Hi everyone, and most importantly HAPPY NEW YEAR! Sorry I haven't written in a week, I focused on my family and no technology over the Christmas period. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! 

We did, as mentioned in a previous post it was a bit tough without Dad being around, just strange. We didn't do as many presents as previous years as we just had a holiday, but the kids still loved what they got, and we had a great day. Lunch was amazing as per usual (although I am sick of it now) I have a terrible habit of making enough food to feed an army, so we eat it for at least 2 weeks after lol, who else is guilty of making way too much on Christmas day, I always make a marmalade and peppercorn glazed ham, along with potato bake, roast potato, pavlova, sponge cake, veggies, Yorkshire puddings and prawns. If you would like any of the recipes, please let me know. 

My eldest daughter went and stayed with her boyfriend's family for Christmas night and has stayed on their farm since so she comes back today and seems to have had a good time which is great, I have decided this year to back off a little he comes from a great family and works hard which is much better than the kids she was hanging around with a few months ago. So, I am taking the time and patience to get to know him and accept him and hopefully keep a good relationship with my daughter. 

On boxing day, we decided to go to Merimbula for the day which was lovely we went to Magic Mountain which is a small theme park near the beach, and we had a blast on a little roller coaster, a few other smaller rides like a toboggan and some water slides, we then went to the beach for a surf, the water was freezing! Then did a bit of fishing although didn't catch anything still had fun! 

Since then, we have really enjoyed our time at home, as we only moved a few weeks ago it has been really lovely to unpack properly, get organized and sort things out so we can really enjoy our home, this is my sanctuary, and I couldn't enjoy it until it was organized. 

We had a quiet but enjoyable New Years Eve mum is still here which is fantastic I have loved her being here and have enjoyed her company during this time, I think she has had a good time considering it was her first festive period without Dad. We went and had a drink at the pub, had a fantastic potato pie and then played board games until midnight, it was quiet but just what we needed. 

I am back at work on Tuesday and looking forward to it, but I am more excited about the possibility of my online business taking off this year and putting us in a place of financial freedom it just costs a lot to get started and of course there is a voice in the back of my head saying can you, do it? I know I can, but it is scary, I have seen so many families do so well! I want to be the same, but can I add more to my workload but then I think what a stupid question, do you want to better your life or not? I am set to start in February I am excited but nervous and also cannot wait to prove to myself that I AM capable of anything!

We are taking mum home next weekend so driving to the Coast 18 hours! Then turning around and heading back on Saturday, it's going to be exhausting but I won't let her go home on her own, my youngest daughter is going to stay with her for a week which will be lovely and also give myself and my husband some time to ourselves and it's been a long time so that will be good. 

Some super exciting news! we booked our next adventure you will have to read our updates to find out where but a few clues - there will be famous architecture, 5 countries, famous paintings and buildings, it won't be too cold but definitely not a beach holiday with lots of fantastic scenery. Can you guess where we are off too? Flights are booked, insurance is booked which you should never travel without, accommodation and motor home hire as we will be doing a drive yourself tour. 

Anyway that's enough from me today, I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and New Year and I can't wait to see what 2023 will bring! 

Sam x