WRAPPING UP THE YEAR FABULOUSLY
Christmas always comes with images of lovely gifts all prettily wrapped, and I think that ties in beautifully with the idea of wrapping up the year that was. I chose "FABULOUS" for my #WOTY and it felt like a pretty Fabulous year all in all. Today I want to do a little look back at some the little Fabulosities and to sign off as we head into Christmas and a New Year.
I guess this is a little bit of a taking stock of the year and a little bit of looking forward to all that is coming. I love Christmas and all that comes with it - so let's wrap up this Fabulous year so that we can then settle back and enjoy this lovely season.....
WAS FABULOUS A GOOD #WOTY CHOICE?
I did wonder when I chose such a 'big' word for the year if I was over-reaching myself a little. Afterall, I'm just a middle aged, middle class woman living a fairly middle of the road life - what's so Fabulous about that? Well..... life is as Fabulous as you make it, we all get to choose our attitude, we get to choose how grateful we are, and we get to choose how we respond to whatever life dishes up. So, I chose to be positive, to look for the Glimmers of joy that are all around us, to find the rainbow in the rain, and to be grateful every day.
It sounds a little Pollyanna-ish doesn't it? But, if we don't choose how we respond to life, then all we ever do is react to each new wave that washes over us. The tough stuff gets us down, life always seems hard, or boring, or mundane.....and we miss out on all the little bits of Fabulosity that come our way - and there are a lot of them if we're open to finding them. On that note, here are a few Fabulous things that happened this year for me:
A FABULOUS NEW HIP
My hip dysplasia began to really cause me serious pain earlier in the year, I found my lovely retirement routine slowly falling apart. I couldn't walk very far at all by March, so my morning walks disappeared, then my evening walks with my husband came to an end. My Wednesday exercise class disappeared, and even my volunteering at a playgroup for small children had to stop - I couldn't bend, or walk to carry cups of coffee. Life looked a little un-Fabulous to say the least.
I then discovered that I couldn't even get a consult appointment with an orthopedic surgeon unless I had super-duper-top-of-the-wazza private health insurance......which of course I didn't. So, I joined up (big $$), had my consultation, was told I needed a hip replacement (which my GP had also told me), and settled in for the 12 month pre-existing condition wait time - my surgery was scheduled for March 2023.
The pain and lack of function continued to increase, so I decided to be brave and ask the surgeon's rooms if there was any way I could be seen in the public health system - highly unlikely, but it was just a question......it turned out that due to the rapid escalation of my symptoms, I was granted a spot on the public hospital list and an operation date of October 2022 - 6 months earlier than expected! How Fabulous is that?? Long story short, I now have a Fabulous new hip and am 90% recovered (those pesky cut muscles take a while to heal). My gratitude and appreciation are constant and it's been such a godsend to have the pain as only a memory now.
A FABULOUS NEW JOB
As I mentioned above, my hip took away almost all my day to day activities this year, but there's always light at the end of the tunnel. Because my life was turning into its own version of Groundhog Day, I decided to apply for a little job that popped up in my local newspaper. One day a week as a receptionist for a visiting haematologist - it sounded like a breeze. Well, it turned out to be super challenging - so much to learn, nobody to teach me, and non-stop work with no lunch or coffee break - I barely had time to run to the bathroom! I was ready to resign after 3 weeks, but chose to be proactive and suggested I share the job with someone else. My boss (who is lovely) found the perfect person and we work really well as a team.
I look back at my old toxic job where I was being slowly dismantled mentally and emotionally, and I compare that to what I have now and all I can do is smile. I'm still learning every time I go to work, but I've got most of it figured out, my boss thinks I'm great, my co-worker pulls her weight and is easy to work with, I work my tail feathers off for several hours, and then walk out the door for the rest of the week - in a word, it's just Fabulous.
A FABULOUS TIME AWAY
This is probably the freshest Fabulous time in my mind for the year that's been. My husband and I headed 2 hours drive down south to Margaret River for a few days in early December. It was a holiday I wasn't expecting to take because my hip operation had been scheduled for March 2023 and I wouldn't have been able to walk anywhere. Instead, I was quite mobile and pain-free, so we enjoyed a short getaway with lots of walking, wandering the streets of the local towns, relaxing, eating without cooking, drinking coffees in cafes, shopping, and just enjoying being away from our usual routine.
I shared some photos on Facebook while we were away and here's a few of them that remind me of what a Fabulous time we had down there.
WISHING YOU A FABULOUS CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR
This is my last post for the year. It's Christmas in less than a week (wow this year has flown by) and I'm excitedly awaiting the arrival of my children and grandgirls - counting the sleeps! The tree is up, the presents are wrapped, the meals are organized - bring it on! So a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you. I'll be back on Monday 2nd January with my new #WOTY for 2023.
In the meantime, I hope your Christmas is Fabulous and that you also remember "the reason for the season" in amongst all the festivities.
 |
| via tenor.com |
RELATED POSTS
BEFORE YOU GO:
If you'd like to know when I write a new post, please click HERE for email updates.
