Frugal Frump to Fab-u-lous Dharrrrrrrling Winter Solstice to Spring Equinox

lessonlearned

Just having 5 minutes and a cuppa.

My back is screaming, my elbows hurt like billy-o - all that lifting. My elbows were a nightmare of pain when I used to do OH's transfers, so I'm just going to ease off for a bit. I will rest for a while and then cook a yummy sausage casserole, with lots of green stuff on the side, broccoli, green beans.

Like Bitsy I sometimes feel a tad guilty for eating out of season imported fruit and veg. I know the food miles add up and I'm paying over the odds for the privilege of eating stuff that probably has very little vitamin content left but, this time of year, buying only locally produced food would restrict us to potatoes, root vegetables and the odd cabbage or cauli and maybe sprouts.

What do you lot think. How do you rate frozen veg. I like my vegetables "crunchy" and I find when I cook frozen veg it seems very watery. Am I doing it wrong. Would steaming them be better. Any tips or recommendations.

About 7 or 8 boxes emptied, still a gazillion (well that's what it feels like) to go. I really should have been more ruthless with the de-cluttering before I moved.

Fab-wise - ha!!! It's the bag lady look today.:rotfl:

his_missus

Hello all!

Hope you don't mind me popping by. One of my resolutions for 2013 is to explore more of the MSE website and came across you all.

I'm most definitely feeling like a frump at the mo (still working at the frugal part) having gained over half a stone in the last few months of 2012 after having lost almost 2 stones between Jan-Jun 2012. I've also become quite ...not lazy as such but rather can't be bothered anymore. So now I only wear BBcream n powder instead of making the effort to put a full face on (People comment on how tired/pale I look with my eyes made-up) and only my face sees moisturiser thse days (despite owning plenty of lotions and potions) My nails saw varnish for the first time in months over Christmas but now I'm back to plain, odd sized nails. Only thing that is in ok condition is my hair and even that could do with a cut and a dye to cover up the greys. Perhaps a thread like this might spur me on.

Some of you seem to have set yourself targets so inspired by you all I will:

• use a face wipe each night before bed and moisturise.
• start using eye cream in a morning and apply some shadow and mascara if I intend to leave the house (though not for swimming/gym:D)
• cut my nails short and apply clear varnish
• make a hairdressing appt for next Sat to tie in with a visit to my parents. £3 for a dry cut - bargain!
• we've got 2 sessions of badminton booked for the weekend but need to motivate us both to get back into swimming 2 mornings a week too.

Hope you don't mind me joining in. Some threads I've subscribed to on here I end up unsubscribing from because they're rather cliquey

Carmen

Good afternoon ladies,

Sorry that some of you are feeling poorly with your health issues, I can empathise with some of you. Sending positive healthy vibes and gentle hugs your way.

Pod, you are going to knock yourself out if you do not get a decent nights sleep :eek: I'm like a cranky zombie after just 3 sleepless nights! Have you tried a hot milky drink before bed, it can be very relaxing, don't mean to sound all mumsy :rotfl:;) It's fine to rant :pTake care.
Argos have some good price scales with BMI at the moment

Welcome back Maise and anyone else I may have missed, just jump on the wagon to fabdom.

LL, Good luck in your new home and the start of your new life :j Sounds as if a good session with the physio would make it a better start

I am enjoying my root veggie casserole's at the moment, but still have to resort to a crunchy salad sometimes. Potato and cauli/lentil curry also goes down well :drool::drool: Have you checked the recipes on the... oops I cannot remember which forum

I also met my O/H in a pub, spooky eh! It's our 38th anniversary on Friday :eek: He sometimes reminds me "thats three life sentences" :rotfl::rotfl:Where does the time go?

I have slipped into a 5:2 at the moment, had a couple of bad days so trying to be goodish for the next five.
Weather here has turned quite cold so not moving to far from the fire. In my defense, I did blitz 95% of the house yesterday:j

Keep up the good work ladies.

Carmen xx

Carmen

Crossed posts so just popped back to welcome his missus
Reading your post prompted me to give myself a facial.
xx

podperson

Thanks Carmen - have been trying hot chocolate before bed but not doing much, still managed about 4 hours last night - seems a bit odd to be so happy about that but could really feel the difference this morning. Fingers crossed will go back to normal soon!

With the in-laws - OHs rung them back to say that we probably won't go now due to cost and they've done an about-turn and said they'll take us again now. Now I feel guilty for 'ruining' their plans - can't win can I?

