Frump to Fab - Summer Solstice Sizzler

LameWolf

Mornin' all.

lessonlearned wrote: »

What d'ya think Tom Chambers from Silent Witness or Damian Lewis from Homeland?? Close call.:rotfl:

Sorry, I've never heard of either of them!:rotfl:

bratz81 wrote: »

morning all.
I haven't been doing much fabbing lately as I'm ill. All the stress and lack of sleep has got to me and I have infected glands in my neck. So cue sore throat, no voice, headache and a temperature.
I've been taking it easy but have been ill since Thursday night and am now getting a bit fed up with being so exhausted and no one being able to hear me!

lizzie157 wrote: »

Well things not too good here. Took dogs out yesterday and managed too trip over and take a nasty fall onto the pavement. Have hurt both knees, my arm and shoulder ( obviously the side where I have a finger in plaster and the shoulder joint problem. Couldn' be the good side could it) :( So am now sporting more injuries -luck just doesn't seem to be on my side ATM.

GWS Bratz and Lizzie. I don't do hugs in RL, but you can both have a gentle virtual (((HUG))):o

Jasper was collected to go home at 10:30; the bungalow seems 'orribly empty now.:( Still, there's a whole lot of housework wanting doing, so I have enough to keep me busy for the rest of the day.:o With yesterday being a bank holiday, I'm behind with the housework for this week already.:cool:

WW I'm with you on the Pennies - as I'm not well enough to do a paid job any more, I'm sadly reliant on benefits, and worry constantly that I can't put in my fair share towards the upkeep of the house. Mr LW is lovely about having to subsidise me, but it does seem unfair on him. One thing we've started is collecting any £2 coins that come our way in a tin - it stood us in very good stead recently when, due to several large bills coming at once, there was a spot of month left at the end of Mr LW's money!:D

podperson

Morning all,

Lizzie - am sure I read somewhere that Hunger Games was a 15 in America and they cut some parts out so they could get it rated as a 12a over here. I suppose they thought it would appeal to that age group - but agree I don't think there was anything too bad in it that would mean couldn't be a normal 12. Hope you're ok after your trip - everything does always seem to happen at once doesn't it Tbh I have friends like that, and while I do still see them sometimes and enjoy their company, I know better now then to rely on them for anything important. I do feel a little sad about it sometimes and a little annoyed at them for not being there for me - I suppose I thought to myself that I could either cut them off altogether or I could just not expect much from them and realise that we're just not 'close friends' anymore. I know some people would say just let go and I'm not saying one way is right, it's just what you feel and what you can put up with.

WW - glad the horse-riding went well, had to laugh at your horse's name Reminds me of when we were on holiday years ago, I was prob early teens and went riding regularly at the time. They had treks at a place near the resort and I wanted to go but my mum didn't want me to go on my own so my dad said he would come on a beginner one with me. The rest of the group all got quite small, mainly mares brought out and then they brought my dad's out last (bearing in mind he had never been on one before!) and was the most massive jet-black horse, nearly shire size - the look on my dad's face was classic :rotfl:bless him, he was a real softie though.

Sparkles - yay on the new bike :jhope you're getting better weather then we are today so you can get out on it!

LL - yay on the decluttering - I must get on with some if I ever find some spare time! Liking the P's - must admit can be rather bad for procrastination and lack of positivity but am trying! Glad you're taking things a (little) slower - you have to think that you've been putting your body through a lot of stress and strain for years now and it's going to take a little while to bounce back. Appreciate it's frustrating though - I'm the same in wanting everything to be sorted straight away! Glad OH seems a bit better

Bratz - hope you feel better soon, relaxing weekend sounds like a plan

LW - at least you can get caught up on things without furry bodies underfoot and the next visitor will be there before you know it!

Anyways, not a bad weekend, if rather busy as usual. Was editing piccies from Thursday night all day Sat and trying to catch up a bit on the housework - didn't get too far on the latter but at least got a few loads of washing on and sorted the kitchen. Sunday went down to the Borders to take piccies of the hotel, is a lovely place, like a mini-castle and the rooms have four-poster beds. antique dressers etc, really pretty. Rather hard work though as being an old building it had rather odd-shaped rooms that were tricky to get in shot, got some ok ones of the dining/function rooms etc but am thinking about going back with another lens to reshoot some of the rooms. Hope they don't mind - plus have to try and find somewhere to fit it in now! Am feeling a little stressed at the moment, just seem to be constantly busy and never have 2 mins for myself. Keep telling myself it will be worth it in the end - but I really need some more hours in the day
Have realised that I have nothing to wear on Friday/Saturday nights for the concert. Was thinking I had a black dress in the wardrobe but when I dug it out to try on last night it looks a bit tight - good reminder that the fabbing has not been going well :mad: Could really do with getting a new dress or at least a skirt as I have a few tops that might be ok, but no idea where can fit in clothes shopping this week now.
Hmm, reading back am sounding a little negative, which is not going with our P's for this week! Shall try and be more positive, am just a little frazzled

