The very fabulous Sandy at Baby Baby has tagged me with the 'High Five' meme. The rules are to thank the person who tagged you, list your top 5 highlights from 2009 and then tag 5 more bloggers to do the same. So, here are my 2009 highlights. Think of it as a bit like Sports Personality Of The Year - without any sport or Gary Lineker!
1. Being made redundant. If that hadn't happened, most of the other highlights of my year would not have happened. Funny how things work out isn't it?!
2. Discovering a love for writing. Blogging, newspaper column, articles have all opened so many doors and given me a new direction in life.
3. Finishing my first novel and discussing it with an agent. I am crossing everything for a successful conclusion in 2010 i.e. a publishing deal!
4. Being asked to appear on TV to talk about blogging! An experience I will never forget.
5. Catching up with old university friends at a fantastic wedding in the UK. It had been far too long, but felt as though we had never left.
So all in all, despite its inevitable place in the history books as the year of doom and gloom, 2009 wasn't too shabby at all for me and it's lovely to reflect and document these moments. I pass this meme onto the following and hope you enjoy doing the same.
I would also like to thank the lovely Alice at Fanciful Alice and Baking Mad Mama for giving me two lovely cakey awards last year. Never one to pass up an offer of a slice of something tasty, I am thrilled to display these awards on my blog and would like to pass them onto the following.
Firstly, the 'Icing On the Cake' award goes to:
Insomniac MummyAnd this 'cake-tastic' award goes to:
To hell with New Year's Resolutions, grab a plate and tuck in!
Thanks for the cake Hot Cross Mum!! I cannot believe you have finished your book and spoken to an agent!! I think that is so incredible! Congratulations, that is such an acheivment! Can I ask how do you find the time to write? Are you very disciplined? I am so glad I started my blog now, I just love it.. would love to start a book too :)
ReplyDeleteWell done on a great 2010!
Can I ask? Did you not write at all before your change of path last year? How on earth have you managed to write a novel? Am full of awe. And when and how do you make the time?!
ReplyDeleteWow you achieved so much in 2009 you should be very proud. I'm keep everything crossed for success with your book in 2010. Happy New Year and thank you for the tag.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the novel Hazel! Big changes indeed and it's not even 12 months yet since you started blogging! Go you:)
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting year! Here's to a successful 2010. xx MM
ReplyDelete@Northside Mum and @Babies Who Brunch - thanks for your lovely comments. To answer your questions (briefly!), I grab any available time I can to write! I hardly watch any TV now on a week night and write as soon as the kids are in bed. In the summer, I got up at 6am to get an hour in before they woke (it's too cold and dark to do that now). I've had a couple of hours a week when both children are in creche - that's when I try and write for payment, rather than pleasure (i.e. blog/book). I guess when you get the bug, you find a way! I suppose I am disciplined - I set myself the target of the 50,000 words by Dec '09 and am pleased to have ticked that box! I didn't write before being made redundant. I've always said I would and could write a book but suppose losing my job gave me the kick up the bum to actually do it. Plus, I now find I have something to write about with all the experiences children throw at you!
ReplyDelete@Carrot Mum @Niamh @MM - thank you for your comments and good wishes.
What a fabulous year! and I'm glad you enjoyed the slice of cake ;-) here's to an even more wonderful 2010! x
ReplyDeleteWow, you've had an amazing year. So exciting about the book!
ReplyDeletegreat highlights and here's to even more in 2010! well done on the book - I gaev up the early morning starts too, but am thumping away (got a new netbook for Xmas so can be the martini girl of writing - anytime, any place, anywhere!) so will be hot on your tail (minus the agent thingy!) well done.
ReplyDeleteWell done on your book! And what an incredible year for you! Hope 2010 is as good to you as 2009 was ! Oh and thanks for the tag!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much! Some good highlights, who'd have thought redundancy would be one of them!
ReplyDeleteAh, thank you for the award! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you made the best of a frankly scary situation and are moving on into a whole new chapter in your life. Sometime events beyond our control are the push we need to make the changes we would otherwise be reluctnant to.
xxxxx
How fantastic! I need to follow your schedule and then hopefully will be able to finish my first novel too by this year's end!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing your first book and getting an agent!!! What an accomplishment!!! You are a talented and amazing writer. Will be looking forward to reading your novel.
ReplyDeletehttp://organicmotherhoodwithcoolwhip.com/