2016: The recap episode

I’ve just trawled through every one of my posts for 2016 to have a look at the year that was. Always an interesting (and time consuming) task to reflect on all the good and bad things that have happened. I know that 2016 has been an incredibly difficult year for so many people I know and love, there’s been too many deaths, too many challenges, too many, well, too manys if you know what I mean?

I can’t remember a year that has gone by as quickly as this one. I know I say that every year, but this year I really mean it, no returns. I also can’t remember ever feelings as worn out by a year as I do on the 31st December. I am STUFFED. I am physically exhausted, but more than that I am just done with pretty much everything. Mentally I’m done. I just feel like there’s not much left and I need a good lie down for the next 2-3 months. I think that this year has been like that for a few people. A re-setting or something as we head into a new phase, or cycle, or something. I can’t put my finger on it, but I just feel like it was a pull the plug out and reset our modems for what is to come.

The world has gone mad obviously, too many good people died, we are about to get a new President of the United States, politically our own country is in a  state of disrepair and turmoil, you just feel like we are all getting what we deserve, except I don’t quite know what that is, or how we got there.

But I do feel a sense of closure and anticipation for the year ahead. We all need tomorrow to come and clean our slates to start again. Many of us are finding new normals with jobs changed, family structures changed, political parties changed, starting again with family members gone, although 2017 will be hard at times and have its own challenges, it’s a fresh start, for a day at least, and I think we could all use that, don’t you?

I’m not going to brush 2016 as a disaster for me. I’m not quite sure what it was, a bit of a meh really, but still filled with lots of wonderful memories and times to be so grateful for (although the start of it with shopping cough x 3 is burned into my mind forever). The leaves turned and fell, the clematis flowered around the house, we all aged another year, Rob and I together for one more year. We are healthy, and happy. What more could we ask for?

I learned how to make bread!

I hosted some lovely lunches and dinners for people that I love at home, my favourite thing to do.

I finished breast feeding for the last time, ending a good innings (not without its challenges) but what a privilege!

My sister moved just 5 minutes away!

Rob turned 40 and boy did we celebrate in style!

We had a lovely break with my brother’s kids and Rob’s Mum to Gerroa.

I got to share a great night with my mates Styling You & Mrs Woog in the city, where I got a full nights sleep. Sweet baby cheeses!

I got to enjoy many a wonderful paddock picnic with good friends.

I got to travel to the Northern Territory and meet some remarkable women.

The girls learned to ride their bikes at long last!

I got to spend a glorious morning with my mate Gourmet Girlfriend at her kitchen bench.

I hosted a long lunch for the blog where I got to meet so many of you lovely readers in the flesh!

I won the bloody CHAMPION PRESERVE at the local show!

We hosted a Christmas workshop for some people in our local village.

Got to go to the ball with my friends and family and have a dance!

Got a girls weekend away with my best friends.

And not to mention a very special Christmas with all my family.

Yeah, 2016, you went alright.

I haven’t properly had the time or energy to reflect on what’s to come for the year ahead. Did I mention I am TIRED? Ged ged up 19 month old makes me feel like I am turning 100 next year, not 40. I hope in the next few days I will get some moments to myself to set some goals and ambitions, and plan for some more travel in the next few years. I’m excited about being here, sharing with you guys of course, and jumping on for another ride around the sun.

Whilst so much is unknown to us all about what will come, I love that the end of year gives us time to stop and think, and be grateful for all that has happened, even the hard stuff and what it’s taught us. I’m proudest of resilience this year, no matter what gets thrown, being able to change and adapt and keep swimming.

2017 will bring a 2nd, 41st, 40th, 10th and 7th birthday. A 12th wedding anniversary. A trip to New York! A new baby for my sister. A new home for her too! It will bring some exciting things for the blog.

Enjoy your night tonight. I’m just hoping for a good nights sleep. Take a deep breath in of 2016 and a deep breath out again as we start again. Thank YOU for always being here, reading along and celebrating all that I do, that our family does and for being the funny, smart and kind people that you are. I hope that the year ahead is filled with lots of good things for you, for us all.

Let’s do this.

