Exploring in April 2023
I’ve had lots of fun exploring during April so decided to use this month’s WBOYC to highlight a few of my activities, using APRIL as a prompt.
A is for anticipation. We’ve only got about 2 weeks until we leave for our big trip (I wrote a whole post about Travel Anticipation recently) – we’re travelling to the UK for a few months to spend time with my eldest daughter, who is turning the big 4-0, and of course Dottie my famous 3yr old granddaughter. Melanie’s planning an Aussie themed party and as Dottie is going as Bingo (from Bluey) can you guess what I’m going as?
Did you guess? – the Grannies, Janet and Rita, (aka Bluey and Bingo playing dress-ups) are fun characters – I’m going as Janet who wears an orange towel/blanket, with purple granny glasses. I have my outfit sorted with help from family and friends – don’t worry there’ll be photos I’m sure!
In case you’re interested this link shows you how to dress like the Grannies – courtesy of Bluey Official. The video below is a look at the Grannies in action 🙂
P is for play. We’ve had lots of fun opportunities for playing with our grandchildren during the month with Easter and then a few days of pre-school holidays where we helped out. We went to Questacon, scooter riding, did the Tuff Nutterz obstacle course and bike riding plus general play around the house. It’s so much fun being a granny!
R is for riding, which we’ve done lots of this month, exploring new trails in Melbourne which I wrote about here, and with our grandchildren in Canberra. We took our 4 year old granddaughter out on her scooter one day and the next day we took her bike out which she hadn’t ridden for a while. She was tentative to start with but ended up riding around shouting ‘I’m doing it’ she was very happy with herself and we were excited for her! I have to add that my new e-bike has had the tick of approval from my massage therapist as it has helped my back and shoulders by making me more upright – so I’m very happy with that!
I is for instructor. It seems I still have it, once a teacher always a teacher 🙂 As well as taking my granddaughter for practice rides on her pedal bike with training wheels during April, I also helped my (younger) sister explore why she keeps falling off her bike when she stops. It turns out she wasn’t preparing for when she stopped and would tumble off, sometimes with dire consequences like concussion! I took her for a ride around the quiet streets of Kew in Melbourne and showed her how I stop and talked her through the process. She found it revolutionary and said it was a ‘game changer’! The next day she managed to ride 20+km, and stopped many times without incident. She loved the ride and I was so proud of her for not giving in. The power of big sisters!
L is for lifestyle. We are in a fortunate position to be able to live the lifestyle that we do, but it’s come at a cost along the way, it’s not been smooth sailing by any stretch. Life isn’t always rainbows and lollipops but it’s true we try to make the best of every situation. Recent events in our family have shown me again that it’s up to us to make the most of what we have, do things when we can and not to take anything for granted. We never know what’s around the corner, so we try to make each day count! Exploring life as a young-at-heart retiree, trying to fit everything into our days, helping others when we can and appreciating what we have is a good honest way to live. I’m being true to myself and yes I know I’m a bit of a Pollyanna!
Explore. Dream. Discover.
Exploring took place in a variety of locations and in many forms
- Canberra – Questacon, Tuff Nutterz obstacle course, reading books to little ones, bike riding, scootering, morning tea out, snuggling in bed watching Peppa Pig on the iPad
- Melbourne – a great weekend with my sister
- Easter – always a fun time with one of my daughters and her little family
- Reading – not as much this month but still enjoyable – my latest What’s on Your Bookshelf
- Writing/Blogging – blogging continues to amuse me. I enjoyed writing about Whimsy for the monthly word prompt inspired Tell us About…challenge
- Shopping – both online and in person, getting ready for our trip away
- Travel – lots of driving this month
- My new computer – lots to explore and learn!
Exploring at home
I ride my bike into town a few times a week and as I returned home the other day, this was my view. I just had to stop and take a photo of the vineyard next door – isn’t it just glorious? I never tire of these views and I never take it for granted.
My Word of the Year for 2023 is EXPLORE
Exploring means taking advantage of all the opportunities that come my way and embracing the unexpected moments. It means being open to new experiences and not being afraid to step out of my comfort zone. And through it all, I hope to deepen my appreciation for the beauty of life and everything it has to offer.
Explore can relate to creativity, food, ideas, travel, books, music, exercise, relationships, fun, fashion – it’s a word that exudes adventure and curiosity – and I love these words! I’m definitely exploring my options throughout the year.
What’s Been on Your Calendar plus Word of the Year
As I’ve mentioned before, it’s all about exploring this year, so what better way to recap my month than in this monthly linkup with friends – Jo, Donna and Sue – where we look at what’s been on our calendars (WBOYC), what we’ve been doing, how our word of the year (WOTY) is going, if we have one, and what’s new.
