A review of 2016

I found these questions on the site of one of my new followers, Eileen, and thought I would borrow them (thanks, Eileen). I know my life is rather ordinary, no exciting happenings, no utter disasters, but it has taken me all this time to appreciate that that's what I want from my life. My so-called 'bucket list' is plain and simple and I am happy that it is so, however boring it may appear to others.

So, prepared to yawn if you read on!

What did you do in 2016 that you’ve never done before?
I don't think I am that adventurous really. I made two Christmas Crib sets from a pattern I have wanted to use for a while and am now taking commissions from friends which is nice. I had a holiday in Suffolk which I thoroughly enjoyed - the first one on my own for well over a decade. Oh, and I did some willow weaving and went on a weaving weekend which was fab.

Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I don't think I made any really. Why set myself up for failure?  If that sounds defeatist. so be it.  I am sure there will be challenges - I can already think of some - but resolutions won't help.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
An ex-colleague did and all went well.

Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no.

What countries did you visit?
Just this lovely country of ours.

What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?
I am very happy with the life I live now. Retirement is great now I have got over the considerable changes of lifestyle. I loved teaching but having fewer pressures is wonderful.  To be honest, on the personal front, I lacked nothing essential in 2016.

What date from 2016 will remain etched in your memory and why?
There isn't one really.  Maybe the day I woke to find that we were leaving the EC or the day I woke to finmd that the most powerful nation is the world had incomprehensibly voted in a . . .  but that'; enough!  And I don't recall the actual date.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Oh, goodness. I'm not into 'achievement' stuff really. I crafted, I had my bedroom decorated, I enjoyed the fruits of my garden, I stayed happy . . .

What was your biggest failure?
There's no such thing as failure, just successes that haven't happened yet.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Apart from the usual problems with my feet and ankles, no, not really

What was the best thing you bought?
My new Thermomix.  And it was a joy to be able to give my old one to Beth who uses it a lot.

Where did most of your money go?
Day to day living and into my savings account.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Goodness knows. Do I get really, really excited? I prefer to go with the overwhelming sense of contentment that I feel increasingly often.  Much better than the ups and downs of 'excitement'.

Compared to this time last year are you:
Happier or sadder?
Happier - but then I would say that almost every year!

Thinner or fatter?
< cough >

Richer or poorer?
Hmmm - one would think retirement would bring less but I feel a lot richer in the things that matter to me - and there's enough cash to live a contented life.  What more can any sensible person ask for?

What do you wish you’d done more of?
Gardening at the allotment

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Not sure really.

How did you spend Christmas?
With the people I love best - my family.  It's all I ever want to do at Christmas.

Did you fall in love in 2016?
ROFL - er - no, thanks.

What was your favourite TV show? 
Oh, the usual. Bake Off, Strictly, Eggheads, Pointless.  I missed Doctor Who.

What was the best book you read?
I enjoyed Hugh F-W's Love Your Leftovers and I get a considerable delight in re-reading old favourites. At the moment it is some of the Miss Read books.

What was your greatest musical discovery of 2016?
I have no idea!

What did you want and get?
I wanted to wean myself away from teaching. I had a contract until the February half term and since then I have had very little supply offered and, to my surprise, I am OK with that. More than OK, in fact. The further away from it I get, the more I see the damage it did, especially towards the end.
I love my volunteer work at school though.

What did you want and not get? 

Ooooh - a hard one to start with. I suppose I would say I intended to get my suite recovered and didn't, but it is now in hand for next year.

What was your favourite film this year? 

 I don't watch films in the cinema, I wait until they are out on DVD. That's what I prefer but it is also sensibly frugal. If it is good I'll want the DVD, if it is not, what a waste of money. So, recently I have bought the BFG - brilliant - and I shall get Fantastic Beasts when it comes out.

What did you do on your birthday? 

How can I remember that? I shall have to wander back and check. Hang on .
Well, checking my blog post, I had a lazy day and didn't do anything much. Oh, and the weather was cold!

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I tend to be satisfied with whatever life throws at me in a general way.  Before retirement I was very worried about how I would manage, both financially and in other ways too and I was slow to sort out my pension.  I think I wish I had bitten the bullet earlier rather than relying on my ongoing contract and my savings (which have now been replenished).  I should have had more faith and a lot less head in the sand and it would have saved me a lot of silent, hidden worry.
On the other hand, I did get to grips with my finances out of necessity which was definitely a Very Good Thing

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?
My what????? :-)

What kept you sane?
My family and lack of work stress.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Fancy???? No, thanks!

What political issue stirred you the most?
Anything that involves animosity, insincerity or dishonesty affects me negatively. There seems to have been a lot of that this year, sadly

Who did you miss?
A few ex-colleagues who have lost contact.

Who was the best new person you met?
Mt daughter's partner.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016.
Go with the flow and appreciate what you have.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
'That's what friends are for'.

Maybe I should be more adventurous in 2017, but I bet I won't be.