Frump to Fab - Summer Solstice Sizzler

WelshWoofer

PP - good luck with the student money people - I don't envy you. You also seem to have such a busy life - it all sounds exhausting! (but fun I'm sure)

Not much on the agenda for today - I've walked the dog and will have to do it again later but other than that a big expanse of day to fill!
So I thought I'd maybe do a few hours school work later to get some of it out of the way and catch up on the washing/ironing (fascinating isn't it!)

I've been accepted into a local ladies 30-50 social group too (had to apply on line) - they seem to have lots going on so have taken the plunge and signed up for the book club meet at a Pizza Express with them and ordered the book to read. To be honest, it looks a bit like the book is second to the food, wine and chat but it looks like fun. Its a few weeks away yet but something to look forward to - the book is the new Kathy Lette one about her autistic son so at least its not too high brow;).

lessonlearned

Good morning

Got a busy day planned - have already popped into the local housing office with my council tax forms, also called into a mobility centre to see if they are interested in buying OH's old mobility scooter. Don't suppose they'll offer much but better to have a bit of cash in my bank than have the scooter cluttering up the garage.

PP - Glad to hear that you got on tolerably well with the student advisory service - hope it doesn't come to the worse case scenario. TBH chucking him off the course sounds very extreme so hopefully that shouldn't happen.

The photo shoot sounds good - I truly hate my photo being taken and yes I'm afraid I'm guilty of "the grimace".

WW - you sound as if you have the makings of a really good social life there. I will definitely have to make a start - the problem is I'm rather enjoying my quiet "me" time.

However I have today made a commitment to restart volunteering at Scope after Easter. There's also quite a few films on at the cinema, so will toddle along. I'm quite happy to go by myself on a wet miserable afternoon.

LW - re the fabbing. I agree with PP here.

Most men are amused by "Female Fabbing" and "Grooming". Don't let it put you off. My OH, sons, father and BIL all find it hilarious when any female member of the family starts "beautifying". However, they do like the finished results and are proud to be seen with nicely turned out women.

The thing is - from what I've observed - most men spend just as much time grooming and beautifying as we do.

What's this with the daily scraping of the face with metal blades to remove excess hair, the clipping of nasal and ear hair ..........

It's just the same - only we don't laugh at them. We just accept that it's part of the routine.

Maybe you should just prioritorise what you consider most urgent. Actual creaming and applying potions only takes seconds.

I have to apply pain relieving gel several times a day to my lower back, neck, upper arms, elbows, knees and feet. It is time consuming and it's a damn nuisance - however I do this as a matter of priority because they do alleviate the pain and stiffness a little.

Unfortunately I cannot take the easy option of popping pills which would of course be much quicker and simpler.

Similarly I have to have a soak in the bath in the morning simply to loosen me up. :rotfl: Again very time consuming and I'd much rather have a quick shower and go, but I need the heat from the water to get me moving.

I don't know how dependent on Mr LW you are - I know you struggle with raising your arms for your hair, but if you can wash your face and brush your teeth then you can manage a bit of moisturiser.

A simple morning routine could be wash face with clear water and then dry. 1 min, brush teeth 1 min, apply moisturiser - 30 seconds.

If you brush and floss your teeth thoroughly at night and go to bed with a clean face then the morning routine can be very simple and quick.

Being mainly sedentary or a wheelchair user then I would strongly advise massaging your lower legs as often as you can. From the knee down only would be ok if that's all you can manage.

Massaging some oil or cream into your lower legs regularly will help with blood flow and help reduce swollen ankles. My OH has started to suffer from these so I make a point of massaging his legs and feet as often as I can.

Those could be your priorities each day. A squirt of deodorant after your wash, and a dab of hand cream now and then, apply a bit extra and smooth onto arms and elbows. It really should take you no more than a few minutes each day.

Anything else is a bonus. Defuzzing and colouring hair can be just done now and then when you feel up to it. Make up isn't essential.

Now LW - I'm going to slap you on the wrist.

You should never, never use metal nail files - no not even from a Swiss Army Knife.:eek: They will wreck your nails.

