LIVING LIGHTLY OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS
If you read my blog regularly (thank you if you do!) you'll know I chose
"Live Lightly" as my Word(s) Of The Year for 2023. I've made a pledge to myself to
chill out a little this year and to take things as they come, rather than
trying to push too hard or trying to control everything. I hope my year
will reflect taking life at a gentler pace and stepping lightly and
slowly.
So, on that note, to wrap up June, I'll be sharing a few little
highlights that contributed towards a lovely month....
HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS
I mentioned in May's end of month update that we were doing several things around the house. The process has begun and has increased a little. We decided on a new kitchen benchtop in stone, and new tiling. That led to booking a painter to freshen up the paintwork through half the house (happening next month) and the purchase of a (yet to arrive) new dining suite and corner sofa.It's been quite unsettling for me living with a kitchen that gradually got demolished and rebuilt, but the benchtops and tiling were completed withing a couple of weeks and are finished now. It was definitely worth the messiness. Here's before (from when we bought the house) and after photos for those of you who are interested. We replaced the dark laminate benchtops with pale grey stone (that has a little sparkle in it) and replaced the small white tiled area with large white (with pale grey marbling) tiles to the ceiling. It all feels so much fresher and more up-to-date now.
HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS
I was supposed to be going to hospital next Monday to have one of my
parathyroid glands removed.....but because life likes to mess with
me sometimes, in amongst the kitchen getting pulled apart and put
back together again, I had a phone call from my surgeon's rooms
offering me an operation date 2 weeks earlier than planned. It all
felt a bit rushed with 4 days notice, but it was good to jump in and
get it over and done with, and now I'm at home on the mend - more on
all of that next week.
BLOGGING HIGHLIGHTS
It's been plain sailing and fairly quiet on the blog this month - with
no post last week due to me being in hospital. I enjoyed my first month
of retirement-on-my-terms, where things started off quietly and then went
into overdrive with my kitchen and surgery keeping me busy. I squeezed
in a couple of posts - one about my re-retirement, and one where I
shared some thoughts from Krista at
Rebranding Middle Age. The links are below if you missed either of them.
CREATING HIGHLIGHTS
I started a new book of collages this month and my theme has involved
cutting out portions of one picture to overlay onto another picture, to
try to tie together different images with one overall idea. I think I'm
slowly getting the hang of it, and it's been a fun way to keep collaging
but with a slightly different focus. Below is my progress so
far:
JUNE'S LIVING LIGHTLY QUOTE
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Yes you've had a big month of it Leanne but so pleased to hear you're on the mend and with that beautiful big smile back on your face :). I LOVE that final Mary Oliver quote and may just use it at some stage, it is perfect!!! Take care x
ReplyDeleteHi Deb - I loved the quote too - I felt like it was cheering me on now that things were going back to normal. I have this really strong desire to just be light and breezy, to not be bogged down in the "what's next?" questions - and just gently explore (good word!) what possibilities are out there that might be fun to try.
DeleteSo glad your surgery went well! The kitchen looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHi Jo - it was a relief to have it behind me and to have it slot in around benchtops and tiles! They actually provided a pleasant distraction for me (and the surgery kept the kitchen renovations in perspective). Life is always throwing something new at us isn't it?
DeleteSo glad to hear the surgery went well, and you are on the mend. And in particular, having the surgery date moved up. I can easily imagine what a sense of both surprise but also relief when the opportunity opened. In April we went through a kitchen refresh, but a little more expanded than yours. Instead of pulling down the 47 year old wood cabinet boxes that were still in excellent shape, we had them resurfaced. Then added granite countertops (bench tops!) and a backsplash of subway tile with a slight bevel around it. All of this in creams and a light gray pattern in the granite. Our kitchen is smaller than yours, but by removing dark countertops and poorly painted cabinet doors/drawers, it visually expanded the kitchen by yards! Congratulations on both feeling better and having a brighter kitchen!
