Twenty 12 – a year in review

This time last year I reflected on 2011 by way of a meme - an idea that I copied from one of my favourite bloggers, Elizabeth of Scarlet Words (you can read about Elizabeth’s 2012 here).  I’m completing the meme again this year as it’s such a great way to reflect on the year that was.  Again, thanks to Elizabeth for sharing this brilliant idea and encouraging others to join in.

Okay, let’s get started…

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?

I’ve always loved photography but haven’t really done a lot of it other than happy snaps.  During 2012 I started participating in photographic challenges (mainly those by Chantelle of Fat Mum Slim) and started taking lots of photos with my iPhone and then editing them using the myriad Apps that are available.  I’ve loved it – the composition, the subjects and the editing.

 
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Mostly yes.  My intentions were to be fitter, healthier and lighter, and to blog more.  They all get a tick.  For 2013, it will be more of the same as I want to improve on all these things again as well as take lots of photos!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes.  Two very dear friends welcomed daughter number two in April.  I wrote about gorgeous little Marlo here.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thankfully no.

5. What countries did you visit?

Australia!  Does that really count?  We did have a wonderful week in a beach-front house on the New South Wales north coast – it was just what we both needed at the time.

 
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

More ‘us time’.  The lovely Wayne and I still battle with conflicting work schedules so I’d like more time together to just hang out.  Simple things like picnics, lazy afternoons, cooking, walks, movies – you get the idea.

7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

There’s the usuals (birthdays, anniversary, holiday up the coast) however 2012 had a few ‘biggies’.  There was my promotion and my recognition at work (see Q8 below), but the one that I guess really rocked me to my core was my dad’s diagnosis in July with a brain tumour.  Although it has affected me and made me rethink a lot of things, we were extremely fortunate that there was a wonderfully positive outcome in the end and my dear dad is now absolutely fine.  I blogged here about how thankful I was for the way this whole episode played out.

My dad, and the scar down the back of his head
which means he'll be around for a long time yet!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

My biggest achievements (yes there’s 2) this year were my promotion in August, and being awarded a prestigious award in December for my contribution to the organisation where I work.  You can read about my award here.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not ‘switching off’ when I left work.  I had a tendency to still be ‘thinking work’ even at home – I was known to leave myself voicemail messages at work at 3am on occasion!  I am slowly learning to switch off - I guess I’m a slow learner!  LOL.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Aside from a slight back strain during our recent house move, I consider myself very lucky to have enjoyed good health during 2012.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Probably my new laptop (the old one died) – well let’s face it, how on earth could I blog, etc without it?!

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

The lovely Wayne (aka The Boy Wonder!).  As mentioned in Q7, my dad needed urgent brain surgery during the year.  The lovely Wayne was just so wonderfully supportive at a time when all of us were really feeling scared, worried and upset.  Thanks babe. xx



The lovely Wayne (aka The Boy Wonder)

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

Three come to mind.  Those awful radio announcers who played that joke on that poor English nurse; Alan Jones for his vile comments about PM Julia Gillard’s father’s death; and the gunman who shot those innocent children in the USA leading up to Christmas.  Some people really are just oxygen thieves!

14. Where did most of your money go?

The usual stuff – household expenses, food, etc.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Our holiday in September.  Our week of staying in a beach-front house was wonderfully relaxing and we had been looking forward to it for months.

16. What song will always remind you of 2012?

Dare I mention it?  Dare I let it rear its ugly head again?  I’m talking of Gangnam Style of course.  Yes I liked it initially, but then it became a little tiresome.  It is however the first tune I thought of when reading this question, so I guess it’s the one for 2012!  I won’t embed it here as I think we all know how it goes!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?

a) Happier (still happy!)

b) Slightly thinner

c) About the same

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Relaxing, photography, reading, and spending time with the lovely Wayne.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Placing unrealistic expectations on myself and my time.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Christmas was a quiet affair for us this year.  It all started on Christmas Eve with us again adhering to our tradition of watching Love Actually (I so love that movie).  Christmas Day started with a lovely breakfast for two at home – think poached eggs, smoked salmon, mushrooms, tomatoes and good coffee.  For lunch we popped up to the nursing home and spent time with the lovely Wayne’s mum.  Later in the afternoon, we made our way out to my mum and dad’s place.  Here we had a lovely casual evening with great food and lots of laughs.  As an aside, I had a bit of fun with the Elf Yourself iPhone App (thanks Elizabeth), so here's the lovely Wayne, our friend Tracy, and me...



