June has come to an end so let’s have a coffee (or tea) catch up and I can share what has been happening in my world during the month. I would love you to share what you have been up to in the comments section below and keep the conversation going.
Winter is here
Sunset over Brisbane
Winter has finally arrived in Brisbane, although my idea of ‘chilly’ might be quite balmy to some of you who experience very cold, snowy winters. Still, it has been hard to get up for our 5:30/6:00am run each Saturday morning when the temperatures are in singled digits! The days in Brisbane are beautiful in winter so I hardly can complain.
Giving Back
This month’s outing with my MILs aged care home was another ride on a City Cat along the Brisbane river. I also helped with the Annual Fete and found I am now an expert at serving ‘Devonshire Teas’.
The last of my duties was to help some of the residents, complete Surveys for the Aged Care Home. It is so sad to see that some of the residents don’t have family or friends who could help them with this or even visit them. However, it was a wonderful experience for me as I met some new residents and they all had stories to tell me.
Mike and I also decluttered our study and donated all the books we have read and probably won’t read any more to the Lifeline Bookfest. We packed them up and then Lifeline came and collected them. It is always hard to know what to give away and what to keep isn’t it?
Happy Families & Birthday Celebrations
This month we celebrated my MIL’s 92nd birthday. Mike and I visited her on her special day and the staff gave her a birthday gift and sang her ‘Happy Birthday’ in the morning. She has come so far in two years since her 90th birthday and is much happier and healthier these days.
I’ve been enjoying extra cuddles with my newest grandson, Elliot Alexander who is such an adorable little boy. Ethan is so proud being a ‘Big Brother’ and enjoys his newest tradition of ‘morning cuddles’ with Elliot and Mummy before Kindy. It is also a treat for me to spend quality time with my daughter, Rachel who is on parental leave. We have set a ‘weekly date’ to spend the day together and it is time I relish.
Mike and I enjoyed a brunch at Manly and visited the Sunday Arts and Crafts markets afterwards. It is good to get out and about sometimes isn’t it? The day was gorgeous and breakfast was delicious.
Health & Wellness
The Saturdays Sisters and I are in serious training for a 34km run in July and are certainly committed. Each week we are increasing the distance and just feel so damn proud of ourselves at the end of each run. What I’m really pleasantly surprised about is that my body is recovering so well with no aches or pains – not bad for nearly 61!
I have been doing an 8 week Whole Body Makeover Challenge through Daily Om. I love their courses which are so inexpensive. This isn’t about losing weight but more about taking a couple of months to really focus on mind, body and spirit. A weekly menu is provided and a workout program which can be done 6 days per week or 3 depending on your fitness level. I’ve been incorporating this with my running program and feeling great at the moment.
Looking for a nutritious and delicious meal?
I made this delicious Slow Cooked Vegetable Soup. I just chopped up all the veggies I had on hand, added some canneli beans, barley a tin of tomatoes, some Italian herbs, Cummin powder and Cayenne Pepper and 2 litres of water. Cooked in the Slow Cooker on High for 5.5 hours and it is just so nutritious and delicious! Sorry I don’t actually measure when I cook but it is a winner in my book!
Blogging – Ch Ch Ch Changes
I’ve been blogging for 3 years now and retired for 4. I am a constant WIP both personally and with my blog. I suppose I just haven’t found that comfort level yet and so embark on new ideas and projects to bring me closer to total fulfillment in life.
You may have noticed I’ve been at it again and changed the theme of my website. To me, my blog provides pleasure and a creative outlet for me. I wasn’t quite happy with my previous theme. I knew it was better than previous ones but just wasn’t hitting the mark for me. It also clashed with some plug-ins so wasn’t playing nicely.
I will also be making other changes to my weekly newsletter and may even take a small break to recharge my thoughts – stay tuned – I will certainly keep you updated.
In other blogging news:
I was delighted to have Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond listed in the Top 10 Blogs for Women Over 50 to follow in 2018 I’m in good company so you might want to check out the others.
I was a guest writer this month for two of my blogging friends. For Leanne from Cresting the Hill ,I wrote about ‘Having the Prime of Your Life’ for her new Social Saturday series. For Cathy at My Side of 50 I relived the time I ran my first marathon and shared my Fitness Goals After 50. It is always an honour to be asked as a guest so I hope you will pop over and check out my posts.
