk later. I'm hoping it'll be the first of many more to come. 


The irony is that we saw some kangaroos across the river, and then two days later (after 35 years of country road driving) I hit my first kangaroo on the way to the shops. Fortunately my car wasn't badly damaged and Mum and I were fine too (although I was quite rattled from it all). The absolute blessing was to have complete strangers stop and offer assistance - one man managed to pull the kangaroo (it would have weighed at least as much as I do) from the middle of the road and onto the side to avoid it being hit by another driver - it was a busy 80km/hr road and a public holiday, so lots of traffic. 

Eventually this lovely man managed to get the kangaroo onto the back of his utility to take it away to be helped and we could continue on our way. So many major accidents result from hitting kangaroos, so I'm very grateful to have only have a few dents on my car and a bit of shell-shock to get over. It also reminded me that good, kind people are still around to help us in our time of need.

VIRUS-ING

Well we all know about the Coronavirus now don't we? To think that a few weeks ago it was a complete unknown and we were all happily going about in blissful ignorance. Travel plans weren't thrown into mayhem, weddings weren't being cancelled, shops weren't getting pillaged. People weren't panicking. We were all cheerfully popping down the shops each week to buy our groceries - no empty shelves, no toilet paper crisis, no missing hand towels, baby wipes, flour, sugar, meat, soap, hand sanitizer, pet food, etc etc.

I don't know about you, but I was beyond saddened to see people react so greedily and in such a self-serving way. If everyone had chosen to be generous and to trust that our government had things in hand, we'd have barely noticed the difference in the supermarkets. It was a real call to my heart to look for the good around me rather than being overtaken by the ugliness. It's taught me to appreciate all that I take for granted, to be grateful my family is all well, and that I have more than enough without feeling the need to fight over shopping trolleys and the last roll of hand towels. I shared this quote in an earlier post and thought I'd share it again because it's so calm and I just love it.

and the people stayed home. quote from Kitty O'Meara #coronavirus

And to finish this on another upbeat note, affirmations to music are very effective for our mind and body. This one is catchy and I've been singing it for weeks - it will stick in your head (and hopefully give you a little piece of joy - and the pictures are delightful).


JIGSAWING

I've had more time at home this month (thanks to social isolation) so I finished another jigsaw - this one was fun and another that my lovely daughter-in-law loaned me.

underwater jigsaw

READING

I finished the series that I started last month and then chilled out with my favourite author - Nora Roberts. My library has several of her compilations of older novels, so I immersed myself in some light romance and smiled at how much times have changed since these were written in the late 1980's. The references to smoking, the lack of computers, mobile phones, and fashionable outfits, show how much our world has changed in the last few decades.

Nora Roberts compilations

WATCHING

Once again there hasn't been much to watch on TV or at the movies (and nobody is going to the movies atm anyway!) So I watched a bit more of Married At First Sight as it slid into the train wreck I expected - then gave up on it because it was just too miserable to be bothered with anymore.

I've also been following along with Chicago Med, The Resident, and New Amsterdam - I'm obviously a bit of a medical drama fan. After all the drama of my own medical employment it's nice to be able to watch it on the screen instead of participating in it in real life!

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Well that's it from me during March. So, what have you been up to? How is 2020 looking? How are you handling being at home and not seeing family and friends IRL? Let me know how things are going with you in the comments because I love to chat.

A note from our cats - stay home, stay safe, and stay healthy (and nap lots!)


Because I always enjoy a good 'Taking Stock' blog post, I hope you'll humour me and sit a while as I share my news. There's nothing like a virtual cuppa and a chat, and I have lots to share from the last few weeks. #ifwewerehavingcoffee

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25 comments

  1. Leanne, Great post! I enjoy Chicago Med and New Amsterdam as well. I read Nora years ago but haven't in recent years. I really enjoyed the song and the visuals. It's still hit and miss finding paper products here in North Texas which is so crazy to me. I'm with you on that one. Hope your week is wonderful!