And the good news is you’re welcome to share what you’ve been up to with us as well 🙂
If you write a similar type of post each month, think about joining in by using the link button at the bottom of my post and leaving your post’s URL. Between us all, we visit everyone who links up and you never know who you might meet. We four met through our various blogs and are now great friends despite living miles away from each other.
Our monthly linkup for this year, is about What’s Been on Your Calendar #WBOYC and allows for #WOTY (Word of the Year) updates as well as anything else you’ve been up to during the month. The monthly linkup goes live today (Friday 28 April 2023 Aus time) and is open for seven days, so we do hope you will join us.
This monthly linkup is hosted by Donna from Retirement Reflections, Jo from And Anyways…, Sue from Women Living Well After 50 and me, Deb from Deb’s World (Aus).
So there you have it, April is done and dusted! Bring on May.
I’m keen to know what you’ve been up to.
Happy Days 🙂
Deb xx
Also sharing for Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share – come and see what others have shared
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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
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Deb's World 
“Explore” is a wonderful word of the year, and I loved your paragraph on how it’s important to do what you can, while you can. Thanks for sharing your explorations with us!
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Thanks Janet, it’s so important for us to do what we can while we can!
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What a great example of your young retirement life, Debbie! Your calendar is full enough and you spend wonderful time with your family. I know you are getting excited about your upcoming trip. I’m joining you all tomorrow with a run down of our road trip…plenty of calendar dates to share 😁 By the way, I LOVE that gorgeous image of the yellow tree and field! 💛
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Thanks so much Terri! I really enjoyed your post too 🙂
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Your month in photos exudes vitality and happiness. It is lovely to see.
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Thanks Bernadette, I had a really fun month and next month will be even better as we’re travelling across the world! Much to explore 🙂
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You really are helping to get everyone out on their bikes! You should get sponsorship for your blog from a bike brand. It looks like you have had a good month with your family and it’s very exciting that you will soon be seeing your ‘UK’ family. Safe travels and keep us updated.
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Thanks Janine, it’s been a big month and next month will be even more extra special! Lots of exploring to get done 😊
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I agree with you about being able to enjoy a certain lifestyle at this time in our lives. We have been lucky and done a lot of traveling. I’m hoping to do even more in the years to come. We’re trying to figure something out as we tend to be last minute planners! Thanks for the link up!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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Thanks Marsha, we are fortunate to live and travel as we do. After the past few years I’m not taking anything for granted!
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Another wonderful post Deb. Lots to Smile and laugh about. “Laughter is the best medicine”. I am concentrating on this strategy more and more these days and your blog helps immensely, as well as watching Bluey with the grandkids. Thank you. xx
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Hi Ingrid, thanks for continuing to follow my blog, it’s great knowing you appreciate reading my posts. Bluey is such a lovely show for all ages isn’t it. Hope things are going well with you.
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Debbie, Thank you for your weekend coffee share. Looks like you’ve had fantastic April. I love your Lifestyle paragraph. Keep on exploring and enjoying life.
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Thanks Natalie, it was a great month with so many fun activities and time spent with family. I think that as bloggers we have to be authentic and so my lifestyle paragraph came about 🙂
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Keep celebrating your joyful moments of life! The month of April has been so good to you! ‘Exploring’ cheers to you!
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Thank you, I am looking forward to travelling next month, so lots of exploring to do :). Cheers.
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THat Tuff Nutterz thing is fantastic. Even the teens liked it. Canberra is so great for kids. Very accessible with so much on….and yes, I think a Pollyanna attitude is a great thing, because the bad stuff is going to keep coming at you, but if you start from a higher baseline, you might just wade thru it without too much damage…me, I have to work a little harder on my outlook, but it can be done.
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Hi Lydia, Tuff Nutterz really is a fun obstacle course for all ages and we always enjoy visiting Canberra, it has so much to offer. Keep smiling.
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How clever you are, Deb, using APRIL to organize your update. I am always impressed by your biking. I admit to being afraid of bike riding. If it’s just me on a trail, I can power through, but I don’t have confidence to control it if something unexpected happens. Enjoy your continued exploring!
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Thanks Christie, I know a few people who haven’t learnt to ride a bike or are too anxious to enjoy it, which is a shame. I get so much joy from it. I’m keen to take my exploring overseas next month!
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Look at you teaching everyone to ride from little to big! LOL. It sounds like a wonderful month. All that playing looks like so much fun.
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Yes Joanne, I feel very proud of my teaching skills :). We had so much fun playing!
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What a wonderful month spent with family! So much fun with the grandkids. Awesome that you taught your sister how to stop her bike. Such an important piece of information. Totally agree about not taking anything for granted. Your trip to the UK sounds amazing!
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Thanks Michelle, the month was a huge amount of fun! It was so good to be able to help my sister get back onto her bike too. Counting down the sleeps until we leave for the UK!
