Reflecting on 2019

I like to take a little time at the end of the year to reflect on the things we have done. This is my pick of things that happened in 2019

The Fun Stuff of 2019

February is half term and we decided to take the kid’s to The Think Tank which is an innovative science museum in Birmingham. It was one of those days that started out a bit tricky as the kid’s had wanted to go somewhere else. But it ended well and they had loads of fun

The Flea Retreat. We braved the welsh hills and spent a May weekend in Wales. Graham and the kids stayed in a hotel in Aberytswyth while I stayed with a group of lovely bloggers at the Tynrhyd Retreat. Apart from a few mobility issues, it was a lovely, memorable and relaxing weekend.

Our Summer Holiday in Cornwall. We braved the long journey down to Cornwall as I’d not been there for many years and it was a new place for the kids to visit. Although we went in August but were not blessed with the best of weather. We made the most of our holiday though and even managed to meet up with some old friends. Cornwall is truly a beautiful place and I only wished we’d had some better weather to do some more exploring.

We also had a few more days out, including our annual trip to the Wildlife Conservation Centre, and getting to meet some exotic animals close up. It was a pretty wild summer.

Autumn was a little slower, but we did manage a few trips in winter. We did some lovely pottery painting and managed to get to the local Christmas fayre and watch the switching on of the lights. That’s something I’ve always wanted to do since we moved here six years ago, but the first time we have made it.

Birthdays in 2019

With seven of us in the house there is always a birthday on the horizon. It’s my eldest born son’s birthday in January, then Graham’s shortly afterwards. Then we have to wait until the end of June for Eldest Daughter’s birthday, swiftly followed by Boo in July and Little Man and Star in August. Finally it’s my birthday in November.

No big parties, but many meals out from Frankie and Benny’s, to Pizza Hut, to Teppanyaki. We also had meals out for my Sister-in-law’s 50th birthday and my brother’s birthday.

I went to my first ever baby shower for my great niece, (my nephew’s daughter.) We had a confused moment from Boo when she heard the baby hadn’t been born yet, she wondered who was going to get showered? I have three nephew’s with grandchildren now, even though I have no grandkids myself.

Health in 2019

This year I started joining in with a monthly writing prompts link up with A Chronic Voice. It has given me an opportunity to update my readers on my health without boring you all too much. But in brief, I’ve stopped my monthly infusions and I’m currently in limbo land as to what will happen next. I’m off to see my consultant in January and after my recent test results I don’t even know if my diagnosis is going to change.

Mentally, I’ve taken a huge dip. I don’t like not knowing what’s going on and I am in fear that this is it for the rest of my life.

My girl, Star, had genetic testing last year which has been repeated because it was inconclusive. It’s also involved a lot more tests as her geneticist is quite certain that she has Marfan Syndrome. She has also grown so quickly this year that her skin is suffering. She is having regular cardiology checks which is reassuring. I’m hoping we will get some answers in the new year.

My Little Man was finally diagnosed with Autism, but he has a long way to go before we know exactly where on the spectrum he is. The good news is that his school is backing him up and he’s already getting a lot of help.

Other Stuff

I went to the funeral of my former husband’s sister. Another Cancer victim and such a sad occasion. I did get to see a lot of family members I’d not seen for many years.

We got a new car which is lovely, A Ford Kuga. Sadly, I have had to give up driving. I am only allowed to drive adapted cars and as I was driving less and less, it seemed pointless getting another adapted one. The good news is, I’m a lot more comfortable with my husband’s driving. The adapted car was automatic and I’ve never drove an automatic before, I’ve always driven a manual car.

The new one is manual and my husband has had to change his driving habits that he picked up by driving an automatic. I feel so much more comfortable watching him move around the gears. I can’t really explain it, but I think it takes a very different mindset to drive a manual than to drive an automatic, and I just wasn’t used to it. I’m still a little depressed about not driving though. I’d give anything to drive the Kuga.

Happy New Year!

I have to end by talking about what we will be up to in the New Year. I don’t like to plan too far ahead but we do have a holiday booked for the summer. This time we are off to Dorset which is a little closer. Fingers crossed the weather will be kinder this year, or we may start taking our holidays in May again. Have you noticed how much nicer the weather is in May these days?

Also, I’m very excited to be getting my own new wheels. My power chair has been playing up for a while and early last year had to undergo some repairs. But now, it’s really becoming unreliable (Which is a little scary when you can’t walk) so I’m getting a new one. I’ve already bought it and I’m waiting for delivery. I’m also having my family bathroom replaced with a bathroom. I may also have a lift installed but I’m undecided on this. It depends on how much room it will take up. Personally, I’d much rather have a stair lift but apparently they are not suitable for people with neurological conditions.

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