Pip-Life Taking Stock

Taking Stock…

July 2, 2015

taking stock taking stock 2 taking stock 3 taking stock 4 taking stock 5 taking stock 6 taking stock 7

 

Hello petals.

Hope things are good with you. Things are okay with me. It’s been a bit of a rough week, but I am hopeful that it’s all going to turn around. There’s been some discussion online – in the online community I am part of – partly about same sex marriage and rainbows – but really, actually about identity, sexuality and sin.

I’m all for people having their own beliefs and opinions, but when those beliefs insult, dismiss or diminish a whole variety of people in our community I find it hard to bear.  I think it’s not particularly kind or okay to beam discriminatory views loudly and repeatedly into the world, pretending that it’s not hurting others.

It’s good to take every person on their own merits. I don’t like the bundling up groups of ‘like’ people and judging them harshly.

It’s been a pretty difficult time to navigate – for everyone involved – and everyone who has witnessed the related exchanges. I feel upset for all parties really. Those who judge and those who are being judged. It’s all pretty ugly and not very loving. I even lost a friend over it all, which is sad for us both. Luckily I have a gang of great people around me to talk things through with. That’s really helped.

The thing is, this is not really about me. It’s about the happiness and wellbeing of those around us and future generations.

The kids and young adults I know are defining their identity, sexuality and gender in their own ways. I think they’re amazing and am learning a lot from the path they are clearing. There’s nothing more wholesome and admirable than self-awareness and self acceptance and many of them are living or working towards that.

It breaks my heart that they may encounter the blanket judgement of (some) others – whatever guise that may be in.  Here’s some information on just how difficult it can be. Here’s a view from the inside, from Sash.  I feel that it’s important to encourage tolerance and kindness and acceptance because I want our kids to have a future that’s free of this ‘othering’ and disrespect.

One thing I have learnt is that I totally take my own status for granted. I am operating from a privileged position, appearing fairly innocuous, generally. I’m pretty vanilla. A kind of edgier cup-cake. I knew, of course, that discrimination and disrespect was fairly rife, but I hadn’t thought much about my own cosy nest, away from that kind of treatment  and how it’s my comfy default.

It made me realise how important it is to speak up from our comfy spots for those that are facing intolerance. I’m really going to try to do that more. I think it’s nice to be nice, but it’s more important to be strong and support people who are experiencing discrimination.

Moving on…

Aside from that, I’ve been having a pretty interesting time working out the whole one-kid-living at home thing.  Ari and I have been having lots of chats. I’ve been getting more sleep. And I’m thinking about Max and Rin a lot more than I ever have. On the weekend we hit the shops with Max and bought groceries. Then we want back to his house and made Bolognese sauce together. This weekend I’m taking over a slow cooker, rice cooker and jaffle maker. We’re going to make chilli beans and rice, I think.

Even though it’s hard to get used to, we’re creating some new ways of being together, which is such a nice bonus. (And yesterday all the kids came back/over for band practice upstairs, just like the old days! It was neat!)

Making : a loom with Annabel Wrigley
Cooking : a lot of toast, especially Vegemite toast (hey Lexi!) Probably that doesn’t count as cooking…
Drinking : many cups of tea, a little bit of coffee, lots of mineral water
Reading: Useful by Debra Oswald
Wanting: some breakfast
Looking: at a little jar of daphne
Playing: a game where I imagine going to Coburg and eating falafel
Deciding: what to do first today
Wishing: I could go back to bed
Enjoying: hanging out with Ari
Waiting: for a package from Amazon
Liking: my fresh new blog design
Wondering: if I should help Cam with our packing
Loving: staying here in front of theatre instead
Pondering: ‘if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen’
Considering: what a good egg Rayna is
Buying: nothing much because we need to save our pennies for the move
Watching: Wayward Pines and The Bachelorette
Hoping: we find a nice, cosy, bright house
Marvelling: at how different people are
Cringing: at how different people are
Needing: a shot of energy
Questioning: Ari. (Have you got a jacket, toots?)
Smelling: daphne
Wearing: uggs and cosy wear in general
Following: Erin Made This
Noticing: we haven’t really had much rain this Winter
Knowing: I’ve got things under control, mostly
Thinking: my Nan must be freezing today. It’s so cold.
Admiring: Carly and her steady resolve
Sorting: my entire house out
Getting: coffee? That would be good.
Bookmarking: the post about Sarah’s new book
Coveting: a fireplace. In my house-to-be, perhaps?
Disliking: my country’s treatment of asylum seekers
Opening: a card from my Mum. Thanks Mum!
Giggling: at The Real Housewives Of New York
Feeling: sick. I have come down with shingles. Oh joy.
Snacking: on arancini made from mushroom risotto
Helping: my new students work out what they want from their blogs
Hearing: all of the chirpy birds

