The best thing that's happened to you this year

Jane&Ziggy

Jane&Ziggy

Jane&Sid these days!
Apr 30, 2010
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I was touched by Cortrasna's thread about how sad things have been lately. Would anyone like to brighten things up a bit? Would you like to help lift us out of the prevailing gloom by telling us about the best thing that has happened to you this year? Pics would be nice!

I think overall the best thing that has happened to me in a tough but good year is that the cafe looks as if it might finally be getting its head above water - and that we won an award! Our local town trust, which tries to preserve and improve Godalming, gives awards every two years for buildings which are especially good in some way, and Cafe Mila won the award for Biggest Contribution to the Town's Ambience.

Here's the cafe set up for a small evening party -



And filled to capacity by the local primary school mums earlier this week.



My OH was thrilled because the cafe is mostly his work - we didn't employ an architect or designer. I am I thrilled because it's our cafe and he's thrilled!

So come on, what's the best thing that's happened to you?
 
Wow Jane, although I know it is a lot of hard work, it sounds like a dream come true. Congratulations and long may your success continue.

This year the best thing to happen to me this year has been getting married to my partner of 10 years. I never thought that it would make me feel any different, but I do feel complete now! We had the most amazing day surrounded by all of our family and friends.
 

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I got a new job in September which means slightly more flexible hours, much nicer working conditions, no stress, proper breaks, no overtime (or possibly on very rare occasions but I get it back in time owed), half decent pension, good wage for less working hours, being able to spend more time with Rubic.

That is the best thing that has happened really and it is making such a difference to me, I'm much happier than I was, I am much healthier (as I'm not scoffing down pot-noodles and other convenience foods any time I have a spare 10min)

In a way my old car being written off was a bit of a blessing in disguise as it has meant I got a new car which I was thinking of getting next year anyway, the circumstances were not at all great but I have to look on the bright side!

The cafe looks great J&Z :wink:
 
The best thing to happen to me is that my son hasn't been ill since April. He has a serious metabolic issue and we have never gone so long with him being in such good health. The school have become excellent about getting him to eat every 2 hours and he is taking more and more responsbility for managing his condition himself.

On the whole I have had a very good year. I have a lovely family, the best horse and yard in the world and I even enjoy my job at the moment. I feel very blessed and very lucky that my life is going so well at the moment. I would like to have a few hours more sleep everynight, but I can't have everything!
 
I've really enjoyed the patriotism of the Jubilee and Olympics this year, it's been great to have positive media coverage in our country and it feels so many people got into the spirit - especially in comparison to last year's riots. It's been the best year to be British IMO.

For me personally I also got a trip to Australia to see my sister for a whole month and it was wonderful.

And best of all I had a fabulous summer with my horse and we achieved so much that I had always wanted to; long hacks up to Moors Valley, gallop tracks, solo hacks and much cantering. Fabulous, just fabulous.

OH & I are also now debt free (aside from our mortgage) and that for me is a huge weight off my shoulders.

ETA: Well done Jane, you & Steve should both feel incredibly proud. I reckon we'll have to have a NR meet at your cafe one day!
 
Lovely photos, well done.

I know people like photos so.

The best thing that's happened to me this year-

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The vet giving the cob a clean bill of health after illness battle and the photo above, taken 12 weeks into backing. Just because we had been through the mill, in the pot holes and back again. Just because, she let me. (cob peeps will know what i mean here!)
 
congrats with the cafe J & Z..glad that its working out well for both of you. It looks lovely & i'd love to pop in for a slice of cake & coffee :happy:
 
I have thought of something positive that has happened to me this year..i started night school and its going well so far. I received a grade of 65/100 for my first essay (which apparently is equal to 2.1) and was one of the best scores in our class (i know this from speaking to others). It made me feel proud of myself :smile:
 
I have been blessed with yet another super year. It's hard to pick a "best thing" as it's all been so good, though there are a few highlights worth a mention...

Taking little Mouse out on his first ride-and-lead hack. I went out alone and it couldn't have gone better. I was riding a 3-year-old and leading a 2-year-old and both ponies were impeccably behaved. We encountered cars and tractors, we met my boss and her mum hacking horses in the opposite direction, and we got caught in a hailstorm :frown: - but the ponies were just superb. Another Mouse-related highlight was having the farrier tell me how well-behaved he was for a youngster, and that he could see how much trust my pony had in me. Made me glow inside and out :redface:

In March I spent 10 days in the UK visiting a bunch forum people and playing with their horses, as well as meeting up with some old friends from Portugal who I hadn't seen for over a year. That trip was a lot of fun! Also in June I had two of them over to stay for a week, had a blast.

