Welcome to my world!
Grab a drink, get comfy and jump in for a chat. I’ll even share some popcorn with you 🙂
Thanks for dropping by, it’s always great to see you. These monthly chats are a fun way to collate the news of my world.
Let’s talk about jumping, not jumping, and how to help my knee improve by doing some right brain activities.
Jump – is my WOTY
Reminder: My word of the year (WOTY) is Jump, so my monthly updates tend to use this as a focus. And I also try to capture a ‘jump’ photo each month. Here I am!
Due to knee issues not much jumping went on, but I can pretend, and my Bitmoji self can still jump!
How many different ways are there of jumping?
Jumping to conclusions – apparently it’s not a form of real exercise!
Jumping in boots and all – do you do that too?
Jumping on the inside – if my outside can’t jump at least my insides can
Jumping on a bandwagon – is this ever a good idea?
Jumping ahead of yourself – not always a good idea
Jumping on a bike – thankfully this is still an option!
Jumping into the unknown – see story below
Jumping in the car and just driving – but only if restrictions allow you to do so!
Jumping in puddles – my preferred form of jumping
Are there any other ways of jumping you can offer me?
The Mother ship
This is a perfect case of jumping into the unknown.
Some big news – after living thousands of kilometres away from my mother since I was 18, she is now living only 75kms away. Yes literally just down the road!
She decided to move from up in the north of the state, to the south, where it’s much colder in winter and a different kind of hot in summer. Why did she move? Well when you ask her she says it’s because she will be nearer to family – my brother and his daughter and grandchildren live there, her brother lives there and her sister is only a few hours drive away. I’m close by and my sister is much closer as well, about 5 hours drive away but much closer than she was before. If you ask me it’s because she’s keen to live nearer to her favourite child (her youngest, my brother) 🙂
It is a good solution to being on her own with limited family support, but it’s been a huge effort to make the move as you can imagine. Thankfully she has lots of good friends and neighbours who have helped out and she’s a strong old bird! It still feels strange to know I can pop over to have lunch with her or a cuppa and a chat, and still be home within an hour.
Mum is lucky to have found a little house to rent and will be on the lookout for her ‘perfect’ new home over the next few months. It was great to be able to help her unpack and get settled, she really is amazing and is already quite comfortable but it is a huge move for her. She has a lot ahead of her but if anyone can make it work, she can.
I’m happy I can now see her more often and do things together that we haven’t been able to do except when on holidays. I think you’ll agree it’s a huge thing to do!
Happy to you
The biggest celebration in September was when my granddaughter Emilia turned two. She enjoyed the song ‘Happy Birthday to You’ but sang it leaving the word ‘birthday’ out, so it became Happy to You! So cute!!
We had a small get together, enjoying a day at the zoo and a party in the park. She is just the cutest little girl and I’d forgotten how amazing a two year old can be, with all the talking and learning of new things.
Blogging fun
I’ve had another great month of blogging, thanks for all the visits, comments and follows 🙂
I did a short writing course and wrote about it here, it was a challenge but I’m glad I jumped in!
My favourite posts this month are these ones – please note they’re not necessarily the most popular ones! I usually choose posts that have meant something a bit special to me. Like the memories from the Sydney Olympics in 2000, what fun we had being overseas and watching from afar.
My Sunday Stills post was a favourite mainly due to the great and timely quote I found – Before you give up, think about why you held on so long – yes it went well with the photos of water droplets holding on but it also resonated with me about life, especially at the moment. I always enjoying jumping into a challenge.
Taking Stock – life at the moment
Taking stock is always an interesting exercise! Here’s my latest taking stock post for #Lifethisweek
Where were you during the Sydney Olympics in 2000?
What were you doing in September 2000 when the Sydney Olympics were on?
An update on my list of 12 things to do before turning 60
Here’s an update on my list of 12 things I plan to do before turning 60 at the end of the year. And why I didn’t go for 60 things 🙂
Before you give up, think about why you held on so long
Water droplets is the theme for #SundayStills today so I’ve collated a few of my favourite drop shots.
Jumping on my bike
Whenever I could, I jumped on my bike during September. Even the magpies couldn’t put me off! It’s the one exercise that doesn’t hurt my knee. I love this happy snap with my husband and good friends out riding the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail.
