LIVING MY BEST LIFE EVERY DAY - UPDATE #3

Choosing a life of positivity one day at a time. And looking for those moments of joy that each and every day contains.

LIVING LIFE WITH A SMILE EVERY DAY

It's catch up time on the blog today - all that's been happening here over Winter. It's been a wet one for us and that means lots of time inside - or timing it right to fit my morning and afternoon walks in around the rainy periods. There's lots of other happenings, but these are a few of the happy moments that have popped up over the last few months in my life.

VISITS WITH THE FAMILY

We had another lovely school holiday visit from the grandgirls, and Sophia had made a book to give us that included all the things she enjoys when they come to visit. It was just delightful and I had to share a couple of pages here because it makes me smile - I love how she has her pigtails and Georgia has her curls.

Visiting Nan and Papa's house - Sophia's little book

Leading up to their visit we'd had a fair amount of rain and when that happens, the river opposite our house floods - it usually happens once a year around this time. They timed it perfectly, and got to go out in the canoe with Papa - their mum said it was their favourite part of the visit. He took me out a few days later and it was just lovely floating around the wetlands listening to the birds and watching the water flow along - another joy of having the free time available now I'm retired.

canoeing in the flooded river with Papa

TRYING MY HAND AT SOMETHING NEW

I mentioned in my last Update post that I was trying my hand at some hand lettering. I've kept at it and have morphed slightly into copperplate calligraphy. I find that the neatness and form of calligraphy suits my style more than the more florid lettering styles I started with. I'm still working on getting consistency and slope etc - then I'll start fiddling around with flourishes, but I find it's a lovely way to pass a little window of time every so often.

The area I've been focusing more time on is paper art collage. I know I'm never going to be a painter or a drawer - I'm totally useless at translating real life images onto paper, but rather than giving up on being "arty", I've been playing around with cutting and glue-ing, and really enjoying the process. I wrote a post on it a few weeks back (HERE) and shared more of my images, but here's one I love so you get the idea of what I've been tinkering with.

paper collage - mermaid

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING ON THE BLOG

It's been a pleasant few months on the blog. I've been adjusting to having no comments - it feels weird but also frees up a lot more time for me to be off my laptop and engaging in the real world around me. Today I've turned them back on again for this post because this feels like a chat with friends and I'd love to hear what's been going on in your world - so don't forget to say hi before you go!

I've had a couple of lovely guest bloggers - P.I. who wrote about her journey on the Pacific Crest Trail during the pandemic, and Leslie who wrote about her struggles with finding friendship and belonging in retirement.

And while we're on the topic of blogging, I just love the friendships that it creates and the generosity of those I've met. I had to share this lovely gift that my blogging friend Erica sent me all the way from Canada. Such a thoughtful present and it came with a card full of encouragement and cheer. Then I also had a book arrive in the mail from Julie - who thought I'd like to read her new novel. I spent a weekend reading it and feeling like I was in a Queensland paradise - and the heroine was a Midlife woman (what's not to love about that?)

A bag and a book - lovely gifts from blogging friends

FINALLY.....

An added little bit of fun in my life was to be invited by Agnes to be interviewed on her 2 Boomer Women podcast last month. It was such a blast chatting with her - what is it about Canadians and Aussies? We seem to have so many similarities for people who live on opposite sides of the world!

I'd love you to have a listen - we start by chatting about geography, or you can skip that part and start at the 5 minute mark if you like - that's where we kick off our discussion on leaving a toxic work place and the process of deciding the when, how, why etc of retiring early. It was such a fun discussion - and a mix of Canadian and Aussie accents!


WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Do you have some highlights over the last few months that are making you smile and count your blessings? Is life in general treating you well, or are you feeling a bit swamped by some tough times? I hope you're choosing joy where you can and that you find little nuggets of happiness - and live your best life every day.

Just to change things up a bit, I've left the comments on for this post because I'd love to hear everyone's news or feedback - catch you in the comments!

A FEW RECENT POSTS IN CASE YOU MISSED THEM


Choosing a life of positivity one day at a time. And looking for those moments of joy that each and every day contains.

