Last look

 2025 was a mixed year here, as always I try and focus on the better side, my garden has been my haven, so many wonderful days sat outside in warmer weather, can't wait to be back outside. We have had a few brilliant trips, and loads of family fun.

Just a couple of my favourite photos from the year, I did have some from a visit to the local park, but decided on these two from our trip to the beach with fish and chip supper, everyone was so happy it was just before the new school year started.

Our lovely grandchildren, daughters three who we see often, Molly doing so well in her first year at school, George is settled and showing signs of progress, Will loving school and doing so well in his classes. Our older grandsons, whilst we don't see them often they are thriving, siblings like us are all getting older but mostly reasonable fit. Molly is now feeling much better, daughter is getting unbroken sleep at night, George and Will are both bug free. 

Hubby's health has been a concern, loads of test has been done, still unsure of the best path forward. I just wish I could get him to ease up and pace himself, I have noticed how tired he gets, needing an afternoon nap most days. I'm always tired, the past few months I have struggled, worried about family, I do wish I was not such a worrier, it does bring on the blues. 

I don't make new year resolutions, never have, I do have a few things I need to address, not necessarily in January.

So I am sending good wishes for a happy new year to everyone, hopefully as the days and weeks pass so quickly soon we will see signs of spring.

Final post

The decorations are packed away, I never wait until the 12th night, I always loved to have everywhere clear before I started back to work after the holiday period, it's a habit ingrained into me. We have no plans for New Years Eve, it's years since we have been out on that night, we will do our usual thing of staying awake until the fireworks on TV and locally. 

Our families are all good, grandchildren are all growing up so quickly, sadly again another year of not seeing them enough, visiting is a struggle as most of them are so far away and busy on weekends, and hubby's children never have the time to visit here, families are what they are. 

George has done so well in his first term at school, he is a very happy little boy, Molly will start school this coming September, we are not expecting any issues, she is more than ready, Will is just a lovely big brother. They have coped with their new style of life, our daughter is a fierce protector of her children. With both boys at school and Molly in preschool 3 days a week, we do see less of them midweek, I do try to help out most weeks.

I've done less crafting, mainly knitting, crochet, needle felting and some sewing, a bit more reading, 94 books this year, we spend all our time in the garden when we can, I've already started planning the veg I hope to grow. Hubby is baking more, adding sourdough bread to his favourite recipes.

We have both had good health this year, a few more aches and pains, but we manage well in our daily lives, it helps our home has been tailored to meet our changing needs, our garden has been perfect this year. We both enjoy the leisurely lifestyle we have created, we love hopping on local buses to go to town or into Portsmouth, this year we hope to go further. It's good to be able to plan, we don't intend to live a sedate life, we still have much we want to do and see.

Another year

How quickly the days, weeks and months fly by and once again here we are at the last day of the year, it's been a good year, the house is back to how it looks most of the year, I have loads of candles to burn, to bring in light, my garden note book is out, time to plan, nothing big, just raised bed planting, and a rejig of the greenhouse, I will sow seeds this spring. Life is about home, we have worked hard to ensure we are able to enjoy our retired years, we both love our home and garden.

I have found time for a final book this year, I love this author, when I picked up this book I knew I would be enjoying the story, she always manages to find a different theme for her books, she never repeats a plot. Book 37 read this year. I have not read as many books this year, I have tried to be outside more, doing things with hubby. 

My Christmas cake has been cut, we always wait until decorations are packed away, it's lovely and moist again, I always cut off the icing and marzipan, I can't eat nuts, so I get just the fruit cake hit. Daughter sent photo of Will, George and Molly eating theirs, my brother has not cut his yet.

We are both healthy as are our family, these days we are actively ensuring we are the best we can be, my weight is much lower that at the start of this year. Thanks to Pilates class, I feel much fitter, my movement is much easier, I have had less backache, and my posture has improved, I have also lost inches around my body. Hubby is in good health and as strong as ever, I sometime wonder how well he is aging, much better than me, but our bodies whilst looking similar, have had very different lives, children and cancer for me, heart issues for him. I have put a couple pounds back on, I'm not too bothered, it was in 2021 I was last this lower weight.

Sadly again we did not see much of our older grandsons, with weekend sports clubs and busy lives, living so far away means we don't see them often enough, knowing they are growing, healthy and happy keeps us going. I see my siblings when we visit Somerset, but hubby's siblings are all around the country, we did get to see his older brother and sister twice in the year, another brother in the autumn and have plans to visit Wales in February to see another sister and brother. 

I don't make resolutions at the end of the year, I prefer to have goals set through out the year and have a balanced life rather than everything in one go. Again I am going to say, nothing big is planned for the next year, we are going to decorate our bedroom and the stairs, which is a bigger project, but we can take our time in the summer when the days are longer and warmer. 

If you are still with me I wish you a Happy New Year,

 and hope you wishes come true for you.

Last post

There is always something to look forward to. 

