SUNSHINE, LOLLIPOPS AND RAINBOWS ~ WHAT'S MAKING ME HAPPY #5

There's always something to be grateful for, something to smile about, and something silly to laugh at - we just need to look for them.
 

IT'S TIME TO BE HAPPY

December and Christmas are behind us and we're into 2021 already! I can't believe how quickly time has flown by - so now it's time to share some "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows" ..... Sunshine - what's been happening to make me happy, Lollipops - silly things and memes that gave me a smile, and Rainbows - what I'm grateful for this month.

SUNSHINE/HAPPINESS

There's been lots to be happy about this month and first and foremost is always family. Because we live a couple of hours away from our kids, Christmas is always a great time for them to come for an extended visit and for us to enjoy having them with us.

FAMILY

December equals Christmas and we had a wonderful time with both our kids and their spouses and of course, the delightful grandgirls. Lots of combined family events, lots of time playing with the girls, and just enjoying being together. My heart goes out to those who couldn't do this because of covid, but for those of us who could, it was even more special.

Family time

SCOOTING

With 2021 being the year I turn 60, I've been looking for ways to make that a special milestone - rather than feeling a bit flat that another decade is fading into the rearview mirror. My "Ah Ha" moment came when I decided to do something completely out of character (but also something I'd been wanting to do for a very long time) - I bought a scooter! I'm giving it a post all of its own next Monday, but thought I'd share a little video of my first ride here - it's so much fun!

BLOGGING

In November I reached the 6 year blogiversary of Cresting the Hill  and December's big moment was reaching 1 million views of my blog. It made my heart very happy to see that number tick over in my side bar and to be reminded of all the wonderful people I've met over the years - so many friends and connections - and that's what it's all about. I'm not sure if I'll ever get to 2 million views, but I'm stoked to have made it this far - thank you for being one (or more!) or those visitors.

Links to my December posts are at the end of today's update and I'd love you to pop in and read any you miss. And just a reminder from last week when I shared my Word of the Year for 2021 - CULTIVATE - I'm opening my blog up to anyone interested in guest posting. So have a read of last week's post and send me an email if you'd like to join in the fun. And for anyone who's already offered, just let me know by email when you have your post ready and we'll make it happen.

LOLLIPOPS/MAKING ME SMILE

And of course I had to include a few memes from the month that gave me a smile....

Some December smiles

RAINBOWS/GRATITUDE

We had a wonderful start to December with a few days holiday on Rottnest - a little island off the coast of Western Australia that's famous for its quokkas - little marsupials who are super friendly and happy to have their photo taken. We were so grateful to be able to spend some time in the sunshine without any covid to spoil our time away.

Time away on Rottnest Island 2020 - quokkas, icecream, bakery goods and relaxation.

We arrived home from Rottnest, unpacked, and then it was time to start decorating for Christmas - and that's where a spanner was thrown in the works - I managed to randomly tear my calf muscle when I picked up a box of Christmas decorations (how does that even happen??) And I've spent a few weeks hobbling around until the physiotherapist got me back up and walking properly. So in a two day period I went from Picture 1 to Picture 2 below. I'm very grateful for my super helpful husband and to be recovered in time for spending that lovely Christmas time with the family.

From sunshine and freely moving legs - to home time and a torn calf muscle.
 

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Well, that was a long one from me! Do you have some highlights this month that are making you smile and count your blessings? Is life in general treating you well or are you getting swamped with the dismal state our world seems to be in right now? I hope you're choosing joy where you can and that there's some sunshine in your day.

ALL MY DECEMBER POSTS


There's always something to be grateful for, something to smile about, and something silly to laugh at - we just need to look for them.

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38 comments

  1. I am glad you are continuing with this theme for your posts, even periodically. I see the title and I immediately smile. “...just enjoying being together...” is the best! I look forward to ‘The Scooter Blog.’

    I was thinking about your calf muscle this week and hoping you are getting better. I feel guilty talking about my virtual Iceland walk when any type of walking/hobbling is a challenge for you. Glad to hear you are getting better. Wonderful photos, Leanne, especially the smiles on you and your family. I look forward to more Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows in 2021.xx

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    1. Hi Erica - I often wonder whether I should continue these posts, but I always enjoy seeing what other bloggers are up to - a little glimpse into their worlds - so that inspires me to keep sharing mine.
      The calf is slowly improving and my walking distance is increasing almost daily. I certainly don't feel up to walking around Iceland (even virtually) but I also don't feel like an invalid anymore, so life is pretty darn good.

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    2. I am with you, Leanne, on how I enjoy seeing what other bloggers are up to. No need to walk Iceland. xx

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  2. Hi Leanne, you look so happy during your stay at Rottnest Island. I think we appreciate the ability to travel now that it's not as easy as it used to be. We can't take it for granted when lockdowns and border closures can happen suddenly, like Brisbane is currently going through. Christmas was special this year for me, being able to spend time with my brother who I haven't seen much due to border closures. I hope you recover well from your injury. Regards, Christina

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    1. Hi Christina - we had such a lovely time on Rottnestt - it feels like such an escape - even though it's not that far away from home. Just being cut off from the world and in a place where the pace is so much slower is such a wonderful break. So glad your Christmas was lovely - covid has also made us so much more appreciative of family time hasn't it?