LameWolf

I thought you might all like a laugh.... Mr LW has ordered this t-shirt for my birthday.:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
http://www.rsc.org.uk/shop/browse/item.aspx?cid=7574a3b5-e232-4938-81ca-df0e093282e8&catcode=46442
I should explain, I'm only 5'2" tall; he's 5'10".:D

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Just back from taking OH to hospital for his IV steroids, I cannot tell a lie - I am heartily fed up with it all. I loathe hospitals and cannot bear anything to do with needles so it was a double wammy for me today.

If I had a pound for every hour I've wasted sitting around in hospitals over the last six years I would be one very seriously wealthy woman. I wouldn't mind but all that sitting around is utterly exhausting.:rotfl:

Whilst we were there we ran into my poorly neighbour's husband. My friend was admitted again last night - I just feel so much for them because I really don't think she can have that long left ..............

She has been battling for over 7 years now and she's still only 52ish. My darling OH is only 55 - life can be cruel at times. Anyway OH didn't feel too bad after his treatment so we popped onto the ward to see her.

Bratz & Lizzie - hope you both feel better soon. Take care - time for a bit of TLC for you both.

Hi Lilmiss and a very big warm welcome. With three little ones you will really have your hands full - no wonder you have little time for yourself. It's even more difficult when your husband works away - mine did too - I remember it well. :rotfl:

Trust me - it does get easier. Just do what you can when you can.

10lbs to lose isn't much. I can appreciate cakes and biscuits are a quick fix when you are tired, problem is they give you a quick sugar rush and then when you crash again you feel worse than ever. Perhaps if you could just tackle that one area, i.e. substitute something savoury - a wholemeal sandwich instead, yoghurt and fruit. It would give you slow release energy - much better in the long run.

I know I'm not perfect food wise - but I try and keep some nuts or trail mix for when I'm out and about and desperate for something to eat. I have to avoid wheat as much as I can and find that nuts and dried fruits fill up a gap quite nicely.

pp - glad the photo shoot went well. Don't worry you didn't come over as being negative - it's more like you were just thinking aloud. :rotfl:

Re the friends scenario. You may remember me having a chunter about someone who had been a friend since we were both 14 and how disgruntled I felt that she had never bothered to see OH or rang me to see if I was ok.

Well she rang a couple of months ago. I was polite. She rang again a fortnight ago and promised she would visit OH last Thursday. Thursday morning - message on my answer machine calling it off at the last minute - no real excuse just something rather lame and pathetic. I was not even remotely surprised........

Truthfully - losing a "friend" like that is no hardship. :rotfl:

WW - interesting about your Pennies experience when you separated from your husband. As you may have gathered I'm living on reduced means at the moment. It is surprising how we can manage on very little when we have to. All I can say is - it's a good job I relish a challenge.

Lizzie - I was very interested in your comments about the "Chav" book you are reading. I've been reading some very good books about the world of work/self employment of late.

I think the point that very few Governments/Think Tanks/Talking Heads/Social Pundits/News Media all fail to take into account is that the world is changing - fast. Either that or they do know and are just not prepared to face facts. The solutions they offer don't work, they tinker round the edges, fudge the issues and happily play the fiddle whilst Rome burns.

It's no good slashing welfare budgets to jolly people back into work - there is no work. The jobs aren't there.

In the UK there are 1m unemployed in the 16 to 24 age range. In Spain the figure is even higher. In the same age range a whopping 50% are unemployed. Portugal, Italy, Greece are all the same. Only Germany has a relatively healthy economy. Chav bashing isn't the answer.

We've no industries. I live in an area that was at the heart of the Industrial Revolution, there's precious little left. The Potteries have been decimated, the textile industry is dead (only John Smedley's left) - as for the mighty Railways .............

The only real success stories are Rolls Royce (aero engines) and JCB (earth moving equipment - diggers to you and me). And let's face it they are rather niche market.

Everything else has been long gone - dead or outsourced to the Far East.

Which brings me to the rather sad inescapable fact that Britain no longer has an empire and for far too long successive governments have traded on past glories and tried to punch above our weight. Witness the excruciating embarrassment of Blair and Cameron toadying to successive American Presidents.

