THE FINAL DAY

for my 365 experience, thankyou everyone who has followed my year.

Also a big thankyou to all the lovely people who have left me some great comments.

XXX

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31st December

My Way
"And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I’ll say it clear,
I’ll state my case, of which Im certain.

Ive lived a life thats full.
Ive traveled each and evry highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Regrets, Ive had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.

I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried.
I’ve had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.

To think I did all that;
And may I say - not in a shy way,
No, oh no not me,
I did it my way.

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!"
- Frank Sinatra

Anna’s final posting for this 365 project:
May I take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you, for joining me in this incredible journey. It has been tough some days, and I admit not to making it each day, nor did I take only self portraits! But that's life. I still did it "My Way". I hope you had fun. I know many of you have had a really tough year, others have lost family members, and others have gained family members. A shout out to my inspirational slimmers, Kay and Lynne, to all the UK 365ers that I met back in October. To all the new friends I have met on Flickr, it has been a wonderful year for making new friends. I hope you will take the time to look back at your year in review, 52 layouts and a journal full of your words and thoughts for 2008.

My day one for this project was to be hidden behind the camera and feeling absolutely miserable. What a difference a year makes, even though this year has had many ups and downs I feel ready to cope with whatever 2009 throws at me.
***
"For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning."
~ T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding
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30th December
"Laughter is the tonic, the relief, the surcease for pain.”
~ Charles Chaplin

Certainly laughing with Abbie during this summer traumas was the best medicine I could have.
***
Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.
~Victor Borge
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29th December
"Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world."
~ George Bernard Shaw
Me keeping warm and bright and proving that I have come out from under my hat when I wore it on the 9th January LOL.
***
“If you paint in your mind a picture of bright and happy expectations, you put yourself into a condition conducive to your goal.”
~ Norman Vincent Peale
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28th December
Rest is not a matter of doing absolutely nothing. Rest is repair.
~ Daniel W. Josselyn

I certainly feel like putting my festive feet up today!
***
“The best of all medicines is resting and fasting”
~ Benjamin Franklin
Not much fasting going on in my house at the moment!!!
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27th December
Things are beautiful if you love them.
~ Jean Anouilh

My new very mini vacuum cleaner, how cute is that?
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Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. ~William Morris
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26th December
"May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!"
~ Author Unknown

A very happy and relaxed smile from Jules .
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A smile is the beginning of peace.
~ Mother Teresa
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25th December
"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping on your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe,
Help to make the season bright.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow,
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.

They know that Santa's on his way;
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh.
And every mother's child is going to spy,
To see if reindeer really know how to fly."

And so I'm offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although its been said many times, many ways,
A very Merry Christmas to you."

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL

My Christmas day self portrait.
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If I could have put it into words I would have written it down. But I couldn't, so I took a picture.
~ Anonymous
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24th December
"The family is one of nature’s masterpieces."
~ George Santayana

Even though I used this second quote back in January it still says it all!
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Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts.
~ Author Unknown
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23rd December

"Everyday is a cause for celebration."
~ Anonymous

Abbie and I are preparing for this week's Christmas festivities.
***
The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.
~ Oprah Winfrey
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22nd December

"Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas."
~ Peg Bracken

I have been so lucky this year, my team on UK Scrappers decided to do a Secret Santa and yesterday we all got together on line and opened them. I had a brilliant selection of PINK goodies. People are so kind and generous, not only with the presents we all exchanged but with the support I have had from them through out the year.

***

“Anyone who believes that men are the equal of women has never seen a man trying to wrap a Christmas present”
~ Anon
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21stDecember
"The earth has grown old with its burden of care But at Christmas it always is young, The heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair And its soul full of music breaks the air, When the song of angels is sung."
~ Phillips Brooks (1835-93), American Episcopal bishop, wrote 'O Little Town of Bethlehem'.