Blacksmiths use metal files on horses hooves - enough said. Metal nail files - like wire coat hangers - are the work of Satan. :rotfl: Chuck them away.

Invest £1 in a pack of emery boards. Nails should be clipped first (clippers not scissors - scissors can twist the nails and damage the nail bed). Then lightly file off any rough edges and shape the nail. Oval shapes are best because they allow the sides of the nail to grow strong.

Apart from the odd little snag or rough bit nails should only need filing about once a week. Always file in one direction only - no see-sawing action. Smooth side for finger nails, rough side for toe nails. A pack of emery boards used just once a week will last a couple of years. Bargain.

Maman - love the boxes. Carina - cute.

I'm listening to CDs - Michael Thomas. Sophistica very kindly gave them to me when I visited her in London. I also have a couple of phrase books. I'm going to start looking on "tinter web" too for tutorials.

When I learned Spanish I bought the children's "Osbornes First 1000 Words". I'm going to see if I can find an Italian one. They have pictures of course so they are really easy.

Another tip for learning a language. I did this with Spanish and will be doing it in a day or two here. I write words on post it notes and have them all over the place. i.e. la porta - door will be attached to a door. OK so it's a bit messy and a bit naff but who cares.

My aim is to get myself to an intermediate level and then go to proper language classes.

The beauty of French (at which I'm pretty hopeless), Spanish and Italian is that being "Romance" languages and sharing Latin roots they are all very similar. I seem to recall that your French is pretty good so you should find Italian relatively easy to pick up.

Me la caro - Italian for "I can get by" whilst speaking Spanish, so even though my French is awful, I'm hoping I can cope with learning Italian.

Anyway must dash, some ironing, second breakfast and then off to visit OH.

Ciao.

morocha

I speak Spanish and in September I will be learning French as Iwant to train to be a teacher

Have a lovely day everyone :d

WelshWoofer

I've got the Michael Thomas French course on my iPod and bought the Spanish CDs for my dad (who now speaks passable conversational Spanish in a very Welsh accent:rotfl:). I found them quite useful but have let the practice lapse over recent years.

My little positives for today (not a very interesting day so had to scrabble around for a few!)....

1. Managed to dodge the showers to walk the dog 3 times
2. Looking forward to my first social meet up thingy tomorrow evening (but am quite nervous)
3. Ordered 1 book from the library and found another one cheap on Amazon for the new book club reads
4. Have stuck to diet so far today and feel flatter and less bloated (may have a sneaky mid week weigh tomorrow)
5. Have written a plan for my two weeks off as I am very bored already and need something to stop me watching endless Dickenson's Real Deals!

Hope everyone is well?

lessonlearned

It is miserable here today - snow, sleet, windy and just a tad cold for my liking.

I like "snow" days. I think of them as a bonus, an extra day if you like. If I don't have to go out then I don't. I just enjoy the feeling of having a "day off".

So my positives for today are based around just that;)

1. I don't have to go out today so can stay in my nest all warm and cosy.
2. I can have a NSD - good for my bank balance
3. I have extra time to do a bit of decluttering and then play at being a domestic goddess and cook something nice.

Obviously there are many of you who have to get out and about just the same - but for those who can benefit from staying at home today - what will you do. What are you going to do with your "bonus day".

A few more "O's".....

WelshWoofer

Its wet, sleety and cold here - no snow has stuck though so just a thoroughly miserable day:(.

Just watching Animal 24:7 on BBC 1 - what some people do to these lovely creatures is beyond me and makes me mad:mad:. There was one poor dog (a collie) that was 60kg! She was a lovely old dog but just couldn't walk - she's now at the Dogs Trust and on a diet - she was being killed by kindness. Now I'm guilty of one too many treats for the woofer but he does get loads of exercise and is healthy otherwise - its a wake up call to make sure he doesn't get any bigger. His new low fat food seems to be doing the job and he has trimmed up a bit.

