Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

podperson

Morning all,

Feeling a bit under the weather this week, think am coming down with a cold up am trying (as usual) to dose up on juice and vitamins and hope it goes away. Been trying to have a catch up but apologies if I miss people.

LL - hope your back's feeling a bit better, make sure you wait until it's completely better before having OH home! Must be a relief though that this happened after you found the decent home and he'd already had a test run there so to speak. Glad you're feeling more postive about the future - sounds like some great plans there

Mooloo - hope you're ok hun, sending you *hugs*

Molly - the course sounds great, I think we definately need piccies!

Sparkles and betony - yay on the weight loss :j

Bitsy - have you tried the depo injection? I've been on it for years now and I love it - you have to have a jab once every 3 months and I never get periods at all.


Anyway as mentioned bit under the weather this week but managed to make it to a movie and a quick drink with a friend on Monday night and then choir last night (perhaps am not helping myself ). Ended up signing up for Christmas busking in the city centre with choir next month, hopefully will be fun and get me in a bit of a Christmassy mood. Trying not to think about it too much yet but suppose will have to as my mum is bugging me about what we're doing for it. She tends to want me to go down for Christmas Day but we can't really leave the pets that long so we can't both go - other half isn't really a Christmassy person and always tells me I should just go on my own, but still feel guilty if I leave him on his own. So far since we moved have been down one year and stayed up here one year - think will probably stay here again and go down between xmas and new year when I have time off work. Anyway, hope everyone's having a good day x

maman

:wave:

Hello all, not sure where today's slipping away to.

LL, your plans for next year sound great and, as we'll be carrying on the thread, we'll all be around to nag you to keep to it!:D Personally, I've never fancied the fiords as a destination but at the prices sophistica found I could be persuaded. I loved Verona and from there you can visit Venice by train, Vicenza which has fantastic Palladian architecture and also Lake Garda is a short train/bus ride away. Closer to home, I'd really love to visit Chatsworth, it's certainly on my 'to do' list. I am National Trust member. In fact I was up your way a couple of years back with DD1 and DGD1. They went to Alton Towers and I went for a lovely drive. I'd hoped to do Kedleston Hall but it was closed so I went to Sudbury instead. Lovely places.

Mooloo, did you get to put a dress on today? It's easier to cover up in jeans but I feel so much more elegant in a skirt. I've become a huge fan of opaques. They cover a multitude of syns and I think they're very flattering. Oh, and remember pics of your crafty makes too, I'd love to see them.

:Tsparkles on your 2lb loss. I seem to remember you used to be on the 'not buying toiletries' thread so well done for using up stuff. I was delighted today when I found a face wash and a nice hand soap in the cupboard. I must do an inventory of what I've got. I knew I had soap but I'd have bought a new face wash if I hadn't looked.:o

I think you're right to keep busy podperson, and I think the Christmas busking sounds great. Did you watch The Choir: Military Wives? I thought it was excellent. They certainly knew how to do fabbing when it came to performances (not always to my taste though). You brought up the question of where to spend Christmas: it can be a very thorny issue. My girls have always come to me until a couple of years ago. DD2 said she wanted to cook her own dinner but we were invited, said it would give me a rest. I know the real reason was that (a) I didn't really welcome her new dog the year before and (b) she wanted to be able to have her friends and neighbours round in the evening. We didn't go and now have just DD1 and DGD1 around. It upset me at the time but now anyone who wants to come is welcome but anyone who's got a better offer I'm not bothering about. I don't want to jump on my soapbox (again:o) but I get really fed up having to make all the running with DD2. It upsets DH so I do but I sometimes think we could go a whole year and she'd never visit us!:lipsrseal:lipsrseal:lipsrseal

I've done well today. Had my shower, defuzzed legs, creamed feet, blowdried my hair. I'll paint my toenails later if I remember. Yesterday, I cleared out a cupboard looking for all my embroidery stuff. I still haven't found any hoops or most of my silks so probably another cupboard will be sorted later.

Have a good evening all.

P.S. Hope this sin't too personeal but does anyone wear stockings as opposed to tights? Two of my friends do but I haven't done so for years. Any views?

lessonlearned

Hello Ladies

Well I'm well and truly fabbed and beautified and feel much better. Defuzzed legs, yes they're are usually covered in trousers or long skirts and no-one gets to see them but I know [/B. Pedicure - decided not to repaint toenails but to give them a little rest for while. Eyebrow tidy, (and a few stray moustache hairs - shhhh:eek:), facelift face mask. Had a quick look at my toiletry stash and found some "anti-wrinkle eye gel patches".

