It’s time for my last Taking Stock post for 2017. During 2017 I have ‘taken stock’ quarterly. First in March and then June and September. I will probably do quarterly Taking Stock posts during 2018 as well.
Before I ‘Take Stock’, lets have a quick look back at some of the things that have made up my 2017
In January I was still reflecting (here and here) on my December 2016 South Pacific cruise and very eager to book the next cruise (not yet done).
In February I was obviously not enjoying the Brisbane heat and humidity because I was dreaming of snow and a white Christmas!
In March I did my first Taking Stock post for 2017. I spent some time staying with Dad while Mum was away for her sister’s birthday. How little did I know then that those days spent with Dad would be so precious and very special memories.
In April I decided it’d be nice to be a bit nostalgic on the blog now and then.
In May I celebrated Marvelous May and enjoyed another birthday!
In June I had surgery and my son went overseas.
In July I started my Gorgeous 50’s series.
In August I headed for the hills and my happy place – surrounded in beautiful nature up in the Bunya Mountains.
In September I proudly presented the results of my first crochet project in at least 25 years and it was time for Taking Stock again.
In October I had some lovely trips away exploring beautiful Australia – by visiting Canberra and then Perth. I’m yet to share photos and a blog post about my Perth trip because soon after my return I was in bed sick with a bad virus and then my Dad became very unwell and regular visits to the hospital became my routine.
In November I shared that I am now proudly a World Vision Australia Blog Ambassador. I also had a visit from a duck and her nine ducklings which turned out to be quite symbolic and timely.
In December my world changed forever when I lost my Dad.
Now let’s take stock for the last time for 2017
Making: Double batches of Lite Aeroplane Jelly with strawberries, raspberries and blueberries in it. A healthy after dinner treat when I feel the need!
Cooking: BBQ with marinated steaks, sausages and onion along with a potato bake and an assortment of salads for family New Years Eve celebrations here (last night – by the time this is read). My sister was bringing a baked cheesecake for dessert – YUM!
Drinking: A little more wine and champagne than usual over the Christmas and New Year period.
Reading: Marian Keyes’ first book about the Walsh Family – ‘Watermelon‘.
Next read: Marian Keyes’ second book about the Walsh Family – ‘Rachel’s Holiday‘.
Wanting: Strength and courage as I navigate my first real experience with grief.
Looking: Forward to my two week beach holiday in February. I am actually yearning for long early morning and late afternoon walks along the beach.
Playing: Catch ups with regards to Christmas preparations, blog planning, my new venture planning and household chores!
Deciding: On what to post about when. So many ideas in my head for blog posts!
Wishing: A lot of things but wishing doesn’t really get you anywhere.
Enjoying: The excitement of a new venture for the new year. Keep watch on the blog for some news coming soon!
Waiting: For the wee hours of the morning on 31 December (which will have been and gone when you are reading this) for my daughter to come home from 28 days overseas.
Liking: That I have a new venture to be excited about and to keep me busy!
Wondering: What 2018 has in store for me. I hope it’s good stuff!
Loving: Summer days in the pool and reading by the pool!
Pondering: New meal ideas. I’m a bit stuck in a rut and bored. Need some new and exciting recipes to try.
Considering: Painting the house (inside), starting with Twin1’s bedroom which needs it most!
Buying: Christmas presents online, and only a week or so before Christmas, was quite stressful this year but thankfully all worked out ok in the end.
Watching: Watched Season 1 of ‘The Good Place‘ on Netflix and loved it. Then watched all of Season 1 of ‘The Sinner‘ on Netflix and loved it too!
Next watch: Season 2 of ‘The Crown‘ on Netflix.
Hoping: 2018 will be a rewarding and happy year.
Marvelling: At the dedication, compassion and care I felt by staff at the hospital where Dad was.
Cringing: Over the fact that I only got the Christmas tree put up on Christmas Eve. Leaving it up for New Years festivities and then it will come down. Short appearance this year!
