Farewell 2022 - Welcome 2023

As we wrap up the final day of 2022, I thought I’d do a bit of a throwback and look at the year that was. For a lot of people I know, this year hasn’t been the kindest one and my heart has been with each of them as they’ve faced some difficult roads. Glenn and I have observed how it’s been a shocking year for celebrity deaths, with so many well-known and beloved celebrities joining the ranks in Heaven, including the last Queen of England that any of us will ever see in our lifetimes, and the saddest one for me, Olivia Newton-John, who was my childhood idol.

For me personally, I feel that this has been my best year in a few, and for that I am eternally thankful. The previous two years were very difficult for me, losing my Mumma and Jacko, and then trying to navigate my way through my grief and trying to find a new normal for myself and my place in the world. I feel like 2022 has been the year where I’ve done this and I’m quite happy with myself for what I have achieved.

Glenn and I started the year in a good place, having found love with each other and I truly believe that when a couple finish the year stronger than they started it, it’s a good year for that relationship. I’ve been blessed in that respect, having a beautiful love with the person who is also my best friend as well as my business partner. Our business has faced challenges this year as we’ve dealt with flooding and out-of-norm breeding seasons because of the crazy weather, but through all those challenges Glenn and I have continued to build our snake-catching business and are ending the year with a business that has stayed strong and continued to grow in customers and reputation. The second is specifically important to us both as we strive hard to have happy customers and positive experiences for each customer and each snake we need to relocate from its home.

I’ve gotten to celebrate some beautiful and special occasions with some of the people I love most in the world this year – my beautiful sister’s 40th as well as my nephews 21st within four months of each other. My partner’s 45th birthday with loved ones, my Auntie’s 50th with family, my gorgeous girl Ashleigh married the love of her life in what I described as the perfect and most relaxing wedding I’ve ever been to. I witnessed my stepson and his gorgeous missus exchange their vows as well as one of my oldest friends in the world. It’s definitely been a year for love in my circle. I’ve spent so many precious hours with my adorable grandson this year and definitely plan to spend even more with him next year, now that my schedule has become less hectic. Then we wrapped the year up by celebrating our youngest daughter’s 18th and high school graduation in the one week, as well as her formal back in September.

In our business we’ve had the privilege of meeting some wonderful people, several of which have become friends as we’ve spent time with them and built a friendship based on our mutual interests. Some of these friends have become like family and are people I adore to bits. I feel so blessed to have them in my life.

I’ve continued to be blessed with the most amazing Daddy in the world. Through this entire year, as he has every other year of my life, he is constantly there for me, supporting me in everything I do. Every day of my life with my Dad by my side is a blessing for me and this year I’ve had many precious moments with him, even if we’re just hanging out at home, shooting the shit and telling stories.

Celebrity highlights of my year have both involved Wahlberg men. First Donnie commented on one of my Instagram posts, which gave me a high for days, then only a few weeks ago I had the privilege of meeting his brother Paul, when he visited Wahlburgers here in Australia. He was such a sweet man and has promised to do something amazing for me, which I’ll update you about later.

I’ve had the most productive year of my life in regards to writing. As well as the final draft of Hostage during the editing stage, I’ve also completed four manuscripts, which are ready to be published at some stage soon, as well as written two final drafts and expansions of two novels I had written in years past. I don’t know where all my energy has come from in regards to writing, but while it’s churning inside me, I’m taking advantage of it and giving my words and ideas life.

And of course, the highlight of my 2022, has been the journey I’ve taken this year to publish my first book, then that moment in October when the books were delivered to my house and I could finally call myself a published author. For a writer, it doesn’t get much better than that for achievements! The year was wrapped up with my awesome book launch up on Mount Tamborine, celebrating with friends and family.

All in all, I’ve had a great year. My plans and goals for next year are itching inside me, just dying to get out there and be a part of the world and I look forward to achieving more of my bucket list goals in 2023.

I hope that you can look back on 2022 and find a few highlights, even those of you I care about who’ve had a tough year. And no matter what, I wish for your 2023 to be beautiful and absolutely epic.

Here’s to Making it Count in 2023!

Love,

Carol xx

My handsome little grandson, checking out the wallabies in my backyard