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?
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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