Needing: Nature, quiet time, relaxation, beach walks – stuff like that.
Questioning: Life, death, the universe.
Wearing: My swimmers a lot over this hot and humid festive season! I love having a pool!
Following: My own advice and applying a bit of self-care and self-love to myself. It’s not been an easy few months.
Noticing: How long the days are now. I like it!
Knowing: That the two week holiday at the beach in February is very much needed!
Thinking: A lot about how life is so fleeting and how important it is to live it well.
Admiring: My family for the strength and unity they have shown through a very difficult and sad few months.
Sorting: Myself out trying to prepare for the new year!
Getting: Ready for an exciting new venture. Oh whoops I mentioned that earlier under ‘Playing’, ‘Enjoying’ and maybe also ‘Liking’ didn’t I? Stay tuned for exciting news coming soon! In the meantime … there are little teases and hints scattered throughout the photo collages above. You will only know if you actually read this!
Bookmarking: Things to go back to read, when I have more time, that I promptly forget all about.
Coveting: Frankie4 shoes – so many that I am drooling over!
Disliking: That Dad wasn’t with us for Christmas and that 2018 will be the first year of my life without my Dad physically in it.
Opening: So many emails and text messages from stores tempting me with Boxing Day sales!!
Giggling: At Ava (my dog) who has been beside herself with excitement over the two new toys she got for Christmas!
Feeling: Sad quite a lot. Missing my Dad.
Snacking: Mangoes – oh I love them!
Hearing: The whir of my little desk fan.
‘Taking Stock’ is the brainchild of Pip of Meet me at Mikes. As Pip says HERE – “Here is a blank list for you to cut and paste to Facebook or Insta or your blog or your secret wordy place, so you can Take Stock too!” I’ve noticed she has some new words this month too! Note that I removed the word prompt ‘Smelling’ because if you look back at all my previous Taking Stock posts – I do not have the sense of smell. I can’t smell. It’s become a bit repetitive and boring saying this every time, so I’ve just removed the word – easy, peasy!
Wishing you a fabulous 2018. I hope that it is a happy and healthy year for you and your family and that all you hope to achieve comes to fruition plus more!
Ciao for now,
28 Comments
Happy 2018 Min!
I’m curious as to what your new venture might be
Ingrid
http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au
Happy New Year to you too Ingrid! All will be revealed soon about my new venture. I love a bit of suspense! lol
I’m halfway through The Crown on netflix but I stopped watching to try to space it out a bit. Otherwise it’s too long of a wait until the next one comes out!
Your NYE feast sounds good. I don’t know if I’m going to make it to midnight. It’s 2:30pm here and I’m already half asleep. It might require a little Nanna nap to get me though.
All the best for a fantastic 2018!
I watched the first episode of Season 2 of The Crown when I was way too tired. I kept falling asleep so will have to watch it again. NYE was lovely. It was SO hot and humid but was lovely to cool down in the pool. I was awake for midnight. Went to bed soon after but couldn’t sleep. I was probably over tired! I am a wreck tonight. Early night tonight! Happy New Year to you Katherine and all the best for a fabulous 2018! π
Happy 2018, Min. I’m so sorry it ended on such a sad note,
Much love and thank you for a thought-provoking ‘taking stock’ list.
SSG xxx
Thank you SSG and Happy 2018 to you too! π xo
I love your Taking Stock posts Min – Sue and I are thinking about adding a link up for these type of posts in the next couple of months – they’re always fun to read. I’m glad you have a holiday to look forward to and that you’re coping with the loss of your dad – it all takes time and it’s good to allow yourself to feel sad and to slowly move forward. Happy 2018 xx
Thanks so much Leanne! The Taking Stock posts take quite a bit of thought. They sort of force you to dig deep…quite a good exercise to do actually. I am SO looking forward to a couple of weeks at the beach. I really need it. I think the journey I’m on having lost my Dad is going to be a long one. I have good days and bad days. It’s such a deep and painful feeling of loss that I have never experienced before. I guess I have been lucky. I will be ok though. Happy 2018 to you too. I hope its a fabulous year! π xo
I’m sorry for the loss of your dad.
