Frump to Fab - Summer Solstice Sizzler

lessonlearned

Good morning everyone

PP - Just wanted to wish you good luck with your meeting today. Hope all goes well.

Callisto - will get back to you on some book titles.

I'm feeling a bit grim today.

I don't know whether it is related to the herbal tablets, or something similar to what DS2 suffered from last week. Just feeling very queasy and extremely tired. Could just be stress rearing it's ugly head again.

I was very tearful and upset yesterday when I visited OH - no real reason why - it just gets to me. Sometimes it's just worse than others. It truly breaks my heart to see him so helpless and vulnerable. My GP did warn me that I would find it very difficult placing OH in care. I guess there are days when I get overwhelmed.

Today's positives? - struggling a bit there. :rotfl:

1. Although unwell I have nothing urgent to do so can just rest a little.
2. I have a full freezer, fridge and cupboards so can "shop" from there. Don't have to go shopping so can have a few NSD's this week. Good for the bank balance.;)
3. Although in pain I managed to restart some physic exercises with no ill effects. Will do some more today.

Callisto - loving the sound of your ideas for travelling. Have you thought of buying a round the world airline ticket. They last for a year and you travel in one direction only - no doubling back allowed.

I have a friend who has two daughters one in Australia and one in Canada. She buys a round the world ticket every two years, travels east to west, heading out to Australia and back via Canada.

You are allowed a number of stop offs - can be just a few days or several weeks at each place. I know that over the years she has stopped over at Dubai, Singapore, Thailand, India, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Los Angeles, San Franciso (also doing internal flights criss-crossing the USA which I think she paid extra for).

She's had a great time seeing the world. The last time I looked a RTW ticket was around £800 ish - economy - booked in advance. Business class was around the £2500 mark.

WW - never heard about the Spice group - are they just local to you. What do they do.

I'm not ready to tackle any new groups just yet. I did think about UA3 (University of the Third Age) - not just yet though. For "proper" holidays I've been looking at some of those solo companies. A bit dearer but I think they might be worth it especially for "exotic" destinations where I might feel a bit unnerved by going it alone - the far east etc.

TBH I don't feel ready to tackle any foreign holidays or trips just yet. I just don't feel well enough.

I'm realising that I really do need to take things easy for a while. I have managed a couple of short breaks and, although they did me good mentally, physically I struggled. I think I've seriously underestimated just how worn out I really am. I'm beginning to understand why my doctor signed me "off sick" for six months.

My revised plan is to just rest, potter about, enjoy any good weather that comes our way and just generally make the most of the summer and nursing myself back to health and try and get fitter. Good food, sleep and rest and start exercising, walking etc.

Any major decorating or large projects can wait for the time being. I'll just touch up a few of the worst gouges and marks and leave it at that for now, doing a little gentle decluttering as and when.

I don't think of that as being defeatist - I like to think that I'm just being practical and realistic. A quiet life is very appealing just now.

On the whole I do feel Optimistic that my life will get better - yes it's time for some "O's".;) I just need to be a little patient and play the long game.

Anyway off to try and eat, do some paperwork, a bit of gentle housework and maybe a walk - if it warms up a bit:rotfl:

Have a good day everyone. Hope my post isn't too downbeat today - normal service will be resumed asap.:D

LameWolf

lessonlearned wrote: »

I was very tearful and upset yesterday when I visited OH - no real reason why - it just gets to me. Sometimes it's just worse than others. It truly breaks my heart to see him so helpless and vulnerable. My GP did warn me that I would find it very difficult placing OH in care. I guess there are days when I get overwhelmed.

Cut yourself a bit of slack, LL it's OK (there's an O) to have an off day; and if you need a three-hanky cry, that's fine too. My theory, fwiw, you've been fighting hard for your rights, ESA, getting the right place for your dear OH, and all the rest of it, and now some of it's starting to slot into place, a wee bit of the pressure is off, and your system is saying "right, time for me to react to all the stress now".

And yes, it must be heartbreaking to see the man you love in such a weakened state; I can't begin to imagine how I'd feel if it was Mr LW like that. (Actually I'd probably be railing against the Universe and any deity within earshot, but that's just me).

Apologies if I'm speaking out of turn; my intention is just to offer a little moral support.:o

Anyways, I'm going to push off and take Derek and Clive for a wee trundle.;)

lizzie157

LL- :grouphug: Take it easy and look after yourself. x

PP- good luck with your meeting. Hope it goes well. x

Callisto- its been 7 weeks tomorrow! MP has been contacted -(my blog catalogues the events), but basically could never actually get to the MP herself. Her office staff just referred us back to welfare rights- very helpfull!! When we did manage to get a mobile contact number and contact her she just ignored us!!! So basically a total waste of time!!!! She's too busy off on jolies to other countries so I've heard.

