Prosperous soul in the making

savingholmes

Things I am grateful for in 2020

1. I finally published my first book - and people are reading it!! Woohoo. Even before I could write I would cover all the paper I could find in scrawl much to my parents annoyance LOL.
2. My knee injury recovered aided by gardening without needing (unavailable) operations.
3. We turned part of our lawn into a veg plot. (We already had fruit trees). Our garden supplied us with apples, cherries, blackcurrants, strawberries, chives, leeks, potatoes, peppers, beans, peas, celery, tomatoes, radish, carrots, chard, cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce, beetroot - I'm sure there's some I missed. I never knew radish grew beautiful white flowers or indeed how many veg flower.
4. My knee injury led me to WFH most of the early part of the year and saved me from getting the virus when the person who normally sits opposite me had it really severely - together with other people at work who I would normally be in close contact with who all had it around the same time.
5. My company allowed me to WFH pretty much all year - slashing my fuel bills and protecting us from the virus. It also reduced the pressure and stress I was under - allowing me to thrive and become more productive again.
6. DH's company allowed him to WFH some of the year - reducing his fuel bills and offering him some protection.
7. I was diagnosed with Autism and Dyspraxia on the NHS during lockdown. It was a relief to get the confirmation and made me prouder of all I have achieved despite the difficulties I experience that others don't.  
8. DS got diagnosed as ADHD privately during lockdown - and got accepted as an NHS patient in the Autumn. (Still want to get DH, me and possibly DD assessed at some point. I don't think she is - but DD does. I'd prefer to try the NHS route but no energy for that currently).
9. Uni wrote off DS's student accommodation bill for the final term - saving him / us £1.3K.
10. DS graduated without final exams with a 2.1.
11. DS has earned about £10-12K as a freelancer this year. Pretty impressive - given he started in March and had earned £6K by the end of lockdown.
12. Although a college friend of DH's died of the virus, the rest of our family and friends seem to have either avoided it or had minimal impacts. One work friend seems to have long c19 though. Makes me doubly grateful not to have caught it.
13. DD has had CAMHS support this year - about 6 months of fortnightly sessions - which given how in demand they are - makes me feel very grateful. I had been considering paying for counselling for her. 
14. Our cleaner came some of the year...
15. We saw extended family on Xmas Day (5 had negative c19 tests beforehand as a precaution). So far we seem okay.
16. We had MIL over for a meal in March and September, DH and the kids went over for occasional visits when allowed and DH and DD saw her yesterday. Not taking these things for granted anymore. 
17. We've kept our jobs on full pay throughout. One extended family member got a significant promotion and was able to continue WFH. In contrast another family member was made to go into work and handed a 40% paycut!! Other wider family members with freelance business have thrived. 
18. We've reduced our debt c£10K in a year and knocked £796 off the mortgage. We've also increased our pensions. A windfall in early December allowed me to top our EF back up to c£1.2K.
19. Lockdown savings and spare time was redirected to either paying off debt or sprucing up our home. We improved our kitchen and garden this year significantly.
20. Last of all, I am grateful for the MSE community who have cheered me on and supported me. You guys are my main social contact - and in practice I am more open on here than in RL. I don't think I'd have made it this far without you all.

Happy New Year!

Chrystal

That is one impressive list SH!  So much to be thankful for, and don't forget that there are a lot of people on here who are also grateful to you, for the help and encouragement that you give to us.  It's been fantastic watching  your journey and cheering you on, and I'm hoping that this is just the start and 2021 will let your family continue to thrive. (((hugs))) XX

mark55man

well done SH ! - onwards and upwards (except for the debt which will be downwards)

savingholmes

Thanks Crystal and Mark. Happy New Year to you both too.

DancingInTheRain

Fabulous gratitude list, well done on all your achievements 💞

clearmydebts

Love your list SavingH. Thanks for all your support and encouragement over the years. Happy New Year!

Honeysucklelou2

What a wonderful list of positives to be thankful for🙂. Happy New Year to you and yours.

Blackcats

A wonderful reflection of your 2020 - and echoing others to say thank you for sharing your world and supporting so many of your virtual friends.  And allowing us to say that we "know" a published author 🥳

juliejim

Happy New Year SF! 
Great list - would you like to PM me a link to your book.
Jue

Grogged

What a wonderful summary of an eventful year.
Here's to an even better 2021.