Tag Archives: Happy New Year

Putting one foot in front of the other (That’s a wrap!)

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“Reflect, Recharge, Rebuild—Here’s to 2025!”

Country garden with cat

Country garden with cat

Apologies for not being too active on here this year. Life, as they say, has gotten in the way. The house and garden have kept me busy, and I’ve been working hard on multiple DIY and car projects. The workshop and car bits are still tying me up and as I write this I am in the process of rewiring one of the lawn tractors after blowing the other one up (non profesional, but suspected diagnosis… it was running and then it wasn’t!).

It’s been a strange end of the year. The rest of my family are down under visiting my Sister in Australia and my Father in Law has just left to go home again. We had an early Christmas in November that my parents hosted, which felt very out of place. We had another Christmas meal yesterday and my wife did a cracking job at catering. I helped with the washing up – promise!

It’s nearly 5 years since I was diagnosed with cancer. We had a Chinese on Christmas Eve and my fortune cookie read “Bad things are behind you” or words to that effect. Coincidence or not, the big C did change my outlook on life. It’s very easy just to coast along, and then BAM! Some bad news like that drops on you and suddenly, both mentally and phsically, the rest of your life is impacted whether you like it or not.  You coast along as you don’t think it’s going to happen to you.

I find it very, very difficult to just do “nothing” and always feel like something needs doing. Mostly because it does (house and car lists are VERY long), but relaxing for me is difficult.

I guess the message here is don’t take your health for granted. Don’t waste your time. Get out and do something productive. Find a new hobby. Spend time with your friends and family. Get a dog or a cat now, not next year. Start writing a diary, I did. I don’t write in it every day but at least once a week and try and write a few lines. It’s quite therapeutic.

Enough of that sombre message… with everything else said I do wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2025! I’ll try and update a little more in the New Year!

 

A quick look to 2024!

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The Times They Are A-Changin’ – Bob Dylan

I’ve lived in Northampton for 9 years, and I’m currently in the process of boxing up our house. It’s a weird feeling. Lots of people have moved multiple times. There are items I’m clearing out that I hadn’t cleared out when moving from my parents in 2014. But on the grand scheme of things, haven’t hoarded too many items.

My wife has a big collection of books, that and clothes and shoes, seems to make up the majority of items we’re in the process of boxing up.

I have already moved one car, the Porsche is being worked on, and I’m going to start organsing the rented garage ready for boxing. We have all but cleared the loft already.

I’ve nearly lived 1/3 of my life in Northampton and my wife has known no different so moving away from here will feel strange.

A lot has happened in the past years, both good and bad… but ultimately we have outgrown our current home and I need a bigger space to work on my cars, which I’ll be getting.

The biggest change will be for my wife. I’m lucky, that I can work from home. She will also be continuing with her current job, but traveling back to collect work material, so she can continue to make shoes.

Our cats will also need to adjust to a new house, but they will be pleased to be getting a much larger garden, I’m sure.

To everyone, hopefully the New Year will be productive and rewarding!

2013 – End of Year Roundup

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This year has been one for friends, new beginnings, new projects, success and failure. But with every let down something better has come from it and that’s how we should all think. One needs to be positive and always move forward, without hesitation, and remember that good things are always on the horizon.

This year has been a bit of a blur. I sold one car and bought two new ones, changed jobs, made success with Frantik (Whitecherry) and put Death Cap on the back burner whilst that was focused on. Next year I want to take both and make them bigger and better, so watch that space.

I have continued and focused on my workout regime. You can follow my fitness microblog there if you’re interested to hear my musings….

I am also still very involved with Club 85 in Hitchin and working with social media for Rhythms of the World. Music is still something I hold close to my heart.

I can’t remember much from 2012 so  I intend to make 2014 truly special.

Peace and good health to all,

Happy New Year

Toby