The monkeys used our garden for their New Year's Eve party; it was wild! Swinging in the trees, jumping from wall to wall, babies clinging to Moms' tummies!
These two came window-shopping, searching for party food! There were only sea shells on the table, so they left with their tails between their legs.
Poe disappeared as soon as the fireworks started, despite me trying to keep him by my side. Calming meds do not help at all! Fortunately, stricter regulations are working, so the noise was over very soon.
He has a couple of bomb shelters in the house, and is terrified of thunderstorms as well!
This is the night after the party;)
What surprises does 2025 hold in store?
While we are said to be the most adaptable species on earth, it doesn't always feel that way!
We however need to remember that we have the strength to tackle whatever may come our way!
As we said farewell to 2024 last night, I know of a good couple of people who said Good riddance! to 2024, a year that saw some nasties jumping out of the box!
For me personally, it was a difficult year. I'm still learning to fly solo, but have come to the realization that I need to shift gears if I want to come out unscathed.
2025 will be a watershed year as I will start planning for that change.
I absolutely love my post-retirement job, but running the BnB on my own is becoming too much!
That is what the latter half of the year taught me. Constant maintenance issues, security, fraud, and late-night check-ins are just some of the issues that become overwhelming when your partner no longer is there to take charge of those issues or soften the blows! Neck and shoulder problems are a no-no when handling bulk linen - making beds, laundry, etc.
While my plans are not cast in stone, I'm hoping to keep the BnB bookings online till the end of December 2025.
The property has to be sold, as an established business of course, as I have built Lily's Cottage into a popular BnB. I will be minimizing big time as I will be downscaling. Property transfer takes three to six months here in SA, so by the time I am settled, there will be a lot of water under the bridge!
Powering Up
While I'm still in HODL'ing mode, I am still waiting for hubby's estate to be wound up, and of course, there are some major expenses waiting for me.
I also have to deal with the taxman in February!
December saw us with an overall 88,71% occupancy, so I have some Fiat stored for those expenses, but am keeping my options open!
I only powered up 118 Hive to get me to 24,000 HP.
Why do we power up?
@hivebuzz has been encouraging Hivers to power up, something that benefits everyone.
This is what they say:
The Hive Power Up Day (PUD) is taking place on the first day of every month and the next one will occur in a few days, on January 1st.
The Hive Power Up Day is a good opportunity to have fun while strengthening and powering up your account. HiveBuzz allows you to collect Power-bee badges if you participate in the Hive Power Up Day and you may win Hive Power delegation from the other sponsors of this initiative.
If all my plans come to fruition I will have way more time for Hiving, something I am so looking forward to!
Hive not only helped me when I needed extra cash, but importantly, I found blogging and interacting on this platform helped me deal with the biggest loss of my life, and during other difficult, and happy times as well.
I hope 2025 will be the year that all your dreams come true, or see the beginning of some.
Above all, may it be a year filled with good things!
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2024 does feel like it was a very challenging year, I'm not quite sure why, although talking to a work colleague, it's as if the impact of the pandemic and subsequent energy and cost of living crises finally worked its way through. After the pandemic, it was all back to work, as if nothing had happened, either personally or in our collective civic life.
I feel for you going through changes after losing a loved life partner. It takes time (you know that, of course) and it's good to have got to decisions in a timely way. De-cluttering and down-sizing can be a challenge (just the sheer number of decisions), but also cathartic and liberating!
I wish you every success on your journey and hope that you and the world will have a more peaceful time in 2025.
Happy New Year!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments @shanibeer!
The pandemic for sure brought about a huge shift.
I will remember those words when I doubt myself while going through the process.
There are so many aspects to a big move like this, but I do believe that it will be a huge weight off my shoulders at the end of the day.
Wishing you a wonderful 2025❤️
❤️
Oh @lizelle 🤗 let me hug you for a second. I can see how hard you've tried your best to cope with 2024 and all I wish that you can through this 2025 unscathed as you want to, all the best for your happiness. One step at a time and you'll find that this too shall pass.
By the way, the monkeys didn't read the new year invitation letter I think🫣 no free foods available. Will be right here watching you walk through the year 🤗 my thoughts and prayers all for you.
Awe thank you @cicisaja, I felt that hug across the blogosphere, you are such a honey!
One step at a time is the best advice. It can be quite overwhelming thinking of packing up a lifetime - what to get rid of, and what to keep!
Those monkeys are so pesky but their antics are also very entertaining.
Appreciate you dear @cicisaja 😍
I wish you an upward soar into a better year with the relief you need and deserve. I admire your strength and goodness. I could never be half the woman that you are.
The very best to you my friend.
Happy New Year 🎆🎄 @lizelle
What a great job you develop on the platform, writing ✍️ and making nice blogs I see they are your passion friend.
Excellent views and funny monkeys 🙈 on your balcony, thanks for sharing your new goal of the 24'000 HP a good result in numbers 🌵👏. Greetings from the island of cuba 🇨🇺 and many good things for this 2025 😊🙏🏻🤩!!!!
Thank you for visiting my blog all the way from Cuba, and for the good wishes. A wonderful 2025 to you as well @ibarra95!
Happy new year Lizzie!
You've done a great job flying solo, and deserve to enjoy yourself now. Hope all goes smoothly as planned this year
Happy New Year to you as well Pauline!
It's been a blast, but I'm tired now, looking forward to a whole new way of life. I will go slow and stop end December if all goes to plan.
As we say here in Venezuela.
Happy and prosperous year 2025, may it be blessed in all your life projects, may the blessings be filled with lots of health for you and all yours.
A strong embrace
Thank you @lanzjoseg, wishing you and yours a wonderfully blessed 2025!
All the best and good luck with these challenges ahead of you 💪❤️
@tipu curate
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Thank you @ervin-lemark, a happy 2025 to you as well!
Wishing you all of the best in 2025 once the pain in the neck is sorted out.
Decision making comes with the territory, torn betwixt a between, memories of good times, or a home returning to a house where one constantly worries about how to push on forward.
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Thank you Joan, you certainly had your fair share of nasties in 2024!
Let's hope this new year is a little kinder!
Really have suss out what is best for us, we tend to worry instead of taking the reigns keep moving forward.
It was a difficult year not only to you but to many other people. Let's trust that this year will lead us through the woods. Good luck as you awake to the challenges of the new year
Thank you @christybliss, let's hope for a better 2025!
Beautiful display of images. Happy new year.
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