2010 certainly has been the best of times, the worst of times. Whilst we have been blessed with riches in many forms, we’ve also endured heartache. However its quite something when you can say you have ticked off two ultimate bucket list goals in the same year – thanks Dragons and Oprah – so truly, I can reflect back and be very grateful for the year that was!
Here is a brief rundown of how our busiest year yet panned out
· Our “seachange” officially started on the Central Coast – and while we have accumulated about 900hours travelling on public transport to work this year, so far the sea air is agreeing with us! Still straddling our old life in Sydney too, hence the obscene amount of hours clocked up en route to work…
· Harrison started at a new school, and took to it straight away. The girls have all been great and he has loved every minute of it. Nothing quite like having to drag your child kicking and screaming from day-care to give the impression he has a happy home life.
· February saw the celebration of 40 fabulous years of marriage of the lovely in-laws and gave the Webeck clan a reason to get together and drink champagne and celebrate in Newy!
· We survived a long, tough 4 months when the Husband ran the show at Australian Golf Digest. We couldn’t have got through this without the regular visits from Grandma, Grandpa, Nanny and Poppy who helped keep Harrison amused and me sane while the Husband was away from home so much!
· Sadness struck in May 2010 when my brave, beautiful Nan passed away. A woman who started a dynasty that lead to 46 people being born to this world is something truly special and she is still very much missed today.
· July was when the year really kicked into a blurry kaleidescope of busy-ness. After organising Cat’s Hens Weekend, and backing up a month later to be bridesmaid at the most stunning and lavish wedding imaginable (if only I could employ the hair and make up team to live with me everyday… I barely recognised myself!) we morphed into 2nd birthday celebrations mode with parties with the family in Coffs Harbour and a visit from H’s godparents when we were back home
· September will long be remembered as the month Oprah Winfrey announced “WE ARE GOING TO AUSTRALIA!!!” prompting me to put my powers of positive thinking and writing skills to the task of making sure I was a part of it. Winfrey Watch was born!
· After a 31 year drought, The Mighty Dragons took out an NRL Premiership, with myself, the husband and my die hard Saints fan father all in attendance. Dad & I screamed, cheered, even danced in delight as we smashed those no good pretty boy Roosters. And made the idiot seated next to us thankfully shut up!
· October and November pass in a blur. It starts with a work trip to Orange followed by four great days in Dubbo with the entire Webeck clan; 4 days in Coffs Harbour for Harrison & Mummy while Daddy “worked” at the Masters in Melbourne, culminating in a 3 day trip to Bowral 2 weeks later. I think we only slept in our own bed two weeks out of about 5!
· The world was robbed of another beautiful woman with the passing of my best friend’s Mum, in Nov 2010. As I try and grapple with how to be a good friend in the face of such grief, it gives me due cause to look at my own blessings and be grateful I still have so many loved ones with me today.
· A special mention to the clever Husband who was the big winner during Australian Open week, taking out the Australian Golf Writers Championships as well as an award for a story he wrote about golf in New Zealand. If only it were a cash prize, but still, he is happy with the prestige it brings!
· Dec 14, 2010 “O-Stralia” Day – one of the all-time most revered moments in my life when I attended a much yearned for Oprah Show screening – seeing my idol up close too (she drove past on our way in and waved from no more than 20 feet away) is something that will live with me forever, along with the AHA moments that are now tucked safely away in my heart
· And finally, we closed off the hectic year that was by hosting our first ever Christmas. Despite Harrison and I being down for the count with a nasty tummy bugs mere days before hand (one way to drop unwanted kilo’s before Christmas, let me tell you), I’m assured the day was a success. By that I mean no one ended up with food poisoning – in any case if they did I’d have just blamed the tummy bug!
· Special thanks to my Mum for coming to the rescue helping me finish my mammoth “to-do list” before Christmas and the Stewarts for always welcoming us with open arms the MANY times we needed a base in Sydney during 2010!!
· Finally, to the lovely Husband and son, how utterly grateful I am to share a world with you both…. What a team we make! Heartfelt thanks too, for helping realise a much yearned for aspiration and arranging for NappyDaze to be put into print – you never fail to make all my dreams come true!So who knows what delicious treats are in store for us as 2011 dawns? I’ll have a new niece or nephew to play with (hang in there Lise, not long now!), and hopefully be putting myself on a long overdue path to unpeel my long dormant dreams. Whatever it is you plan to you with your year, I wish you much health & happiness, laughter & love, smiles & success in your quest!
What a year, indeed. Happy New Year to you! I am looking forward to 2011.