Snaps ‘n’ Crackles #6 – the birthday edition

June 1, 2017
carrot cake, birthday, cake, birthday cake
carrot cake, birthday, cake, birthday cake

Carrot cake with cream cheese icing is my favourite cake, hence this stock photo was used!

Yesterday was a busy day.  It was my birthday!  I had planned on spending the day writing a blog post for today, broken up by taking myself out for a quick bite to eat for lunch (in amongst some domestic chores) and then was looking forward to my daughter coming over and dinner with the family.  All of that did happen except for taking myself out (alone) and writing the blog post.  I was very lucky to have a surprise visit from Mum and Dad and my sister and we all went out to lunch and over to my sister’s after.  So here I am now, after dinner and cake, at 9:15pm – very tired and with no blog post written for the next day!  What to do?  Ramble on a bit, make this my Snaps ‘n’ Crackles #6 and hope that it makes for some interesting reading.  That’s what I have decided to do!

So yesterday I turned 53.  It’s kind of hard to believe that I am this age.  Inside I’m around 35.  In fact if I reverse the numbers that is exactly what I am.  However, time does march on regardless, and for everyone, so you eventually reach a point where you realise that there is no point in stressing over getting older but rather to embrace it and be grateful that you’re still here to celebrate another birthday.  The interesting thing is that it really isn’t until you get to this stage of life that you realise that life is in fact short and that it’s very important to make the most of it and look after yourself in every way possible.  This is why you see so many of us at this stage of life tweaking our diets, getting some regular exercise in, analysing how we spend our time, surrounding ourselves with people who make us feel happy and inspired, investigating options to reduce stress and enhance our peace of mind and sense of balance.  It really is a fun stage of life.  The kids are grown.  You have more time to indulge and invest in yourself and trust me, it’s well worthwhile.  We are worth it and we deserve it! 

Last year I wrote a post for Dairy Australia’s ‘Fit, Fab & 50 Challenge’ – Tips for Self-Investment that might interest you if you’d like some pointers on how to self-invest!

My latest tool for self-investment is a FitBit Alta HR – a birthday prezzie from my family.  Can’t wait to have a good play with it.  It’ll get me more active and healthy for sure!

fitbit, fitbit alta hr,

 

Another form of self-investment recently was a move to lift my spirits.  I got new carpet!  Oh wow – how good is new carpet?!  The carpet we did have was cheap and nasty and stained.  It was this way when we bought the house 10 years ago.  We couldn’t afford to replace it then or until now, due to things like school fees, mortgage etc.  So finally after 10 years of horrid carpet I have beautiful new clean, soft and lovely carpet!   What a difference it has made to this house!  Say hello to my new “Prairie Wolf” carpet! 

 

carpet

Another form of self investment is to look after your health.  Investigate any issues or concerns and have things treated that need to be.   I have had a few health issues over recent years and there has been ongoing investigations to try to sort things out.  It’s required quite a bit of patience on my part I might add.  There have been quite a few doctors seen.  Anyway, without going into detail, I will be having some surgery in two weeks time.  I will have a short hospital stay and then a couple of weeks at home recovering.  I am very hopeful that this surgery will be the beginning of an improved and healthier me so that I can get about the business of lovin’ life!  I’ll keep you posted!

And finally, my mother heart is feeling a little anxious these days.  My son is going overseas in a few weeks.  He will be flying in to Manchester.  Yes I know.  He will be staying with friends in Liverpool and visiting London and Paris, amongst other places.  This is a very big and exciting trip for him (first time overseas) but as any mother knows, no matter how old your child is they are still your child and they carry your heart with them wherever they go.

It’s now 10:25pm and my eyes can barely stay open so it’s time for me to stop typing and cross my fingers that this post has turned out ok!  I hope that whatever the situation is in your life right now that you can find something in each of your days to be grateful for and that you’re making the time for your own self-investment.

Ciao for now,

Link up here at WOTM or with another of us in the Lovin’ Life Linky team:

Leanne of Deep Fried Fruit

Lyndall of Seize the Day Project

Kathy of 50 Shades of Age

and Jo of And Anyways

It doesn’t matter where you link up as it will magically appear on all five blogs.

 


You Might Also Like

22 Comments

  • Reply Jo@JoSimplyWill June 1, 2017 at 7:41 am

    What a lovely read Min! It’s comforting to read about the everyday, because it is in capturing the activities and thoughts of the day that other things are discovered. Like the importance of prioritising health, and the answers to the question of what gives life purpose. I know for me that has meant a great shift in how I spend my time and with whom. Wishing you the best with the surgery – won’t it be so good to put your head on the pillow that night and know that the day is done?! Happy Birthday for yesterday! What a special day it turned out to be.

    • Reply Min June 1, 2017 at 7:35 pm

      Oh I’m so glad you found it a lovely read Jo! I was falling asleep at the keyboard when I wrote it! lol Thank you for the good wishes for the surgery. Aside from a few moments of trepidation, feeling a bit anxious and scared, I’m actually looking forward to it now. Well more being on the other side of it so that I can get my life back on track again and do all the things I want to do! Yes I will be so glad to lay my head on the pillow that night knowing that it is done! Thanks also for the birthday wishes – it was a really nice day! 🙂

  • Reply Ingrid @ Fabulous and Fun Life June 1, 2017 at 8:45 am

    Happy Birthday Min! Also wishing you a speedy recovery from your upcoming surgery!

