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Posted on by Debbie

Come in for a cuppa and a chat as we spring from September into October

I’m writing to you from my fabulous garden room…come join me!

Sunroom in the garden in spring

I invite you to get a cuppa, make yourself comfortable and settle in for a chat! Let’s take a break and look back over the month.

TIME – MY WOTY

As you know by now, TIME has been my word of the year (WOTY) for 2019 – but I’m seriously questioning how it can be October already? Surely that’s wrong!

My monthly wrap-up posts for 2019 all have a similar flavour, taking into account the theme of TIME, depending on how the month has gone. My last monthly post, in case you missed it, can be found here.

Time quote
Time quote

This quote is a good reminder to make the most of each day 🙂

GLOBETROTTING GRANNY – TIME

In mid August we welcomed little Dorothy Anne, to be known as Dottie, into our family. Dottie was in a bit of a hurry to meet everyone and decided to arrive a tad early at 25 weeks gestation! I immediately flew to England and had almost a month there. It was a very special time, stressful but also a real gift.

My daughter and her partner in England are doing amazingly well and I’m happy to say Dottie is growing well. I will be visiting again in November, with Papa G this time, and I’m sure I’ll be surprised with her growth while I’ve been back in Aus. We are getting regular updates and I just love technology which allows us to stay in touch so easily.

Dottie
Dottie
Dottie 6 weeks old

Just before I left on my solo trip, our youngest daughter told us the exciting news that they were expecting their first baby in March 2020. That means we will have a grandchild born in 2018, 2019 and 2020! One a year! We are over the moon with this news and I will be writing more in the coming weeks.

While I was away for the month visiting one granddaughter, our little Emilia turned one! I was upset to be missing her first birthday party but my daughter encouraged me to go to be with my newest grandchild, as they needed me more. My husband, the Mathematician, kept the 2 great-grandmothers under control and helped out where needed on party day. I was able to join them on a Facetime chat so felt a part of it in some small way.

Granny Debs, Emilia and Papa G

BLOGGING  – TIME

As you may have noticed, I took a break from blogging during September due to my emergency trip to England to be with my daughter.

I enjoyed the break from it all but admit that I did miss you all and your wonderful blogs. Thanks to all those friends who sent me messages of support, left a comment on my posts or sent positive thoughts my way – I felt so loved and supported by everyone and am totally blown away by you all. I plan to resume blogging regularly but at a slower pace than before.

While in Bristol I did take time to reach out to Ann a blogging friend who lived in the area and we had a fabulous few hours together in the glorious sunshine around the Bristol Docks – it was so good to have time out and meet up with a fellow blogger. I always enjoy these meetups, so if you’re ever afraid to reach out, don’t be scared – just do it!!

Here are a few photos of my meetups with bloggers over the past few years, from all over the world! So much fun, despite my husband thinking that all bloggers are drug crazed, axe wielding truck drivers who aren’t to be trusted – that’s just his little joke 🙂

Some time out with Ann, a blogging friend
Colourful Bloggers Sue and Debbie
Bloggers meetups are always fun
A happy looking group of bloggers
meeting Lucile and Durk
Meeting up with Annie and Janette at Run Melbourne 2017
Meeting up with two of my favourite bloggers, Miriam and Louise
Hanging out in Melbourne with blogging buddy Desley!
I finally got to meet Hugh in person
Blogging friends Ritu and Jemima
Lunch time with Hugh, Lauren and Suzie
Lunch break with Melanie and Jill
Shelley and Melanie
Sharon shooting photos
Suzanne and Les from Life at No.22/Global Housesitters
Blogging pal Tiina

READING – TIME

I managed to read a few good books over the past few months, and deliberately went with light and easy. My sister recommended Aunt Dimity’s Death by Nancy Atherton which was a really fun read, despite the title! Another good captivating read was an Australian story The Grass Castle by Karen Viggers.

But my best read for the month, which I couldn’t put down was Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. A few people had mentioned this as a great read but no one more earnestly than Lorna over at Gin and Lemonade. I am so glad I finally got to read it!

Here’s my review on Goodreads:

I was recommended this book by several people and really had no idea what it was about. I had it on my to-read list for ages and finally bought it and found time to read it. What a gem it was to lose myself in! I was captivated by the story. I’m still very concerned for the premise that a 6 year old child was basically left alone to bring herself up and did so in such a way. The story was captivating and heartbreaking with the descriptions, the characters, the language and the twists of the murder allegations. I was feeling a bit lost at the time so snuggled down and read the book in a weekend and loved it. I’m glad I didn’t know about all the hype I have since read about but I’m rarely taken in by all that anyway. If I like a book I like it! And this one was a real highlight for me.

