Image: Chris Barker (@christhebarker)
I sit here on New Year’s Eve, waiting for evening to start and the chimes of Big Ben to invite 2017 in. We have done the exact same thing as we did twelve months ago – we’ve had our own little buffet of snack foods, during which we have eaten far more than either of us should have done, I’m sitting in the exact same spot, watching The Bloke quietly snoozing on the other side of the couch, and judging by the photographs I took, I’m even wearing the same jammies as I did last year.
And yet, the world seems a very different place than it did a year ago. We’re no longer part of Europe. We have a new Prime Minister. The middle-eastern crisis is worse than ever. The daily news seems to have been filled with hatred, war, poverty and hardship. President Elect Donald Trump is getting ready to move into the White House. We have lost some of the greatest actors, musicians, sportspeople, comedians, writers and talented human beings that ever walked the earth. I did make a ridiculous attempt to document exactly who had passed away this year, but nothing that I could produce is more effective by the Sgt. Pepper inspired image, created by British artist Chris Barker (@christhebarker). And sadly, he’s had to add even more over the last few days with the loss of George Michael, Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds.
I said goodbye to my little friend…
2016 has been described as an ‘Annus Horriblis’ by so many and the greatest year of change by others. In my own life, there’s indeed been some changes. I have just one sleepy cat on my lap instead of two, having lost Daisy in October. Some of my friends have lost loved ones, or are dealing with illness. But, as I sit here, in the same place as before, in a warm house with a wonderful man, the bills paid, food in the cupboard and a list of lovely people to wish a Happy New Year to, I can only look back on most of the year with gratitude.
I have a gorgeous engagement ring on my finger, a wedding to finish planning and Baby Squidge (my sister’s baby), to welcome into the family in a few weeks time. Indeed, my family are the closest we have ever been and we have already had an addition in my sister’s pug, Dougal. I’ve had some wonderful evenings with friends filled with laughter and fun. I’ve also had an unbelievable year of experiences, with a beautiful holiday in Scotland (complete with the unforgettable proposal), several trips to London (along with a three day Carry On tour), two performances of RENT, meeting Anthony Rapp, numerous events, new people, new places. I’ve seen stunning lanterns lit up at night, attended a wedding at a zoo, photographed seals as they basked on the beach at Newburgh, eaten breakfast at the Cereal Killer Cafe, sweated my way through the Color Run, watched candy being made with a 3D printer, had a blissful hour in a floating spa, laughed at my friend as her boots fell apart after we watched The Rocky Horror stage show, made my own chocolate truffles, attended several wedding fayres, attempted my own professional cocktails, sang along from the audience with Postmodern Jukebox, had my living room decorated in phallic-shaped balloons, ate stunning malaysian food (cooked by Masterchef winner Ping Coombes) at Dewsall Court, admired the Christmas lights and window displays on Regent Street, bunny-sat on several occasions, and discovered that it is indeed possible to cry over a mug. Indeed, I wanted to list all of the people I wanted to thank, but I got a little worried I would miss someone out – but you know who you are…
My career path has unexpectedly changed, with the addition of speaking at numerous workshops, a podcast interview with ThankBookFor.com and the creation of a Twitter course. The Bloggers Bash very generously awarded me with Best Overall Blog, and Suzie Speaks hit 700,000 views on Christmas Eve. My connections within the blogging world have gone from strength-to-strength: I got covered in rust on the swings with Steve in Aberdeen, ate authentic welsh chocolate and welcomed some Christmas ducks from Hugh, had a girly sleepover at Sacha’s with Sacha, Lucy and Helen, went to the pub with Shelley after she came to one of my workshops, and had a thoroughly lovely time with everyone at the bash.
And The Bloke has been with me through it all. He’s been my personal therapist and confidante, my partner-in-crime, my travel companion, and above all he’s been my best friend. I’m looking forward to everything that 2017 has in store for us, and I know whatever comes our way, we’ll deal with it together…
Have an absolutely wonderful New Year. Thank you for all of your support over the last twelve months…
xx
Suzie Speaks 
You truly have had an awesome year dear Suzie! Long may your happiness continue! Happy new year gorgeous gal!!! 🍾😍
And to you my lovely! Speaking of gorgeous – you looked amazing in your facebook pic!
Aw thank you sweetie! The magic of Slimming World!!!
Happy New Year!
And to you my lovely!
Have a wonderful New Year😊🎉🎉🎉
and to you my lovely!
I say you’ve had a blessed year Suzie! Best wishes for you in the year to come. 🌞👍🏻😎
I’ve definitely had a very blessed year! Thanks so much for your support! Happy new year!
Happy 2017!
And to you!
Your 2017 will be amazing, even with potentially bad things that can happen! Such is the rollercoaster we call life. I’m too sick with second headcold since early December (which NEVER happens) so I sent my hubby to our friend’s house to party it up (they are going to watch movies, you know, bro-shows–whee)! I have a quiet evening in store (quiet because I’m too stuffed up to hear anything). Last year we rang in the New Year in Baja Mexico on the beach. Happy New Year Suzie!
Oh no! Hope you feel better soon! It’s the worst possible time of year for it to happen! Happy new year!
Love the way you write! Such an easy and pleasant read for me. Happy New Year!
Thanks so much Laura – really pleased you enjoyed it! Happy new year!
I know a lot of folks had a really hard year, but I also felt so much gratitude for my community. That’s life, isn’t it? Taking the bad with the good, and finding the authentic connections and loving people who will get through this life with you, side by side. Congrats on the beautiful things in your life, and happy new year!
What a lovely way to put it! Thank you – Happy new year!
Happy New Year Suzie! Any year that I’m friends with you is a good year.
What a lovely thing to say, and ditto – thanks Phil! Happy new year to you too!
Rust? High in fat? Low in fat? Rust? Anyone? Rust?
You know i read that in the accent…
Happy New Year Suzie! 2016 was full of ups and downs, but we should focus on the good things that happened as well just as you have done. Best wishes for 2017!
I totally agree – thank you! And to you!
Happy New Year, Suzie!!
Happy new year Kat!
Best wishes!
And to you!
Wow, it’s been quite a year! Happy New Year and all the best for 2017!
It certainly has! And to you my lovely!
And what a year it was, you smashed it girlie.
Thanks my lovely – couldn’t have done it without you!
You’re a blogging powerhouse, Suzie, no question about it.
I can barely call myself a blogger by comparison.
All the best to you and the Bloke.
Thanks so much for your support, as always my lovely, and for your kind words! Hope you and the family have a brilliant 2017!
I have heard people say what a horrible year 2016 has been but I have to say that I didn’t think it was too bad. A few things I would like to change and a few things I would have preferred not to have happened: an over abundance of dogs that should start to be sorted out soon. The great news is that my son’s partner is pregnant with an addition due in late May, so, overall, 2016 was not three bad but I am looking forward to seeing how 2017 plays out. Best wishes to you and The Bloke for 2017.
And to you Edgar! Congrats to your son and your family – it must be very exciting! My sister is due with her first baby in a week or two – she’s totally had enough now haha!
What a bittersweet post. I’m with those who say it was a terrible year but, like you, I can also be grateful for a lot. Sounds like a wonderful year for you! Great photos. (That Yoda stuffie is really digging Helen! 😂) Happy New Year! 🎉
Haha! Thanks Sarah – Happy New Year to you too!
Well done to you…sounds like you have personally had a great year. Good to see the bloke is such a good support
Thanks so much my lovely!