    Ingrid
    http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au

    • Reply Min June 1, 2017 at 7:36 pm

      Thanks Ingrid! 🙂

  • Reply Kathy Marris June 1, 2017 at 9:27 am

    Happy Birthday for yesterday Min! It sounds like you had a lovely day which is what birthdays are all about. I know that feeling of thinking about the number of your age and that alone making you feel “old”. I recently turned 60 and have been feeling very old for months. It’s all in my head I know and like you I only feel about 40ish! I wish you a speedy recovery from your surgery so you can live the life you desire. #TeamLovinLife

    • Reply Min June 1, 2017 at 7:39 pm

      Thank you Kathy! Yes when I think about the fact that I am 53 it is so hard to comprehend because it was what only feels like yesterday that my mother was that age! Thanks for the good wishes for the surgery. I’ll be glad to be on the flipside of it but apart from a few moments of trepidation I feel nothing but positivity about it now. Once recovered, it will allow me to live and do all the things I want to (within reason haha)! 🙂

  • Reply Jo Tracey June 1, 2017 at 9:45 am

    Lovely read – so much going on & such beautiful carpet. The carpet in our old house was over 20 years old, stained and worn. The carpet here is plush and feels fab under bare feet. I think I like it more than anything else. Happy Birthday for yesterday – happy it was a good one for you. #TeamLovinLife

    • Reply Min June 1, 2017 at 7:40 pm

      Thanks Jo. I love my new carpet! I am barefoot at home all the time now because I want to feel it under my feet – so soft and lovely!! Thank you for the birthday wishes – it was a great day! 🙂

  • Reply Janet Camilleri aka Middle Aged Mama June 1, 2017 at 12:29 pm

    Hope all goes well with your op. Would you believe BOTH hubster and I are in the midst of tests for some health concerns. Fingers crossed they turn out to be relatively minor x

    • Reply Min June 1, 2017 at 7:41 pm

      Thanks for the good wishes for the op Janet. I hope you and hubster’s health concerns are nothing serious and turn out to be minor and treatable! xo

  • Reply Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au June 1, 2017 at 3:42 pm

    Happy birthday! I read a post about changing decades and it’s something I always struggled with – especially now that the 50’s are upon me. The funny thing is that now I look back at my 20s, 30s & 40s and I think life has gotten better with each decade. I’m loving my 50’s and the freedom and changes it has brought with it. I’ve noticed the old body is packing it in a bit – but the soul is soaring – who knows what still lies ahead?

    • Reply Min June 1, 2017 at 7:45 pm

      Thanks Leanne! It’s been a bit confronting for me entering my 50’s but I’ve come to terms with it now. I think I might have another hurdle to jump when I hit 60! lol I focus on being grateful. So many people lose their lives too early and too young that you have to be grateful for every year you’re given. Aside from that I like to place my focus on trying to be as healthy as I can be in every way, but yes … I’ve noticed my old body packing it in a bit too! The old grunt trying to get up from squatting down to gardening and stuff like that, that once was done without effort! lol So lovely to hear your soul is soaring. How wonderful is that?! 🙂

  • Reply Nikki @ Wonderfully Women June 1, 2017 at 3:55 pm

    So glad you had a lovely birthday surprise! I am with you in the ‘mothers heart’ department, my daughter is going to Spain and France next month!

    • Reply Min June 1, 2017 at 7:49 pm

      It was a lovely surprise having Mum and Dad and my sister to have lunch with. Beats feeling a bit like a loser when lunching alone (though I don’t mind really). Oh good luck with your daughter’s overseas travels! I know how it is. My daughter was away in Europe for 2 months early last year. My son goes in a few weeks but only away for a few weeks. Then my daughter is going again in September to India and then Europe again in December – first time not with me for Christmas which is going to be hard. My mothers heart is going to be tested this year!!

  • Reply JODIE FILOGOMO June 1, 2017 at 10:57 pm

    Happiest of birthdays Min!!
    We are so lucky to be able to enjoy every new year–so I wish you the happiest so far!!
    And isn’t new carpet the best for making your house feel clean & new??
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • Reply Min June 3, 2017 at 7:55 am

      Thank you Jodie! Yes – new carpet is the best! 🙂

  • Reply Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit June 2, 2017 at 2:33 pm

    We are FitBit twins!!!!!!
    #teamlovinlife

    • Reply Min June 3, 2017 at 7:56 am

      Yay!!! 🙂

  • Reply Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid June 2, 2017 at 3:58 pm

    Happy Birthday, Min! So pleased you had a wonderful day – I think that Alta is going to be the gift that keeps on giving. I love mine and hope you love yours too! I know what you mean about getting older, I’ll be 46 this year but still feel about 6 1/2 on the inside! I’m a big believer in celebrating birthdays and life, because getting older is a privilege denied to many. I hope you have a magical 365 trip around the sun! xx

    • Reply Min June 3, 2017 at 7:58 am

      Thanks Sammie! Good to hear you love your Alta. Loving mine so far too. Ahhh 46 – still a baby! I’m going to make the very best of my upcoming 365 trip around the sun – thank you! 🙂 xo

  • Reply Jo June 2, 2017 at 8:37 pm

    Happy Birthday Min! I didn’t know until now. Big hugs and lots of Lovin’ Life joy! So glad you had a lovely day. Sometimes the unplanned serendipitous ones are the best. I hope you enjoy your Fitbit – it’s high time I went out and bought one. Christmas is rather too far away. I hope your surgery goes well.

    • Reply Min June 3, 2017 at 7:59 am

      Thanks for the birthday wishes Jo! I’m loving my Fitbit so far – go get yourself one – so motivating! 🙂 xo

    Leave a Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    %d bloggers like this: