The Year of the Horse

 

I've always had a passing interest in the Chinese years, also a slight interest in astrology, made more profound because virtually everything that I read about Aries people, of which I am one, seems to be so spot on.

I used to read the horoscopes in the paper many, many years ago.  Now it's just a passing interest if something comes up online and catches my attention.

Back in the days after my divorce had been finalised, and just before I met Alan I signed up for Yahoo Personals, the online dating site ... yep that's how we met, we were pioneers of online dating.  Back when it used to be a much safer place with no 'catfishing' and very little scamming.  One of the adverts that I replied to was from a guy called John, who advertised with:

Pisces Monkey seeking Aries Rat

I was intrigued, as no doubt was his plan, so I responded, well I am an Aries rat!!  We had a couple of dates, and the main ... no the sole ... conversation was about astrology and Chinese years, calendars, animals.  

I moved on as rats tend to do when there's nothing of interest on offer.  🐀

What is your astrology sign and Chinese animal year?

Sue xx

Same Old, Same Old, But in the New Year

 

There's definitely no New Year resolutions here, yes there are plans, but they pretty much are the same as they have always been.  

Take part in Veganuary, reassess my eating habits at the end of the month.  Spend as little money as possible to try and survive until the pension kicks in, so basically all the same old, same old that makes life easy, bearable and with a bit of a challenge.

When I was getting the grand and great-grandchildren's Christmas and birthday money out of my savings account I withdrew some extra cash for myself.  So I have a budget of £50 a month for the first four months of this year.  I have the usual couple of pounds worth of Nectar points that I will make use of in Sainsbury's, and a really useful £15 worth of M&S vouchers.

I also have £100 worth of Riverford Organic Veg Box vouchers that I won in a competition last year via the Vegetarian Society.  So I should be eating pretty well. 

I will be tipping any money that I have in my bag or pockets into my little emergency stash, which I have built up over the last couple of months from little sales on Facebook Marketplace. There's not a huge amount but it will all help, and of course there's my little 'change box' for when things get really tight.

So now it's time to do the start of the year financial housekeeping and check the bank balances, start a new page for monitoring things in my diary and pay off the credit card for the year.  Then we have a blank slate and a fresh start, it's a good feeling isn't it.

Sue xx

Shopping, Veganuary ... and Pyjamas

 

The final shopping photo of 2025.

I called to Sainsbury's and Aldi this morning for emergency Lemsip supplies for us both, and while I was in both shops I had a browse at their Veganuary offerings.  There were slim pickings in our little branches, but that wasn't really a problem as I didn't want to buy anything specific except some mayonnaise and I managed to get that in Aldi.  But I did buy a few extra things to pop into the freezer for those nights when I haven't the energy or the will to do much.

And the Apple Strudel called out my name as I passed by.  😁

So for January I will be taking part in Veganuary.   I decided a while ago that I would be going back to my vegan roots in 2026, and this seems like a good way to see if that really is what I want for the future.  Eating eggs and fish has worn thin with me, they brought me no visible or measurable health benefits and have just turned me into a lazy cook.

It's time to change things up a bit.

I'm signing off for the year now, so I will see you bright and fresh in the brand new, New Year.  

I would like to take this opportunity to thank every single one of you who have read along with my wacky, at times unexpected ramblings.  Thank those of you who leave comments, and occasionally suggestions and put up with my answering or not answering as time and whims dictate, and to say that I hope that each and every one of you have a calm and peaceful entrance into 2026.

I will be tucked up cosy and warm way before any bells ring for the New Year, so my party dress code is pyjamas.  😄

Happy New Year.

Sue xx

Days and Differences

 

That's exactly how I feel today.

Yesterday we visited Mum for the first time since way before Christmas, she hadn't even noticed that we hadn't been to see her.  Sometimes it's nice not to be missed.  😄

I'm taking a break to write a blog post because Alan has me choosing all my 'bathroom fittings' from the Wickes and the B&Q catalogue, while he's away at the bungalow taking the garage roof ready for demolition.  Wickes is not my favourite, so I have discounted all their offerings and stuck with B&Q for the few things that I want from there.  Alan is going all new and modern, with black taps, shower head, radiator, towel rails etc etc.  

That is not my way

Not a brilliant photo, the pedestal is not that skinny looking in real life, my camera angles must have been a bit wacky!!

I want to keep the sink and the toilet that are already in the bungalow and as long as the toilet works properly and we can get new 'innards' for it that is my starting point.  Where Alan's en-suite is going to be all black, white and sleek, I am chrome and original white.  The taps will be changed on the sink. but why would I want to get rid of such a brilliantly big sink.

My fittings will be chrome or stainless steel but the walls of my bathroom will be papered when I find  something suitably 'happy making' to lavish on at least one of the walls.  It will all come together eventually but Alan's way of planning it tires my brain, I had to disregard my little list and sit and write  code numbers into his spread sheet ... his rows are many compared to mine.

I think he despairs of my way as much as I despair of his.  We are a good match.  😄

My Christmas present to myself this year.  Once I've done this and added a shower tray and it's code to Alan's spreadsheet I think it's time to sit and have a coffee and a read ... I've earned it.

Sue xx

The In-Between Days

 

We're in those in-between days.

It's no longer Christmas although our homes are full of good food, decorations and gifts that have not found a home yet.  We don't quite know what day it is, let alone which of the leftovers to have for our lunch today.

The world seems to have tilted and left us slightly discombobulated, made all the worse if you are also feeling the after effects of illness of any kind.

We went out for a coffee and a bacon butty for Alan, and a coffee and a couple of crumpets for me at Booths this morning in at attempt to claim back some normality ... and drop off the misappropriated shopping basket.  We finished it with a detour to the bungalow to see if my befuddled workings out at fitting ensuites into both bedrooms is a viable plan.

Somehow having a few days away from the bungalow has ended up saving us quite a lot of money, as we have found a way of not having to build a porch on the side of the house or knocking part of one exterior wall down to fit new double doors.  This is the plan as it was before I planned the ensuites, less wasted space and a lot less doors.  It's all starting to come together.

I knew there would be some benefit to my brain taking a few days off.  😄

Sue xx