I've no idea where they came from but am going to have a rest in a moment so will give them a try and report back on whether they are effective or not.

Considering that I looked so awful the other day I'm quite pleased how quickly my skin and general appearance has improved today, even my hair seems to have a bit more oomph. I think it just goes to show that if we get the basics right, skincare and general maintenance then even if we slide from time to time it is relatively easy to get back up to speed with things. Still very pale but will start using my "sunshine" cream tomorrow.

Still rather back-achey and don't feel up to driving yet so havent managed to get out and about or visit OH. His PA is going to take me to see him tomorrow. Hopefully I should be able to drive soon, my car is an automatic so that should make things a bit easier.

Didn't tackle any paperwork - mañana. Have been a bit of a domestic goddess instead.

Did a "fridge clearance". Made a quiche for tea with bits and bobs, used the left over pastry to make some mince pies. I even utitilised the oven fully by baking some jacket potatoes at the same time. Very MSE.

TBH thinking about holiday funds made me check my finances. They are ok but my housekeeping has definitely slipped the last couple of months, so going to try and rein in my spending.

I had a quick look in the cupboards:eek: Now it's been very nice that they are well stocked this week whilst I'm out of action but - anyone would think I was stocking up for WWIII.

So after my rest I will do a stock take and inventory of freezers and cupboards and do some menu planning. I've been lurking on the OS threads - picking up lots of ideas and tips.

Maman I know that you menu plan so I might be picking your brains. :rotfl: With a bit more care I reckon I could reduce my food bill quite a bit - more money for the cruise and of course, I would need a nice wardrobe to go with.:rotfl:

Sorry to hear you are feeling a bit off it Pod and as for stressing about Christmas - I agree it's always difficult trying to fit everyone in and trying to be "fair".

Anyway time for a lie down and a little rest before I get dinner ready.

Hope everyone is well and happy.

Bye for now x

lessonlearned

Posts crossed Maman - I'd typed it up when the phone went.

I am absolutely in agreement with you about being fed up running around after people. Christmas can be so stressful. I don't really know the answer to that one. I guess we all have to just try and do what's right for our own families and even then it can all get too much.

And as for the so called friends who disappeared off the face of the earth when OH's illness really kicked in :mad::mad::mad:

The phone call was from someone who we were "close" to or so I thought. There were several families and we would go on holidays together, week ends away etc. They were wonderful times and I thought they were real friends. I was wrong. Some of the group have stayed close and been really supportive but unfortunately some have disappeared like morning mist.

The person who just rang asked how I was (we now only hear from them once in a blue moon). Instead of saying "fine" I told her the truth. I also mentioned that OH would be going into care in the New Year.

Now you may think I'm imagining things but I could hear the disapproval in her voice. How dare she - I am absolutely fuming. How dare she pass judgement on me like that - when they can't even be bothered to see someone they used to be so fond of, let alone offer any help or support.

(Not that it matters but over the years OH has done them loads of favours - helping them with IT solutions for their business and being a business mentor).

There is another couple in the group who are the same. The husband said and I quote word for word (He finds seeing my OH "too embarrassing"). Silly, stupid, shallow man. :mad::mad:

Sorry for the rant but as you can see I'm practically spitting feathers.:o

And no, I wouldn't dream of repeating any of this to OH - he would just be too hurt.

Re the stockings - I often used to wear them. Really personal now - but I used to get repeated thrush attacks and my GP advised me to avoid tights as much as possible - at least in hot weather.

I know men like the old stockings and suspenders combo :rotfl::rotfl: but I didn't get on with them so I used to wear "hold-ups". I've still got a few pairs but haven't worn them in years. Perhaps when I've had my horrid vv's done.

Anyway must get that dinner on the go.

maman

:grouphug:

Just sending you this LL

and :mad: to your so-called friends. Maybe it was more guilt you heard in her voice rather than disapproval that things had got to the stage of residential care without them even knowing?? As for the embarassed friend perhaps it was a poor choice of words, maybe he feels uncomfortable or distressed. I know I felt like that when my poor SIL had a horrible stroke. I hated seeing her like that but it didn't stop me visiting. I had to steel myself/put on a face etc. but I did it, as much for BIL as anyone else as he obviously needed suppport.

One plus, I think it's a good sign that yu're ready to tell people what's happening in the new year.

Back later.

