Blog for Tuesday 9th December 2025

I rolled out of bed and into the new day at twenty past four this morning. Yes! A little slow this morning, I fear. But hey! I got up, give me that!

It was time for a coffee and then upstairs I did trot to have my Quiet Time and to begin this new day that was slowly uncurling before me.

Today early this morning and in the early evening I watered Paddy's trees to make sure they had a fighting chance at survival. I am pleased to report that they are looking lovely and not wilted at all!

Today I was determined to do some of the jobs that are not my favourites - the fridges and the kitchen cupboards.

I began with teeth well gritted, a smile slapped on my face, sleeves rolled up and a mind focussed on victory.

I started with the freezer compartment of the one fridge, then the two fridges and I checked the used by dates of everything in them. Next, I wiped and rub-a-dubbed all until it shone.

Now, because of that power outage for almost four days I had to throw such a lot of stuff away - quite heart breaking actually. I began cooking a large container of chicken thighs for the dogs to have tonight and will continue to do so until all the fish and chicken is cooked for the dogs. That will take me a few days.

All the beautiful dips were rancid and so I poured them into a large bowl added water and spilled them into the camp alongside the top shed. The rain will wash that away. I did not want to tip it down the drain and cause any problems by doing so.

While I was busy doing all this work in the kitchen area I put on two loads of washing. I washed both fluffy dogs' beds for Raafie and tumble dried them too, so they came out extra fluffy.

My next job in the kitchen was to attack the cupboards. I managed to do the crockery cupboard after pulling everything out and wiping the shelves before replacing everything. Then I did the Tupperware and plastic container cupboard - that one is always a nightmare, but honestly, today it was a synch as it was fairly neat and tidy!

The cupboard area under the kitchen sink is always a nightmare one for me as there are holes into the great outdoors yonder in which I am quite sure reptiles will be lurking! Thankfully today there were none! Yep, one needs nerves of steel cleaning those cupboards and eyes that dart left to right at the speed of light nog al!

As today was another snorter of a hot day, I kept thinking I would stop and take a break, drink some icy cold water and watch something on the i-pad, but alas, that did not materialise. Why not? Because the internet was off. Bless!

I got to drink the water as I continued my tasks for the day though.

After a whole day without the internet, I realised that something was wrong and discovered that the plug on the wall was not in properly. Wonderful - an easy fix!

For our supper, as it was still too hot to want to eat, I made us some sliced steak, red onion, with green tomato relish sandwiches, with some lettuce on the side. They were actually perfect for what we needed.

I headed for bed not long afterwards and was soon fast asleep. I went to sleep smiling as I was well pleased with what I had achieved today towards having a clean, neat and well organised home. Good.

What lesson did I learn today? To do what I set out to do no matter what.

What am I grateful for today? The determination to get things done.

My saying for today is ...