It’s Friday again!
Fun, friendship, freezing – feel free to insert your own F word here!
What made me happy this week?
The heavy rain over the weekend was very welcome and the garden was very happy with it too. I loved this photo I captured of the stormy sky over next door’s vineyard.

The reaction to my post about the serendipitous connections lost and found, after an accident nearly 60 years ago, made me happy. I thought it was a great story and apparently so did lots of others. I’m so happy to have it written up 🙂
I received the final drawings for my Dottie and the Wombat story, from the freelance illustrator this week, and they are amazing! I absolutely love them. Here’s sneak preview of one of them. How adorable!

I met Paul West from River Cottage Australia, as he was in Tumbarumba to launch his new cook book The Edible Garden. He’s a lovely guy, and happily took a selfie with me just for my son-in-law in England, he’s a real fan!


My daughter and son-in-law celebrated 4 years of marriage and 10 years together this week – such happy memories of their special day. At the time I loved writing about my MOB status and it made me happy to re-read this post Victory – Final MOB update
So much to be happy about this week 🙂
What made me sad this week?
I had so much happening I hardly had any time to get out for a walk, and I missed it. I also missed listening to my favourite podcasts while out walking. Hopefully next week will be different.
I watched a news story about premature babies and one family’s efforts to raise money in memory of their son – I cried watching it!
What made a difference to me this week?
A massage! I didn’t realise how stressed I was until my back and shoulders were massaged for nearly an hour. I obviously carry stress in my shoulders. The massage was sooooo good!
I also had my hair done and eyebrows waxed in preparation for my trip away. It made a difference to how I felt 🙂
Ticking things off my to-do list has made me feel more in control but I still haven’t packed my bag and we leave home on Sunday – eeeek!!!
OK it’s your turn – how would you answer these three questions?
I’d love to hear from you 🙂
Deb xx
Sharing with Denyse at #Lifethisweek
Recent posts in case you missed them:
- A peek into a change of scenery #SundayStills
- The Thong Pole in Tathra #WordlessWednesday
- I’d rather be… #SundayStills
- That empty feeling when you finish a series #WOYBS
- Tell Us About…Scent
You can also find Deb’s World in lots of other places – stay in touch by clicking any of the buttons below.
Hi, Deb – I absolutely love your “What Made He Happy this Week?” posts! They are incredibly thought-provoking and inspiring! When we take a breather from our busyness, rushing and striving…we realize just how much we have to be grateful for.
Thank you for the sneak preview of the illustration for Dottie and the Wombat. It is truly stunning!
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Oh thank you Donna, I truly appreciate you reading and always commenting and coming back for more 🙂 I like the fact that I have to almost physically stop and think about the questions so it’s a great tool for me to take stock and think about what I’m grateful for each week. I absolutely adore the drawings for the little book and although I didn’t commission that many (only 7) I am thrilled to bits with each and every one of them. I’m glad you also liked the sneak peek 🙂 xx
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The illustration of the wombat is adorable, how nice that you found an artist whose vision matched your own. Oh, and I’m jealous of anyone who has enough eyebrow hair that it needs waxing… it’s been a long time since I’ve needed that done!
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I’m so glad you like the illustration too Janis, I’m really happy with them all. I laughed at your comment about being jealous of needing eyebrows waxed, I hadn’t thought of that problem! I know some people have really pale eyebrows but I don’t have that problem either 🙂
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Love these posts Deb, full of news and thoughts and just very upbeat as usual. Everything seems to make me happy and nothing much makes me sad these days. I’m pleased to say that I seem to have reached a place where i can put everything into context and not let anything get me down. Actually, that’s not true. i was very cold last night whilst watching TV and sleeping and I don;t like being cold. Made me slightly miserable.So an extra pair of socks and maybe an extra blanket will make a difference tonight.
It’s cold at the moment so make sure you bring warm stuff!
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Thanks Jonno, I love having you visit! I love your happiness and suggest you get some extra socks to help take the chill off. We are packed and ready for the change in temps, thanks for the tip!
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Have a great flight over Deb.
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Hi Deb,
Loved your happys…
and a little self-care in the way of massage, hair, and eyebrows can go a long way towards making us feel a bit better about ourselves.
And I relate to ticking off those little things to be done prior to a trip…it really helps you get a handle on the whole preparation thing.
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Thanks Nancy, nothing like a list of things to tick off! I love a bit of pampering too 🙂
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I’m glad you got some much needed rain. Me? What made me happy? Face Timing with the grandkids. What made me sad? Hearing about the brutal murder of 9 Americans by the Mexican Cartel. What made the difference? Doing a Bible Study on Thankfulness to prepare my heart for Thanksgiving.
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Hi Amy, thanks for your responses, it’s great to have you join in. I love Facetime for connecting with family too. I’m so glad you had a nice time preparing for Thanksgiving. Have a great week 🙂
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The illustration for your Dottie and The Wombat is fantabulous! Have a great week.
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Thanks Lisa, I LOVE the illustrations too! Enjoy your week.
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I just love the illustration, Deb and it must be very exciting putting it all together for Dottie. We definitely need the rain up in Qld and I’m very sad for the people affected by the bushfires which have been raging for the last few weeks. I always feel great after having my hair, eyebrows and eyelashes done. I feel like a new woman. I’m happy this week to have spent time with my adorable grandsons. Elliot is now walking and I need eyes in the back of my head! Have a great week and sending love. xx
