Frump to Fab - Summer Solstice Sizzler

LameWolf

LL I'm more than happy to do the "homework" this week - I have very strong views on DV (both my father and ex were violent and I still have cigarette burn scars on my arms, but I never went through anything like what this poor lass has endured) so I am very, very angry on DGM's behalf. I can also think of a few appropriate deities to invoke for her.

I'm sorry to hear than Mr LL remains so poorly; I hope he is at least reasonably comfortable, or as much so as possible, if that makes sense.

Podperson come on, 'fess up.... which one are you? Great video!:T

I must have looked the least fab person on the planet taking Lucy for walkies earlier; but it was chucking it down with rain, so I don't think anyone daft enough to be out was going to hang around long enough to notice! I had on an ancient wax jacket (courtesy of a car boot sale, about 15 years ago) and a wax broad-brimmed hat; that's fairly standard, but Mr LW's waterproof trousers with my skirt sort of stuffed inside on the lower half, and Mr LW's wellies on my feet, and this wondrous apparition riding a mobility buggy with a large soggy black Labrador trotting along beside..... well, I thought the image might give you a laugh, at least!:rotfl:

podperson

I'm the 5th one from the left on the front row (so with the brown hair and wearing a skirt) Glad you liked it, we all curse her for the moves at the time but seen on-masse they don't look that bad lol.

Bitsy - you should look for a choir if you fancy it, there are a lot that, like us, aren't the traditional 'hymn-singing' church choir. You don't need to be a great singer - I don't think I'm very good on my own but it's everyone blending together that makes it sound good

LW - that image did make me smile hope you've managed to dry off now!

lessonlearned

PP - Thanks for the video. It looks such fun. Looked like the guys were in full party mode:rotfl:.

Well it's finally stopped raining.

LW your outfit may have been a little unusual but at least it should have kept you dry. I'm glad I didn't make too much fuss with my hair, 10 seconds outside the door and it would have been ruined.

I've been drenched several times today - just doing my errands and going about my business.:o

maman

LameWolf wrote: »

I must have looked the least fab person on the planet taking Lucy for walkies earlier; but it was chucking it down with rain, so I don't think anyone daft enough to be out was going to hang around long enough to notice! I had on an ancient wax jacket (courtesy of a car boot sale, about 15 years ago) and a wax broad-brimmed hat; that's fairly standard, but Mr LW's waterproof trousers with my skirt sort of stuffed inside on the lower half, and Mr LW's wellies on my feet, and this wondrous apparition riding a mobility buggy with a large soggy black Labrador trotting along beside..... well, I thought the image might give you a laugh, at least!:rotfl:

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:Oh it did, it did!!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Loved the video pod and your air guitar is great!:T

Sorry to hear about your OH LL, I know his condition is degenerative but I'm sure that doesn't make it any easier for you and yours. Hope your sis and her DH are picking up.

Strangely enough evilsquid, I was wondering yesterday whether a career in the services might suit you. I was basing it on your cadets background and wondering whether they had anything in the legal line. A friend's DH is basically an accountant in the army so I know such things happen. On reading yesterday's post, I hope you didn't think I was patronising as I'm sure you knew all the stuff about avoiding court action. My DD1 used to work in a bank before she did her degree and they weren't even allowed to have an overdraft. I think it's to do with leaving yourself vulnerable to embezzlement/fraud etc.

Ironically my DD2 has a degree which she doesn't use as instead she chooses to clean people's houses for £10 an hour. I won't bore you with my opinion of that but she does it (just enough hours to stay out of tax bracket) so she can be her own boss and as near as dammit a SAHM. I don't know how she can find that satisfying but then we're all different. Good luck with your search and do keep us posted. I think if I were you I'd write to my MP just to vent my feelings. How can it be right that you are threatened with court (which puts your future at risk) because you can't find a job in the current climate? Living rent free or using an inheritance is irrelevant as that avenue wouldn't be open to most people. It sounds like the rules haven't caught up with the economic situation.

