Frugal frump to Fab - Astonishing Autum Exquinox to Wondrous Winter Solstice

Bitsy_Beans

Dress bought, free delivery too :money:
Hope it looks as good on me as it does on the web page!

WW I'd hate a birthday so close to Christmas

Everhopeful09

Gym done, had tea now to ice cakes.

Bitsy dress looks perfect for party season!

Ww know what you mean about birthdays, mines 6th Jan and nobody ever wants to do anything as skint, on a detox or ill! Not that i'm overly bothered as I hate a fuss!

Hewie29

Wow once again can I say thanks for all the lovely support, Floss, I may well take you up on your offer, hopefully will get lots of answers tomorrow. My mum is feeling very positive and is in good fighting spirit so hope that she can keep that up and i'm right behind her every step of the way.

The kids were great yesterday and just treated her just like they always do, it was alovely afternoon, they were full of talk about the hols and mum and dad were loving their stories.

Loved the dress Bitsy, you're look stunning, I've not worn a dress since my wedding day over 16 years ago. Its my aim when I get to goal weight to buy a little black dress.

Have a good evening everyone and enjoy the fireworks. And once again thanks xxx

WelshWoofer

This is the frock I bought for my Xmas do. Looks quite nice on - colour is good for me too.
Just have to be brave enough to wear it now!

podperson

Bisty and ww = love the dresses - am sure you will look fab at your parties That website is great Bitsy, I love the rockabilly style dresses, just not sure if I would be brave enought to wear one - and of course, have no where to wear to it to :rotfl:

Thanks for the advice. WW - there's no way we could fit everyone in our small flat and I have a tiny one shelf oven so don't fancy attempting to cook for that many people in it :eek: I don't think OH would mind if I went down, he's the one who always says I should go as he knows my mum makes a big deal out of xmas and is disappointed when I'm not there for it (though she tries not to say anything!) I guess I was just slightly hoping for something quiet and non-stressful and now either way there's going to be the full family works.

Bitsy_Beans

WW gorgeous dress

bratz81

WW - lovely dress! I feel your pain with the xmas birthday, mine's on 17th Dec so it's usually either forgotten or you get those 'joint' presents of a £5 voucher! I know it's the thought that counts and it should be appreciated but you kinda think...well you don't do that to anyone else why do I matter less.

Pod - I don't really know what to advise. Personally I might be inclined to go to your mum's if it would really make her happy and as long as your OH doesn't mind but that's only me.

Went to the gym last night for a session - the last two weeks I've only been twice a week so I need to get back into my 3 times a week routine. I've a PT session on Thursday and Saturday so counting last night that's 3 times

lessonlearned

Wow - what Fab Frocks - you are both going to look stunning.

Sorry I've been awol for a couple of days. I have been reading though.

It's very cold here - the boiler packed up on Sunday:eek: but at least it's fixed now. Not the best of times for it to break down but then again no time is a good time. I had to give some of the thermal underwear a test run....

At least I can have a nice hot bath in a minute.

Well ladies I am now officially an "Old Age Pensioner" being exactly 61 years and 4 months old today and I am now eligible to draw my state pension.

Personally I don't like the term OAP - I prefer the American term "Senior" - less "doddery" somehow and more "stately". And of course - more respectful.;)

I was pleased to discover that I also have a small occupational pension due. I had completely forgotten about it. Duh.

PP - I'm not sure what to suggest about your Christmas arrangements. It can be so difficult.

I spent my 20's and half my 30's running myself ragged at Christmas, schlepping along motorways and journeying up and down the country on overcrowded trains just trying to please other folk.

When our first child was born, my OH put his foot down. He said that's it no more - from now on it's our family in our house.

So that was our rule - anyone could visit and stay as long as they wanted but we were not prepared to drag small babies and children away from their home at Christmas.

