Welcome to my world!
Feel free to grab a drink, get comfy and join me for a chat. I’ll offer you a virtual hug and we can have a nice long catchup over a cuppa.
If we were having a cuppa and a chat, I would tell you what’s been going on; all the family I’ve caught up with (while social distancing); how I’ve still got the ‘touch’ and am now known as the ‘baby whisperer’; how much I loved spending some of the winter up north in the warm sunshine; how cycling has taken over this month; Flying into July; and how things are going generally.
What’s your news? Is the year getting any better for you or is it still a bit of a train wreck?
June was a bit hard but we’ve moved on…
I have to say (again) how bad June was but thankfully July redeemed itself and I am now starting to feel a bit better about things, although COVID restrictions are impacting life again – for some more than others!
What has happened to change this mindset?
A few things have helped – the warmth of family, the warmth of winter sunshine, some travel after restrictions were lifted, exercise and a decrease in my anxiety levels due to seeing my daughter and grandson again and seeing improvements. It also helps me writing about these things which I’m usually quite honest about – I know it helps me.
The best part of July?
Family – one word but lots of feels 💖
During July we managed to get to see lots of family. We started the month seeing one of our daughters, son-in-law and granddaughter before spending time with my mother-in-law who has been unwell in hospital and my sister-in-law on the South Coast of NSW.
Once the border into Queensland was opened we made our way north to see our daughter, son-in-law and grandson, basing ourselves in a villa near the beach. We stayed with my mother on the way north and she came to stay with us for a few days at the beach. It’s been great catching up with other family as well – two of my nephews and their families, my uncle, aunt, cousins – everyone made the effort to catch up with us and kept their distance!
July is always a hard month as we remember my brother-in-law who died suddenly 6 years ago and then a week later my father-in-law who passed away 2 years ago.
Granny Debs hits the ground running!
It was so lovely spending time with my daughter and getting to know Patrick. When we last saw him in early March, he was only a few weeks old and it’s been amazing to see the changes in him since them, he has grown so much and is just so adorable. There have been a few issues requiring a never ending round of specialist appointments and it’s been hard on my daughter, especially during the lockdown period.
Granny Debs and Patrick – artwork 
Granny and Patrick
During our visit we helped by just being around, looking after Patrick, shopping, cleaning, spoiling and we all enjoyed the time together. I discovered I could put Patrick to sleep, that I have still got it and became known as they baby whisperer. I was even accused of strutting around after doing my magic trick – as if!!
Jumping into Winter in Queensland
Queensland does winter very well! The photos tell the story better than my words.
I have to tell you that the temperature was around 20-22 degrees every day. On the day we came home it was 2 degrees and the next day it snowed! I miss the beach and the warmth.
Blogging fun
Meeting up with Sue from Women Living Well After 50 was a highlight of my month. We tend to try to catch up whenever I’m up this way and it’s always fun to sit and chew the fat about everything, not just our blogs!
Sue has big news – she’s started her YouTube channel and has just started a podcast aimed at Women Living Well After 50. What an inspiration she is! I’m so proud to be considered one of her cheerleaders 🙂
My three favourite posts this month are these ones – they’re not necessarily the most popular ones!
The wind beneath my tyres – a change of gears!
Stay calm and pedal on. I lycra your wheels. Life behind bars. The fun continues on in this post from a special guest.
Taking Stock – some thoughts on life
Taking stock is always an interesting exercise! Here’s my latest taking stock post for #Lifethisweek
What good things have happened this year?
Can you stop for a moment and think of some good things that have happened so far this year? I made myself sit down and came up with 10 things fairly quickly.
Jumping to distractions – another family photo challenge
In the early days of lockdown, my sister and brother-in-law had the fabulous idea of doing family photo challenges. We started with An Alphabet of Isolation and then moved onto Images by the Dozen (without using numbers) and 10 Ordinary Objects. We’ve just finished Variations on a Theme with my theme being Bike Bits, and we are currently working on Composition – more to come on that one at a later stage. I must say it’s testing me a bit!
