So how was your 2013?

[JoM]

Was it a good year, or bad?

I think that mostly it was a good year, personally. It started with plenty of worry over my sister but she entered rehab for 4 months, leaving at the end of July, and so far seems to have turned her life around, she's picked up her old 'craft' hobbies and is doing voluntary work. Tom did well in his GCSEs, although both he and Joe stretched mine and John's patience at times (and continue to do so). Billy has been an absolute joy. The meet up was a high point, and the Summer was gorgeous - I had a hot and sunny day out in London with Tom in July and we had gorgeous weather for our week in Cornwall. John and I had a great weekend away in London in November. I got to quite a few concerts and saw Green Day twice over the Summer - a huge concert at the Emirates and an intimate (by their standards) 'secret' show at Brixton Academy. Blondie played on the Chase, I will never forget standing there on a gorgeous Summer evening watching one of my idols on stage. Not just on stage but on a stage within walking distance from my house, my 10 year old Debbie Harry wannabee self never dreamt that would happen!!
So yeah, it's been a fun year on the whole!

[debih]

Overall ours has been pretty good.

It started on a low with Millie being so ill and ended on a low with the news that dad won't ever regain his sight but In between hasn't been too bad.

S has had her typical teenage ups and downs, L's transition to secondary school was surprisingly easy, Millie got better, Mick got busier at work.

I loved the meet (and am hoping that another will take place in 2014) and we had two fab holidays in Cornwall and the a Lakes.

In 2014 I want to do my usual of eat healthy, get more exercise and lose weight - but I won't beat myself up if I fail. I want to give myself more me time and a weekend away with just Mick is a must.

[Kaz]

Mostly good - Mick and I are happy, Becky graduated with distinction from Hartpury and is going great guns at uni! Harry is doing well at school and is going to be entered for GCSE in the core subjects, which at one time we would never have dreamed of! Chris is doing well in his job........

We had hoped that Mick would get the new job he was headhunted for but we've heard nothing for a few weeks now, so maybe that wasn't meant to be!

For 2014 I need to sort myself out a bit, not just weight and health, but what I'm going to do with the next 12 years or so until Mick retires! I keep humming and harring about the hypno stuff - not really sure why - but I need something to DO with myself

It's been wonderful sharing this year with you all - here's to 2014 in the hope it will be a happy, and healthy one for us all! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[pollR78]

2013.............mostly a good year, had some worries but all ok now.

My auntie is still in remission from a quite an aggressive cancer, which is great news, her and my uncle moved from Stockton on Tees up to Scotland last month which is really good as they are 35mins away in the car

I finished my nursing degree (with distinction) and am working as a registered nurse which is just AMAZING!

We had a lovely holiday in Majorca with mum. Amy is doing great at school.

I have learnt a few things about friends and family and decided 2014 is the year I think about me and my girl and nobody else. I am sick of people sticking their nose into things they have no idea about.

2014 is hopefully going to be a good year I am starting to exercise (on my exercise bike) and am joining weight watchers at the weekend, so fingers crossed for a new slimmer me by the end of 2014! lol!

p xxxx

[Ally]

I've had a great year.

The twins are doing well at college/uni.

I've had lots of visits to the UK catching up with family, friends and best of all Craig came to Birmingham to see us too.

Mum and dad coming over for their usual lovely long holidays.

Many happy trips away and lovely hotels with Don.

Going to see Bruce Springsteen is up there as one of the best nights ever!

The VV meet is up there as one of the best days ever!
It was soooo good to meet other VVers and we all definitely clicked. Friends for life.

Getting my new job was a fantastic and unexpected delight.

And my mum has been enjoying better health since the summer.

Just enjoying our wonderful weather and life in general is something I never take for granted.

I am lucky to be very much loved and cherished by my family....long may it continue.

[Kaz]

We did definitely all click Ally - and hopefully the 2014 meet will be even bigger and better

Poll I hope 2014 is even better hun - you've come a looong way!

[miasmum]

I'm not really sure how to answer that one to be honest.

My own health has been fine, apart from the horrible gynae op. But that wasn't serious just not pleasant.

Luke's seizures have worsened with his admissions to hospital, but he has remained happy and upbeat which is great. His home have done things we are not happy with so hopefully next year will see a way forward.

My anxiety is horrendous and I think I am staring to tip into depression as well,which is a bit rubbish. I start my therapy next week, so hoping and hoping that will help me.

We lost our lovely Mowgli, still miss him and we lost the amazing Marigold chicken, although Octavia is helping fill that hole.

Meeting you all was brilliant and I really hope we can do it again. I loved seeing The Boss with Ally. I saw OCS again, which is always great.

I suppose as ever, just ups and downs of life.

[Osc]

Overall, our 2013 was pretty good. We continue to thoroughly enjoy our retirement, best decision we ever made. Miss Osc, her hubby and our gorgeous grandson Michael moved to live near us, which is just wonderful and we love seeing Michael regularly, he brings us such great happiness. We applied for and got planning permission for our former post office building to be converted into our home, and now it is at the exciting stage of design (and not so exciting stage of getting costings!) We loved the wonderful summer, best in Ireland for seven years, and at the end of September we went on a cruise which we had only booked six weeks previously which was a super holiday. A highlight of the summer was the VV meet, loved meeting you all and hope to get to another one.

On the downside, Miss Osc had a miscarriage at nine weeks in August, and told me then that she had also had one in January at an extremely early stage, so hadn't told us. She recovered well, and I think is adopting the attitude that if it happens, it happens. My brother in Cork has mended the relationship between himself and his daughters (although not his son) and is a much happier person now. I'm hoping his youngest daughter will have a baby so he can experience the joy of having a grandchild, he loves Michael and always wants to hear all about him. His older girl has not managed to conceive, sadly, even after three rounds of IVF.

Fingers crossed that all will go well in 2014, we hope to have our house on the market by about June, we have another cruise booked for mid-July. I am having a hysterectomy at the end of April and the doc seems to think all will be well. I hope all my VV friends have a happy and healthy 2014 and look forward to more fun and laughter on these boards.

[pollR78]

thanks Kaz, I do hope so

I will also keep my eyes peeled for info about a meet in 2014 as I would love to try and make it!

xx

[Ally]

thanks Kaz, I do hope so

I will also keep my eyes peeled for info about a meet in 2014 as I would love to try and make it!

xx

Kaz said she'd start a '2014 VV meet' thread once the festivities are over.

Keep yer peepers peeled.