Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

MrsWoolfe

Hello All!

Sorry haven't posted for a few days, been a bit hectic with settling into new office and associated drama :S

been a worrying few days as have a lot of family in enfield. tottenham and walthamstow as well as many friends spread around London- got v scared when there were reports of trouble near my Mum but thankfully nothing too bad- have to say that the police both where I am and where my Mum is have done an amazing job keeping potential problems in check- we did have a few rumblings of things here but swiftly dealt with thank goodness!

This week I have been trying to make sure I use my hand cream through the day and put lip balm on just before bed- little things but my hands had been getting a bit grotty and dry and I always have problems with dry lips- I've been keeping the lip balm by the sink so as soon as I've brushed my teeth I use it and must say it's helping, still need to use balm through the day but much less sore than before- at this rate I may even be able to wear lipstick soon!

I also cut my nails right down as they were getting very long- too long really- got a bit over enthusiastic though and now they are very short and stubby:o ah well they grow fast so should be ok by next week I hope!

I have been trying to keep up- sorry for the lack of personal messages not much time today but I am still waving the virtual pompoms for you all!

lizzie157

hi all,

had to laugh at the wasp stories spent half hour dodging one on the bus from town -think they must know you are afraid cos seemed to be homeing in on me- no -one else seemed to be bothered. I'm such a wimp where wasps are concerned!
Tru- glad the excercises seem to be helping. well done on the healthy eating.
PP-Sounds like you had fun even if you were a little wet. Good luck for tonight.
Bitsy- Think it depends on your skin how often you do the OCM.Start off with twice and take it from there.
LL- sorry you are struggling. Hope you sort out the help you need soon.
Carmen-well done -if the top fits you must be doing something right.
Hi to everyone else.!

Have dyed my hair a plum colour, would like to go lighter but means either using a dye stripper or letting it grow out. But this colour's not too bad - warms up face abit-not as witch like as the dark brown build up before. managed to do my nails. some bad news daughter has lost her temporary job due to time off relating to depression. so much for getting people back to work when employers won't make allowances. Been to a friends this afternoon - much needed chat and drink of wine so if post incoherent you know why.
see you later x

maman

:wave:

Sorry to hear about your DD Lizzie. It does make me angry when govt are announcing that most disabled people are able to work!:mad: Good you were able to talk to your friend. It doesn't do to bottle things up.

I was wondering MrsW whether your moving offices and associated dust has aggravated your hands and lips? Good that you're keeping up the slathering. Philsmum asked for a reasonable moisturiser the other day. I use a very cheap (£1.99) day cream from Aldi that was recommended in a magazine a couple of years ago. It suits my skin fine and at that price if it didn't suit you could always rub it into hands and feet.



Good luck for tonight podperson

Carmen, are those real, French croissants your OH was munching? I don't recall you saying where you are but you aften have sun when we don't. Like today!

I sympathise with the slow weightloss. I really seem to have levelled out lately and finding it sooo hard to lose any more. Half a pound gain today:( but I am determined not to give up. I think part of my problem must be socialising but I didn't give up work to sit at home and eat lettuce!:rotfl:This week I'm going to keep a food diary so if I gain weight at least I'll now why.

DD2 is coming later to stay overnight with DGD2. OH has gone to fetch them. She's actually my step daughter but I've brought her up since she was 9 (now 41). Excuse me, I feel like a little rant:mad::mad::mad:
DD2 doesn't drive although we've offered to pay for intensive lessons so DH has done a 60+ mile round trip to fetch her. I think this is only second or maybe third time she's visited since Christmas. No idea why SIL couldn't bring her. They often (twice in last month) come to our city to collect/take his mother to IOW ferry. It's been difficult for a while as we only visit them when invited because she has DH's ex living with her. Although she had almost nothing to do with DD2 for years and years, when her third husband died she went to stay and has now made it permanent. There's no way we'd call in uninvited in case the witch was there! DH is very cross as he feels his ex is taking advantage but also that DD2 is happy to make a choice that excludes us. I'm obviously mad about it but it makes DH very sad that we don't get to spend much time with DGD2. BUT, we smile sweetly and say nothing because we're civilised, grown-ups. So we'll have a nice few hours and take them out tomorrow and then hopefully SIL will fetch them tomorrow evening. So I shall be having a drink tonight (I think Pinot Grigio goes well with fatted calf:rotfl:)

Thanks for listening. Usual calm service to be resumed ASAP.

Bitsy_Beans

thanks for the replies re OCM. My skin isn't suffering a major breakout but last week felt a bit more congested with more just below the skin irritations. Anyway I thought I may not be doing OCM enough so will up the sessions and see how it reacts.

Maman - Difficult situation for you both xx 60 mile round trip :eek: has she explained why she doesn't want to learn to drive? Hugs for you, nothing worse than family to drive you mad xx

lessonlearned

Hello Everyone

Hope you are well, fit and happy.

Maman - was so sorry to hear about the way things are with your DD2, it sounds like a very difficult situation, with you stuck slap bang in the middle. Often the case isn't it - women are often piggy in the middle at times like this and everyone expects us to be the peacemakers.

Don't know what to suggest really. My usual approach in this kind of scenario is just to keep quiet, keep my thoughts to myself. Sometimes it's a good idea to try and have a "talk" - however, sometimes it only makes matters worse. Civilised "grown-up" behaviour is the probably the best way forward, difficult to maintain when you are quietly seething.:o

Anyway hope all goes well with the visit and you get lots of time with your granddaughter.

Re the small weight gain - don't worry - you'll get there. I've every faith in you.

Lizzie - what a shame your daughter lost her job. She must feel so downhearted poor thing.

Anyway - not much news here. My hands look a bit worse for wear after all the plum stoning and chopping, will need to work on the nails tonight.

Had a nice mooch round a few charity shops, we have 9 all within a 10 minute drive away, so I always have plenty to go at.:D

Today I was very naughty, I bought a musical sewing table, beautiful wood - I think it's yew - with different types of wood inlay. £7-50 - I've no idea where to put it.:o

However, it was for sentimental reasons.

When I was a girl Aunty S bought an identical one in Italy. I loved it as a child, she would let me "play" with it. Anyway time passed and eventually she parted with it. I was bereft - I said to Aunt S where is my table - she was so upset she hadn't thought to offer it to me. I was a stroppy, teenager deep into Hippydom at the time and she just assumed I wouldn't be interested.

Anyway it reminded me of her so I bought it. (I don't suppose for one minute it's the same one - although maybe .......... - the CS in question is only a couple of miles away from where she used to live).

P.S. Just taken the table out of the car and had a good look at it. I think it may well be Aunty S's table, the tune it plays is definitely of Italian origin. I can't remember the title but the words "Santa Lucia" are in the lyrics.

Discussed it with OH and he agrees it's too much of a coincidence not to be hers. There can't be that many Italian musical sewing tables in Derby. I do hope so. She had dementia at the end of her life, all was confusion and other than photographs I don't actually have any keepsakes of her, so it would be wonderful if it was hers.

I will find out for sure next time I see one of her children, I will be able to get them to take a look.


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

lessonlearned

Feeling quite pleased with myself.

I went to the physio today - elbows this time - for an assessment. Actual treatment starts next week.

Anyway - get this - he said that I was in good shape, and that he could tell I exercise regularly and took good care of myself. Yes he could see that I was in pain but that in general terms he was very impressed (he didn't actually mention my age but I gathered that was part of his reasoning.:D)

Reassuring though.

Anyway on that note, off to do some yoga, bike etc and then cook dinner, but first OH's afternoon tea.

Have a great weekend x

vasseur

lessonlearned wrote: »

Anyway - get this - he said that I was in good shape, and that he could tell I exercise regularly and took good care of myself. Yes he could see that I was in pain but that in general terms he was very impressed (he didn't actually mention my age but I gathered that was part of his reasoning.:D)

Reassuring though.