Your NYE feast sounds amazing, time at home with family is the best way to ring in the new year I have found.
Thanks so much Cate. NYE was fabulous and the feast was delicious! Perfect way to ring in the new year – exactly as you say! Happy New Year to you and best wishes for a fabulous 2018! π
I’m so sorry for your loss Min. It must be tough and I can understand you wanting strength to process the grief. I hope 2018 is a good year for you. Also, on a different note, how good is The Good Place? And Season 2 of The sinner is out? I didn’t know that. Need to watch that now. Have a lovely 2018
Thanks so much Sanch. Oops Season 2 of The Sinner is a typo (there is only the one season I think). I will fix it! Have a fantastic 2018! π xo
Sorry for loss, Min. Sounds like 2017 was a bittersweet year for you. So much good stuff there too. Your new venture sounds exciting! Good luck and all the best for the year.
PS. I also love mangoes and the Marian Keyes book Watermelon! Haven’t read that in YEARS. x
Thanks Ness. 2017 for me had lots of really lovely bits but it ended with grief. However, I will push on and do my best as that is part of life and no-one escapes it. My new venture is very exciting and I’m so grateful to have it to keep me busy and distracted. How good are mangoes – yum! π xo
So sorry for your loss, Min. I’m very excited and intrigued about your new adventure – can’t wait for the big reveal! How good is ‘Watermelon’? I am a huge fan of Marian Keyes. We loved The Sinner and have just started The Good Place. So much fun! We also loved The Indian Detective – really good! Hope 2018 is full of awesome. Big hugs for you xx
Thanks Sammie. I’m excited about my new venture too! It’s fab! I’m enjoying reading Watermelon. I’ll probably get a lot more reading done when I’m away at the beach in February. Thanks for the tip about the ‘Indian Detective’! I’m always looking for things to watch on Netflix. Have a great 2018! π xo
Very sorry for your loss Min, however pleased to hear you are being kind to yourself and taking the time you need to grieve. Best wishes for 2018. xx
Thank you Shauna. I’m definitely being kind to myself. I learnt the hard way some years ago how important self care is, and this is a time more than any other time I’ve ever been through before that it is very important to self care. I hope your 2018 is everything you hope for and more! π xo
What a year. One you could never have predicted. I am so sorry about your Dad and knowing how the loss of a parent affects us it is always going to be there but the grief changes and softens. I was so glad that you did get to spend that time with him when your mum was away. Meant to be! You sure do sound like you are on your way along a different and more caring path now and that holiday coming up sounds wonderful.
Thank you in particular for reaching out to me and caring about my health and welfare this past year. It sure helped me!
Thank you for linking up for #lifethisweek 1/52 and next week’s optional prompt is Word or Intention for 2018.
It sure is a year I would never have predicted. I am really needing that holiday – some time out and right near nature in the form of a beach which I love. You are so thoughtful and caring of so many others Denyse that of course we all care back. I hope 2018 is a better year for you than 2017 was. I’ll link up again next Monday with my post that is publishing on Thursday. xo
Looking forward to meeting you in real life – and to hearing about your new venture…
Yes I’m really looking forward to meeting up with you IRL too! My new venture will all be revealed soon. π
Happy 2018 Min. great summary of your year to look back on forever. Re the “smelling” one – I should remove it too as mine gets a bit repetitive when I’m always stating “dog farts”.
Thanks Leanne! LOL – dog farts! π
I have my taking stock written in my head …just my not a 5 year plan took the space today when a facebook memory popped up.
I’m sure your Taking Stock post will get out of your head and onto your blog via your keyboard before too long! π
I’m so sorry for your loss.
I miss my Dad and it’s been over 12years.
Thanks Trish. I will miss my Dad forever. xo