Summer Solstice Sensation

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Sorry to hear about your weight gain Maman I understand that as you get closer to your goal it gets a bit more difficult. Still you'll probably lose it again quite quickly - when you think how far you've come ........

Shame about your day. Nothing worse than going out for a disappointing meal - especially when you are trying to lose weight. I begrude the money too when it's only so so.

Re the tummy upset - I think it was the chicken itself that was off. I'm usually ok with spicy food. I only have the mild curries anyway (girlie curries as my DS2 calls them). Need to start making my own low cal version really, start experimenting a bit.

Had a good day - a bit of a domestic goddess thing going - baked some scones and a banana cake. 4 lots of washing:eek:

Managed the bike and the multi-gym so far so feeling quite pleased.

Banana Face Mask

Sitting here posting this with my banana face mask on - multi tasking as usual:rotfl:.

This one is virtually free.

Just pinch a small piece of banana from your banana cake recipe.
A small teaspoon of cream /creme fraiche or yoghurt
A teaspoon of honey (optional)

Leave on for about 10 minutes. Great for mature /dry skin.

Off to water my plants, start dinner etc.

Have a great weekend everyone. x

maman

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:to you posting with the face mask on LL

I'll give it a try myself though, always have those ingredients in.

I need to make curry again tomorrow. I always make a big pot and freeze portions. First time, I needed to buy in spices (cardamon etc) that I didn't normally keep but after the initial investment it's a very straightforward meal.

I was amazed at your comments about the pink Laura Ashley trousers as they so mirrored my own thoughts. I'd had almost exactly the same conversation with the shop assistant myself. First I said 'your clothes have got very expensive recently'. She agreed but said they had frequent promotions including this weekend (reduced from £52 to £39). Then I said 'but they're particularly expensive for pink, I wouldn't mind so much if they were white, black, cream or navy', Upshot is I've been out today buying some white, navy and black jeans/trousers. All M&S. Plus a pair of cropped white trousers and a pair of silky black sort of evening trousers from Asda. That's 5 pairs for less than two from LA. I know it's a bit of a splurge all in one day but it was necessary, not just for my holidays but so that I've got something decent to wear day to day.

You're right about it getting harder to lose the closer you get to target. I'm determined to get there but wouldn't be overly upset as I am now. I had a great time the other evening trying on some 'good' clothes I'd kept 'cos really couldn't part with them. I've got a long Episode dress and that fits brilliantly now plus a couple of short, silk 'posh frocks'. DD2 had a 'black tie' party for her 40th (18 months ago) and I ended up lending the Episode dress to DD1 and borrowng an empire line one from a friend for me to wear. Not even 'magic knickers' would get me into my own dress then. 'Frump to fab' has really come at the right time for me!

Have a great weekend. :wave: to all lurkers and old friends.

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Bit of a frustrating day - busy but don't seem to be achieving much.
Week-ends are always a bit tricky because we only have care for 1 hour in the morning and OH's care through the day takes up a lot of time - very tiring too. Never mind - there's always another day.

Have been thinking about how to re-arrange the bedrooms etc to make room for my treatment room. First things first - will have to do a major declutter. Will start in earnest next week. Kitchen sort out almost complete now thanks to my fab LWD.

Some of my best treasures that I had earmarked for my bric-a-brac stall can go in the loft for a while but I've decided there's a lot that may as well go straight to the charity shop, books, kitchenware, household textiles etc not to mention a load of OH's clothes and a few of mine that are getting too big now:D

As for DS2's room - I think we'd need to hire a skip to sort out that lot:rotfl:

Time for some serious Feng Shui;)

Your trouser haul sounds really good Maman - a really good base for mix and matching. Black and white is so on trend right now. I just wish I could wear black - makes me look like a corpse, navy is not much better. I stick with mainly greys, camels etc.

I had a pretend aunt - the one who I've mentioned before who I loved so much and who was so inspirational. She lived in creams and winter white. She adored Windsmoor but always bought it for bargain basement prices in the sales. She used to say that people were scared of white and cream because of the cleaning bills and that's why they were always knocked down so much in the sales. Probably right.

