Taking Stock – March 2021

March 22, 2021
flora, dove lake, cradle mountain, tasmania

Axel loves affection

I usually do my quarterly Taking Stock posts right at the end of the month but I felt like doing this one now  It’s the first one for 2021 and there’s been a lot happened since the last one in December 2020, so why not pause, take a breather, and take stock right now! So let’s go …

Making:  Up batches of low cal veggies to add to Ava’s prescription diet dried food is a new part of my routine. This post explains more.
Getting:  Myself mentally prepared for early-mid April when life will be thrown into chaos as we have the rest of our house painted by professional painters. (The front half of indoors and some outdoor work. The back half of indoors was done in late 2019.) 
Cooking:  Never stops does it?!  I’ve been trying a few different recipes lately, one of which required 5 eggs. Out of the 5 eggs used 3 of them were double yolks. I couldn’t believe it?  Has this ever happened to you?


Sipping:  On a port now and then as I prepare dinner.  Just a small amount to warm the soul.
Reading:  Haven’t read any books since I was away at Burleigh Heads. I managed to finish a book whilst away but didn’t read as much as I’d hoped. 
Waiting:  For cooler weather. Autumn hasn’t really arrived here in Brisbane yet. There’s been a lot of rain but still quite a lot of humidity. I’m looking forward to cooler days!
Looking:  Forward to seeing one of my photographs printed on a large canvas. I’ve never had any of my photos printed before and my first one is ‘large’ so I’m nervous.  I hope it turns out good!  It will be going on a big empty wall in my family room.
Listening:  To lots of podcasts lately. I’ve been enjoying some like ‘Forty‘ by Lise & Sarah (even though I’m well over 40!) and I’ve started to listen to Samantha Armytage’s new podcast called ‘Something to Talk About‘.
Wishing:   I wasn’t as sensitive and deep feeling as I am, but I recently learned that I am a classic empath and those things come along with it. 
Enjoying:  Participating in the Fat Mum Slim Photo a Day Challenge this month (March 2021) as it gives me something to think about and post about each day on Instagram.  Here’s a collage of each day thus far (further details on each pic can be found on my Instagram Page). If you want to see W, X, Y, Z and the five other word prompts that will take us through to 31 March keep an eye on my Instagram (and it will feed through to my Facebook Page & Twitter as well).

Appreciating:  That I got six nights away at the beach recently, but it seems like ages ago already!
Eating:  Too many Vita-Weats with Vegemite & Butter. Love them!
Liking:  That the Covid-19 vaccines are finally starting to roll out here in Australia, albeit with hiccups to start with but it’s promising and provides some hope that life will soon (hopefully) return a little more to normal without the constant fear and anxiety around contracting this virus!
Loving: That we’re in a good routine with Axel & Amaya (my former foster kittens that I adopted) now. They’re so lovely and easy to have around.
Buying:  A new cat tree is in my future.  I’ve learnt the hard way what kind NOT to buy and have found the perfect cat tree & place to buy from – just waiting to see if the price might be reduced further in an Easter sale. We shall see!
Managing:  A too busy schedule just doesn’t work for me anymore. I had a week where I had two or more appointments every single day and I didn’t cope well.  Luckily the next week was quieter so I could recharge and catch up on all that fell through the cracks the previous week.
Watching:  Watercolour painting tutorials now and then for inspiration and ideas on different techniques.
Hoping: 
That I am nearing the other side of menopause where life will hopefully feel less turbulent. Bless me reproductive Gods for it’s been a long hard road. It’s been nearly a decade of riding the waves and now nearly 6 months now since my last sign of fertility. 6 more months and then life might start to be cruisier??
Wearing:  T-shirts and shorts still around the house. Can’t wait to be back in jeans. Yes – I’m a cooler weather girl!
Following:  The tinkling sounds of bells (on their collars) always leads me to where Axel and Amaya are hiding out.
Noticing:  A quite severe dip in my mood recently has led to some significant findings and realisations in consultation with my Naturopath. The human body is so fascinating – a very fragile and important balancing act indeed and even more so during these midlife perimenopausal/menopausal days!
Sorting:  Laundry into baskets for each member of the household to put away has become a regular and almost therapeutic part of my weekly  routine.
Getting:  Better at saying no. I turned down an invitation to something I knew I wouldn’t enjoy.  Once upon a time I would have gone regardless in order to people please.
Bookmarking:  Online watercolour painting classes. I’m amazed at how many there are and how reasonably priced they are. After a bit of research I might do a couple that I think will add to my knowledge base and be helpful!
Coveting:  Lots of different kinds of holidays and getaways. I crave them all at the moment!  Hinterlands, rainforests, beaches, countryside, farms. I’m feeling restless for adventure, exploration, new discoveries and learnings!
Feeling:  Excluded & unliked was a feeling I felt quite deeply recently, but even so, I wish I could’ve kept my hurt to myself more than I did.
Hearing:  The sound of the little desk fan right in front of me as it blows cool air on the face of this hot and sweaty peri-menopausal woman that is me!

So there it is – the Taking Stock brain dump that came out of my head at the time of typing this.  If you’d like to Take Stock too – pop over to Pip’s at Meet Me at Mikes for the blank list to copy and paste.

My next Taking Stock post will be towards the end of June 2021.  If you have time on your hands and are interested here’s where you can find ALL my Taking Stock posts over several years (kinda like a diary isn’t it?)!

