Frump to Fab - Summer Solstice Sizzler

podperson

Not got time for a long post so will catch up with you all later but just wanted to say Lizzie that things are in no way your fault. Your DD is a teenager right? And unfortunately it's just the way they are, my parents were in a happy relationship and I had a wonderful childhood but I still acted like that. I know I drove my mum in particular mad, I would scream at her, sulk, ignore, disrespect her, pay no attention to her rules - looking back I cringe now. It's just a stage most kids go through, you're doing the right thing by setting her rules and sticking to them and when she does get a bit older then she will appreciate that. Sending you *hugs* and hope things are going better x

lessonlearned

WW - some great "T's" - thank you.

Temptation - well why not give in now and again - a little of what you fancy....

Trying something new - great one and you are the perfect example of this - rebuilding your social life, making new friends. Fab.

Time -This is the big one isn't it, never enough time to go round.

Which brings me nicely to the next batch of "T's"

Ten Minute Treatments

Finding time for a whole beauty session can be very difficult but finding a ten minute slot each day should be doable - at least some of the time.

So why not have a little rota system in place. Set yourself a goal of 1 hour per week to cover the basics. Just 10 minutes per day for six days and see the difference. You can then have a day off.:rotfl:

Start with the face - that's the bit you see most.

Day 1 - Facemask
Day 2 - Eyebrow tidy
Day 3 - Defuzz underarms and legs
Day 4 - Facemask
Day 5 - Mini manicure, just trim and shape nails,
Day 6 - Mini pedicure

Don't forget to try multitasking. Shower, wash hair, apply conditioner. Whilst you leave in the conditioner for a minute or two, brush and floss teeth, then give your hair it's final rinse.

When doing your face mask you don't have to lie down with cucumbers or teabags on your eyes like the beauty mags tell you, you could apply the face mask and then get on with the defuzzing whilst the face mask gets to work.

If you're really pushed for time do what I do sometimes - apply the face mask and do something else - peel the veg, check your emails - just don't answer the doorbell.:o

You can do your mini manicure whilst watching TV.

Same with exercise.

Ok we know the recommended is 30 mins per day 5 days a week as a minimum. Finding 30 minutes in one block can be difficult. So try splitting it up into 3 x 10 min blocks. If that is still not possible well 10 minutes per day for a brisk walk or a few yoga stretches is better than nothing.

So using a bare minimum of 1 hr per week for beauty treatments and 1 hour per week for exercise you can make a good start and cover the basics.

Just 20 minutes a day. It's a good place to start. You can build from there as and when.

Lizzie - hope you are feeling a bit better, sleep well.

BTW - I know this is shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted but perhaps a new house rule - from now on plain water only in the children's bedrooms. Hope the Ribena didn't stain the pale carpet.

G'night all X

Bitsy_Beans

Great post LL, I think I need to write down a schedule of beauty treatments to remind me what and when I need to do

Lizzie, I can only echo what everyone else has said, have a huge hug and it's not your fault. You do the best at the time with what you have. If memory serves money for you is tight but could you explore any social groups lke Welshwoofer has? Maybe a book club or something to get you meeting some new people and making some friends xxx

WelshWoofer

Morning all!
Its still sunny here - not sure it will last but its good for now. I'm off on a dog walk with some of the "ladies that lunch" this morning. It was one of the activities that I suggested and people actually agreed to come so I was hoping for fine weather so they'd turn up.:p
I'll have to spend a couple of hours this afternoon doing some school work, getting ready for the week and getting all of the internal assessment results ready to send off to the exam board. Not a lot of fun but has to be done.

The Sky box has decided to go on the blink too - it still works but the picture goes all blocky every now and then (like when there's a storm on the way). Could do without the expense if its terminal.:mad:

Just a quick question.....has anyone done Ashtanga Yoga? The Spice group have an introduction afternoon to this type of yoga in a couple of weeks and I'm thinking of going but not sure what to expect really. I've never done yoga or pilates or anything like that so any advice or opinions would be appreciated.

ETA - just googled Sky box problems, followed the suggestions to try and it appears to have worked - hurrah! Who needs a man!

dannie

Hello everybody,

I've just been considering all your posts thanks.

First of all, yesterday I awakened to backache but the day wasn't as bad as it could have been. Much of the day was spent doing sedentary tasks which was a change in routine. Outdoor activities are the ones that make me feel "fab" so being indoors was a challenge to feel okay. Today might not be so easy; already screaming out when my back sends its sharp pain! Nevertheless, have had painkillers and ginger so far.

Secondly, lessonlearned thanks for your detailed post about "frump to fab". Yes, I suppose it's a long journey. What to keep, what to change or what cannot change and should I "live with it?" I consider health the main basis to feel more "fab" and cannot relate to other means (yet)? Similarly, I feel I've aged largely through life events. Awakening to the same "problematic routine" makes "feeling fab" and/or "fabbing" difficult. However, when I started this thread, it's another attempt to improve things for me and for others at home.