I could not resist taking this photo of a shop window display that I saw whilst out this week! All these choristers were made by local children.
***
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!”
~ Elf
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20th December
"May peace be more than a season, may it be a way of life"
- Unknown

Not too peaceful at the moment with all the Christmas preparations. But it is always a good idea to take some time out in the run up to Christmas and relax.
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“May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!” ~Author Unknown
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19th December
"A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all, But softly gives itself away; While quite unselfish, it grows small."
~ Eva K Logue

Candle light really does mellow the mood of a room.
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Remembrance, like a candle...burns brightest at Christmas Time.
- Charles Dickens
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18th December
"There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child"
~ Erma Bombeck
Reflect on Christmas past:

I have had many happy Christmas memories, however, when I come to reflect on Christmas’s past I can not help but remember that my Mum died the on 21st December when I was 5 years old and my Dad died on 14th December last year.
This photo is one that I took on my many trips to London last Christmas whilst sorting out my Dad's affairs and funeral.
This Christmas is going to be so different.
***
When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness." ~Bob Hope
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17th December
"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."
~ Norman Vincent Peale

The lights at Christmas are so pretty and following Anna’s lead today I have had fun with playing with my camera today to achieve some Bokeh effects with my Christmas tree lights.
***
Christmas is not in tinsel and lights and outward show. The secret lies in an inner glow. It's lighting a fire inside the heart. Good will and joy a vital part. It's higher thought and a greater plan. It's glorious dream in the soul of man.
~ Wilfred A. Peterson, The Art of Living
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16th December
"There is no ideal Christmas; only the one Christmas you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires, affections, traditions."
~ Bill McKibben
Do you have any Christmas traditions?

Abbie has started a tradition all of her own by making 2 special tree decorations every year.
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Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone. ~Charles Schulz
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15th December
"I'm dreaming of a "---" Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know"
- Bing Crosby
What are you dreaming of this Christmas?

Not sure what my dreams are except rest and relaxation with the family.
I am starting to get in the festive mood today, as Abbie’s school is putting on a Dickensian Christmas play.
***
Remember
This December,
That love weighs more than gold!
~ Josephine Dodge
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14th December
"Celebrate good times, come on! (Let's celebrate)
There's a party goin' on right here
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times, and your laughter too
We gonna celebrate your party with you"
~ Kool and the Gang
What are you celebrating today?

Last Friday Jules passed her Viva. After 7 years of hard work she will be Dr. instead of Ms. That is certainly something for the family to celebrate. No recent photo but this one from July will have to do until Jules comes home for Christmas.
***
“Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.”
~ Napoleon Hill
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13th December
"Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
'Tis the season to be jolly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Don we now our gay apparel"
Is your house all ready for Christmas?

The house might ready but I am not!
Abbie and Colin have managed to set up our little village. Just looking in the shop windows makes you want to be there!!!
***
Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles.
~ Author Unknown
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12th December
"Oh I'm the happiest Christmas tree
Look how pretty they dressed me
Oh lucky lucky me

I got shiny bells the jingle
And tiny lights that tingle
Whenever anyone passes by
I blink my lights and wink my eye!"

I always dread is turning on of the Christmas lights for the first time. Luckily it only took me half an hour this year to check them and get them all working.
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Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.
~ Larry Wilde,
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11th December
"It's the most wonderful time of the year.
With the kids jingle belling,
and everyone telling you,
"Be of good cheer,"
It's the most wonderful time of the year."

The shops have been getting ready for Christmas since September but I think that Christmas starts in December and not before.
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From a commercial point of view, if Christmas did not exist it would be necessary to invent it.
~ Katharine Whitehorn
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10th December
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev'rywhere you go;
Take a look in the five-and-ten, glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
Toys in ev'ry store,
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
On your own front door."

