Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

maman

Carmen wrote: »

Well, the sun is shining through the windows
Carmen xxxx

Sun!!!!:eek: What's that???

lessonlearned

Still pretty cold, grey & miserable here, a bit of pale sun this evening - apparently it's on itsway back.

Winter Wardrobe

I know, I know - we haven't had summer yet. However, today I popped into a CS and picked up a lovely winter maxi skirt, M&S grey and black patterned heavy velvet cord at £5 just the ticket.

The trick with CS shopping - don't hestitate to buy when you see what you like, the good stuff doesn't hang around for long. If you haven't got enough money with you, they will put it aside for a few days for you.

Carmen - you're right I'm struggling with the pad thingy, before I logged on tonight I said to DS I think I need a mouse. The other thing that is strange is the keyboard, I learned to type on the old Imperial 66 manual typewriter which you really had to thwack. This keyboard is so sensitve for my heavy handed typing so I make lots of typos. Ah well, practice.

Re joining things, I agree that's the best way of meeting new people. I've met some lovely ladies at WW. Today when I went to the library there was a knit and natter group in full swing, I heard someone call my name and it was a couple of my new friends from WW.

I'm thinking of popping along because I want to relearn how to knit and crochet. I also quite fancy joining a WI group.

Re the school yard mums, etc. For many years I would help at school with reading - I was Chris's mummy or John's mummy and it was the children who would rush up to me to say hello dragging their mummies behind them - definitely broke the ice. :rotfl::

At senior school I was secretary of the PTA and although you don't hang around the school gates at senior school -oo-er missus your kids would die of embarassment - you still get to know loads of people (and find out what's going on in your little darling's lives).

Back in a mo ............................

lessonlearned

Mooloo Happy Birthday for tomorrow. Have a lovely day.

Twinnie - I always wanted to see Tina Turner but kept missing her concerts - there was always some damn fool reason why I couldn't go.I don't suppose she could be persuaded to come out of retirement for one last final fling:D I bet she would still be sensational and could outdance the Beyoncees, Maria Careys and Britney Spears of this world. She sure had some Ooomph:rotfl:

Watty-I admit I too had to smile at your comments about your counselling session. Good luck sweetie, it can only get better. If things really don't work out then at least you've given it your best shot, that's all anyone can do.

Anyway, time for bed.

It's lovely to read all your posts and catch up with you all, keep up the good work.

G'night all x

maman

I, too, much prefer to use a mouse. I think laptop key boards have improved a lot over the years (either that or I've got used to them!). I went to an evening class to learn to type years ago. This was pre-computer days but what a useful skill it has been. I've never typed for a living but, although I had a PA in my last job, I found it easier to type up my own reports/letters etc. Originally, I would pass over the drafts for her to 'tidy' for me but in time I learned to do it myself. I also taught myself to think and type at the same time. Previously I had to draft important documents in long-hand and then type them up. That's saved me hours!

Strange that you should be talking about a winter wardrobe LL. It was only saying in the fashion pages of my paper yesterday that loads of women are wearing thick, black tights in July! I bought myself a scarf at the CS yesterday. It's pale pink and grey 100% silk chiffon with embroidery and sparkles. Phase Eight, £3!

Very disappointed to put on 0.5lbs at SW today:(. I won't bore you all with the details but everyone at my group gained except for 2 people who weren't there last week. Last week most people had great losses. The consultant is getting the scales checked as there seems to be a problem somewhere.

I'v been very good today, food-wise. My friend had a tea party to say thank you to a group of us that help her with some charity work. I avoided all the cakes:T but brought a doggie-bag home for DH so that she wasn't offended. I've also been invited out tomorrow and Monday. I'm pleased to have an interesting life but it's so hard to control how I eat when I'm not at home. Tomorrow we're going to SIL's to see her new grandson (born last Sunday) and she's promised cake too:mad:

I'd love to go to a knitting group but I'm not aware of any locally. I'll have to check it out. On the Knitters' thread they have a pattern for Ugg boots for babies! I really must give them a try.

I'm still looking after myself. While I don't need foundation at the moment, I'll have to use my bronzing powder again if sun doesn't shine soon. I'm using a lovely grey eyebrow pencil, a great highlighter on my browbones and cheekbones, mascara and lipstick. I must perfect eye shadow before the winter. Perfume and handcream are a given and I've been really good with the body lotion afer every shower. And I'm sitting up straight as I type HONEST:D

bratz81

lesson learned - funny you should mention a knit and natter club, I've just joined one too! well, we call ours stitch and b!tch but same thing I guess. I've only been twice so far and I am a complete novice but I'm getting there. I've finished knitting myself a green scarf with lovely fluffy yarn (first time casting on and off properly!) and I'm on a scarf for the fiance now, involving purl stitching too, which I'm also learning for the first time. I'm slow but the buzz when you finish something that's actually wearable and looks like a shop one is amazing!