It really has been a great way to think of something other than the prevailing pandemic and social unrest around the world. My sister has gone onto produce a magazine of our photos so we all have a memory from this time. We meet up on zoom once a week to share our photos, so it’s been a good way to stay connected too.
I have to say that I’m feeling for my sister and her husband as they are in Melbourne and have been working from home and isolating for months now, doing the right thing, working from home, hardly leaving the house – it’s hard enough in Melbourne in winter without having this to contend with. Sending good vibes to everyone in Victoria.
Jumping on my bike
We made the most of our time away by fitting in a bike ride each morning, usually about 20km along the shared pathways next to the beach, before going to spend time with our daughter and grandson.
It was a lovely way to start the day and compared to home, the weather was almost tropical! I’ve enjoyed sharing almost daily photos on Instagram. #sorrynotsorry
It turns out I rode over 350kms during July! How about that??
Did you know my bike was a guest on my blog recently?
Stepping it up for Fly into July
I joined Sue’s team, Women Living Well After 50, in the month long Fly into July campaign for a few reasons.
- To be held accountable for moving every day during the month of July.
- Be a part of a team – it wasn’t a competition but we were working as a team and I didn’t want to let anyone down.
- Life’s Little Treasures – this was the charity Sue chose for our fundraising and part of our joining fee went to this charity. Sue selected this charity as she had heard about their great work from my experiences, when my granddaughter was born super early at 25 weeks, over in England in August last year. I have helped fundraise for Life’s Little Treasures in the past and have felt so supported by them despite my daughter living in UK and me here in Australia. I have nothing but praise for them and so I was happy to join in and help again.
So how did I go?
I managed to come a credible 255 out of 979 individual walkers, with a total 415953 steps, which averaged out at 13418 steps a day.
Our team of 5 walkers ranked 27th out of 184 teams, with a massive total of 2, 336,360 steps! Wow, just wow! Some of our team did massive days and are to be commended on their efforts.
I enjoyed being held accountable for my movement and activity during the month. It was also great being a part of something, especially now when many of us can’t get together physically but we can support and encourage each other – which we did!
The total steps from everyone involved was a staggering 329,272,392 and over $50000 was raised. The Fly into July step challenge was all about balancing social, mental and physical wellbeing and I think it achieved this. If you haven’t heard of this challenge before, like me, then this link might help fill in some gaps. https://www.flyintojuly.org.au/
So instead of jumping this month I’m using my Fly into July challenge and all my cycling activity to illustrate jumping 🙂
Jump – My WOTY
My word of the year (WOTY) is Jump, so most of my monthly updates will use the theme of jump. And I also get to show a ‘jump’ pic each month. This month I’m featuring my cycling shot with the Mathematician.
You can read more about how I’m (trying) to Jump my way though 2020, in my post here Jumping into the New Year. In some ways I wish we could jump straight into 2021!
So, how was your month?
It’s not been an easy year has it?
I’m desperately hoping that the rest of the year starts looking better – it’s getting a bit grim again isn’t it?
It’s so nice to have friends who check in on you at times like these – they know who they are and I send my heartfelt thanks to them all.
Take care and stay well everyone.
Thanks for listening and for the chat!
Deb xx
Linking up with others around the world for A Sentence a Day
Previous monthly updates:
Jump into a new year – January
Jump in for a chat – February update
Jump in for a chat – March update
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. She never imagined being Granny Debs would bring so much joy to her life! You can read more of Deb’s story here
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Deb's World 
Lovely reflective post! I met with my IRL bookclub at the park (socially distanced, wearing masks, fresh air) this morning for the first time since the shutdown and it felt almost normal! I guess it is our new normal!