ReplyDeleteHi Kristine - your kitchen sounds lovely - and your colour choices are on a par with what we've done. It's so nice to have a clean, fresh finish and I smile when I stand in there making lunch and tea. Our benchtops have a little bit of mica in them and sparkle when the lights are on - and that makes me smile too. Now I just have to figure out which shade of neutral/beige to paint the walls - SO much choice!
DeleteAnd yes, it was really good to have the op over and done with - and it also fitted in around the benches finishing and the tiling starting - so win/win!
Leanne, it's a good thing you retired - again. Where would you have found the time? Congratulations again on your successful surgery. I know you must be relieved. As for the kitchen remodel - love it. It is amazing what lightening countertops does for a kitchen. Your wood floors are absolutely gorgeous btw. Thanks for sharing the before/after photos.
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne - I thought the same thing when I was in the middle of everything - it was so nice to not have to rush out the door to work and miss being able to see the kitchen come together, or to not have enough time to recover properly. I felt like I pushed really hard to be back at work after my hip op - I didn't want to let the team down, this time was so much nicer - no pressure, just a cruisy recovery so far.
DeleteHi Leanne - Very glad to see the update regarding your health. Wish you speedy recovery. In a way it was good that the surgery date was moved forward. You got that out of your way earlier.
ReplyDeleteThe kitchen refresh looks nice. We had got our house painted in December. There were some minor repair works to be done too.
(By the way, a request to readers of my blog. In case you have subscribed to the feed of my blog, you might have been experiencing a disruption in the feed updates. My blog feed wasn't being picked up by some feed readers.
Maybe you would like to update the feed subscription with this feed URL:
https://follow.it/bpradeepnair?pub
Hopefully, this works.
Thank you.)
Hi Pradeep - I'm still getting your posts in my email regularly. I like to pop over and see what you've been writing about. I haven't always left a comment if it's a topic that's out of my scope (cricket and politics are way over my head!) And yes, it's good to be on the road to recovery instead of still waiting for my operation to happen. Getting the house painted is our next step - once I figure out which of the million shades of beige I finally decide on!
DeleteReally glad to hear the surgery went well! It's crazy how a kitchen refresh can disrupt life, hmm? I'm so glad we did ours last summer. I can't even recall how it looked before anymore.
ReplyDeleteHi Pat - I was relieved that our kitchen only took a couple of weeks - because it wasn't a complete gut and re-start. My sister-in-law's kitchen was 6 weeks to finish and they couldn't use it at all during that time. I don't think I could handle that - I love the convenience of a working kitchen (not having to use the laundry instead!)
DeleteHi Leanne, you look really well in your photo. I was pleased to read that the operation was taking place earlier than planned as you can now put it behind you and concentrate on enjoying life and taking each day as you please. The counter tops were a good choice for your kitchen as they make it look much lighter. Good luck with choosing a colour for your kitchen - it was so much easier when there wasn't as much choice!
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth - thanks for your kind words - and yes, there is far too much choice in today's world! I have never seen so many shades of "neutral" before I started looking at paint colours. I've been around in a full circle and I'm back to my first choice - so I think it'll be that one and I'll stop overthinking it all :D
DeleteThe revamped kitchen looks lovely - the new benchtop adds so much brightness. Glad to hear you're healing well too...
ReplyDeleteHi Jo - dark kitchen benches are very fashionable atm but I really never liked our charcoal one - it was up-to-date, but I just thought it was too dark. Going several shades lighter makes it all feel so much fresher, and the little flecks of sparkle in it make me smile :)
DeleteHi, Leanne - You certainly have had a very eventful June. I am so glad to hear that your surgery went well. And your new kitchen reno looks absolutely amazing. Sending big hugs your way!
ReplyDeleteHi Donna - I'm feeling surprisingly well - it's been such an easy recovery compared to hobbling around with a new hip! The kitchen has been a good distraction too - so I'm enjoying it being light and bright and fresh.