The 19th Century belonged to Britain, The 20th Century was America's, the 21st Century will belong to the BRIC economies - Brazil, Russia, India and China. It is inescapable and inevitable. The West is in decline and the star is rising in the East.

The sooner governments admit it and learn to adapt - the better.

Most of the books I've been reading all come to more or less the same conclusion - the way forward is self-employment. After all the idea of being "Employed" is a relatively new one - only the past 200 years or so, prior to that people found their own work.

Most of those books also suggest that the way to do this is to find skills that cannot be transferred or outsourced.

Some examples - doctors & nurses cannot be outsourced, radiographers can. Bricklayers, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, gardeners cannot be outsourced, but architectural plans, drawings and designs can. Barristers cannot be outsourced, para legal work can.

First we lost our manufacturing base, now our services. Insurance, banking, IT, accountancy, design etc are now being sent out to the lowest bidders in Eastern Europe and the Far East. Retail is dying on its feet.

If the younger generations want to get work - it's back to the trades and the tools - being self employed and sourcing your own work.

Hairdressers, chiropodists, physiotherapists, construction workers, teachers, doctors, nurses, carers................some dentistry will remain here but even then more and more people are going abroad for dental work.

The workers who will survive will be those who can adapt and be hands on. The days of the "Big Employers" are numbered, even the successful ones manage with fewer and fewer staff - technology reduces the need for large numbers of employees.

All in this together?? - hardly.

Constantly blaming the (non) working class is not the way forward either.

WelshWoofer

Can't stop - have visitors but just a quickie to say that the living room fabbing has begun!
I bought a duck egg coloured carpet yesterday in the sales (for a really bargain price) and two pairs of lovely duck egg and gold curtains, 4 matching cushions, a new TV stand and a nest of tables to match also in the sales:j.
Next on the list is to get the decorator to commit to a date - I'm on a roll now.:) Thinking one accent wall in the same colour as the carpet and the rest of the walls in a nice neutral tone.

I must stop myself from buying a new sofa too!
I'm blaming my mum for talking me into it - we only went for a look!

podperson

Morning all,

LW - love the t-shirt, it looks very you

LL - can only imagine how sick of hospitals you must be by now, hope at least OH was feeling a little brighter after getting the steroids.
Completely agree that the government have absolutely no clue about what the 'working class' are going through at the moment. I would love to see some of these preaching MPs go out into the real world and try and find themselves a job without using their built up connections. It's alright for them to say people need to get back into work quicker - but where are these magic jobs for them to go into? I started working part-time jobs when I was 12 and up until maybe 5 years ago I was never without work - you could open the paper and see pages full of jobs, you could work into shops and bars in town and pick up something, the job agencies were ringing you up with vacancies, I used to be baffled by people who couldn't find something. Now it's a different story! Where I used to live there was virtually nothing - the local paper went from having a jobs section to maybe half a page of ads, most of which were specialist jobs. The jobcentre would have a handful of ads that had usually gone before you even rang up. The agencies would freely tell me they had nothing. I did temping work for nearly two years, and while that's better then nothing it's disheartening to say the least. I would get people telling me they loved my work, that they wished they could take me on, that they would ask for me back next time they had some 'money in the budget' - it amazed me how many people actually needed another member of staff but couldn't budget for it so I would go in clear the backlog that had built up for a few weeks and then have to leave. When I moved here then yes there were more jobs available but also more competition for them - I would often get told at interviews that they had had to pull job ads early as they would get over 500 applications in a few days. Anyway, apologies for the mini-rant there. I know a few people who are job-hunting at the moment and I have nothing but sympathy for them - these are hard-working, experienced, qualified people but they are struggling to get interviews for min wage jobs at the moment. Its very sad, and tbh I don't see it improving anytime in the near future

Tbh I think I may have given myself a bit of perspective there as work has been driving me mad this week. I am getting a little annoyed with being constantly pulled up over petty little things, especially when I have gone above and beyond for them in the last year by basically doing 3 people's jobs. For example, I have a meeting on Monday to give me a warning for my office being too messy! It's the quarter-end and I have all the statements out to reconcile them plus all the invoicing to get up to date - but apparently I should drop all that and tidy instead :mad: I suppose I should consider myself lucky to have a job at the moment, but must admit the sooner I can get out of here the happier I'll be!

lessonlearned

WelshWoofer wrote: »

C
I bought a duck egg coloured carpet yesterday in the sales (for a really bargain price) and two pairs of lovely duck egg and gold curtains, 4 matching cushions, a new TV stand and a nest of tables to match also in the sales:j.
Thinking one accent wall in the same colour as the carpet and the rest of the walls in a nice neutral tone.

