Goodness, I’ll bet that you agree with me that this year was the quickest I have ever felt a year go by! As years go, for us, it certainly had its painful points but overall I would still call it a very good year.
As the year started out, we became empty nesters for the first time in 27 years and learned together to find our new rhythm in a much quieter household. Early January saw Matt pack up to leave our little country abode to live in the big city where he belongs. Unbeknownst to him at the time, this move turned into 4 moves in one year with Matt learning a huge lesson in resilience and staying strong in the face of adversity when life showed him that it doesn’t always go the way you had planned it, but in the end, the universe will manage to find a way (not always pleasant either) to guide you to where you need to be. I am so proud of the way Matt has handled everything thrown at him this year. It has been a huge learning curve for him and he has handled it with far more maturity than some people showed him and it tested his patience and resolve while he worked out the best way to deal with changing situations and my wish for him is a much more smoother year in 2018 (he deserves that much).
Mel, has gone from strength to strength this year, having her debut album ‘Take my Lymph’s released on both vinyl and digital formats and made two 2017 compilation lists on Utility Fog on FBi radio and Various Marks of Provenance 11 http://www.provenancerecords.com/release-pr014-various-marks-provenance-ii/ . What a wonderful effort to be signed and released with the eclectic Melbourne record label (Provenance) among some amazing new young talent on the Australian digital music scene, so very proud of her!! Aside from this accolade, she also successfully completed her degree in Fine Arts at Monash University. I only wish her continued success in both fields in 2018 as she seeks to find a balance with doing what she loves and earning a living at the same time. If anyone can do this its Mel 🙂
TAKE MY LYMPHS
Available on all music sharing platforms
http://www.provenancerecords.com/release-pr012-arrom-take-lymphs/
https://arrom.bandcamp.com/album/take-my-lymphs
Artwork by Caitlin Dennis
Bre also has had a soul searching year where she discovered that working in a stressful environment is not all its cracked up to be and there just has to be more to life than this. This year has shown her what her real priorities are and that is her children first for now. I am often inspired with Bre’s attitude and her take on the world, that she wont be moulded into what society says you should be but knows how to follow her true path and do what makes her happy, knowing that the rest will all fall into place when its meant to. Always proud of you and your successes Bre and I believe you will continue to create the life and balance you crave.
Each New Years Eve, I love to sit and contemplate the year behind us and work out my priorities for the coming year. Some might think this a boring thing to do on New Years Eve, however my best party days are behind me, I cant drink more than 2 wines in a row and cant think of anything worse than waking up on New Years day without a spring in my step 🙂
Every year I like to look back and think, was it a good one, could I have done anything better? Did I acknowledge enough just how blessed I am and focus on what is really important? I think the answer to all of that is yes.
One little soul who wont be joining us in the new year is our sweet Tammy, put to rest 12 weeks ago after having been diagnosed with lymphoma. Oh, what a loss that little girl has been in my life, the house just hasn’t felt the same without her in it to welcome me back home each day, eagerly waiting to be allowed to come inside with her tail wagging and big smile she would give just for us. I miss that look we had for each other when it was time for her to sit beside me at night where I sat, with her in her spot, right next to me…
A vet had told us last year that even though she was a good age, she still had plenty left in her. Looking back I took that to mean at least a few more years. Not once did I imagine I would be ending this year without her! The quickness of her diagnosis and us having to decide to not let her suffer all happened very quickly and unexpected and that decision was such a hard one to make which still brings tears every time I think of it or her for that matter, she was by far the best little friend anyone could have had and I know I am blessed that she spent a good 15+ years with us. Here is one of my favorite pictures of her, it says it all, just how happy she was being part of our little group. (Thanks Mel for giving us this pic) xx
We are blessed to live with 2 very special cats which keep us company and we love them immensely but they are still different to a dog. I have been toying with the idea of perhaps having another dog in the household, another little one, not to replace Tammy but to love and cherish, maybe even a rescue dog who needs a home, as this little heart still has room to love a dog.
As a family, we have collectively had a big year. One major change in our life was Bill retiring from the workforce this October. He is coping with this change and actually wonders how he ever found the time to work. We have had a nice three months adjusting, getting some things sorted and have been busy working out new health priorities and doing very well on this front but the next thing I need to put all of my focus on is our upcoming amazing big trip around the world. We toyed with the idea of renovating the house or going on a trip of a lifetime and decided that for once, throw caution to the wind, set sail (literally) and live out our dreams for none of us know how our lives will look like in 10 years time or even 5, so with Bill retiring and my long service leave next year, the universe has perfectly aligned everything for us to take the time, do it properly and together and its the perfect solution to ticking off some of those long awaited bucket list items.
I cant believe how quickly time is flying and as of tomorrow, we have 12 weeks to go!! I am busily spending all my spare time, working on accommodation and ticking off what we still need to do or get. I have been booking a few airbnb places along the way so we can have some space and useful things you need on a big trip like washing machines and dryers. It has been tiring and all time consuming but so much fun planning this trip and if you know me at all, I am not one to leave things to chance so I am making sure I cover everything I need to. The last time I planned a trip to Europe was 30 years ago and I had no internet or apps to help assist then, there is so much help online now at the touch of a button you can plan to go anywhere you want!
So while I am busy with my own plans, I wish only the very best for you too. If you haven’t been able to do something you really would like to, how about use the New Year as a good excuse to do it, go somewhere you have never been, do something you have always wanted to do or begin to create the life you really crave for. Anything you want is available to you, all it takes is a plan, a big dollop of belief that you can have it and determination to not let anyone stop you or talk you out of it. We are all here to create the best life we can, so what’s on your list to begin doing from tomorrow?
Have a safe,
beautiful and amazing
2018!!