We had some great times in 2015 and I thought it would be fun to look back over the good times. It makes me realise that 2015 wasn’t quite as bad as I thought it was! And it reminds me of the things I’ve learned over this year.
This is was the first sunset of 2015 that I saw at my friend’s place in Wogan Hills. Taking note of the beauty around you is paramount.
Hopman Cup
Doing things you haven’t done before is also a good thing. Hanging with friends while you’re doing it is even better! The kids, Robyn and I spent a couple of days at the Hopman Cup. (I mention Robyn in the acknowledgements of all my books; this is her!)
Jack and me
I hung out with Jack from Colonial Clydesdales a bit too. And the other Clydies that Em has. I’ve enjoyed everts second of being around these beautiful, handsome creatures and it’s rekindled my childhood love of riding. I plan on getting a horse soon!
The One Direction concert
Apparently I made Mother-of-the-year when I took Rochelle to the One Direction concert in Perth… I’m not sure I stayed that way (in her thoughts) for the whole year!
Emerald Springs launch
Emerald Springs came out at the end of March. The launch was brilliant; I was so humbled by the support the town of Esperance showed me. The amount of people who turned and up and bought the book was more than I’ve ever had before.
Crazy, mad friends!
And it was so nice to head out to dinner afterward with my awesome tribe. I have the best friends a girl could ever have.
Emerald Springs Tour
I had a whirlwind tour of two weeks, in which we hit NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia. I met so many people and again, so incredibly humbled that people took time out of their busy lives to come and hear me speak, or have their books signed. I can’t thank you all enough.
Bush Babe of Oz and me
I got to hang out with my beautiful friend Bush Babe of Oz who is an Outback Paparazzi cohort along with Ann Britton. We talked and talked and talked. Oh, did I mention talking? And perhaps drank a couple of bottles of wine. I was so blessed to be able to spend time with her and see around their station. It’s incredibly beautiful country.
Unfortunately on my last night there, I got a phone call saying my son had been burnt in a fire.
Hayden at PMH
Which netted me ten days in Perth while he was admitted into Princess Margaret Hospital and had a skin graft just above his knee. He’s healed really well, but is still undergoing laser treatment to try and make the scar tissue less thick.
Renos
And because I never do things by halves and LOVE stress (not really) the renos on the house started to happen not long after. I had the most hideous kitchen…
Beautiful and new
I now have beautiful new one. The tiles hadn’t been laid when this was taken, but imagine long, persian cat grey tiles above the bench. And they’re shiny!
Mount Perisher
There was a… umm… research trip to the snow…
The Flinders Ranges
… and a research trip to the Flinders Ranges. Which meant a visit to mum and dad too.
Hanging out at the beach
I spent a LOAD of time at the beach
And made sure I stopped to smell the flowers.
Okay, I didn’t do that very much but I certainly snapped shots of what was beautiful at the time… Then kept running!
LOL
Absolutely cracked up laughing when I read this because I’m sure that’s happened at my place.
Yes
And worked out this is very true.
I also managed to finish a book… Indigo Storm, which will be coming to a shelf near you on the 23rd of March.
So many fabulous things happened in 2015 and it can only go up from here. I wish the same for you in 2016.
I’d love to hear about your highlights too. Leave me a comment and let me know!
It was a big year!!! And I am going to have to get a better pic of us from your visit here, for you to share !!! Hoping 2016 just keeps getting better and better for you. ?
i LOVE that photo of us!
Sept 15th on….., my 30 year old daughter had a lung operation in Sydney 2 hours from home, so I became carer of 2 very active grandchildren. On the same day my youngest son joined the army. 4 weeks later my daughter is back in hospital with serious infection and needed further surgery. Having 2/3 of her lung removed, so I’m minding kiddies again. We drove 5 hours to Wagga to surprise our son at chapel for his birthday. Then just 4 weeks later we are back again to watch his march out. 3 days later I’m having a very early Christmas dinner for 12 for the children who are leaving the country before Chrissy and 4 days later we held my others sons wedding. ( This required accommodating 10 extras in the house for 5 – 7 days. The following day we had a farewell party for 70 people for out eldest daughter and her family who are going to NZ for 2 years for work. Son heads off on honeymoon to US and Chrissy in upon me. Mad shopping spree and Chrissy is here , luckily I had only 1/2 the family left (12) and have already had a run thru. Thank god for quiet new years eve, ( I think the wine took care of that) because January 3 is mums birthday so back to Sydney to host party and bring her back for week s holiday. During all this I continue to help mind 5 year old and 18 month old because my daughter is recovering. Of course during this time there was plenty of dramas with wedding plans, kids moving to another country to live and our swimming pool leaking and 2 eldest grand daughters having formals. Guess when you have 7 kids life will be hectic but some times you just feel like getting off the merry-go -round. Just cant wait to find a quiet week …..just for me to curl up and read a good book.. well here’s hoping.
It is good to reflect and see what has changed. All the best for 2016 and more life adventures.
What a brilliant year, thanks for sharing. I have started this year determined to finish my long suffering book and tonight have noted down a couple of opening paragraphs for another one. I am trying to talk my arty sister into illustrating very short books i had written a few years ago for my grand children. Im good at coming up with ideas and making a start, just need to give up work to finish. 🙂