Frump to Fab - Summer Solstice Sizzler

evilsquid1603

natwest finally got back to me over my loan, they've agreed to take drastically reduced payments until i get a job. the arrears get added on top of what i already owe and i need to pay those back with 8% interest on top of the £193 a month when i do get a job but at least i can stop worrying for now. as soon as i got off the phone from them i ended up falling asleep in front of my computer for 2 hours so somethings definitely lifted some stress off me!

I've changed job centres now to one near my parents house and I'm there tomorrow for my first interview with them. praying to the gods that they are more help than the other one and might actually give me some constructive help to get a job past "set up your own business! £1000 loan!"

WelshWoofer

Great news EvilSquid - bet its a weight off your shoulders for now at least.

The lunch went well - only 3 of us turned up in the monsoon but we had a good chat and one of the women seemed the sort of person you could befriend - about my age, similar outlook and nice and chatty. We'll be going to some of the same events soon so will see her again (hope that doesn't sound like a stalker!)

Doggy seems a bit better - he's slept all afternoon and had some plain chicken for tea and a 10 min walk around the block for a bit of fresh air. Sleeping again now though.

In the spirit of eating well I've had some left over quiche for tea and a big bowl of berries. Also made a nice healthy roll and some fruit for lunch tomorrow to make sure I eat something properly and not pick at rubbish when I get a chance.

LL - summer body:eek::eek: I need a good bit of work before the layers come off!
Bracing myself for another week of madness - roll on the exams (bet I'm not the only teacher saying that....)

lessonlearned

Sunshine

And it's shining today:D OK so its not that warm but at least its bright. I think its the dark grey days that get to me the most. No matter how cold it is blue skies and bright sunshine do seem to lift my spirits.

Simplicity

This is what I'm aiming for. A simple stress free life. I have no control over outside events such as my husband's illness but I can control what happens in my own home and I can control what I look like.

I like to keep my surroundings neat tidy and simple, not too much furniture, not too many knick knacks etc. My clothes are quite pared down and simple too. Frills and flounces aren't my thing. Just simple well cut tailoring that flatters my shape.

I'm finding that as I'm decluttering my home and and streamlining my systems my life does seem to be getting a little easier. I'm still very tired, still have some aches and pains. However, things are slowly improving. I wish I had more energy but I'm sure that will come in time.

Stress

Stress can cause so much damage to our health, both in the short term - headaches, stomach upsets, panic attacks etc and in the long term - exhaustion, depression, weight gain or weight loss, insomnia, joint problems - the list seems endless.

I think we just have to deal with it, head on. Try and tackle what is causing the stress in the first place - although sometimes it's just not possible. If OH wasn''t ill then I wouldn't have a care in the world and wouldn't be stressed.

If we need meds then take them.

Other than stomach meds I prefer to do without, not because I'm noble or because I am a martyr and like to suffer, but because I find that most meds don't help me much. I also need to keep a clear head to be able to think straight.

I had quite a discussion with my GP about this. He did offer me anti-depressants at one point. I declined saying that although I was low, tearful etc I didn't think I was clinically depressed as such. (I've been there before and what I've been through this time didn't feel the same).

He agreed and said that unfortunately many people, medics included, confused stress with depression. The two are quite different. Grief and loss too can also muddy the waters. Although he is still alive I have to all intents and purposes "lost" my husband, so my stress is compounded with grief and loss.

When it comes to coping with stress I go for natural methods, sleep if I can, warm baths, gentle exercise, decent food, rest and relaxation, a walk, listening to music, doing a hobby I enjoy. It helps keep my head clear and avoids all the unpleasant side effects of being medicated.

If you do need to take medication then there's no harm in adding some of these natural self help methods to your regime. They might make things a little easier.

Time for my stretches, then my bath, then go shopping. I need to buy a order a new washing machine today - the old one is not happy. Mind you it is quite elderly.

Evilsquid - Glad to hear the news from the bank. That must be a huge weight lifted off your shoulders for now.

Have a good day X

lessonlearned

podperson wrote: »

......I didn't actually realise until I got up this morning that I have seriously sunburnt my face! x

Are you sure it wasn't rust:rotfl:

My sister. BIL and niece do a lot of riding and horsey stuff - they were looking very "weatherbeaten" on Saturday night.

They are on the plane - roughly half way to OZ as I write. BIL suffers from gout and is in the middle of an attack at the moment - poor man is in agony. I hope the cabin pressure doesn't make matters worse.

Rosetta92

lessonlearned wrote: »

Are you ready for summer? Yes I know we are all fed up to the back teeth of the rain and are desperate for some sun, but when it does finally show it's face, will you be ready.

Time to start looking at those summer wardrobes, is everything unpacked, washed, pressed, all hems and zips ok etc.

What about your skin - dare you bare. Elbows; knees, legs - are they fit to be seen in public.

Pretty tootsies or pigs trotters??? Are they sandal ready yet.

:eek::eek::eek:
Tootsies are nearly there, but I certainly don't dare to bare - need to get serious about skin for the next few weeks.


evilsquid - glad to hear your loan situation has improved. When it comes to job advice you might get more useful advice from your university - am I right in thinking you're a recent graduate? If moving home means your university careers service is no longer nearby I think there is an agreement whereby university careers will provide support to each others graduates for the first couple of years after graduation.

