February FIGs so far

Life has been very full lately, of everything - work, school, family activities, and this week, a head cold. Both kids and I have caught it, hoping it misses Al. Honestly, it has not been a bad one on the scale of possible viruses, just the usual symptoms, but it has made me feel TIRED a couple of days, so I've leaned into slower days and early nights this week. The kids really have just had congested/runny noses and have been able to go to school so far, fingers crossed that's all it is. I'm already feeling better, I think, so if that's the case, hooray!

Anyway, Elisabeth at Optimistic Musings runs a gratitude collective every year, and I've always joined in. I'm a bit late to the party this month, but here are some things I've been grateful for since the start of February (I'll start with the big things, and then note some little things)...

1. O is adjusting well to school! He is not a kid who loves new things (understatement!), so he's still a bit unsure, but we've had no tears since Day 1, and he's started to talk a bit about his favourite activities (drawing), and he even drew his class with all the kids in a picture for me. There's nothing worse than having a child who is miserable at school, so very relieved all is going well so far.

O’s picture of his new class

2. E has also started off the year well. She is very happy and confident to go school each day, She's enjoying her new class.

3. I hit a deadline to send a sample of my novel, for my commercial fiction Masterclass coming up in May. (For those interested and who know genres, I'm writing a Young Adult Urban Fantasy novel). As I said, life has been busy, but Al (and the kids) have been very supportive of me disappearing multiple mornings a week (and occasionally after dinner too) to write, write write. And I made it! A few years ago I tried to progress my novel and felt deep frustration that I couldn't do it, the kids were just too young, it was just too stressful with work (and COVID didn't help!). So deeply grateful this is possible now.

4. On a related note, I'm grateful the coffee shops are open at 6am, cosy with good coffee, so I can write from there.

5. Grateful for rain and cooler weather - it has been a VERY hot, dry summer. Now, I prefer dry to torrential rain, but everything was looking rather dry and wilting. This morning after some heavy rain last night, everything looks greener, fresher, and the air is delightfully cool.

6. Having flexible work where I can help a friend. My good friend is recovering from a very nasty broken leg, and its very hard for her get around on her crutches (and up and down stairs) to do things while she recovers from surgery. Last Friday she had been unwell on top of the surgery, and had a long stretch without anyone to give her a hand, and I was able to work from her house, so I could help her out, while also getting my work done. I have worked in settings before (the hospital, in hospitality), where remote work was not an option, and I will always be grateful I have flexibility and autonomy over my place of work now.

7. That E loves her new rockclimbing class! We decided not to continue with Scouts this year, so this is her new extra-curricular. Its at a reasonable time, (9-10.30 Sat morning), she has fun, it involves team work and other friendly kids, and she's building skills. Win!

   

   up she goes!

8. O is becoming a confident swimmer. From a kid who was scared of the water for a long time, and cried through classes, to jumping into the pool and swimming by himself, this is a big transformation and it makes me so happy. (Swimming is a favourite activity at both grandparent's houses for about 8-9 months of the year!)

9. My cold seems to be mild and short-lived. And now the kids are older its much rarer for us to be sick. Grateful for being well and at full function to be the norm these days.

10. Kids that still want cuddles.

11. Work team members I honestly enjoy chatting to and working with.

12. A great deal on a subscription to NYT. I have the NYT app and usually use it for games. Lately though, with the global news being eventful , shall we say, I found myself clicking into the headlines, only to hit a paywall. At first, a subscription deal popped up that was $1.99 a month for 6 months, but I didn't take it. A few weeks later, a new deal popped up - $1.99 a month for 12 months! Umm, OK. 12 months is long enough to make it worth subscribing, and MAYBE in 12 months things will have settled down and I'll cancel my subscription (a girl can dream, right?!). Anyway, I'm enjoying reading the articles (in moderation) as well as doing the games.

13. That Tamagotchi's have made a comeback! E has one and she's obsessed, even though it only does, like, 4 things. Very cute.

    

    Hers features Hello Kitty

14. My car is finally getting fixed! We had an accident back in early October, (while in Port Macquarie!), and although the car was driveable the front panels were dented and the wheel was scratched. The parts finally arrived to fix it and the car went in on Monday. Grateful for good insurance that means we have a nice hire car while we wait, for no out of pocket expense.

15. Our oven - it gets such a workout as I find oven meals the easiest, and most popular with the kids. Go to dishes are baked chicken drumsticks/thighs with various flavours, baked vegetables, baked fish for tacos, roast dishes, etc. Even roast tomatoes which are good in salads, on the side of dishes etc.

    

    these turned out so yum!

16. Eating outside in the summer (as long as we have mossie repellant!). I love to eat outside on a balmy evening and there have been a few of these lately.

17. Waking up to bird song every morning. We live in a beautiful place, but I need to remind myself to notice it sometimes!

18. Our two resident Water Dragons. They are not fully grown yet, and they hang out in our front yard where our creek runs through. I enjoy seeing them every time I leave the house or return up the drive.

19. That the kids still enjoy me reading to them. Its probably my favourite activity to do with them, and I'll be sad when they get too old.

Who else is joining the FIG collective this month? Any FIGs you'd like to share?