2009 was my Annus Horribillis. It started off with me being rushed into hospital with Ovarian Cancer and having a tumour removed that was bigger than a football (and I have the scar to prove it!!) I was poorly for quite sometime.
Stress at work was unbearable. The recession had hit and all sorts of changes were being put in at work. Eventually my worst fears were realised and I was made redundant. It became apparent that for all the jobs that were being advertised that suited my qualifications, hundreds and hundreds of people were applying. I thought I would have a better chance on the X Factor (and believe me when I say my singing voice is terrible).
On top of this I had to face the dreaded dole office. It really is horrible. They make you feel like you are a scrounger (even though you have paid National Insurance for years!) All of their forms and questions insinuate that you actually want to stay on the dole for a measley £65 a week, that didn't even cover my bills let alone feed my family.
As the year came to a close so to came my 40th Birthday. Many people feel awful at this stage of life, but I was determined to embrace the phrase 'life begins at 40'. I started to contemplate what I could do new with my life. My son and I have always had a passion for sweets, so he suggested that I start an online sweet shop. I thought that was a great idea and I said I would name it after my nickname for him Sweetie Monster! The year turned into 2010 and I was busy with web designers and sourcing 100s of retro sweets. My first sale was to someone in Australia - I can remember how excited I felt. The sales grew and grew and the site was being picked up by national magazines.
I was given the all clear by the hospital (I have to go for another check in a few weeks but I am really positive) and now looking back, I am glad that I was given a wake up call and made redundant. Heading into 2011 I really do believe that life begins at 40!
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