 

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And here’s a blank list for you to copy and paste so you CAN join in…

Making :
Cooking :
Drinking :
Reading:
Wanting:
Looking:
Playing:
Deciding:
Wishing:
Enjoying:
Waiting:
Liking:
Wondering:
Loving:
Pondering:
Considering:
Buying:
Watching:
Hoping:
Marvelling:
Cringing:
Needing:
Questioning:
Smelling:
Wearing:
Following:
Noticing:
Knowing:
Thinking:
Admiring:
Sorting:
Getting:
Bookmarking:
Coveting:
Disliking:
Opening:
Giggling:
Feeling:
Snacking:
Helping:
Hearing:

Let me know in the comments if you ‘Take Stock’ too? Love to you!

pip signature

37 Comments

  • Reply Carly - Life Will Never Be The Same August 12, 2015 at 1:05 PM

    I started doing this for the end of the month. So here is my July recap: http://lifewillneverbethesame.com/you-and-me-baby-july/

    xx

  • Reply fairyrocks August 3, 2015 at 3:27 AM

    Lovely intro photos. I am 100 % in agreement with your opening dialogue. As long as whatever someone is doing, does not harm , children, animals, or themselves, It is really not my business. The quick to pass judgement need to cease the endless criticism of other peoples personal lives. Live and let live, Marry and just be happy for others.
    I hope the answers you seek come to you and all is as it should be in your world soon. Life is difficult at times. Take care of You.
    I have been taking stock, for a few months now. Thank you for this wonderful reflective idea that brings our world a little closer together.
    Here is my July, I like to post at the end of the month.
    http://fairyrocks-romancingthestones.blogspot.ca/2015/07/taking-stock-july-2015.html

  • Reply ally August 1, 2015 at 5:04 PM

    Your comment about discrimination is so pertinent this week too – I’ve been feeling very low about the whole Adam Goodes saga.
    Hope you’re feeling much better
    xx
    (just squeezed my taking stock in in time!)
    http://theeverydaymiracles.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/taking-stock-july-2015.html

  • Reply Min@WriteoftheMiddle July 27, 2015 at 8:53 AM

    I always enjoy reading your Taking Stock posts Pip. The Bachelorette is on? Is that the Australian one? I must have missed it. Must investigate! Here is my Taking Stock post for July. Have a wonderful week! 🙂 xo
    http://www.writeofthemiddle.com/taking-stock-july-2015/

  • Reply Dawn July 13, 2015 at 9:52 AM

    Big Travels, Little Tot, Less Energy—> http://kangaroospotting.blogspot.com/2015/07/taking-stock.html

  • Reply Gill July 8, 2015 at 9:10 PM

    Enjoyed reading your “stock-take”, mine is here: http://gills-jottings.blogspot.com/2015/07/taking-stock-july-2015.html

  • Reply Jos @fromjoswithlove July 8, 2015 at 12:31 PM

    Oh I do hope you are feeling better! Little house on the Prairie was one of my fave shows to watch growing up. I am yet to read the book. I think I should! Loving your crochet blanket!

    I have joined in with taking stock over on my blog. Thank you for always supplying the list!
    http://fromjoswithlove.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/taking-stock.html

    From Jos with love. Xx

  • Reply Dianne July 5, 2015 at 9:36 PM

    Hi Pip, love you lists, might have to join in! Sorry to hear you have Shingles, I got shingles many years ago just as I was doing my final year Uni exams. I remember making sure I sat in the back row so I wouldn’t distract other people when I was wriggling around due to the pain and constant ITCHING! Highly recommend the liberal application of good old fashioned calamine lotion! PS if you are heading to Coburg for felafel – Half Moon cafe in the mall are great! But remember it is Ramadan so some cafes/ restaurants are not open during the day ( as we found out when we tried to go to our favourite bakery the other day!) and most places are very busy at night during this time!