SPRING – TIME IN THE GARDEN

It ‘s a lovely time of year in our garden and we are very lucky to still be so green. There are places nearby that are dry already, and it’s only just spring.

Blossom and blue sky
Blossom and blue sky
Magnolia flowers
Spring colour in the garden
Spring colour in the garden
Magnolia flowers

SUN ROOM – TIME

My sun room in the garden comes into its own in spring time. Despite lovely sunshine, there is often a cool breeze blowing, so the sun room is ideal for relaxing in and taking in the green green grass of home. We’ve had it for about 6 years now and apart from the middle of summer, it’s always a great spot!

Sun room in spring
Sun room in spring

Just a few weeks ago in August we had snow here!

Sun room in the snow
Sun room in the snow
Fire pit in the snow

REUNION – TIME

Back in August I was happy to attend a reunion of my ex-work colleagues, teachers in a correctional setting (jail/prison). Teachers Federation hosted a special dinner for us and we enjoyed catching up on all the news since we’d been made redundant a few years ago. It was so much fun – the reunion not the redundancy!

Union love! Corrective Services Teachers Association
Friends from my days of working in the gaol system

THAT’S A WRAP – WE’RE OUT OF TIME!

If this is your first time reading my monthly wrap-up posts or even the first time you’ve read my blog – a huge welcome to you.

It’s been a huge few months in so many ways – it’s been a mix of challenging, fun, scary, happy, stressful but ultimately a time full of family love.

Thanks for the chat and the cup of tea, I’ve enjoyed your company as always 🙂

Wishing you all the best for October. Let me know what you’re up to! I’ll leave you with a sneak peak of the tulips flowering in my garden.

Deb xx

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54 Replies to “Come in for a cuppa and a chat as we spring from September into October”

  3. Hi Debbie, been missing from the blogosphere myself recently so your catch up post was just what the doctor ordered (literally in my case!). The pictures of your granddaughters are adorable and little Dottie is obviously a fighter – congratulations to your whole family. I can’t remember if your hubby was at the Bloggers’ Bash with us all last year…..maybe he has a point ha, ha, ha! It is tipping with rain here, so I think I’ll have my cuppa in your lovely sun room…..C x

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    1. Hi Claire, no my husband wasn’t at the Bash with me, but my daughter was there, who is now Dottie’s mother 🙂 Hope all is going well with you after your break away. My sunroom is available anytime you’d like a cup of tea with me 🙂

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    1. Happy Thanksgiving to you for Monday just gone! Glad to hear you enjoyed my update, it’s always good to recap the month, especially as there’s so much happening for everyone.

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  6. Congratulations on Dottie, she is adorable! I’ve recently started making crochet octopus for premature babies, I’ll be writing more about it soon when I’m more experienced, but I wondered if little Dottie was given one in hospital?
    Where The Crawdads Sing was the first audiobook I ever listened to, and it was brilliant.
    I want a sun room like that!

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    1. Oh that’s amazing Gemma. I knew nothing about the power of the octopus for premature babies before Dottie cane along but now I do! Yes one of my daughters got her one and she seems to like it. Good on you for using you talents in this way. I look forward to reading your post about it. Thanks for your kind words. My sun room is fabulous and my favourite room in the house. 😊

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  7. I loved reading your update and of course I may have known of much of it but it was nice to read in one place. I certainly hope Miss Dottie continues to do well, and as for 3 grandkids in 3 years, it’s a ride alright. Especially when they are not exactly local. Thank you for linking up for #lifethisweek. Next week the optional prompt is 41/51 “Your Choice of Prompt” 14/10/19. Hope to see you there, Denyse.

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  8. Great to catch up with you! How gorgeous is your sun room?! Love it! I’ve been in a bit of a puppy bubble so didn’t catch on that the latest addition to the family came so early! I bet your daughter, dad and Dottie all really appreciated you being there and I’m pleased she’s doing so well. You have so much to look forward to! PS I can’t wait to read Where the Crawdads Sing – I have heard SO many good things about it!

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    1. I LOVE my sunroom in the garden especially at this time of year. So glad you could visit with me for a cuppa! I am looking forward to getting back as she has changed so much since I left – all for the better!! The book was really good and quite unexpected, not sure what I was expecting 🙂

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  9. Well! I’m late to the tea party, but I’m still here in the glass house enjoying my coffee while I catch up on all your news. So pleased for you about 3 grandbabies in 3 years and that Dottie is still doing so well. Loved all your Spring pics, your meet-up pics, and seeing all that you’ve been up to. Looking forward to seeing what October has in store for you before you jet out of the country again. Oh…and btw I love your new profile pic! x

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    1. Always lovely to have you visit in the sunroom Leanne. It’s been a big month or two and I’m enjoying being at home and taking things a bit more slowly for the moment. Thanks for the positive feedback on my new profile shot, I was really nervous about changing it but decided to be brave. My sister did a great job of making me look professional and somewhat more glamorous than I usually look! We were going with the author headshot on a book or award winning international jet setting blogger look 🙂 I tried to rein in the Debbie smile just a bit!

