2024, the year that was.

January.

The month of flooding rains. A month of extreme relief followed by extreme stress. Emotions ran high and physically we were exhausted.

February.

A month of travel, family, recuperation and reflection on our direction in life.

March.

We return to Birrindudu via helicopter as the flood waters threatened again, our staff return and we try to make the most of our time flooded in. I have to make the heartbreaking decision to put my horse of 13 years down and I can't be there because of the floods. I was shattered.

April.

Some normality returned as some country dried out enough to start mustering, we spent as much time as we could enjoying Birrindudu whilst also battling snakes everywhere!

May.

The month we moved. Our whole life packed up and heading south, we said goodbye to the North, a place we had both loved since we were teenagers. To Birrindudu the place we had poured blood, sweat and tears (not just our own but our staffs too) and the place we had come home to as a family of four. A huge change and rollercoaster of emotions awaited.

June.

We are in the New England now, the land of sheep and black cattle. Thrust into cold weather, kids starting daycare and new jobs for us both, I haven't caught my breathe yet, we hit the ground running but I enjoy my new found sense of independence.

July.

Cold winds bite at me and so do my insides. A month I felt I needed to escape into nature even though my hands shook from cold. Realisation that I had been 'on' and stressed continuously for so many years I found it hard to relax into this new life.

August.

I started to try and find joy in everyday things again, this month seems to have mostly slipped out of my mind.

September.

Spring! As the seasons changed I felt the excitement of warmer days and new life breathing life back into me too.

Ruby turns 5 and for the first time I get to show the girls all about Springtime.

October.

I work on patience, on my temper and on trying to focus on right now. I start to form the idea of heading off on a solo adventure!

November.

I took off for the Snowy River on a solo camping adventure, I met with women I had been in touch with for years for the first time, I fell off at my first camp draft back in 12 months, the girls got a new pony - it was a busy month!

I had a huge high to start the month followed by a huge crash following my fall.

December.

What a way to round out the year!

I once again had to put an animal down that I had had for 13 years. Nala.

A few days later I turn 34 and reflect I truly don't know what I am doing and have a good cry. Jordan to the rescue with the laptop I have wanted for so long!

I sell my first ever photos and I am over the moon.

Christmas is spent with my whole family and it is truly magic - I am filled with love and gratitude for my family and so glad we made the decision to be closer to them.

Summary.

2024 was a huge year for me.

A year of very big lows and battles, I don't believe in 'new year, new me' because I am quite sure true change doesn't happen overnight.

Ruby & Della have absolutely thrived and embraced life down here, spending time with family and making friends it has been such a joy to watch them flourish.

Being able to finally slow down actually caused a bit of a melt down. I suppose as my body and mind finally caught up with all I had handled, experienced and dealt with living so remotely and raising two girls without family support, without a cafe to duck to and socialise with some other mums and the stark realisation that away from a group of people, drinking everyday to wind down wasn't a good coping mechanism and probably isn't normal.

I am looking to 2025 hopeful but somewhat reticent.

I am so lucky my family and Jordan have stood by me this year, helped me along and up and for friends who have listened to me and checked in.

2025, it's got to be better, I'll try hard to make it so!

Grace.