Now, plans for today....a bit a of school work and then my first foray into the unknown this evening with the new social group.:eek:
They have been very nice and a few ladies have emailed me directly to tell me where to go and who to look out for so it seems like a promising start.

podperson

Morning all,

WW - things are a little more manic then usual at the moment so must admit am rather feeling it this week. Could just do with some nice relaxing time but not looking good for the next few days at least Good luck with the meet up tonight, am sure you will enjoy it and they seem nice already if they're emailing you to make sure you find them ok. If it's anything like the book clubs/film clubs I've been to then you tend to find the conversation wanders off on tangents anyway, but it's nice to have the book as a 'topic' to start everyone off and avoid any awkward silences.

LL - I think it's rather harsh of them to threaten to kick him off the course as well - especially as this year and next year's fees have been confirmed to be paid. So not only would they be losing the money from those but they will get less in repayments on the first year as I've told them I'm not paying them a penny if they kick him off and since it's not my debt they can go chase OH, who has no income, and consider themselves lucky if they get court ordered a £1 a month! They don't seem to care though - all policies and procedures :mad:
I'm just the same as you on the photos, I hate having mine taken - definately a behind the camera person! I was just a little surprised as I thought that the people on the shoot would be more used to it. The worst lass I was having to try and get her to chat to me while I clicked frantically to try and get something that looked vaguely natural The Italian sounds like it's going well. Would love to able to speak another language, is definately something on my 'to do' list but just don't have the time at the moment sadly.

Sorry to hear you're all getting some nasty weather, we had some snow/sleet/hail yesterday so guess it's moving down to you! Doesn't seem as bad today though a bit cold and dull - doesn't really raise the spirits I must admit. Choir went ok last night - though our dance moves definately need some work :rotfl:The friend I'm borrowing the camera from said I can keep it until Saturday now so going to a gig tomorrow night for a folk/blues band to take some piccies - hopefully should be fun! Need to try and finish the editing on the last lot tonight though so busy week again. I actually have bank holiday Monday off though (very rare in this office!) so might have that as a chill-out day - unless something comes up in the meantime of course

Savvy_sewing

Today I have my councilling session, and one of the things that he brought up, was looking after myself. I think i probably mentioned it before.
Struggling to look reasonable today. I did have a shower, defuzz etc and wash my hair. Dried it, but my arm was sore, so no straighteners. Means the edges are a bit frizzy.
I have dressed in brown cords, and darker brown top and caridgan, and will perhaps take out my "loepard print" coat. That I love, and usually use in warmer weather. Not that its much warmer.
Still have my ankle boots to wear though, as I cannot walk much in my decent heels anymore. (so I never feel that fab in flats).
I have moisturised. Perhaps now I am here, I will go and put some "slap" on. Bit of foundation, mascara etc.
I have some earrings in, only because I had some for the Bristol Meet. But I cannot seem to find any necklaces that would go with what I am wearing. My jewellry is rather scattered in drawers and cupboards etc! I know, I should keep them in the jewellry box, but I tend to put them down where ever I am when I need to take them off!. (Not good with necklaces really, as was once strangled or should I say nearly strangled, cos I did survive- and since then things around my neck have been a problem).

Time to get a move on had an early lunch so face time.

PS I am learning Portuguese, on a website called Linqs.com.
Just started it last week, after an offer on Wowcher. Years course for £23 I think it was. Supposed to be around £79.
I want to re learn what I have forgotten, and also get on and learn further so when I go there I can converse more than just the basics for Hello, good bye, and can I have the bill please etc.

lessonlearned

"Opportunities"

When opportunity knocks - fling open the door and invite it in. Give it a drink, strap it into a chair if you have to but don't let it get away. :rotfl: Don't let it slip through your fingers.

Are you ready for opportunities or do you let them run past you. Can you spot them.

To make the most of opportunity it helps if you are one of life's optimists. BTW - you can change your mindset and learn to become an optimist. It just takes practice.

A pessimist will always take the negative view of any situation and will sleepwalk through life under a cloud of doom and gloom. To the pessimist this is how it is, and always will be and nothing can be done to change things.

The optimist, whilst they too may well be struggling, will always take the view that nothing in this life is permanent - sorrow or joy, good times or bad times. Sooner or later things will change. They believe if they can just ride out the storm things will get better.

