Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

Bitsy_Beans

That's !!!! Molly on what grounds was it refused (assuming you want to share). Sending you some very big hugs xxxx

lessonlearned

Just a quickie - poor, poor you. Molly I just don't know what to say. How absolutely, bl**dy awful. I'm in tears for you - not that that's going to help.:o Lots and lots of hugs.

Can you appeal again, is there any kind of advocacy service who can help you - someone like PALS (Patients Advisory Liaison Service).

I just wish I could do something better to help.

Just for you XXX

Molly41

Thank you very much for the support. TBH I only took in a little of the very wordy letter and will give it to Kid's Dad to inwardly digest. He is angry that I was even sent such a letter giving such bad news :mad::mad::mad: The gist and words that hit me in the face were that I was not "exceptional enough" !!! (those amongst three pages of reasons). What it must be to play God with people's lives? Oh for those decision makers to walk one hour in my shoes!

Anyway tomorrow I will start to fight again - maybe even tonight when Kids Dad gets home and helps me to compose a letter to my nurse practitioner for advice on the next step x

lessonlearned

Bitsy_Beans wrote: »

Anyway I am feeling pretty good actually, bit tired today but mentally feeling positive about myself :T let's make this permanent shall we :rotfl:

Good for you, yes back to the power of "P". :rotfl:

lessonlearned

Hi Callista & Welcome - nice to "meet" you.

Your Enviro course sounds great, I think it might be the same one my OH started when he first became ill. Unfortunately, as he illness progressed he was unable to continue.

Although OH's career was in IT his original training was as a Geologist and he has always been extremely interested in Enviro Science, part of our retirement strategy was that he would "go back to school" and do some research.

Have a look at the British Geological Society's website, https://www.bgs.ac.uk. There's lots of really interesting stuff on there and they often have windows of opportunity for volunteers on their various projects. Their HQ is in Leicestershire but they have projects all over the place.

There's a really fab enviro research centre in Spain - in Murcia - sorry cannot remember the name - and they take volunteers too. It's a really great place - right in the forefront of research and development.

Good luck with it.

Twinnie - glad to have you back again. Great news on the weight loss:T:T & very well done on plucking up courage on starting to tackle the dreaded VV.s - It's on my agenda - honest. (Scared silly, me). Do let us know how you get on.

Tru - good news about the hip, you're right exercise really does help with joint/muscle problems. Well done on the cards. I had a peak at your website - your work is lovely. Best of luck with it - hope you make lots of dosh.:D

Lolly - hope you are feeling better today.

I had a theme for today's post - but given Molly's shocking news today I am feeling at a bit of a loss.

I'll do it anyway - and let's see if we can come with some ideas that might help.

Here goes

lessonlearned

As you know I'm very much a "the glass is half full kind of girl" and optimism is my natural default setting.

I was going to say that I can think of very few situations that although they may be dark and bleak, do not have a chink of light somewhere.

The obvious exceptions for me would be rape, child abuse etc. However, I'm tempted to add Molly's awful news to the list.

Divorce although traumatic can bring a quiet peace to a tortured soul - at least no more "Match of the Day" (sorry to Maman and footie fans). Even death can bring a blessed relief to those who are desperately ill and in constant pain.

So this is for you Willow - although you are low and feeling pretty desperate I see two very real positives in your situation.

Carmen has already pointed this one out - your age. When you are young like you it is (relatively) easy to lose weight - the older you are the harder it gets.

Also - because you are young - your excess weight probably won't have done too much damage to your health - yet. Your insulin levels, cholesterol and blood pressure shouldn't be too compromised. If you start to lose weight now - there should be no real long term damage to your health.

The second positive is that whilst being unemployed is hard financially and emotionally - it does mean you have oceans of time at your disposal.

I suggest you use this time wisely - to get fit, to lose weight, to sort your life out, to take up new hobbies and interests, perhaps to do some training. You will probably never have this much time on your hands again - make good use of it Willow.

