Goodbye 2012

It's Hogmanay and time to say goodbye to 2012.  It's been eventful as ever.  I like to look back at my photographs and remember the highs and lows of the year.  I'd like to think there have been more highs than lows and my photos seem to reflect this.  Here are 3 pics that sum up the best 3 highlights from my year.

 

Just before the start of the year I had to say goodbye to my old golden retriever.  This left Lucydog an only dog and she was upset as she'd never been on her own. For many years I'd had 3 dogs and to have only one didn't feel right.

 

At that stage it had been agreed that I would stay in this house so getting a puppy was an easy decision.  I had always wanted to breed dogs and now I had the freedom to do the things that I had wanted.

 

 

Enter Emma, the cutest looking puppy I'd ever seen but that sweet look hides a truly mischievous nature!!  She's now 10 months old and just had her first season.  I need to give some serious thought to my plan of breeding from her.

This is me with my gorgeous middle son at his graduation.  Apart from having to share the day with his dad (I was a big girl and played nice!!) it was a lovely one.  He graduated with honours in German and now lives in Vienna.

This is my favourite holiday snap. No really!! Despite the awful weather forecasts OH and I took our blended family on a campervan trip up the coast of Scotland and did some island hopping.  Apart from this really wet day at Callinish we were lucky with the weather.

The low point of the year was definitely realising that I would have to sell my house.  It's turning into a long drawn out saga and the uncertainty of it all is causing me a wee bit of stress.  But I'm trying to look at the positives in it.  I'm still living in the house I love, I just don't know how long for atm.

My proudest achievement this year was taking the plunge and setting up my wee felted tartan business.  An Etsy shop to begin with, then stocking a local craft boutique, setting up a website and ending the year with a Christmas fair.  I have lots planned for next year!

So goodbye 2012.  Thank you for the highs.  I've learned from the lows and will use that to make 2013 an even better one.

So at the bells tonight I will raise a glass and wish you all a Guid New Year in the words of Rabbie Burns

Here's tae us
Wha's like us
Damn few,
And they're a' deid
Mair's the pity!

May those who live truly be always believed,
And those who deceive us be always deceived.
Here's to the men of all classes,
Who through lasses and glasses
Will make themselves asses!

I drink to the health of another,
And the other I drink to is he
In the hope that he drinks to another,
And the other he drinks to is me.

Then let us toast John Barleycorn,
Each man a glass in hand
And may his great prosperity
Ne'er fail in old Scotland!

 

Slainte!