La Dolce Vita - 2025

helensbiggestfan

Good Morning my lovely friends.  

A professional clean sounds like a great idea. I have been thinking I might do something similar - say every 6 months or so. Recently I had my oven professionally cleaned.  The one I inherited here which was filthy,  It came up like new, so it was worth every penny.  This week I have vaxed my large oriental carpet.  I was shocked at how dirty it was. Lol. I ended up giving it two goes. It's come up a treat, I forgot it had such lovely colours.  

 I recently donated some excess furniture to the YMCA ready to reorganise the spare bedrooms, just waiting on my handyman now.  I also have a load of stuff in the garage so he will also do a tip run for me. I have decided I really can't be bothered with the hassle of trying to sell things of relatively low value, I will just donate, take things to the tip or hire a skip. It all takes time but I'll get there and then my house will be much more organised and it will be easier to clean and maintain.  

Today I need to sort out my car tax and insurance renewal. Then I need to arrange a gutter clean, boiler service etc.  The survey also pointed out there was a bit of a build of leaves and debris in the drains so as soon as the trees opposite have shed their leaves I'll get on that. 

 And then of course....Christmas.  I got rid of my Christmas tree, it was too big for this house so will need to get a replacement.  I have also been buying some bits for the house.  

 Last week I bought some new autumn decor items, wreath for the door and a nice centre piece for a table or sideboard. I also bought some new outside lights and replaced the tatty outside doormat with a nice new smart one.  Just need to sort out some trees and shrubs now.  

The new house is gradually starting to feel like "home".  Putting my own stamp on it.

The usual family Easter holiday now booked, a lovely luxurious air bnb in the Peak District.  Not very far away but always a nice break.  I wont even mind if the weather is bad, it's just nice to have that family time together. 

Right time to get cracking.......a bite to eat, a mini at home spa session and then get down to some admin.  

helensbiggestfan

What a year 2025 is turning out to be..... I shall be glad to see the back of it.  Hopefully 2026 will be better.  

I was particularly saddened to see the death Robert Redford this week.  My generations answer to Brad Pitt. 😁.  So many of my generation getting sick now and slipping away.  Makes me very aware of the passage of time.  I'm starting to question how long I have left. But .......I mustn't get maudlin.  

 my new mantra is "Not Done Yet". 

I have just paid my car tax and insurance.  🤞🤞 for another year of motoring.  I had to have a new drivers licence due to moving house.  It doesn't expire till 2027 so good to go for another couple of years.  I understand rules of eligibility for over 70s have recently changed but I neednt concern myself just yet.  

Have been busy batch cooking, stocking up the freezer.  Hopefully it will help me reduce the food bill,,,,  today Im catching up on laundry using the special half price deal on electricity that my supplier offers on Sundays.  

Every little helps......

Humdinger1

You're really cracking on @helensbiggestfan! It sounds increasingly cosy and your organisation skills are off the scale.  You're quite right not to worry about the over-70 driving thing; you're not there yet and given all the other stuff the government has on, I doubt it will play out in the way proposed.   Love Humdinger xx 

Debsnewbudget

All sounding great, well done.
I have just booked a holiday to see gorillas in Uganda …… working on the basis I am fit enough now but not sure about in a couple of years !
I have also decided to fly business class as its overnight flights, so need to really get saving up to pay balance in March. 

helensbiggestfan

Wow, gorillas in the mist sounds fantastic.  And definitely treat yourself to business class.  Travel in comfort and style.  

Yes I'm not going to worry about the driving licence thing.  No point in crossing bridges before we get to them.  A lot can happen in two years.  

Well I've had a productive week.  Have been reorganising my finances, have booked another excess furniture pick up for next week. I'm loving the idea of streamlining everything, getting rid of all the excess.  It's very liberating.  I have ordered some nice light fittings.  My son will install them next week.  

I bought myself a gorgeous satin patterned evening jacket, in colours of red, gold and green on a cream background. Perfect for Christmas.  An amazing bargain, just £5. I need another jacket like a need a hole in the head but it's so beautiful I couldn't resist.  And at that price it would have been rude not to.  Lol. 

I have also been to both the dentist and the chiro this week.  I need to have some dental x rays just to check the implants but the dentist was very pleased with the way I am maintaining  them. She says they look very secure and that my oral health was excellent.  I must admit I am very pleased. I am determined to look after my investment.😬. 

Today i am having a mini at home spa afternoon, nails, facial.  Will have a nice dinner of lamb  shank, watch a film and an earlyish night.  My son wants me to watch something he has recommended so we can compare notes. Lol. I think it's rather sweet that he still values my opinion and likes to have my input.  

Trying a new restaurant on Sunday. Bring chauffeured there and back, so I can relax with a glass or three. 🥂

life is good.  Loving the Dolce Vita.  It was the 11th anniversary of my husbands death earlier this year and I can now finally say that I have entered into a phase of peace, contentment and serenity.  Finally able to let go of the grief and pain.  Maybe it's this house........but I feel free and "whole" again.  Have been rediscovering my old favourite music.  For a long time I couldn't listen to music, it was too painful, it brought back too many memories. I

i think it's a sign I'm finally healed.  😁

Humdinger1

@helensbiggestfan you're simply amazing.  Keep on inspiring us all with your posts.  Love Humdinger xx 

Wednesday2000

I have also been getting my house ready for Autumn/Winter. I bought a nice wreath that has fairy lights on it and I bought some thicker dark green curtains and a cushion cover in the same shade. I have been collecting candles from charity shops this year so I have quite a stash and I have lots of different hot drinks so I feel well prepared for when it gets cold.

I moved around some pics as well as I bought a piece of artwork the other night at a book signing. It was strange as I went there on my own (as my husband wasn't interested) and I saw a couple walk in and invited them to sit at my table. I was saying that I had only been into that bookshop a couple of times and I hadn't noticed the artwork being on sale before. I then said I liked one particular picture and it turned out the man was the artist! I said if I bought it could they give me a lift home and they did. 

I was just chatting on the phone with my uncle who lives in the North and was saying that I might do a big trip up to the North next year and visit a few places I haven't been to before. 

helensbiggestfan

What a lovely story about the painting.  It will have even more meaning for you now having met the artist.  Will it be your first visit "up north". People who have always lived in the south of England are often astonished when they first visit the north.  They don't expect it be so beautiful.  Yes some of the cities and industrial towns can be a bit run down by comparison to those in the south. De industrialisation has left many of them looking neglected and worse for wear but the countryside remains as timeless and stunning as ever.  And the beaches.......miles and miles of perfect sandy deserted beaches which never get overcrowded, even on the hottest summer days. 

I have been busy,  the great purge continues. Today I donated a beautiful king size solid dark Indonesian teak bed to the YMCA.  It was my sons but his girlfriend never really liked it.  To be fair it is rather "masculine" so I can understand why she didn't want it, even though he had paid a lot of money for it and had only used it for about two years.  I have been storing it for over 5 years just in case they changed their minds but I eventually gave my son an ultimatum.......

It's  funny how so many parents end up keeping  their adult children's stuff, storing it for them....the months soon drag on into years.  Well I have finally rebelled and am reclaiming my space.  I am really starting to see a difference now as I get rid of all the excess.  Still got a fair bit more  to go yet but the results so far feel liberating.  

Had a fab meal out yesterday with one of my sons and his girlfriend,  fab meal, great company.  Then next weekend it will be the same with my other son, DIL and the grandchildren.  It's nice being spoilt by my family.....🤪

Right time to "get the dinner on" as we say in Derbyshire. Daft expression really. 😂🤣

Wednesday2000

My Grandfather was actually from Newcastle. I have been to a few places in the north, I went to York a couple of times in the past few years. I was thinking about going to Whitby for the Goth festival next year and then maybe going to other places like Liverpool. 

Maybe I could meet up with you on the way there or back Helen?

I went to Brighton a couple of weeks ago and met up with a lady that I have been talking online with for over 10 years and we finally met face to face! It was like meeting an old friend. 

That bed sounds cool! Lucky YMCA!

helensbiggestfan

What a fantastic idea. I would love to meet up in real life.  I already consider you as a friend, even though we haven't officially met.  

I love Newcastle and Tyneside. And a bit further up Northumbria is just stunning. My husband  and I had one final holiday there whilst he could still travel. Liverpool is a great city. I had a friend who came from the Wirral so we visited Liverpool quite often.  I keep meaning to go back because I would love to visit the Beatles museum.  

I sound like an advert for the English tourist board. Lol. But I really do love the British isles.  So much variety, so much history. I don't even mind the weather......😉