This year has been better than the last few years, the family is in good health, Will loves school, George and Molly are progressing well, all three are happy souls. Our Taunton boys have grown loads and love their new home and schools. Sadly we did not see much of Josh and Sam, they are grown up busy boys. Whilst it's been another wonderful year, nothing stands out as outstanding this year, but then nothing stands out as horrible, so we are both happy.

Hubby is in good health, which at our age is always a bonus, I have no worries about him. It was lovely to travel and see his elder sister and brother, both in Newcastle, we have agreed we need too get out more, I am happy enough being at home, I can always find things to do, but we should be out more, a lovely holiday would be very nice, somewhere warm and sunny, Covid scared us inside and I have been very slow to be going places. 

The only down side has been my recent health, but with loads of test being done, and many things being checked OK, hopefully answers will soon come, I am beginning to wonder if it's stress, I have seen friends and family who with a build up of stress causes issues. Next door is leaving us alone, but there is always the underlying knowledge at any point anything will start her having a go at us, home is not the relaxing place it should be, she slams and bangs doors all day. 

I wish everyone reading this a Happy New Year, I hope it's full of laughter, happiness and fun, I don't make new year resolutions, it should never be about making a change on one day. We have few plans, hopefully a holiday somewhere sunny, and good health for both of us and our families all around the country. 

This year

 I do love to have a round up of the year, our biggest news was the birth of Molly, our last grandchild and only granddaughter, we have 8 grandsons. Here Molly is wearing the Christmas dress I made her, the first of many makes. 

George is now standing and walking around furniture and with his walker, he's not far off going solo, Molly is rolling everywhere and moving around the carpet. Will loves school, it been a wonderful year for this little family. Our older grandsons are all doing well, growing up strong, hopefully we will get to see more of them in 2022, we have seen our Taunton boys this year, but none of the others, distance and virus is keeping us apart. The last 2 years at this time we thought we were facing challenges with our babies, supporting youngest daughter whilst battling our own thoughts, this year, it's all good.

Both hubby and I have kept well as have most of our siblings, my older sister had surgery in November, but is healing well, getting older is no fun at all. 

It's definitely been another strange year, I am beginning to believe our old normal will not be back with us, and this is now how we will be living our lives. Being so global any infections can spread so quickly and like the Omicron variant it's here before we know it, so it's case if living and managing the risk. 

On the whole, we had a good year, we are healthy, loved and have a comfortable lifestyle, what more can we ask for. Our mad neighbour is leaving us alone, we have not had any issues since the early summer, we can hope it last for many months.

I hope your new year celebrations are what you want, it's just the 2 of us and I expect we will be in bed by 10 past midnight, we have family for a huge roast dinner on New Year's day. 

See you in 2022, with new adventures, Happy New Year, hope its healthy and happy.  

Last post

Book 82 read this year, it was a great book to read, filling in the details of their 1st year in France, I have followed them from their 1st program on channel 4, I love their positive attitude and their beautiful château. 

I am opening these tiny parcels from Jo, Through the keyhole, blog, I am loving these colourful little yarns, it brightens each morning. 

 We had a really enjoyed a very excited Will on Christmas morning opening his presents, he had loads, he also helped George open his gifts, it did look like a toy shop. 

I did have a post ready for end of year, but I deleted it, 2020 is like no other, and on 23rd it gave our family another nasty turn, which until mid January when we get medical results and to be able plan a path forward, we have to wait with our own thoughts. 

We both have bad colds and coughs, and are waiting for test, just in case, no plans to go anywhere, lazy slow days. 

So from a very subdued household, this is my final post for this year, stay safe, and dry. There are positives everywhere, sadly they are not within our reach. Happy New year. 

 

Summary of 2019

Our beautiful baby George, 

just a month old. 

2019 has been a mixed year, as the new year started, I was just so pleased hubby was on the mend after his heart operation, it had been a worrying time, but I could see his strength returning.
Spring and summer were all good, we enjoyed our family, home and garden, I always feel the sense of healing when I'm outside getting my hands dirty in the garden, it's a small garden, but I can always find things to do.
August was a poor month, hubby had another operation, 69 years of good health, and then 2 operations in less than 12 months.
Then I burnt my hands and leg, at 1st I was OK, other than the pain, but even now, my leg is just healed and still shows the marks of the burns, I was injured far worse than I imagined.
I have been diagnosed as pre diabetic after an extra eye test discovered an issue, I will have to face this in January.
In November George decided to arrive naturally 11 days early, we are all glad to meet him, at birth weight our smallest grandson. Tinged with sadness, we all knew he was different, after tests it was confirmed he is a Downs Syndrome boy, it will make no difference to any of his family, already he is a huge part of our lives. We need to ensure mummy and daddy gets all the support we can give them, we have already joined support groups, knowledge is the key in the coming months as results to the numerous test arrive.
We have had some lovely holidays this year, spent loads of time with Will, seen our other grandsons, our house is a happy home, and whatever we have to face in the coming year we will face together.

I've turned off comments for this post, Happy New Year.