  • Reply Raychael aka Mystery Case July 4, 2015 at 8:48 PM

    Love your taking stock list. I’ve been doing a lot of stock taking myself lately. I had the blog hacked and it was out for the count not looking like it was coming back last weekend. Thankfully, I had an interstate visitor who kept me suitably distracted. Not sure what I would have done if I had to start over from scratch. I’m pretty sure I lost my blogging mojo on my trip to Melbourne for the Voices 2015 catch up. Haven’t been in the blogging groove since then, but I’ve also commenced my business diploma as well and time isn’t on my side at the moment.

  • Reply Christina Lowry July 4, 2015 at 10:09 AM

    Always love reading your Taking Stock and then taking the time to write out my own! Here’s to the good things.

    Unfortunately you can’t argue against faith with logic, so there is no point in trying. These people will not change their minds and they will raise their children with the same mindset. It is a sad thing indeed. Still, lets hope there are more people who aren’t like this.

    So sorry to hear about the shingles. That’s so shitty. My shitty thing this week was borrowing my husbands ute and some low life stealing a thousand dollars worth of tools from his tool box while I did the groceries. Just what you want when your hubby is doing an adult apprenticeship and you have three children and a mortgage on one wage. Not a good feeling at all. Hope your shingles go away quickly and Dave’s tools get found by the police!

    http://www.alittlebirdtoldme-craft.com/2015/07/taking-stock.html

  • Reply helen edwards July 3, 2015 at 9:36 AM

    sorry you are unwell. I missed the conversation. I am glad as we have been caring for a teen friend of our sons since Monday night who is the victim of domestic violence. Nobody will help and we have been in the middle of the family madness. Then we woke to the news of Adelaide Crows coach being murdered by his own son. Life can be confusing and tragic but those of us who have someone to love and a warm home are very lucky indeed. Puts things into perspective. I can not be bothered with online arguments. I just opt out of them. Feel better soon lovely xx

    • Reply Meet Me At Mikes July 3, 2015 at 10:17 AM

      I’m sorry to hear about your son’s friend. I hope you find a way to help and support him (and be supported too!) x

  • Reply Julie Maloney@Country Living by the Sea July 3, 2015 at 9:13 AM

    Hope you feel better soon Pip. I’m enjoying reading about your older children. My boys are 17 and 14 and it is definitely a period of adjustment as they make their way in the world. My last taking stock post is here:

    http://juliemaloney.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/taking-stock.html. xxoo

  • Reply Lisa July 3, 2015 at 8:45 AM

    I love taking stock with you PIP!! 😉

  • Reply jodie July 3, 2015 at 5:23 AM

    Feel better quick Pip!

    If you indulge in The Bachelorette / Bachelorette, you MUST watch UnReal. Amazon made, only 5 eps available right now. Watch it if ya can! The Bachelorette will NEVER be the same. And keep in mind when watching it that 1 of the creators worked on The Bachelor.

