Nice Life Reminders Pip-Life Taking Stock

Taking Stock: September 2021

September 17, 2021

How about a little check in and check up? I think it’s a very good idea …

Taking Stock

Making: A cardigan. This one, in fact. I am loving knitting it up, even though I’m not an expert knitter. I’m also making a scrappy blanket in crochet with all the random bits and bobs I have in my yarn stash.
Getting a bunch of mauve roses from the supermarket for $4!
Cooking: Lunch salads. It’s my new thing because I really like to have a fridge full of salad options. That said I’m only on day TWO of this new thing. I might fall off the salad wagon without meaning to … but I hope I don’t. This week I have made a potato and green bean salad and a quinoa, feta and pumpkin one. Both are delicious, even if I do say so my salad-y self.

An Existence Project | Paper Stop-motion Animation About ME/CFS from Inga Topolnicki on Vimeo. (Thank you for this, Inga! I really am going to message you back!!)

Sipping: So much water. I was diagnosed with ME/CFS recently and I have read that it’s important to drink lots of water to help ease symptoms. Honestly I feel pretty rubbish, but I’m going to keep it up anyway.
Reading: The Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon. And loving it so much.
Thinking: About how much I miss being able to see my eldest. Sob!
Remembering: How fun eating together used to be … and hoping to do it again some day. Sooner rather than later.

Looking forward to teaching my next round of eCourses next month. Perhaps you would like to join one of the classes? They are small and helpful and fun.
Listening: To various bookish podcasts (eg this one and this one). And an audiobook my friend Sue sent me.
Wishing you a lovely weekend, petal.
Enjoying the David Malouf short story I had to read for uni this week. I had not read any of his work before and I am so glad that I’ve rectified that. It was quite long, for a short story.
Appreciating how fantastic libraries are. I have been borrowing lots of eBooks lately and it feels like such a treat.
Wanting a cup of tea, please. And a biscuit.
Eating: NOW: a salad plate! TONIGHT: Chicken curry!

Finishing: an assessment on the the benefits of journalling.
Liking: Writing my Something Good Every Day newsletter each night after dinner. You should subscribe if you don’t already! It’s very bolstering!
Loving that I got a letter of commendation from my university this week.
Buying: Not much. I need some prescription sunglasses though. I think I will get lenses put in my old RayBans, actually. That seems more sensible.
Watching my tomato seedlings shooting up. I sowed them in various recycled containers and then kept them in the living room in front of the window. They are doing so well!
Hoping: This time next year things will be less locked down.

Wearing a favourite green Montaigne dress.
Walking not very much because I haven’t really been well enough. But I will keep wandering slowly instead.
Following the mysterious and worrying story of Gabby Petito. Gosh I hope it ends well.
Noticing I need to water my indoor plants. They look a bit thirsty today, poor pets.
Saving all kinds of containers to plant things in.

Waiting for a spare hour to watch the latest Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Oh, Erika … sigh.
Bookmarking this delightful looking film.
Coveting: An oven. Ours is a bit tired. I have my eye on a Rofco.
Feeling excited to be doing some art history units in the coming study periods.
Hearing this song over and over and loving it.

Sending lots of love to you during these strange days, dear reader.

x Pip

PS: Here’s a blank list, in case you want to copy and paste it and compile your own Taking Stock!


Taking Stock

Making:
Getting:
Cooking:
Sipping:
Reading:
Thinking:
Remembering:
Looking:
Listening:
Wishing:
Enjoying:
Appreciating:
Wanting:
Eating:
Finishing:
Liking:
Loving:
Buying:
Watching:
Hoping:
Wearing:
Walking:
Following:
Noticing:
Saving:
Waiting:
Bookmarking:
Coveting:
Feeling:
Hearing:

 

6 Comments

  • Reply Angelique October 19, 2021 at 11:17 AM

    What a lovely inspiration list.? I haven’t blogged for so long but slowly trying to get my crafty one back up and running….I might just use this for my next post.( if that is ok?) Loving your new happy place it looks so beautiful!
    Angelique

  • Reply Jess September 20, 2021 at 11:29 AM

    Pip, I haven’t commented before and today I just wanted to say thank you for your lovely, cheery writing. It’s like a literary hug! I am feeling a little fragile, a few tricky life things going on and I knew a read of your blog would be comforting. Thank you, Jess x

  • Reply Reannon September 17, 2021 at 10:00 PM

    I have been having a salad for lunch every day too! Mine are VERY boring -mixed baby leaves, iceberg, grated carrot, sweet potato, chicken & pumpkin seeds- but I love it!
    I’ve also been upping my water intake this week. Aiming for 2ltr a day & nailing it! I’ve had less headaches & feel like my….digestion…..is better ?
    It’s hard missing your peeps isn’t it? Here in Perth we’ve been so lucky to not have been affected by lockdowns too much but our border closures have meant I’ve not seen family for almost 2 years. We thought we’d be heading to NZ for Christmas but it’s looking very unlikely right now. I think I cry about it once a week. I hope you get to share a meal with your girl soon.
    As you know I am team library too. I always feel so lucky to be able to borrow books whenever I like. What a joy!

    Enjoy your weekend Pip xx

  • Reply Denyse September 17, 2021 at 4:38 PM

    Thank you for sharing your always awesome Taking Stock. I am sorry it’s been such a mixed bag for your recently and whilst getting a diagnosis as you have might “give this a name” it doesn’t take away anything of its ways it limits you. I remember reading last year when you were still in Melbs and doing “all” you could for yourself and your inner and outer health and I was concerned in a way but you did it …and then you made the decision to go ‘home’. I reckon sometimes health conditions will wait…until we are safe and somewhere nurturing. Not a doctor…just someone who has been through a bit in her life too. Sending sunshine, love and an open border soon so you get to see your eldest. Denyse xx

  • Reply kate September 17, 2021 at 4:04 PM

    ps I’m interested in what you found in your assessment of journaling
    cheers Kate

  • Reply kate September 17, 2021 at 4:03 PM

    Pip thank you for always being cheery and uplifting.
    I haven’t even started my seeds yet, best get onto it otherwise what will the wildlife eat come nov/dec…the struggle is real.
    That stop motion animation is awesome, I really hope you have someone to bring you a cup of tea and perhaps even an iced vovo.
    I have a chronic autoimmune thing going on too and while it isn’t as debilitating as CFS lots of that animation described my situation too. All I really want is kindness, from myself as much as anyone else, it’s hard accepting all the limitations.
    That cardi looks so gorgeous I might have to make myself one, a great way to use up some of my leftover yarn.
    It’s so lovely to see what you are up to since I’ve left Insta I do miss a couple accounts, yours was one of them
    cheers Kate

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