LL - glad you seem to have moved in well, try and take it a little easier for a day or two now (probably easier said then done when surrounded by boxes but don't do yourself an injury!). I'm not a big fan of frozen veggies, but then I don't eat a lot of boiled/steamed etc stuff and for things like stir-fry ones it doesn't tend to seem worth it.

Welcome his missus - I know what you mean about struggling to make an effort sometimes, but sounds like you've got a good plan - just think small steps and gradually building up new habits. Oh and everyone is lovely on here (and I don't think cliquey) just don't worry about having to 'keep up' as sometimes it can fly along

weesmiler

Hello all,

I went back to the gym last night, first time in ages. I did a Legs, bums n tums class which was ok, but not the instructor I'm used to. Feeling a bit sore today, but no pain no gain I guess!

Having a night in tonight, first full week back at work is taking its toll! Can't wait til Saturday and a lie in

In other MSE news...I bought myself a wedding dress on eBay for £34 and I love it! My other half has bought me an engagement ring, although hasn't officially asked me yet...been doing bits and pieces of wedding planning but nothing official. I was browsing eBay and fell in love with a last season monsoon dress. I'm so chuffed with it :rotfl:

Hope everyone is well xxx

lessonlearned

Carmen - ok Twinnie - something else spooky. My wedding anniversary on 4th Feb. 30 years. Congrats for the 38 years on Friday:T:T Hope you have a lovely time.

Going to take your advice and try and book a physio session. Time for a good pummelling.:eek:

Meant to say Welcome back Maisie, lovely to "see" you again. Bet you are busy with your little one. Just do what you can when you can.

Welcome His Missus - does this mean I can't do my Frankie Howerd "Ooh-er Missus" impersonations any more. :rotfl::rotfl:

I think we are a fab bunch of gals, not cliquey at all. Some great goals there.

PP - families eh??:rotfl: Don'tcha just love'em. Like you I'm still not sleeping properly.

So tonight I'm going to give Skymist's suggestion a go.

So right now I'm going to wish you all "Bon Nuit" - ooh get me - and switch off the 'puter.

Bye bye blue light......Hello nice mushy DVD. :rotfl:

lessonlearned

weesmiler wrote: »

Hello all,


In other MSE news...I bought myself a wedding dress on eBay for £34 and I love it! My other half has bought me an engagement ring, although hasn't officially asked me yet...been doing bits and pieces of wedding planning but nothing official. I was browsing eBay and fell in love with a last season monsoon dress. I'm so chuffed with it :rotfl:

:T:T:T:T:T:T:T Fantastic.!!!!

lizzie157

Hugs Hewie hope you can get some sort of treatment.

welcome to anyone new:hello:

Have been busy reading the books I ordered on business planning and mindfullness. Went to my first yoga session since xmas, didn't realize how much I'd missed it was v. stiff, I've also missed the relaxation bit a lot more than I thought. Have had my hair done today as well -always makes me feel better the lady who does it is lovely and makes me laugh.
Have also been having a bit of a look at dresses for the wedding - I know it's a while away but can't hurt to look.

Like you PP have had a stomach ache off and on for the past few days probably stress related too. DD1 is ill again (depression) and her job looks as if it may be in jeopardy due to having lots of time off.
On the plus side it's looking as if I woudn't need that many customers to make just enough to live on, I would be about the same financially as now and that suits me as long as I've got out of DWP's clutches. Am hoping it won't be much longer til I'm ready to go for it.

Hope all of you having trouble sleeping have a more comfortable night tonight. G'night

lessonlearned

lizzie157 wrote: »

On the plus side it's looking as if I woudn't need that many customers to make just enough to live on, I would be about the same financially as now and that suits me as long as I've got out of DWP's clutches. Am hoping it won't be much longer til I'm ready to go for it.

That's great news Lizzie . Getting out of DWP's clutches would be fantastic, then you can move forward. Being on benefits just holds you back because every time you try to better your situation they claw money back and you never make any progress. You run just to stand still.

Sorry to hear about the tummy problems. Yes stress is likely to be the culprit.

Well as you can see I'm up early but still really tired. Oh well at least I got about 5 hours so getting better. Can have a catch up nap later.

Today it's fabbing time. A nice long soak in the bath, wash my hair and actually wear something a bit smarter than jogging bottoms and a fleece, which is all I've lived in the last few days. Skin starting to heal and black eye fading nicely.

My fridge freezer came yesterday so a trip to ALDI for some fruit and veg after I've seen OH.

A trip to the charity shop - the de-cluttering starts again.....

Have a great day and keep fabbing everyone.