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

Maisie_M

Pod - I have dry skin but if I used cleanser only then I feel like my skin is really greasy afterwards . The toner seems to bring it back to its normal tone and then the moisturiser soaks in well but doesn't feel greasy. Not sure if that makes sense but in short yes I like it:D

LL - I know what you mean about a disorganised house. I like to be really organised and have had sleepless nights after a holiday if all the cases aren't unpacked and away the day we get back! Sounds like you are all sorted now time for some you time.

Took DS2 swimming, did some cleaning and then made some low fat blueberry muffins.

bratz81

pod - wow wish we lived somewhere so toasty We can only afford to have the heating on for an hour in the morning and an hour at night, otherwise it's piling on blankets while sitting on the sofa so I'm really hoping these windows make a difference.

Really wasn't in the mood for going out into the rain to the gym last night after getting soaked on the way home but was glad I did. Obviously it did something as my weigh-in this morning showed a 1lb loss. Not awesome but I did have a chippy on Tuesday.

lessonlearned

Well not quite. Technically I could get out and about but why bother. No point risking life and limb when I have everything I need here. I shall stay nice and warm and cosy and get on with that pesky paperwork.

My friend's mother, a hale and hearty, very fit 70 year old, slipped on some ice a couple of years ago. She didn't just break her femur - she smashed it and also her hip. Although she can walk a little now she will never be the same, her mobility is impaired and her quality of life is seriously diminished. Quite apart from the physical difficulties it has also sapped her confidence.

As far as I know my bones are still strong because I've only recently stopped taking HRT - but my view is - for the sake of a few days - why take the risk.

Also I do try to make sure that I do get enough Vitamin D - getting as much sunshine as I can, whilst at the same time protecting my face from skin cancer. It's a bit of a balancing act isn't it.

Anyway I can play catch up with all my paperwork and then indulge myself in a couple of pamper sessions and a little bit of me time, reading and watching a couple of favourite DVD's or TV.

Why not:rotfl:

Keep warm and safe.

podperson

Hi all,

Well, no snow here at all - though it certainly feels cold enough for some! Hope those with some are ok, it is all too easy to slip and damage something. LL - OH's gran was the same, fell and broke her arm and has never quite been the same since. She has osteoperosis though and that combined with her age meant it took a very long time to heal. It's worrying how easy done it is.
Not much to report today, waiting impatiently for 5pm and the weekend to come around :rotfl:OH's friend is over today so think we'll probably have a few drinks tonight. Managed to get my short story finished last night so hopefully can get it edited and cut down a bit (went rather over word count!) and then can send if off Monday. Edits back in yesterday as well for the one in the anthology - so should be going the line editor now so final checks and is due to come out in March. Must get on with the longer ones!
Hope everyone is having a good day x

fedupandskint

Yeah, its the weekend! Yipee! Mind you, mine is filled with lots to do - study, marmalade making, cooking and usual cleaning and so on.

Took back the sale clothes I wasn't happy with and had my giftcard refunded which I'm happy with.. Also picked up some final reduction costume jewellery for £2 each! 2 necklaces and a necklace and bracelet - bargain considering they were £15 each full price.

Hope everyone is safe and warm as the snow has arrived here. Plenty of walking today done and just about to start a nice stew for tea. Sad day at work saying goodbye to a much loved colleague but we will meet up at the leaving do in a couple of weeks time. It is the right time for her to move on to pastures new and she will be missed by me for sure. Anyway, I'm going to see if I am suitably qualified for a couple of jobs I've seen and get on with those this weekend too.

Not much else to report here - will sort my nails out this weekend too as they're looking a bit raggy so will tidy them up tonight and apply strengthener and then paint them tomorrow in the lovely stone shade I had on this week - after while have nail polish and never use it!

podperson

Sorry for the mini-rant but am quite amazed by this. Have been looking for jobs online today, saw one that I quite fancied but only for around 16hrs a week. Was thinking that was no way could manage on that but could maybe get something else alongside it - so popped the numbers into a benefit calculator to see how much I would lose. Instead it tells me I would then get almost full HB and CT and be a few hundred quid a month better off. :eek: I mean, I don't know how accurate these things are, but if it's true then it's no wonder people don't want to work full time anymore if you can get more money for staying home!

lessonlearned

Pod - rant away. It's a topsy turvey world in benefit land. I defy anyone to understand how it all works - even the people who work in these places seem to run around in circles.

Anyway I think the best thing is just do what's best for you. A plus side of working fewer hours means it would give you the opportunity of building up your writing, photography etc.

Lizzie - I meant to say this. I'm not sure how old you are so don't be upset if I'm adding some years to your actual age:o

However, I understand that if you are 50 or over, have been claiming certain benefits and then decide to set up your own business, there is some financial help available to help you come off benefits. I forget exactly what the payment is called, but I understand that it is payable for 1 year.

Have been quite productive, working my way through that paper mountain. Will continue with it tomorrow.

As part of my declutter/make life easier mission I have decided that I am going to try and streamline all my systems, getting registered so that I can do as much as I can on-line and setting up automated systems and delegating where-ever possible, ie banking, bill paying etc. I'm also resolved to do more shopping online - stop lugging heavy shopping around.

It's time I stopped being such an OCD control freak. Time to delegate and learn to manage from a distance. I can't continue to be so hands on with both my OH's care and increase my involvement with my parent's needs - something has to give. I just can't keep juggling it all any more.

To that end I've had a chat with the new Matron (by phone) at my OH's nursing home and explained my difficulties - so from now on they will be sorting out OH's hospital visits, transport to and from hospital, and taking over his laundry.

I can give it a try.

Tonight I'm just resting.

Bitsy_Beans

Evening everyone

Am shattered. Who knew walking in 6" snow twice today would be soooooo exhausting :eek: it was like walking in sand dunes, legs had a real good workout. Luna has been terribly excited because its the first time she's seen snow and she kept sticking her snout into it and then snorting away :rotfl:
She has her stitches out tomorrow so plan is bundle everyone in the Car, take Luna to vets, get stitches whipped out and then on to nearby park with a VERY big hill to go sledging :j
Can't wait, it's the same place I went sledging as a child, with the very same sledge it's a wooden one and must be at least 50 years old, in excellent nick and well used

Fabbing? Had a much needed haircut. A nice hot bath. Hands feel exceptionally dry so will need to be slathered in stuff tonight.
I asked H to buy me some chocolate. He inadvertently bought me a variety I don't like so cue much disappointment although I suspect my waistline with thank me :rotfl:

Pod benefits system is madness. Personally I'd rather not be beholden, what they give with one hand will no doubt be snatched away by another, child tax credits is proof of that

LL delegation sounds like a good way to go x

Hugs and high fives where needed x hope you're enjoying the snow if you've got some.

WelshWoofer

Morning all!
I haven't been around much this week - its just been too busy. Parents evenings, snow, work and life just getting in the way. But its the weekend and I can have a bit of a rest at last.

My hair desperately needs dying so thats a priority for today - I'll do it myself this time and then when I get my hair cut in a couple of weeks it can be done professionally (always looks loads better then but its very expensive).

The dog insurance money has also come through this week so I need to pop to the bank to pay the cheque in so the credit card bill can get paid off. I've told the dog no pocket money for him for the rest of the year because he owes me too much - he looked at me, kicked his bowl across the kitchen and demanded feeding - guess I'm not going to get much help from him:rotfl:
Just in case anyone is about to insure their pet soon - I use Tesco pet insurance and have made two claims in the past few years and they've paid up for the total amount claimed within a a week or two both times. I think its quite unusual to have quibble free insurance so its a thumbs up for Tesco from me!

Need to do the usual weekend things - food shopping, cleaning etc - and will try to have a bit of "me time" - I have a sore throat and a bit of a thick head so I'm also going to attempt to fight off a cold too I think.:o

Right, the dog is sitting by the front door (I made the mistake of saying "park") so I'd better get on with it.
Hope everyone is warm and safe.

fedupandskint

WW - hope you feel better soon x

I've just done my Shred so that's the exercise done for today after the longer dog walk too in the snow. Having a little rest now before I start something else - hmm what shall I do? Maybe cleaning or bit of cooking I think then maybe some study this afternoon for a couple of hours