Wednesday 31 December 2014

Bye bye 2014, it's been good knowing you

Hello, it's countdown time. Not long to go now till the midnight hour. Don't know if I can stay awake that long. I'm back home now for good, my house/dog sitting duties are done. Henry is with the other sitter and his mummy comes back on Friday. I think he has had a good time on his holidays, walking different routes, and playing with Guinness and Angus, his doggy pals. Got to be better than going in kennels. At least I will be able to sleep comfortably in my own bed tonight, without a choc lab next to me. He is as long as me when stretched out, a big lump to shove over when he is in the middle, ha ha.

Ah, it's nice to be back in my hovel, erm spacious yet comfortable semi, only joking, ha ha. I tried to get on with some sewing while I was there, but I couldn't get in the right frame of mind for it, the place was just too neat and tidy. I can't be creative if I am not surrounded by my mess. I need to be able to lay my hands on piles of fabric, cottons, and all the other paraphernalia needed to make something. Artists just cannot live in tidy places and produce artworks, they need mess.

Anyway, I'm back now and hopefully can get on with things. Twiggy asked about my walking trips. Anything in the pipeline? There will be some, but not just yet as the days are too short. I'm itching to get out on a long one again. Every time I finish a walk I say that was the last, but a few months later I want to go again. It's a matter of working out the logistics.

I must make a start on a bit of spring cleaning tomorrow so I haven't it all to do when spring finally arrives. The place is looking a bit tired, needs tarting up a bit. A wet rag to wipe down the paint work, get rid of stuff I don't want, clean the windows, slap a bit of paint on, that sort of thing, nothing too drastic or strenuous. The outside lavvy could do with a lick of paint, and the sheds want sorting out.

Right, that's about it for this year. I'll pour myself a tot of port and put my feet up with Last Tango in Halifax, on the catch up channel. Happy New Year to you, and I'll see you in 2015.  

39 comments:

  1. Happy new year Ilona. And to everybody that reads. May it be a fabulous one for all of us,xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy New Year, Ilona. And a good 2015 to you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Happy new year to you , I am happy to be at home and like you ,might be in bed at midnight , Looking forward to tomorrow when our daughter and son in law come for dinner on new years day, A happy new year to you , hope its a good one xxx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Happy New Year, Ilona!

    I have to start on my spring cleaning, too, particularly the decluttering part. My closet has one of those double rod gizmos that allow you to hang two levels of short items like tops. Problem is that I'm afraid that it's getting too heavy and could bring the whole rod down. So some of the clothes will be off to the charity shop.

    You should feel good that you did a good deed with Henry. I'm sure that he enjoyed his runs with you and the other sitter much more than if he had been boarded at a doggy place. Plus I'm sure that his owner had peace of mind that he was in good hands with you.

    See you in 2015. I'm looking forward to the new year.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You'll be in 2015 five hours before me..if it's OK I'll follow,if not,I'll stay in 2014.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy new year to you too, Ilona.....and to your blog readers.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Happy New Year to you Ilona looking forward to your travel blogs next year :)

    Sue R

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy New Year Ilona - hope 2015 brings you much joy! x

    ReplyDelete
  9. I can't be creative if I am not surrounded by my mess. I need to be able to lay my hands on piles of fabric, cottons, and all the other paraphernalia needed to make something.
    Yes I am exactly the same!
    I hope 2015 brings lots of the things that make you happy x

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy New Year Ilona and hope 2015 is a good one. Great that your friends have suchva lovely and reliable dog sitter - so much better than kennels. Kristel.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Happy New year ilona thank you for your blog.that brighten my days. Laura blackout

    ReplyDelete
  12. Happy New Year! All good wishes for 2015. Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  13. Happy New Year to you Ilona and to your four legged chums, and also to the rest of your lovely bloggy friends.