Trust me once you start having a family, holding down a job and running a home you'll yearn for some free time.:rotfl:

Speaking of time - time to get the dinner on ..............

Willow92

Thank you everyone for the great advice

I've done voluntary work before but had to give it up so I had enough time to finish my college course. The job centre are sending me to a work experience group session so they may be able to sign me up for more voluntary work or something. My OH is unemployed but started at a charity shop a week ago to find out he wasn't allowed to do it in the first place coz he's on some other scheme! The job centre told him today that the woman who got him to apply for the charity shop job messed up, he won't get his money back for travelling now so he's lost nearly £20 apparently.

Can anyone tell me anything about Slimming World? I think I'd like to join...

Callisto

Molly - so sorry to hear you have been declined for operation funding. How about a letter back to them refuting their 'reasons'?

I meant to weigh myself this morning as it has been a week since I restarted my healthy eating plan and exercise. I forgot, so will attempt it tomorrow. I don't know anything about Slimming World, but my sister is on Weight Watchers Willow and has lost 9lbs in approx 8 weeks, she does 'Pro Points' and says she never feels hungry, and you get extra points for exercising.

Thank you for the volunteering information Lessonlearned, really helpful and I am going to investigate overseas volunteering/working opportunities as it is one of my dreams to travel.

I looked at the Open Uni online forums yesterday after the tutor mentioned them, and people had posted that they were starting their first assignment two days after the course started! I am a bit worried I am working too slow now, but they probably got their materials early and started straight away. I had to wait for my study pack after the courier failed to deliver it, and then delivered it to the wrong address! I am still on track according to my study planner, but I want to try and fit in an extra study session this week, in case my holiday studying plans go awry.

Lolly, hope you are feeling better and don't be too hard on yourself!

Tru, nice to hear you are pain free and getting back into exercising.

Carmen

Hi Ladies and Lurkers,

Molly, sending you positive vibes, can you appeal? There are some dreadful/worrying decisions being made about peoples health issues, at the moment!

Tru, we first stayed in Meva about 9yrs ago then again several times after, with a friend who moved there prompted by our initial visit.
Pleased to hear your exercises are giving you some relief . Good luck with the sale of your cards :j

LL, will let you know how the VV op transpires, I'm just glad I finally took action!

Willow I tried SW about ten years ago, I managed to lose 3 stone! As a vegetarian it suited me to keep to the green days, not sure if they have the red and green days now? (sorry, I know someone tell did tell me the answer to this!) I does help to chat face to face with people with same problems and you can pick up some great tips.
How are you with exercise? For me it is like Marmite :eek: :rotfl::rotfl:

Today has been a good day for me, I'm back on the wagon to fabdom. My energy level raises as soon as I start to eat sensibly, so I shall continue with my decluttering, yes I know I have been doing this for months now:rotfl::rotfl:
I am hoping to reduce by another dress size by December 13th (first Christmas dinner) Like Mrs W I have become stale in my regime, I am pleased with my weight lose so far but I am forgetting I still have another 2/3 stone to lose!! Thank goodness FTF will be on going

Goodnight everyone
Carmen xx

lessonlearned

Supposed to be having an early night.

But first I just wanted to tell you about my fab chazza shop bargains.

A lovely champagne coloured full length Jacques Verte wool/cashmere coat with a lovely fur (fake of course;) collar - for a fantastic £3-50 - for roughly the price of a Starbucks coffee. It's so glamourous. That's two coats in the last week.:o

I also picked up a piece of 1960's studio made glassware - very psychedelic and quite unusual - a real collector's piece £5. I know - I'm not supposed go be buying bric a brac at the moment - but this ones a keeper - not for sale - just too good to pass:D

I will have to get DS2 to show me how to upload photos one of these days.

After years of never being able to buy anything nice to fit me it's a real joy to be able to buy pretty things that fit.

G'night all x