This is a screen shot taken from a tourism video promoting our area which was released this month. And yes that’s me and my husband riding on the bridge. It was an early morning start to the photo shoot back in May, but I’m sure you’ll agree the autumn colours and fog were a perfect combination.
So what do you do when your knee isn’t into jumping?
Yes I am still going on about my right knee – it’s sore, it won’t let me walk or run or do things I love doing. I can’t exercise the way I want to and it is starting to really p# @$% me off annoy me.
You know the saying, the straw that broke the camel’s back? Well that’s me right about now. To some it won’t seem like a big deal and I’m lucky to be healthy and able to still move but I know all that. Let me moan on for a minute please!
I first went to the physio in March, after putting up with it being sore for a while. I enjoyed the slowness and calmness of the exercises and felt I was improving with regular checkup appointments. I was doing what I’d been told and not walking or running. I didn’t have a problem with bike riding so that was good!
When I had to go away for family reasons, the appointments stopped and I felt OK. It didn’t seem to be too bad and the pain was minimal.
Once I was home again, I started walking early in the morning with some friends. I loved the interaction, the early morning get up and go routine, the feeling of being active again but, unfortunately, my knee wasn’t too happy.
I could manage one day of walking but then the next day I had to rest my knee as it was too sore. This went on for a week or two before I decided I really couldn’t do ANY walking until I had my knee checked out by the physio due to the pain I was experiencing. I nearly cried. I needed the time to walk and talk with my friends, I needed the exercise, I had put on weight during winter (I blame the pandemic), I needed to feel in control.
I’ve probably told this story before but when my daughters were teenagers and I would get VERY stressed by life in general. Instead of erupting like a volcano, I would put on my shoes and go walking – as fast and furious as I could. And believe me I could walk both fast and furious at the same time! Years later I started running and this helped me enormously, I could run and think, or run and not think, but my body knew what it needed to do.
Now I can’t walk like that or run at all. And I’m not happy!
With everything else going on in my life, I need my body to move, I need to feel the freedom that walking and running give me.
But no, not at the moment. I have to be patient and controlled with my movements to get it back to the way it was. I’m fast approaching 60 and this knee issue has told me what I’d been trying to ignore – my body isn’t the same as it was a few years ago.
My physio said my knee has been like a volcano (funny she used that same expression) and was erupting. She can help me and we will work on it together. She will join my support team and believe me, I need support.
She also said I should try to activate my right brain due to not being able to walk or run – dancing, singing, drawing, writing. I mentioned I was a blogger and have recently done a writing course for children’s picture books. Her face lit up and she said YES, you need to continue to do this and get things out, cry, write whatever. So here I am writing instead of crying.
So, how was your month?
I’m always interested in hearing your news., what’s been happening in your world?
Thanks for listening to my news and being a part of my world.
Take care and stay well. All the best to you for the month ahead. It has to get better!
Deb xx
Linking up with other bloggers from around the world for my version of 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
A hop, skip and a jump into July
You can also find Deb’s World in lots of other places – stay in touch by clicking any of the buttons below.
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Deb's World 
I enjoyed jumping in & reading about your month thru the sentence a day link-up. My mother recently moved across the country with my sister. Happy Birthday to your darling granddaughter. I have 7 Grands. Ages between 2 & 15. I do agree the fall colors & fog made a nice picture & video promotion for the trail. I sure would like to visit that place.
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Welcome Karen! Thanks for reading my post. I know it’s not the usual day by day sentence a day post but it suits me to write it like this. My 3 grandchildren are all so special aged 2, 1 and 7 mths. I have another due in January 2021. They’re great fun aren’t they? I love that photo from the bike trail and we are lucky to live in such a beautiful place. Thanks for your visit to my world.
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I enjoyed reading about your month. Hope you knee gets better soon. How cool to have your mother living close again to you. She looks so happy in that picture. Have a blessed month.
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Thanks very much! Happy to report my knee is improving and it turns out to be more of a muscle thing above the knee so that was good news. Mum is very happy and is settling in well to her new surroundings, it’s a big step to move at her age.
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My mother in law just sold her house last week and will be moving just a few doors down in the coming year (when the house is ready for her). My boys are so excited to have her living so near to us!