    Linda xxx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Happy New Year to you Ilona. Catriona

    ReplyDelete
  15. Happy New Year Ilona! Thanks for responding to my last e mail too.
    Jan F

    ReplyDelete
  16. We just decided to take a pass on a get together. Both of us worked today and will again Friday so a quiet night sounds good. I think we'll treat ourselves to a take and bake pizza and wine. Teenager has a sleep over so we'll want to be alert for that so not too much wine.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Happy New Year, Ilona! Thanks for a great year of blog posts, which I have enjoyed very much.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hope 2015 is a wonderful, healthy year for you, Ilona. I so enjoy reading your blog. Happy New Year and God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Bless you. Hope you have a wonderful New Year and you keep bloggin. Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  20. Happy New Year Ilona. I love reading your blog and hope you have a very happy and healthy 2015 xx

    ReplyDelete
  21. Happy New Year Ilona! I love your blog with all of the money saving tips, travel adventures etc. You are an inspiration to many! Gran in Oklahoma, USA.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Happy New Year, Ilona. I look forward to reading your blog every day. Love reading about England and seeing the pictures you publish.

    Maggie from Florida (noticed there was another Maggie sending messages)

    ReplyDelete
  23. From Margie in Toronto - having a quiet New Year - but I've quite enjoyed myself these holidays, some extra goodies, a few chances to meet up with friends and catching up on things at the office since its so quiet.

    I did another clear out before Christmas and I intend keeping it tidy - I'm not artistic (I envy your creativity) and I find that I need things to be organized and tidy in order to work well - everyone's different! :-)

    I've wondered if you have ever done long walks outside of the UK? With the cheap flights that you can get over your way and the availability of B&B's and hostels - I just wondered if you had ever thought of it? I'd love to know your thoughts or if there is a fantasy walk you'd love to do if money were no object. Have a Happy New Year Ilona.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Margie. I haven't done walks outside the UK. I am becoming increasingly nervous about flying, my passport needs renewing, and I am wondering whether to bother. To be honest I am probably not that adventurous, preferring to stay in territory I am familiar with.

      The adventure for me is to test my determination to complete the task I set myself, which can be contained within this island I live on. I don't feel any need to travel further afield, unlike my friend who is on her way back from Vietnam and Cambodia.

      It's not the money that's stopping me, it's the thought of travelling a long way before the adventure begins that puts me off. If I didn't have animals I might think differently,

      Delete
  24. Hi Ilona,from Salvatore -Coburg -Astralia

    Happy New Year.Your hair is nice now but blond suits you more or I like blondes more.
    Love your blog,no advertising,no credit cards,no stupid products for DEAR READER.

    CAO!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Anon from Salvatore. Thanks for your comment. Yes, I think my hair is better blonde, I may change it in the next few weeks. Happy New Year.

      Delete
  25. Happy New Year Ilona, it's so wonderful knowing you through your blog! And thanks so much for giving me the encouragement to start my own blog.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Have a happy and healthy New Year Ilona. I really enjoy reading your blog. Your walks are inspiring.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Happy New Year to you, too, lots of luck and health!!
    All the best, Nata xxx

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year. I bet it feels good to be back in your own home :-)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Happy New Year Ilona!
    Arilx

    ReplyDelete
  30. Happy new year, Ilona, hope it's full of adventures for you (nice ones, of course!)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hope 2015 is a great one for you, Ilona!

    ReplyDelete
  32. May 2015 be a wonderful, joyful,creative and healthy year!
    I love your trips around UK. Wish you more of them this New Year.
    If I ever could come to UK, I would love to join you in one of these trips! I love this authentic England you are showing.
    Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wishing you good luck and good health in 2015. Thank you for all your posts, which I know brighten the day for so many people. Andrina X

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thanks for all your interesting posts in 2014. I look forward to reading more of your blog in 2015. Wishing you a very happy and healthy New Year. Caroline x

    ReplyDelete

Some comments will be accepted. I decide which are published.

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.