Thank you for taking the time to read this post.  I hope you have a wonderful week!

Ciao for now,

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12 Comments

  • Reply Jennifer Jones March 22, 2021 at 7:10 pm

    I do love a Taking Stock post. I’m looking forward to seeing a photo of the cat tree. I hope the menopause problems don’t go on for much longer for you #lifethisweek

    • Reply Min March 23, 2021 at 4:01 pm

      Thanks Jennifer! I can’t wait to get the new cat tree. I have two at present – one I purchased and one was given to me by my cousin’s son. Both are terribly wobbly and falling to bits! They’ve taught me a lot though. I know what features NOT to get and what features TO get. I know a cat tree needs to be a lot sturdier and robust and through a mate I’ve made through fotering I’ve found the place to get them, though to get the proper quality you do have to pay more! As for the menopause stuff – ohhhh boyyyy I hope that all settles soon too!

  • Reply Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au March 22, 2021 at 9:22 pm

    Hi Min – I’ve just decided this year to make my Taking Stock posts quarterly as well – I just can’t fit them in if I’m only doing one post a week and my life isn’t exciting enough that I need to post monthly these days! Loved catching up on your news and I can relate to the hot weather and having a fan blowing on me to keep my flashing under control. I love it when things cool down a bit and the fan can be turned off! I’ve also enjoyed your photo a day posts on FB when they pop up in my feed.

    • Reply Min March 23, 2021 at 4:03 pm

      Hi Leanne – I think quarterly Taking Stock posts are perfect. I used to do them more often but my life isn’t exactly that interesting either! LOL I’m only managing one post per week at the moment too and sometimes not even that. Yes I hope that when the cooler weather comes my poor hard working little desk fan gets a break! LOL I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my photo a day posts. I love doing them!

  • Reply Natalie March 23, 2021 at 8:25 am

    Hi Min, I enjoyed reading your Taking Stock post and viewing your beautiful A to Z photos. This year seems to go by fast, 1st quarter is almost gone. Hope you have good weather lots of happy happenings in the coming week. #lifethisweek

    • Reply Min March 23, 2021 at 4:05 pm

      Thanks Natalie! I’m glad you enjoyed my little Photo a Day collection for this month (though not all of them yet). I can’t believe we are nearly at Easter and April already either. Time just seems to keep speeding up! Unfortunately the weather is pretty horrible here right now. Lots of rain and flash flooding. We are safe where we are but many are not so lucky! Take care and have a great week!

  • Reply Vanessa March 23, 2021 at 8:53 am

    I’ve been reading Stealing Time but my body is not happy with me holding up a book, so it’s taking me longer than I’d like! I don’t mind eBooks but I can’t ever say I’ll like them better than a paper book, so I’ll just have to accept it takes me time to read them now.

    • Reply Min March 23, 2021 at 4:07 pm

      Hmmm I’m wondering if your comment was meant for another post you read Vanessa? LOL Maybe I’m just having a brain freeze though – wouldn’t surprise me! I know what you mean though – some books are just too big and heavy to hold up aren’t they? I don’t have a kindle to use but I sometimes read from the kindle app on my phone. I prefer an actual physical book though!

  • Reply Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid March 23, 2021 at 1:31 pm

    I love a good Taking Stock situation – and this post is no exception! I too am waiting for the cooler weather and dreaming of getting away! Hope the painting goes well!

    • Reply Min March 23, 2021 at 4:08 pm

      Thanks Sammie – cooler weather, drier weather, great getaways – sounds perfect to me! I think you mean the photo I’m having put onto a canvas – I hope it goes well too! Thank you!

  • Reply Denyse Whelan March 24, 2021 at 5:52 pm

    Taking Stock your way is a good one too. I have changed all the prompts (with Pip’s blessing) as I needed the shake up.

    Your various responses tell me you are still quite a bit sad and I hope that things start to improve soon. I have learned and stick to it now, that ONE thing in ONE day is enough. Mind you I get bored if I don’t have one thing on or to do…That’s me….

    We are having the first of the covid jabs tomorrow. Hope they go well. Our GP told us what we might expect as reactions.

    I sense you are not looking forward to the house in upheaval again. Do take some time out filled with what helps you be fulfilled…art and photography seem to be those!

    Thank you for linking up your blog post to Life This Week #232. Lots of interesting comments from bloggers this time about “good”. Next week, the optional prompt is Heroic….that too might generate more conversation…and THAT is what I love about hosting a link up on my blog. See you there. Denyse.

    • Reply Min March 25, 2021 at 12:52 pm

      Good for you for changing the prompts to suit you Denyse! I’ve found that Pip’s version has changed a bit over the years. Some words she used to have are not there any longer for example. I’m sorry if you sensed me to be sad. The post wasn’t intended to portray that. Life has its ups and downs but I’m ok! You’re right though in saying I’m not looking forward to the upheaval when the painters come. Not only will I have to clean out my walk in wardrobe, ensuite, bedroom, loungeroom, study and garage so they can paint but I have to do it all whilst juggling a dog and two cats and hope they don’t escape. I think it’s a great opportunity though because when it comes to putting things back – I will be doing a cull and might even arrange things differently which will be fun. And of course at the end of it all we will have a freshly painted house which will be superb!

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