Hello friends
It’s time for another edition of What’s Been on Your Calendar #WBOYC, where friends and co-hosts Sue, Donna, Jo (and me), all share what’s been happening in our monthly wrap-up. You’re very welcome to join us!
March-ing on
During March I had a few Rotary activities to attend as President, as well as the normal weekly meetings to run. I’m enjoying my second term as President but it’s very different to my first time 11 years ago.
Three of us travelled to Cootamundra for a weekend of Rotary training, leaving very early in the morning and this was the view from my backseat window as the sun hit the nearby hills. Golden!
I also attended a Senior’s Expo in town, run by the local council, as an exhibitor with the aim of telling seniors about Rotary. Much of our Rotary’s offerings were of limited interest to the attendees, think Youth Exchange, Interact and Kokoda but one of our offerings met with interest, our trioBikes. These are ebikes with front facing seat for two passengers and we take elderly/disabled/immobile people for free rides along our rail trail. Hopefully we get some takers!
Morning Tea for IWD
For International Women’s Day I asked a few friends to join me for morning tea at a local cafe and then asked them to bring a friend along. It was a very pleasant morning of catching up and socialising. My mother came to join us (she’s in the blue dress) and I travelled home with her as my sister and her husband were coming for the weekend to celebrate my sister’s birthday. She always shares her special day with IWD!
And the rest of the month…
- Booking a 7 week trip to the UK for September. I need to have something to look forward to!
- Bookclub meetings x 2 – my online bookclub has now finished Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery and my local bookclub discussed The Painting by Alison Booth. I have always been a fan of Anne and I was pleased that my memory of reading the series as a 12 year old didn’t disappoint over 50 years later – my #WOYBS post here.
- I’ve sent away my DNA test kit and am eagerly awaiting the results. It was quite timely given our Tell Us About post this month was all about Family History.
- We worked a day at Laurel Hill Forest Lodge with primary school students doing our usual outdoor activities and they were a fabulous group of students.
- Celebrating my blog’s 12th anniversary – yay!!
- My Fierce and Fit 6 week challenge which I mentioned last month is going well. I feel good, I’m eating better and have noticed positive changes in my body. I’ve been walking and riding more as well as keeping up with my regular workouts plus pilates, so I’ve been giving it my best shot. We have another body scan after Easter so that will be interesting to note any changes (fingers crossed).
Thriving on…
I feel like I’m thriving in some ways but there’s also a lot going on, so it’s been a bit of a mixed bag. I’m a work in progress!
I love this artistic edit of me jumping – I had a whole year of jumping back in 2020 so it was fun to recreate the feeling by taking a jump shot.
How did they survive all of this? Not only survive, but seem to thrive, to go on living so fully and so thankfully?
Debbie Johnson – Escape to Starshine Cove
What’s Been on Your Calendar plus Word of the Year
We’ve set this for the last Friday of the month and the linkup is below – copy your post’s URL and add it in. We love reading about what you’ve been doing. It’s great fun, so we hope you can join us.
My stunning co-hosts can be found here:
Donna
Jo
Sue
Please note the two dates – the first one is for Northern Hemisphere bloggers (where Donna lives) it’s the last Thursday of the month and the second date is for the last Friday of the month for us Southern Hemisphere bloggers. Also from this month the link up will stay open for 48 hours.
Dates for the rest of 2024:
- Ap 25/26
- May 30/31
- June 27/28
- July 25/26
- Aug 29/30
- Sept 26/27
- Oct 31/Nov 1
- Nov 28/29
- Dec 26/27
The seasons are definitely changing down here! Autumn is upon us but so far it’s been very pleasant!
I’m looking forward to spending Easter with one of my daughters and two of my grandchildren. Wishing you all a lovely break and some yummy chocolate!
Recent posts:
- What’s Been on my April Calendar? #WBOYC
- Tackling the Kokoda Track (again)
- Earth Day and a Sculpture Walk #SundayStills
- An update on my 52 Book Club 2024 Reading Challenge #WOYBS
- Tell Us About…Your Personal Style
You can also find Deb’s World in lots of other places – stay in touch by clicking any of the buttons below.
Everyone has a story to tell!
Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. You can read more of Deb’s story here
Copyright © 2024 debs-world.com – All rights reserved
Deb's World 
Well done you on packing so much into March! And I am excited for you to be planning a long UK trip…”know anyone there??”
Denyse x
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Yes it just so happens I do know a few people there Denyse!! I love having something to look forward to and it will help get through the cold winter.
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Hi Deb, another action packed month and it certainly seems to me that you are thriving. Great to see you getting lots of exercise and meeting up with friends. Very exciting you have another trip to the UK to look forward to. Loving that photo of you jumping too. Orange is so you and lots of it in this post! Thanks for linking up with #WWWhimsy – have a fabulous April as we move into Autumn and more comfortable weather (my opinion anyway lol)! xo
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Hi Min, thanks for the linkup and hopefully you are feeling OK with all that’s going on. My month was good and I’m enjoying the exercise. Orange just makes me happy!
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Your friendship tea was a marvelous idea to meet new and like-minded women! Cheers to your fun adventures!
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Thanks Mary, lots going on!!
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Your scenery is just breathtaking, Debbie! I really do miss living out in the country, but we didn’t have mountains near us anyway!
Your trip to the UK will be wonderful, I’m sure. Seven weeks…what a fun time for everyone!
I missed the link up, but I’ll make sure to do it in time for April!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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Thanks Marsha, small country towns are not for everyone but we love living here. The UK trip will be something to help get me through the winter.
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Like other people have said, you sure keep busy! That women’s morning tea really sounds like a lovely idea, Debbie! And I love that you do sled pushes in the gym. I’d like to try that sometime but my gym is super small and it’s all about barbells and dumbbells only.
A long trip to the UK sounds great. I always enjoy following your travels on Instagram!
I’m a work in progress… that says so much about your self awareness.. and aren’t we all a work in progress? I find it comforting that other people who I find have it “all figured out” (like you) can get overwhelmed too.
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Thanks for your encouragement Susanne, the gym isn’t big but I’m enjoying trying new activities like the sled push and heavier bar bells and dumbbells, as I improve!
Being a work in progress is my way of saying I’m not quite there yet but I’m working towards it, although I don’t think I’ll ever be completely finished!
Yes for sure overwhelm hits us all sometimes! I’m nothing if not honest 🙂
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Deb, it looks like you have had a full and very ‘balanced’ month. I love that you have a trip booked for September. Having something to look forward to motivates me also. P.S. I noticed the link party is closed, which doesn’t seem usual for you guys. Have a great week.
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Hi Suzanne, it was a good balance of activities as you say and having a trip booked for in September will help me get through the winter months! Yes we changed the link party to a shorter time frame, sorry you missed out linking up.
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Thanks for explaining. I just noticed your note at the bottom of the post. Glad to see it is only for this month.
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I really like the idea of inviting friends and asking them to bring someone along. What a great way to meet new friends!
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Yes Janis it was a fun way to meet others but it was aa bit hard to judge how many would turn up for our booking at the cafe! We made it work out.
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What a busy month! I wish we would celebrate International Women’s Day more fully here in the United States. I’m glad you got to spend it with your sister!
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Yes Lisa, it was busy but manageable! IWD is well worth celebrating.
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What a beautiful golden shot, Debbie. I don’t generally enjoy getting up early in the morning, but I do love the way nature looks at that time. What a great idea to take seniors for rides on the trail. I hope you get lots of takers. Here’s to a happy April full of thriving!
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Hi Christie, the light was lovely that morning and I’m not usually up at that time either! April is going a bit slower but that’s not a bad thing.
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I LOVE that pic of you jumping – whenever I see anything orange I think of you. Yay to booking the travel – that’s certainly something to look forward to!
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Thanks Jo, it was a bit of fun while I was wearing my orange tights! Dottie is already excited about our impending visit 🙂
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Hi Deb, another full on month which proves you are certainly ‘Thriving’. What always impresses me is your energy both physically and mentally – energy for life and living. I’m sure you will see an improvement in your next scan for your 6 week challenge. Thanks for being a fabulous co-host for #WBOYC? and I hope you are enjoying your grandchildren over the Easter break. xx
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Hi Sue, I feel like I’m thriving and am pleased you notice my energy levels! Some days I’m a bit slower but generally I make the most of each day which fits in with your Being an Active Participant in Life challenge.
