It’s been a while since I posted. I’ve been busy with stuff and nonsense, some good, some not so good.
Good: I’ve had my ace Aunty Penny visiting from the UK. We did all sorts of exciting stuff like: going to Sydney, just overnight, just us two; going to Healesville Sanctuary to see koalas and echidnas; dipping our toes in the ocean; eating at our favourite restaurants; touring op-shops; playing Bananagram – if you haven’t played it you should.
Not so good: My pesky thyroid has gone overactive again. My brain is in overdrive and I can’t keep a thought in my head; I’ve lost more weight and my bony body is exhausted. Unfortunately hand tremors have made it tricky to type, and having cotton wool instead of a brain has made blogging inadvisable. Drugs are helping and I feel I’m slowly returning to a kind of normal, thank goodness.
Good: I took a delightful daytrip to Bendigo with friends from long ago fashion days. We saw the amazing work of contemporary Australian fashion designer, Toni Maticevski, at the Bendigo Art Gallery. Totally inspirational. If you like a fancy frock, get over there – it’s on until 20th November.
Not so good: The first anniversary of my brother’s untimely death is looming. It’s on my mind a little more each day. There’s a sense of foreboding. I’ve noticed myself cocooning in a protective blanket of mundaneness; laundry and vacuuming are becoming my shield. It’s not good.
Good: I met a delightful bunch of ‘Blog with Pip’ bloggers over morning tea and stimulating conversation. We met up at craft collective Our Little Caravan in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, and had excellent tea and cake from the on-sight Inchmeal Café. These women are inspiring, encouraging, smart and kind. All the good things. I’ve come away feeling re-energised. Thanks!
So I think it’s time to take stock again. List courtesy of Meet me at Mikes .
Making : New friends.
Cooking : Vegetables: I’m discovering lots of new ways with vegetables.
Drinking : Tea – of course.
Reading: The Paper House by Anna Spargo-Ryan.
Trawling: Through my wardrobe. I need to de-clutter via Camberwell Market.
Wanting: A new lens for my camera. I’ve got my eye on one.
Looking: Forward to my sister and her family visiting in the summer.
Deciding: To break out of my drought and start blogging again.
Wishing: I had more energy and less trembling. Damn it!
Enjoying: The glorious sunshine.
Waiting: For the dark cloud to descend. Maybe it won’t. Who knows?
Liking: Being part of a friendly and nurturing blogging community.
Wondering: What’s next.
Loving: Mr.B, still, after 30 years. Anniversary next week. Ahhh.
Pondering: If I’ll have enough energy and focus to start a new project.
Listening: To birdsong in the mornings and evenings. Someone’s full of the joy of spring over here.
Considering: The future.
Buying: A new leather bag. I’ve been carrying the same old bag for 10 years.
Watching: Todd Sampson’s Body Hack on channel 10. Insane.
Hoping: The future will be kinder.
Marvelling: At how quickly my girls are growing up. Nearly 16 – yikes!
Cringing: Trump – enough said.
Needing: My family around me.
Questioning: Why?
Smelling: Citrus blossom outside the back door. Heavenly.
Wearing: New ‘old’ clothes from my recent op-shop extravaganza.
Following: Woogs World and Baby Mac.
Noticing: Spring growth.
Knowing: I’ll be OK in the end.
Thinking: Thinking, thinking, but avoiding doing.
Admiring: People with focus and energy.
Getting: On with it – or trying to.
Bookmarking: Food photography tutorials.
Disliking: Grave’s disease. Booo!
Opening: A prize I won at the school raffle. Wow – a very expensive pair of headphones. I never win raffles.
Giggling: At how much I make my girls roll their eyes. Mums are so embarrassing.
Feeling: The sun on my face. Hurrah!
Helping: Nothing and nobody. Just trying to help myself feel better.
Hearing: The chickens loudly announcing they’ve laid an egg. Sorry neighbours.
Celebrating: My wonderful life. I know I’ve got it good.
Pretending: That we live in the country, like The Good Life. Just call me Barbara.
Embracing: My veggie garden again. It helps me feel positive. Neglected for too long.
It does me good to check in with myself now and again. You could try it too.
Nice to sprinkle the good times in amongst the bad times – it takes the sting out a bit. The first anniversary is always the hardest, but none are easy. Plan something nice on the day and do something good that you know he would have liked – I have found that helps. Otherwise that sinking into grief comes very quickly. I hope you start feeling better – thyroid is tricky thing. My sister was just diagnosed with Hashimotos, and is a bit overwhelmed with it all. I hope you feel better soon. It was lovely to meet you last week, just a shame that my three year old is calling the shots these days and we couldn’t stay longer. Hopefully next time I can come alone. xx
Thanks for the advice, Collette. I was thinking I might spend the day taking photos with his camera. I seem to feel connected to him when I use it. You are so right about the sinking into grief – one minute things are OK and the next you’ve had your legs kicked out from under you. I suppose we all have to go through it at some time. I’m hoping the thyroid thing gets under control soon. I feel I’ve been walloped – I’m sure your sister feels this too. She needs to be kind to herself and not take on too much. Easier said than done, I know. It was so nice to catch up last week. I remember those days when kids ruled. I could feel your frustration. My almost sixteen year old twin daughters are calling the shots at the other end now. Wish me luck!
So sorry I couldn’t come to the meet up. Would be a bit of a road trip! It sounded great. Gahhh to the health stuff, always tricky dealing with that stuff and then other stuff in life at the same time. It sounds like things are getting better though too so phew. Sending you lots of love and vibes to feeling spectacular very soon xxx
It would have been great to meet you :) I’m hoping things will get better and my head will feel clearer after the horrible anniversary. Thanks for the love.
Good wrap up, and sorry to hear about the not so good times. I do hope your health improves, and love for you on your brother’s anniversary. Loved the bloggy catch up – that was such a great thing to do! We must make this a semi regular thing x
It was so great to catch up with you and the other lovely bloggers. It made me feel so much more positive, and I’m resolved not to fall into the deep pit. Thanks for your lovely words.
It was so great to get to chat with you at the meet up Therese.
I do believe you are moderately terrific. At least moderately, if not more!
Kindness, kindness, kindness, may it be a balm you apply yo your soul as you face anniversaries, challenging times and brighter times.
Thanks for Applying the kindness balm, Annette. It has made me feel better. It was so great to catch up with you too.
Your blog is beautiful. Love you!
Thanks, Lucy.
A great reminder to all of us of just how fortunate we really are. Coffee tomorrow? Husk? Xx
Good idea!
Ick! Health problems do not sound good for you, Therese. And a sad time coming up too. I can only imagine the hollowness you are feeling at the moment and understand why the mundane is how you are filling the space. I would have loved to be at the meet up but other demands on my time. Will head out once my girl’s exams are over! How are you enjoying The Paper House?
Hollow is exactly the right word, Carolyn. I think the mundane things feel safer than putting myself out there right now, but I need to make the effort not to sink right in. A pity you didn’t make it to the meet up. Hopefully see you next time.
Thinking of you – anniversaries so very often are times of sorrow, perhaps this is an ‘advantage’ of being a grown up.
Like your list, perhaps a good idea for us all to try – thanks for the tip!
And as always, lovely words with perfect pictures. X
Thanks, Paula. Feeling a little bit flat and lost right now, but I know I’ll be ok. Glad to have posted today. Makes me feel more positive.
Thinking of you Therese, be kind to yourself and hang in there Jxx
Thanks, Jane. Trying to take it a bit easier, but you know me . . .