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  10. Hi Deb, I’ve missed you while I’ve been away and it was so lovely catching up over a cuppa with you. I love your special place in the garden which looks like a perfect escape to read or just enjoy the natural beauty surrounding you. Blogging friends are wonderful and now I can say I’ve met some international ones IRL. Meeting Donna and Natalie was one of the highlights of my trip and unfortunately the evening ended much too soon. I’ve been reading and am always looking for new books to read so thanks for the recommendation. Dottie is a strong little girl and obviously takes after her Grlobetrotting Granny. It won’t be long before you are back with her again. Emilia is now at such a cute age, similar to Elliot and they bring such joy to our lives. We are certainly very lucky. Have a beautiful October, Deb xx

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    1. Lovely to have you back Sue, I missed you too. Yes my garden has been a relaxing place to enjoy the springtime sunshine and catch my breath! So good to hear of your IRL catchup with blogging friends. Yes the grandchildren are all growing up, sometimes it goes too fast!! xx

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  14. Thank you, Deb, for the coffee catch up in your garden. I love the pretty spring flowers, always give me a sense of renewal and optimism. I’m glad Dotty is doing well, and congrats on the news of your 3rd grandchild in the new year! I hope you have a wonderful October. Before you know it, you’ll pack to go to the UK.

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  15. That garden looks so nice 🙂
    I remember my father telling me, every day is a gift, make use of it wisely.
    I am glad to read that Dottie is doing well.
    You missed blogging for a good cause. You can always catch up with other blogs later. 🙂
    — bpradeepnair.blogspot.com

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  16. It certainly was an emotion packed month for you and I am so pleased that Dottie is continuing to thrive and I bet you will really notice a difference when you visit in November. Let’s hope grandchild number 3 is not quite so impatient to arrive! Isn’t technology great for keeping in touch across the oceans? I’m pleased you were able to ‘virtually’ join in the birthday celebrations!

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  17. Deb, it was a lovely meet up and as I have mentioned before I love the Mathematicians sense of humour 🙂 Enjoy the beautiful spring weather. So changeable here with an annoying cold wind, though it was still good to get out for a walk around the Mount.

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    1. Yes the Mathematician has a unique way about him! Spring here at the moment is just delightful and I’m taking time to rest and enjoy it while I can. So happy we met up last year 🙂

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  19. Congrats on the grand daughter! I’ve been missing in action for a while from Sentence a Day but am back now. Enjoyed catching up with your adventures again. Envious that you are in spring, my favourite month, and you have that glorious sun room to catch the sunshine!

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  20. Thank you for the coffee catchup in your garden. I do hope to get the chance to experience that IRL one day.
    I loved your opening quote on time. You have definitely used yours well.
    Warm thoughts to you, your family, and little Dottie. Before you know it, it will be November!

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    1. Yes one day we can sit out here together (guess where I am as we speak?) . That quote really fitted my thoughts well so I’m glad you also enjoyed it Donna. I think we all fill our time wisely and make the most of it. My thanks for your supportive comments and words during the past month, it’s meant so much to me xx

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  22. What a busy month Debs, brilliant that you got over to the UK for your daughter and new grand-daughter but it must have been very stressful. Exciting though. Love the garden-room, looks fabulous in the snow. What a lovely haven to relax in.

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  24. One of my favorite things about personal blogging is seeing the seasons change on the other side of the world from me. It puts life in perspective for me. I like your tulip pic. It reminds me that I need to plant some bulbs soon if I want to see any tulips in the garden next spring.

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    1. Yes that’s always a great thing to see each year Ally, seeing the world though the eyes of others is a brilliant way of armchair travelling 🙂 . I don’t have many tulips growing but enough to take a few photos! Thanks 🙂

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  26. What a wonderful wrap up post Deb, such a whirlwind of a few months for you and your family. I’m so pleased Dottie’s doing well and such exciting news about another pending grandchild. Just wonderful! Blogger meet ups are always fun aren’t they? We’re not all drug crazed truck drivers are we? 😂 And your garden room is absolutely gorgeous. One day I’ll take you up on that real cup of tea! Happy October Deb. xx

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