Reading
I’ve just finished The Wife Between Us written by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen. If you like suspense and psychological thrillers then you will enjoy this book. I couldn’t put it down and neither could other members of the Summer 2018 Virtual Book Club which my friend Leslie has just started on Facebook. We all commented how there were a number of twists and turns which kept us wanting more.
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Well, that is really my news for the month. I am so grateful for the life that I have and to be surrounded by loving family and friends, including those in the blogging world.
How has your June been? Why not join the conversation and share what you have been up to?
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52 Comments
I’m a bit envious of your running temps since summer is in full swing here in GA. I tolerate the summers here in exchange for the pretty moderate winters. It’s a pretty fair trade!!
Hi Kim, your weather patterns sound similar to Brisbane – hot in Summer but mild winters. I think it is a pretty fair trade too. Have a great week and thanks for stopping by. xx
It was enjoyable to read about your month as I sat drinking my morning coffee here (11:20am) on a blistering hot Canada Day… (consider this is the reverse of your winter comment… ) it will be in the 40sC with hest and humidity.
My MIL turned 95 this month and is in more fragile health these days which threw my in-laws for a loop because she is never ill. Please be careful when visiting the elderly with a sick child, sometimes it is better to put off the visit and not risk the contamination.
Gardening is de rigeur this month and a weekend away with my husband last week was pleasant AND the temps were in single digits at night! Lol
I’m in the midst of planning a trip away with friends in October, so that’s something nice to look forward to.
Have a wonderful(ly cool) day, Sue.
Hi Lea, our summers have high humidity which is the killer isn’t it? Where are you off to in October? We are taking a cruise around Japan during that month and starting to look forward to it. Just had a weekend escape with my husband as well but unfortunately, I’m not a gardener (no green thumb) so I’ll have to let you do that on your own. Have a great week Lea, and thanks for stopping by xx
Good evening Sue.
A cruise around Japan sounds lovely! For how long? (A cruise anywhere is my cup of tea… or espresso lol)
We’re going to Israel for 12 days. Very excited since I’ve never been there, trying to whittle down all the must-sees… quite difficult.
Hi Lea! We are going for 14 days on the cruise which should be lovely – we only have to unpack once! We love cruising and hope to cruise Alaska next year. My friend, who we met on our tour of Spain last year, lives in the US and she and her friend are going to Israel this year. It would be fascinating, so I’ll be interested to hear about your trip. Take care and have a beautiful week. xx
Sue, I agree with you in regards to cruising! Love it, especially since that’s the only time my husband relaxes and stops working… hurrah for no WIFI! LOL
Aren’t we privileged to have such beautiful trips to plan? Very grateful.
We are privileged Lea. We were looking at Alaska next year but have now found a Russian River cruise which looks interesting. So blessed to be able to not just look but actually book the cruise if we want to. Cruising is certainly relaxing and we love it!
Great update! Although I didn’t grab a cuppa, Next tine …
Hi Leanne, next time for sure, but after reading your Taking Stock post, I’m not sure you ever have time for a cuppa 🙂
Great to catch-up, as always. I loved The Wife Between Us. I remember buying it before a trip to Sydney & was really annoyed when the flight was on time! Have a great July. As an aside, mine is black tea.
Hi Jo! Yes I read The Wife Between Us in about two days – couldn’t put it down. I enjoy black tea with a dash of cold water, preferably French Earl Grey which should appeal to your love of all things French! Enjoy your week xx
I love your new theme, Sue…fresh, clean and easy to read. It looks great! And as always I’m so impressed with your fitness and running commitments. Way to go! Blogging, like life, is always a work in progress, isn’t it? Like you, I’m grateful for every day that I can learn something new, enjoy my family and friends and expand my knowledge. It truly is a gift.
Hi Candi! Yes, I’m very happy with the theme and hope I can forget about that now. No more changes for a while! I’m just not in the blogging zone at the moment but that happens and so it is during these times we really need to enjoy our life isn’t it? I love blogging but it takes over sometimes and I have to remember it is a hobby! Training hard and we ran 31km last Saturday and feeling a bit more confident of achieving our big run in July. Have a fabulous week and thanks for stopping by. x
Such a full and positive June for you, Sue. A special time for your family with Elliott and your MIL. Your training for your race and commitment to your blog are impressive. Have a fabulous week!
