Tags
2017, Art, Happy New Year, Home, Housing, Inspiration, Life, Travel
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for the days of Auld Lang Syne…. Robert Burns
So here we are at the end of another year. 2016 has flown and it’s been a mixed bag. I’ve had some of the most amazing highs and quite a few lows. It is finishing on a fantastic note for me though, with me finally finding a forever home. I’m in the process of shifting in at the moment, so am exhausted but it’s worth it. I may not see the new year in as I’ll probably be asleep on the couch by 9pm but that’s okay. I’ll awake tomorrow morning, eager to meet 2017 and all it brings with it.
On a low note, we’ve lost so many loved and admired people this year, mainly in the celebrity world. Talent that can never be replicated. Bowie, Prince, Alan Rickman, Leonard Cohen, Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher and of course, Australia’s pirate king, Jon English. Talk about the day the music died! It was the year of it. Some were old and we expected them to cross over to another shore but most were way too young with so much more to offer. Very sad.
I’ve had friends going through stuff no one should ever have to face but they have stood up to the challenges with grace and dignity. They amaze me with their courage and I send them love and strength for whatever 2017 holds.
For me though, 2016 has been a year of breakthroughs. I have had the enormous stress of having a series of neighbours who have been horrendous but last week I took possession of the keys to my new forever home. It thrills me to say that. I have moved so many times over the last 25 years and now I can put down some roots and start to live my life to the fullest without the stress of housing.
I also found my feet as an artist this year. I finally started doing the work I saw in my head and following my passion has paid off. I started the year winning the Greenwood Art Prize and finished it by winning the Blue Fringe Art Prize. Wow.. For someone who has only recently come to their craft, I am completely blown away. I honestly believe that once you start doing the kind of work your heart wants you to do, you finally start to achieve your dreams.
The greatest news this year was that I am going to become a grandmother in 2017. My son and daughter in law are expecting my precious grandbaby and I can’t wait. I have dreamed for as long as I can remember of how wonderful being a grandma will be. I guess it goes back to the loving relationship I had with my own grandmother and watching how much my own children adored my mum. In my grandmother’s honor, I’ll be called Gargie as she was. The circle of life is an incredible thing and 2017 grows a new branch to our family tree.
This year I also travelled across the Nullabor with my friend Sharon. I’ve always wanted to drive across it and I have finally done it. I had a ball. So another tick off the bucket list. All in all, 2016 has been a year of setting things in place, ready for 2017 to explode into happiness.
I hope your 2017 is a wonderful one for you, filled with love, laughter and happiness. Hopefully I’ll be more consistent with posting here in 2017 as I’ll be a lot more organised. I have lots of exhibitions happening next year but more on that as they happen.
Please stay safe whatever you new year celebrations hold. Life is just so precious and I hope you know just how important you are. Let’s make 2017 the year we conquered all the ills of the world with love. It truly can move mountains.
Happy New Year…Livvy xxx
What a wonderful year 2017 will be after the trials and tribulations you have experienced not only in 2016 but for many years .A new experience of incredible love is about to unfold becoming a Gargie .We spoke about many things crossing the nullabour and had the honor of getting to know you and understanding who Livvy is.You inspire me with your shear determination ,strength and willingness to move forward and chase your dreams . Nothing has been handed to you or made easy life has been a battle,full of experiences that has made you the wonderful person you are. Love and happiness for 2017!make it yours
Thank you Sharon.. I’m so pleased we got to know each other with the times we’ve spent together.. both crossing the Nullabor and before that.. I hope 2017 is one of the best we’ve ever known… and that we spend many more fantastic times together 😀
So genuinely happy for you Liv after all your battles & how you bravely picked yourself up and ‘got on with it’. Your ‘forever home’ as you said, relieves you of one huge stress in your life. I’ve only seen a couple of pics admittedly, but your new castle looks amazing! so bright, cheery and welcoming. I can see only good things coming your way in 2017.
Cheryl xx
Thank you Cheryl.. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.. I can’t wait to have it the way I want it (without boxes lol) and for you to visit xxx
For auld lang syne my dear, for auld lang syne.
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet, for the sake of auld lang syne.
Livvy, may this “new year” be one that will bring you so much love and light.
A new baby in the family! Well what can I say?
I can see you now,bairn in arms singing Celtic songs or just humming a few tunes that your Gargie did you.
My memory of my son Paul starting school with the excitement of first day. Everything brand new. The infants teacher stopped me in the playground and said she had upset Paul it seemed. I thought “oh no, first day too what could have gone wrong!”
His lovely teacher asked him how long had he lived in Australia? Fair enough question. But Paul is a Westie born and bred at Liverpool Hospital,Sydney. The Scottish accent came from me..his Mummy. As well as his beloved Granda whom passed away a month after Paul’s start at school.
To this day there is still a lilt there. He hums Wee willie winkie to his own children now. And in conjunction Advance Australia Fair.
Grand parenthood is a time to get your voice ready to sing these songs. Good or not your Grand baby will love you unconditionally.
Hugs Moyra. Xx
Thank you Moyra.. When I went to school I got laughed at for speaking funny.. I spoke with the same Irish lilt Gargie did.. I never used an apron, I used a pinney.. When I went to Ireland, I found myself slipping into the accent so easily, though I don’t have it normally now. I’m sure if I went for an extended period of time, I’d have the Irish brogue lol. A very Happy New Year to you, Martyn and family. xxx