21. Did you fall in love in 2012?

I stayed in love!

22. What was your favourite TV program?

In keeping with last year’s British TV theme, we have again loved predominantly British shows.  We NEVER miss Alan Carr Chatty Man – that man and his show are an absolute scream, you really need to check it (them) out.  There were also the usual suspects of QI, Graham Norton, Grand Designs and Top Gear.  A notable mention must also go to the Australian series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries which we thoroughly enjoyed.

23. What was the best book you read?

I haven’t read any books of note this year as most of my reading consisted of reading lots of amazing blogs.  I did however enjoy a couple of coffee table books I picked up during the year - Wine Dogs Australia and Why Dogs are better than Cats are both entertaining and contain gorgeous photos.

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?

There’s been several again this year including Lana Del Ray and Paloma Faith.  The one that stands out though is Of Monsters And Men.  This Icelandic group made an appearance on The Graham Norton Show and I just loved them.  I’ve already mentioned Lana here, so here’s a little something by Paloma and OMAM...

25. What did you want and get?

I wanted my dad to get good news after his brain surgery – it was the best news as he got the all clear and recovered completely.  I also wanted to get the job I’d acted in for 18 months, and I did!  I was finally promoted permanently to the position in August.

26. What did you want and not get?

Again, marriage equality.  Oh alright, and the winning lotto numbers!

27. What was your favourite film of the year?

Sadly this year we made it to the movies just once – one of the pitfalls of our lack of time together as we’d rather have a quiet night in!  Anyhoo the movie – we loved The Iron Lady with Meryl Streep.  We did however watch a number of great DVD’s during the year.

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 46 years young on my birthday!  You can read all about my birthday here.  Suffice to say it involved a gourmet breakfast, lots of seafood, champagne, wine, ice cream, blood-letting, and a washing machine!

29. What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Sharing it with the lovely Wayne, friends and family.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?

Corporate and casual – not at the same time though!  I also had a bit of a ‘thing’ going on with glasses (spectacles) this year – I bought four new pairs during the year.

31. What kept you sane?

The lovely Wayne of course, and keeping a good sense of humour at all times.  Oh yes, and wine!

This guy kept me sane (or is that insane?) during 2012

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

No one person comes to mind actually.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

It’s the same as last year.  Australia’s appalling policies and indecision regarding asylum seekers and marriage equality.  It amazes me that we are so behind the times with these two issues when we are leaders in so many other areas.

34. Who did you miss?

I miss my regular catch-ups with a dear friend Tracy in England but we’ve undertaken to have regular (& possibly long) skype sessions this year.  I’ve also missed two very dear friends at work who have both been on long term leave during the year.  Luckily for me they are both back during January.

35. Who was the best new person you met?

Again this year there’s been a number of new people who I’ve met.  Some have been through work, some through other friends, and then there’s the online friends I’ve made this year through blogs and social media.  The stand out though would be a former colleague, and now great friend, Kerry.  We just kinda clicked.

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.

Cherish those you care about – tell them you love them often and give them hugs often too!

37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Motivation a powerful strength

Hesitation was my first instinct

I got the notion my weakness was

Total devotion it’s okay because

I will hold back tears

So I can move in the right direction

I have faced my fears

Now I can move in the right direction

Move in the right direction – Beth Ditto & Gossip

So there you have it dear reader, my 2012 year in review.  I’d love to read your 2012 in review so please feel free to leave your answers (or a link to them) in the comments if you feel so inclined.

 

G. xx

 

 

Mayhem, Moments & Mentions

Mmm, before we get started I realise I must acknowledge that my last post was almost three weeks ago - yes I know, shocking!  Also, apologies for the length of this post - one of the pitfalls of not posting for almost three weeks!