If you'd like to know when I write a new post, please click HERE for email updates.
And I'd love you to share this post by clicking on a share button before you go.
Cresting the Hill - a blog for Midlife (Middle Aged / 50+) women who want to thrive

26 comments

  1. Hi Leanne, it's so good to catch up on your news and I listened to the 2 Boomer Women podcast as I did my drawing today. It was great company and a great listen. Well done! I can relate to much of it of course! I'm so pleased you're still enjoying calligraphy and your collage. You know what I've been doing lately! lol I'm looking forward to a bit of a break in another 11 days so I can breathe a little, reassess, get some other stuff done and then start the next chapter of my life. I feel a real shift within me. It's interesting isn't it? BTW - your granddaughters are adorable! Hope you have a wonderful week! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Min - I forget how much I love the comments section on my blog now that it's usually turned off! I've loved all your artiness and I think it's helped spur me on to making a bit of an effort creatively too. I can totally understand how you'd be looking for a breather though - and I'm excited to see where your "shift" leads you to next x

      Delete
  2. Hi Leanne, lovely to chat here with you again! I really enjoyed your catch up post and seeing the girls having so much fun with you. How cute to make a book of all the things they like doing at your place :) and beautifully decorated as well. I am very impressed with your collages as well, you have a real talent there and well done on persevering with the lettering too, something that requires a great deal of patience I'd say! Isn't it lovely when you get surprises in the mail? Erica is such a sweetheart! I did listen to your podcast interview and loved the guest post over at Leslie's and her post on your blog, she wrote from the heart. Wishing you a happy time ahead doing all that you enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Deb - lovely chatting here again and thank you for all your lovely comments and encouragement. I'm really hoping to keep doing a few little creative things here and there to balance out my more "cut and dried" side. Visits from the grandgirls are always delightful - we've just sent them home from another one (and we're now recovering!) They're always so vibrant and busy - it keeps us on our toes! And Yes, Erica was so lovely to think of us while she was on holidays - blogging friendships have been such a joy for me over the years (yours is one I'm very grateful for xx)

      Delete
  3. Your collages are lovely! It looks like you had a lovely visit with your family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Joanne - I surprised myself by how much I enjoyed doing the collages and how well they turned out (who'd have thought?) And yes, we always love it when we get to see the family - distance makes visits extra special (and I envy those who have adult children living nearby) But the longer visits we get to enjoy help make up for the time in between. Thanks for stopping by x

      Delete
  4. Hi Leanne, first of all, thanks for turning the comments back on for this post. For me, having these little side conversations is a big part of the blogging experience. Insightful and interesting comments attract me to bloggers that I might not have found otherwise. I know it takes time to respond, but it is much appreciated.

    Choosing joy every day is good advise and it looks like you are living the word. I am still adjusting to my new 'home free' lifestyle, and finding ways to make it feel somewhat normal. Daily life is pretty much the same as before selling the house, just in a tighter space. I don't think I realized how much I would miss my big kitchen and spacious bathroom.

    We are in week two of our one month 'beach-side experiment' and learning lots about what we want and do not want in terms of the next house and location. Hopefully I will be making a post about that soon.

    Love the book your granddaughter created for you and your collage is very artistic. Learning something new adds a certain energy to life, doesn't it? Take care and have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Suzanne - I've missed the interaction in the comments too. I think I'll gradually open them back up over the remainder of the year - one post here and there, and then properly again next year. I needed to reset my balance, get my head out of my laptop, and get my balance back. That's been the working well and I'm almost ready to dive back in again....stay tuned!
      I'm so glad you're adjusting to your new lifestyle - I imagine there will be frustrations and good/bad elements to it. The fact that it gives you time to figure out exactly what you want next is the biggest bonus. Freedom to take your time and not be rushed into a decision is such a luxury. And yes I'd love you to do a blog post on it and what you've been learning in the process. Thanks so much for your lovely comment xx

      Delete
  5. Hi Leanne. It's Christina Daggett. I still can't comment under my name, but no worries. I'm afraid to fool with it, in case I mess it up. It was great reading about what's going on in your life, and I'm looking forward to listening to the podcast. How thoughtful of your grandchildren to make you a book about the highlights of their visits with you. Things are going well here, and I'm still looking forward to contributing a post to your blog. Hope that is still ok. I'll try to have it ready soon. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Christina - just send it on through when you're ready and I'll have a spot for it no problems at all. Your life is so interesting and that unit you're reno-ing is going to be amazing. I'm always fascinated by what you and Cheryl are doing with your lives - living the adventure!

      Delete
  6. Hi, Leanne - I'm delighted to see your comments open again. I love the interaction.
    Congratulations on your interview with Agnes. I greatly enjoyed it!
    And Sophia's artwork totally made me smile!!
    Awesome post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Donna - it's strange to have them back for today and I must say that I'm enjoying the interaction too. I think I needed to step away to find my feet again and I'll gradually set them back to "on" again by the end of the year. 2022 will be the beginning of me jumping back in - I needed the break to figure it out and to get my time priorities more sorted - if I want to post each week, I need to do it in a way that works for me (and keeps me in the loop with others) xx Lovely to have you leave a comment again - I have missed you all xx

      Delete
  7. Hi Leanne- Those drawings looks so nice!

    It's rainy season here too, and we have showers mostly in the evenings.

    Glad to know you are working on some craft work. It's a very creative and healthy way to keep oneself occupied.

    I listened the episode on TBW podcast. Though I have read about you having to quit, it was a different experience listening to you speaking on that topic.