Comments

  1. Bit tired for you Beth! I trust a stay at the farm is helpful in refreshing you! It was a sucky year for many & in my case, family issues were NOT what I wished for & still hang around as not nice. Can’t say more then that. Sadly. On the upside, I am married to the best man & we celebrate 46 years together soon. Always happy to read your updates. Much love to you all. Denyse xx

  2. natalie arditto-duncan says

    Hi Beth,

    Well it’s certainly been a year (sigh), but on the bright side I found your blog!
    I absolutely love reading about your adventures and all the bits of your life and thoughts that you share. You are an inspiration to me and have given me many laugh out loud moments.
    Sending you and your family lots of love for a fabulous new year.
    Natalie xx

  3. Happy new year to you and your family Beth. We seem to have bucked the trend and had a good year, busy in every way, but most of all an absolute privilege and joy to watch my girls blossom. My eldest finished primary school on a high with guns a blazing. What a joy it was to watch her soar. My youngest had a solid year too, excelling in every way and just loving life. Everyone was healthy and we had a couple of great holidays away, including to the beautiful Maldives which stole a piece of my heart. I hit some work goals out of the park too, and whilst immensely satisfying, it took some long days and a shitload of mental space to make it happen. But with all that, come Christmas time I was exhausted from keeping this family on course, full steam ahead. I slept long and napped some more for quite a few days so much so that I was actually wondering if there was something terribly wrong with me. Turns out I was TIRED! I’m finally feeling back to me again. So I hope you have the chance to sleep and nap and recharge and dream in your week at the farm. Here’s to 2017, may it be a good one! (and fingers crossed for the start of our high school adventure – yikes!).

  4. thankyou beth
    for all of the human things you share with us! … including your gorgeous cherub!
    I like your positive approach to life and your sense of humour!
    looks like you’ve had a worthwhile year hun!
    wishing you and your crew, wonderful times, full of love in 2017!
    we are staying in and have three more people staying for 10 days! mmmm!
    I might have to cook a lot and i’ll be looking at your food for inspiration! perhaps ina garten too!
    enjoy your evening guys! much love m:)X

  5. Happy New Year to you and your family. I do love reading your blog.
    2016 was not a good year for me, I lost my Mum, my father-in-law and my uncle as well as had several other things happen. Let’s hope 2017 is a good one ! Keep writing and photographing !!! X

  6. Best wishes for a healthy new year for you and family, Beth. You are so busy–I get tired just reading your blog! It’s fun to eavesdrop on your family. We can’t wait to slip out of this US political madness and escape to Sydney for a month to meet our first grandchild and see some more of your beautiful country. Kiama and Southern Highlands and a surprise getaway the kids won’t tell us about yet.

    One last thing–your mom’s fruitcake was gone in a week! Delicious! Thanks for posting that recipe.

  7. Oh Beth, and that was only a snippet of your life in 2016!
    I’m not sure that the tiredness ever goes away, I think you just muddle through, some days more bright eyed than others!
    Anyway, Beth, here’s to 2017, I’ll be tagging along and I hope it goes a bit slower for all of us!

  8. Happy New Year Beth! How exciting for you – a 40th birthday this year 🙂 Also is your middle turning 8? Just guessing from your balloon pics of this year. Ah my middle get all the other kid’s (& my sister’s) names before I get to hers, so not judging!!
    Were looking forward to lots of new adventures in our family this year, with kids getting older and ready for travel.
    Liz XX

  9. I guess Kylie Jenner was right. It really was the year of realising stuff.

  10. I hear you on that exhaustion! By the 31st I was just So. Over. It. I also got my Aunt Flo around for a visit which was quite upsetting! But she at least forced me to be in my own space more (long story – she’s very overbearing and hurty when she visits). I think ultimately that was a blessing in disguise. It’s now the 3rd and I’m ready to kick arse again! I hope you’re feeling that way too x

  11. Oh Beth, I am so hearing you girlfriend….. everything you said: Yes!!!! Death is shit isn’t it but unfortunately it is going to keep happening isn’t it… good people will keep dying. Bloody hell! Loved this re-cap post. I feel the exact same way about 2016 – definitely went by so quickly. I hope you get a lovely break at the farm and some time to yourself! Happy new year and I hope it is a great one for us all. I was tickled pink that you included your trip to the NT as a highlight… thanks so much for coming up. xxx

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