Some visitors took us rather too literally (the In-laws) and rather outstayed their welcome sometimes but hey-ho you can't have everything. At least it was in our home on our terms.;)

"Motorway Christmases" are no fun.

Anyway - better start the day.

Have a good one, no have a great one.

podperson

Morning all,

bratz - go you on getting back to into the gym routine - I've been lack with the exercise lately. Went on an organised walk for the time in weeks on Sunday and am still feeling it today!

LL - I'm not keen on the OAP term either - but at least it means you're now getting the pension, so hopefully things will be a bit easier for you finance-wise now - and what a nice surprise to have a bit extra

Thanks for the xmas advice - LL, we used to be very much like that, we would try and please everyone and would often end up going to my mum's for 'xmas lunch', his mum's for 'dinner' and then sometimes seeing friends at night. It was exhausting and I would usually end up sleeping half of boxing day :rotfl:The last two years it's actually been quite nice just to have a quiet day and do whatever we feel like. I suppose with it being a bit of a stressful day I was slightly looking forward to that. Anyway, things change and all that

I will speak to OH and my mum a bit more I think. My mum rang last night and my grandma's not doing too well lately. I mentioned she'd gone into a home, initially on a respite basis but she's still not well enough to go home and it's not likely she will do now. They're not happy with the home she's in now though, my grandma has apparently had some kind of fall this week and they didn't even bother to let any of her relatives know - they only found out when my aunt was helping her to the bathroom and found huge bruises all down one side :mad: My grandma is getting increasingly confused and couldn't remember herself what had happened. My dad has had quite harsh words with the people in charge but it's a worry. They think they may have found another one but they're waiting on the paperwork - and then it's more upheaval for her. Hopefully this will be a better fit though - it looks like it has more going on, they have been to visit a few times and actually seen activities going on in the afternoon - whereas the current place claimed they did things but really just sticks them all in front of the tv in the lounge and leaves them there. My dad says he went in the other day and they were all watching kids tv as that was what had been left on the channel :eek: I don't think somewhere like that is going to be good for her - if they don't get any mental stimulation it's only going to make her decline quicker.

I suppose that's another consideration - if she's well enough to come out for the day for xmas then it might sway me to go down as realistically it may her last one if what they have told me about how rapidly she's going downhill is right Anyway, sorry for going on a wee bit there.

Had day off work yesterday but spent most of it working on OH's dissertation so not really very relaxing! Am managing to keep on track for Nano but was lucky was over on the first few days as yesterday was a bit under for the daily count. Choir tonight so not sure how much I will get done today either.
Hope everyone is having a good day x

lessonlearned

Sorry to hear about your poor grandmother. Don't worry about your wee rant. I'll join you.:rotfl:

I absolutely hate all this nursing home business.

OH has a meeting with his Care Manager tomorrow. I just don't know where to turn. I won't bore you but I'm seriously underwhelmed with his current nursing home, carelessness, falls, bruises etc, no stimulation - just as your say about your Granny's home.

I really want to bring him home but as it is a 2 or 3 person job to handle him now realistically it can't be done. I just feel so guilty that I can't do more for him.

I spend 3 to 4 hours a day with him, approx 4 or 5 days a week, plus a 20 mile round trip. It is wearing me out. Today I'm not visiting him because I'm going to see my parents, another 15 mile round trip.

I'm exhausted, still not really recovered from my lurgy.

I know this sounds awful but I just feel that I have no life of my own.....

Isn't that dreadful. I know it sounds so selfish but I just wish I had some energy left for me. Last night I should have gone to Book Club. I had to cancel - I couldn't face it - I was just too tired and drained.

Today is the first day of my official retirement - this is not the retirment I had hoped for. It is not the retirement that OH and I worked for. 61?? - if truth be told I feel more like 91 today.:(

Oh dear I've made myself cry now. Sorry - rant over - I'll get me coat.

Literally'

Off to see Mum & Dad. Time to put on some slap and paste on the smile.