Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

phoenix_dragon

Hi all, I haven't been around much lately. Fabbing has gone to pot, but I'm not putting any pressure on myself. I can't wait to be able to exercise properly again! If there is another thread after winter solstice, I'll definitely be joining in more then.

lessonlearned

Hello Ladies

Np special theme today - except just keep going.

Finally got around to defuzzing my legs today - it is tempting sometimes to think Oh well theres's no one to see etc - but as you say Maman we should do it for us.

Floss - OH a little bit off it still - only a bit of a cold. Unfortunately when he gets a cold it does excacerbate (sp) all his other symptoms. Back up to the full compliment of carers now. He will be going into respite on Sat 22nd October - just for a week - so I can have a little rest and a bit of a catch up. TBH I'm ready - I'm feeling quite drained and exhausted at the moment.

Molly - Have been thinking about you - hope you are feeling a bit more cheery today.

Please don't think me out of order and by all means tell me to MYOB but I've been mulling your situation over.

Now I know you don't want to accept money from your children as a gift but have you considered taking the money as a loan.

Given that interest rates are so low at the moment their savings are probably achieving very little. So, unless they are likely to need the money in the very near future, it might work in their favour too.

You could pay them some interest on their loan, say 5%. This would be cheaper than you would pay the bank and it would probably give them a better return than their current savings interest.

I've done this with my boys for car loans - three years. (I'm dead soft though and their loans are interest free:D). They've set up direct debits and they just pay me back a set amount each month. It's a much better deal than they would get at a garage and given the appalling low savings rates I'm not really losing that much.

Another avenue is that I know that the Nuffield Group work with a company called First Medical Loans. They offer interest free loans. Their number is 0845-618-5375.

I appreciate that it might go against the grain to have to pay for medical treatment - after all your taxes etc should cover this. But sometimes .................

When OH needed a stair lift the waiting list was at least 12 months, nearer 18. They expected him to sleep downstairs and make do with strip washes because, although we have a downstairs cloakroom, the bathroom is upstairs. No way.

I paid for the lift myself. I was in dire straits at the time but was determined to get him better than that. Being an MSE site I probably shouldn't confess this but my thoughts were to h*ll with that so I simply slapped it on the credit card and got a lift installed within days. I reorganised the finances, transferred it to a zero interest card and paid it off asap.

I know that if ever stem cell treatment becomes viable for OH he will definitely not be a candidate for NHS treatment by virtue of the fact that he doesn't have a definitive diagnosis.

However, if that rainbow does present itself, then I will pay privately for treatment. I will sell the house and everything I own to fund it.

Stem cell treatment for neurological conditions is on the horizon - it's just a question of time. I just hope it will be available before it's too late for him.

I think that what must be most galling for you is that you've been lead down the garden path here, stringing you along for three years. In that time you might have been able to raise the money and have had your treatment by now.:mad:

If you need any help with fund-raising ideas I'm sure our ladies will have lots of ideas.

My first would be - you invite all of your friends to a coffee morning, and ask each of them to hold a coffee morning inviting different people.

I have a friend who holds a coffee morning every summer for
Cancer Research - she charges £1 entrance and gets a few craft people to set up stalls. The craft people donate half of their profits. She raises quite a bit of money doing this.

Must dash - the man has arrived to service the bath lift.

Molly41

Lesson Learned - Thank you so much for such a helpful and informative post - I have tears in my eyes x

I will definitely think on and will look at the potential for a loan. I have a very low self-esteem and find it very hard to justify spending that amount of money on myself (18 grand plus) especially as we have just got out of years of debt. However if I had to pay this for one of my children or my husband or dogs, I would obviously have no qualms and would be arranging it as I type this.

I think we will try to fund raise as the kids seem very geared for this and even if we only raise a small amount then it will all help. TBH Im still hoping that my GP will have some influence. My condition is neurological and expensive because it involves a very high tech neurotransmitter. I think the worst thing is that my hopes were dashed and without that then it all seems a bit pointless. However I will keep fighting - just as you do for your husband. I really hope that Stem Cell treatment becomes available for your husband - in fact I pray it will x

floss2

Molly41 wrote: »

Lesson Learned - Thank you so much for such a helpful and informative post - I have tears in my eyes x

I will definitely think on and will look at the potential for a loan. I have a very low self-esteem and find it very hard to justify spending that amount of money on myself (18 grand plus) especially as we have just got out of years of debt. However if I had to pay this for one of my children or my husband or dogs, I would obviously have no qualms and would be arranging it as I type this.