 

Mayhem

These last few weeks have been a wee bit busy around here.  At work, I've been ridiculously busy with the planning and organising of one of THE biggest days of the year for where I work as well as for me personally (more about that later).  On the home front, His Handsomeness and I are moving house this coming weekend so have been immersed in all the tasks that that involves.  Yes I know, just over a week out from Christmas - it's all or nothing here!  Suffice to say, things are a little crazy around here at the moment, but dare I admit that I do thrive on a bit of a challenge - and yes, I know I may regret those very words!  I have a plan and am focussed firmly on next week when it will all be behind us.

 

Moments

I mentioned above that one of the biggest days personally for me at work this year happened last week.  A bit of background to get into the story.  I work for an organisation with over twenty thousand staff spread across many sites throughout the country.  Each year, suitably deserving staff can be nominated for a prestigious internal award.  The senior executive then determine if the winner(s) are worthy.

 

In my site of 700 staff, only one person was deemed worthy/suitable for this award - that person was me!  To say I was honoured is an understatement.  What made the award even more special for me was that last week, the man at the head of the the organisation where I work (he's numero uno out of 20,000 plus - we'll call him the great leader) came to my site and whilst visiting, presented me with my award in front of a large number of staff.  I have never felt so proud and honoured.  I was presented with a certificate, a trophy and a beautiful gold watch.  After the awards ceremony the great leader thanked me personally for my work and insisted on buying me a drink while we chatted.  I'm still on cloud nine about the whole affair!

 

Mentions

Also during this last week, the lovely Kirsty from My Home Truths mentioned, or rather tagged me in a blog post about five ultimate Christmas wishlist items.  Now I know I should be wishing for world peace and no hunger etc etc, but the rest of this post has all been about moi, so why change the theme now?!  Anyhoo, in the spirit of the tagging, here's my five ultimate Christmas wishlist items...

 

1:  An apartment in Melbourne as I just lurrrrve the eateries, shopping - hell, I love everything about Melbourne.  An apartment in Paris and Tuscany wouldn't go astray either!

 

2:  To be able to spend time with my very dear friend Tracy in England - we would sooo have the bestest time wreaking havoc on all and sundry!  Hey, if I had the damn apartment in Paris it would be a day trip to visit!

 

3:  A Porsche (the 4wd one).  Sleek, fast and sexy - it would have to be black too!  It would be a fast day trip from Paris to see Tracy!

 

4:  Marriage equality here in Australia.  After over 23 years together, it would be lovely if His Handsomeness and I could legally marry in our own country.  And honeymoon in our various apartments of course (and visit Tracy perhaps)!

 

5:  A full head of thick brown hair!  Don't laugh, I'm just being practical here - a follically challenged man would get a cold head in those northern hemisphere winters!

 

Now that I've shared my five ultimate Christmas wishlist items, I have to tag up to five other bloggers to share theirs - it will just be two, as the others I intended to tag have already been tagged!  Over to you...

Scarlet Words

 

Tune into Radio Carly

Do you have an ultimate Christmas wishlist?  Please share below, 'coz I'm nosey like that.

G. xx

Unwrapping Christmas

How was your Christmas?  Ours had some not so good and some good!

The not so good.

On Christmas Day the lovely Wayne and I enjoyed a lazy morning with a late breakfast before heading off to have lunch with his mum at the nursing home.  Well, wasn't that a shock to the system - we walked in to find his dear mum quite upset and looking terrible.  She looked like she had aged 10 years in the 2 weeks since we had last seen her.  A bit of history - the lovely Wayne's mum has quite advanced MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and spends most of her days (& nights) in bed as it is too painful for her to sit upright.  She can spend very short periods in a water chair that has her at a reclined angle.  By short periods I mean basically just to move her around.  Well on Christmas Day the staff of the unnamed nursing home got her out of bed and into the water chair so they could do her bathroom routine and change the bed etc.  The thing is they went off and left her in the chair.  She had been in it for an hour when we arrived and it then took another 2 hours to get some staff to finally put her back to bed.  This poor woman was crying from the pain, and she has a very high pain threshold!  Suffice to say, we hunted down staff and all but ripped them a new a-hole and got her put back to bed (we now have an interview scheduled with the Director of Nursing at the nursing home to 'discuss' this).  The upshot of this was that the lovely Wayne's mum was then exhausted.  It was a shame as she had been looking forward to the day.  We ate lunch with her then left her to sleep.  We did go back 2 days later and she was like a new woman - all rested and back to her usual self which was a relief.

The good #1.

My mum and dad joined us for Christmas dinner at home.  They arrived armed with their little dog (Sari), my mum's delish Spinach & Egg salad, and a ridiculous amount of gifts - they spoil us, truly they do!  All of the gifts were very 'us' gifts.  We had a lovely relaxed evening with lots of laughs and way too much food.  The food was delish too!  Sadly I neglected to take any photos which is bad, but we were just having too good a time.  It will be good to do it all again in a couple of weeks when my sister and brother-in-law will be visiting.

The good #2.

Each year at Christmas, we alternate Christmas dinner between my family and the lovely Wayne's family - well his Aunt actually, as we always see his mum on Christmas day.  This year it was his Aunt's turn to see us on Boxing Day and she had insisted on us having dinner at her house, so off we went.  We had a lovely evening and again were spoiled rotten!  We also met her newest addition - a German Shepherd puppy named Rosie.  She is a sweetie and oh so timid.

So there you have it, a summary of our Christmas goings on for this year.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a safe and happy festive season...

From me and the lovely Wayne.  xx   

Christmas Ready

It's almost here!  Christmas that is.  And we're ready and waiting - well almost!  All the shopping is done (gifts and food) with the only excursion to the dreaded shops being on saturday to buy some fresh prawns.  Tomorrow I'll wrap the last of the gifts and place them under (or near) the tree.  Speaking of which, I neglected to post a pic of the tree as promised, so here's a pic of the tree and of the new angel that sits atop the tree.

It always amazes me how agro some people get at this time of the year - why can't everyone just be nice to each other?!  I finished work for this year a couple of days ago and then set about finishing all the shopping and catching up in readiness for Christmas.  The whole time I was out and about I made a concious decision to be patient, calm and just generally nice to people.  I'm a great believer in karma and it worked again for me.  I got a great park every time and always found exactly what I was after as soon as I walked into the shops.  Makes for a stress free time that's for sure.  I just wish others would consider adopting the same mindset.

Other things this week included our lovely neighbour Helen popping over for dinner last night with her son Andy who is visiting from Melbourne.  We had a great night with lotsa laughs and all agreed that we should do it more often.

We also had the lovely Wayne's work Christmas Party which was a hoot as always.  We are both lucky that we work with great people at our respective places of employment.  It was certainly a fun night with lots of food, music, dancing (& even a little singing) and a beverage or three!  We partied until 3am which we haven't done in ages - we've still got it ;-)

This last pic is the lovely Wayne and I at his work Christmas Party - and yes we were still quite sober!

Christmas Planning

OMG, can you believe that its only 2 weeks till Christmas!

Well as of today the tree is up (I'll post a pic later) and our unit is looking suitably Christmassy - not sure if that is even a word, but you get what I mean.  Today I set out on a mission to start our Christmas shopping.  Armed with a list I hit the shops.  So far I've only bought one item off the list but I have bought some lovely gifts - I'll have another go at it later this week as I do know exactly what to get and where from.

Our Christmas this year will be a quiet affair.  This year we are having Christmas lunch with the lovely Wayne's mum.  The nursing home where she lives is hosting a Christmas luncheon for residents and their immediate families.  My sister and my brother-in-law will be almost interstate for Christmas this year visiting my brother-in-law's family so I'm planning Christmas dinner for mum and dad and us.  I'm thinking a selection of fresh seafood and cold cuts accompanied by some delicious salads.  Dessert is currently TBA!

I have to confess that I'm really looking forward to the Christmas/New Year break this year.  I'm taking some extra time off this year so that I get a 3 week break from work.  It's been a hectic year this year work-wise and I'm relishing the idea of my 3 week break.  The best part is that I have very few plans for my 3 weeks off.  A couple of books have been earmarked for reading, I intend to do some photography and I intend to catch up with friends.  All in all, a lovely relaxed break.

Anyhoo, I'll leave you with a Christmas piccy of myself - I had a bit of fun editing a pic of myself with paintbrush!  As you can see, I've missed my calling as an artist...LOL.