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    1. Hi Rita - I don't think any normal person is ever going to understand the "Great Toilet Paper Crisis of 2020" - there are just crazy people in the world. Things have settled down at our supermarkets now and most things are available - I even got toilet paper this week - there was a small pile on the wide empty shelves, but at least it was available. Still no flour or sugar though - just weird!

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    2. Greetings from a fellow North Texan, Rita! Regarding paper products, I've heard a few people say they've had some luck at the dollar stores and Home Depot. Surely the supermarkets will catch up soon!

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  2. A friend & colleague sent me a corona survival kit in the mail the other day: a toilet roll, 1 kg flour, hand sanitiser, dettol wipes, and 2 bottles of wine. Winning.

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    1. That's classic Jo - I've just been really surprised by what the supermarkets can't keep up with. The meat and milk situation got sorted quickly - but the loo paper thing drags on and so does the flour, sugar, soap etc - crazy stuff.

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  3. A lovely post Leanne, you are certainly making the most of your days. It's hard being so far away from grandchildren and I love your photos with them all. It's been a different start to the year that's for sure! I'm coping OK but feel for my daughter with her new baby, life is very different for her at the moment but she's making the most of it with online groups and facetime chats with us all. I am enjoying watching Anne with an E on Netflix, it's a comfort watch and takes me back to when I was a teenager. Thanks for the cuppa!

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    1. Hi Deb - I think the only thing that's really bothered me about the whole shelter at home thing is missing catching up with the kids and grandgirls. We'll probably only miss a few visits (we only see them about once a month) but that's a long time with the littlies because they change and grow so fast. Glad your daughter is doing okay through it all - but I bet she will love it twice as much when visits are allowed again!

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  4. Much of March has been all about the virus, and the lockdown. Now we are sort of getting used to it.
    Now all the talk in India is about whether the 21-day lockdown (which is being very strictly implemented by the government) will be lifted when it ends on April 14 or not.

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    1. We're in zonal lockdowns here Pradeep - not allowed to go too far from home, but it's not too much of an inconvenience because we can still go to the shops, still go for a walk, and still be happy at home. I just miss visiting with my kids and grandgirls - that's really the only major impact - and a cancelled wedding which was sad for my nephew.

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  5. Hi, Leanne - I love the O'Meara quote that you have shared. Such an important message.
    I'm glad that you got some family and grandchildren time in right before the shut downs began.
    Glad that you are safe and that all is well for you. Warm hugs (germ-free of course)!

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    1. Hi Donna - virtual hugs right back at you xx Yes I feel very lucky to have seen them just before all this virus thing happened. Also the videos and photos my DIL has been sending every day makes me feel even closer. We'll get through it and those grandbaby hugs will be even more special when we can have them again.

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  6. I love the quote, and the adorable picture of your kitties, who clearly have the right idea! (The darker one seems to be showing off his/her manicure, lol!) These are stressful times, but I am thankful that our young adult children are right here with hubby and me, and that work and school can still be accomplished online. As awful as this situation is, it is encouraging to see people working together to help each other through, in big ways and small. Stay well, and keep those uplifting posts coming, Leanne. They are appreciated! :-)

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    1. Hi Laura - thanks for your kind words. I'm finding that (despite the idiots) this pandemic has brought out a lot of good in people. I miss seeing my kids and grandgirls, but we have phones and video and photos and that's enough for now. My Mum and MIL are living nearby and are safe and well, so all in all things are pretty good for such a difficult time in history. Stay well too xx

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  7. Hello Leanne. Thanks for the catch-up. I'm so glad to hear that you got in a visit with the family before we all went on lock-down and that you were not hurt in your run in with a kangaroo. These are interesting times. I am still working full-time, but I am now doing it remotely from my home. The whole working from home thing has been an adjustment, but I am just so grateful that it is an option for me. The pros: love the dress code, the "cafeteria," the commute. I miss the social aspect of going into the office, the ability to talk through things face-to-face, the free gym, and my adjustable desk. Too bad I now have to use my own TP! :-) In truth, I am just so grateful that for now my loved ones are all healthy and coping. I hope you are too. Stay safe!