On the Spice group thing I think it's got branches in a few cities - did think of joining myself but my nearest one is 20 miles away and I can't drive and obviously lack the money to keep up with any activities, even when we are in receipt of our proper money. Have to concentrate on sorting some money making first before I think about friendships etc, will just get out n about with kids for now on train (free pass).

Things are going a bit slowly on the work front but unfortunately can't really do much until my shoulder and finger are fully better or it may just re-occur so must be patient.

have a good day everyone xx

morocha

I have written a long post and it is all gone !!! grrrrrr

HOPE everyone is ok, can't re post at the moment but i will when i have the time.

I am not pregnant, my period arrived today, it was just too good to be true if I was, as we only managed to do it once and still not in ovulation day when we should have done more.
I am a bit upset but not to worried, we said we just want to relax, it will happen when it happens.. only problem is I kinda guess when I ovulate and usually those days he is away or too tired, or stress with work, or scared and use a condom, so it does not happen ! typical eh ?

Forgot to add, had a lovely day yesterday! Didnt spend the money just yet i think i will save it to pay for some of my driving lessons.
Thank you XXx

Bitsy_Beans

Morocha Sorry to see AF arrived. I can recommend using OPK's. when I first started trying I assumed on the 14 day OV but i actually OV on day 20, despite having a 30 day cycle. If your cycles are regular I'd use OPK's for one month and then you'll when what time of the month to aim for next time xxx

LL - hugs lovey xxx I agree with LW. re the queasy there is a terrible somach bug doing the rounds so just look after yourself xxx

Callisto - you are braver than me.....going travelling is waaaaay out of my comfort zone :rotfl: Good luck with your plans.

Not masses being done in the name of fabbing, did OCM last night, think I will try and do it nightly and my nails need some attention.
Have a good day all, off to finish my housework

WelshWoofer

LL - Look after yourself and give yourself an "off" day. Had you thought that the weepiness may be partly connected to the illness today? I know that when I had the norovirus a few months ago I felt really down for no real reason and was bit weepy just before the onslaught of the toilet runs began. I think the virus/infection is building up in your system and it makes you groggy, deflated and emotional. Then the havoc starts and strangely you have no time to think of anything other than being ill. Just take it easy.

LW - lovely words of wisdom for LL - I totally agree. Hope your two little men are keeping you happy! (Still love the names!)

On the subject of the Spice group, I did it! I spoke to my mum about it and she talked me into it, so I've joined (£12 a month) and have booked my first few events - horse riding on Saturday:eek:, a curry night in a few weeks time and a pub night quite local to me. I've also rejoined the local women only dog walkers who have their monthly walk very close to me in a couple of weeks time.
For anyone that's interested here's the Spice website www.spicemcr.com (other groups throughout the country) and another site I found useful was www.MeetUp.com where you can search for groups locally with your interests (I found the dog walkers this way). I've also joined a film goers club with these guys and am waiting for the next session to go.
So its all go!

Been to work this morning and did a revision session for the kids during their holidays - bit more cash for the pot.
Also got an email from an old boyfriend from 15 years ago saying he'd like to pop in for a coffee and catch up - we've kept in touch by email for years but not actually seen each other for donkey's years - considering he lives in South Wales and I live in Manchester its a bit of a way for him to "pop in"! Maybe there's an ulterior motive now he knows I'm divorced;) We'll see - I'll keep you posted.:p

lessonlearned

Hi folks

Many thanks for your kind thoughts this morning.

You're right LW I do need to cut myself a little slack.

Unfortunately I never learned that for myself - I've always pushed myself very hard. It's all that catholic guilt I learned as a child.:rotfl:

Callisto - here's a couple of books that I've found helpful. They are not psychology books as such - more a kind of life coaching/personal development. They are written by a guy called Richard Templar who is a bit of a business guru.

He's now 75 ish and just writes simple little books that pass on his own experience and home spun philosophy - for life, for work, for business.

His books are quite short and usually light hearted - but they do make sense. I recommend The Rules of Life and How to Get Things Done.

There's also a range of business books, which look at a whole range of subjects from interviewing for your first job to running a large corporation, to becoming a millionaire.

If you want "Easy Psychology" then there is a monthly magazine called "Psychologies" - just a collection of simple articles dealing with all sorts of issues - strategies for losing weight, bereavement, depression - that kind of thing.

I am currently reading a book called "The Happiness Advantage" by Shawn Achor - ostensibly about achieving happiness and success in the workplace but the principles behind it all spill out into our personal lives and relationships. It's a bit technical in parts - going into the actual neuroscience so you may not want to go that deep. Interesting though.