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  3. Good to hear your leg is on the mend Leanne. I loved the photos of the time spent with family. It’s such a precious time, which hits home for me as I haven’t seen my daughter, son and grandchildren for 14 months due to covid. The broken arm forced us to cancel Christmas with my in-laws whicH was very disappointment. Luckily we will be having a Kaye catch up in a few weeks. Your holiday at Rottnest sounds great. Also well done on getting your scooter for your 60th. My Camino Walk was for my 60th birthday

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    1. Hi Jen - I'm so sorry you haven't been aboe to ssee your kids and grandkids. I know when we were locked into zones for a few months last year I absolutely hated being cut off. Hopefully the borders will open as the vaccine becomes available and people will be able to visit each other without the risk of infection.
      Hope your arm is also slowly improving - being incapacitated sucks - especially for someone as fit and active as you are. I think my scooter was a bit easier and cheaper than a Camino visit - but you would have had a much 'bigger' takeaway from that trip of a lifetime. x

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  4. A great wrap-up with lots to smile about Leanne, I love the memes too :) Glad your leg is recovering, being out of action is not cool - but what is cool is your new scooter!! How exciting is that!! I have pinned this post and enjoyed reading your catchup news as always. #lifethisweek

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    1. Hi Deb - I'm loving my little scooter - travelling a little bit further afield each week as I figure out routes where I won't be holding up other drivers (it isn't super speedy - and neither am I!) The leg is slowly getting there and I can almost hop on it - which apparently is the sign that things are pretty much back to normal.

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  5. I am making the best use of the time I have, keeping myself occupied with household chores, work, and hobbies like blogging and learning French

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    1. My husband wants to have another go at learning French Pradeep. I've heard Duolingo is a good resource - the CD's I bought him years ago don't seem to have stuck in his head.

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  6. I had been wondering how your leg was so glad to see you're on the mend. I would love to go to Rottnest Island one day (next time I visit WA for sure). Love the meme's - they all made me smile! Also love your word CULTIVATE and I look forward to seeing how you put that word into action during 2021. Once I am more back into the swing of things I will put my hand up for a guest post. Easing myself back at the moment still though! Oh and I love the short video of you on the scootter! What fun! xo

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    1. Hi Min - I'd love you to be a guest - feel free to email me when you're in the zone and ready to set a date - no pressure, I'm just taking anyone who's wanting to share the love when they're ready to share it.
      My leg is coming along in leaps and bounds (well.....in slow steady increases in the distance I can walk - the leaping is yet to return!) and the scooter is a blast - a few more pics next week. And yes, Rottnest is just lovely - definitely worth spending a few days though - not just a day trip.

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  7. I love the gratitude. I sometimes try to list things but always feel like I come up with the same things. My house, my mum, books, TV, blogging friends.

    I love the scooter video! You'll need to get one of those helmets with a camera on so you can take us for rides!

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    1. It'd be a pretty meandering video if I had a helmet cam Deb. My husband bought me cat ears for my helmet - but it won't fit in the seat compartment with them on - super disappointing! I also tend to have the same things on my gratitude list - which is why I just throw random stuff up for the month - I can usually come up with a few things over 30 days or so!

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  8. Hi Leanne you had a lovely December despite your torn calf muscle which I'm sure was painful. Congratulations on 6 years of blogging that means in January it is my 6th year as well. Each year we keep saying no more, yet here we still are. Good for you getting the scooter I didn't really do anything special like that for my 60th but I did run a marathon at 61 so that is just as crazy! Have wonderful January and look forward reading what you get up to. x

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    1. Hi Sue - I know what you mean about the stop/continue blogging saga. We both seem to hit the wall at around the same time don't we? I've found things a lot simpler since I reduced down to one post a week and we stopped the MLSTL party - it gave me a bit of breathing room. Who knows where 2021 will take us - but I think we'll both still be here at the end of it blogging away and hoping that others are too. x

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  9. Leanne, I remember that you mentioned a while back that you were planning to buy a scooter, and it is nice to see that you followed through. I gave up my car just before Covid and have not replaced it, maybe when I do get new wheels I will consider 2 and not 4 as an alternative.

    I like the casualness of these types of posts from you and look forward to reading about what you are up to. I do miss MLSTL, but I understand the time commitment that must have been. Enjoy your summer!

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    1. Hi Suzanne - I miss MLSTL sometimes too, but I do enjoy having my Wednesday free-er and spreading out my blog post reading throughout the week. And yes, I feel like I committed to the scooter on the blog so definitely needed to follow through - I'm trying to make braver choices and not playing quite so safe. It's been fun so far and hopefully I'll stay upright so the fun doesn't end!

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  10. I am so glad you could spend some time with your family over Christmas. It was very special this year. Congratulations on 1 million viewers! That is quite a milestone. Have fun with your scooter. That is so cool! I look forward to reading more about your scooter adventures.