The optimist then always has an open heart and open mind and will always be open to new ideas, to try a new approach, to find solutions and a way out of difficulties.

To the optimist who has been dumped and suffering a broken heart - well Mr/Miss Wonderful is waiting out there somewhere. "I'll just get better first and then I'll find them".

To the pessimist who has also been dumped and suffering a broken heart - it's all too much. "I can't stand it, never again, everybody hurts me, it's just not worth it........."

The same with jobs, work, money you name it - the pessimist just assumes that it will always be the same, they can't shake off the gloom, can't see the wood for the trees. They wouldn't spot an opportunity if it slapped them in the face.

The sad thing is pessimists are often their own worst enemy. They often play the blame game. It's not my fault, I can't help it, there's nothing I can do, life's not fair, blah, blah, blah.

B*llsh*t.

Nothing is written in stone. We can change, we can make a difference.

(That's why you are reading and contributing to this thread ).

An optimist will always take ownership of the problem. They realise that even if whatever has happened wasn't actually their fault - they need to assume some responsibility so that they can put it right, or at least react and move on.

Here's a true story.

I used to date a guy who lived down south. I went to stay with him for a few days. He wanted to show me off to his friends and took me to see a couple who had just got married and were in the process of setting up home.

We called on them unexpectedly and they were up to their necks in dirt, muck and plaster dust. The house was being ripped apart and they were living on a building site.

It was a lovely sunny morning, they were fed up and were delighted to have an excuse to down tools and go down to the -pub and sit outside with a drink and a ploughman's lunch.

The guy made us a cup of coffee and the girl whizzed upstairs to get cleaned up. She came down 10 minutes later, showered, shampooed, nice clean clothes, a flick of mascara and a slick of lippy. Impressive.

When I commented on how impressed I was that she had got it together so quickly she laughed and said - like a good Girl Guide she liked to be prepared for anything. She would never let such a good opportunity to meet someone new, to go out and have some fun slip her by. The building work would still be there tomorrow. N and I wouldn't.

She was right. You never know when you might get the call. You need to be ready.

Could you be ready for an interview for that dream job, that hot date with the gorgeous guy who's just asked you out, that last minute invitation to an impromptu barbecue with the neighbours.

So be a good "Girl Guide". Always be ready to make the most of any opportunity that comes your way.

1. Always practise good Wardrobe Maintenance so that you can put an outfit together quickly and with the minimum of fuss.

2. More importantly - try to be an optimist. Always keep your eyes and ears open to what life has to offer, don't sleepwalk your way through life under a cloud of doom.

3. Keep an open heart and love will find you. Keep an open mind and you'll discover that life is full of wondrous things.

Prophesies are often self fulfilling.

If you are negative and only think that your life will be one of unremitting gloom - then it will be. If you are positive and optimistic and believe that good things will happen - then they will.

You are what you think.

lessonlearned

Ever the opportunist I've made £200 this morning. Not only that but I also think I've made a new "business associate" - the guy who came to look at the scooter.

Yesterday I spotted a new mobility shop. I noticed they were selling reconditioned scooters so I asked them if they were interested in buying OH's.

Noticing that they were selling for around £300/£400 I expected them to offer me £100 at most. They came this morning, we had a haggle and I got them to £200.

I know I could have got more if I sold privately but I would have to go to the trouble of buying a new battery, cleaning the scooter up, oiling and servicing it, etc, advertising it, demonstrating it, haggling over the price and possibly having to deliver it.

Quite a good positive I think. We had a good chat and he more or less offered me a job at his shop. I explained that I would prefer to work for myself - he wants to expand his business ..........his move.:rotfl:

Mooloo - well done. I think you are definitely right about how fabbing makes us feel better. It's just shorthand really for taking care of ourselves.

A bit of fabbing, grooming and general maintenance has such a positive effect on our general well being.

A friend of mine is a rather elderly doctor, a tad old fashioned and rather quaint. He always maintains that he knows when a female patient is on the road to recovery because - in his words - "she starts wearing lipstick again". :rotfl:

Portugese, Spanish, Italian, French - we are going to be a multi-lingual lot at this rate. :rotfl: