Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

Willow92

Will be getting my hair cut this week hopefully That's the only fab thing this week xD

MrsWoolfe

Hello Ladies!

hope you are all well, sorry I've been awol again:o

have had a quick skim to catch up, welcome to all the newbies and hugs to all that need them- I'm very jealous of the lovely sounding holidays!

well things have been more than a little fraught here, routine gone to pot, work has gone nuts, family drama, home drama, a berevement which really threw me and general mayhem....

I'm sorry for not posting earlier, but I think the death in the family, brought up some things that I hadn't dealt with yet since loosing Dad- I know it's been two years now, but there was a lot of things that I sort of shoved to one side because I just couldn't afford to fall apart and it bit me in the bum a bit- was quite shocked as it wasn't someone really close- it was my younger cousin's husband who was the same age as me, it's left her a widow at 26 and a single parent to a toddler and it just broke my heart- she's over in Mauritius so not much I can do from here other than say I'm here- lots of churned up feelings, both to do with Dad and facing up to my fears for when my health was at it's worst and I was being told I might not get better....don't quite know how to describe it all, mixed up, scared and sad is the best I can do.

On a positive note though, I am feeling better and I think I just needed to work through those feelings, have talked it all through with DH and my amazing friends have been there too- in fact they organised a last minute camping trip when we realised how great the weather would be last weekend and it was amazing, just what I needed a couple of days, lazing around, talking, reading and laughing with good friends.

OK so back on topic- I think I need to change my approach to the whole fab challenge, I think I've been drifting along for a while, having acheived a sort of base-fab level if you like, skin doing good, hair looking alright,clothes much better ( I am wearing heels again!) but I've stopped trying to go further....

so new target for me- I'm almost a 14 now- give or take- so aim for a comfortable 14 by christmas - size twelve would be amazing but my real focus is going to be on loosing the bumps and toning up- which means

1) re-focus on eating properly- have been lazy and it shows have felt sluggish/bad headaches/sleeping badly. am going to concentrate on low GI foods again and re-earn the title "The Pulsifier":D

2) Get back into a proper exercise routine- I don't know why, I start get motivated, start seeing results feel great...and then it tapers off MUST DO BETTER!...and start with finally replacing the broken ex bike!


This time of year it's even more important for me, this is where we start to build up to super busy season ( or hell as it's otherwise known) and things can get left my the wayside, if I'm going to come out the otherside (sometime in March...) with no health issues, blood pressure blips, without having been a utter B*%$£ to DH cause I'm stressed and without the usual post busy season breakout ( god it's a pretty picture eh???)....

I really really need to look after myself properly- so I'm going to need some prodding to make sure I don't veer off track again and I will be trying to post more- although given it's going to be really busy I may have a few days break here and there- mainly cause by the end of the day I'll be seeing spreadsheets when I close my eyes!

Right sorry for the extended rant/ramble/confession but thanks for reading,

meals for today are ok, yoghurt with muslei mix for breakfast, pitta with ham salad for lunch, grilled prawns with a huge salad and a couple of new potatoes for dinner, snacks are crackers with a little cheese, carrots and hummous and a packet of crisps ( I know I Know I'm working on it....)

right that's enough from me for now, hope you are all doing good

MrsWoolfe

lessonlearned

Lizzie - Sending you lots of hugs, have been thinking about you. Sorry the holiday didn't give you the boost you so obviously need right now - at least you had good weather.

Don't worry about trying to be fab whilst on holiday - caravans, children etc don't make it easy do they. Things like laundry, cooking, personal care always seem much easier at home when you've got everything you need at hand.

I'm glad to hear that you are going ahead with the counselling - it should help you clear your head and maybe show you the way forward.

What are you doing on your OU course, that might help you too - something just for you.

Anyway just wanted you to know we're all thinking of you Lizzie and rooting for you.

Gotta dash - have a really full on day today. Have arranged an SS assessment for Mum - Dad is adamant they can manage but sis and I don't think they are coping.

I really am not looking forward to this meeting - dad will probably be a real handful. Either that or he'll be all charm and the SS will think sis and I are bossy interfering daughters who need to mind their own business.

Yes you've guessed - I learned long ago that as far as my dad is concerned - my place is in the wrong:o

Still I will have at least tried - that's all I can do.

Back later - have a good day everyone.

lizzie157

MrsW- glad you're feeling better- these things come as a shock don't they. Struggling myself at the moment and am too edging towards size 14. Look after yourself the best way you can Ithink thats all you can do when you feel down. Like me you probably don't feel like posting much but it does help to know people are thinking of you. The ladies on here are so lovely its uplifting in itsself.
LL- Its my second course at level 1 - a mixture of social sciences. Unfortunately this time I won't be able to get to the tutorials so meeting people and chatting/disscusing ideas ( which I found really helpfull) will be missed. Am planning to do some voluntary work at some point though -think this will benefit both me and whoever I volunteer for. Good luck with your dad and the SS.

verynewmoneysaver

Good luck LL. My dad was adamant that they were coping too even though my sister and I knew they weren't. We did get social services to put carers in although Dad never really liked this. Even when Mum got ill Dad wouldn't accept that she was, and of course it ended up with her falling and spending weeks in hospital. Even now he thinks he's only in sheltered housing until Mum gets better, which she won't do as she has heart failure. Hope everyone has a good day.

podperson

Morning all,

Betony - yay on the weight loss and general fabness :j love that quote, need to put it somewhere visible I think!

Maman - loving the routine, putting me to shame lol! Think I might need to get one of the manicure blocks, my nails seem to be chipping a lot lately. Am wondering if it's because I'm wearing polish most of the time now? Will have a look for the new Mary Portas show but I must admit she can just irritate me at times

Tru - glad you enjoyed your holiday, that cottage looks lovely - am very tempted, tho don't think I could get much further away in the country from me

Skymist - glad you're still with us. I know what you mean about not making much effort if you're not going somewhere - think it means we need more fun places to go :rotfl:I am trying to make more effort when I do out though, I was in the 'clothes for best' club but now I just think, stuff it why can't I wear nice things to work or going shopping etc and it does make you feel better.

Lizzie - glad you're ok and are going ahead with the counselling. Sorry your holiday wasn't very relaxing, but like you said the kids enjoying it is better then nothing. I love OU, am starting my fifth course with them in about a week and am really looking forward to it!

Mrs W - hope you're ok, sounds like a stressful time *hugs* but looks like you have a plan so am sure will be even more great in no time!

LL - hope it goes ok with SS, you can only do what you can and hopefully they will see how it is and put some help in place x

Very busy on here at the moment so anyone I've missed sending you hugs and positive thoughts for fabness!

Very busy week this week, had my drawing class Monday night, which was fun but quite challenging, then choir last night and we're supposed to be going out tonight for a friend's birthday. Tbh I would have really appreciated a quiet night in tonight to catch up things but guess I should at least show my face for a little while. I'll be leaving early anyway as I think they're planning a late one and I have to work next day. No idea what to wear either - they're mostly younger then me (one of OHs friends from uni) so don't want to look frumpy but also don't want to look like I'm trying to look their age *sighs* Is my birthday on Sunday and am feeling a little old this week I know it's only a number but it's a zero number which I think kind of makes you evaluate the whole 'where you are and what you're doing' thing - and in my case tends to come up a bit short. Still, must try and be positive and think of it as a work in progress

Bitsy_Beans

Sending you hugs Mrs W xxxx

Nothing else to report here. Planning on having a bounce on the rebounder after I've taken DD to afternoon nursery. My aim is to fit in half an hours exercise once she's gone, sod the housework etc. I spend all my time rushing about and neglect myself in the meantime. I am not going with the whole relying on exercise to lose weight as for me it's a road to nowhere but I know rebounding will be FUN if accompanied by the right music. Sadly pelvic floor isnt going to thank me so tena lady here we come

floss2

Am off work today (runny tummy!) so thought I would take the time to post "properly"!

Mrs W - I'm sorry for your loss. I completely understand about putting grief to one side & it catching up with you later...when my dad died in 1991 my kids were almost 3 & 5 so didn't have time to grieve for him. When my mum died in 2005 it all came to a head and I was mourning the loss of two parents. I think it was partly because I still had my mum after dad died but then when she died I had no-one. It sounds wierd being an orphan at 41, but I was, and so were my brothers.