I've avoided white trousers in recent years because of my size - I always felt white trousers made me look bigger somehow. However, I've recently picked up a pair of white cotton size 16 cropped trousers for when it gets hot again. Ha, when. Please make it soon - I miss the sun.

Anyway off to check the greenhouse etc and then cook dinner. OH will be watching the footie so I might do a bit of a paperwork sort out tonight.

Hope you are all having a good weekend. x

Carmen

Hi ladies,
Not a good few days, back' popped' out again!
Needed to see the Dr this time, he gave a good look over and suggested a x-ray when I was up and about. I am feeling better with the new meds he gave me
Was unable to achieve much last week so was quite pleased that I had not gained any weight

LL your spa sounds like a wonderful idea, like Maman I wished closer to you :rotfl::rotfl:

I actually love those trousers Maman (would not pay that much yet) I have trousers, both long and cropped in lots of different colours. I tend to wear lighter colours in the summer.

Sorry I need to get horizontal to ease the pressure.
Chin up Maman, well done LL
post more soon.

Carmen xx

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Just spotted your post Carmen I am so sorry to hear that your back has popped again. That is awful - so painful. Do take care of yourself - lots of rest, keep warm. I do hope that your further medical investigations prove fruitful and that they can help sort you out.

Mine hasn't popped for a while (I'm tempting fate now). Today I'm very stiff and achey but I don't think the cold weather helps. I know I'm always pleading for sunshine but warm sunny weather does seem to improve things for me.

Anyway Twinnie do take care.

I don't know whether I mentioned this, but after a course of 5 NHs physio treatments, my physio told me that was my lot. However, I could go back to my GP and request another course. The physio admitted to me that I did actually need further treatment but that according to the rules he had to end treatment and the only way I could continue is by going back to the GP.

How crazy is that. It comes to something when healthcare professionals who know their stuff cannot make clinical decisions. Apart from the sheer waste of time and resources involved in all the toing and froing, the damage caused by stop starting treatment etc, it is just so insulting to the professionals who have spent years training. No wonder morale is so low. Sorry Rant Over.

Anyway going to have a quietish day, well it is Sunday.;)

When OH was well, we never did anything work wise on a Sunday - we used to go out somewhere nice. I would have a no cook day, either lunch out or a "pop in the oven" something.

Hope you all have a lovely relaxing day. Charge up those batteries for next week.:rotfl:

lessonlearned

Hello Everyone

To ditch or not to ditch - that is the question

Remember this old chestnut. I used to be indecisive but now I'm not so sure. Well today this is me.

Trying to make a start on some decluttering - trouble is there is so much I don't know where to begin.:o I have so much stuff squirrelled away. The list is endless. Especially stuff earmarked for projects. Realistically when will I ever get round to them.

When I do eventually find the time my ideas, colour schemes etc will probably have changed. Yep I've done that before, saved something for years - got it out to do something with it and decided it's not really what I want after all. Maybe I should just bite the bullet - get rid of it all and then restock when the time eventually comes for me to get around to doing them.

That old two year rule - if you haven't used it - get rid of it - goes against the MSE grain though doesn't it. And yet if it's weighing you down and holding you back psychologically is it best to offload it all. Hmmm - need to think about that one. Maybe my sister was right - maybe I am just an impossible hoarder.:rotfl:

I know I ought to do a car boot or something but it just seems like too much of a pain at the moment. Last time I did one I didn't enjoy it - everyone wanted to pay about 10p and some people were quite rude.

This time I'll pass it on to the charity shops etc - hopefully good karma.
Had two bags through the door yesterday so will start by filling them and see how I feel.

Anyway had some wonderful news last night - although in a funny way it compounds the decluttering problem even more.

My beloved wonderful DS1 is coming back home to live in the autumn:j:j.

Not actually with us but back locally, house-sharing with a mate. It will be much better for him, easier commuting for work, and also financially. He is currently renting a place by himself and finding it a bit of a struggle so a house-share makes good financial sense. And of course, the big plus we will get to see more of him.:D

The only problem is - he needs storage for his stuff:eek:

So I suppose it makes my decision easier - ditch the lot!!

