MY FABULOUS MAY
Thank goodness for Autumn - the cooler weather, the sunshine interspersed with rain, the gradual lead-up to Winter, and seeing the garden and nature begin to green up after the long, dry Summer we've endured. As we head into Winter, there'll be no snow or freezing temperatures here in Western Australia, and that's fine with me - I like my weather mild and fairly predictable. On that note, here's what's been Fabulous throughout the lovely month of May....FAMILY-ING
Well, May was a family-free zone as far as in-person visits from our
kids and grandgirls went. We tend to see them every 6 weeks on
average and their last visits were at the end of April. So May
slipped by quietly - but I did get some lovely Mothers Day cards
from them and phone calls - both of which make my heart happy, and
my husband (who loves buying presents) bought me some beautiful
flowers and even collaged a card for me (my books of collages are
obviously having an impact!)
So, all in all it was still a good month as far as not feeling
completely neglected for Mothers Day. My own mum was down visiting,
so she got the MD love instead and enjoyed soaking up the day.
BLOGGING
Things on the blog have been steadily progressing. I was contacted
by the
Australian Over 50's Living and Lifestyle Guide
(an online and in print magazine) asking if they could publish
some of my blog posts as articles. I was happy to agree and I'm
looking forward to seeing if it eventuates and enjoying the
collaboration.
If you missed any of my posts this month, they ranged from my
"dodgy" hip story through to my discovery of Glimmers. I've
included the links below if you'd like to read any of them.
WORKING
A few weeks ago I shared that I had
a new little part-time job. It was something I applied for on the spur of the moment, and
now I'm neck deep in the early stages of mastering a new computer
system, different terminology, a very fast paced environment, and
a 9.5 hour + travel time work day with no breaks. It's felt a
little daunting because I'm not there for a stretch of days to
start to feel like I'm in the flow, so I'm changing things around
a little to make it work for me - it's good to have a busy day -
but not a crazy one!
Despite the hard work my brain has to do - and the fact that it's
in a health environment so I need to wear a mask all day (I really
don't like masks!), I think it's been a good decision, and it
breaks my week into 'before and after work' so I really appreciate
my almost retired life even more! Now I just have to get the
workday flowing more gently and it will be spot on.
CREATING
After finishing my fourth book of collages (yes they really have become my "thing") I started on Book 5 and I'm staying with basing each collage around Amy Sol's characters. I love their whimsy and being able to colourize them with watercolour paint to mesh with the theme of the page. I'm also using a lovely book I found on the secondhand book stand at our shops - it's about a home and garden in Italy, so I'm keeping occasional pages as backdrops for my images because they're pretty and the paper quality is really good.LOVING
In honour of my six "F" words for my Fabulous 60's, this is what I've been loving lately....
Family - This is just a little shout-out to my husband who has
stepped up big time with keeping an eye on me while I'm not as
functional as I used to be. I feel a bit like a princess when he's
doing the vacuuming, or unloading the dishwasher, or walking more
slowly when we're out. He's even started to come grocery shopping
with me to keep me company and to access the lower shelves (so I
don't have to bend!) I hit gold when I scored him for a
husband!
Fruit - our two orange trees have been quite prolific this year and
the fruit are beginning to be ripe enough to eat. Nothing beats
a nice tangy orange straight from the tree, and there's enough
to share around the neighbourhood and with friends.
Freedom & Flexibility - All I can say here is that starting work for only one day
a week has made me appreciate how lovely the other six days of the
week are. I don't know how I ever managed to work 4-5 days a week
and maintain all the other parts of my life - I must have been
crazy busy. Now
I meander very pleasantly along
and take absolute delight in my at-home days.
Fabulosity - In honour of all things Fabulous I have to do a shout-out
to Eurovision - the weirdest and wackiest song contest on earth -
it's televised in the middle of May, and I've been watching it for
many, many years (you either get it or you don't - it's quite
strange in an 80's pop culture meets political inter-play kind of
way). Not surprisingly, it was an outright win by Ukraine this
year - because, ultimately, it's all about the politics! The
performances are not quite as zany as they used to be, but there's
always something that stands out from the crowd, and this was my
pick for the catchiest tune of the competion:
A FABULOUS QUOTE TO FINISH WITH
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| Image courtesy of Collene |
JUST A FINAL NOTE:
If you'd like to know when I write a new post, please click HERE for email updates.
