You can obviously see, from the title of this year's post, that 2014 wasn't as good. I even called it my nemesis year, on account of turning 40, but in the event, that was okay. I knew it would be, but I do like a bit of drama.
2014 wasn't all bad - we had a wonderful family holiday in Scotland...
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And, below, was our final morning. I left Hubby to pack the car, and my sister-in-law and I took a last walk with the kids. A lovely memory for the long journey home!
And we had some really lovely weather over the summer - I caught a tan! Well, I could see I'd caught a tan, even though no one else could.
But on the whole it wasn't the best year. There were many struggles, and a lot of people I know were having very bad times too. I'm glad it's behind me.
Next year is going to be challenging - #1 son taking his GCSEs and starting college, #2 son starting secondary school, and Hubby away touring for longer than he's been away before.
Writing-wise, I decided to start my next book yesterday. It was going to be a rewrite - plus additions - to a previous manuscript, but I woke up yesterday morning with an idea for a sequel to the book I'm submitting at the moment. I know there's more story to tell - because a dream told me (obviously) - but at the moment I have no idea what. I'm just writing stuff in the hope that it'll all come together.
Actually, that's how most of my books get written, so really I'm just hoping that skill hasn't left me!
So, that was 2014, here's to 2015...
Have you made resolutions? Do you have goals?
Are you looking forward to something amazing?
Aren't you all just a little disappointed that the world doesn't look like this...?
| Back to the Future II |
Hi Annalisa - sometimes life throws us problems - let's hope 2015 is kinder to you ... the boys are growing and that's good, while hubby being away may be difficult - but I'm sure will give you both opportunities you weren't expecting ... more time to write, more ideas, while he'll be seeing new sights and sharing his music with others ...
ReplyDeleteNope - I'm happy in the present and the future of 2015 looks good ... take care and have a happy year - you will!!! Cheers Hilary
I'm glad you're happy in the present. I am too - it makes me appreciate what I've got, and what I can do. Happy New Year :-)
DeleteHappy New Year's Eve!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a brilliant time!
DeleteGreat photos! I'm cautiously optimistic about 2015. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a great way to be, Madeline - then you always expect the unexpected :-)
DeleteEvery yesterday was an anxious tomorrow. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, but also an exciting and unlimited one :-) Happy New Year!
DeleteI remember that the year I turned 40 was tough for me. I look back on that and laugh, because in 2015, I face another birthday that is a multiple of 10 and I wish I could get 40 back!! However, in another respect, I don't. I didn't have a single book published in 2005. But by the time that other dreaded birthday arrives, I will have 4 books on the shelf (5, if you count the self-published version of the first one). So, I guess I'm saying -- for you -- the best stuff might still be ahead!
ReplyDeleteLuckily I was 40 in April, so it was only tough for 4 months, and after that I completely forgot about it. But, yes, when you look at your achievements, it puts age into perspective!
DeleteI tried to comment on your latest blog post, but it wouldn't let me. Your household sounds busy!
2014 was the year I turned 70 - at 40 you are a mere child! My grandson started secondary school in September, too.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, I hope the sequel lives up to your dream. Love, Lizy
Well, I still act like a child, if that's what you mean :-) Happy New Year, Lizy, looking forward to a lot more of your 100 word stories :-)
DeleteWhat an amazing place to stay.
ReplyDeleteHope 2015 is your year!
Thank you Alex, I hope so :-)
DeleteWhat a fantastic view from that mountain - that you walked up. Crikey!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Annalisa :)
The photo really doesn't do it justice. It was a lot higher than it looks, for a start. Going up was fantastic, but - being afraid of heights - the return was a little less so!
DeleteHappy New Year! You know, I think this next year is going to be great. I don't do resolutions because I know that I'm not really going to stick with them just because I made them at the beginning of the year. Real change is a bit like your balance: for the most part, you walk along fine, no problem, but then there's that one time when you look at your shoes while stepping off the curb, and VIOLA! change happens (or you fall on your butt, you know, whichever). So resolutions are fun, but they never stick--even the writing based ones.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm hoping the next year will be awesome no matter how it goes.
I don't make life changing goals. One year, I put all the change I got in shops into the charity boxes by the tills - I ended up doing that for two years. This year, my resolution is to wear all the clothes I own, rather than sticking a small number that get laundered and worn to oblivion.
DeleteI hope next year - sorry, this year - will be awesome too :-)
Happy New Year to you and your family, Annalisa!
ReplyDeleteAnd to you, Michelle, and all your blank pages :-)
DeleteHappy New Year. Tackle the challenges head on - you are such a great writer. I'm going to be more positive too. Let's conquer that publishing world. Good luck and all the best
ReplyDeleteYes! positivity all the way, this year :-)
DeleteI hope 2015 is fantastic for you and I really look forward to reading some more of your stuff! I don't 'do' resolutions any more, but my aim in 2015 is to write the novel I have been tinkering with for so long. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda. Hopefully, there'll be a lot more to read! I hope your novel takes the shape you want it to in 2015 :-)
DeleteHope 2015 is wondrous for you. 2014 has been a mixed bag for me. Some great stuff and some frustrating and sad events. Pretty much like life:)
ReplyDeleteI agree, there do have to be some ups and downs, but I was struck by how much I enjoyed 2013 - I hope it wasn't an anomaly :-)
DeleteI trust 2015 will be even better than 2013. Lets hope your 2014 was the anomaly.
DeleteHappy New Year! May 2015 be a better year for you. I try not to make resolutions anymore. I find it so hard to stick to them. Wishing you and your family the best.
ReplyDeleteThanks Murees! The secret to a good resolution is making one that makes you feel good, instead of one that makes you feel bad... like giving up chocolate (a very bad one!)
DeleteHappy New Year! 2014 was a rough year, but here's to a wonderful 2015. :) I'm posting my goals on Monday. And the first book of my newest series releases on Friday! Woo-hoo!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the release, I'm looking forward to reading it :-)
DeleteResolutions and goals - check! But I seem to always have those and I'm not sure if I actually succeed in any of them.
ReplyDeleteA rolling goal list has worked well for me in the past, something different to focus on if the first thing isn't going well.
DeleteI was very glad to close the book on 2014. Good riddance indeed.
ReplyDeleteLove your photos from Scotland. I've always wanted to visit there. Good luck with your rewrite and other "stuff. :)
I could have posted so many more photos, but then it would have just been full of photos and no words! It is such a beautiful country.
DeleteYeah I'm glad 2014 is over. Good riddance! Here's to a healthy and prosperous and peaceful 2014!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stephen :-)
DeleteI can't think of many happy dancing for 2014 either. Man! And wow Scotland!! I'm so jealous! Wishing the boys in the family good luck and to you as well!
ReplyDeleteScotland is amazing. Although it was very cold and wet at the top of the mountain!
DeleteAw, it's never a good feeling to see someone say good riddance to a full year of her life, good or bad. Had it not been for all 2014's gnarly roots and rocky soil to up hold your ever-growing, sometimes weak flower-you may have withered and died, possibly, surely." Just remember to hang on to this years seasons, and your pen. You'll get through anything with those. Nice post for reflecting. :)
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