Checking in: May 2019

Thursday, May 30, 2019 Permalink

It’s a couple of months since I’ve done one of these checking-in posts and I must confess it’s probably because I’ve had little news to share.

Central to everything is of course the job hunt, so I’ll start there…

Job seeker
I cannot believe I finished my last ‘job’ in September / October last year. Offerings have been very slim since though I’m actually in the midst of interview processes for two positions and just applied for another I should have a good chance at, though it’s via a temp agency and they’re kinda slow to get moving. God only knows what I’ll do if all or more than one come to fruition.

Each of the jobs has something different going for it, so I’ll just see how they play out.

I must admit I’m terribly disappointed (and kinda insulted) that I didn’t get an interview for another higher level job I would have thought was a good match, but I’m trying really hard not to focus on that, or the why.

Reading
I’ve cut back on my reading cos I’m still struggling with the reviewing process. I’ve been chatting with other book bloggers on our Aussie Book Bloggers Facebook page and think I’ve got some strategies. I’m such an all / nothing person I keep thinking about quitting but there’s no reason why I can’t only do a couple of reviews a month.

Feeling
I’m feeling pretty crappy in all honesty. Physically I mean. I’ve not been terribly healthy of late. I’ve never had terribly healthy habits (like ever, cos… remember that all/nothing predilection!), but my toddler / teenage-mimicking tendencies have been rearing their ugly head far too much and I’ve been eating badly and doing no exercise. I know slow sustainable change (ie. habits and routine) are what work but I feel far more desperate than that at the moment. As if I need an intervention of sorts.

Out and about
Despite my general malaise I’ve made an effort to socialise more and had a great time at a friend’s 40th birthday party last weekend. Her theme was ‘Op Shop Prom’ but most of us defaulted to an 80s and 90s theme. I had a great time and danced for the first time in yonks.

check in May 2019

I also went along to the local library to hear author Victoria Purman speak about her latest book, The Land Girls. I hadn’t known women could sign up during WWII to work on farms throughout Australia and enjoyed hearing about Victoria’s inspiration for the book… including the stereotypic prejudices against the initiative and of course how quickly they were forgotten once the men returned home.

And finally I’m heading to a local food and wine festival this weekend. The weather isn’t expected to be great but I feel like I need to support these local initiatives. My friend and I have signed up for a Paint, Scribble and Sip session. And I’m EXTREMELY unartistic / creative visually so I’m thinking it’ll be a trainwreck.

My friend suggested we do it first before we get stuck into wine-tasting but I’m wondering now if my creative juices might have flowed more after a lot of grape juice. (Obvs I mean wine!)

Ouch!
Meanwhile, I’ve hurt my back… I often have a stiff back that is helped by some stretching (and strategic cracking). But yesterday morning I was doing a catch-up pilates class and did pinched a muscle or nerve or something. I’ve had an extra day at my mum’s who offered up her bed and electric blanket but moving is currently somewhat problematic. *Sigh*

And that’s it from me. I didn’t mean to end on a non-cheery note but at least I know my back injury will heal. Soon. I hope.

What’s happening in your part of the world?

Linking up with the lovin’ life gang again.

16 Comments
  • leannelc
    May 30, 2019

    Life has these times of hiatus doesn’t it Deb? Where you feel that nothing is happening and things are sluggish (including us!) but they’re also times where we get to rest and rejuvinate before launching off on whatever life has for us next. I hope your back fixes itself quickly, that you enjoy your artistic endeavour and that at least one of those three jobs comes to fruition and brings you money and purpose and joy xx

    • Debbish
      May 30, 2019

      Thanks Leanne. Yesterday’s interview was cruisey so that was fine and the one tomorrow is a third interview so the final stage I’d say (hope). As I said, something else has popped up in the last week, so I’ll keep my eye on that.

      I think this time has definitely given me time to consider my priorities and goals. And interestingly I’ve jumped back and forth a little in that respect. x

  • Debbie Harris
    May 30, 2019

    Hope you start feeling better soon Deb, it’s not much fun and with the whole job thing going on it’s probably a lot less like fun for you. Enjoy the weekend activities, I always enjoy your reviews!

