Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year!!!!

We have reached that time again when we are staring the New Year in the face and reviewing the year that is nearly over. I have much to be grateful for and lots to look forward to. I think on balance 2012 has had more good times than bad!

We started 2012 with our usual hospital in patient stay, Dad had an operation on a blocked bowel  and ended up in the Lister Hospital. We were lucky to avoid more unplanned hospital trips right up until Mum went in in November, so that counts as a good year.

We had a lovely cruise with Madeline, John,Tina, Rod and Bobbie back in May. Great trip with great friends.


Love this photo, Rod looking excited and John looking 'underwhelmed'!!!!

Over the spring and summer I was able to spruce up the conservatory and invested in a pretty dresser and had an armchair converted to make myself a comfortable work space. All I need now is a way of keeping things warm enough to work in and I'll be happy!!





We were able to finally replace the banisters in the living room. We have lived her for 25 years and I have never liked the banisters,(dark brown 'planks') but they were perfectly serviceable so it never seemed to be something we could afford to change on a whim. Finally we had enough money to get them changed and I am so pleased that we have had them done. It has lifted the room and it seems much brighter now. 



My jewelry making and bead making has been going from strength to strength, I have taken quite a few classes with my friend Debbie. (silver work, glass fusing and a combination bead making and jewelry making class) We bought ourselves a 'market barrow' and set up at a fair and sold our wares. We are hoping to be able to progress that avenue next year looking at specialist beads. Watch out for some exciting news in the new year from us!!


Carl graduated from Middlesex University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. We are very proud of  him and were thrilled when he found himself a job as a NQT at a local school. 




This year was also the Olympics year. London was hosting and there were loads and loads of things going on all over the country. The torch came through WGC so Karen and I went into town to see the torch arrive. It was a lovely day, which finished with a good downpour which soaked us all!!


This chap was on a bill board at Heathrow Airport.


Despite trying to buy tickets for ANY Olympic event we were unsuccessful. So we decided in the end to go up to London and see if we could get a spot to view the men's Triathlon. We travelled up by train and joined the crowds of people at Hyde park corner jostling for a place. We were able to find a spot and we stood and waited for the cyclist to ride by. I took loads of photos, but I am pleased with this one of the eventual first and second placed athletes, the Brownlee brothers. It was a great experience that I thoroughly enjoyed!

We spent our main summer holiday in Ireland, which was a country of big contrasts, the North was full of place names that I remember from my teenage years and not for very good reasons. It was good to see the Giants Causeway and the Titanic exhibition. The second part of the holiday was spent in the south and that was a complete change. I enjoyed the scenery, but the roads were something else!!!




For Beth this was the year where she had knee problems, she hurt her knee during a trampolining exam at school and that ended up in many trips to the hospital, knee supports and braces and the eventual decision not to do sports at school for the foreseeable future or until the knee is strong enough to deal with the stresses and strains of sports.


Right at the beginning of the year Laura finally found a one bedroom flat that she liked and was eligible to move into from the council list. It was not very nice inside and needed completely painting, every single room. So with Help from Tom, Beth, Emma and Dan it was spruced up and she moved in....


For me the biggest news of the year is that I have managed to lose some weight. I have lost 8 1/2 stones since January, I can't believe the change in me. I wanted to lose weight as my hip has been very painful and I would have no chance of an operation without losing the weight. So no time like the present!!!


So this was me on my birthday in February.


This is me last week!
I have had loads of support from my friends and family and I am looking forward to continuing this journey in the new year. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY 
YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!










4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well done on your 2012 journey Lyzzy, hope 2013 is good for you :) xx

Anonymous said...

You look fantastic Lyzzy - well done! :)
izzy xx

Jen said...

You look amazing girl! My health kick kind of lost its way while we were in France but 2013 is MY year lol.

Sue Jones said...

Wow Darling !!Stunning
Happy New Year xx