Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

Skymist

Callisto (thank you greatly advancing Baby-Stepper X),bratz (my little Saggie sister - so pleased you had a BRILLIANT and LOVE-FILLED birthday X), lessonlearned (never mind about the cake thingy, you lovely message was a great gift in itself X), podperson (my wee Scottish sister X), maman (thank you sweet lady, X. I hope your DD1 has a beautiful day (singing:-"Happy birthday to her.....")....and yeh, it's a real bummer, when you're young, having your birthday near Xmas!!!! and MrsWoolfe ( my exotic sister who always shares her lovely, different cultural view of life with us ...................thank you all, you wonderful,beautiful and supportive ladies...as are you all, you wonderful women on this thread!!

Callisto...good luck with achieving your Day Zero Project.

Callisto wrote: »

My current list is due to finish in May 2013, and I need to get on with completing more of it once Christmas is over.

Wow...how many have you fullfilled up to now, if you don't mind me asking?

Sparkles...sounds like you've had an invigorating walk! I'm sure it did you the world of good, especially when followed with some lovely pampering and then chilling out and relaxing....what a perfectly :money: day!!!

Hang in there Bitsy Beans re: the "eating everything in sight " mode. It happens to most of us...please don't fret, worry or feel guilty...none of these things help!......, it'll soon pass. :j

tru, I think you had the BEST party!!!! Away from the jerks, and being able to enjoy and appreciate your surroundings without interuptions between you and your thoughts....and your wine ( :beer: )!!!

Once again LL...thank you X:A

podperson,

podperson wrote: »

Also my boss said this morning that he'd forgot I was finishing early and what do I normally drink - fingers crossed for a xmas pressie and he wasn't just being forward

Well, what happened? Did your boss come over all Christmassy with a nice present, and did you go for a little bit of Christmas :beer: ?

maman....sounds like your from the same "hippie roots" as I am !!!LOL I also always wear a bunch of bracelets, usually silver with amathyst and rose quartz and seed pearls!!! Very recently, I managed to break the habit of wearing too many rings....several on each finger!!! Now I'm down to just one jade and silver one!!!

MrsWoolfe

MrsWoolfe wrote: »

....the difference is my focus, my focus now is on the things that make me happy, how much I love my Husband and how much fun we have together, I spend time with people who make me feel happy and are sincere friends no more bending over backwards to please fake friends... No one knows what is around the corner so of course if you have something that you really want and would make you happy go for it- but not at the expense of your health/quality of life- in the end that is all we have of value anyway...the quality of the life we lead not the quantity of things we have..

:T ^^^^^...I couldn't have said it better, 'cos I'm like this now!! What it has given me is peace of mind and contentment with my life AS IT IS NOW, and I am very grateful for everything that I have, especially my health with no pains or problems. This is why I've spent today, by myself....I have had a couple of phone calls, and will Skype with my son in NZ later tonight... and I am VERY happy and content! In the past,I have had lots of ups and downs , and now is the time for me to just be on an even keel... I'm loving my life!!

Thanks girls.....love you all ( and NO, I'm NOT on anything!!!LOL)

S XXX

Ida_Notion

Skymist wrote: »

thank you all, you wonderful,beautiful and supportive ladies...as are you all, you wonderful women on this thread!!

Just what I was thinking All I've ever seen on this thread are amazing women, with some of you courageous in ways which continue to astound me. A 'massive action vs considered pacing' debate would leave out the myriad of other awe-inspiring and inventive ways in which I've seen you all tackle your problems. It's not even always been about 'action' - many times this thread has demonstrated that 'attitude' can be a powerful weapon too in those rare circumstances which can only be tolerated, and won't realistically improve for a while. Sometimes, action on any scale just isn't possible, and it's attitude that can put you in a 'down but not out' kind of position to take advantage of the opportunity that is out there somewhere with your name on.

We're all so different in our lifestyles, our issues and our ways of dealing with them that often when somebody suggests that an approach that's completely the opposite to our own is working for them, it can seem like a personal affront when it's not at all. What it really means is that even though our methods might be ineffective for other people - and theirs for us - we're all capable of working our own unique miracles in our lives and can even spin a bit of the magic over others in their search for ways of making their own 'spells' more effective. Just like you've all spent many months doing for me and the rest of lurkdom

I hope the forthcoming Solstice is enchanting for everyone. Stay special - all of you - and thanks for the opportunity to be a silent passenger on a most inspirational journey

podperson

Hi all,

Mrs W - I don't think he has actually told them just how much it upsets him but he has said to them several times that he would really like to be able to spend some time just with them when they come up rather then being at a family gathering - where it's exactly like you said there are lots of people all wanting to catch up and he doesn't really get to talk to them properly - and every time they have said, 'yes of course, let's do that next time' and then when they come up they're always too busy again. I get quite annoyed with them because they can always fit in their golfing and shopping, they always have a night just with his aunt and uncle, they usually manage to see their nieces and nephews but god forbid they set aside a few hours for their own son.
On a brighter note all your family's food sounds lovely, we are technically in xmas week so think we're allowed to be a little relaxed with the eating Hope you have a good night tonight.

Skymist - he didn't come over with a pressie but I don't finish until Wed so maybe there's time yet. They have organised a rather last min lunch and drinks for Friday when everyone finishes so he asked me if I was going to that and when I reminded him I had booked thurs/fri off he asked me what I usually drink so thinking I might get a bottle out of it since I can't go Glad you've had a nice day and what a lovely post x

Ida - that's a truly lovely post and think it covers the issue well, think it also shows you are definately in the 'amazing women' ranks so hope you come out of lurkdom offically x

Having a bit of an annoying day, been interupted from my tasks all day at work, my zip broke on my coat on the way home and the supermarket's card and cash machines weren't working so had to put most of my stuff back :mad: It does all seem to go wrong on certain days! Still, am well aware some people have much more serious problems and OH, bless him, had done the dishes and put my tea on for me. Having a bit of a destress and then will decide whether should be doing some fabbing or working on the book.

fedupandskint

Not much fabbing going on here today apart from an hour's walk with Mr dog, another coat of nail varnish on and the usual skincare routine. Diet wise have gone quite off piste today as had one of those days when I can't be bothered to cook and want to eat nearly everything in site. Time of the month here with a vengence this month. Plus Not quite back up to running yet as my chest and throat are not quite back to normal.

Might go out tomorrow for a run and then determindly eat a balanced meal!

lessonlearned

Willow92 wrote: »

I'm far too laid back and lazy to 'go for it' xD

Bless your little cotton socks - you sound just like my mum. No that is not an insult.

She is brilliant, speaks four languages and is supremely intelligent. She turned down countless promotions including working as an interpreter on the Concorde project whilst it was being built. She didn't want to spend 3 days a week in Paris!!!! Her reason - she would miss her children. She was always at her happiest pottering about the house and garden, nesting and just "being".

Ambition is fine. If it's not for you that's fine too.

To live a life in serene contentment is to live a rich, rewarding and fulfilling life.

If you are happy with yourself then that is one huge achievement for one so young. :T:T:T

Savvy_sewing

Molly, please do not get upset by the harsh posts.
You are a very loving and caring person, and you are also very sensitive. Some people are just barge poles in life!.

It was only a few weeks ago that I was suicidal, when you came to my home with flowers, chocolates and a magazine. Oh and the bottle of wine. you made me feel wanted and loved and cared about.!! Your ill health, like mine is frustrating, but you will get there.
No some of us cannot be "go get, and be dambed", most of us on MSE dont have a penny or two to rub together. We are not millionaires on paper or in the bank.
But we all are human, have hearts and have found, mostly, friends through MSE.

Onwards and upwards is one thing. But walking all over others is not your style, or most of us really. Or we would not share all of our tips and hints.

Take care my friend, please do not get upset by the odd negative, or bull headed post. Not eveyone is walking all over the rest of us.