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That’s great news for you all. It will make such a difference having my mum closer and I’m sure your MIL will enjoy being closer to you all too.
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Such a terrific post, Deb – I do hope your knee improves soon. Toni x
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Many thanks Toni, and I am happy to say there have been big improvements this past week!
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Fantastic ❤️❤️💃🏼
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You can “jump for joy” that your mother has moved closer. It’s so difficult when there’s a great physical distance between you as they get older.
I am very sorry to hear about your knee. Glad you have a good physio’ though and I really hope it’s feeling much better very soon. x
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Yes, we are all jumping for joy having mum closer now! My knee is on the mend I’m pleased to say. Thanks very much for your visit and comment.
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Deb, It is so cool that you’re closer to your mom now! My mom lives an 8 hour drive away and I would love to be only an hour. That’s certainly a jump for joy item. And sending you healing thoughts for your knee. Mine went “out” awhile back and we determined (therapist actually), that it was really my hips that needed strengthening. The old “the knee bone connected to the thigh bone” scenario. It took some time in therapy, but now I’m usually pain free. Lovely to hear about all your Jumping moments this month.
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Hi Pat, it is a relief to have mum closer to us and life will be very different for her now. Yes I get the hip comment, mine is now thought to be more of an adductor strain that is impacting on my knee, rather than the knee itself! It’s starting to improve thankfully. Glad yours got sorted out and hoping I can say the same thing soon 🙂
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I’m sorry to hear about your knee, Deb. I definitely understand how that loss of freedom to get out and walk–especially with friends–is frustrating. I hope you will be feeling better soon. In the meantime, I’m pleased to see that you have so much to be grateful for this month, including your mother moving closer and your granddaughter’s birthday. As for me, the big news here is we got an offer on our cabin. I’m sad to see it go, but it’s nice not to have to pay taxes and insurance on it this winter, and the money will go directly towards our new home in southern Utah. Here’s to a healthy happy October!
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Thanks Christie, I’m on the right track now I hope, with they physio and regular massages, but it is very frustrating! I’m very happy for you with the offer on your cabin but you have so much to look forward to in your new home.
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Since when has jumping to conclusions or on and off bandwagons not been an exercise? That’s too much disappointment to bear on a Friday morning! Seriously though, some great stuff here – especially in regards to your mother moving closer, and you know I sympathise re the dodgy leg – although mine is apparently a dodgy calf. Hey ho, it’s doing my head in something chronic!
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I know, and I’m sorry to disillusion you Jo! We can commiserate together with our dodgy legs!! Hope you get some relief soon and yes it’s great knowing mum is so much closer now. Thanks and have a great weekend 🙂
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Sorry about your knee! Great news about your mother moving closer, though. And, that picture of you biking over the bridge… so lovely!
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Thanks Janis, the good news certainly outweighs the bad!
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Have you heard of the British children’s television show Balamory? It was based on Tobemory on the Isle of Mull. One of the characters was Josie Jump who always wore yellow. It must be difficult not being able to go for walks. Our local swimming pool has just started an over 60 lane swim so I have been doing a lot of swimming.
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HI Anne, no I don’t think I’ve heard of that show but I LOVE the sound of Josie Jump, particularly as yellow is one of my favourite colours! Go you with the swimming, that’s fabulous!
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Hi, Deb -I loved this catch-up. Here are some more ‘jump’ expressions: Jump at the chance, jump for joy, jump the gun, jump ship, jump-start, jump hoops, jump down someone’s throat (although you and I would never do the last one). 😀
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Thanks Donna, I love your additions!! I’ll keep them in mind for further posts, although I’ve just realised my year of jumping is coming to an end quite quickly! I agree we would never jump down anyone’s throat 🙂
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Lovely post.
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I appreciate your visit and comment, it’s always good to look back at the months and see what has resonated the most. Thanks!