Lizzie - I hope your name comes to the top of the list soon. Do you have a close friend or a sibling who could be your c/o postal address? I know all about caravan holidays in a strained relationship - my last holiday with the boys' dad was in a caravan over the eclipse in 1999...huge row on the Tuesday, didn't speak to each other for the rest of the week including 250 mile drive home, and he moved out the weekend after we got home! When you said you wouldn't be able to get to your tutorials, is that because of transport or other problems? Maybe you could do web-chats with some of your fellow students?

LessonLearned - hope your dad is on his best behaviour for your SS visit. My inlaws are "just" coping, but we are 240 miles away so can't always help out. I'm sure your mum is grateful for what you & your sister are trying to do.

Podperson - how about flat boots, leggings (I always wear opaque tights under mine so they are really thick!) and a jumper dress or tunic top? Classic, trendy, comfy and not "too young"!! I'm 47 and a half, so am trying not to fall into the "too young" trap, without being too far the other way!!

Bitsy -remember what the midwives used to say - do "those" exercises while you do the washing up, standing waiting for a bus or even when watching the telly!!! :rotfl:

Will carry on in a minute!

floss2

Ok, part two!!

DH and I moved DS2 out of our home into his own flat last week, so we are currently sprucing up his bedroom back into our spare / dressing room. Apparently a whole warren of dust bunnies were under the bed when DH ventured in with the Dyson :rotfl:

There are fitted wardrobes in the chimney alcoves, which we will use for our clothes rather than having half of them on hanging rails in the attic (DH's office). DH has nabbed the one by the window for his work shirts, and my boots (only 9 pairs!!) will stand in a neat row below them The other side has my coats & jackets in, along with my sewing machine, overnight bag & assorted "stuff" on the bottom. I've got a few boxes on the shelf above the rail and on the other side I will store the winter bit of duvet and our spare bedding & towels as since we redid the bathroom we have no airing cupboard.

I picked up a couple of really nice dresses for work this week - one maroon one from Tesco (I think someone else has also bought this one?) and a dark grey / white checky patterned one from Asda, with a slightly gathered front to hide my belly!

I also did a quick CS run at lunchtime yesterday, picking up a blue tunic top from Next, a pair of maroon & black patent Next shoes (brand new!), a Next black coat with cream spots and an M&S skirt in a black & jade green fine check - will be great with a black poloneck, black opaques and knee boots when it gets colder The whole lot cost me £18 but I gave them £20 as it's for the local hospice.

Am off to get my boobs squeezed & photographed tomorrow, I've been having annual mammograms since my mum died as both she & her sister and one of their aunts all died of breast cancer so apparently my risk is higher than "normal" for my age. I had one benign lump removed in 1992 and have several cysts drained, but so far nothing else. My best friend is coming with me, and we're going to Cheshire Oaks afterwards for a mooch...I have nothing I "need" but have lots of "want" things on my list!!

Fingernails need a buff, the polish I had put on at the Spa 10 days ago came off last Friday morning, it didn't last as long as Jessica usually lasts but the Tesco cheapy on my toes seems to be growing out rather than chipping or flaking!

Am debating whether to bother with waxing...my friends all swear by the Braun epilator, so I'm trying to decide whether to carry on or buy one of those...anyone had any experience of them?

Glowing skin is starting to lose its sparkle - I need to book a spray tan before my girly spa weekend next month

I've got a bargain Dermalogica facial to book - £15 rather than £46 - so that can be my Christmas treat and I've also got a cheapy spa-day to book before next March that was 75% off. Our local paper is doing Groupon type deals

DH wants to go for a walk tonight, but I will let him go on his own...I've not eaten since last night's tea and don't feel at all hungry so I think I will probably have lost a couple of pounds in the bathroom!

Bitsy_Beans

Floss I bought a Braun epliator. TBH I don't use it now as I got sick of the ingrowing hairs. Also I found I was having to eplilate every week to collect the hairs I missed the previous week because they were too short. too long and it makes it agony. I have gone back to ye olde razor, much easier, quicker for me

Have spent 15 mins rebounding. It didn't feel like a massive workout but my legs feel like they've had a good work out and I was sweating buckets. Will start slowly and build myself up and Floss I know I am supposed to do those keagle (sp?) exercises but I always forget