    The Zooming that you have been been doing is quite a cool thing. That sort of relieves the monotony of being stuck at home.

    Glad to know that there haven't been many Covid cases in WA.

    Take care, and my best wishes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pradeep - thanks for taking the time to listen to the podcast - it was such a fun thing to do and I love chatting with people from other countries! The craft stuff has been fun and given me some variety in my week. I've had a bit more time now that I'm not on the laptop quite so much - but who knows, I may turn the comments back on permanently again next year and be back on the blog more and chatting here more too - less Zooming and more blogging! Enjoy your evening rain - I love it when it rains at night - so nice to hear it on our tin roof.

      Delete
  8. Hello Leanne! Thank you for turning the comments on for your catch-up post. It definitely feels like a conversation. It looks like you had a lovely visit with the grandgirls. What a precious book, and canoeing in the rainwater sounds delightful. I really appreciated your reminder to choose joy and look for the nuggets of happiness. I appreciate that this month joy came looking for me, but it's not always like that I know. Wishing you a joyful month to come.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Christie - yes I loved your joyful and gratitude filled month and I like that we both find nuggets of joy in our lives when we take the time to look for them. I wish I took more photos to share here, but at the same time I like that life just happens and I'm in the moment enjoying it and forgetting to take pictures!

      Delete
  9. Thank you for sharing such great news and all the ways in which life is taking interesting and new turns. I miss seeing our grandkids but they are so much more grown up now so I remain grateful for all the times we did have them. Leanne, your collages are ace!! I love these. Hope you are keeping them in some way (I often date the back of what I do, so I can see my progress over time) and I am glad the hand lettering is going well. My left handedness was a bit challenging for good examples of hand lettering but I already had a pretty good printing hand going so am leaving it at that.
    I too am glad you are inviting readers back here to comment again.
    Thank you for sharing your post for this week’s link up in Life This Week on Denyse Whelan Blogs. It’s a lovely sharing place you’ve visited and added your post. I wish you well and next Monday, the link up is Share Your Snaps…but of course, any post, old or new, on/off prompts is most welcome. Denyse.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Denyse - it's been lovely having the comments on again for this week - and I'll probably gradually return to having them on again next year. The collaging has been fun and I've been saving them in a file for posterity. I'm tempted to do a collage journal at some point too.
      Handlettering would be tricky for a left hander - the ink smudges so easily. And grandies are the best - even if we don't see them as often as we'd like to xx

      Delete
  10. Hi Leanne, It's great to see you've left the comments on. I listened to Agnes' podcast. Well done with the interview and your paper art collage. Your granddaughters are adorable and Sophia's book is so sweet. Thank you for sharing your happy updates with #weekendcoffeeshare.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Natalie - I always love linking up with you and the others who come along to party. It's been interesting turning on the comments - I may do it more often, but it doesn't seem to have been a big surge in interactions, so I'm happy to go with the flow and see how I feel about it next year x

      Delete
  11. Lucky you get to see your grandkids. My Grandmother in law turned 100 and instead of the big party it was just zoom which was sad. But fingers crossed soon. Calighraphy is hard. Good for you.
    And glad I popped in for the comments being on again!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lydia - lovely to have you stop by, and yes I'm beyond grateful for the freedom we've had here in WA to be able to see each other and to travel around the state. There've been occasional short lockdowns, but nothing like you guys have endured. Here's to hoping Summer knocks this virus over and we can all enjoy our families - and your grandmother can have a late birthday celebration x

      Delete
  12. So glad you've turned the comments back on for this one because there's so much to love. I'm especially loving how you're getting creative with both collage and calligraphy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jo - it's been lovely "chatting" with my blogging friends again and it's certainly giving me a bit of a push to re-open them permanently - probably for next year? I'm going to do a bit of a stop/start leading up to Christmas and then see how I feel x

      Delete
  13. Hi Leanne,
    So good to actually have a name for our phase in life - midlife. Yes, that's me too. I'm 52 but our kids are still teenagers at home, and I'm trying to return to paid work rather than leave it. Are you Australian? I live just North of Sydney. Have you ever read Ethel Turner's: "Seven Little Australians"? Since we've been i the latest lockdown I've become obsessed with her wider writing and philosophical outlook, and started a new blog: "Tea With Ethel Turner" to share and discuss my research and her writing.
    Hope you have a good week.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rowena - my kids have grown, flown, married, and settled into their own lives in the city - quite different to the stage you're at! Yes I'm in Western Australia and read Seven Little Australians a couple of times in days gone by - and cried both times when Judy died! Interesting that she's become so interesting to you - I find it fascinating what engages us as we free up headspace for things that are soley about us (rather than work or family). Also good luck with the job hunting - it's an interesting time to be looking for a job - lots of work in some areas, and very little in others.

      Delete

Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.