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Hi Deb – sorry the knee is still giving you the pip. My dodgy hip has been getting gradually worse and (after much Googling) I found I might be a good candidate for a guided cortisone or platelet injection. We have an excellent sports medicine doc not too far away who fixed my frozen shoulder a few years ago, so I went to see him this week and he thinks a cortisone injection will make a huge difference – so in a few weeks time (when I can get another appt) I’m going to bite the bullet and have it done – hopefully I’ll never need the dreaded hip replacement if I can continue to manage things. I hope you get your volcanic knee sorted in the near future – or maybe look for other solutions (how about a scooter?? 😉) Also lovely news about your mum xx
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I’m so pleased to hear you are able to get some relief Leanne, and look forward to hearing how it goes. I’m feeling better after visits to physio and a massage this week, and have some things to do to be proactive rather than wallowing in despair!
Yes it is great knowing mum is just down the road now 🙂
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How lovely to have your mum closer to home!
Sorry to hear your knee is causing you problems, but pleased you are seeing a physio because having a dodgy knee can make you walk differently so you put strain on your hips, which affects your back … best to get the knee sorted as soon as you can. Does your physio use acupuncture in conjunction with exercise and massage? Whilst I really don’t like acupuncture, I had to begrudgingly admit that it really helped when I had a problem with tendonitis in my heel!
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Hi Deb, thanks for your thoughtful comments and suggestions. It appears it’s not really the knee at all but the leg muscles above my knee which are impacting, so it’s a work in progress to build them up again.
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Wonderful news that you have your Mum close by Deb. I’m slightly envious. I feel your pain Re the knee. What you are going through sounds exactly how it was for me and I understand how you feel. Keep riding and don’t do anything weight bearing for now would be my advice. I know it’s horrible advice to hear. Mine came good eventually and I’m sure yours will too.
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I thought of you Jen when I was writing my post, as your knee issues were ongoing for a while weren’t they? I’m so happy to hear yours came good in time and I am definitely taking your advice.
It is wonderful news about mum’s move closer, but will take a while to get used to her being so close!
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Oops! My bad, Debbie. Shame on me as that is my wife’s name and the correct spelling of her name.
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No problem Pete, I’ve been called worse!!
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I’m so sorry to hear about your knee, Debby. I’ve had two knee surgeries, and my right knee is considerably weaker than the left. I’m lucky that it doesn’t inhibit me much. A nagging bad back has been my issue this past month. It blows when our usually reliable bodies let us down. Sigh—the joys of getting older.
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Yes Pete the joys (not) of getting older. Thanks for dropping by and I’m glad to hear your issues don’t inhibit you too much. It’s funny I’m feeling better already, maybe I just had to write about it to get some of it out of my system.
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Oh, sweets, I am so sorry you are having such a time with your knee. My PC, too!! His is a baseball related issue. Hoping you are both back to normal very soon. Glad writing is a form of relief and release for you.
That baby girl sure is a little doll. Love that blonde, curly hair. Hope her birthday was a very special day. And how ’bout your spunky little mom moving closer!! That is terrific. I wish my mom was close enough for lunch or a coffee. It would make everyone’s life easier if she were. Enjoy your times with her.
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Thank you Leslie, I love getting your comments, no-one else ever calls me ‘sweets’!! Hope PC is feeling better soon.
My granddaughter is so adorable and I know I’m completely biased! Her curly hair is gorgeous and not something in our family so extra special. Yes mum is very spunky making the move and settling in well. I’m off to see her this weekend for a sleepover! Wishing your mum well too xx
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Hi Deb I enjoyed your review of September. My most exciting part of the month was finally becoming empty nesters, and my sons starting new jobs and new exciting lives! I have to live vicariously through them at the moment because I’m still recovering from the last operation 4 weeks ago. My husband landscaped the front of our property too.
About your knee – have you had an MRI? After this length of time it might be worth having some investigations because it might be a torn cruciate ligament. Hope you can get relief soon. I really miss not being able to exercise as well.
Take care, Christina
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Thanks Christina, becoming an empty nester is a good feeling but also weird. I do hope your recovery is going well, you haven’t had an easy time of it at all have you? My knee is responding well so far but I know I have to take it easy for a while longer!
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My take on jumping is to practice the art of saying YES! So much to embrace in this life! Say yes whenever possible!
My 94 year old mother lives within an hours drive and it’s a tremendous blessing!
I’m happy to hear that you and your mom will be closer!
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I agree Carol, saying yes can definitely be a form of jumping. It’s great to finally have mum closer to us now! Thanks for joining me.
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