I think we will try to fund raise as the kids seem very geared for this and even if we only raise a small amount then it will all help. TBH Im still hoping that my GP will have some influence. My condition is neurological and expensive because it involves a very high tech neurotransmitter. I think the worst thing is that my hopes were dashed and without that then it all seems a bit pointless. However I will keep fighting - just as you do for your husband. I really hope that Stem Cell treatment becomes available for your husband - in fact I pray it will x

Molly hun, just think how much pleasure your family would get out of seeing you in better health and in a fitter state to be of assistance to others. You are such a selfless person and put everyone else before you. :A :grouphug:

Willow92

Have lost no weight to fit into my dress any better for my birthday which is in 8 days....Though I did well resisting temptation today when OH had something from the chip shop and I didn't even have a bite Oh and he kept eating white choc cookies in front of me, I only had a bite to see if I actually liked them. Turns out I'm not bothered about them so he can have all of them

Bought some dark blue opaque tights...Are these a good idea for someone who doesn't have the skinniest of legs...?

lessonlearned

Molly41 wrote: »

Lesson Learned -

I will definitely think on and will look at the potential for a loan. I have a very low self-esteem and find it very hard to justify spending that amount of money on myself (18 grand plus) especially as we have just got out of years of debt. However if I had to pay this for one of my children or my husband or dogs, I would obviously have no qualms and would be arranging it as I type this.

You wouldn't think twice if it were you paying for treatment for your family.

I agree with Floss - your family would want to help you as much as they could, fundraising or loans, whatever - maybe a combination of both.

Time for a family conference.

Are there any charities you could apply to - not saying they will fund he whole 18 grand (ouch) but they might help a little.

Off to bed now - I've never felt so tired in my life:(

I look like an old hag.:rotfl:

MrsWoolfe

Hello Ladies and Lurkers,

Sorry I haven't been on much this week- the days are flying by not enough hours to get everything done- I feel at the moment that I'm rushing all the time and getting nothing done!

First sorry not to acknowledge everyone personally- I have been trying to read and catch up properly and so Hugs to everyone that needs one ( and I was told this week that I give the best hugs ever!) and a little virtual pom pom waving for all of you that have been doing well!

Molly- just have to say reading your posts really brought a lump to my throat, whatever it takes to get you that surgery, do it- you sound like the kind of person who is always trying to be there for others and puts the people they love first- and I know you have mentioned self-esteem and maybe not feeling like it's worth spending on you- but then isn't that what this whole thing is about? and I would bet money/precious sparkly things that your family would do it in a heartbeat because to them I'm sure you are worth more than 100 x that.

The fundraising sounds good, but try and see if there is any interest in local media- you never know you may well be able to get some local support in organising an event, try your local radio station, see if local businesses will sponsor something- I know the co I work for place a heavy emphasis on helping people locally/donating to local charities- this year our chairman did an event where he, his son and some friends were sponsered to do a leg of the Tour De France (rather him than me, but have to admire his determination!) and raised a lot of money for a local Austism charity- people ARE willing to help, even want to help, but you have to let them know hun. Let us know if there is anything we can do- even if that's just bouncing ideas around ok?

right well on the fab front- not awful, not great- managed to buy a new ex bike- much better than the old one, feels much sturdier so that's good- been taking care of skin with scrubs and masks, but not much else I'm afraid, had something of a tummy bug since Sunday so have been slumping almost as soon as I get home but am starting to feel a little better now thankfully. Have decided to just take this week to look after me and make sure I'm feeling better then next week back on the exercise regime!

right will try and pop back later must get on and do some work!

MrsWoolfe

Carmen

Good morning Ladies,
What a beautiful morning, no fog to mar the fantastic sunrise I shall enjoy my visit to the farmers market later.

What lovely helpful posts ladies :A:A:A it's good to talk....I should practice what I preach :rotfl:
Molly, vibes winging their way to you:A

Willow, well done for resisting the chip shop If I fancy chips I make them the SW way.. very tasty. The tights sound fine to me, dark colours are always slimming. Don't worry to much that your intended aim for weight loss has not happened...yet, our targets sometimes put too much pressure so just take baby steps, you could still lose in the next eight day

Tru, good luck for today, remember deep breaths

Pod, deprivation never seems to work for me, as the saying goes 'a little of what you fancy....' As LL says "draw a line and move on"

:hello::hello: To everyone, have a good day.

