Well, here we are again, another full year at home since being made redundant two years ago. And what a difference a year has made.
That first year I achieved exceedingly little, spending most of my time feeling guilty and unsettled, uncertain and unsure what to do with my life, knowing I was too old to find a good job again and, thanks to the Government, my pension pushed back even further to when I’m 65, which I’m not, not yet, I’m still in my fifties, all be it late.
So what has happened during 2012? Lots. Mega lots. The year started with my husband having his hip replaced, a long 14-week recovery at home with me wearing my matron’s hat. He’s made a complete and full recovery – a new man! Then there was the birth of another great niece, little Evie, such a cheerful, cute little soul and an absolute delight to her parents and grandparents.
I suppose the biggest change has been that I have set up a small business, working from home dealing with books, editing and publishing and creating book covers. It keeps me busy, and although I’m not showing any profit yet, that will hopefully come in time. I don’t want it too big anyway; my days as the dynamic business woman are long gone – I’ve been down that route before in a past life and much prefer to keep things small. At least for the moment.
What didn’t help was the dreadful, bad blip, when we were defrauded out of almost £10,000 in a car buying scam. Oh, the police and fraud squad were very helpful and supportive but I will never get my money back, the fraud squad deeming it was too little a sum to warrant them spending further resources on. Still, once bitten… and we have moved on from it, can even laugh about it now, at how my husband had been so gullible, and at how I should have done all the checks I normally do before handing over money. What it did mean was that I couldn’t invest more in my new business, unable to do all the advertising I’d intended, but hey ho, that will rectify itself as the business progresses and grows, which it is doing. And more to the point, I’m loving every moment of it.
April saw the publication of my novel, Every Step of the Way, both in paperback and on Kindle, and a booksigning in our local Waterstones. Not sure I would do it again, though. I plan to see at least another published this year, if not two. They are written, complete, it’s now a matter of finding time to work on them, what with the business.
In June, I took part in the Loveahappyending.com Summer Audience held in Tetbury, where I hosted two writing workshops and held my first “public” art exhibition, selling two paintings (surprise!). Everyone who came enjoyed the day and hopefully another will be planned. I’ve not done a lot of paintings this year, time is in short supply but I’ve managed a few, including this one, completed over the Christmas break.
August saw me take my last villa holiday with my sisters and our mum, going to Corfu. Mum has decided she won’t come away again due to her age (87 coming up) and the fact that both my sisters have retired (well, one has, the other twin finishes in this July), so our finances will no longer stretch to the expense of hiring a private villa abroad, although us three sisters do hope we will get away again sometime, whether to a hotel or descend upon my brother and sister-in-law in Spain. Who knows? Of course, if we win the lottery, then it’s a different matter … (Hope, Pray, Beg). Of course, nothing can match the beautiful view we had from the villa this year at Kassiopi. Pure Bliss
Of course, there was one thing that virtually dominated all of last year – that was the massive George’s First Steps campaign to raise funds to send my great nephew to America for a lifechanging operation to treat his cerebral palsy to get him walking. We succeeded, and some, the £55,000 needed surpassed to the sum of £80,000, enough to look after his needs for many years and to allow his parents time now to enjoy life doing normal things a family does now the worry and pressure has gone. The operation was sucessful and George is progressing daily. One highlight this Christmas was George being a king in his school’s nativity play. He loved every moment!
So, all in all, it’s been a good year. A wet one, yes, but a good one nonetheless. Quite how 2013 will pan out is anyone’s guess but I think it’s safe to say I have moved on from the woman I was back at the beginning of 2011.
KIT DOMINO'S WORLD 
An eventful year, Kit, and a timely reminder that we can all do so much more than we think we can. Good news, too, about George. Onwards and upwards, eh? What have you got tucked up your sleeve for this year? Roll on 2013!