DeleteHey Leanne. This has been a crazy busy month for me too. We got back from Poland and are starting more renovation work on our apartment. I love your kitchen, especially those beautiful wood floors! I'm glad you are doing well since surgery. I love the new collages. We're off to Tbilisi, now to get more materials. Take care. xx Christina Daggett
ReplyDeleteHi Christina - it must almost be time for another one of your walk-through youtube videos so I can see how it's all going. I'm loving having a refreshed kitchen after living with the dark benchtops for 14 years - I didn't mind them, but I never loved them.....my new ones just give me a little zip of happiness when I look at them. :)
DeleteYour kitchen has had an amazing transformation Leanne. It looks very fresh and light now. You're looking well. Thats good to see after your surgery x
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer - I'm so pleased with how the kitchen has turned out - it wasn't a huge change, but it looks more "luxe" to me - more up-to-date, and just fresher.
DeleteThose changes really brightened up your kitchen, Leanne. It's just beautiful and so fresh looking! Wishing you a speedy recovery from your recent surgery!
ReplyDeleteHi Christie - I'm really happy with how the kitchen has turned out - now I just have to figure out what shade of paint to do the adjoining rooms in! And my recovery is going really well - much easier than after a hip replacement!
DeleteHi Leanne - loving the changes you made to your kitchen. It really does brighten it up and makes it look fresh and lovely! I didn't know you'd had surgery. I guess having been away most of May and spending a lot of time over at Mum's since I've returned (and not much time reading blogs or being on FB) I have missed it! I bet you're glad that is behind you and I hope your recovery is swift and you're feeling great again soon. I think that's enough medical issues for quite a while! I don't think I knew you'd left your job either! Hooray for retirement and living life your way! xo
ReplyDeleteHi Min - a lot has happened in the last month or so while you've been busy. I left the job because it felt like the right time (this time!) and I really wanted to focus on getting well after this surgery (I was feeling pretty weary from the symptoms of too much PTH in my system) and I've loved being home to watch the kitchen come together and to decide "what's next?" in the days ahead. I remember your kitchen revamp - much bigger and better than this one - but even the small changes feel big to me.
DeleteAn action-packed June Leanne and I hope July is a bit quieter for you. I've been thinking about some renovations here. My bathrooms could do with an upgrade as well as my kitchen. I'll get my o/s holiday done first though I think and then need to squirrel away some savings again!
ReplyDeleteHi Deb - a little freshen up keeps our houses up-to-date and I just find it gives me a boost too. I like that we've achieved a lot without too much disruption and kept it all within the budget we set ourselves. We've actually done quite a lot of little changes in the kitchen/dining/living area and I like that it brightens and refreshes everything. Travel isn't high on my agenda, so the $$ saved there added to my budget :)
DeleteHi Leanne, Re: your kitchen, the before versus after is significant. All worth it! I am happy to hear your surgery is over and you are on the mend. I have mentioned before how your beautiful smile does not waver despite challenges and ‘everything happening at once.’ I also believe we all have “wings.” Thank for an inspiring post and and sharing inspirational you, Leanne.xx Erica
ReplyDeleteHi Erica - how lovely that you popped in for a visit and a comment. It's always nice to "hear" your voice in the comments. I'm so glad you liked the kitchen refresh - I'm now in the process of buying a sample pot of the shade of beige that we've decided on for the walls - which is pretty much the same as the current shade - just a bit fresher too. It seems like when you start something the ball keeps rolling for a while.
DeleteI'm also smiling because I'm hoping this is the end of my hospital time for the foreseeable future - I'm ready to be 'normal' again! :) xx
Glad the op went well and you're recovering, but that must have been a bit of a stress having it jump forward. I love the kitchen - makes it so light! And lastly, frolicsome. What a word. We all need to be more frolicsome. #WWANDP
ReplyDeleteI love 'frolicsome' too Lydia - it feels young and summery - and something I'm feeling more like being now that I've ticked off these two surgeries. I think it was good to have it surprisingly brought forward - less time to think, plan, or worry (all good things for me!)