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Hi Sue, thanks for your comment. I always love hearing from you and know how busy you are so appreciate your support and encouragement. The illustartions ahve turned out better than I thought and the book is looking great. I’m so happy with it all. I can imagine needing eyes in the back of your head with Elliot now walking, as Emilia is also on the move! They’re so clever aren’t they? xx
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Hi Deb – we’ve had some rain in WA too – then some major heat, and now back to lovely Spring days. That wombat pic is just so sweet – you’ve done well to make your Dottie book into something so special.
I could do with a massage too (my shoulders def need a little work!) and I’m off to the hairdresser on Thursday for a freshen up. You must be getting quite excited about your UK departure now – I hope it all goes well. xx
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Yes we’re very excited as we’re on the move, now with my MIL for a few days before flying out on Friday. We get some time with Emilia before we go too, yay!!
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Great round-up.I’m just a tad jelly about your photo with Paul West. Tell, me, is he as nice in real life as he seems on the telly? My answers: what made me happy? Catching up with my Perth-based bestie. What made me sad? The thought of the wildlife lost in the bushfires. What made a difference? My visit to an osteopath,
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Oh Jo, he is the loveliest guy and so caring. He was very taken with my story as to why I wanted the book and he had to give me a hug as he had goosebumps. I was so impressed with his down to earth nature. I also loved the beetroot chocolate brownies they made using his recipe, I tempted to write a post about them! So good….
I’m so pleased your osteopath visit helped, you have to be to walk for your upcoming trip!! Aren’t the fires just too awful, we had so much rain at home I felt a bit guilty and it’s been so cold!
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oooooh beetroot brownies. I need that recipe!
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I have it!! I can send it if you want me to??
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Yes please! My email is jotracey@bigpond.net.au
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Hi Jo, I’ve just sent through a photo from the book. 🙂
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Thanks. I’ll be trying this out over the weekend…
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You’ll have to let me know how they turn out!
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I certainly will…
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We had our first family holiday with our puppy Teddy Roosevelt, he’s quite the intrepid traveller! All the news of the bushfires made me sad – it’s having such a huge impact on both wildlife and humans alike. And I think a few days away really made a difference to me this week, it was so good to get some sunshine and Vitamin Sea!
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Oh Sammie, the fires are just awful, yes huge impacts on everything! Glad you enjoyed your few days away too.
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The drawing looks good.
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Thanks, it’s one of 7 and they’re all fabulous.
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The wombat illustrations are so cute! Love!
Di from Max The Unicorn
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Thanks Di, I’m thrilled with them too.
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What a wonderful idea, to reflect on your week and write about what affected you. I got a massage this week too, which made me very happy. I always walk out of the massage studio feeling kind of “float-y” and relaxed. Love the new illustration!
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Hi Laurie, I enjoy the time to reflect and it is quite hard to answer the three questions sometimes, really makes me think! I’m very floaty when I’ve had a massage too. The whole set of illustrations are fabulous 🙂
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Hi Debbie – I love your photo of the vineyard and the illustration for your Dottie and the Wombat book. Wishing you a safe trip to the UK and all the best to Dottie and your family! Thank you for recommending my Float’em Garden post on the side bar of your blog, too.
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Thanks Natalie, it will be good to finally get back to them. The vineyard is amazing throughout the year, watching the change in colours and activity going on!
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Deb, you live right beside a vineyard!? Love the sneak peak of the drawing. It looks perfect! I am reading your post, reminded of my massage this week. A huge help mentally and physically. I am enjoying the three question, Fridays posts. They make me stop and reflect. 🙂 Safe travels, Deb!
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Yes Erica, we have vineyard next door! It’s a great sight throughout the year. I love having massages regularly too. I’m so happy to hear you’re enjoying my Friday posts, it means a lot to get your thoughts 🙂
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I love the illustration Deb! So exciting that the book is coming together. Nothing like
Taking care of oneself with things like massage, hair, waxing to help each of us. When do you leave?
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Thanks Sue, the book is done! We have left home and the house sitter is in residence. We are now spending a few days with my mother-in-law, then my daughter and husband and granddaughter, before flying out on Friday night! So close now 🙂
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Safe travels Deb. I’m sure you will be so happy to be with Dottie again.
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Pretty envious of that weather as you know.How lovely some celebrities are. Meeting Trent Dalton was like that for me. So, almost ‘there’ …on your way I mean. Breathe deeply and just let it all happen. Sending a big hug. I need a massage too. Thank you for joining Life This Week, next week’s optional prompt is 46/51 Gift Idea For Teachers 18/11/19. Sure hope to see you link up again. Denyse.
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Yes Denyse, almost there, just one more sleep to go! Thanks for you hug, sending you one back too 🙂 xx
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