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at
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That was my pick as winner for Eurovision also. Great minds think alike! Lol. MUM. xx
ReplyDeleteIt makes me smile every time I listen to it - witty and silly and clever. You can't ask for more than that! x
DeleteFabulous to catch up with May at yours! Lots for me to love and for me to learn more. March might seem a long way to go for your surgery but crazily it will come faster than you think. Glad the job is harnessing new parts of the brain for a bit each week, allowing the other parts to enjoy their creative stints when you are home. We have both chosen (and they us) great partners in our lives! Denyse...
ReplyDeleteHi Denyse - I'm sure March will arrive more quickly than I expect - I'm choosing to think it's a long way away so I don't think about it too much. At the moment I'm working on how to be as functional as possible without medicating myself to death! And yes, the job is certainly challenging my brain cells atm and being home on the other days is a pleasant respite.
DeleteHi Leanne, glad to hear that you have reach a balance between work and leisure and I am also glad that you heard about your surgery. It will be here before you know it... time goes so quickly. Here, it's Spring and starting to get warm weather. Those oranges look delicious! What a joy it must be to pick a fresh orange right in your backyard! Your blog posts would be a beautiful addition to that magazine. Thanks for sharing! Your blog is my Monday morning cup of tea!!
ReplyDeleteHi Yvonne - I'm so grateful for your comments and positivity - I want to be sitting having a cuppa with you on Monday mornings - but I guess my blog is my "proxy"! I'm hoping March rolls around quickly, it will be nice to not have to take meds anymore, and to be able to walk without looking like a zombie!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed the wolf eating a banana - it makes me smile everytime I listen to it - Eurovision at its best. Life is good and a laugh always makes it even more fabulous. xx
Just dipped into your blog Leanne. Good luck with the potential magazine collaboration, you deserve the recognition. I have a dodgy hip after someone fell on me at the station. I find a heat pad really helps but, of course, not practical if you’re at work or shopping. The first month of a new job is always a bit challenging and then suddenly it all falls into place. Maria
ReplyDeleteHi Maria - I'm trying to imagine someone falling on you at the station - it would be funny if it wasn't so serious! The surgeon has assured me I'll be right as rain again with my new bionic hip - I just have to wait out the next 9 or 10 months to get it (I'm sure I'll appreciate it more when the day finally arrives!) And thanks for your kind words about the magazine articles - I think it would be a lovely collaboration too.
DeleteOh I forgot... love your quote and you're fabulous! Love Give that Wolf a Banana, so much fun and catchy!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your hip problems, Leanne. Do take care. My husband had a hip surgery due to an accident about 11 years ago and is doing well.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your update and am happy that your hubby is taking good care of you. What would we do without them, I wonder! ;)
Unfortunately, I couldn't view the video of your collages but enjoyed watching your Eurovision Contest pick!
Hi Corinne - sorry you couldn't view the video - I usually put them up on my CTH FB page too - so you can see it there in the next day or so. I hear really good things about hip surgery - so I'm very hopeful and looking forward to next year being the end of my limping.
DeleteThat does sound like a fabulous May!
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely month Joanne - nothing spectacular, but very pleasant.
DeleteLeanne, with the exception of your hip limitations it sounds like you had a very balanced May. Don't you just love it when hubby steps up his game when he sees you struggle. I have one of those guys too.
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne, I'm so grateful that the guy I fell for when I was barely out of my teens, turned out to be a keeper. He's definitely much better at dealing with a long term issue like this than I would be!
DeleteLovely recap of what's happening in your life .... I'm thinking I need to do a similar post. And try and photo some more of my crafting projects. I love seeing your collages; folks might like seeing my crafts. :-) As always - you are inspiring me!
