JJJ 20/1/26 - Unspoken

Today’s prompt is brought to us by Maggie. Thank you, Maggie! You can find her blog HERE.

Your prompt for JusJoJan January 20th, 2026 is “unspoken.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

And if you want to find out more about this challenge and see who else is taking part, our host the lovely Linda can be found HERE.

Well I'm using this post to jump on the bandwagon of looking back on where I was 10 years ago, i.e. 2016.

2015 hadn't been a great year.  It was the year I left my job and lots of things were left unspoken with regard to that.  But I was looking forward to 2016.  Turning over a new page etc.....

It seems a long time ago now but thankfully my blog helped me fill in some blanks.

We didn't have a great start to the year as my MIL fell while staying with us and broke her hip.  A hip replacement operation was done and although initially she seemed ok, unfortunately while in hospital she began to decline and unfortunately passed away on 22nd January at the age of 87.  It was a very sad time for the whole extended family.

We also had 2 new babies in the extended family by that time but one of them, Poppy, became very ill.  It was a worrying time but eventually she was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition and gradually began to improve.  10 years on and most people wouldn't realise she has this lifelong condition although it does still affect what she can and can't eat but she is such a lovely bubbly girl.  A joy to be around.

In April I had what was defined as a minor surgical procedure but the recovery was a very painful few weeks. Thankfully by then I was doing a lot of blogging.  I'd signed up for the annual A-Z challenge which involved visiting lots of London stations.  I'd also started joining in with Susanne's Fridays Fave Five and I was blogging regularly about the weekly news.  Now I don't even want to watch the news!

Our youngest son and his wife moved in with us so that they could save for their own place.  I think they'd planned for a year but we had them for about 18 months in the end but they were easy to have around the house.

Hubby went from full time work to part time (3 days per week).  Having him around for an extra couple of days took some getting used to! (Not really, well maybe a little.)

Our daughter turned 30 in May and we celebrated with all of us going away for a weekend together which was lovely.  We had a chef come one evening to cook a meal for us and we tried out clay pigeon shooting which was actually fun.

Then in June the unthinkable happened - the UK voted to leave the European Union.  That was definitely a tricky time and we're still getting over the fallout from that decision.  Yes I voted to remain.

There were a couple of funerals during the year.  One was a long time friend who died at the age of 50 following a heart attack. That was a bit of a reminder of how life can be short and we have to make the most of it.  (And yet still my cup is usually half empty.)

Things looked up by the end of the year though - our eldest son got married in the August, meaning all 3 of our children were married and by Christmas we knew we were going to be grandparents in 2017.

We saw all of the kids on Christmas Day and we were definitely looking forward to 2017.

JJJ - 19/1/26 - Consistency

Our prompt today is courtesy of running enthusiast Warren. Thank you, Warren! You can find his blog HERE and our host Linda's blog HERE.

Your prompt for JusJoJan January 19th, 2026 is “consistency.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

Well that's an appropriate word for me because I am definitely trying to find some consistency in my blogging and of course the Just Jot it January challenge is great for kicking off the year to a good start.

Trouble is I probably say something along those lines every year and then things start to slip.  Well I guess that's consistency.

Looking at my stats I did post more in 2025 than in previous years but not as much as my best year which was 2020 with a total of 245 posts.  Hmm I wonder why that year was so good.  Oh yes, we stayed home, a lot! 

JJJ - 18/1/26 - Organ

Our prompt for January 18th is brought to us by the lovely Kaye. Thank you, Kaye! You can find her blog HERE.

Your prompt for JusJoJan January 18th, 2026 is “organ.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

Well I'm just doing a jot today.  My first thought when I saw the prompt was musical instrument so I'm going to link you to Liverpool Cathedral's website here where you can find out about the biggest organ in the UK.

There's even a link where you can hear it.  Enjoy.

Weekly Photos - 11th - 17th January 2026

Sunday we had dinner at my daughter's and enjoyed the company of the grandkids. I did try to join in with this video game but was quickly
exhausted! (It involves copying the dance moves of the characters on the screen.)

Monday I made a banana loaf - a big chunk got sent round to the Grandkids - they love it.

This was a freebie from the Foodbank - it arrived on Monday but it was use by Monday so we couldn't give it out at the Tuesday session and it didn't freeze so Hubby and I risked it on our fish for dinner on Tuesday and it was yummy!

Wednesday involved a trip back to our old borough of Newham to meet up with former work colleagues.  This is the view as you come out from the station and head towards the original shopping centre.

Thursday was another busy day at the Foodbank.

Another freebie from the Foodbank on the left - highly inedible but Granddaughter Ella will enjoy this next Christmas!

On the right is the map showing where I went for lunch on Friday - Cafe Casa in Chingford which was really nice.  I went with the Highams Park lunch group which I'm enjoying being part of but I'll be taking Hubby there at some point.

And this was yesterday - our knitting group did a sale at a local library.
We had a lot more yarn when we started but the first hour (11-12) was really busy.  There wasn't much left at the end and we raised £600 for charity. (MacMillan and the Foodbank.)

And finally, this was also yesterday. (Saturday) It will be 10 years since my MIL passed away on the 22nd of this month so some of us got together yesterday at the social club we're members of to raise a toast to her.  It was mainly Hubby's siblings and partners but there were a few nieces and nephews there too and a great niece.  It was nice to be able to catch up with everyone.