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It certainly has been, Shirley. One of the better ones in so many respects. Come and join me in my Over the Backyard Fence today to see what I’ve got planned for this year. Hope you’ve got lots of exciting plans too. X
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I’d call that a very topsy-turvy year, Kit. Thank goodness it was more topsy than turvy, eh? So, being from the other side of the pond, I have to ask. What is Waterstones? A book store? It’s a lovely name for one. 🙂
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Yes, Waterstones is a bookstore, part of a national bookshop chain, with shops everywhere. Hoping this year has no turvy!
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Lovely post Kit – may 2013 be a fabulous year for you and your family. x
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Thanks, Sue. Wishing you a fabulous 2013 too! X
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That was quite a year Kit! You came through smiling and that can’t have been easy. But life is what you make it and you are clearly a ‘glass half-full’ person so I hope all the good karma you send out comes back to you in 2013! It’s lovely being your friend and thank you for our chats in 2012! Lxx
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It’s certainly been an eventful year, Linn. Raising a full glass to our friendship and success and happiness in 2013.. Thanks for being there for me. XX
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Hi Kit – what a great round-up of a truly enentful year – so glad George is progressing – and fingers crossed you make it to the sun this year – real or virtual!
Ali B
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Sun trip already planned – another visit to Spain in late Spring. Good old bro! Hope yours is a great year too! 🙂
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What an amazing year you’ve had, Kit. Thank you so much for being my fabulous editor this year and I’m really looking forward to working with you again soon. Wishing you a very happy and successful 2013 full of nothing but highs! xx
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Where did 2012 go? It went so quickly. Looking forward too to your next work, Janice, and hoping your year will be an amazing one too. Hugs XX 🙂
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Well, you amaze me, Kit. So positive. Well done you. A truly uplifting post (and a reminder to us all to remember the good bits!). Little George looks absolutely thrilled to bits, bless his heart. Thanks for sharing, sweetie! 🙂 xx
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Thanks, Sheryl. It’s surprising what happens in a single year when you look back over it. And how fast it goes. As for George, he’s proof there are good things in life that far outweigh the bad. Enjoy your 2013 and hope life on the boat is good. X 🙂
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I had no idea 2012 had been such an eventful year for you Kit! I wonder what 2013 will have in store?
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It’s certainly been an interesting one, that’s for sure. As I am sure 2013 will be. Have a great year too and see you soon! X 🙂
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WOW what a year Kit! It seems to me there was far more good than bad! Here’s to a great 2013! 🙂
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Hi Mandy. You need the bad to appreciate the good. 2013 is going to be fantastic for everyone. Hugs X 🙂
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What a year! Congratulations on your new business and your book publishing. I am sure you are going to have a fantastic 2013 too. Wishing you great success as you so much deserve all of it. x
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Thank you, Pauline. Have a good year too. X 🙂
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Wow Kit – what a great year. No pressure for 2013 then! Ha ha.
What an uplifting blog post this was. You never know, you may fall upon a great deal on a villa holiday! We paid £450 one year for an amazing house with pool etc in Portugal which I love, and we also had a Lanzarote break one year for £300 although the pool wasn’t heated and was flipping freezing! It was so lovely to meet you at The Summer Audience and see your amazingly fantastic works of art. You know that I think you are such a talent and I also adored your book.
I hope that 2013 is another fabulous year for you. You deserve it! Kim xxx
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Wonderful post Kit. My 2012 was a challenge with highs and lows like yours. I guess if we didn’t have the lows we wouldn’t appreciate the highs like we do. By the way they say that about our weather.
Wishing you the best in 2013.
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Thank you, Lavada. You’ve certainly had a tough year, but I know you will come out stronger. I do so hope 2013 will be a good year for you, you deserve it. Hugs. 🙂
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Thank you, Kim, it was lovely to meet you too. Perhaps no holiday this year, but am sure we will do something in the future. At least with sister retiring this July means we won’t have to stick to August – always expensive – to go away. She works in a school so her time was very restrictive when we could go away. Hope yours is a good year too! X 🙂
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