2nd January 2023

The weather continues to delight.  2nd January and it is nearly 25 degrees in the conservatory!  We are under no illusions, winter here is generally January and February so we know that this is probably just a delightful interlude.  Anyway we are not complaining - we are making electricity and not using electricity - it is a win-win.

Compare this with a memory that popped up today on Google Photos. Seven years ago we went for a New Year's walk with Elena, Bassam, Elena's Mum, Amora, Rabia and Lola - we were all dressed up against the cold, Elena wearing her favourite faux-fur which we said made her look like a Womble.  Little did we realise that she would not be with us the following January.  She passed away in December of this year - she looks so well in this photograph it is hard to imagine.  I miss her dreadfully - she was such a character.  One thing she would be proud of are the adults which her children have become - they are a credit to her and Bassam.

We decided that today was the day that the Christmas Decorations were coming down.  We have had them up for a month which is far too long so we spent the morning packing away and cleaning - we always manage to forget something and sure enough today we had 'finished' when I spotted two decorations still hanging from the door handles of my craft cupboard!  The Christmas Cards will be recycled - Mum's friend Fran uses them to make new cards so I have asked all the girlies on the estate to save theirs and let me have them rather than bin them.

I am going to try and make sure I make all my own cards this year, birthday and Christmas and gifts where I can.  Having cleared away the decorations I have a load of ideas of things I want to make.  When we went to Lilian's she and her friend Sally had made these really cute Father Christmas's and I have the toilet rolls and curtains rings to make my own.  All I need is some decent coloured wool - I can't believe I gave a whole load away this year but that it just my luck!  I shall be on the hunt for red for the hat and something like what is in the picture for the beard.

We had the remainder of the other night's chili for supper - John had to stay up because the Mighty Blades were playing this evening - kick off not till about 10.00pm so there was no way I was staying up.  I planned a nice sleep but that was never going to happen because I could hear John shouting at the TV - the Blades managed a draw - scoring in the 96th minute!!!