Thanks Natalie! Elliot is so adorable and will be 5 weeks old tomorrow! Growing up too fast. We are training hard and managed 31km last Saturday so on track! Have a great week! xx
I’ve always been the same with my blog and changing the theme and look, then sometimes the direction and the purpose. It’s such a wonderful thing to have an outlet like a blog. I wouldn’t give mine up for the world (this month, haha).
Hi Suger, yes, although I have days when I wonder why I’m blogging, the connections and relationships I have built certainly makes it worthwhile. I think it gives you a lift to change things up occasionally. Have a great week!
I love your blog so much, Sue. The changes you make to it reflect you and your direction / priorities in life and I’m happy to be there along for the ride. I’m in awe of the 34K. I’m training for the city to surf in Sydney. Only 14K and my pace is still pretty ordinary but I am looking forward to race day. Might suprise myself.
What a lovely day you spent with your MIL!
SSG xxx
Oh you have made my week SSG with your comment. I sometimes wonder why I blog and then I receive a comment like yours and that is my answer – the lovely connections and relationships I have built is priceless. Way to go and good luck for the City to Surf. I’ve not done that one but my daughter went down a number of years ago and ran it. I’m sure you will do much better than you think. The atmosphere on the day helps tremendously. Don’t forget a photo of yourself with your medal!!! Have a great week. xx
Wow, that is a big run! I need to find a goal to work towards as I have been a bit slack with my exercise as of late.
Yes we are working towards a Marathon, Anne so I will see how I go. I find running with my Saturday Sisters, working towards a few fun runs each year, gives us a purpose and goal to work towards. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by to comment. xx
It seems strange, as I sit here in Texas USA in 100 degree days to read of your wintertime single digits. I think I’d love to live near the equator, where it’s summertime all year round – no winter!
I love reading about your life in Australia.
We are lucky in Brisbane, Trisha as Winter is pretty mild but our Summer can get hot and humid. I’m pleased you enjoy my posts about Australia, perhaps I should include them more often. Have a great week and Happy 4th July xx
Great to catch up Sue. Looks like it was another busy month for you. I’m quite jealous of your winter weather as we freeze here with early temps below zero. Looking forward to getting up there soon to the warmer weather. Well done on your running. You should be feeling very proud
Thanks Jen and yes it is pretty mild up here. Hopefully we can catch up when you visit. Take care and talk soon. x
I love winter in Brisbane. Apart from the George St wind tunnel haha.
Hi Vanessa I didn’t realise you lived in Brisbane?? Have a great week! Winter in Brisbane is pretty mild and full of sunshine – we are very lucky!
I’m so glad it’s not winter here, I don’t like the winter temps. Summer and hot temps suit me just fine. I know you are enjoying the new grandbaby, aren’t they just the best things ever? The soup looks yummy! I did notice you’d changed your site theme. I’m due for an unplug from blogging myself to enjoy the summer and the grandbabies.
Hi Dee, Elliot is so adorable and I’m sure you will enjoy your summer with your grandbabies. We do sometimes need to take a break from the blogging world and remember what is really important in our lives. Take care and thanks for stopping by xx
Hi Sue,
Outstanding work on your training. I was interested to read that you’re doing the Daily OM total makeover course. I’d looked at that course but hadn’t signed up. It sounds like maybe I should, or at least go back and review the Daily OM courses to see what might appeal. I took the Daily OM 21 Days to Love Your Body course with Melody Litton and loved it.
Congratulations also on your Blogs for Women over 50 award. Very well deserved. I’m glad to see, in the comments, that you are remembering that blogging is a hobby and you’re not pressuring yourself too hard.
I’m definitely adding The Wife Between Us to my ‘to read’ list. Thanks for the recommendation.
Hi Karen, I’m loving the Daily OM courses. The Total Body Makeover is all about mind, body and spirit but I’m not following the eating plan as I’m happy with my own. I am enjoying the workouts and daily motivation. I did a 21 day Yoga challenge but notice they have so many other courses I’m interested in and they are quite inexpensive. You might also like ‘Before We Were Yours’ by Lisa Wingate, pretty powerful story. xx
Books are always hard to discard. Now that I have the kindle app, I am buying less paper based books. Congratulations on your award.
Hi Suzy, I know what you mean. We had some books that I just couldn’t give away but we use our kindle now. Less storage, and easier to take on holidays etc. What are you reading at the moment?
What a lovely mix of events for June Sue – the old getting younger and the young getting older 🙂 Your MIL is looking so happy and another grandbaby + mother/daughter/grandson/grandbaby time every week – what’s not to love? As always your running blows me away and the fact that you’re doing other healthy stuff to add into the mix is great too. A great wrap up of the month!