    • Debbish
      May 30, 2019

      Thank you so much! I’m only two reviews behind at the moment and have started both so will ‘let’ myself read some more tonight / tomorrow night.

      The back thing was weird and as I was heading to an interview after pilates I had visions of not being able to straighten up / sit / stand. I did have to explain my wince when I tried to stand at the end but it was okay thankfully.

      And I’m def over the job-hunting. I’d had to do some tasks for one of the jobs on the weekend and then this new thing popped up so I had to do that application, prep for the interview. (I guess it’s good practice for being back in the workforce!) 🙂

  • Di (@ShinyGlitterBug)
    May 30, 2019

    Have fun at the paint scribble and sip event, its sounds like so much fun! Similarly I’m going to a scrapbooking party in a couple of weeks and I’m quite uncreative so I know how you feel! Let’s just try and have fun with our arty events!

    Di from Max The Unicorn

    • Debbish
      May 30, 2019

      Thanks Di. I keep accidentally writing ‘paint scribble and strip’ which would be kinda funny, but like I said it’s at the beginning of the day so we’ll have just arrived. I’m just hoping there’s someone to give us some direction for the hour or I’ll sit there with a blank canvas. Literally.

      The scrapbooking party sounds fun though!

  • Denyse Whelan
    May 30, 2019

    Ah Deb, fellow analyser…I am learning (oh so slowly) to sit with difficult times because I now know via experience that fighting them means they stay. I know that sounds a bit woo. However, if ever someone need to learn how to loosen up what she could not control it was me and it’s made a difference. It does not work immediately with most things that bother me because after 69 years, things change slowly but what now happens is somewhere in me I get a message “oh I just need to go with this…and it goes away”. It works.

    Sending the best vibes for a healing back and a good interview situation, job offers and finding out you too can have fun creatively. Forget the product..it’s the process!

    Denyse x

    • Debbish
      May 31, 2019

      I’m terrible at ‘sitting with my feelings’ Denyse, though guess that’s obvious from my predilection for over-eating and ranting / wallowing online. But you’re right… it’s important to face them. (Or ourselves, as the case may be!)

      xx

  • Tracey (Carpe Librum blog)
    May 30, 2019

    Good luck with the job hunting and application process and hope your back starts to feel better soon.

    • Debbish
      May 31, 2019

      Prepping for my next interview at the moment. It’s via videoconference so always a bit weird in terms of what to wear etc… (also making sure my home office is vaguely presentable!)

  • Jo
    May 31, 2019

    There are a few of us suffering from lost mojo at the moment. Paint scribble & sip sounds fun, but I think I’d be doing sip paint sip scribble sip sip slop.Hoping your back heals super quick.

    • Debbish
      May 31, 2019

      Thanks re my back. I’m pretty much blasting it with everything at the moment and I think it’s much better each day. I can actually move up and down today which is good as yesterday I kept getting stuck bent-over and then couldn’t straighten.

      No doubt I’ll share pics of Saturday’s event. THough maybe not of my artwork.

  • Min Write of the Middle
    May 31, 2019

    I enjoy these kind of catch up posts. Good luck with the job hunt and I hope your back is better soon. I’m always getting aches and pains somewhere these days. Ahhh the ups and downs of life as a mid-life gal *sigh*! That paint, sip, scribble thingy sounds like fun. I think we all have a bit of an artistic streak in us. You might surprise yourself! 🙂 #TeamLovinLife

    • Debbish
      May 31, 2019

      I often see some local art classes where they’re given something to paint each week. I think I’d be better at that than having to create something from my mind. Of course I’m very literal so I’d be trying to have any art reflecting what I see rather than adding any interpretation. Although I am lazy and a bit ‘whatever-ish’ so who knows?!

  • Kerrie
    May 31, 2019

    I hope your back will be better soon!

    • Debbish
      June 1, 2019

      Thank you! It’s better again today. I can walk properly, which is always a good thing! 😉

I'd love to hear your thoughts