A usual I like to do a post reflecting on the year that’s about to pass and think about the future. It’s pretty self indulgent, but it’s something I’ve done for a long time and it’s quite a therapeutic exercise. So now it’s time to say Goodbye to 2015.
First of all I can say that this year has been much better than last year. We had such an awful time in 2014 with Star’s neck and numerous operations, and of course the dreaded halo that she had to wear twice. This year has been relatively tame in comparison.
The beginning of the year was the first time we had all three children at school. The Little Man had started reception the previous September and Star had returned to school full time after her recovery. It was strange not having a child in the house all day, but I coped.
In February we celebrated the Other Halves birthday by seeing his favourite group Ocean Colour Scene play live which was really good.
In March I grieved for the loss of my favourite author of many years, Sir Terry Pratchett. He was taken far too soon by the embuggerance, as he called his dementia.
In April I went with my eldest daughter to see the Gadget Show Live at the NEC Birmingham. We had V.I.P. tickets which meant we not only enjoyed the exhibition but we got front row seats at the Live Show. We also went on stage to have a look at Jason Bradbury’s Back to the Future DeLorean before having a back stage tour, then meeting the cast of the t.v show for chats. It was a very exciting day.
Also in April I went to Blog Camp Birmingham. This is a fantastic event put on by Tots100 and I try to go every year when they come to Birmingham. There is always something new to learn about blogging and it’s great to meet up with blogger chums too.
Skipping May, which wasn’t exactly boring, but not really exciting either and onto June where I found I out I had made it to the finals of the MAD blog awards. This was the second time I’d made the finals and I have no idea how, I guess someone must read my blog then? Also in June I did the Race For Life and raised some money for Cancer. I will be honest, I didn’t run, I’ve never really been a runner, but I walked the full 5k in exactly one hour! Not bad for an old bird!
July was rather exciting, kicking off with a theatre trip to see Peter James’ Dead Simple. I really do love live theatre so I was thrilled to be able to review this show.
Then we had a really fun day at Hatton Farm starting with the kids testing out bouncy castles.We also had some fun at the adventure farm. Hatton really is one of our favourite places to visit.
Then just as the school summer holidays began we joined in with the Big Hoot in Birmingham, where we had to track down 98 fabulous owls. We didn’t manage to find them all but we found loads and had lots of fun.
Finally, at the end of July it was Boo’s 8th birthday and we had a cooking party for her and her friends where they made pizzas and knickerbocker glories.
In August I took a very excited Boo on a trip to London to meet the lovely Bee Berrie for a cookery class. We had loads of fun, and even more fun trying to carry all the cakes and cookies she had made on the tube and train home afterwords. This was the most exciting part of being a Happy Eggs Ambassador.
We also had several days out starting with a lovely meal and play at Brewer’s Fayre, some more owl hunting for the Big Hoot and trips to the park where we enjoyed some paddling in the stream.
August is also birthday time for Star who opted for a family trip to Pizza Hut and the Little Man who had a bouncy castle birthday party.
In September we had our first tragedy when we lost one of our older cats Scribbles. She fell ill quite suddenly and after a few days at the animal hospital we had no choice but to say goodbye to her.
On a lighter note, September was also the time of the MAD Blog awards and I got to stay at the lush Royal Garden Hotel and enjoy a fabulous evening with some great people. I didn’t win, but I never expected to, it was an honour to be there.
In October we had our second tragedy when our other older cat Suzie fell ill. The vet said that there wasn’t anything they could do for her but I couldn’t let her go until I felt the time was right, so we took her home and had a few more precious days with her.
In November it was time to face something that I had been dreading all year, my birthday. It was not just any birthday though, this year was a milestone and I made it to 40, I mean 50, yes I’m 50, I just don’t know how on earth that happened, who stole all those years from me? Actually, it’s not as bad as I expected it to be.
Then on to December where we got to see Treasure Island at the Old Rep which was really good, I think me and OH enjoyed the show as much as the kids.
December also brings the Christmas celebrations and this year we had the Little Man’s nativity as well as the girls music celebration. We also enjoyed carol singing on the hill, a trip to the Christmas Market and the kids enjoyed their school Christmas parties. We had a lovely Christmas with just our little family and a visit from Santa.
Some things I’ve not blogged about this year;
Star’s health – Although her neck has improved greatly since her fixation she has had other ongoing issues including a trip to A&E with a sprained ankle. She already fractured one ankle without us knowing and then subluxed the other with took a long while to heal, in fact it still hurts now, months later. In March she had an official diagnosis of Elhers Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, which we believed may help us when we sought help for her injuries, but it seems we have a way to go before doctors will listen. We have also been back to her psychologist who diagnosed her autism and she is arranging help for Star at school and for her transition into secondary school next year. Finally, we are getting a lot of help from the gastroenterology doctor with her stomach problems which she has had since birth but we’ve always been told that she would grow out of them. Well, she’s ten now, and she hasn’t grown out of them so they are helping at last.
My health – To celebrate reaching my half century I’ve had a couple of nasty health scares this year, one which ended up in me being blue lighted to A&E for the first time in my life. I don’t remember that being on my bucket list of things to do before I’m 50! Things seem to have settled down for now and I don’t have any real answers, but I’m getting the help I need.
At home – We have now been living in our house for over two years and after having to wait 12 months for the plaster to dry and the house to settle before decorating, we have finally managed to decorate the whole of the ground floor of the house as well as the girl’s bedroom.
Goodbye 2015 My Wishes for 2016;
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It sounds like you have had a wonderful year. Well apart from the health problems.
I hope 2016 is a fantastic year for you x