Hi Leanne, I love writing these posts because each month it really makes me appreciate what I have and is a great reminder of what I’ve done. My MIL is certainly thriving and the best decision ever to move to her new home. I’ve surprised myself with the running so I suppose there is life in this girl yet! Spending time with Rachel, Elliot and Ethan is just bliss. I wonder what July will bring? Enjoy, my friend xx
Sounds like you are living a well-rounded life Sue – good for you! I enjoy reading about your variety of activities – and your consistency in exercise is inspiring! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Janet, yes I am very grateful for the life I have. My exercise is important to me as it keeps me mentally healthy as well as physically. I am also enjoying spending time with my daughter and newest grandson. Life is good! x
You have had a busy month Sue. I think it is awesome that you can run like you do without the aches it can cause. I use to run on a regular basis but my knees got so bad that I had to have one replaced. I make a lot of soup when it is cool/cold there is nothing like it to warm you up and lift your spirit. Onwards to July.
Hi Victoria, life is busy but good! I have no complaints that is for sure. Writing my monthly review reinforces how fortunate I am and is also a great reminder of what I did during the month. Have a very happy 4th July. xx
I just scrolled here and saw you write “I sometimes wonder why I blog” and then you realised why…you connect so wonderfully with people from a variety of backgrounds and countries. Your readership far exceeds mine (I have blogged since 2011) and you genuinely care about each and every commenter.
I say you are a woman who needs to now acknowledge that your success is because of YOU. There is no-one else other than you who can or could write this blog.
Well-done!
Thank you for linking up for #lifethisweek. Next week’s optional prompt is “My Home Country” 28/52. Denyse x
Hi Denyse, thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I like many, have self-doubt when it comes to blogging but I wouldn’t trade the connections I’ve made and the friendships which I now value – including yours. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in comparison, statistics etc but taking a step back to breathe and look at the positive side of blogging brings me back on track. Thanks for the link up and also your supportive words, you have made my day xx
What a very busy month, Sue – but you must have felt quite a sense of achievement at the end of it. I can’t believe that you attempted a 34km run – incredible!
Hi Toni, yes I love writing these posts because it is like keeping a diary. We are training for a 35km in July so fingers crossed on track. Enjoy your week and thanks so much for stopping by to comment. x
Don’t you love hearing those people’s stories??? That’s the thing I miss about working, is hearing my patient’s stories. Especially the older ones, from back in the day…
I have to admit that your training and work outs have gotten me inspired to do more….I’ve become such a slug since blogging, and I need to take time to feed my body, not just in food but exercise!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Yes it is wonderful Jodie although one of the residents who I have known since my MIL moved to the aged care home, passed away on the weekend and I felt her loss. I find it hard not to get attached. You are looking great even if you don’t do much training – lucky you! 🙂
I’m kind of supposed to be ducluttering our basement right now. ha! It’s hard for me to let things go!
I hear you Jamie, I don’t think I’ve met anyone who likes decluttering! Good luck and thanks for stopping by x
I really enjoyed reading this Sue, you’re always so busy and positive, I love it!! I’ve been trying hard to complete June post but it will have to wait a bit longer I’m afraid. I’m missing our contact while I’m travelling.
Hi Deb, yes I enjoy doing these posts because sometimes I do forget what I’ve done. I’ve a lot to be thankful for that is for sure. I’m missing you as well but can see you are having a wonderful time and enjoying yourself – that makes me feel good! Enjoy, my friend! We will all be here when you return:)
Love your monthly updates Sue, and yes I grabbed myself a coffee before reading. It’s lovely and hot here in the UK at the moment as we’re cruising our boat up towards York, (well actually, we’re moored up today near a busy boat yard, which is very noisy so looking forward to moving on to quieter surroundings later this afternoon). I loved decluttering when we moved from our house to the boat, it was an amazingly positive feeling, we gave so much to charity shops which also felt good. A lovely month you had 🙂
Thank you Sam, I enjoyed my coffee with you 🙂 It must be such a sense of freedom to just cruise along and you would never get bored with your view. Giving to others is such a great feeling isn’t it? I also find it cleansing to have a good de-clutter – we keep so many ‘things’ which we never use so I feel like it is a fresh start. Enjoy your summer, I’ve seen that the temps have been quite high in the UK. 🙂