31-12-25, New Year's Eve, a lovely (spendy) yesterday and the Sixth Day of Christmas

Morning, all.  So here we are on the last day of 2025.  

On the sixth day of Christmas

I gave unto myself . . . 

stuff for my hair
one book to read ................

two smelly soaps

one reed diffuser

warm, fluffy socks

and a Jamie Oliver book

Its a big pot of conditioning mask - I spent ages looking for quick stuff as I really can't be doing with putting it on wet hair, waiting for goodness how long and then having to get back in the shower to wash it off.  The shower does a much better rinsing job than a mug in the sink!

Anyway, this is a two minute thing meaning wash hair first, mask on, wash myself and then it is time to rinse it off.  Works for me!

Yesterday was really good.  I did 2/3 of Groove (exercise still sets off the coughing), which I was pleased with and at midday-ish I set off to catch the bus into town for my Specsavers appointment.

I have to say, I am always really impressed with the way Specsavers manages their customers.  I have never had to wait all that long and today I had hardly got my book out before I was 'collected' and the process started.
I always book the extra eye health check because why not.  I have a 'freckle' at the back of my eye that is doing nothing and going nowhere but it's always good to check because it might decide to make its presence felt at some point.  I also have baby cataracts so ditto.

Anyway, the reason why I went was because I have noticed that my distance vision is not as clear as it was and should be.  I can still read car registrations at however-many-metres-it-is but it's just not sharp.  Close sight seems fine but, with all the hoo-hah about older drivers and vision, etc, I like to keep on top of things.

And, as it turned out, my right eye has stayed the same but my left has 'changed', probably cataract related but there's no need to worry about that yet.  I'm not worried, that was her word - when the time comes I will have it dealt with.
So, the bottom line is that they are making a new left lens for my usual glasses and two new lenses for my prescription sunglasses (because the tint won't be the same otherwise) and, in about a fortnight, I drop the glasses off, wear my previous ones for the day (not looking forward to that) and pick them up late afternoon.  Thank goodness for buses and bus passes!

As I paid an eye watering amount for basically three lenses (and, let's be fair, a whole lot of specialist workmanship) I reflected with gratitude on how fortunate I am.  Yes, it was an awful lot but I can afford it without going short on other necessary things - and that is such a blessing, isn't it?

As for the cataract, she said several times that I was a Very Good Girl - no, she didn't phrase it like that but that's what she meant - to come in earlier than my next due sight test date because I noticed a change; so many people don't do that (looking at the cost, I am hardly surprised - but didn't say so, obv.) and, please, if I have the slightest concern in the future, come back immediately.
Don't worry - I will.

Then I met up with Beth who trundled down into town in her wheelchair, we had coffee and a chat and then we hit the shops and the sales.

We started in John Lewis where both she and I bought a few things and I found my new coffee maker.

I've been looking for a while as my old one is becoming a bit - er - erratic, shall we say, I had been considering this one (bit too expensive though), it uses the same pods as at present and yesterday it was nicely reduced.  And, when you consider how much a coffee from a coffee shop costs, it will pay for itself.
(I know this is false reasoning but I don't care)

If I am totally honest, I would love an all singing and all dancing machine where you put the beans in one end and a wonderful mug of coffee comes out the other but I have neither the room nor the money for it and I doubt I would use many of the extra features when my height of coffee-bliss is a nice black.  When Ernie comes up trumps . . . maybe!  In the meanwhile it is Wonky Pods for me!
The nice John Lewis man ordered it for me and it will be delivered at some point.

This is it.  Nothing special and £49, less than I had been expecting to pay.
I could have had it in white but the man looked that up and . . . wait for it . . .  the same machine in white was £105!!

I wouldn't have paid that just for a different colour!

After that excitement, we wandered in and out of shops.  I bought two (reduced) tops in a new shop that only opened last week called Penny Plain; definitely my sort of shop and Beth was rather taken with it too.  It supports widows in India by donating a portion of profits.  Nice, 'gentle' clothes, if you know what I mean.  I will go back, for sure.

And just to cap a lovely time, as I arrived at the bus stop, up rolled my bus.  Perfect!

I've been pondering resolutions/aims/targets, etc; more about that tomorrow, maybe.  

I hope 2025 has been a pretty good year for you.  For me, it has been a good year, what with holidays, coach trips, friends, crafting, garden, etc

However, for some close to me it has been a terrible year with some very sad losses and I so hope 2026 heralds a change for the better for them.

Have a lovely day.  Are you partying until midnight and beyond or is it a case of beauty sleep first?  I bet you can guess what mine will be, lol.

Whichever it is, enjoy, may any hangovers be small ones and I will see you all again next year!