Taking Stock – March 2021

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,