We had out gutters cleaned out first thing this morning, getting ready for Winter by clearing out all the moss that the birds have been depositing in them over the last few months. I don't know where they get it all from as we had our roof and that of next door cleaned completely last year, so there shouldn't be that much moss up there for them to collect.
Anyway once the guy had finished both houses and the annexe Alan suggested going to Booths for a bacon butty, I shared a bowl of chips with him too and enjoyed a cup of coffee. Then it was time to grab a bit of shopping from both Booths and Aldi as we usually do.
Ginger's preferred cat food is currently on offer at Booths and cheaper there than everywhere else, so we bought six packs each containing four little pots, which is nearly two weeks of food.
Not buying any alcohol has significantly reduced my food spend this last few weeks. Even at less than a fiver a bottle it soon adds up. Once again I have bought a few treaty things, and a couple of things that make life easier with all the travelling we are still doing.
Microwaveable rice and vegetables in little portion sized bags may seem extravagant, but when they make life simple and mean there is food to eat in minutes, it's very appreciated.
Life has felt very 'samey samey' for the last few months, and I have noticed that my blog posts have reflected this. Maybe it's the writing about it as well as living it that doubles the impact. While I realise that I am not the only blogger that writes 'same old, same old' posts over and over again, I hate being that person, it's just not me.
I think the main reason for this is that I am currently living in a kind of limbo, keeping things going that just have to be kept going, all the while wishing for the end to be in sight and not around a bend that could be just a single curve in the road, or the beginning of yet another series of chicanes. It's been tough on us all for the majority of this year and I think it whittles down your ability to relax into life. We snatch the moments, the walks along a sea front, a coffee in a café etc, but they are punctuated with such relentless seriousness, the relief they offer seems to vanish.
This is way too serious now, I will sign off for now.
Sue xx
The moment I stocked up for my cats was the moment they decide never to eat that brand again.
ReplyDeleteHaha, that is the risk isn't it. 😄
DeleteDo not feel you have to apologise for living a completely normal life. Same old, same old and being in a horrible limbo are, I fear, very common for many of our generation.
ReplyDeleteNeither should you apologise for buying veg which is quick to prepare if you are exhausted. I am the only person who eats salad in this house, and I do not want it every single day, certainly not this time of year.
Last week I grabbed one of those plastic boxes which every supermarket seems to offer realising that it was a heck of a lot cheaper than buying all the components individually, in much larger quantities than I needed. I was a bit shocked to find it was a huge portion and really nice . . . I might even do it again 🤣
Oh believe me, I wasn't apologising just nipping any negative comments in the bud. 😀
DeleteI bought a yellow-sticker salad bowl last week for just 49p, as you say much cheaper than buying component parts. It actually did me for two meals, once as a side salad and then the rest piled on a bun with some cheese.
That's what life should be for it to be a calm life. Unfortunately illness either one's own or a loved one really throws a wrench into a calm existence.
ReplyDeleteYes, exactly that Marcia. xx
DeleteThe limbo time is so... limbo-y. Just keeping going, stating cheerful, getting through the days is stupidly tiring. So I say yes, make tour life easier wherever you can!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I don't 'do' limbo very well. As most of you know I have always been a 'doer' not a watcher and waiter ... I have limited patience. We are both moving forward with sorting and selling things at the moment. It keeps us busy and out of mischief. :-)
DeleteI'd give anything for same old, same old at the moment.
ReplyDeleteYes, sometimes it can have it's place can't it. Take care. xx
DeleteI think that we all have our fair share of seemingly posting the same thing over and over again. Life sometimes hits a rut and we just keep on keeping on.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
We have to keep on keeping on don't we, there is really no alternative ... unless I run away and join the circus. ;-)
DeleteI enjoy hearing about your life and its ups and downs and its plateaus. There is something in your posts that is somehow reassuring. Maybe some of that is because I have some of the same motivations as you, principally my first two cups of coffee with breakfast and reading. Do not discourage yourself! ie Keep on keeping on. Regards, Susan from Sw France
ReplyDelete'Ups, downs and plateaus' ... what a perfect description. I'm glad that you find my posts reassuring. :-)
DeleteIt's rather "same old, same old" over here, too, with the added need to be cautious about saying what's really on one's mind as that could get one in trouble. Take care of yourself and treat yourself kindly whether it means convenience food or treats. It's okay.
ReplyDeleteI think part of my problem is the constant need to 'bite my tongue' and not say what's really on my mind. I really do not want to hurt people that are already hurting. I will be treating myself for the rest of this month I think. :-)
DeleteI have the microwavable rice in the cupboard for when I am late back from somewhere and need a component for a meal. The one I like has wholegrain, wild and red rice.
ReplyDeleteIt's bound to have been a difficult year for you with your mum's health declining, and at times like this you can only keep on keeping on. Perhaps planning some little outings to cheer you up - I find I need things to look forward to.
Yes, I usually have at least one emergency rice in the cupboard, but when I went to get one the other day they were all gone. I did actually feel better for making up a batch of 'real rice' in the rice maker, but the instant would have been good.
DeleteIt has been a tough couple of years, and don't worry we have lots of little outings, and far too many meals out. But the downside to modern living is that I always have my phone with me, and bad news, and me being needed to sort out problems is a mere phone call away.
I want to say how much I agree with the above comments, and also reassure you Sue that I never find your posts boring. Sending a hug across the miles x
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
Thank you so much Alison. xx
DeleteI always enjoy your posts and look forward to them. They don't feel samey samey to me and I always learn something from you that helps/entertains me. I hate being in Limbo too. We are trying to sell our house to no avail and I feel thwarted, don't like it.
ReplyDeleteI think with me it's more that life has been very samey samey, maybe it makes me feel that my posts are too.
DeleteTrying to sell a house is as bad as trying to buy one. We had one sale that just didn't happen, after almost a year of trying after accepting the offer, and then two house purchases that each took over 18 months not so long ago. One fell through after we had been patiently waiting. Happily the other didn't. So I can sympathise with you feeling thwarted.
Sue, your posts are some of my favorites. I read here every day :) But I completely understand the feeling, which is why I only write once or twice a week. But I had to weigh in on the house selling because we are in the middle of that ourselves and it's so stressful. In fact, we have moved to an apartment and I hope I never have to buy or sell another house as long as I live. Even to sell our house, we will pay $20,000 in closing costs! How is that even possible? Cars and houses are best done when you have cash and you don't have to haggle or go through the stress of financing.
DeleteI look forward to all your posts too, Sue, and never find them boring or samey. Life is never easy for long is it. It has a way of pulling us this way and that at the drop of a hat. Worrying about your mum isn't helping either. Life can be tough so take heart that we are all thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteAngie xx
I'm glad you enjoy my posts, thank you.
DeleteJust to reassure you I am not worrying about my Mum at all, after all she's in a safe place with good people around her while she slowly fades away, when in fact she actually wants to go quickly. Happily her mind is now protecting her as she has lost a lot of her mental faculties, so her frustration levels have gone away. It is what it is.
Actually, my own mum felt the same about going quickly and she lasted just 2 weeks in a care home. My brother-in-law was given a prognosis of 4 - 6 weeks in May this year and is still here. He has lost so much weight and is not really 'with it' now thankfully. Life can be so cruel at times.
Delete