Wednesday 20 October 2021

“You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down.” ― Charlie Chaplin

GRATITUDE: I am struggling a bit to find inspiration to write. Both fiction and for the blog. I have a break coming up for a writing competition so I'm trying to wait a few more weeks before hitting pause. Thus I am grateful to Denyse for putting out this structure for a post a few weeks back, and I am falling into it's formal structure for the second month. Some times it's the tiniest of things that we are grateful for.

LOVE: My eldest is coming on a small weekend holiday with us in January - just three nights but it will be so lovely to have my family of five all together again. Our middle child was out for dinner with friends this week and I realised the sad little trio at the table was soon to be the new family dynamic. It's normal, and a good sign but sad ofr those left behind. And I've been aware for years that our youngest would become an only child but it's still sad to see that it's here, ust on the horizon.

Linking with #RubyTuesdayToo and #BlueMonday


HEALTH: I got a covid test in order to visit a centenarian safely last week, and I've been aware of 'symptoms' ever since, so I know it's all in my head When my eldest moved out, I've been clearing out all the stuff that was left behind, and that has lead the other two to follow suit with the toys and books they've outgrown. This has lead to me cleaning years with of dust at the back of bookshelves and draweres and often discovering I have a 'stuffy' nose. I then wonder if I need another test...or how long do I wait to get another test. I would love to stop being so hyper aware & question every little 'symptom'. I suspect this is my 'new normal' for awhile.




Linking with #WeekendReflection



CONNECTION: Since we came out of lockdown, I have seen all the elderly in my orbit - Grandmother and mother in law, my mother twice, my 98 year old former neighbour (who I rang as soon as the test results came in and announced I was coming over for a visit 'right now' as I'm as germ-free as I'll be because once the schools go back, I'll be high risk.  I've seen both book clubs in person, mah jong and a couple of nights out with friends. It's weird to see people, in the sense it feels as if nothing has happened and we haven't been shut off from the world for 4 months. 

APPRECIATION: All the eased restrictions and what it means we can do. I am booking tickets to plays and concerts, music bingo (for 'you have to stay in your chair' dancing) and even a boat day being planned. I am making the most of what I can, while I can. Even if we don't go into lockdown again, we will have rolling '6 day isolations' from the schools,  but until we do, I'm not wanting to waste a minute!

CARE: I am a little worried about seeing the elderly- my mum in our weekly visits in particular, now both kids are back at school. They are mixing with large groups of kids from all over Sydney (and beyond) each day and as we're all vaxxed, what if we have it asymptomatically? When those home tests come in, I'll just by a stack of those to do before visiting but for now, it does make me uneasy. How are people managing it overseas?




MEMORIES: 
All our holidays keep popping up on my facebook,giving me itchy feet to start planning. All the toys and books we are discarding in the clean up are flooding me with memories of time spent reading favourite stories of playing with much loved toys.  They are making their way to the fence for others to love and enjoy.  It's a sad process for me, in a way. Those days are over, just memories.


The images are not related, but are many colours of the rainbow.
Linking with 


loopyloulaura

26 comments:

  1. Love the quote and I love it that you can get out and about. Wonderful.

    Have a fabulous day and rest of the week. ♥

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  2. Pretty shots, and what a fun backyard! Badminton, trampoline, slip-&-slide, firepit...!

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  3. Beautiful shots. Enjoy freedom.

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  4. I haven't had to get a test done so far yet but if I do I don't know how it would go down as I get major hayfever allergies. Hope you enjoy the time with your family.

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  5. Your photos are very beautiful. The Covid causes a lot of thinking. We have a book Fair in Helsinki next week but I am too scared to attend. What a pity. Otherwise I go to museums where there are no fair masses and meet friends and family. Thank you for participating, all the best.

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  6. Sarah's been moved out for nearly a year now and I haven't tackled either her bathroom or what's left in her bedroom. I announced though the other day that I'm ready to accept she won't be back and both need to be done. It's a toughie.

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    1. won't be back for more than a visit, that is...

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    2. Yes, it's a psychological hurdle for us. But so good for them.

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  7. It has been so hard especially with such long lockdowns. I hope you find your writing mojo soon. Keep looking for those rainbows!

