Triumphs and disasters

A couple of years of ups and downs:

Ups:

Our heap big outside Christmas tree - it shines across the cul-de-sac and cheers everyone up. I love Christmas and it was so good to have everyone together again.

I became a Trustee of UCISA - a huge privilege (and on my career bucket list). I am looking forward to becoming the chair in 2023 and supporting this fantastic organisation to support the dedicated and talented HE IT sector as it goes from strength to strength.

We ate in a Michelin 2 star restaurant (Midsummer House, Danial Clifford) a treat for my step daughter on her graduation from Cambridge.

Rudyard Lake, a little gem of a place - our staycation in 2021.

Cycling around the Island of Jersey.

Mastering the craft of fairisle knitting (I even have my own labels - "Woodcock Knitting" and mainly make bobble hats).

My chilli plants - after two successful seasons we have a plethora of dried chillis. I recommend using any excess to make fruity hot sauces, pineapple worked well, blackberries also.

A UCISA trip to Denver and a visit to Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre.

Driving my new Volvo XC40 (which cost as much as my first mortgage).

Running in the York Marathon (albeit in a relay team - but it felt good for someone that hasn't run for several years - long gone are the sub 4 days).

Putting a swing into our ENORMOUS sycamore tree - everyone asks how we did it - suffice to say it was a feat of engineering and ingenuity involving flag poles, fishing wire and weights!

Singing together with the wonderful Decibelles, Sheffield Harmony and the Crucible Voice project.

Seeing Rick Wakeman - my husbands all time hero - at Buxton Opera House.

My husband dismantling the coffin bench and remaking it - although he did have to buy a bench saw (which he always wanted) and this is now taking up a large chunk of the garage.

My husband turning 60 (a trip to Jersey and a big party).

Downs:

Major abdominal surgery in March 21 - with three months of inactivity which left me unfit and overweight, the wine each evening and the lack of exercise helped the waistline expand and this was not helped by the re-opening of pubs and restaurants which was just too tempting to resist.

Menopause.

Lack of time off - work, eat, sleep, repeat.

The weather - the allotment delivered green tomatoes and some small pumpkins.

The weather - ice and snow in December 2022 caused havoc to our planned singing events, turning back on a snowy evening drive to Baslow for a concert was the lowest point.

The demise of my faithful Ford Fiesta.

The diet (what diet?).

Getting a carpenter who advertised on check a trade to make a bench for our patio - it looked like two coffins fitted together and didnt fit. (He admitted his mate was a coffin maker by trade after delivering it).

My husband turning 60 - now he is even more depressing than ever - reminding me that the grim reaper is closing in on him (and me).

We lost big bird - the friendly pheasant who came knocking on our patio doors for food each day. (Although son of big bird is not far away, we hear him and he has visited the garden once or twice).