Well that's what you want to hear! :T

Bitsy_Beans

LL well done on your purchase and how fabulous if it was your Aunty S's musical table

maman

:wave:

What a lovely story about the musical table, it just has to be your aunt's. I guess this is what is playing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fnry_tnWB4&feature=related

and I'm listening to it while I type. I just love tenor voices.

DH has gone to drive our visitors back. DD2 did take a driving test when she was 17 but failed. Then she went to university, then moved to a small town with railway station on her doorstep and she's just got used to it. Visit went fine. It's not that we don't get on, I just feel it's always us making the effort. LL, I agree with you about adult behaviour. I wouldn't dream of making a scene. DH said his piece at the time his ex moved in but he's an absolute gentleman and wouldn't dream of any more than calmy stating his opinion. So we live with it! And thank you all for listening.:A

It's my wedding anniversary tomorrow. 31 years! (where did that go??) We met on 13th August (the week Elvis died), married 3 years later and 25 years ago tomorrow we moved into this house. I must put champagne in the fridge!

I've made my mind up that I'm likely to be holding my own (just) on the weightloss until after my next holiday in September. We just have so may social bits on due to school holidays etc. I'm going to have as many good days as possible but I just have to accept that with so much eating out it's impossible to stick to the plan. Today we've been to Pizza Express (DGD2 loves it there) and although I had the lightest option, cheese and pizza dough isn't what I should be eating!

I did manage a walk yesterday and today we've walked a lot while sightseeing. Today wasn't as brisk as I'd like it but I haven't been idle. Also made eyes up to go out again.

Great news from the physio LL, so the exercise is paying off, well done.

Have been listening to lovely music on youtube while typing this message. It's addictive. Thanks Aunty S!

Have a good evening all.

lolly101

Hey Everyone!

Can I please join you all as I ADORE this thread already (only found it 2 hours ago)!!! It is just what I need at the moment, and everyone seems so lovely and supportive!

OK, a bit of background info... I'm 26 and live with DS1 (6) and DS2 (1 next month) I used to love pampering myself, although I've kind of forgotten about myself over the last year or so (although I had been slipping for a while! ).

I was due to (finally!) start University last year, but found out that I was expecting a nephew... who later became DS2!
It's a long and confusing story, but to cut it short - neither parent was able to care for him and he was taken into care at birth. I spent the next 7 months battling Social Services for custody (such a draining experience!). I finally got the OK, and he moved in a few months ago. :T He has a lot of health issues, and is a pretty demanding child, but he is so lovely . I adapted my university plans, and am now about to start my second year of study with the OU. It is a bit of a struggle for time (juggling act?) so I've kind of been neglecting myself lately.

Confession time...
I 'wash' my face with cleansing wipes most nights.
I haven't dyed my hair in months (and you can tell! ).
I haven't had a manicure or pedicure in almost a year.
I hardly wear any make-up now (only foundation, as my skin is pretty dull otherwise).

Basically, I need help! I'm loving the inspiration and motivation on this thread, and have been really encouraged so far (I've read the first 100 or so posts, and the last couple of pages). The power of P's has really inspired me. Pampering is something that I really need to make time for!!! Also, the 'Procrastination' and 'Psychology' made me giggle - I have been procrastinating... by reading this thread knowing that I have a Psychology essay due in very soon :rotfl:

You can probably tell form my post that I tend to ramble on sometimes but I'll try and cut it short. I'd love to join you all. I'll probably not be much help on the DIY beauty side of things, but can spot a bargain a mile off . I'm also pretty 'up' on food/diets - food is a big thing in our house - I'm calorie counting, DS1 is a Type 1 Diabetic, and DS2 is lactose intolerant - fun times, lol!

Anyway, hope to talk to you all again soon, should really get back to work!!!