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Yes Carol, I like reflecting on what’s gone on in the month this way and it helps me keep track of things. So good you could meet up with your book club IRL, it must have felt so good. Our new normal is very different isn’t it? Thanks for reading and commenting, lovely to have you over for a cuppa 🙂
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I’ll have diet Dr Pepper 😂😂😂
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Your posts are always a ray of sunshine Deb. Thank you for sharing. Though we’re in lockdown here in Melbourne there’s still so much to be grateful for. Loving my winter walks and spending time in nature. Sending love and hugs and wishing you and your family well for August. xx
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Oh many thanks Miriam, I always love hearing from you. I love your positivity, regardless of what’s happening to you, please know that I am thinking of you and wishing you well. Take care and keep enjoying your walks and nature. xx
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Hi Deb – lovely to catch up on your news. I’m a baby whisperer too – babies just seem to fall asleep on me when I hold them. I have their mums tell me not to let them sleep if they’re about to head home because it just seems to happen otherwise!
Looks like you had a fabulous time with family and managed to keep fit at the same time – great that the bike is proving to be such a success too. Looking forward to seeing what August has in store for us all.
PS: Lovely new sidebar profile pic of you too x
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Thanks Leanne, glad to hear you are also a baby whisperer, we are a special breed! I had a much better month, made all the better by seeing Eliza and Patrick in the flesh! I’m now enjoying some home alone time and but the weather is much colder than up north! Thanks also for noticing my new sidebar profile pic, a change is always good and now my hair is soooo long I thought it should be updated 🙂 Hope August will be better for us all. xx
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Always great to read your stories, glad you got to catch up with some of your family, and steal a few cuddles.
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Thanks for reading and commenting Leanne, it’s a fun way for me to keep track of what’s happening in my world.
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Hi, Deb, I enjoyed reading your post, which is full of great ideas! I am grateful to share my good news: I will now be able to spend more time in the Southwestern US due to covid. I love your pics & look forward to hearing about more of your endeavors! Great job on the bike! 👍🙏⭐️
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Hi, Deb – I’m so glad to hear that July was better for you. Your positive attitude is a huge gift and makes a remarkable difference to all around you.
Your photos of Queensland in the winter are incredible! Our Island winters are generally mild (by Canadian standards) but look nothing like that!
I love your final quote. It is so very true!
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Thanks very much for your lovely words Donna. I am determined to stay positive as much as I can and despite whatever life decides to throw at me, as the alternative is not in my makeup! As I sit in top of the fire (almost) today, ensconced on the lounge and keeping cosy warm, I look back at those beach photos and wonder if it was all a dream. It was soooo nice to feel the warm sunshine and know that is winter! Thanks again for all your support and friendship, it means a lot to me. And yes that quote is perfect for the times we find ourselves living in. x
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Hi Debbie. I saw your post over at Stevie Turner’s blog and decided to say hi. It looks like we’ve got a few things in common. My wife is also named Debbie. We just celebrated our thirty-fourth-anniversary last week. We don’t have any grandchildren yet, (our son is twenty-seven and unmarried), but I am so ready for those days. When my wife and I retired four years ago (We were both teachers), I finally decided that I was going to start taking care of myself. Better late than never. I’m determined to be an active grandparent. I’ve lost eighty-five pounds in four years, mostly through rigorous exercise, but also paying attention to my diet. I’ve been a gym rat until COVID, but now I’ve been walking or biking most days. My writing group just resumed a month ago (with masks), and that is great since we took a three-month break after the virus spiked.
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Hi Pete, lovely to meet you here. Yes we do seem to have a few things in common! My husband and I were both teachers too, he taught maths in high school and i worked as a teacher and Education Manager in a men’s minimum security correctional centre (prison) for over 20 years until I was made redundant over 3 years ago when I was 56. I’m now happily retired and loving this new phase of life, despite my early concerns and the way it all happened. My book club is getting back to meeting in person soon and that will be good for us all! I love riding my ebike and my husband and I are very involved in local cycling and community groups. Congrats on your weight loss and keeping up the exercise, it’s not been an easy time to stick to normal routines over the past few months. Thanks for the follow too!
