Looking back and looking forward........

Must say I am glad to see the back of 2012, it wasn't all bad but we did have our fair share of lows.

My car died in April and where we live I need a car, so along came Betsy.  She is a great small car for me, but it now means we have a car loan.  Now granted it a 0% loan but it's still a debt.  We also had to fork out for snow tires for her at a cost of $1,100, but did manage to sell my old ones for $400 (I think?).

My step-father had his heart operation but during or just after the operation he had a stroke.  It was a very worrying time for us all.  Pleased to say he is a lot better, but he will never be "the same," and does have a few lasting side effects from the stroke.  It was the luck of the draw I guess as another older more fragile lady who had the same operation to same day, walked out of hospital as fit as a fiddle.

Dh has had a number of health issues over this year and some are still not resolved, mainly his knees.  So a second opinion I think is in order in the next few months, as his left knee is starting to spasm now, which is what happened with his right knee. 

We lost our dear Molly in October which was just plain bloody awful.  I still miss her and I am so NOT ready to get another dog.  Not sure if we will ever get as good a dog as what Molly was, temperament wise.

My hands are still not right, I see the surgeon again on Thursday for my bone scan results.

On a more positive note dd and son-in-law bought their first house in August and it's a joy to see their happiness in their house.  They are working hard to get it how they want it.

Ds is back with his girlfriend and moving into an apartment tomorrow; and seems a lot happier.

We love living where we live and are very lucky in that respect.

2013 is going to bring its own challenges I am sure, but we'll embrace them head on and take the good with the bad, as we always do,

It's a big year for us personally, as we celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary in June.  Not 100% sure what we are doing regarding that.......stay tuned though.

We pay off our mortgage this year, we are now down to 35 weeks, so that's exciting.

On a negative note dh's job may be experiencing some changes by the end of February.  We don't know for sure what will be happening, but as dh does not like change he is worrying himself silly about it all.  He should/will have a job, it just won't be exactly what he is doing at the moment, and he could be working less hours, which as he is hourly paid means a lot less money.

We will be welcoming a new baby in the family in the next couple of weeks, as "R's" baby is due by the middle of the month, so we're all excited about that.  Dd good friend is also expecting so I will be going to a baby shower in the next couple of months.  Dd and I are holding the cookie swap party at our house in December, already making plans for that.

We are going to make more of the garden this year, if dh will help me.  My back can't handle all the gardening on my own.

Overall I am looking forward to 2013 and what it will bring.  I hope you will follow along with me as I blog about it?

I want to wish you all the best of luck and love for 2013.  I appreciate you all for taking the time out of your busy days to pop by and see what I'm up too.

Gill