What does 2015 hold in store for you?

I shall be 3 stone lighter and have smooth dewy skin.

My garden will be paradise, and my house neat as a pin and smelling of polish.

Main thing we are looking forward to is our youngest daughters wedding in April.

We are also aiming to use our touring caravan more this year. Hoping to go to Normandy, Northumberland and Cornwall . Also all our family enjoy camping and have said they would like to have a few big family camps.

I am particularly looking forward to being able to partake in longer walks now that I have had both my knees replaced and maybe getting back to 'Zumba Gold '.

Kitty - if your Mum dies this year, as is expected, there is no need to feel guilt. I have been in this situation, with a difficult mother, but I have come to terms with it. She was what she was, and that is simply a fact of life with no baggage attached. I do not miss her, and can say that without guilt, as it is an honest statement. I organised her care to the best of my ability, and that is all that could be done.

A lot of our parents were shaped by a Victorian type upbringing by their parents and then went through the war. For many women these times were frustrating to their ambitions and this very often shaped how they behaved and showed itself in ambivalent relationships with their children.

It is not your problem or your fault - it is simply what came your way. I am sure that you do your best for her and you can do not more. You do not have to pretend that all was well. It is fine to acknowledge that.

My aims for 2015 are:
- to get better and stop being a total pain in the rear for all my dear kind family and friends
- to have a new GC arrive safely
- to keep the creaking OH going as best I may

Fingers crossed! - and happy New Year to all.

Thank you Agus.

I hope you don't have anything untoward to deal with. In fact, I hope that none of us do! But, if we do, we've got GN for support.

Granjura, I think I've probably mentioned before that DH had a couple of really 'bad lads' as patients. They came regularly, with their Mum, for check ups and were very respectful. Once they heard about someone who had 'taken' some money from DH and offered to sort it! DH declined. Unfortunately, they both came to sticky ends but I would quite like them around to sort out our Idiot and yours! In fact, thinking about it, you might have either taught them or some of their very many children.

kitty I know it's not about comparison re your mum but unlike her you are the lucky one to have loving relationships with your own DC, all,of them plus all these DGC who adore their granny. Most importantly, you have a strong loving marriage and not many people have a loving DH who would care enough to serve them Buck's Fizz in bed.

You may never know what your mum's unhappiness was about but whatever caused it, it wasn't YOU.

Now, have another one, you are amongst friends and we won't tell.

Don't know what is ahead for us in 2015, just hoping DH and I won't be dealing with anymore health issues. If we do though, we will deal with anything we have to. C'est la vie.

Thank you all for your kind words!! Isn't it strange how many of us have had 'funny' mothers!

I really started this thread to ask what people have going on in this year! I know Tee time has at least one wedding coming up along with other less pleasant stuff to contend with and I know Mishap has another DGC to prepare for. Do I remember that you have too nellie?

Is anyone retiring, starting a new career, volunteering for something interesting?

I know lots of people are already facing huge challenges and I am sure lots more of us will before the end of the year!

kitty We will all be here for you too but your humour will help you to cope. xx

granjura You seem to be in a similar position to me. Our idiot will be disposed of (legally!) this year, and no one will be repaid the vast sums of money.

I've had several years to come to terms with the situation and I'm determined that 2015 will be a turning point.

Take care Kitty. Whenever the inevitable happens, there will be naturally be regrets for you over what appears to have been a difficult relationship. But don't start thinking it's your fault.

Some people are just difficult and trying to make sense of what has gone is probably pointless.

There are things my mother did, or rather did not do. when I was young that still leaves me angry as it seriously affected my confidence and self esteem for years, nothing outright abusive, more her attitudes to a lot of things.

IMO it's best not to really pursue what has happened at the point when it's far a too late for anything to change. (((hugs)))

kitty you know that I empathise about your Mum and that you and I have talked about our similarities in that relationship. My Mother died 12 years ago and I never had any explanation for her behaviour and I never plucked up the courage to have it out with her. I thought her death would release me from the anxieties she caused but she's still there nagging away inside my head. If when your Mums time comes you need someone to listen who understands I'm here for you.

I hope things improve with your family situation. All I can say is knowing you a little I think it must be fantastic to have you as a Mum and Grandmother. I love your sense of humour and thank God you have it.

Best wishes for 2015 xxx

kitty I also have spoken about my mother and me on here. I didn't know how I would feel but it was only regret that we didn't have a good relationship. It wasn't relief which I thought I might feel,it was sadness but not overwhelming. I won't have more GC either and as oldest is 16 probably won't see GGC. My DH is temporarily off Meds for his Alzheimer's but I hope an alternative will be started soon and we can maintain the status quo.and for me I hope for good health to look after him. I really wish you well in the difficult days to come- living in trepidation of the phone ringing,we have all been there.

Thinking of you, and hoping it will indeed be an excellent year- even if your mum's time comes. And of course if the idiot turns around (but they rarely do.... 'our idiot' in Spain will never repay the (large) sum of money he fraudulently borrowed from us- it really stings, and I am at times tempted to hire a hit man to teach him a lesson (i'd never do of course)- but the best thing is that our daughter has truly turned the page and we are shot of him. So we have to let the anger... and the money- go- in the knowledge he will become a very sad old man with nobody, which is what he truly deserves ***



Bonne Année- onwards for forwards x