Carmen xx

podperson

Morning all,

Phoenix - glad you're still with us, totally agree don't put any pressure on yourself, as we say baby steps so maybe just focus on anything little you can do at the moment and the rest will come later. Hope you and LO are doing well x

Molly - I completely agree with the others on here, as you say if it was someone else in the family you'd do it so please realise that your family will feel that exact way about you and will want to see you happy and healthy. The fund raising is a great idea but even if you have to borrow some as well then it's not like it's debt from frivalous spending or something - it's giving you a better quality of life and surely that's priceless. As others have said if there's anything we can do in terms of helping with fund raising or anything else then just let us know.

Willow - hun, I didn't make the weight goal I was aiming for for my birthday either but try and be positive and think of the steps you have taken, however small they may be. Well done on resisting temptation. I know your OH isn't being the most supportive with it at the moment but I've realised that if you're motivated and doing it for yourself then it doesn't matter what anyone else is doing or having. Just try and focus on you and your goals. Dark blue tights sound nice, I don't have the skinniest of legs either and I think tights can actually be quite slimming, especially the darker colours.

Mrs W - sorry you've not been feeling so good but am impressed you're still keeping things up even with that! When I'm feeling ill I can never be bothered with anything Hope you feel better soon.

So, am feeling more positive this week, if a little run off my feet! Had veggie chilli wraps last night for tea as was really tired and couldn't be bothered cooking much so just grabbed a tub out of the freezer - I love batch cooking for days like that! So reasonably healthy and no snacks plus made my lunch for work today so feeling a bit more organised. Popped to asda on the way home last night, ended up getting a grey knitted dress and a red jumper - me in red :eek: - lol, have been trying to do colour some more but red is a big step for me, am wearing it today though and it's really pretty - is quite longline and shaped at the bottom so quite flattering. Strange as I picked it up as an afterthought - means I should more new things on I think Slightly fell out with the sizes again - was trying on mainly 14s and they were fitting nicely, even fit into a 12 quite comfortably (though it clung a bit too much in the wrong places!) then tried on a 16 dress that was in the sale and could barely squeeze into it! Sizes make no sense to me, even in the same shop to have at least 3 different fittings? Anyway at one time that would probably have upset me but just laughed it off as odd
I do need some costume jewellery I think, would like some long necklaces to go with some jumpers and things. Could also do with some decent boots but I'm rather fussy with them - I like a heel but not too big and not the little thin ones as I find them harder to walk on, so I think a chunky heel but all the ones I can find with those look rather frumpy Ah well, shall have to keep looking.

maman

I'm in the same camp as MrsW at the moment, very busy!!! I think part of it is a guilt thing. DH has been very busy doing fitted units in guest room so I feel bad about just surfing for fun!


molly, I've been thinking loads about your predicament. I really think you should find the money if public funding is really impossible. Many people would spend that figure on a car and you admit you'd spend it on your dogs:eek: I'm not sure if the refusal is anything to do with where you live. Might it be worth contacting your MP, local paper?

Willow, I think you're getting your head around changing your eating habits. That's a very important step. I remember when I started SW a year ago. I'd been thinking about it for ages, looking up classes on the net, trying to eat healthily etc etc. It took me weeks to eventually get started. If you're not going to join a club then do plan your meals in advance so you buy in the right stuff. I would definitely recommend getting Frylight sparay for cooking, that saves loads of calories. Sorry the BF isn't being more helpful but well done on resisting the chippy.

Opaques are a great idea for making legs look slimmer and I remember saying your lovely dress will double up for Christmas so why not make that a mini-target to work towards.

I'm off out to theatre later but doing a bit of shopping first. Well, more browsing really as the town I'm going to has House of Fraser which we don't. I have those two new jersey dresses but can't decide whether they're dressy enough for coming wedding (with pashmina and fascinator or something) or whether I need to go down the prom/cocktail dress line.

It's a glorious day here so may wear my favourite Joules, tweed jacket (CS!) when I go out. Had compliments about my hair today which made me laugh. It's desperate to be cut so I'd combed my fringe back as it's far too long. Roll on appointment tomorrow.