Anyway off to fill the two charity bags, do some exercise and then cook dinner.

Manicure and a good slathering already done.;)

lessonlearned

Hello Ladies & Lurkers

Goodbye Big Knickers & Good Riddance

Made a good start on the decluttering - found some nice new undies in a drawer. Bought them ages ago - got them home and they were too small. Put them away and forgot all about them. Amazing what you find when you start decluttering.;)

Tried some on and hey presto they fit me.:D It's so nice to have some nice new (smaller) undies. No more big knickers for me:eek:

Well I'm doing so well - filled the two charity bags, left them out this morning. Promptly filled the boot of the car with two more bags, and a load of bits and pieces. Split them between two more charity shops.

Still plenty more to go. I've barely scratched the surface, this time I'm being quite ruthless. I'm actually starting to enjoy the decluttering process now, it's very therapeutic.

I did buy a ceramic lustre vase today - a really unusual shape - think it's a handmade piece. I know I said no more ceramics but at 50p it would have been rude not to.:o and I think it's probably worth a fair bit more than that.

Anyway time to start the usual tea time routines, exercise, water the plants - the llamas have eaten my baby cauliflower plants:mad: so will need to replace those and net them up next time. Then cook dinner.

Maybe a bit more sorting out later.

Bye for now x

lessonlearned

Hello Everyone

Well here we are - 1st day of June and the solstice is almost upon us.

How are we doing - Maman you must be almost there - nearly at your target weight now.:D

Carmen I think you and I need to move the goalposts a little.:rotfl:

How about everyone else???!!!

For me - well that elephant is still there - but I'm not giving up - it's just going to take a little longer than I had hoped.

OH not too good, his health is deteriorating almost daily now. I've been in tears several times over the last few days.

But tears solve nothing - it's actions that count. So............. looks like we are in for another round of meetings, assessments etc with social services. Dreading it frankly but will just have to brace myself.

Have made an appointment with my GP for a "where do we go from here" conversation. At least I get straight talking and honest answers from him - all I get from social services is waffle. I know they mean well but ..................

Anyway enough.

Got a couple of bags of books ready to take to charity shop, together with some old kitchen stuff. DS2 checked the books out on Amazon but TBH not really worth the hassle. Will just get rid in the next few days.

Did a huge ASDA shop, freezers and cupboards well stocked - hopefully just bits and bobs now this month. With a bit of luck will work out better - spend less and less time spent on shopping - win-win.

No exercise - still backachey.
Eyebrow tidy.

Quick kitchen blitz and then settled down to watch the Apprentice.

maman

:wave:

Have been trying to post for last few days but been feeling a bit sorry for myself. But I've just read your latest post LL and am now feeling throughly ashamed. I am so sorry to hear that your OH is deteriorating. It must be so, so difficult to feel so powerless to help him and even worse for him. Any words will be platitudes. I do think you're right to talk to the GP so that you can have the facts to deal wth head on, well done for making that appointment. Great news that you will soon have both DSs around.

So sorry to hear about your back Carmen. It's so debilitating. Hope the worst bit's worn off by now.

On to a bit of chat:

Fantastic news about the knickers!!!:D Not that I'm any sort of exhibitionist but since I've lost weight I do feel far more comfortable in my underwear (both literally and metaphorically). I don't feel the need to cover up quite so rapidly and changing rooms with 360 degree mirrors are not the nightmare they used to be either.

I have about half a stone to get to my target but having put on 2lbs last week, it's a bit of a moving target!:rotfl:WI tomorrow so I'm hoping for the best. I'm on holiday in a couple of weeks and I know I'll put on then so I expect it'll be a while before I reach it. Plus eveyone says that it gets harder to lose when you're close to target. I'm [STRIKE]quite[/STRIKE] very good at sticking to the plan on ordinary days at home but when I go out it's much harder. We're staying with friends at the weekend and, although they do good food, they're very fond of nibbles and it's always three courses. If I'm lucky the sun will shine and maybe we'll have steak and salad on the barbecue but I doubt it.