    • Reply Donna bridges July 3, 2015 at 10:29 AM

      Making : luminaries and mosaic letters for my stall.
      Cooking : biscuits and muffins to pack for snacks
      Drinking : coffee from my new secondhand find dripolator
      Reading: Kate Morton The Secret Keeper
      Wanting: a new couch
      Looking: out my window and being thankful that we get to live here
      Playing: Jake Bugg
      Deciding: what to pack for holiday
      Wishing: I was in Paris
      Enjoying: reading my new book
      Waiting: for my mosaic tools to arrive
      Liking: that. Cherries.do.help with joint pains just a tablespoon a day , dried, jar canned or fresh all work
      Wondering: if my grand daughter will like Girl a guides hoping she does
      Loving: my new jacket
      Pondering:lunch
      Considering: going up the street to op shop
      Buying: Christmas stories for an Advent idea for kids and PJs for backpacks for kids SA
      Watching: Playschool , country house rescue
      Hoping: it won’t rain on our holiday
      Marvelling: at my friend who has seven daughters 5 now teens
      Cringing: at Amber necklaces
      Needing: a haircut
      Questioning: why people feel adoption is better than extended family raising children
      Smelling: the perfume my family got me for my birthday it’s called love
      Wearing: my new jacket ( love sales)
      Following:Between Naps on the Porch
      Noticing: blossom trees waking up
      Knowing:I really have become stuck in a rut
      Thinking: I really have to get back into walking
      Admiring: gorgeous tunics
      Sorting:clothes – they grow so fast
      Getting: organised for our holiday to the Flinders Ranges
      Bookmarking: craft storage and craft room reveals
      Coveting:socks nice warm ugliest
      Disliking:that my grand daughter is moving school due to bullying
      Opening: my craft stuff after our big move in readiness for my craft room .
      Giggling: about the meme on Facebook on how raisins are really grapes who failed at being wine
      Feeling: cold oh so cold
      Snacking: raisins
      Helping: my children one to pack and Uni enrolling and one with babysitting
      Hearing:Brush your Teeth (ABC)

  • Reply handmade_quince July 2, 2015 at 11:11 PM

    Im sorry to hear you have shingles. Ive had them too and it felt just plain weird. I hope it goes away soon.

    My brother is an evangelical Christian and the utter garbage that he likes and shares is infuriating! The ones about the effect marraige equality will have on children are so manipulative and dreadful…one page calls them rainbow orphans! I was quite pleased to get banned from that page

    It really is so important to speak your truth i think. Your tribe will always stand with you.

  • Reply Belinda July 2, 2015 at 10:42 PM

    Hey Pip, take care of yourself with the shingles, lots of rest and self tlc. Thanks to your book i did morning pages today (at Trotters) and then headed over to Readings for some more written inspiration. Have you read ‘The Rosie Project’? i just finished it and the several mentions of daphne, only to head over to your blog and see it’s on your mind as well. Reminds me of my Nana. X

  • Reply Nell Ward July 2, 2015 at 10:27 PM

    I love your taking stock posts and have been playing along for a while now.

  • Reply Vanessa Rowse July 2, 2015 at 8:14 PM

    This is gorgeous! I happened to post my taking stock post (inspired by yours) tonight too – what a happy snap! Love your pics and your reflections lovely lady! x

    • Reply Meet Me At Mikes July 2, 2015 at 8:38 PM

      I am so glad you play too! I will read yours. Thanks for reading mine. And reading in general. 😉 x

  • Reply Leni July 2, 2015 at 8:06 PM

    Hi,

    I’ve been participating in Taking Stock for a few months now and I thought I would share my third one.
    http://justeleni.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/taking-stock-june.html
    Thanks for the inspiration Pip x

  • Reply Deb Baker July 2, 2015 at 7:08 PM

    It’s been a harrowing week hasn’t it?! I actually lost a friend to suicide many years ago, who struggled with his identity, and since then I can never be silent on matters of discrimination. I just can’t! I made a little hand lettered poster a while back that I have hanging up in the house “Stand up for what is right, even if you are standing alone.” I drum this into my children. I really hope your shingles gets better. That is not good at all. Thank you for this post and as a student of yours allowing us the opportunity to talk to you and others about what was going on. Much love. xx