DeleteI wish I could afford to remodel my (tiny) kitchen. I'll just have to enjoy yours instead, it looks great!
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanne - we stuck with just the benchtops and tiles - it made it a lot more affordable but still freshened it all up. It's so hard to get the balance right when you're on a budget - I'm glad you enjoyed our kitchen and I hope you get a little windfall to do something with yours. :)
DeleteGreat catch up even though there were some of life's big challenges there. You did well. I think getting something like surgery DONE is better than a long lead up. This is good news for you that you are enjoying a slower pace of recovery too. BECAUSE you retired!! My husband's business, from late 1980s until his health faltered in 1996, was kitchen renos and building kitchens so I know the work and planning that goes into them. You've made a reno that works for you. We now rent and I think B would LOVE to change this benchtop here !! Goodness me, I am late in my reply to your post for Wednesday’s Words and Pics. Thank you so much for being part of the community! Denyse.
ReplyDeleteHi Denyse - a change of benchtop and re-doing the tiles gave our kitchen such a lift. I was fortunate that the kitchen layout and size was always a good fit for us - and it opens to the dining and family areas - so that's a win too. And yes, being retired has been such a blessing for not having to worry about going straight from hospital back to work. I've loved being able to take it easy and to be around for all the reno stuff.
DeleteI'm so pleased you have had your surgery early and are now on the road to recovery. So much better to not have too much time to think about it! The kitchen looks so different now, you must be thrilled with it.
ReplyDeleteHi Deb - it's SO nice to have the surgery in the rearview mirror and to be well and truly on the road to recovery. Once I tick off my follow-up appt with the surgeon, I'll be happy and able to relax. Having a fresh new kitchen has also added to it being a good month.
DeleteHi Leanne, I'm glad to hear your surgery went well and you're recovering. Your kitchen refresh looks fantastic. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie - thanks for your kind comments and yes it's good to be recovering well and enjoying the fresh new look to the kitchen all at the same time :)
DeleteI like the new countertops, it makes the kitchen look bigger. I've had the same greige countertops for a long time. One day I'll update the ktichen.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie - I loved the light grey we chose because it has little flecks of mica in it which add a tiny sparkle when the light hits them - it makes me smile when I'm in there. I'm amazed at how much difference a small refresh can make.
DeleteAnother lovely catch up for your WBOYC? link up, Leanne and your June had everything didn't it? I'm glad you are recovering well from surgery and can now move forward. Your kitchen makeover looks great and I'm sure you are happy with the result. I haven't gotten around to sharing mine yet as it isn't quite finished. Just a few odd jobs for Mike to complete the look. Thanks for sharing and happy July. x
ReplyDeleteHi Sue - I'm looking forward to seeing your new kitchen if you share some pics down the track. We're getting a painter in to freshen up the paintwork through the main living areas - nothing wrong with them, but it's time to brighten things up and we just couldn't face doing it all ourselves. A fresh kitchen, new paint, some new window treatments, a new dining setting and a new corner couch - and I think that should do for now. The budget is well and truly used up!
DeleteYou are always so inspiring, Leanne and I marvel at your energy and joie de vivre!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you've got that procedure out of the way and are on the mend. Looking forward to knowing more and praying for a complete recovery.
Your kitchen looks so bright and neat!
Hi Corinne - thanks for your kind words - I really am trying to be positive about all this surgery - I hate hospital stays and really don't want to be heading in that direction again for a long time. I'm hoping that this is the end of it for me and I can get on with figuring out how to use my retirement years well.
DeleteLeanne,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by!! At least you now have the surgery out of the way and it is over...Now on to recovery....After numerous surgeries and hospital stays, I know how you feel. Now you can focus on your planned retirement and what you are going to do wth it this time around....I hope you are having a good weekend!!
Hugs,
Deb