Bye the way, thanks for the "T" examples everybody.

lessonlearned

Good morning Everyone

Lizzie - hope you are feeling better today. A bit of TLC for you today - that's an order. :rotfl:

Came home from visiting OH yesterday afternoon to find that DS2 had mowed the lawn. I hadn't even asked him to. (Like you WW - lawn is a bit grand for what is just a sickly patch of clover and weeds and a few blades of actual grass. )

For what it's worth Lizzie - DS2 is now 25 and has grown into a lovely man - a real sweetie - however, it wasn't always so.

Trust me he was a bit of a handful as a boy. He was the one I always worried about the most and who gave me the most grief. He had (still has of course) dyslexia and dyspraxia and his teenage temper flare ups were wondrous to behold - as bad as any toddler tantrum. (School was difficult as you can imagine).

As a teenager he was a real "Kevin" - you know the Harry Enfield character. When he was being obnoxious I would casually call him Kevin - just to let him know that I didn't appreciate his behaviour. Oddly enough that little epithet was often very successful at making him rethink.

A quiet "What's the matter Kevin" or "Now then, Kevin" worked far better than me losing my rag and having a shouting match.

When he was 14 he grew 6 inches in 6 months - his mood swings were horrendous at this point - all those hormones rampaging through his body. Now he's 6ft 3" - sweet and loving, a real gentle giant. Still skinny, looks like an advert for Oxfam despite eating like a horse.

Try not to worry too much - children will push the boundaries - they know exactly which buttons to press to wind you up. Your daughters will probably grow into delightful and charming young women.

Anyway I am going to have a nice little potter today. A spell in the garden and a bit of paperwork to sort out. I have a Cancer Research bag to fill so going to have a little sort through the wardrobe and cupboards. I know I did this a while ago but I'm determined to declutter more regularly and not let it get out of hand again. That clutter monster visits far too regularly.:rotfl:

Simple, stress free uncluttered living is my mantra from now on.

Have a good day.

lizzie157

Hi,
Actually came on here to delete yesterdays post as I didn't want anyone to think I was silly and feeling sorry for myself, but having seen all the lovely posts I just want to thank you all for being so lovely. I have gone through this before with my elder daughter but tbh didn't really expect it from my younger one but over the last 6 months she has become a bit cheeky etc. I know it's just being a teenager. We have had a talk and I explained how I lost it, I was sorry and that although I don't expect her to do as much with the dog as her Dad does, if she still expects to go horseriding when money is so tight, (meaning that most probably I will have to do without something, but that's what being a mum is and I don't mind ) she must be prepared to do things in return. In regard to OH unfortunately I just can't get through to him that unless I had been prepared to take her on we wouldn't have had her, that yes I do expect the kids to help now and then but don't expect them to forego doing children's stuff all the time because they have dog duties. He expects too much and we have the same thing every weekend. Ooops i'm rambling again .

Its mainly financial reasons why I haven't been able to leave, I have asked him to leave but he refuses so as I haven't got anyone with enough room for me and the kids I'm stuck for now. Its not all bad, but no even though that would mean I really did have no one exept the kids I don't intend to be with him forever. I feel he holds me back, doesn't let me be me, though am not sure who me is anymore.

I will keep looking for something for me to go out and socialize, am coming up against a brick wall atm as everything seems to be miles away or costly but there must be something........
Have ordered a book about building my confidence, will keep on trying to fab up a bit, keep studying, looking for a job, and generally try and do something to make my life better. Things WILL be different one day...........
Thankyou all again for being here for me I really do appreciate it.:) xx

lessonlearned

Posts crossed.

Hi sweetie - glad to hear from you. It's good to see that you seem a little calmer and brighter. A big hug.

lizzie157

Post crossed LL - thanks am feeling more positive today. I know my other kids have grown up into fine adults despite everything, so hopefully the 2 still at home will too.
The clutter yes I've my own clutter monster. Watched the channel 4 programme on Thursday about hoarders and though I'm not on that scale did recognise some of my traits when they were trying to help him clear his house:D I'm slowly getting through mine but I still do the thing of moving some things to other rooms rather than chucking them out - some things I just can't let go of. Gonna have a relaxing day today and just chill. Have a good day everyone. x

fedupandskint

I'm crawling towards the finishing line aiming to finish by lunchtime and submit. Then I'll have a bit of pamper time.

I'll do the small bit of ironing and tidy all the study papers away. Then try 20mins on the stepper again and take the dog out for a nice relaxed walk instead of feeling like I have to zoom around. Then its treaty tea time after a pamper sessoon of cleanse exfoliste and face mask - the first one in weeks! And a well deserved bath.

And a well earned evening off all this head done in studying!