P.S. Glad to help with meal planning if I can.

floss2

maman wrote: »

....where to spend Christmas: it can be a very thorny issue. My girls have always come to me until a couple of years ago. DD2 said she wanted to cook her own dinner but we were invited, said it would give me a rest. I know the real reason was that (a) I didn't really welcome her new dog the year before and (b) she wanted to be able to have her friends and neighbours round in the evening. We didn't go and now have just DD1 and DGD1 around. It upset me at the time but now anyone who wants to come is welcome but anyone who's got a better offer I'm not bothering about. I don't want to jump on my soapbox (again:o) but I get really fed up having to make all the running with DD2. It upsets DH so I do but I sometimes think we could go a whole year and she'd never visit us!:lipsrseal

I'm a bit like this with DS1 - he lives about 60 miles away, has both landline & mobile AND email at work but hardly ever bothers to make contact, it feels like it's always me calling / emailing him. I know he has a life of his own, but really, does he not realise that his mother would like to speak to him every month or so, if only to know that he's still alive?!

Bitsy_Beans

Floss/maman my mum complains the same about my brother and he's 40 next year :eek: perhaps its man thing? Oh gawd does this mean I shall have to endure this from my DS? assuming he even manages to move out?!

LL huge hugs for you xxx IF she rings again you have two choices, one tell her how you felt and put the phone down on her or two put the phone down on her. Choose which ever option suits your blood pressure with friends like her who needs enemies eh? :mad::mad:

fedupandskint

Thanks for all the well done's - still smiling about it and happy about how far I've come. Plus this thread has given me a kick to keep it all going for once instead of letting it slide. And more, it has reminded me to keep my make up going on in the morning for work and the weekend and put some of my jewellry on again after years of not wearing any when I felt so low

Bitsy - my secret is sticking to my food diary and recognising the amount of calories and fat contained in what I ate eg ready meal curries, chocolate bars, bsicuits, crisps, butter and sloshes of olive oil. Swapping for lots of salad, veg, fruit, low fat yoghurts and working out that treat size chocolates work well and full size ones don't. Plus keeping very active - walking and running = weight lost

Went for another run after work which went well again today, feeling a bit quicker at last after all this time. Getting better on the intervals now and no need for any breaks. Yipee! Might even go again tomorrow if the weather is ok

vasseur

lessonlearned wrote: »

And as for the so called friends who disappeared off the face of the earth when OH's illness really kicked in :mad::mad::mad:

The phone call was from someone who we were "close" to or so I thought. There were several families and we would go on holidays together, week ends away etc. They were wonderful times and I thought they were real friends. I was wrong. Some of the group have stayed close and been really supportive but unfortunately some have disappeared like morning mist.

The person who just rang asked how I was (we now only hear from them once in a blue moon). Instead of saying "fine" I told her the truth. I also mentioned that OH would be going into care in the New Year.

Now you may think I'm imagining things but I could hear the disapproval in her voice. How dare she - I am absolutely fuming. How dare she pass judgement on me like that - when they can't even be bothered to see someone they used to be so fond of, let alone offer any help or support.

(Not that it matters but over the years OH has done them loads of favours - helping them with IT solutions for their business and being a business mentor).

There is another couple in the group who are the same. The husband said and I quote word for word (He finds seeing my OH "too embarrassing"). Silly, stupid, shallow man. :mad::mad:

Sorry for the rant but as you can see I'm practically spitting feathers.:o

Rant away :mad::mad::mad: It just goes to show that people like this really don't matter (but on the plus side when times are tough the true friends come into their own) and you get to knock the deadwood off your xmas card list

Glad everyone's keeping up with the fabbing. I've not done anything today apart from my normal routine (so maybe I am keeping up with it :think:). Got a banging headache now so am off to bed.

sophistica

Hi All. Pleased that most of you have upbeat news. My only tidbit of information is that I have been banned from the local charity shop for offloading tat and that we we finished the garage today. But it is back tomorrow to deal with a new water supply pipe. LL I now exactly what you mean about "frenemies". I have loads of them too. I have one "friend" who has two severely disabled children and her husband went bankrupt owing HMRC £40k. So you would think that she would be a bit understanding of the problems of dealing with disabled relatives. I have worked my butt off this year finding nursing homes, sorting out day centres, getting Pension Credit, etc and then she has the audacity to tell me, when I said that I was trying to get Brent Comunity Transport to take my dad for the day to see my mum, "it makes me sick when people try to get the government to do what they could easily do themselves!". I don't see her repaying HMRC or looking after her children at home :.)