Go mbeirimid beo ar an am seo arís

Another Irish language title for a blog post, this one means may we be alive and well this time next year. My Dad says that at certain events during the year, like when he sits down to his Christmas dinner, when he rings in the New Year, or when he hears a cuckoo for the first time in the Spring. As I packed away the Christmas decorations last year, I said it to myself. My only wish for the coming year would be that John and I would have our health and our happiness. Anything else would be a bonus.

I know 2010 was a very tough year for many, particularly in this country, with job losses, house repossessions happening all sides. For us it was the best year we have had in a very long time. We both adopted the attitude of focusing on the positives and enjoying the life we do have, rather than grieving for the life we don't.

So the highlights of the past year were as follows:

Losing weight and getting healthy again. We both lost around two stone (28 lbs each), although I must admit I have gained back around seven of those pounds. I will get back on the wagon next week and get that weight back down.

Celebrating my mother's 80th birthday with my family in May. I'm very lucky to be able to say that my Mam is in great form for a lady her age and a great hoolie was enjoyed by all, young and old. A very special day and a great memory.

Surfing. 2010 was the summer of surf for us. We rented a flat up in Clare for four months, hit the water every weekend, and made some great new friends. Our social life took a dramatic jump start, and we had such fun. We intend doing the same thing again this Summer, as long as the flat is free for us to rent.

After fourteen months of unemployment for me, I got back into the workforce, on a better salary than I left my previous job on. Work is going well, and I have made some great new friends among my new colleagues. The coming months are going to be crazy busy, but that's not a bad complaint. It's a good distraction, and I'm enjoying the challenge of it.

FINALLY finding out the cause of my miscarriages. I posted on this back in August. One set of blood tests in an IVF clinic in Dublin threw up some positive answers. I have an off the scale level of anti thyroid antibodies, however the upside is that it's a treatable condition. Also, my AMH result came back at 11.9. Not stellar, but not at all bad for a woman of 41. So basically I have as much of a chance as any woman my age. So we are going to give it one last try in 2011.

The biggest downer of 2010 was that we lost one of our kitties, my beloved Tigger. That is a whole other post in itself, which I have been trying to bring myself to write for the past few weeks. Suffice to say, I was heartbroken. The upside was that we managed to adopt two new kittens six weeks ago, who are the biological baby brother and sister of our original two cats, the latest litter from John's mother's cat. Their names are Dougie and Speedy, and we have fallen in kitty love all over again. Again, they deserve a post all of their own, which I will do soon. Dougie is shaping up to be such a cuddle puss that I am literally fighting him to type this one handed as he demands snuggles on the sofa. Their big sister Lizzie was none too pleased in the beginning, but she's getting used to the new arrivals now and we can all sit in front of the front of the fire with minimal hissing and spitting. A contented family of five.


So again as we prepare to don the glad rags (I have a killer little black Ted Baker number lined up) and head out to Limerick for the annual black tie do, I will once more make my new year wish. May we be healthy and happy this time next year. I wish you all the same thing.