So the bleach and hairdye have finally arrived and been picked up from the sorting office, so tonight I'm going to bleach streaks in my hair, then let it dry naturally and put in the blue. Probably do the blue in the morning before the MOT as I doubt my hair will be dry tonight and I'm not blow-drying it after bleaching.

Also painted my nails a lovely canary yellow last night so feeling quite upbeat and summery. Plus it's even sunny outside. I was going to wear a dress into work today, however it is actually pretty windy and as I walk into work and it's a short-ish dress that wasn't a risk I was prepared to take!

tru

Morning all :hello:

Knit and natter - I like to call it stitch and bitch too :rotfl:

I ran out of nail varnish remover (well, miss tru pinched it!) so I went to buy some yesterday. Ending up staring at the shelf trying to choose the best one for me. Apparently, there are different types of nails Who knew? Not me. I did a girly thing, and picked the nicest colour :rotfl:

I bought a new Maybelline eyeshadow palette to replace one that went missing (I suspect miss tru stole that from me too) so I've been playing around with that.

I removed the pink varnish from my toenails, filed my feet, soaked them then massaged loads of cream on. I'll give my nails a rest for a couple of days, then paint them silver.

We're on holiday from work this week, we've been out and about a lot. So while the me-time is still happening, it's a bit rushed.

Only 2 things made it into the Hatebook this week

MrsWoolfe

Morning Ladies and Lurkers!

MooLoo Happy Birthday!:bdaycake:Hope you have a lovely day!

Carmen That Tina Turner gig sounds fantastic! I'm sure she was amazing to watch- we (OH and Me) were talking the other night about how when you go and see some acts- their sheer energy just gives you a massive lift, such a positive buzz, I don't know what it is exactly that does it, but some artists just have this ability to get the whole crowd crackling and it's such a high...it's why I love music so much!:D With a festival it can be a bit hit and miss- we saw a few really great acts some not so great but it was the overall atmosphere that makes it such a great experience- as long as there is a fairly mixed crowd it's great, the only issue I ever have is when there are a lot of teens/just out of teens who are all about just getting as smashed as possible, maybe I'm getting old but I'm there to see some bands and have a good time- not to be ducking out of the way of drunk teenagers who think it's funny to tent dive/puke in a crowd/or think a mosh pit is for trying to start a fight...IT'S NOT! Grrr ok rant over!

My ankle actually coped really well- there was a little swelling again- but no pain and it went down fast so all in all i reckon i did ok! did have a couple of near missed with guide ropes in the dark but thankfully no really damange done- my friend A did have a very funny moment when coming back to camp tripping over three ropes in a row (sis didn't hurt heself thankfully!) doing a little summersalt (sp) then landing at my feet propping herself up on one arm and calmly saying "Good Evening" to me and a guy I was talking to..to funny for words:D.

Someone was saying their skin felt a little tight with OCM Polesalot I think? If you are using castor oil and it's feeling tight, reduce the proportion of castor to carrier oil- i.e just mix in more of the other oil it does take a few tweaks to find the right mix for your skin but should settle soon.

Didn't post yesterday as was having a very emotional and mixed up day- was my brothers graduation and was very proud of him looking all clever and grown up in his gown- but couldn't help thining of his BA graduation ( yesterday was his Masters) Dad was still here- but very ill and had just had a bi-opsy he had this huge scar on his head that he didn't want anyone to see so I had to hunt for a hat that wouldn't put pressure on it and he was in a wheelchair- we fought to be able to take him out of hospital so he could see his boy graduate and I'm so glad we did that- but it brought back a lot of painful feelings bittersweet memories. I sometimes wonder whether I'll ever stop feeling like this...unfortunately there were also a few other things going on and I think it all just mixed together to make things much worse.

I'm having some issues at the mo with DH and family just not realising/not caring that I need to take better care of me, I need to rest properly and eat on time and make sure I am managing things- when I don't even for a day everything goes haywire, it's a bit of a balancing act keeping the blood pressure and blood sugar in line am being healthy and keeping on top of things goes a long way to helping with that.

What upsets me is that while they all say they understand that and want to support me- in reality they just don't - it;s always things like "oh you can eat that it won't hurt " "oh you can wait a bit longer to eat/take meds it will be ok-" "oh I know you are shattered but X really wants us to go and do XYZ" they sound like small things I know that, but it adds up a couple of days of not eating right and not getting enough sleep/rest and my BP sky rockets and the blood sugar is ping-ponging all over the place despite the meds - and that's where the danger is, the more my body goes from one extreme to the next the more damage will be done...I don't know I suppose I just feel angry that they don't seem to get that/care.

Am I being crazy to get upset about it? Maybe I'm expecting too much, but I just get so angry and frustrated I feel like I'm fighting so hard to be in control of this, to pick myself up and be postive and as healthy as I can be- which frump to fab has been a huge part of so thank you- but without the support it's not easy:mad:

Ok I'm going to go now- this was why I stayed away yesterday I didn't want to be so ranty and negative- obviously I need more cooling off time , deep breath, will go and have a cup of tea on the patio while it's still sunny and try and come back positive and more on topic...