If you'd like to comment but not here on the blog, feel free to email me at
leanne.crestingthehill@gmail.com - I'd love to hear from you.
And please share this post by clicking on a share button before you go.
Merry Christmas to you and your family . I’m also waiting for my grand girls to get here. 🥰
ReplyDeleteGrandkids are just the biggest gift aren't they? It was worth putting all that effort into our children for the reward of grandies in our later years :)
DeleteIt certainly has been a fabulous year for you Leanne even with hip surgery. Best wishes for a healthy and happy Festive Season and 2023. You might want to link up for our last WOTY which is this Friday if you have time. x
ReplyDeleteHi Sue - I'll definitely pop over and link up to finish the year with a bang. Have a great Christmas with your family and enjoy your new home while I enjoy my new hip - we're very blessed aren't we? xx
DeleteThanks for linking up with us Leanne it certainly was a Fabulous year for you. Happy New year and love and best wishes for 2023. x
DeleteHi, Leanne - Despite the challenges, you definitely had a fabulous year. Wishing you a fabulous Christmas with your family and grandgirls. Please post lots of photos!
ReplyDeleteIt's been such a good year - I think sometimes you need to have the tough times to make you appreciate how good life really is through it all. I'm so grateful for modern medicine, for being young and fit enough to have a good recovery, and to be able to be mobile again in time for Christmas with the family. Life is Fabulous - and I'll definitely pop up some pictures and maybe a few on my Facebook page too - stay tuned xx
DeleteHi, Leanne - Thank you for linking up with us. For the moment, Blogger is only letting me comment anonymously - even though I have signed in and it knows who I am. :( I agree that tough times make the good times that much sweeter and more appreciated.
DeleteBlogger can have its annoying little moments - just add your name at the end and it'll work fine as Anonymous until it sorts itself out x
DeleteI’m looking forward to Boxing Day lunch with you, Ross and all the rest of the grand kids and great grandkids. Lots of love, Mum. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be a lovely family time and all the better for having you there to celebrate it with us. You are the perfect example of how to live life Fabulously through the tough times and the fun times - and I'm very glad you're my Mum xxx
DeleteI found your site late in the year, but have enjoyed it so much! Looking forward to 2023. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so glad you found me - and a big welcome! I hope you'll keep commenting and connecting in 2023. Merry Christmas to you too :)
DeleteHi Leanne, I'd say a new hip, a great job and an unexpected getaway qualify as fabulous! Cheers to the main event - Christmas with the grands! Blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteHi Susanne - life is definitely as good as you want it to be. There were some big hiccups, but also some great outcomes - my new hip is beyond Fabulous! And yes to Christmas with the kids and grandgirls - bring it on! Merry Christmas to you and your family too x
DeleteFabulous was a wonderful word of the year for you. It really does make you look at life (even a middle age, middle class, middle of the road life) with different eyes. I will say however, that the "middle" is a good place to be - it reminds me of moderation (versus extreme-ism) and balance, both things that bring life wholeness and satisfaction. A number of years ago, I chose Joy as my WOTY and it really did help me shift to seeing the joy in everyday life. Kinda like Fabulous did for you. I'm looking forward to your 2023 WOTY.... I'm sure it will be beyond fabulous. :-) Merry Christmas to you and yours!
ReplyDeletehmm, not sure why it ended up anonymous... comment from me.
DeleteHi Pat - Blogger comments seem to default to Anonymous these days unless you change it - thanks for letting me know it was you! And yes, you're right, a middle focus and balanced life is pretty darn Fabulous - you can keep your highs and lows - give me some gentle contentment any day - and that's a hint towards 2023's WOTY! Merry Christmas and enjoy your summery Christmas weather - we will be too x
DeleteHi Leanne. I've found your fabulous posts this year, to be inspiring as well as reassuring, in the sense that I've felt like after reading each one that I'm moving in the right direction, emotionally. I'm feeling pretty fabulous myself! Thank you, for all that you do to inspire positive change, in the lives of all of us who read your posts. Have a very Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year, Leanne Christina Daggett
ReplyDeleteHi Christina - thanks so much for your friendship and encouragement throughout the year (and before). I do try my hardest to look on the bright side whenever I can and despite the hip issues, there's still been lots to be grateful for. I can feel your positivity growing too - I think when we accept where we are in life and choose to make the best of it, life tends to bring us good stuff as a result. Have a great Christmas and I'll see you back here for 2023 and a new WOTY :)
DeleteHave so enjoyed hearing about your life over the past year. YOU are fabulous and suportive to all of your readers. I wish more fabulous moments in this holiday time and also for the next year. See you in 2023
ReplyDeleteHi Judith - thanks so much for your lovely words - I sometimes feel like I overshare my life and thoughts, but it feels so 'right' when I hear that I'm resonating on some level with others. It's such a buzz when you're on a shared journey and we can encourage each other along the way. Merry Christmas and I'll definitely be back for 2023 - with a little more mellow #WOTY :)
DeleteWhat a great recap of a fabulous year Leanne! You've made the year fabulous due to your positive attitude and I don't mind a bit of Pollyanna :). All the best for your festivities and enjoy those fabulous grandgirls. Looking forward to seeing what WOTY you've chosen for 2023. Mine is already in the bag! Thanks for all your support xx
ReplyDeleteHi Deb - my WOTY is all sorted too for 2023. I actually picked one and then had a change of heart at the last minute - so it'll be interesting to see where the new one takes me. I always enjoy how you run with yours all year and I'm hoping to do the same - I love how one word can cause us to stop and think and be inspired to be more positive ant to grow - we're rocking this WOTY! Have a great Christmas and enjoy all the family time xx
DeletePlenty of fabulosity there to look back on...and as an aside, I'm all for the Pollyanna outlook on life...I love what you've done with your word this year. I completely lost focus on mine... (rolls eyes and sighs heavily)...
