The Basics #5

Photo by Goutham Krishna on Unsplash

Hello friends. I’ve felt really rushed this week. Rushed is not my favourite feeling. I’ve had appointments, meetings & things are shuffling at work so there’s been more phone calls than usual. I have a list of errands that need to be done over the weekend including filling out school enrolments & passports forms ( am I dreaming?!) & I’m not enthusiastic. There was talk of us going away for a few days but with the news of a positive Covid case over here we quickly shelved those ideas because we live in a state where lockdowns happen quickly & I do not want to be caught out. So far there have been no other cases so let’s keep our fingers crossed it stays that way. How’s your week been? How’s your mental health? Do you feel rested or rushed? I’m going to tell you all the things so I’d love to hear all your things too.

COOK: look, I had great plans this week to make this soup & these muffins but it just didn’t happen. I cooked the roast I didn’t cook last Sunday, made some sauce to go with supermarket gnocchi & fried some waffle fries for the people to eat with some steaks because I really wanted waffle fries alongside my veggie patty. Not every week can include new recipes can it? Sometimes basic boring meals are enough.

EAT:I have been eating too much sugar. I deal with my feelings by feeding them sugar. It’s fine until it’s not. Right now it’s still fine. Just. I’ve also been eating a lot of cereal with milk because the kids are eating all the sourdough. Milk makes me feel queasy but sometimes weet-bix is as good as it gets. I think I see a theme to my week…..

READ: I finished a book I didn’t love & then stood in front of my fully stacked shelves trying to decide what to read next. I’ve decided I’m just reading from my shelves for now. There are a few new novels coming out that I really want to read but if I keep buying so many second hand books I really must stop visiting the library & read what I have right? Not that I need to add a single other book to my TBR list because I’m pretty sure I have 200 (not even joking) unread books on my shelves but….what are reading?

WATCH: surprisingly, a lot of the Olympics. Before they began Tim & I were “fuck the olympics, we do not care!” then Blake became interested & before you knew it we were watching it every night. The men’s pole vault has been my favourite so far. It’s funny how quickly you become invested in an event is t it? Have you been watching or do you give no fucks? I will probably not watch another sporting event all year after these ones but it’s fun for now.

LISTEN: three songs I’m loving right now are this new one from Wet Leg (what a name!), the new Kid Laroi & Bieber song, not usually my jam but this is bloody catchy & this one by Ashe. Music is so mood boosting don’t you think?

PONDER: why I always think there is a better version of me out there? Because I do honestly think that. I love a new routine. I love a bit of self improvement. I love saying “ right, starting tomorrow/next week I’m doing ……*insert something that makes me think I’ll be a better human here*” But I’m starting to wonder if I should just stop, accept that there won’t ever be a better version of myself & that’s ok, that’s enough…..do you think there’s a better version you out there too or are you very happy with the current version?

BUY: this is very predictable but I bought new books! Two new cookbooks because as the lady who owns near on 300 cookbooks surely I need more?Don’t answer that. Lucy’s book has me salivating & bookmarking so many recipes! The other cookbook I bought was this one. I honestly want to be a meal prep person again but maybe that’s for spring/summer Reannon…..And then after listening to this podcast I bought Dr B’s book to (maybe) improve my gut health. I never feel better than when I’m reading self improvement/health books but once I’ve finished reading them I promptly forget everything & just carry on my merry way. My friend Kate & I have spoken about this before so I’m wondering if you are also like us & feel very motivated while reading something but then forget it once the book is done? I also found two make-your-own adventure books for kids. Do you remember those from when your were younger? I loved them! And I found a 1985 copy of Puberty Blues for $1!!!!

BEAUTY: my quest for the most hydrated skin continues & I think I found a keeper. It’s the Swisse Polypeptide Renewing Sleep Mask. What’s a sleep mask I hear you ask? Essentially you slather on some cream & sleep in it! Why is it different to your moisturiser? Honestly? I don’t fucking know LOL! It doesn’t sink in to your skin as quickly but nor does it need to be washed off. It’s skin magic is what it is. I woke up with suuuuper soft, nicely hydrated & plump skin after using it. I was VERY impressed. If you want a nice little skin boost this is a good one. It’s also available at priceline.

BEST: Tim & I are fully vaxxed! Feels good to be in that club. And we both pulled up really well, better than after our first shot. It’s been really heartening talking to all the people I know who are getting their shots. In case you’re wondering, the majority of people I know who have had their shots had zero side effects, the most common being a sore arm, the worst being nauseous for 24hrs. Not so bad right?

WORST: sad kids. Sad kids equal a sad mama. Their pain is my pain. We cry the same tears. But maybe this worst won’t always be a worst. Maybe these sad times build resilience? Maybe it’s about learning to be ok with expressing emotions? Above all else sad times remind us that life is made up of good & bad, light & dark. Hard but necessary lesson don’t you think?

So that’s me. Not an eventful or even interesting week but let’s not get caught up in thinking we can only share the fun/important/big things. I’m all about the ordinary, mundane, average things. Till next time friends xx