Happy New Year

A belated Happy New Year to everyone.

I had a good Christmas despite being in bed for 5 days with flu.
I wish you all every success in whatever you want to do this year.

Last year was a mixed year for me. I went out dressed en femme for the first time and that fulfilled a need I had had for some years. I never thought I had the bottle to do it but with huge help from friends finally managed it.

My personal life on the other hand ended in turmoil but I don't want to discuss that here. I'd rather just let friends know personally.

The Grim Reaper took away a very good friend and other friends which made me stop and think. There were also several births which made me a great uncle for the seventh and eighth time.

The economic climate clobbered the hell out of the value of everyone's property and I was no exception.

We lost an old enemy in George W Bush who wisely heavily invested in brogue shoe shops over the years.

Looking forward I will take nothing for granted. I will hope for the best and cope with the worst. I'm lucky in that I don't often get elated over good news and likewise can quickly accept bad news without getting too animated (well, OK I do get mad as hell over speeding fines and I am guilty of telephone abuse (not in THAT way! Please!)

This year I do hope to see everyone who posts here and to renew old friendships and make more friends. I don't want to lose any more friends to the Grim Reaper without at least seeing them a few times. I wish you all a long and happy life, even if we will all go grey.

So drink and be Mary for tomorrow we dye.

Gabriela Julie Budd
xx