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    1. Hi Christie - I feel the same way about being grateful for everyone I know being well and happy. I think a lot of us are going a little stir crazy being trapped inside all day, but I've found it much easier to adjust to than I expected. I love the peace and serenity and I'm loving getting out for my walks still. Stay well too and I'm so glad you're able to work from home - our son is too and it's a challenge with two littlies around all the time! xx

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  8. Hi Leanne, I find I have much more time to read blogs these days! ;-) I'm thankful for that. I'm so pleased that you saw your family before being forced to be separated from them. I hope it will all soon be over and we can get on with normality (even if they visited once a month, it's a normality!). Just wanted to say 'hi', and if we were having coffee right now I'd probably be giving you a big hug and thanking you for being here for me (and for everybody actually!). Take care. :-) xx

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    1. Hi Cheryl - I am really grateful we got to see them too - and immensely grateful for online video calls and all the little photos and videos my lovely DIL sends me to help us feel less separated from them. Thanks for having a cuppa with me and making me feel like I'm not all alone on the internet xx

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  9. Hi Leanne, Those special family moments during the beginning of March really stay in my heart, too. I also know in my heart, there will be more visits to come.

    There is a lot to be said for blissful ignorance. I think I mentioned before how I extra love your quote.

    I have yet to read a Nora Roberts book. Is there one specific book you would recommend?

    We are heading into Day 21 of completely self isolating from people and stores. I am reluctant to head out there, except we do go on walks. Zooming with the family is a highlight for us. Our littlest is 5 weeks old and changing rapidly, of course. Our almost 2 year old puts us into hysterics with his exuberant version of the chicken dance. It is always the little things.

    Take care and stay healthy. We are in this together and will come out the other end. xx

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    1. Hi Erica - yes we're doing lots of video chatting, and our lovely DIL is sending us regular little videos and pics of what the grandgirls are doing with their day. It's funny how much further away they seem when the choice of whether to visit is taken out of our hands. Video chatting with a 3yr old and an 18mth old is a challenge!
      Nora Robers - if you like a bit of a murder mystery type thing then I'd recommend Chasing Fire, The Obsession, The Witness etc. She does great romance trilogies too - and her future cop series under her pseudonym of JD Robb is my all time favourite x

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    2. Oooh, Leslie, thank you for the book recommendations. I made a note and I am curious about the JD Robb future cop series. We find Zooming with the young ones, under 2 shuts off my daughter’s laptop all the time, the 4 and 6 year old going crazy, the 1 month old screaming......Chaos in the Zoom Room........glad to just shut if down and go back to peace and quiet. Of course, I miss them immensely. xx

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  10. Yay for reading, watching TV and jigsawing! I've been doing the first two but have no jigsaws on hand alas.

    And yes... it seems surreal that just a month ago life looked SOOOO different!

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  11. Great catch up! Sorry to hear about the roo but how lovely that somebody stopped to help. I always like to look for the helpers! Apart from the tragedy experienced by so many families and the strain that medical professionals are under, one of the most upsetting things about the Corona Age for me, has been the utter selfishness of the hoarders, like you said, if everyone took what they needed and not what they wanted, there would be enough for everyone. But like I said I like to look for the helpers and there are so many! Love your puzzle, I completed my first one this week and have 2 more on order (since Scotty said about buying jigsaws, they're rarer than hens teeth!) Personally I am loving my isolation days with hubby and the dog and there have been lots of virtual catch ups with friends and family. Virtual socialising is great, you don't have to leave the house and you can hang out in your pyjamas!

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  12. It's always difficult in times like this.But as you said we can syay home ,do our work,pray and heal.#BloggersPitstop

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  13. Good advice from your cats! I was amazed at your story about hitting a kangaroo. I'm glad everyone was safe and a good Samaritan helped you out. I've never been to Australia; kangaroo must be as common there as deer are here! They seem so exotic to me.

    What a month it has been! Stay safe!!!

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  14. Great post. Clever cats. I've been working. Albeit it from home, but still working. Harder than ever in fact. I'm glad we're in our new digs!! Fun times being at home with all this new space.

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