On the good side, I have had my hair done, I have been in talks and meetings with the BF and we may be back on, but Christmas is not sorted out.
Tomorrow I will try harder with the makeup. I will be seeing my sister I hope, for about 20 minutes. Not seen her in about 2 years!. Dont want her to seee me as the downtrodden little sister that i have become!!

Hugs to all that are down. Tomorrow is another day, and we will all face it in what ever way we can.

lessonlearned

Ida_Notion wrote: »

A 'massive action vs considered pacing' debate would leave out the myriad of other awe-inspiring and inventive ways in which I've seen you all tackle your problems. It's not even always been about 'action' - many times this thread has demonstrated that 'attitude' can be a powerful weapon too in those rare circumstances which can only be tolerated, and won't realistically improve for a while. Sometimes, action on any scale just isn't possible, and it's attitude that can put you in a 'down but not out' kind of position to take advantage of the opportunity that is out there somewhere with your name on.

We're all so different in our lifestyles, our issues and our ways of dealing with them that often when somebody suggests that an approach that's completely the opposite to our own is working for them, it can seem like a personal affront when it's not at all. What it really means is that even though our methods might be ineffective for other people - and theirs for us - we're all capable of working our own unique miracles in our lives and can even spin a bit of the magic over others in their search for ways of making their own 'spells' more effective. Just like you've all spent many months doing for me and the rest of lurkdom

Hello Ida & a very warm welcome. Have you come out of lurkdom on a permanent basis or is this a one off visit.:rotfl:

What a lovely post. I've taken the liberty of highlighting and requoting you because it is so apt. You are absolutely right - I agree attitude is everything, but especially so in the times when we are powerless to make changes.

We cannot always chose what happens in our lives but we can choose how we respond. Sometimes the pragmatic way is to just to adopt a "wait & see" approach, which is more or less what I've been doing this last few weeks. Just taking care of OH and biding my time.

Well another day of visitors. I think the jungle telegraph is working again but over the last few days OH has had a steady stream of visitors, mainly old colleagues and business associates.

He's really enjoyed seeing everyone again and I've been reminded once again the high regard and esteem in which he is held. It was one of the first things I noticed when we first met - everyone who met him fell under his spell. It always amused me and even now the old charisma and charm is still there - he's already worked his magic on the staff and inmates of the nursing home. He'll be fine.

We have both been showered with gifts and presents - people can be so kind.

Today I have also received two business propositions. I shall give them both plenty of consideration. I have been taken aback really - I wasn't sure whether or not my ideas were realistic or not (given my age and current decrepitude). Obviously other people seem to think they could have wings.

By the way I looked at the DayZero project - was telling DS2 about it. We are going to look into this in the New Year. He wants to "better himself" - his words - so I will make that one of my goals - to help him.

He has a degree, and is actually very intelligent but he is borderline dyslexic and dyspraxic. His IQ puts him in the top 4% which is how he has managed to cope with dyslexia, however, he lacks confidence, which is why I want to give him a hand.

Back in a mo - OH needs me

Carmen

Hi everyone,
Long time no 'see' :o
Just wanted to pop in and say :hello::hello:
I hope you are all well?
I will try and catch up with all your posts and get back into the thread very soon.
Hugs
Carmen xxx

Willow92

lessonlearned wrote: »

Bless your little cotton socks - you sound just like my mum. No that is not an insult.

She is brilliant, speaks four languages and is supremely intelligent. She turned down countless promotions including working as an interpreter on the Concorde project whilst it was being built. She didn't want to spend 3 days a week in Paris!!!! Her reason - she would miss her children. She was always at her happiest pottering about the house and garden, nesting and just "being".

Ambition is fine. If it's not for you that's fine too.

To live a life in serene contentment is to live a rich, rewarding and fulfilling life.

If you are happy with yourself then that is one huge achievement for one so young. :T:T:T

Your mum sounds like such a lovely person!

There are things I'd like to do but I'm not like "I want to achieve everything now" coz I'd rather just mooch along and see what happens.

Willow92

Ooh, can I just say that everyone on this thread is wonderful and I love how you all help each other through bad times. I hope I've helped someone a little but I doubt that coz I'm not really much use But thank you to everyone who has helped me out.