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Another amazing thriving month Debbie! You always pack so much in. I love your photo of the golden hills! Also jealous of your planned trip to the UK – well done you for getting it sorted so you have something to look forward to.
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Yes some months seem busier than others Janine but there’s always something going on! I really need something to look forward to so am pleased to have it all booked in.
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Hi Debbie, Looks like you had a full and active March. Congrats on keeping up your fitness activities and your 12th blog anniversary! A 7-week trip to the UK sounds great. I added my March wrap-up post to the #WBOYC link-up. Thank you for hosting. Happy Easter!
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Thanks Natalie, I like to have plans to look forward to so starting the trip arrangements has been a lot of fun! March was certainly full!
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Those trio bikes look so neat!! I love that first landscape photo; what a beautiful way to start your day. It sounds like you had a full month of fun.
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Thanks Joanne, the light was brilliant that morning!
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Thanks Trisha, life certainly isn’t boring that’s for sure! The graphic works well and I’m so pleased you like it too 🙂
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You must share pics of the trioBikes! Good luck with the fitness scans. Getting the DNA results will be exciting. Maybe we could meet when you visit in September? I could come down…or you could come to London.
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Hi Gail, it would be great to catch up when I’m over there, let’s do it 🙂 I’ve tried to add a photo of the trio bikes, hope it works.
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the first photo is awesome! happy 12th blog anniversary!
milepebbles
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Thanks Marina, it was a beautiful morning with the sunrise hitting the hills.
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The photo that you took out of the back of the car is amazing Deb. Whenever I read about your Rotary antics, your words make me realise how much I loved Rotary and how much I miss it. It’s so great you have a trip to the UK to look forward to. At the moment I’m probably just as excited as you, looking forward to a week in Noosa to visit my son and his boys. Congratulations also on 12 years of blogging 🙂
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Hi (Jen?), thanks for your comment. Rotary is a good organisation to be involved with and I do enjoy our activities but being president takes up a fair amount of time! Great to have a week in Noosa to look forward to and seeing your family will be very special.
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yes it’s Jen. Not sure why my name wasn’t recognised
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Hi Deb – a good month all round and how lovely to have a trip to see the family to look forward too (you guys are certainly becoming jet setters in your “old” age). Great jumping shot at the end of the post xx
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Yes Leanne, I wasn’t really planning a UK trip but decided I needed to do it and luckily we’re able to be flexible and got a great deal on ticket prices.I did enjoy doing the jump shot again 🙂
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Oh gosh that first shot is stunning- love me a sun shot! Great job on all the volunteer activity and the fitness. Glad your IWD lunch was great..enjoy your family time on the weekend. Bernie
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It was a glorious morning to get up early Bernie and I’m so glad I could capture the golden sunshine! Hope you have a lovely Easter break too. Thanks for stopping by for #wboyc
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Hope to pull together a post about the March Madness on my calendar. Thanks for hosting.
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Sounds like a great month! I am sure you are looking forward to your trip to the UK. Are you going to do the minimalist packing again?
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Yes Barbara our trip will be a great adventure to anticipate during the long cold winter here! I’m not sure about my minimalist packing as cool autumn weather may need more layers than my last trip which was summer. I’ll see how I feel! Thanks for your visit.
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You have lots of time to plan!
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Wow. A 7 week trip. How wonderful for you (all that time with your beloved(s) ). And yes, that happiness and plane ticket being close is oh so true!
Congrats on 12 years. Well done!
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Thanks Lydia, that travel quote made me smile when I saw it, for me it’s very true particularly at the moment with lots going on. I do like to have something to look forward to as we enter the cooler months ahead, so this will keep me going I’m sure!
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Hi, Debbie – I always love how uplifting your posts are. Your positivity is highly contagious! Congratulations on a very active and healthy March. Wishing you a wonderful Easter with family!
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Thank you Donna, I wasn’t feeling all that positive when drafting this post so I’m glad it reads that way! I’m watching the driveway now as any minute the family will be arriving and excitement will take over. All the best to you for the weeks ahead.
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You’ve been staying busy! This was fun to read. I love the graphic you created for your WOTY.
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Thanks so much for noticing my graphic Trisha, I like to create a specialised graphic for these regular posts at the start of each year and then use them as the cover shot each month.
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