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  8. It's a transition time for you with Sydney re-opening and your eldest moved out. Take it easy and enjoy your social activities safely. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare.

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  9. I love that rainbow quote! I think this new normal really sucks.. here everything is open now but the infection rates are very high and I don't feel safe doing anything although I'm vaccinated. I'm going to see some friends this week but that's about the level of socialising I'll do for a while.

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  10. Lovely quotes and picturea chosen X #kcacols

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  11. I think I can understand the niggle of worry you mention, it's all been such a hard time and now a form of freedom and it's hard to take at times. I totally get all the memories on Facebook popping up, it seems this has always been our favourite time to take off overseas and I'm loving seeing all the photos and updates from those days. I do wonder when I will be 'game' enough to get in a plane to go and see my daughter and granddaughter in England, thinking I'll wait a while yet but i did print out my international Covid certificate/passport thingy! #weekendcoffeeshare

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  12. I love that quote, it's so true. I'm so pleased you can start planning things again. Here in the UK it feels like we're heading back into it all now as we approach winter. When will it ever end! Take care. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS

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  13. I was trying to work out if they were pics of sunrises or sunsets... they're lovely anyway. The format of the post is good. I often just want to talk about one thing or two but don't think I could stretch it to an entire blog post - so skip writing about it entirely.

    I'm really happy you've been able to get out and about more and catch up with some older / more vulnerable friends and family but also understand your fears about school restarting etc...

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  14. So happy for you all to be out of lockdown and to be able to catch up with your family. Lovely that your eldest will be able to visit as well. It is a time for celebration but caution as well. I think that will be the new norm unfortunately. #lifethisweek

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  15. I enjoyed your post. Sometimes it's hard to feel motivated. I'm glad you've gotten to see your loved ones a bit more. I hate that any little "feeling" we have, we feel like we need to question it. Ugghh.

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  16. I am glad to see those words helped you frame a post. I wouldn't go back to those days for anything..I mean of the "farewells" to things and memories. I suspect the times with my kids were more like relief. Daughter left first at 21 and yes I "felt" it...then she came and went a few times. SON stayed (overstayed) till 25 and his room got converted the next day for me and craft. It was when I was packing up to think about leaving Sydney and those many, many memories of grandkids days with all their words and videos and pics I knew we were never seeing those time again. I am now 7 years past it, and far more into the better time we are enjoying in our early 70s. It's been great to have you share your post this week for #lifethisweek on Denyse Whelan Blogs. Thank you. I hope you will be back next week, where the optional prompt is “young” but my guest poster, Mr Whelan, is sharing his thoughts for the final time on the blog in 2021 on a different topic. See you there, Denyse.

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  17. I think the pandemic has made all the normal transitions, like kids moving out, feel even more profound. With the exception of truly elderly, all of the current generations are learning that we are not as in control as we like to think. It’s rather disheartening.

    Michelle
    https://mybijoulifeonline.com

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  18. The pandemic has been hard on everyone! My husband was in the 3 hospitals in 3 months and almost died several times. It was a very long winter for our family. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for linking up at NanaHood.

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    1. That is awful. I hope he is fully recovered now.

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  19. So very sweet. Love this post. @MischiefandMemories

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  20. Love that quote! I totally feel you about worrying about every little symptom. I don't go about getting COVID self tests for every little thing just because I don't want to bother my staff with them, but today, I'm having what I think/hope is just a little stomach bug but I also have a slightly more runny nose than usual, so I finally requested a test. Getting one in a bit.

    As for the easing of restrictions, I'm so glad they're easing where you are. Here, we just entered another lockdown last week, but even without it I don't really feel safe going places anyway.

    I'm so happy you'll have your family all together for a few days soon! Yes, it must feel a little saddening to realize your youngest will soon be alone with you, but it's the way things go. #MischiefandMemories

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  21. Restrictions are increasing in the UK with the new variant :( I managed to get a pic of a rainbow this week, I still find it a source of hope. Thanks for linking up with #MischiefAndMemories

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  22. Totally get the worrying about symptoms all the time. I did four lateral flow tests one day :) To be fair my eldest did have covid at the time so I did know it was headed my way. I wasn't wrong we all got it! #MischiefandMemories

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