On the fabbing front, I've said before that it's becoming second nature. i was up early this morning to shower and do my hair/make up and dress smartly as I had a meeting. It crossed my mind to save time and not cream myself after the shower but I dismissed the idea instantly! I was watching a programme last night with a woman many years younger than me and her 'decolletage' was all crepey and wrinkly. I don't want that to be me so I'm sticking to the moisturiser!

Well done allie and bratz with your plans for exercise. I had a walk yesterday but keep using the weather as an excuse to be lazy.:o
I had a browse around the CSs yesterday. I've noticed many of them have low stock, all are advertising the need for donations and what some of them have is real rubbish which is creeping up and up in price. I suppose it's a sign of the times. I did get myself a nice top: cream lace with a slight cap sleeve from next for £3.50. It'll be ideal for going out under black or on its own if I ever get any colour on my arms!! I also got myself a waistcoat/cardigan from White Stuff's sale. I'd seen it in John Lewis but didn't get it then I found a 15% off free postage code so it ended up even cheaper. I reckoned a cardigan is just what we need with the summer coming. It's a sort of Aran knit so it won't date.

Still tipping down with rain here.:(

lessonlearned

Thank you to all those who posted on DGM's thread.

At the risk of sounding a bit naff I just wanted to "do" something.

I know it's not much and that we cannot offer any real constructive help as such but I just wanted her to know that she is not worthless and that she was not "bothering" or "pestering" people with her posts.

The worthless pathetic excuse of a man who has treated her so badly has made her feel that she is less than nothing. I am just so angry.

I know I advise that revenge is not a good thing, but I do believe in justice. I just hope she gets it and that he doesn't walk away scot free like so many of these vile creatures do.

A true story....

An aunt of mine was married to an abuser. His idea of a good Saturday night out was to get drunk, come home and beat his wife and terrorise his children.

This was in the good old days when the police didn't get involved in domestics, when a wife was just a chattel.

Her family were powerless to intervene - after all he wasn't breaking any laws. They knew he also had other women, but of course he constantly denied it.

Well eventually he made a mistake - a simple shoolboy error - one of them had his child. It didn't need a DNA test - you only had to look at the poor misbegotten infant.

My Aunt had 7 brothers, 6 of them ex military, 6ft plus and all of them had boxed in the army, representing their regiments.

They paid my aunt and her husband a visit. He may not have broken the law but they now had clear incontrovertable proof that he had broken his marriage vows. As good catholic boys they finally had their excuse to intervene.

They had a "chat", no fists were raised, no blows were struck, no threats were made. Like most bullies when confronted by someone of his own size and strength (OK in this case 6 of them:rotfl:) he just caved in. A simple "We think it's time you left and we don't think you need to come back, we will look after our sister and your children", was all it took.

Not really justice because he was never prosecuted or made to suffer any consequences of his actions but at least he never bothered my aunt or cousins again. He wouldn't have dared.

Bitsy_Beans

LW having got drenched several times today dog walking and going on forest schools with DD and her class I've looked anything but fab in H's waterproof coat, waterproof trousers, hiking boots and a pink baseball cap. Hair has now gone haywire and will need gaming for tsp class tonight :rotfl:

Podperson I would love to join a choir but with my tap class once a week not sure I can do the commitment. I'd love to play netball again but really can't do it all. When I factor in all the reading and target work we have to do with the kids, tap once a week I can't justify all these extra curricular activities leaving H every night to hold the fort.

LL hugs for you and your H xx

Evilsquid sending you positive job success vibes xxx

lessonlearned

Great bargains Maman.

I had a little mooch round the charity shops yesterday too. I agree with your assessment. Low stocks, high prices - a sure sign of the times.