ReplyDeleteHi Pat - I'd love to see your craft projects and little glimpses into your new life in the sunshine. I think the benefit of taking stock posts is that they remind you of how many little blessings (glimmers) you have in your life every day.
DeleteHi Leanne. I always enjoy your fabulous updates, and this one about May, was no exception. I'm really grateful to you for introducing me to glimmers. I'm making them a part of my daily life, and I'm sure they will evolve into a good habit. I'm glad to know that after the surgery, you won't be in any more pain. What a blessing! I loved your 5th book of collages, and am glad that this creative process brings you so much joy. xxx christina Daggett
ReplyDeleteHi Christina - I think the concept of Glimmers will be with me for a long time. It really fits into my worldview of looking for the positives and the little moments of joy that are always there if we choose to seek them out. I'm so glad you like my collages - your encouragement keeps me going! x
DeleteLooks like you had a great May. Very nice. Happy for you. Thanks for all the great lessons your writing provided me this school year.
ReplyDeleteThanks Patrick - I'm glad you're enjoying my posts - there's always something that interests me that I like to share with others.
DeleteWonderful post! I hope to take some optimism from you about retirement and the second half of life!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words - I'm really surprised at how enjoyable this stage of life has turned out to be. It's like all the hard work in the first half is paying off ;)
DeleteCongratulations on the website wanting to reprint your blog posts!
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous of your oranges. Our new (planted a year or so ago) orange tree was covered in blossoms this spring, but we ended up with only a few baby oranges and now we're down to: 1. I have no idea why the fruit didn't set well.
We've been lucky with our oranges - we also have a mandarine tree that fruits abundantly every second year - which I've been told is not unusual. We have a third tree that was a lemon and died and was replanted as another orange tree and is struggling - it's obviously not enjoying it's spot but we can't figure out why. You might find that your orange tree just needs another year or so (or some citrus fertilizer) for it to get into the swing of things.
DeleteThank you Leanne for sharing you fabulous May with us at #weekendcoffeeshare. I'm glad to hear you have an appointment for your hip replacement. Even though March seems a while away, it's a step forward to the solution. I enjoyed seeing your collage and your beautiful orange tree. Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie - thanks for another great link party (the last of a dying breed!) and yes, I'm sure March 2023 will be here before I know it. As the pain steadily increases, I think I'll be very happy to have the op - and will make me appreciate the result even more!
DeleteDid you see the wolves do the flash mob before the competition? So cute!! They were def fun! I've been playing MIKA since. I'd forgotten all about him...glad the job is interesting and engaging. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHi Lydia - now I'm going to have to google the wolves doing their flash mob - any excuse to play their song again (and again) I keep singing snippets of it randomly around the house!
DeleteHi again, Leanne, I read this post on my phone last week, and I don’t like to type a comment on my phone. I enjoyed the fun, colourful, fabulous update! Congratulations on some of your posts getting published in other sources. More readers get the benefit of your thought-provoking wisdom. Great to read the update on your job. Take care and we will stay connected. xx
ReplyDeleteHi Erica - it's so lovely to have you back commenting - I missed your encouragement and the joy that always shines through in your comments. Maybe I'll even see you blogging again! Hope all's well in your family and your world xx
DeleteI enjoyed your update Leanne. I think I would enjoy just working 1 day a week. Your orange tree is amazing...I can imagine how juicy and sweet they are. That is one thing I wish we could grow here in Washington because I prefer oranges over apples. Here's to hoping things go well with the hip and in the meantime, you're able to find ways to ease the pain. We're gearing up to hopefully have some summer, but it's taking it's time. A few hot days here and there but still a lot of rain, which hopefully will tame the wildfire season.
ReplyDeleteHi Kirstin - I'm finding one day a week working very luxurious after all those years of working so many more days a week. It just pops up in my week and then it's done and I'm home again - and it keeps my brain cells firing! The hip is really annoying, but it is what it is and I refuse to let it beat me. March will be here before I know it and I'll be a new (bionic) woman. :)
ReplyDelete