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    1. Hi Laurie - I was so stoked when the counter in my sidebar ticked over to one million - it was a bit of a Wow! moment - but it's really more about the friends and connections I've made on the blog rather than the numbers of views isn't it? I'm looking forward to sharing the scooter post next week - it's been a lot of fun so far.

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  11. Hi, Leanne - I love your December and January recaps. I am delighted that your 2021 is off to a (mostly) good start....well, except for your calf muscle. I am glad to hear that you are reovering and are able to walk more and more. I promise not to pull you in to a virtual walking challenge with me...at least not yet! :D

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    1. Hi Donna - I think I'm too laid back atm to launch into any commitments - walking, reading, working etc - I'm keeping "Type A Leanne" on a very short leash and allowing myself to just do what I feel like when I feel like it - so far it's been working well - even with the gimpy leg. :)

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  12. Congratulations on six years of blogging, a great achievement. I enjoy reading and your trip to Rottnest makes me envious, WA is on my radar for a visit.

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    1. Hi Jan - Rottnest is just beautiful - slow paced, gorgeous beaches, nice food, cute quokkas and no cars - just perfect.

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  13. Wowsers to your blog views. That is testament to you providing awesome and interesting content to people all over the world. Go girl!

    And go girl on the scooter. Never say never I reckon. I am sorry you hurt your calf. The prices of being human....and how good is tubi grip to help you feel supported. I used it for quite some time following my leg being used to fill parts of my mouth back in 2017.

    I can see you will have a great time leading up to the 6 0.

    Thank you for linking up for Life This Week. Next week the optional prompt is Back To. 3/51 #LifeThisWeek 18 Jan. I hope to see you there. Denyse.

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    1. Hi Denyse - I'm not sure how I managed to get so many views - but I'm grateful for every one of them. Now days I blog a lot less, so the numbers are smaller but I'm still delighted with every view and every comment. The scooter is turning out to be an absolute joy (as long as I stay upright) and my calf is healing well, so I really have nothing at all to complain about in this year leading up to 60 so far. :)

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  14. Glad you got to see your family for Christmas. I had 5 of my 6 children home on Christmas day. We were lucky with limits because some of them still live at home. I can't imagine ever getting to 1 million blog views, Congratulations!! It looks like turning 60 won't be slowing you down. :)

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    1. Hi Veronica - I'm so glad you had almost all your family with you too - SIX kids - that's quite an achievement in itself! And yes, the blog views amazed me too (I'm a lot less prolific these days, so they've slowed down a bit) and the idea of turning 60 is a lot less daunting than I'd expected x

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  15. Sorry to hear about your calf but how lovely to be on Rottnest all the same. It's such a lovely spot!! I'm quite jealous! And while congratulations are in order on the blog, I reckon bigger congratulations are earned on the sacooter! Way to go, shaking things up and fulfilling dreams!! Never to late! Go you!!!

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    1. Hi Lydia - yes that's exactly how I feel about the scooter - new lease on life etc and it just makes me happy - I even bought a really fun pair of sneakers to ride it with - inspired by your rainbow ones!

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  16. I do love these what's making me smile posts, Leanne. I'm so happy that you were able to spend time with family and have a short holiday with the husband. I'm sorry you hurt your leg. How does that happen? Once my husband threw out his back just turning to look at something (not twisting, just gently turning). Anyway, I am glad you are healing. Right now I am smiling about our new pup and that our swimming pool is almost complete. The grandchildren are over-the-moon excited, which makes me happy. Here's to a January full of smiles.

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    1. Oh wow! A swimming pool! We used to have a 14m lap pool in our previous house and loved it - but didn't love it enough to go through trying to recreate it when we moved - although our grandgirls would be in heaven if we had a pool so I can see why your grandies would be so excited!

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  17. Hi Leanne, I thought I'd stop over for a smile and as always, I got one - thank you! I love your family photos which are beautiful although I'm sorry about your calf muscle. And as always, what great memes... I love the one about waking up at 4am. I often do that but quickly go back to sleep knowing that I have friends who are getting up. Crazy! haha

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    1. I'm the same with the 4am thing Anne - I think it's when the light starts to appear in the bedroom window - but that's why we have curtains and eyelids! Lovely of you to stop by and I hope 2021 is treating you well :)

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  18. Leanne, this post was just what I needed after a long day at work. Love the scooter idea - trying out something new in honour of this special year is an awesome idea. Looking forward to reading about it.

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    1. Hi Christine - it's so much fun and I love that it just makes me smile when I'm riding it - I feel like I'm in Italy instead of Australia - I'm kind of a little bit Audrey Hepburn in my head!

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  19. Hi Leanne, so nice to see what you're up to from time to time! Glad you managed to spend time with your lovely family for Christmas, looks like fun was had by all. :-) I'm also looking forward to hearing more about your scooter adventures! Absolute highlight for me in December was buying our village house in Bulgaria - and I'm still so excited about our future here! Have a great year, Leanne, you deserve it! xx

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