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

Not the Christmas That We Expected ...

 

We've not had the Christmas we expected, but we had a Christmas and that's more than some have.

Santa left us a dose of flu each.  Alan started on Tuesday and me on Christmas Eve, we did manage to pick up the Christmas food order from Booths, but Alan wasn't thinking straight and accidentally brought the supermarket's shopping basket home with us still carrying the food in the boot of the car.

  We will return it, sheepishly and apologetically when we are both thinking and walking straight.

We didn't forget the gravy ... we somehow cobbled the Christmas dinner together between us, and manfully and womanfully ploughed through as much of it as we could.  It was the one meal of the day we could manage, it's been leftovers ever since.  Thank goodness for fridges.

The best news of all, none of the Christmas chocolate or alcohol has been touched ... so it should be a good New Year.

I do hope your Christmases were good.  🎄

Sue xx

Blogmas Day Twenty Five - Happy Christmas to You All

 Wishing all my readers, friends, family and blogging buddies the very happiest of Christmases.  

May your day be everything that you want it to be.

And always remember the very best present we can give ourselves and our loved ones is time.

Take time for yourself at some point today and breathe in the wonder of the season, or just of a simple December day.  

However you celebrate, or chose not to celebrate, take part of this day for yourself.

Happy Christmas from Sue, Alan and Ginger xx