Saturday, 03-06-23

 Good morning, everyone.  It's another dull start but the forecast is for a really lovely day so I'm up for that!  

First of all, thank you so much for your helpful advice regarding this Christmas cruise thingy.  I'm still pondering!

Regarding saving for it - I've always put a certain amount of my income into savings, just a general savings account with immediate access if needed.  It's generic savings for anything that comes up as well as for longer term, not specifically for this, that or the other so if, for example, the washing machine died, I could replace it straight away without needing to borrow.  I think this is a common way of doing it for those of us fortunate enough to be in a position of being able to do so and the fact that I do is down to my Dad's wise advice when I was newly divorced and having to deal with financial things as a solo person.  It has enabled me to be totally debt free which makes me feel secure.

It's a bit different now, what with inheritance, etc, but I still have the general savings account and that's not changing but I am going to do some separate accounting so I know that a certain amount is specifically to pay for holidays.  It feels a bit odd in a way but it also feels 'right'.  So, for a while, the monthly savings, any Premium Bonds wins (they come up fairly frequently but small amounts, usually)  and any end of the month money (there is some, occasionally) will be counted as holiday fund.  I'll see how that works and I've started a separate Excel thingy to keep tabs on it.

What some of you said about not knowing what the future holds really hit home.  I'm lucky enough to feel much younger and fitter than many my age but there's no getting away from the fact that I'm in my seventies (how did that happen, eh?) and, at my age now, my paternal grandfather had passed away, both my in-laws too and their son, my ex, has long been gone.  You are right, we don't know and, while I am extremely happy with my life, when opportunities come along, maybe they are to be grasped with both hands as much as ever I can.

Because, without being negative, there's a lot more time behind me than there is ahead of me now, isn't there?

I'm not just talking posh cruises, I'm also talking about folk art courses, fitness classes, Center Parcs, walks with friends in the park, solar panels, fillet steak, lunch with family, and all the as yet unknown things that are bound to come this way . . . there's so much lovely stuff out there to appreciate and experience.

Goodness, what a heavy way to start a weekend blog post!  Let's get back to normal!

Yesterday was lovely and sunny and, as I was desperately tied after my poor night, I just took things easy and rested up.  I did go to Slimming World where we had a hilarious discussion about kiwis (the fruit, not the people) and constipation, as one of the ladies had that latter!  Among the laughter, some very helpful things were said, so it was informative as well as entertaining.

The cleaners came, bless them, worked their magic and left again and I snoozed on and off.  I had a great night's sleep too, although some of that might have been the wine!!

Today there is just one thing in the diary and that's our occasional walk from Tower Gardens to the coffee shop, round the 'lake' and back again.  We haven't had one for ages and I missed the last one because I was at Potters so I'm really looking forward to it.

Then, as it is supposed to be such a lovely day, I think I will get my washing all done.  Not bedding, I did that a few days ago, but there's quite a pile of darks to do and some whites as well.
I can do some meal planning too and - eeek - think about the decision I need to make.

Do you have anything special planned for this weekend or are you chilling like me! 
Stay safe and happy and, again, thanks for the support!  xx