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Oh I love Bluey! It’s so funny and so clever how they get things in there that parents (grandparents) find amusing that the kids don’t pick up on. Looking forward to seeing you in your costume – what fun!
I smiled when I read about your sister’s problems with cycling; when my son was learning to cycle he didn’t bother messing about with brakes, he just threw himself off into the nearest bush!
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Bluey is so clever Deb, with how it captivates kids and adults alike! I hope my costume works and people know what I’m going as. Oh dear, your son learnt about riding a bike and stopping, the hard way. Thanks for stopping by!
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Deb, I love all the positivity in this post, but I especially love your ‘lifestyle’ statement. You have beautifully stated how we should approach this time of life. I couldn’t watch the video, but I can’t wait for the pictures from the birthday party. Enjoy your trip.
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Thanks for that comment Suzanne, the lifestyle paragraph came to me as i was thinking of how lucky I am to be able to do what I do. We have to make the most of this time of our lives. Sorry the video probably was only available in Australia.
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Cycling is such a fun way to spend time with family and, better still, making it possible for them to learn new skills. Keep pushing those pedals, Deb 😎
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Thanks Suz, I’ll keep pedalling for as long as I can. It’s been great to help both extremes, granddaughter and sister, with their riding skills.
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Like us all, keep on keeping on until they take us away – screaming to the end 🙂
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You’re making great progress with Explore. So many fun and varied activities. Have a great weekend!
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I’m really enjoying my WOTY ‘explore’ Gail and will be exploring in the northern hemisphere next month 🙂
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This is a great catch up Deb with lots to smile at. I love the idea of Bluey as a party theme and looking forward to photos. Your post brought back memories of when I learnt to ride a bike with Dad holding the seat and running beside me. He was hardly touching the seat but as soon as I saw his hand was free, I’d fall off. I haven’t thought of that in years.
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Thanks for your lovely comment Jen. I’m starting to get things ready to pack so that’s a start! Yes learning to ride a bike is a big memory for me too. Glad my post brought that memory back for you.
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Love the way you used APRIL to share the news of this month…and yes, once a teacher…we can’t help it, right! I have watched a few eps of Bluey, during Covid, and I am sure if I was still being around my grandkids of the same ages as yours I too would be into it. I am so “old” we had The Teletubbies, The Wiggles (the originals) and I took grandkids to concerts, and of course PlaySchool which for me is a wonderful means of connecting and sharing. How interesting about learning to ride a bike (Miss 4) and your sister. I remember learning to ride a BIG boys’ bike as a kid and the absolute freedom of it. I rode a bike to school in Year 6 up and down big hills. Enjoy the A for anticipation of the packing…and thanks for the link up. Denyse
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Thanks Denyse, it’s always good to mix things up a bit. The teaching is definitely still there and it’s good to get it out sometimes. I was really pleased to help both Emilia and my sister with their bike riding, a good outcome!
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What a full and fulfilling month, Deb. It’s so true that we must appreciate what we have as none of it is guaranteed for next week. I also try to live that way, and this year, I am using Connect to bring it all together.
Was your sister falling from clipped on shoes? Or just regular pedals. I’ve toasted it a few too many times from my clips but have been pretty lucky not to get any serious injuries. Glad you still got the teaching bug! Bernie
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Hi Bernie, it’s been a good month with lots of variety and fun activities with family. We’ve made an effort to get to spend time with family before heading overseas. Connect is a great word that suits your lifestyle too. No my sister doesn’t use clip on shoes on her bike and neither do i for that matter, I’d be very worried if she did as she could have done some serious damage the way she was/wasn’t stopping! Yes teaching is still in my blood 🙂
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Another fabulous month of exploring Deb and next month will be even better as you explore in the UK. I have never mastered riding a bike probably because I didn’t have one as a kid. Perhaps you can teach me? Beautiful photos of family and good times, Deb. you’ve made my day joyous. Thanks for being such a fun co-host with always interesting posts to share about your Deb’s World xx
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Thanks for your lovely comment Sue, yes I’m looking forward to lots of exploring next month in the UK! I’d love to teach you to ride a bike 🙂
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Looks like a great month of exploring!
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It really was a good month!
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Hi Deb – love the Bluey costume idea and I can’t believe your trip is coming up so soon – it seems like only yesterday that you were in the UK posting pics of your outfits etc. Well done on all the biking photos – you’ve certainly covered many, many kilometres in the last few weeks – and that ties in perfectly with your WOTY.
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Thanks Leanne, the outfit wasn’t too hard to source with help from the local Vinnies shop and with my daughter’s help. I know it seems that we’ve only just come back from our last trip but it’s been about 7 months and with Melanie’s 40th birthday it was the perfect time to go back. Dottie is getting very excited when we have our facetime calls, she’s knows we’re coming back soon. I’m really happy with my WOTY as it’s slotted into my year well 🙂
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