Sorry:o

MrsWoolfe

floss2

MrsWoolfe wrote: »

...I'm having some issues at the mo with DH and family just not realising/not caring that I need to take better care of me, I need to rest properly and eat on time and make sure I am managing things- when I don't even for a day everything goes haywire, it's a bit of a balancing act keeping the blood pressure and blood sugar in line am being healthy and keeping on top of things goes a long way to helping with that.

What upsets me is that while they all say they understand that and want to support me- in reality they just don't - it;s always things like "oh you can eat that it won't hurt " "oh you can wait a bit longer to eat/take meds it will be ok-" "oh I know you are shattered but X really wants us to go and do XYZ" they sound like small things I know that, but it adds up a couple of days of not eating right and not getting enough sleep/rest and my BP sky rockets and the blood sugar is ping-ponging all over the place despite the meds - and that's where the danger is, the more my body goes from one extreme to the next the more damage will be done...I don't know I suppose I just feel angry that they don't seem to get that/care....

Maybe you need to say "NO, my Doctor has told me I MUST do it this way"...as I am sure your GP would support you eating the right things and taking any meds at the correct time If the family don't like it they need to accept it as medical advice.

podperson

Completely agree with Carmen - it can make such a difference to get out and do things so maybe have a think about what you're interested in. As I mentioned before I moved nearly 2 years ago now and I found it really hard to meet new people. OH had lots of new friends through his course and while they were lovely to me then I still felt a bit left out and isolated. I would sit at home most nights and never see anyone. At the start of the year I made a conscious decision that I wasn't happy with the way things were so I needed to change them. I said to myself that new people weren't coming to come and knock on my door and invite themselves in for a brew :rotfl:so I had to make the effort to go out and meet people. It was a bit trial and error at the start - I tried meetup but didn't really like it, joined a few groups that I never went back to but now I go to choir once a week, have a book group and a film group once a month and will occasionally meet up with a few people to go to the cinema or for a drink. I do have to be careful because I'm on a strict budget at the moment but whereas at one time I would have said that if I don't have much money I won't go now then now I'll be more likely just to say, sod it I'll walk there and just have a coke it's beter then sitting in on my own all night. Anyway maybe that might help someone a little

LL - hope you're enjoying the new laptop. I can't stand the pads on them either, have to plug a mouse in. Your new skirt sounds lovely, think I'm going to be looking more at skirts this winter - I like long skirts but don't feel very confident in shorter ones at the moment.

Maman - your scarf sounds nice as well. I was looking at some in my local BHF shop the other day thinking they were pretty - looked at the price tag and they were £8!!!! Some CS are getting ridiculously expensive these days! Am loving the beauty and make-up routine, it's ironic because I think I'm ok with eyeshadow but highlighter is a mystery to me
I'm a little boring with colours though so treated myself to a blue and a purple eyeliner. I quite like the blue one - though I was wearing the purple one and OH says to me - 'did I roll over and hit you in my sleep or something?' cue me getting all paranoid, 'no, why do a red mark or something?' 'no but you have 2 black eyes!' *sighs* he makes himself laugh at least

MrsWoolfe - glad you enjoyed your festival. Sounds like your OH's family are a bit thoughtless - agree that saying you have to do this on doctor's advice might be a good way to shut them up. Know this is not in the same league but OH's mum drives me crazy by trying to constantly force-fed me sweet things. If we go out for a meal she'll say something like, 'how's the healthy eating going?' I'll say it's good, then she'll say, 'so what pudding are you having?' er, none of them and then she'll go about it for about 10 mins that I should get this or get that.

Seem to lost my routine completely this week. Only done exercise one day this week so far and beauty routine has been lazy to say the least! Don't seem to be sleeping well this week and just feeling rather tired and a bit stuffy. Hopefully can have a quiet weekend to regroup and get remotivated. Hope everyone else is doing well x

lizzie157

Watty, Maman, Bitsy Beans, and Carmen and anyone else i've forgotten.

thanks for your kind comments. i have tried to find clubs and things locally but am struggling but have resolved as Podperson says to accept any invitations i would previously have rejected through lack of funds and to ask people to do things myself a bit.( something i didn't do much as i usually feel that everyone is too busy for me). i have started zumba as i previously mentioned but its like anything else its early days and at the moment am only on smiling and passing the time of day terms with the ladies in the class.
i'm starting an OU course in October and am thinking of doing some voluntary work in January when my computer course ends.
i'm abit impatient I suppose and I get low when I think things aren't happening so must resolve not to be like this. I also think that perhaps the menopause is afecting my moods and I perhaps I should make allowances for this.
Mrs W -families tend to be bit like that don't they, but as its a medical issue I think stressing this until they get the message is probably the only way forward.

This morning have 1. dyed eyebrows and lashes after threading yesterday
2. 1hrs excercise on wii
Am still trying to get the 20+times chewing into my head so thats what I'l be concentrating on to make sure it becomes a habit over the next three weeks.