Sunshine None here, and haven't seen any for days. Also freezing with a chill wind and intermittent rain. :mad:

Simplicity So agree with this, but I've a long way to go to achieve it. This year is chuck it out year - fabbing the house at the same time as fabbing myself. This doesn't always work. Gave myself a lovely manicure on Saturday. Chipped all the polish when I blitzed the bathroom on Sunday:(

Still, I can now add lovely luxurious baths to my fabbing routine

I would also add Spiritual whether its a defined belief system or taking time out to seek some inner peace and appreciate the beautiful world we live in. Its very easy to neglect this important part of life - but we need to pay it some attention - helps to give us fab minds and hearts.

Have a good week everyone.

R

podperson

Hi all,

evilsquid - that's great news about the loan, must be a huge relief. I wish I'd had your old job centre, I would have loved someone to offer me £1000 to start up my own business but mine never even bothered mentioning it as a option!

LL - simplicity is a good one, but unfortunately always seems easier said then done! I need to have a housework blitz before I can even think about starting on the decluttering. I will never be a domestic goddess I fear - if I make the million I'll probably pay for a cleaner :rotfl:

Rosetta - if your tootsies are nearly there then you're doing better then me they weren't that bad but had to wear my rainproof boots this week and they've been rubbing so back to blisters on my heels. Really need to buy some comfy but rain-proof trainers!

Anyway, last night wasn't great. Went to the gig as OH had said he wanted me to help out, when I get there his two mates from uni are there as well and he's assigned them camera duties. Got a little annoyed with him as these guys have let him down a lot of times before so didn't really appreciate him basically bumping me off for them so said I was going home as I had other things I could be doing - which of course led to an argument Then, surprise, surprise, they toddle off early to go to a nightclub (after claiming all week they are skint and snowed under with work!) and leave him in the lurch. So, he claims he's done with getting them involved now - we will see!! :mad: He has a tendency to think the best of people, which is nice I suppose, but means he just keeps constantly giving people second chances when I would have told them to sod off log ago!
He's out filming yet again tonight, will see how the weather looks later, was debating going to the Beltane festival with my camera but is rather wet at the moment so don't really fancy being outside all night in the rain, plus I don't want to get the camera wet. If not can just have a quiet night in and hopefully get caught up on some bits.
Might have a possible wedding shoot! Not until September and need to ring the guy tonight to discuss but would be really good if it came about, would like to get into weddings as it's quite nice money but so hard if you don't have the portfolio for it, and of course you can't get the portfolio without the jobs so a bit of a catch 22. So, if anyone knows anyone getting married in the Edinburgh area let me know :rotfl:
Hope everyone has a simple, sunshiney, stress-free day

maman

I'm so pleased you got something sorted with the bank evilsquid.
Let us know how you get on at the jobcentre.

Pod, sorry things went awry with OH. You might like to look at this site. Friends of mine used this guy for their wedding photos and they were amazing. I just though it might give a few ideas.

http://www.shootinghip.com/recent-weddings.php

I'm glad your lunch went well ww, maybe it's a good thing that there was only a small group to start as then you could all have a good chat.

I've been conscious of summer coming (whenever!!!) and have been making sure I cream myself after every shower. My feet look OK but a little more attention wouldn't go amiss. I must go through my wardrobe. I know the jeans cut trousers I bought last year need replacing (or rather relegating to house clothes). I've worn the navy and black pairs all through the year so I've had my money's worth. I'm still toying with the idea of a colour but maybe that's better done with scarves and tops. I know we all have a particular style, but what would you all consider a 'must have' for this summer from what's in the shops?

I've made a hair appointment for Friday as I need a cut and maybe just a few highlights in my roots.

Feeling really tired today but that maybe to do with lots of champagne and other things consumed yesterday (:o).

Bitsy_Beans

Hey ladies, reverted back to lurking as I didn't have anything to report. Doing the usual stuff, moisturising, filing nails, defusing etc. have finally caved in and I am going to give Weight Watchers another try. Have ordered the stuff off eBay, not going to classes or anything. Wish me luck as half of me is dreading it last time I dieted was to get married, doing WW and I loathed it :o

Summer? It's rained on and off (mostly on) for a few weeks, we've had a reasonable day today but heading back to the wet stuff again tomorrow Gonna build an ark at ths rate :eek:

I agree with Rosetta about spiritual, even if it's just being mindful I think it helps.

Podperson exciting news about wedding in September :T have you tried looking at the Flylady thread on OS board re your cleaning, or indeed the actual flylady website (although be warned it is very American and VERY twee but still useful)

Evilsquid good news about the bank :T

Welsh woofer glad pooch is better. Luna has upset tum she's a b*gger for eating stuff over the fields (typical lab) so think she's picked it from over there.

Hugs all round to those that need them.

WelshWoofer

Maman - champagne? What's going on? Celebrating? (Ignore me if I'm being nosey!

Sunshine - sunny here today too but will rain tonight again - the sun really lifts your mood doesn't it.

Dog update - bounced back to normal again. They recover so quickly, a big relief. He slept all day and night yesterday and seems to have been rejuvenated - so, happy pooch and "mummy". Although I did wake up every hour to check he was still breathing in the night:o

Right, its time to cook some tea - veg and good stuff but not sure what yet - internal fabbing and all that! I'll also make my lunch for tomorrow - today's went down a treat and stopped me picking at rubbish.

WelshWoofer

Just a quick question.....

Is anyone doing the Race for Life this year?
Thinking about it- its been a few years since I did one so might be a good way to give myself a reason to do some exercise to build up to the distance.
Perhaps someone else is doing it and we can share the horrors of training for it?