The end of an era - the goodbye post

 As one door closes ...

This is a picture of our front door. It’s a door that has had many people through it over the years, most of whom we’ve never met given we only moved into the house a year ago.

Recently this door was used in a commercial. For a full day our lounge room and driveway were filled with cameras and a production crew, with trucks lining the streets, as a team of people did multiple takes, from various angles, of a make-believe family walking in and out of our front door. Apparently our front door is just the right look for a bright and shiny new lifestyle development in Canberra. 

As I ponder the future of my blog, I think it is much like our front door. It too has had many people through it over the years, most of whom I’ve never met, and it has also been a gateway to a bright and shiny lifestyle. A lifestyle encouraging travel, health, happiness, and a youthful approach to ageing positively.

 The door to my blog has been open to the public for eleven and a half years. I’ve welcomed people daily to view my little patch of the world. It’s been a great space for me to express, share, encourage, inspire, and motivate.

But today my friends, I close the door. 

It’s time for me to make space to try new things, to dedicate time to old things, and to find other ways to connect with people. Because as one door closes, another will open and when it does, I’d like to have the time and energy to take hold of the opportunity as soon as it presents itself.

It’s the end of an era. Today marks the official end to Deep Fried Fruit. 

It’s time for me to say goodbye to this faithful friend who got me through my entry to mid-life with joy, frivolity, optimism and, most importantly, introduced me to so many new online friends who I would not have met otherwise.

Just because I’ve shut my front door, doesn’t mean you can’t still wave to me through the windows. Follow me on Instagram and by all means, if you feel we have a connection, send me a friend request to Leanne Shea Langdown on Facebook. I’m always available to chat, share photos, meet for IRL catch-ups and I will forever remain your faithful cheerleader.

Let’s mark this final Deep Fried post with one last Lovin’ Life Linky.

Much love to you all

Xoxoxo

Deep Fried Fruit 

PS Thanks for supporting the Lovin Life Linky. As you know I'm a big believer that the key to happiness is gratitude. This has been a great space for us to focus on what we love about life. I value your participation and hope it inspires others to create similar linkies for a positive mindset. 

Don't forget Denyse has her linky every Monday over at www.denysewhelan.com.au/ 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

The unconscious bias

 Am I biased?

I've been doing a bit of online learning lately as part of my personal and professional development and I came across a learning module on "unconscious bias" which had me intrigued. I figured if it had me intrigued, it might have you intrigued too.

The Easter Weekend

 What did the Easter weekend look like to you?

It seems many Australians (at least those I associate with) tend to bugger off at Easter time for a long weekend adventure. Whether visiting relatives, camping, shacking up by the beach or heading off to the hills, we Aussies seem to use this religious event to explore whatever brings us the most joy and peace. 

The Emojis

 What are your most used emojis?

 

For those who communicate with me regularly, it’s no secret that my most used emoji is the smiling face, closely followed by the laughing until you cry face, red heart and the good old-fashioned thumbs up.

😊😂💓👍

I love the smiley face emoji so much I even use it in emails and Skype chats at work, which I somehow get away with. I'm known as the girl who ends her corro with smiley face, smiley face, smiley face.

😊😊😊

The Commitment - rain, hail or shine

When it comes to commitment, are you a fair weather person?

Or are you there rain, hail or shine?

Commitment - my greatest strength and my greatest weakness. 

The little things

 There's always something to love about life

A dawn walk around my neighbourhood

I created the Lovin Life theme for a Thursday as a place where we can "share our happys". Whether it be a moment, a picture, a conversation, some food, a product, a dress, a hobby, an event, a place, a memory or a person - it's all about reminding ourselves what's good in our world.

Scenic World

 Panoramic views of the world heritage listed Blue Mountains.

For Christmas my sister-in-law and I followed our new tradition of gifting the extended family an experience. Previously we've given jet boating in Sydney Harbour and zip-lining on Jamberoo Mountain, and this year it was Scenic World passes in the Blue Mountains.

A day in the life of Deep Fried Fruit

 Who wants to take a walk in my shoes for a day?

At work I write a newsletter that includes an "a day in the life of " feature where I give people an insight into a business team to see what a typical work day might look like. I've noticed a few bloggers doing it lately too, so figured I might as well give it a whirl. So today I give you "a day in the life of Deep Fried Fruit".

The things I have on repeat

 What do you return to over and over again?

"So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job's a joke, you're broke
Your love life's DOA
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month
Or even your year, but

I'll be there for you"

This is just the beginning

Could hitting mid-life be a whole new beginning?

I watched Sir David Attenborough's Witness Statement this week which stirred many emotions for many reasons. Interestingly enough, the biggest emotion was hope. 

While I'm absolutely saddened by what we humans have done (and continue to do) to this planet, Sir Attenborough has given us a remedy and with the respect he's achieved over his lifetime, I am hopeful the powers that be will heed his advice and turn our destruction around. I am hopeful that we'll all heed his advice and turn our destruction around. 

But that's not why I'm writing this post. I'm writing this because David (I'm the third paragraph in, so we're old mates now) has given me hope. Not just about the environment, but about aging positively.