I must stop myself from buying a new sofa too!
I'm blaming my mum for talking me into it - we only went for a look!

Sounds fab. Love duck egg blue. That's what mums (and sisters) are for. My sister always encourages me to splash out now and again. Have a good time with your Mum.

Well I'm on a roll too.

The guy has just picked up OH's scooter, there's £200 in the pot, plus the £100 Easter Egg from Mum & Dad. Am currently sorting through a load of stuff to see what can be sold and what needs to go to the Charity shop and what needs to go the tip.

Have a pile of CD's, old mobiles, techno stuff that should fetch another £100 or so, some old gold broken jewellery. Over the last year or so as I've been decluttering I've also kept "metals" to one side.

Scrap metals are fetching good prices and I've quite a good selection of old brass fittings, some copper (dealers pay top dollar for this at the moment) stainless steel and aluminium. It's amazing where this has all come from. Will visit the scrap metal merchants in the next couple of weeks or so when I've finally sifted through everything.

I wanted to raise about £500 for some new sliding doors for the fitted wardrobe in DS2's bedroom and I don't want to raid my "rainy day fund". Just about there.:D

It's surprising how all these dribs and drabs add up - and that's not counting the "good" stuff which I will either send to auction or will keep on one side for when I can set up as a trader.

I may have mentioned this before but the last time I cleaned out the loft a couple of years ago I raised £1100. Guess what - it's full again.:rotfl::rotfl:

My next goal is my bedroom. I've set my heart on some new bedroom furniture - I will need about £600 for what I have in mind. I will do it - all it takes is some initiative and a bit of hard graft.

So my personal fabbing today will have to take a back seat. I won't be dressed in my best bib and tucker whilst rummaging and getting filthy. Still you know what they say "Where there's muck, there's brass". I don't mind getting my hands dirty;).

As you've probably guessed - my back is feeling a little better, I will have to be careful not to overdo things though, but finally I can at least get on with things.

Anyway must crack on..........

Have a great day.

LameWolf

WelshWoofer wrote: »

- we only went for a look!

That's what happened when we bought our car; originally we each had an aging car, his was a BMW 3 series (I forget which model) which was becoming a money drain; mine was a Volvo V70 which needed a new steering rack.

We'd decided having my own car was no longer economical, as I need assistance when I get to my destination, so I wouldn't be driving anywhere on my own any more, so used both of them as trade-in towards the new one.

Anyways.... we pretty much knew what we wanted, in terms of size, it needed to be automatic (though I'm qualified to drive manual transmission, it's a painful procedure these days), and we went along to our chosen dealer just for a look and came away having signed on the dotted line for a blue Honda Jazz. All we had to do was raid our savings for the money. We each paid half.;)

It's really nice to drive, and the back seats fold down to accommodate the wheelchair without filling up all the luggage space.:o

It's got to go for service and MoT on Saturday; Mr LW's arranged to have a courtesy car while it's in, so as we're currently dogless I'll go with him and we'll have a bimble round Northampton for a couple of hours.:o

I might even ask if I can drive to the service (happening at the main dealer's) as I need to get in a bit more driving before our holiday.:o

WW your new stuff sounds lovely; you'll have a really super lounge when you're finished.:o

ETA: LL take it steady. If you come back on here and post that you've done your back in again, I shall be cross with you!;)

lessonlearned

Just a quickie PP.

So sorry to hear about your work problems. You always sound such a hard working "switched on" kind of person. They should be glad they have some one like you.

My DS2 is the same - doing the work of three people and always being picked up over trifles.

It's just awful out there. We know about people not being able to get jobs but what I think a lot of people forget is that the "lucky ones" who do have jobs, are really struggling too. We seem to being going back to a world of work where low pay and poor conditions are the norm.

The attitude towards staff seems to be - "plenty more where you came from - if you don't like it you know where the door is". Horrible.

Keep your chin up and keep looking at those multiple income streams. How's the best seller coming along.

podperson

Thanks LL, I think the way things are at the moment you tend to feel a little guilty moaning about work when there are so many people who are unemployed but I am really getting to the end of my tether with them this week.
I'm already on a low wage for what I do for them - I have saved them a fortune on their accounts for a start, when I came in they had an accountant coming in for 3 days a month at a charge of several hundred pounds, then it went down to 1 day a month, 1 day a quarter and now I just upload the data onto their system and they come back to me with any problems.
You're right though, need to keep on with the alternative incomes and hopefully will be able to build them up enough to leave the day job