ReplyDeleteI surprise myself with my Pollyanna-dom Jo - it's like I've finally allowed her to pop up and say that everythings going to be okay. It's a much nicer way to face life than always expecting the worst and trying to have a contingency plan just in case!
DeleteI'm so happy the hip replacement has gone so well. And that you're enjoying the new job. It sounds like you've got some fabulous balance in your life!
ReplyDeleteHi Deb - yes things are starting to come back together again, but I'm also realizing that it's been a really tough year and maybe 2023 needs to be a gentler one :)
DeleteI really like your openning idea that we get bogged down and miss the fabulousness in our lives. I've had to work on that this year. I've become very good at compartmentalising the bad to 100% enjoy the good while it's happening. Glad the job is going well. Connection is a huge part of work life. Happy Christmas to you and I'll see you next year! #WWandP
ReplyDeleteHi Lydia - I've really enjoyed reading your posts this year as you've re-emerged from lockdown and got back into doing the stuff you love. You're so much more social than I am, so I get to live a little vicariously through your blog :)
DeleteWhat a year and in your choice of word too, it has all worked for you fabulously. Pain is such a downer and living with it moreso, I am so glad you were proactive and called to have the surgery brought forward. Best news that it was and you are so much better now. I can imagine the excitement building for Christmas...it is the little kids who remind us of the joy! Thanks as always for being part of the Wednesday’s Words and Pics group with your post this week. It’s been great to know this link up has people joining in and I am delighted to have you here as one valued blogger! The link up returns on Wednesday 4 January 2023. Warmest wishes and season’s greetings, Denyse.
ReplyDeleteHi Denyse, it's been such a relief to have the worst of it behind me now, but I also realized the other day that it's been a wearying time living with the pain and then the recovery pain. I'm looking forward to next year being an easier one - with less stress and more movement. And roll on Christmas! See you next year :)
DeleteIt's you who are fabulous, Leanne. I admire your spirit and consistency. Stay you! ♥
ReplyDeleteOh Corinne that's such a lovely compliment - thank you so much, and thank you for your encouragement throughout the year. Bring on 2023!
DeleteJust popping back to say thanks for linking up...
ReplyDeleteA pleasure Jo - it was a great opportunity to finish the year well.
DeleteLooking forward to catching up soon and knowing your word for 2023. I have been back and forth with my ideas!! Denyse.
ReplyDeleteMe too Denyse - I settled on one and then completely changed direction a couple of weeks ago - and subsequently have a new word that I'm hoping is a good fit for the year ahead (well, it's actually two words - that worked for you for 2022!)
DeleteWoo Hoo! Blogger just let me comment as me! Hopefully it will let me stay in (I promise to be good) and not kick me out again. BTW - I wrote two of the early anonymous comments above. Wishing you and your family a very happy new year. I look forward to continuing to follow you in 2023.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna - I presumed it was you but didn't want to take it to the next level in case it wasn't! You are amazing to have popped back and tried yet again and I'm glad Blogger rewarded you. x Happy New Year to you and Richard and bring on 2023 and sharing our journeys together. xx
DeleteI notice someone commented on the Pollyanna thing Leanne. My mother is (usually) very much like that as well. I wonder if it's something that comes from having faith? I loved fabulous as a choice of word as it also doesn't take itself too seriously or signify anything too weighty.
ReplyDeleteHi Deb - I think that believing there is a bigger purpose and some spiritual growth behind tough times does help make them a little easier to bear. I truly wonder how I would have gotten through that last stressful week before my op if it wasn't for faith that God had things under control. And yes.....you got it exactly right when you saw that Fabulous was a little tongue in cheek and just a fun way to look on the bright side of things. Happy New Year! xx
DeleteFabulous as a word of the year is a wonderful choice because it breathes hope and joy, and I love how you see positives in everything. Knowing how much trouble your hip caused you, it’s fantastic to see you in those photos from your holiday, standing on the bridge in a location that obviously required a lot of walking! I’m so happy for you and it’s good to see the public health system works fine at times!
ReplyDeleteHi Susanne - I had assumed I wouldn't stand a chance of getting operated on in the public system and it was such a relief to be "bad enough" to gain a place! I'm grateful every time I walk somewhere for how my mobility's back and the joy that brings me. Life is good - even in the tough times, there's still a lot of good stuff if we choose to look for it. Roll on 2023!
Delete