Anyway must dash - DS2 coming home for dinner tonight - a bit of mum's home cooking.:rotfl: so I'd better get cracking.

evilsquid1603

thank you everyone, I'm feeling slightly better today.

i met up with a friend yesterday and he's looking over my CV to see if he can think of anything to change/improve/add to it. he also knows people who got him a very good graduate job in london and has said he's going to hound them until they help. he's currently got OCD and depression and is signed off work sick and said he needs something to keep himself busy and active. thankfully he's back here now near his family and friends, he hardly had anyone in london.

he also said one of his friends is in exactly the same position as me and just cant find even the most basic job. i know it probably sounds horrid and mean but it kind of makes me feel better that I'm not the only one going through this.

got a letter off natwest telling me the first loan payment was returned unpaid. thankfully they haven't added on any unpaid bills charges to it :j:beer:

WelshWoofer

Well, I too have looked like a tramp since leaving work - a lovely waterproof trousers, old fleece, wellies and padded zipup jacket combo for dog walking (twice in the rain). Good job we know that we can scrub up better isn't it?!:rotfl:

I've finally managed to defuzz and do my nails - just couldn't be bothered yesterday. I have the new "ladies" book club tomorrow evening so need to make sure I'm a bit more groomed. Don't want to let down the "ladies that lunch" set by being a scruff.

I sometimes think its beyond belief what some people go through (I haven't read the thread yet LL but will in a mo) and thank my lucky stars for a relatively trouble free life and a sheltered and protected childhood (not that I appreciated it at the time).
Just today another 15 year old girl I teach came to me in tears and told me that she was going to be a witness in crown court against a man that beat up her mum, best friend and uncle! Now she's no shrinking violet but she was terrified, bless her. What can you do? My best effort was a box of tissues, a cup of tea and a friendly ear - felt a bit useless really. The police and pupil support people are involved so she's supported in the formal sense but just wants someone to tell her it will be ok.:( I didn't even think she liked me. Perhaps it was better the devil you know?

Right, I'm off to put Julian Clary's new book on ebay - read it as part of the bookclub and found it unexpectedly moving and funny - he's a much better writer than comedian. Just started another one called "The Language of Flowers" - didn't think it was my cup of tea but the first 50 pages have been quite absorbing and not at all what I was anticipating - perhaps my horizons are finally broadening:rotfl:

adelight

((hugs)) evilsquid you are absolutely not alone, so many people are in your position. i have a friend with a law degree from oxford who works in a shop i agree with everyone saying take any job you can. also, maybe stop wearing makeup type stuff except for special occasions/interviews and sell some of your stash? i think you could make a lot if you can let go of some items. are you able to cancel your gym membership and stuff like that? just little things like that and phone contracts can free up some money each month
ww that's not useless at all, it really can help a lot. that girl probably didn't feel comfortable letting it out to her friends or her family.

I'm at my parents' house right now, I've been at the hospital with my nan most of the afternoon/evening. Apparently she was pretty much her normal self until monday but now she is so tired and frail and just semi-sleeps all day. It's upsetting and I thought all the family would be really upset too but mostly everyone is quite calm now and making sure she's comfortable. Oh except for my youngest cousin who keeps farting in her hospital room:eek: She's been fed up for so long and my mum, who's spent everyday with her for the last four years, knows all her hmmm "wishes" for funeral, selling house etc and how she feels. My mum is extremely angry with her doctor for not dealing with an ulcer on her leg properly, which ultimately lead to her getting dehydrated, going into hospital, fluid on her lung, drugs affecting heart/kidneys etc It just spiralled but obv there is no use pointing the finger. Cleaning up the house a bit my aunt has found boxes of stashed medicine she hasn't been taking too. I think I am probably the last one in the family and entire hospital(consultant even wrote this in his letters to some family employers) thinking she will be around for more than a few weeks. It's just SO sudden and unexpected, same as with my grandad, noone saw it coming.
Hmmph well trying to feel a bit normal and distract myself from getting blubby, I am NOT good with "feelings" type stuff, sorry guys you get the brunt of me! Going to make some cakes tomorrow and leave them in my nan's room for all her millions of visitors. I swear she must be the most popular one on the ward!