July - the month that was

I shouldn't say this about my birthday month, but July sucked.  Big time.  It felt like the entire month was spent looking after sick people, or being one of those sick people.  The month began with Polynesian Princess being struck down with gastro, closely followed by Little Warrior taking his first ambulance ride to hospital with severe asthma.  And for the past two weeks we have all been sick with the flu.

By some miracle, I managed to have a birthday this month and wasn't actually sick on the day.  Truly a miracle.

Even now, sitting here and blogging after a week's hiatus, I am feeling quite blah.  August will be better.  I'm sure of it.

But through it all, I continued to take photos and participate in the Photo a Day Challenge.  Thirty-one days.  Thirty-one photos. The list for August can be found here.  

See you all in August!

x

How do you know you're getting old?

Tomorrow is my birthday and I will be 39.  A good friend took me to lunch today as an early celebration to mark the special day.  When I said I would be 39 he shook his head and said that he still thinks of me as a kid (yes, he’s a little older than me).  I had to smile because I still feel like a kid mostly.  Being an adult was always something for people older than me.  But now that I’m on my way to the big four-oh, I need to face facts.  I am adult now.  I have a university degree,  I am a married woman, I have birthed two children, I pay bills, cook meals and I live in a house without my parents.  So I guess I qualify.

When I was younger, my yardstick for ‘being old’ was reading the Women’s Weekly.  You were definitely an oldie if you bought the Women’s Weekly.  The Women’s Weekly and Family Circle.  Anything that came with sewing patterns in it was definitely retirement village material.  And how old was I when I was making these insightful assumptions?  Well.  I was reading ‘Dolly’.  So yeah -  I was reading about periods, and first kisses.  Ahhhh....such innocence!

Now not only do I buy The Women's Weekly, but I have subscribed to it!  I do the crossword (which makes me a nerd AND old).  In fact, that’s the only reason I get the magazine.  Oh, that and the recipes.  Because somewhere along the way between Dolly and Women’s Weekly, I have developed an interest in cooking.  So by my 14 year old self’s definition, I am old.  And yet, now that I’m here, I don’t feel old.  But I guess that’s always going to happen isn’t it?  Whatever age you may be, you’re only as old as your approach to life.  And I work everyday to ensure I stay positive, grateful and mindful.  And all of these are also signs that I'm aging.  Sigh...

And what about you?  What did you use as a yardstick to getting old?

To my Nanna xx

Today would have been my Nanna’s 82^nd birthday.  She died six days before my 18^th birthday (21 years ago) and I still cry whenever I think about her.   I think she would have been happy with the life I have now.  She would have been happy with the peace there is between my Mum and I, the gorgeous husband I found, and the two children we have had together.

She died aged 61 and personally I think that’s too young.  Naturally I’m going to say that because she was my Nanna, but my Mum is now 62 and I would like to think she will be around for a long time to come.

When you’re a teenager or even in your twenties, sixty seems like such an old age.  But now.  Sitting here at 38, I don’t think it seems that old at all.

Nanna lost her struggle with cancer in July 1991.  Mum, Little Warrior and I went to her grave today and lay flowers.   I wished her a Happy Birthday.  And I wished she was here for one last hug.  One last pinch on my cheek.

I love you Nanna and miss you more than anything.

xx

Are you still fortunate enough to still have your grandparents?

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