I'm hoping to get to charity shop tomorrow with a bag of stuff. I go there quite often but don't usually take the car but I will tomorrow, probably get my nails done too. Hair appointment on Friday. Just a cut and blow dry I think as it's better to leave highlights until I get back from holiday.

water the plants - the llamas have eaten my baby cauliflower plants:mad:

This did make me laugh LL. Would these be your pet llamas?:rotfl:My leaves are coming along well although still too small to eat. Courgette and chilli plants also looking healthy. Everything is in pots but we really do want to redesign the garden to incorporate some raised beds including veg plot. Have started discussing it and I noticed a new Alan Titchmarsh programme soon to start so that may give me some ideas.

Good idea about cutting down on trips to shops. It's strange how we can always buy something but manage without if you don't go. I need to really think hard about next week's meal plan and buy a minimum as I don't want ay fresh stuff left when we go away.

Must go now, try to get some sleep. Take care.

lessonlearned

Hello Everyone

Hi Maman - Don't feel ashamed or guilty - ok you may not be a carer but you will still have times when you feel low or tired or just plain fed up or whatever.

I struggled a great deal with my periods in my youth. I used to sit next to a guy at work who suffered from Frederich's Ataxia - a condition similar to my OH's. T was a smashing bloke and we became great mates.

At the time I had a part-time evening job at the local concert hall - I had just bought my first house on my own and was skint so did two jobs to keep going.

T was a wheelchair user and was a bit restricted in his social life at times. I used to take T in to the hall to see all his favourite bands, singers and comedians - we both got in free and of course we made the most of it - we would go nearly every week.

Anyway one day I had struggled into work with my monthly period and I was feeling like death. T commented that I was looking very pale and was I ok. Of course I didn't want to admit that it was down to "female" issues so I just said I had a headache and was feeling rather tired.

He was very concerned with a "Why didn't you say something". I replied how on earth could I when he had his illness to contend with every day of his life, mine was nothing and tomorrow I'd be right as rain.

He calmly replied that he didn't have the monopoly on illness and everyone was entitled to feel ill, tired, depressed, sad or whatever.

So you see Maman you've nothing to feel ashamed about - we all have days when things seem bleak or we don't feel our usual sunny selves. Hope you are feeling better today. Have a lovely weekend with your friends - could you take a nice selection of fruit in a pretty box or basket for nibbles or would your friend be offended.

Carmen hope your back is a wee bit better - are you still horizontal.

I've booked a massage with my neighbour for Saturday - I've been rather back achey this week, although nowhere near as severe as yours. Hopefully it will loosen me up a bit.

Not been having the best of weeks - been quite tearful at times. Anyway have booked a social services meeting tomorrow. When I rang up they said we were due a reassessment anyway. If OH is to remain at home we are going to need more help and support now. It's not really fair on DS2 and tbh I'm starting to get a bit tetchy at times which is not fair on OH. He didn't ask for this.

WI today - afraid I've just stayed the same:( Still could have been worse). Actually given the week I've been having I'm suprised I've done so well. Once or twice I've felt like hitting the gin bottle and hovering up anything edible. :rotfl: It's taken a lot of willpower this week and I did have a couple of raids on the fridge:o. Beauty wise not done much either - must do better.

Lovely and sunny here :j - been pottering in the garden whilst OH "supervised". Whilst this was going on my LWD came and blitzed the house - she even cleaned the windows. She really is a "treasure".

Anyway off for a sit in the sun whilst OH has a nap, then the plants etc.

Yes, as daft as it sounds, llamas really did eat my caulis. Our garden backs onto open fields and the owner has leased a couple of fields to a rescue centre for ponies. We sometimes get the odd sheep in there as well but a few weeks ago eight llamas arrived. They are lovely but they are a bit like goats in that they eat anything in sight. They simply helped themselves. Little tinkers.

Anyway I'm resolved to up my game - lose 1lb next week, exercise regularly and get back on the beauty treatments.

See ya. x