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

lizzie157

Hewie - sorry about your Mum sending my love I'm thinking about you.

PP- congratulations

Umm LL and Bitsy you've given me something to think about. I had already had the thought but pushed it to one side, DD2 even suggested it but I didn't think I was good enought tbh though I have had comments on my decorating being neat. Haven't had much experience hanging paper but I have done it. Am going to look into it.
I'm a bit down atm, though in comparison to you Hewie I have much less to worry about. It's just the constant struggle. The feeling that whatever I do there's a big foot waiting to kick me in the teeth. Maybe it will work out I don't know.
Xmas is another thing that gets me down. I loved it when the kids were small but it's now just the wondering what to get people at low cost. I've suggested various ways round it over the years but the oldies in our clan are sat in their ways and insist on going back to normal the next year. I've got 2 birthdays next week too.

maman

I'm feeling much better now and thoroughly ashamed with myself for moaning on earlier.

Sending you a huge hug Hewie, you've had to adjust to so much so quickly and support your poor dad too. Don't forget that your virtual friends are here for you too. Sometimes it's easier to vent than with RL ones.

Lizzie, I was watching that Sarah Beeny house programme earlier (not hugely impressed with her ideas BTW, LL would have done a much better job;)) and there were two female decorators on there. It's certainly worth thinking about.

My DH is an absolute star. He went out this afternoon and noticed there was an Abba tribute band playing near us on 22nd December. He hates Abba but he knows I find them really fun and relaxing so he bought us some tickets. He didn't say but I'm sure it was about finding fun things for me to look forward to so that I don't stress about Christmas. Like sparkles said (and so did he) we'll just do our best to enjoy the one day with nice food and wine and then we'll get on with other things. Hopefully weather will be good enough for some nice walks. DH also spoke to DGD2 and asked her to write down some ideas herself so hopefully we'll get to find out what she'd really like.

'night all.

Hewie29

Hi, once again thanks for all your well wishes and Floss thanks for the PM.

PP - Dad is in touch with Macmillan and they have been great helping them financally to start with, as things have moved on so quick we haven't had the chance to ask for help in the home yet, but I'm sure he will.

Well I'm not sleeping well, hence the early morning post, can drop off quite quickly but have trouble staying asleep. As hubby is on earlies this week I got up with him, but now he's gone off to work.

Thanks again everyone you are so kind xxx

Bitsy_Beans

Sorry you're not sleeping well Hewie but I imagine its rather understandable under the circumstances xxx if it gets too much of a problem will,you see your GP? I am not a massive fan of tablets for sleeping but sometimes they are necessary. You have so much on your plate exhaustion is the last thing you need. X

bratz81

Hewie - sorry to hear about your mum

I'm another one who doesn't like Xmas. Well, to be fair I don't celebrate it since I celebrate Yule and am a Pagan, but what I hate is that the husband's family are so religious and insist on buying me gifts and trying to co-coerce me into church on Xmas morning.
I always refuse church but end up having to buy them gifts back to keep the peace and hate having to spend money on a holiday I don't even celebrate grrrr

lessonlearned

maman wrote: »

I'm feeling much better now and thoroughly ashamed with myself for moaning on earlier.

Sending you a huge hug Hewie,
Lizzie, I was watching that Sarah Beeny house programme earlier (not hugely impressed with her ideas BTW, LL would have done a much better job;)) and there were two female decorators on there. It's certainly worth thinking about.


'night all.

Why thank you for the vote of confidence.:D

I watched that programme too and noticed the female decorators.

I normally like Sarah's programmes. She usually talks a lot of sense - especially her problem solving for difficult room layouts. However, I am very disappointed with this series - it's very poor.

I thought some of the ideas were very gimmicky last night but I thought the "solution" to the young couple children's toy storage issue was especially ridiculous.

For those who didn't see it - the couple ended up spending hundreds of pounds on built in under the stairs storage - when all they wanted to do was make the place look tidy for viewings.

I would have bought two huge toy baskets - about £100 and you get to take them with you when you leave. Any spare toys could have been popped into bin liners and stored in the loft. The old "rotating toy box trick". I did this when mine were small, every so often you swap them round and hey presto new toys to play with.

The ironing board and clothes airers can either go in a wardrobe or in a garage - no problem.

As for painting a mural on the decking area!! What a tacky tasteless waste of money. So it was a resting place for the children's outdoor toys - so what, children need to play somewhere. A quick tidy up and a couple of smart planters with simple architectural plants. Cordylines are dead cheap £5 and perfect for a small urban garden. A small flowering cherry tree in a pot in one of the corners - job done.

I actually thought the young couple's house was fine as it was.

I was glad the snooty "Oh we are so well travelled and we have collected these artefacts from all over the world - ours is definitely the best house" guy got his come-uppance (ie no offers on his house). Pompous arrogant so and so.

Anyway another busy day - dealing with "stuff" and OH has a hospital appt this afternoon.

No rest for the wicked......

Hewie - sorry to hear about the poor sleeping. I think at times like this it's the sleep that is the first to suffer. Maybe just try and snatch a nap during the day if you have to and - I agree - if you need some help to get you over the next few weeks and months then do go and see your Dr. Keep as well as you can.

Everhopeful09

Evening all,

Quiet on here, hope everyone ok.

Not much to report, car broke down on way home after going through surface water, a long wait for repair man who turned up and used my wd4O to spray in engine, wouldn't start still so said to leave it to dry out! So now a mate is taking me to see if car will start, luckily only a few miles away but i was not impressed!

I must make a effort with fabbing but skin still itching & products seem to aggravate it, so trying antihistamine and E45cream for now.

Hewie - hugs and love to you & family xxx

mineallmine

Hello all. When I read this thread I feel like I'm sipping a tea and we're sitting around a dining table

Warm congrats to book deals, house fabbing and house selling, and weight loss.

Warm hugs to Hewie. Do whatever you need to do to nurture yourself. Even if it's a coffee. Reading Hello. Take an extra shower. And think how you can help mum in small ways to make her more comfortable. Favourite pillows, blankets, nightie, slippers, perfume, hand cream, sweets/biscuits.

podperson

Squeeee! My Christmas book is up for pre-order on the publisher website already, they hadn't told me and only noticed it when another writer there mentioned hers was up. A friend of a friend on facebook has just bought one so that's my first ever sale :j- feeling slightly surreal right now!

CurlyTop

Hi Ladies

Can I join in please? I've been subscribed to this thread daily for about 6-8 weeks now and am loving it but always feel a bit wary of posting. I tend to lurk and run but you are all so inspiring that I feel its giving me the gentle kick up the bum I need.

I was diagnosed with m.e. about 7 years ago. I work part time but in the last year or so seem to find myself struggling more with pain. As for the weight, the least said the better. As I'm no longer a billy whizz anymore its slowly creeping up (especially around the middle). I'm going take it slowly and one step at a time.

I'm also a little behind on the fabbing of me bit. Used to do this all the time until I got together with DH. Funny how us girlies always seem to put everyone else before ourselves but as air hostesses say, in the event of an emergency put the gas mask on yourself first before you try to help anyone else! Ok I know this aint no emergency but hopefully you get my drift.

Thanks for the inspiration. x