31 December 2016

Looking Forward

















Christmas is a funny time of year.  It's a time when everything seems amplified somehow.  If you are at one with yourself and surrounded by those that you truly love, it's a magical time.  A day of happy togetherness.  If, for whatever reason, all is not well with your world, it's a real toughie.

We had a quiet one, my children and I.  It was a fitting way to see off a rather tumultuous year I think.

On Boxing Day morning I awoke and felt what I can only describe as a surge of relief.  A 'thank chuff that's over' kind of relief.  High on this welcome lightness of spirit, I de-Christmassed and cleaned like a woman possessed!  Oh but it felt good.

I'm not going to do my usual look back over the year, this year.  There has been far too much sadness which I don't want to dwell on.  Instead, I am choosing to look forward and focus only on the good things that I shall be taking into 2017 ...

♥  My little pink yarn shop, of course, is a very good thing.  Going from being a stay-at-home mum and wife to starting a new business was far harder than it ever should have been I suppose because it coincided with devastation in my personal life.  In all honesty, had I known I was going to have to do it entirely alone, I'm not sure that I would even have entertained the idea.  However, I didn't know, I did do it and here I am, a bona fide yarn shop owner!

♥  Friendship has meant far more to me during 2016 than it ever has.  I'm not normally a great one for turning to other people for emotional help but this year I have felt the need to and those friends have showed me nothing but love and support.  I've also made a lot of new friends this year, some of whom are already quite dear to me.

Talking of friendships, I just had to show you the beautiful patchwork hot water bottle that Jooles made for me.  I cried when I opened it.  I also received a pair of gorgeous crocheted wristwarmers from Sandra.  I adore both girls and their gifts mean so much.

♥  Now this last bit is going to sound very self-congratulatory and I do hope you'll agree that I don't make a habit of blowing my own trumpet but, for once, I feel it is justified.  It has been a difficult year but I'm proud of myself for keeping going when I really doubted whether I could any more.  I'm proud of myself for maintaining my dignity at the times when I could quite easily have not.  I'm proud of achieving what I have despite the odds being stacked firmly against me.  Most of all, I'm proud of the fact that my children are both proud of me.  So you could say I'm pretty proud of myself!

I guess it's true, you really don't know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.

That said, I shall personally be giving 2016 my middle finger as it departs and turning to welcome 2017 with open arms and hope in my heart.  Better things are coming my friends, I just know they are.

So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your encouragement and kindness over the last twelve months.  I wish you all a very happy, creative and sparkly New Year.

xxx

30 comments:

  1. I join you - for different reasons! - in giving 2016 the middle finger! That is such a great way of putting it by the way!!! I hope that you have a great 2017 and that your business goes from strength to strength and that you have a great year ahead of you. We will both move onwards and upwards! Happy New Year and happy new life!

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  2. Well done for keeping your head above water during difficult times! I love your stripey knit on round needles! All the very best for you in 2017!

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  3. yep.I join you too.Wishing you only "The Very Best Of Everything" in 2017.Hugs xx

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  4. Wishing you a 2017 filled with immense joy!

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  5. Lisa~Sammamish, WA31 December 2016 at 18:12

    I'm happy you kept going. And hoping to hear more from your blog in 2017. I adore your sense of color!

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  6. I wish you a very Happy New Year, and all the best in your sweet yarn shop. Wish I could visit. Love the scrappy hot water bottle cover
    Mickie, Indiana USA

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  7. Good for you for standing strong and keeping your delightful shop going. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    *:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*
      *H*A*P*P*Y* *N*E*W* *Y*E*A*R*!*
    *:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*

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  8. A good way to round of a not so good year Heather! I too wish you all the very best for 2017, hold you head high, you did it and you will continue to do it.....as you say quite rightly, lots to be proud of. Well done you. Hope to see you very soon. Much love and big hug, Gailxxx

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  9. Happy New Year to you too, dear Heather!
    May 2017 be full of happiness, sunshine, health and joy! I'm sure it will be!
    Marjan

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  10. Sometimes what feels like a disaster becomes your own personal triumph - just takes a while to sink in. I've loved all your posts and wish you a successful 2017. By the way - love that Christmas card!

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  11. I'm also happy to have closed that door of 2016. I hope 2017 will bring us much more joy and happiness !! Happy New Year.

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  12. Onward and upward. glad I'm not the only one who has struggled with the season. Looking for the glimmer of light, however slight, to comfort.

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  13. You should be proud of yourself! Sounds like you have gone through a lot and have come out the other side better than ever! Here's to a new year full of promise for you and all of us!

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  14. You've done so well this year. It sounds as though it wasn't easy but you have achieved so much and you should feel proud of that. I hope things move up and on for you! P.S the hot water bottle cover Jooles made for you is immaculate!

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  15. You should indeed be proud of yourself and all you have achieved. I'm sorry it's been such a hard year for you, but you've done amazingly well. I'm wishing you and yours a wonderful and happy 2017. CJ xx

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  16. It is very true that you don't know how strong you are until you are called upon to be strong.....and resourceful and capable of coping.
    I know you have had a crappy year and I truly wish a great year for you for 2017. You have proved your strength this year, really you have, so all the best for 2017 xxxx

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  17. Happy 2017 to you as well ..... I'm kinda with you and many others on being thankful for a new year starting ...... and how fabulous that you have your real bricks and mortar shop! Love it .... at least as much as I can from photos and afar lol (one day, just maybe I'll get to make the journey over to England and Europe)

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  18. Eleanor Roosevelt once said "A woman is like a tea bag - you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water". So very true. I've been a single parent for the last nine years and I can absolutely promise you that there is huge, huge light at the end of the tunnel. I salute your bravery and toughness - you've got this. :-) Ellie

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  19. I wish all the best for you in this new year...so lovely potoes

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  20. Your house looks so fresh and pretty, us women are so strong when we need to be we are amazing and need to give ourselves credit and the hardest thing to accept credit from others.
    Have a good new year.

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  21. Strength though adversity!! You've every right to be proud precious lady. It's almost a year since you first contacted me and although I didn't really know you before the 'fun' that has been 2016, I do know that you've come a LOOOOOONG way and you're a strong and fabulous woman with a lot to look forward to. There can only be new and happy adventures in 2017! Oh yes! I look forward to hopefully being part of the fun :)

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  22. Well done for all you've accomplished, happy new year!!

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  23. Well done on getting through a hard time dear Heather. I hope 2017 is filled with happy things for you. Your pictures are so beautiful...and how adorable your shop looks, you have made it look so pretty!
    Helen xox

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  24. Happy New Year Heather,onwards and upwards in 2017...remember my motto. Look in the mirror apply lippy and say"""" yep,bloody gorgeous """ works for me darling every time.😉Xx

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  25. I really do wish you a happy 2017...

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  26. Onwards up upwards, love your blog all the way from Australia. Love Hayley x

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  27. Welcome Back !
    I am so looking forward to your blog entries this year.

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  28. Congratulations on getting through a difficult year and coming out stronger at the end of it, you have every right to feel proud! Wishing you lots of happiness, success and fulfilment in 2017 xxx

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  29. You should be proud of yourself! I am and I don't really know you except for this blog! Here's to a new year full of great things!

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  30. Congratulations to you on your little pink yarn shop! It's lovely and you SHOULD be very proud.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Anyone ever told you that you're a peach? xx

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