I often prefer books written by business people or life coaches rather than straight psychologists. I find the latter a bit airy fairy for my tastes - I like to see the practical application at work. Nothing wrong with taking a few short cuts.

I am not too keen on what I call "cod-psychology" either. You know the "Fat is a Feminist Issue", "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" kind of thing. Each to his/her own.

Rather than straight psychology which can be a bit dry I always enjoy literature, theatre etc that looks at the "Human Condition". I can be a bit lazy though and like to get my Dickens, Shakespeare and Jane Austen the easy way - film and TV adaptations.:rotfl: I think all great writers who understand and write about the human condition have an understanding of psychology - although it probably wasn't even called that in their day.

As I mentioned the other day I'm really looking forward to the next series of "Game of Thrones" - taken from a book called "Songs of Fire and Ice" - a sort of Viking type saga set in a mythical made up country - a bit "Lord of the Rings" ish.

However it's much much darker than LOTR - full of dark deeds, sleazy politics, ambition, murder and the battle to survive.

I'm also looking forward to the new Shakespeare season on the Beeb. Not everyone's cup of tea I know - but Shakespeare was a true psychologist who understood the human psyche in all its beauty, glory and ugliness. I agree the archaic language can be a stumbling block sometimes - which is why I prefer to watch his plays rather than read them.

I recently rewatched "The Merchant of Venice" (did it at school and hated it). My goodness it's an ugly story, very uncomfortable to watch - I'd forgotten just how cruel and vicious the characters were (and I'm talking about the so-called good-guys). Poor old Shylock.

A new production of the "Taming of The Shrew" is coming in for a lot of stick too. Thankfully modern sensibilities don't appreciate the "comedy" of wife beating and starving your wife into submission - as Dennis Waterman found out last week when he admitted to slapping his ex wife, Rula Lenska around. Silly man just doesn't get it.

Anyway off for some lunch - how I prattle on.

LameWolf

Talking of useful books - one I found very useful is "Time Management for System Administrators" by Thomas Limoncelli.

As the title suggests, it's primarily written for computer techies, but it's a very light read if you skip the real "computer techie" bits, and when Mr LW first got it, he was chuckling out loud at some bits, which was what made me curious to read it too.

Anyways, the ideas contained therein can be translated to Time Management for busy mothers/housewives/carers/people who are not computer techies/retired folks, and even Energy Management for folks with debilitating medical conditions (ha ha!)

I'm going to shut up now:cool: and go do my Wii Fit, and if I manage not to end up falling on my bum on the floor, I shall take the wooflets out again afterwards.:o

WelshWoofer

lessonlearned wrote: »

I'm also looking forward to the new Shakespeare season on the Beeb. Not everyone's cup of tea I know - but Shakespeare was a true psychologist who understood the human psyche in all its beauty, glory and ugliness. I agree the archaic language can be a stumbling block sometimes - which is why I prefer to watch his plays rather than read them.

When does the Shakespeare season start? I did Macbeth in school and liked it but am trying to broaden my horizons a bit and wouldn't mind a watch.
I also saw an advert for a new series of plays on what I think was BBC4 - the first one is with David Tennant but there was a host of well known names in them.

I must say that I do like reading too and get through a book a week on average (mostly ordered from the library). I used to read a lot of murder mystery and forensics type books but I'm trying to branch out a bit. The one I've just finished was written by Jo Brand and was a fictional comedy drama type thing about mental health issues (she used to be a psychiatric nurse) which was very funny and moving - worth a read. I'm now back on Martina Cole but I'm now finding her books a bit samey - all swearing and violence and a focal strong woman. Will plough through to the end though.
My next one will be The Shipping News - recommended by a colleague.


My little positives for the day....

1. Earned an extra £100 for a morning's work that I actually quite enjoyed
2. Have booked the going out events so no backing out now
3. Going to make a nice warming bean chilli for tea to counteract the flipping freezing weather here today.

lessonlearned

I think the Shakespeare season starts this week - as you say spread over the Beeb - will need to double check and set the recorder going.

I saw the "Shipping News" - (Kevin Spacey, Julianne Moore, Judy Dench) - nice and gloomy - loved it.:rotfl:

(Reminds me of a great quote - "An Ingmar Bergman film is beautiful but you wouldn't want to live in it").

Will look out for that LW - I like Time Management books - you can always pick up some new tips and hints.

Thanks for the spice link WW - will look at that later.

Off to make some cake - part of my "no spend" regime. I've got enough flour and makings to start a bakery. :rotfl: