Not a review of the year

For the last two years I've produced a review of the highlights of my year. This year, however, hasn't had that many highlights. I don't mean that it's been bad - at least, not too bad - but from where I sit now on 31st December, nothing really stands out for me. So, instead of highlights, here are my views on the year.

Home: Well, it's still untidy. But it holds those that I love. And, thanks to Luc, a new ceramic hob!

Work: I make it a rule not to comment on work, except in general terms. I work with some great people, and the new building should be fantastic once the heating is fixed, but there have been some very bad patches.

Holiday: Now that was wonderful! Perfect setting, great food, good enough weather .... ok, so Luc and I were both ill for part of it, but I still loved it! Pity the cottage is under new ownership, so may not be available in 2010.

Pets: We started with two cats, two bearded dragons, two leopard geckos and a vivarium fill of anoles and geckos. The two beardies, Bruce and Sheila, turned out both to be male and started to fight, so went back to the centre to be partnered up with females and in their place we got two Rankin's dragons - smaller versions of the same thing. The new Bruce and Sheila are doing well, but Sheila keeps having problems with a bad shed on her left fore-arm, so we're keeping an eye on that. Nutty the leopard gecko has really impro0ved in his confidence (but still growls at Luc whenever he sees him), while Spot must be the most anti-social creature ever. We've gained Slinky, a Berber skink, who was amazingly well-behaved when he accompanied me to the St Francis's Day pet service. There have also been some comings and goings in the anole/gecko vivarium; we seem to have some personality problems issues there. Moving on to the cats, Dyson seems to have put his struvite problem behind him, and is braver with people; he has made a number of friends, not the least of whom are our temporary postman and our downstairs neighbour (who has been known to cook sausages purely for Dyson). We had a scare with Snowball when we found a number of lumps on her belly but they turned out not to be serious, for which I am very grateful.

Other: I enjoyed the five mile walk I did for the Alzheimer's Society, and plan to do the ten miles next year! The knitting/sewing club I joined later in the year is great, and a real find. Next year I MUST make progress on the big project! I've also recently joined my first cross stitch Round Robin.

Health: Well, I thought I was doing well, until I had the trouble with my teeth in November. That's (almost) behind me now - just the extraction to go - but was quite an experience, especially the allergy to the anaethsetic!

And that's about it. Roll on 2010!