I woke up with a cold, but thankfully, I could work from home. During my lunch hour, I had to step out to feed my daughter’s cat while she’s away in Nepal. Of course, Sod’s Law struck, and someone parked in my designated spot. Luckily, I was able to negotiate with them to double park so I could reclaim my space.

After work, I took a quick shower and headed out for a couple of hours with my friend Elaine, who lives just a few streets away. She’s not from around here; in fact, she hails from the same area as my cousin. We’re the same age and our birthdays are just ten days apart. It’s interesting how our moral values align so closely.

We enjoyed some wine and struck up a conversation with a local lady who shared stories about the people she’s been meeting. At one point, a 36-year-old guy hit on us and offered to buy us a drink, but we politely declined. We had a good laugh about it, realizing we still have what it takes to attract attention! 😜

Coming home was a relief. My flat was cosy, warmed by the heat rising from the flat below. Since I only have electric heating, I’m on a strict budget of £5.00 a day or less if possible, which sometimes forces me to sit in the cold for part of the day. I bundle up in layers—thermal socks, a long-sleeve top, leggings, and then a jumper and cardigan. I also keep a long hot water bottle behind my back.

To stay warm, I make sure to sip on hot drinks throughout the day and have a warm meal simmering in my slow cooker. I’m glad that cooking from scratch helps keep my gastritis symptoms in check, and I rarely experience flare-ups. I’ve been told that stress might have been a major contributor to my condition, so I’m doing my best to manage by keeping away from stressful situations and not dwelling on situations that are out of my control.