Just as well this is not a real candy cane, all that sugar would not be good for the waistline and it is difficult enough at this time of year trying to loose weight as it is!
***
Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas.
~ Dale Evans
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9th December
Christmas is just around the corner, this week lets get inspired by Christmas music!
The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown:
~ The Holly and the Ivy

Decorated holly and ivy always takes me back to my primary school days when every year we made table decorations to take home. Getting messy with glitter was as much fun then as it is now!
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Oh, for the good old days when people would stop Christmas shopping when they ran out of money.
~Author Unknown
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8th December
For fast-acting relief try slowing down. -Lily Tomlin
At this time of the year, we are all guilty of having so much to do and not enough time.Just taking enough time out to take a self portrait today.
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“Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.” ~ Diogenes Laetius
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7th December
There comes a time when you roll up your sleeves and put yourself at the top of your commitment list.
~ Marian Wright Edelman

Sue and Abbie took part in this years Santa fun run alongside another 998 Santa’s committed to helping others.
I am so proud of them both and especially after Abbie has suffered this week with pain in her knees.
***
"An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises.”
~ Mae West
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6th December
These are the magic years…and therefore magic days…and therefore magic moments.
~ Anonymous

Just one of the magical moments from a wonderful Christmas evening spent with friends.
Thank you, Sandie, for giving us all such a magical evening.
***
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.
- Norman Vincent Peale
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5th December
"Let us pause to warm both our hands before the fire of life"
~ Walter Landor

No fire but plenty of warmth from my breath!
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If the world seems cold to you, kindle fires to warm it.
~ Lucy Larcom
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4th December
"If cold December gave you birth, The month of snow and ice and mirth, Place on you hand a Turquoise blue, Success will bless whate'er you do."
~ Anon

A selection of the troll beads I have been given, each one special.
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The idea of linking color and behavior is reasonable enough. Anyone who has ever felt blue, seen red, blacked out, or turned green knows we're prone to make emotional associations with different shades.
~ Winifred Gallagher
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3rd December
“How like a winter hath my absence been. From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year! What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen, What old December's bareness everywhere!"
~ William Shakespeare

Oxford has many wonderful sights and this is just one of them at the moment.
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When the bold branches bid farewell to rainbow leaves -Welcome wool sweaters.~ B. Cybrill
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2nd December
“How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?”
~ Dr. Seuss
The end of the year is nigh, our 365 journey is coming to an end, what has changed since June till now?

I have got my health back.
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Time is what prevents everything from happening at once.
~ John Archibald Wheeler
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1st December
Embarrassment
~ Embarrassment is an emotional state experienced upon having a socially or professionally unacceptable act or condition witnessed by or revealed to others.

At the beginning of this project I was too embarrassed to put a lot of self portraits on my blog.
I must have come a long way because this week I am in every photo!
***
“Most things in life are moments of pleasure and a lifetime of embarrassment; photography is a moment of embarrassment and a lifetime of pleasure.”
~ Tony Benn
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30th November
Love, loving
~ Love is any of a number of emotions and experiences related to a sense of strong affection.

We just love this little girl so much.
She is the light in our lives and our hope for the future.
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"Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old."
~ Author: Mary H. Waldrip
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29th November
Cry/crying
~ The term crying most commonly refers to the act of shedding tears as a response to an emotional state in humans
Sometimes I feel like crying but then I remember all that I have to be happy about.

Crying is something I usually do in solitude unless of course I am watching a soppy film
And then I can sniff for England!!
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The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.
~ John Vance Cheney
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28th November
Anger, angry
~ Anger is an emotional state that may range from minor irritation to intense rage.

I try not to get angry or show anger, however when I do, watch out!!!
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For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness. ~Author Unknown
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27th November
Laughter/laughing
~ Laughter is an audible expression, or appearance of merriment or happiness, or an inward feeling of joy and pleasure.

With apologies to my family BUT I thought this one might make you laugh
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“Her hat is a creation that will never go out of style; it will just look ridiculous year after year.”
~ Fred Allen
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26th November
Sad/Sadness
~ Sadness is an emotion characterized by feelings of disadvantage, loss, and helplessness. When sad, people often become quiet, less energetic, and withdrawn. Sadness is considered to be the opposite of happiness.

No chocolate for me whilst ‘doing’ the slimming world diet!
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Sadness flies away on the wings of time.
~ Jean de La Fontaine
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25th November
We are on the home stretch now, with only a few weeks left, before our year long project is completed.
This week we are going to look at our emotions.
Happiness/Happy
~ Happiness is an emotion associated with feelings ranging from contentment and satisfaction to bliss and intense joy

A very content me.
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Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more.
~ Brother David Steindl-Rast
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