  • Reply Caitlin McG July 2, 2015 at 6:56 PM

    Making : decisions about whether to continue my business or not
    Cooking : broccoli & chicken & corn soup, lamb chops and mashed potatoes and pumpkin
    Drinking : not enough wine! will get some white
    Reading: your lovely blog, Julia Watson’s blog (5 fairies & a fella) and this extraordinary blog http://boobinabox.net/2015/07/02/tired/
    Wanting: a long hot bath
    Looking: at the second episode of The Secret River
    Playing: the piano and with Garageband
    Deciding: to find a full-time job and do occasional creative things on the side
    Wishing: I could do creative things all the time, and for a change of government (we need a government with heart and people-first policies, ploise!)
    Enjoying: the crisp night skies of winter, and the warm hearty meals, and seeing my breath in the evenings, and watching the full moon
    Waiting: for an opportunity to go for a long solitary walk
    Liking: the possibilities of each day, and the excitement of the unknown future….
    Wondering: if I will need to move, if my stepdad will have a graceful good death (he has pretty bad cancer)
    Loving: time I’m spending with my mum and friends, and the kids I run drama workshops for.
    Pondering: if I’m giving up on my business too early, the delicious melancholy of leave-less trees.
    Considering: volunteering at ASRC
    Buying: bit povvo atm so nothing….
    Watching: Call the Midwife, The Secret River, Underworld, Orange Is The New Black
    Hoping: I’ll find another best friend-lover
    Marvelling: at how short the days still are and how wonderfully warm the light of candles is, and how easily I cry at small acts of humans being kind to each other…
    Cringing: at the Fed Gov’t – they seem to dislike most people, and imprison people seeking refuge
    Needing: got to go…
    Questioning:
    Smelling:
    Wearing:
    Following:
    Noticing:
    Knowing:
    Thinking:
    Admiring:
    Sorting:
    Getting:
    Bookmarking:
    Coveting:
    Disliking:
    Opening:
    Giggling:
    Feeling:
    Snacking:
    Helping:
    Hearing:

  • Reply Jane July 2, 2015 at 6:07 PM

    Wow, Pip, I find it hard to imagine an online community that you’d be a part of as anything other than accepting and positive! Sorry you had to be part of that. You’re so articulate about your feelings. I hope you at least gave some people a bunch to think about, even if they may not have admitted it at the time.
    I hope you get a fireplace! We have a freestanding combustion heater and it is so very good right now.

    • Reply Meet Me At Mikes July 2, 2015 at 8:38 PM

      Thanks so much for reading! It only takes one person to create chaos… And that’s kind of what happened. 🙁 Hopefully it’s onward and upward from here. I think I learnt a lot from the experience. I hope! x

  • Reply erin July 2, 2015 at 5:28 PM

    I too have had some lolz at RHONY. I love Sonja, but please.

    Thanks so much for following and sharing that you’re following. I really appreciate it Pip xxx

    • Reply Meet Me At Mikes July 2, 2015 at 5:47 PM

      Oh my pleasure! Did you watch Sonja Island? Gosh. xx

      • Reply erin July 2, 2015 at 6:06 PM

        I meant to add get well soon to that!

        I did. And wow. Poor Bethenny, just wanted to make a salad for lunch.

        • Reply Meet Me At Mikes July 2, 2015 at 7:00 PM

          And Ramona and Bethenny! With the crying! Naw. Ramona is all about Ramona…. xx

          • erin @ erinmadethis.com July 2, 2015 at 7:23 PM

            OMG. I think I’m an ep behind. BRB.

          • Meet Me At Mikes July 2, 2015 at 7:25 PM

            One went up yesterday. CHAT SOON.

  • Reply Tash July 2, 2015 at 2:09 PM

    You’ve inspired me, Pip – I’ve just gone and done my own ‘stocktake’! https://lachasconablog.wordpress.com/2015/07/02/taking-stock/

  • Reply Julia bickerstaff July 2, 2015 at 1:33 PM

    On the ugliness of the week, I love that you wrote this:
    ‘I think it’s nice to be nice, but it’s more important to be strong and support people who are experiencing discrimination’

    • Reply Meet Me At Mikes July 2, 2015 at 8:36 PM

      Thanks for chiming in, Julia! What a shitty week it’s been… Amazing the ripples that one person can create.

  • Reply Lou Pardi July 2, 2015 at 1:17 PM

    Love to you Pipalicous. Shingles. Ugh. Sounds like you need a little sleep in or 50. Sometimes things seem really stinking – and they are – but we don’t evolve without those stinking bits because everyone needs to see how much it smells. Or something.

    “Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness. How do you know this is the experience you need? Because this is the experience you are having at the moment.”
    Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose

    • Reply Meet Me At Mikes July 2, 2015 at 8:36 PM

      I have never read that book – is it good? What do you think? Thanks for being a good sort. xx

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