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Winter in Queensland looks perfect, I could cope with that! The beach looks glorious. I’m so glad things are looking better, it’s a very strange time. I hadn’t seen my grandson since February but we caught up a couple of weeks ago for his 8th birthday which was lovely. I love what you did with your sunglasses for the the reflection photo. Let’s hope things are on the way back to normal 🤞🏼
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Thanks Cathy, the weather up there was superb – for winter! I’m now home and it’s cold and wet but it’s quite relaxing too. I’m glad you got to see your grandson for his birthday – special times for you all. Yes I agree, let’s hope things are on their way back to some semblance of normal.
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I love this type of post Deb and thanks for sharing your family news! We have been blessed with glorious weather in Brizzy and it was a balmy 27 degrees yesterday with some much-needed rain today!
Thanks for sharing Women Living Well After 50 – this is me and I shall jump on over in a minute! Take care – Lucy 🙂
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You’re welcome Lucy, I always try to wrap up the month, and sometimes it’s easier than others to collate my thoughts. Yes I couldn’t believe the weather up north, it was just delightful! Sue runs a facebook page and group as well if you’re interested. Great to hear from you.
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Thanks for the info on Sue – I will pop on over – love you blog 🙂 take care
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You were fortunate to make it to Qld .. alas I have missed out this time. Was booked to go on Wednesday coming.. another flight to cancel! Well done on the walking .. My steps have been down for the past few weeks.
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Yes we were very fortunate Albert and it was much needed by us and our daughter. What a shame you couldn’t get up there! These past few days my walking has slipped due to the wet and cold weather. Stay warm and dry over there!
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Yes, being able to see our families suddenly makes life a whole lot better. Our 5th grandchild was born last week. I haven’t seen him yet, but will do so on Sunday!
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Hi Deb, this is a wonderful recap of what sounds like a fabulous month. Family, exercise, creative outlets – it all contributes to renewed energy, doesn’t it? Glad you were able to travel and visit with family. My friends who have grandchildren tell me that is the worst part of isolation for them – missing hugs from the little ones. Take care and have a wonderful August.
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Thanks for your visit Suzanne, always lovely to have you pop in! It was a much better month than June and hopefully things are looking up in some areas. I have one granddaughter in England and I simply don’t know when I’ll be able to visit her again. For now technology is my friend! All the best for the month ahead.
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A fabulous wrap-up with so much to love. Family, blue skies, open (briefly) borders… Winter in Queensland takes some beating, doesn’t it?
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Yes Jo, I’m tempted to move there every winter, as long as the borders are open! But you know what, now that I’m home, ensconced in front of the fire and all snuggly and cosy wearing layers of clothing – it is a pretty nice feeling to have a bit of real winter. Thanks for your words 🙂
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Love the pictures and so glad you had time to spend with family. Great picture of your family too, I think that is the first picture I had seen of your hubby. I have spent part of my day taking sneak peaks of live coverage of the journey of Mayflower II from Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, through the Cape Cod Canal and into Plymouth Harbor. Lots of fanfare and excitement. Best, Michele
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Thanks Michele, I really love the connections we make as bloggers and sharing bits of our lives. My monthly updates help me take note of what goes on in a month!
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Glad you were able to spend more time with Patrick again. What a doll baby. Hope all of your grands can get together sometime in the near future.
This post made me happy because you are back to jumping. Jumping for joy! I know Covid is strengthening in Australia but I pray you can keep jumping and stay healthy. Averaging 13K steps a day, I don’t think could catch you!!
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Thanks Leslie! Yes I’m back to jumping, you can’t keep a good woman down too long, even COVID hasn’t that ability!
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Love your cheerful posts. You’re doing very well on the walking front – now that my gym has reopened, I am walking less, which I need to change because we have a strenuous hiking holiday coming up. I’ll look out for Sue’s podcast!
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Thank you for the lovely comment! It’s not always beer and skittles but I try hard to stay cheerful as much as I can and despite what’s happening around me. Good luck on the hiking holiday!
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