I wanted to use today for a sort of recap on what has been, by and large, a very good year. I won't be awake at midnight tonight as I know this year we will be safely tucked up in bed as we fight the last remnants of this bug.
but before I sum up the year ... it is also the end of a decade.
The decade began with a big birthday celebrated in fine style in Vegas with a Harley and Donny. There was another big birthday too, celebrated with fast cars. We had a blast over the last 10 years and are older but probably no wiser. We renewed our vows for our 25th anniversary and celebrated our 30th. we organised three street parties and Nigel helped organise many epic speedway events. We have simple lives, less materially sound but emotionally better as we both retired this decade. We work less, play more, travel more and enjoy simple pleasures. Sandwiches by the ocean and on the new balcony bring us great joy. I learned to paint, Nigel and I both set up businesses doing what we love. Our kittens have grown up and aged and we lost Boo. We had a malignant melanoma removed and a significant surgery that had to be redone ... and we survived. I broke an ankle and a couple of ribs but mended my soul. our life is simpler and happier. We attended weddings ... and funerals ... and we look forward to the next amazing decade and here are two photos , 10 years apart
So – 2019 comes to an end and yet again we have so very very much to be grateful for.
We are both in good health – well apart from the never disappearing horrible flu bug – and we still have our beautiful fur babies who are now elderly and yet still active and ‘trouble’. Our home is still our haven and we have enjoyed just being there together apart from almost a month away on a road trip. We have seen a mess of films and continue to enjoy our cinema club, and also discovered Netflix (not sure that is good really!!!) We have enjoyed some special family times, friends we can rely on, and enjoy the simple pleasures our gentler life affords us. We are indeed blessed. So time to reflect on what 2019 brought us. Just a few highlights – our life is simple so they are few but the day to day is pretty special for us too.
January was really quiet – a month of just chilling out really. We did work with Nigel’s brother and sister in law and clear the flat of things that needed to be done together, although Nigel and I were to spend a fair few days doing the less sensitive stuff.
February saw us make the huge decision to take down the clematis from the front of the house – which was a great decision, though rather scary. It looks so much better. And enabled us to have another 2 windows replaced. We had snow in February and enjoyed walking the neighbourhood on the untrodden paths and ‘our’ Starbucks opened very near home (that has been truly wonderful!) .After the snow it was unseasonably warm and we enjoyed walks in the winter sunshine and even the daffodils were early.
March saw blossom everywhere, the Flying Scotsman come to visit, and a damaged knee for no reason.
April saw the knee ‘snap’ and a full leg brace, a trip to Disney on Ice and warmth strong enough to enjoy the balcony. It is really only about 5 months of the year that we can’t sit out there. It also saw Nigel’s brother from America visit to see his Mom, who continues to be settled in her care home.
May saw plenty of sunny days out, a visit to the sand museum, which was fun, and lots of new things for my craft stall. Physio worked well and my knee strengthened daily.
June saw a bus rally and a trip to Tiffany to buy my 18th and 21st birthday present!
July we crammed it all in. It saw a wonderful visit from my family from the US. It was so special. We had trips on the Wareham River and the Tucton River, a visit to Portland and to Poole’s Vintage Fair and I celebrated the birthday I feared I would never make, becoming older than my beloved Mom ever was. On a happier note it saw the wonderful wedding of our beautiful niece Fiona to her soul mate Dave.
August saw a visit from Nigel’s cousin, an art exhibition where I sold a painting, walks in the sun and a quiet life.
September saw a great big band concert at Highcliffe castle, a vintage car rally, and the 30th birthday of my best friend’s daughter.
October was quite the month. It saw Nigel's brother and wife over from America again and a meal out. It saw health issues with my ribs which as yet still remain undiagnosed but appear not to be anything nasty. But more importantly it saw our best ever road trip ever – Coast to Coast, driving across America, 6000 miles, 22 states plus a lot of Canada and Route 66. It also afforded me the chance to meet a dear friend and her husband.
November we were still away but California based and having a whale of a time. On our return we did craft fairs and I enjoyed rediscovered crochet.
December saw a visit to my other family in the midlands to celebrate with them and saw a busy few weeks of work before we finally succumbed to the flu and whilst Christmas was different and very very quiet (apart from the coughing) we did have a lovely time just we two.
I hope that all of you have a wonderful 2019 to look back on too and that 2020 brings us all peace and joy, health and happiness and love and laughter.
Loved your year in review, and especially the great photo in the October review. LOL!! :-D
Steve and I really had an up and down year, but mostly good, as our health is holding up. :-) I am looking forward to 2020--just because it's so much easier to say.
God bless you and Nigel and your new year!
Posted by: Barb in AK | January 02, 2020 at 01:56 PM