In July I competed in my first Derby showjumping class. It was only 90cm and Jam is a Derby specialist so it was easy for him - for me it was a big challenge for my confidence, but we got round clear and I got such a buzz.

I had a week off in October too, went home to Cornwall and saw my lovely grandma, then visited my best friend in Plymouth and met her month-old baby. It was an unplanned pregnancy and the father disappeared, she was alone with the baby and I'd been worrying like mad about her - seeing her, and seeing how happy she was, was definitely one of the best bits of the year as it was such a relief!

The latest highlight is very recent. I'd been having a really frustrating run in my showjumping competitions with Jam - after the buzz of the clear in the Derby, I then had a run of SIX classes where I got a frustrating 4 faults - either 1 pole down or 1 refusal. It really knocked my confidence in my ability and I was starting to wonder if I'd ever break the curse! Then a couple of weekends ago I did two 1m classes at the same venue, one on the Saturday and one on the Sunday, and we got 2 clears :dance: Massive confidence boost and a great end to my SJ year.
 
let's see:

I GOT BACK INTO RIDING! I had taken a few years off due to kids and put Minnie on the market last year. somebody came to view her and I realized I'd never find another Minnie again. That really kicked my rear into gear.

I really learned to appreciate my husband's horse Bixby. I love riding her and she is perking up so much with the extra attention.

I had some great times with my dressage RI and her horse

I am having lots of fun and gaining so much confidence back with my Western RI

DJ is getting over his injury (although still a little stiff. may take him to chiro next month)

We fostered and then adopted a sweet little shepherd mix named Maggie (who is getting more beautiful the more she grows!)

With all the working together to help Minnie come back to normal, I have been really getting along so much better with OH too.

all the critters now have acceptable either new or reflocked (their old) saddles. Whew -that's always a major undertaking.

I GOT MY MINNIE BACK :)

And I learned so, so much in the process.
 
For me I think it must be getting a new job... albeit temporarily. I moved departments on a secondment for 5 months and love it! It has reminded me why I got into the career i did in the first place... To top it off it is more laid back and I've been feeling healthier in myself because of less stress. Sadly I have to return to my old job in December but will be trying very hard to get back...

Secondly, finally taking the plunge and starting riding lessons, and taking western lessons and that. It is perfectly me!
 
I can't decide between:

This:
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Or this:
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Rufus my Border Terrier puppy arrived in March and Bailey my dream New Forest pony arrived in August. :D

They're both perfect and exactly what I dreamed of having!
 
Its 2 things for me, and one of them happened today!

Today, I cantered Joy bareback for the first time and didn't put me off do I'm happy to do it again! I'm so much more confident now I've ditched my weight. I've happily cantered other horses in the past 6 years but considered Joy too bouncy, challenging and spooky.

The second thing is finally learning how to control my weight. I've lost 94lbs this year and I've been a normal BMI for nearly 6 months and finished going up through all the Cambridge plans 3.5 months ago. I'm also now fairly fit and looking forward to training for my first 5K race in June once I've been to the physio and got the the bottom of my back pain.
 
Fm I can't see it.

Lots they are lovely pictures, rufus so cute.

Jane the cafe looks amazing and I am really please it is working out I remember how stressed you where early in the year.

Sounds like everyone did have high lights. JC controlling weight is a major turning point.

I have only had one good thing this year as the rest has been pretty horrid but will not list it as this is a positive thread.

So this is my high light., When ever I see them I feel blessed.

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FM posted a lovely picture of herself riding through a field of grass at a show (looking all serious and stuff lol)
The sun reflects off the grass and Flip's mane and makes it look like a halo. Very pretty.
It's still loading fine for me
 
Joyscarer said:
Its 2 things for me, and one of them happened today!



The second thing is finally learning how to control my weight. I've lost 94lbs this year and I've been a normal BMI for nearly 6 months and finished going up through all the Cambridge plans 3.5 months ago. I'm also now fairly fit and looking forward to training for my first 5K race in June once I've been to the physio and got the the bottom of my back pain.
Click to expand...

That weight loss is amazing, well done!
Cantering bareback is pretty impressive too:dance:
 
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