Introduction

I thought it would be a good idea to start this place off with a questionnaire so you can get to know me a bit better. I loved this one my friend posted, you just need to pretend I'm filling it in on New Year's Eve!

1. What has been your biggest achievement this year? The skills I have improved in both Jewellery making and sewing. Hard to believe I actually only started beading/jewellery making at the end of last year! 

2. What made you laugh most this year? Sprite, without a shadow of a doubt. She has so much character, if she was human she would be a stand up comedian. I know I'm anthropomorphicising her, but she pulls the most human expressions with such adept timing. For instance she'll be doing her own thing and you will say something about her that is slightly negative ie. "She's farted" and she will stop whatever she is doing spin to face you and give you a really dirty look. She is also funny when she has a muddy....and the noises she makes at times. 

3. What unfulfilled hopes do you have for this past year? I wanted to get my health on a better level, start driving again and get back to dog training. 

4. What was your favourite/most listened to piece of music this year? I think it would have to be a toss up between two Soundtracks from musicals. Hairspray at the beginning of the year and Lès Misèrables later on in the year. Then there has also been Andre Rieu, and a set of three cds with music from musicals. 

5. What was your best holiday this year? We didn't have a 'holiday' in the traditional sense of the word as everywhere we went was to stay with people. Visiting family is always wonderful, but I think our long weekend staying with friends in Derbyshire was best this year both because of all the new places we discovered and we finally got to spend a decent amount of time with two wonderful people. 


6 What has been your biggest achievements this year? The extent of my skill with jewellery. When I look towards the earlier part of the year I can see how much I have improved =) 

7. What's the best book you've read this year? I have really enjoyed two series of books, The Guardians by Lola st Vil which is a series of 6 books although 5 and 6 have two parts so it is actually 8 books. A wonderful story about the battle between Angels and Demons of course with a healthy helping of love/romance and friendship. Also The Girl in the Box series of 10 books by Robert J Crane. Another supernatural series about good vs evil. On a more intellectual level I really enjoyed The Goldfinch by Donna Trott 

8. What has been the biggest challenge of this year? Not letting my bad physical health affect my much improved mental health 

9.What is your happiest/fondest memory of this year? Hearing that Chris's full body scan was clear after a worry earlier in the year when they had discovered an enlarged lymph node. Turns out it was enlarged because he had just got over a cold! 

10. Of what one creation of the past year are you most proud or pleased? A beautiful peyote bracelet which I don't have a photo of unfortunately. Or Bride and Groom teddies I knitted for my step sister for her wedding present 

 11. What new hobby did you take up/old hobby did you reinstate this year? Jewellery / beading. Although I had done basics in the past it is only this year I have gone into it in any depth. And becoming a member

12. What one thing would you really like to do next year? Get back to dog training. Get debts paid off completely. Go abroad. (Yes I know that is three!) 

13. What was the saddest thing of this year? Watching a very loved, previously very fit and healthy person deteriorate to the stage they have lost all independence

14. What has been your best discovery of this year? I'd say finally having a diagnosis but that wasn't really my discovery, so I am going to have to go with a local, young thinking WI! =) 

 15. What news story of  year re had the biggest impact on you/do you remember? Rolf Harris being going guilty and imprisoned. He was a childhood hero and I found it verbally difficult to process. I'm not saying he was not guilty or should not have gone to jail, just that I struggled to find out a hero wasn't what I thought. Also, Robin Williams suicide really got to me.

16. What's the best film you've seen this year? There have been a few: Les Mis, Phantom of the opera but number one has to be Frozen Malificent was significant  for me as well as brilliant: The film was amazing and even more exciting we saw it on an Imax screen. Because I have a blind eye I am unable to see 3d and it has always disappointed me. But on the Imax for some strange reason I could see 3d!

17. What was your best buy this year? I'm going to have to say beads, as I have bought so many of them and love them all! 

18. What has been your best day out this year? I really enjoyed the whole day when we went to London to see Mamma Mia. We went to see the poppies at the tower of London and although it was
after Armistice day so most had gone there were a lot still there. Then we took an amble down the. Thames watching all the lights coming on, it was beautiful. Finally we wondered through Westminster past the cathedral etc and found a McDonald's before jumping on a tube to go to see Mamma Mia which was amazing! Also towards the beginning of the year we went to Ipswich theatre to see Derren Brown. He is amazing and l have wanted to see him forever! Was only atan evening out but a magical one.

19. If there’s one thing you did this year that you’d do differently if you could, what would it be? Start preparing for Christmas s lot earlier as I was far too busy to enjoy the run up this yeah! 

20. Is there anywhere you'd like to visit next year? Borneo but I know that won't happen next year! I'd love to go to Scotland

21. Name one thing you did this year that you'd like to do again? Saw Derren Brown. And will be again later in the year!'  

22. Who gave you the best advice this year? I really don't know! 

23. What new skill would you like to acquire next year? I would like to soap make from scratch, not just melt and pour

24. What was your favourite TV/radio programme this year?

Other than my soaps there were a couple of wonderful series, Doctor Who, Believe and Resurrection. Then there's Australian Masterchef, The Great British Bake Off..there were far too many! 

25. What would you like to make more time for next year I would like to find the time to get my business up and earning, will be an ongoing project throughout the year.

26. What has been the biggest disappointment this year? Learning that people I considered friends actually were not. 

27. What was the best or most enjoyable concert you went to this year? Easily Boyzone open air in Thetford Forest, it was magical. That said the tribute to Meat Loaf in Ipswich theatre was great too! 

28. What do you think was the best thing that you did for yourself during the last year? Began to lose weight though I have a long way still to go. 

29. What is the biggest difference in yourself from this time last year? I barely spend a whole day in bed anymore I have a lot more determination not to let the illnesses beat me 

 30. What are you most looking forward to about next year? Starting my business. A secret we have planned for beginning of April,going to more musicals in London starting with Cats!'':):):):)