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

pamsdish

Hi all, hope I find you all safe,warm and well.
Going to do some serious work today, done my Wii first time for a week, 2 lbs gained. :oI know my back is worse ,in continual pain if I don`t exercise. Will try and do it every day ,instead of hibernating. :A
Will shower after my bid on ebay.:D Moisturise all over, did my nails yesterday, so feet and eyebrows on the agenda, 2 weeks today I set off for my cruise, so need to really knuckle down and get myself ready, fab wise. I have a rough idea what I am packing ,need a mix as not expecting HOT weather, but warmer than here :j

lessonlearned

Hello Everyone

No more snow yet but apparently it's on it's way. There's a bitterly cold wind though so again I'm having another indoor day and not venturing on the roads. OH is quite happy not seeing me for a few days, in fact he prefers me not to be driving because he just worries.

So I'm busy with the paperwork and accounts etc. Have set up a new filing system and got rid - well into the garage - of bags and bags of old files.

Today I'm going to finish setting up on-line accounts and write a few more letters, and then we're about done.:j:j

Every cloud has a silver lining and this diabolical weather has given me the perfect opportunity to crack on and really get organised. If I had been out and about in the normal way it would have dragged on for weeks. It's also given me some time to think, make plans and just generally catch up with myself and rest.

I do have a mountain of ironing but need to rest my right elbow a bit longer. Not sure that I can lift the iron for long, I'm just about managing with saucepans etc for cooking. As soon as the weather picks up I will book myself a much needed physio treatment.

Fabbing wise - mainly serious moisturising at the moment, plenty of TLC for my hands, feet and legs. My skin does not like cold drying winds.

Loving the idea of buying some spring/summer clothes. Something nice to look forward to.

Pam - where are going to on your cruise. Definitely worth fabbing for. I'm sure it will be warmer than here anyway.:rotfl: My friend is off to Egypt again next week, assuming Gatwick is open for business.

I am hoping to manage a cruise this year - I fancy the Baltic Sea/ St Petersburg one. Obviously that's a summer one - don't fancy getting stuck in ice-bound sea in the Baltic.

And ...............I am resolved that next year I will take a winter sunshine holiday. So ....I'm going to have to really watch those pennies.

Time for a spot of lunch and a relaxing cup of coffee whilst I do a bit of online shopping. Going to send off for the Hairy Dieters' book and do an ASDA shop online.

Keep warm and cosy.

fedupandskint

Swopped the dress for 2 shirts instead, I tried it on and it just wasn't me so back it went for a refund rather than keeping it for the price alone. Instead I swopped it for 2 rather nice shirts in deep pink for spring and also a stretch cotton snakeskin print one for now, which will go with some of my brightly coloured jeggings and trousers.

Best bits about them, they fitted perfectly, cost £6 each in the sale and also.....were a size 8!

Looks like that Christmas and virus weight gain has gone at last and the exercise is paying off while I'm building back up to where I was before. Running is off while the weather is like this so its carrying on with the circuits to make sure I'm building my stamina back up again

LL - I have the Hairy Dieters book and its really good, especially the chicken stew which I've made a couple of times and left out the bacon. The breakfasts are also nice - I've tried the muesili and a friend of mine tried the crumpets with fruit which encouraged her to eat breakfast and also fruit on her lifestyle change plan

mineallmine

Being snowed has helped do a bit more decluttering. This is my plan if you're interested

Flylady and declutter 500 things in January 355/500
Reduce Spare room stuff by 10 items a time. Clear floor, desk (DONE), bed
Sort Lounge papers with wallets. Clear table/shelves
Clear Bedroom windowsill (DONE), boxshelf, floor
Reduce Garage stuff by 10 items a time
Reduce Loft stuff by 10 items at a time

Need to have a pamper today. Can feel myself getting stressed. I think that the house is getting on top of me. It's getting better but it's hard going. Baby steps.

No walking as the weather is so bad. Snowed all day.

Keep warm

lessonlearned

:j:j:j:j

The house move and attendant de-cluttering has just paid me an unexpected and very welcome dividend.;)

I have a safe in which I keep important documents and my best jewellery. Obviously we moved it with us. The good shake up must have done it some good because when I went to get some documents I noticed a gold earring - had a good rummage underneath a ledge thingy and found the other one. I thought I had left them in a hotel room in Spain years ago.

They are really pretty little gold and aquamarine drops that belong to a set with matching a pendant. More importantly they were a gift from my boys for my 50th birthday. It was when they were still just teens with part time jobs so it must have taken some saving up to buy them.

It has really made my day.

Well done on the de-cluttering Mine - you seem to be moving mini mountains. You are allowed the occasional break from time to time. Put your feet up with a well earned glass of something.

Just edited to say - I have just done a projected budget for the next 3 months.

Hmmmmm - is all I can say. If I'm aiming for that cruise I'm going to have to get cracking with the car boots and auctions......

mineallmine

How lovely LL :A I found some photos which shamefully were stuffed away, on the floor. But I'm trying to sort it now So pleased for you. You must wear them ASAP
:j

WelshWoofer

Mine - I feel exhausted just reading about it all!
LL - the gods are looking down on you! Congrats on finding the earrings :beer:
Sparkles - great bargains - you always seem to find great things at low prices - how do you do it?

I popped to the local Matalan on the way back from the park this morning and managed to get a really nice suit dress and jacket for just £30. Usually I find some of the things they sell to be low quality or thin material but this is very good for the money and is a size 10:T
I was surprised to see that I looked quite slim in the mirror in the changing room (usually a trauma!) but I did look pale, pasty and full of cold. I had just been to the park and so wasn't all "done up" but it shocked me. Must make an effort with hair and make up tomorrow at work to look a bit human!

Going to go through the wardrobe after tea and find 5 outfits for work this week - there must be thngs that I've forgotten about!
Done all the school work, cleaned the house, walked the dog again, made lunch for tomorrow and sorted out tea for after work and done the laundry so have had quite a productive day - telly and a sit down tonight (Call the Midwife and Ripper Street - not a lot of thinking required:)).

fedupandskint

WelshWoofer wrote: »

Sparkles - great bargains - you always seem to find great things at low prices - how do you do it?

I am a super bargain finder these days just waiting for the sale and then finding the iron will to wait and see if they will be reduced further. A great improvement from the days I spent lots and lots and lots on one thing

LL - what a delightful surprise that must have been for you finding the earring like that. Happiness!

I too have meal planned for the week ahead using up plenty from the cupboards, fridge and freezer. Not looking forward to tomorrow's work commute at all with 20miles on the motorway with snow. Lets see how it is in the morning.

Feeling mega tired tonight so will be an early night for me

WelshWoofer

Well I've had a trying on session of ups and downs.
After going through all of the work clothes and trying all the things not worn recently I have to put 5 perfectly good suits into the charity shop (all M&S, Next or House of Fraser):mad: They are all falling off me and even with belts look like clown trousers.
I knew I'd lost weight and have bought things as I've gone along but only now have I tried on the "before" clothes.
Its great to be thinner and healthier but I desperately need more clothes that actually fit me. Trying on the dress I bought today really brought it home - it fits, makes me look slimmer than I thought I was and feels comfortable. Everything else I own now seems to be unflattering on me. I've had a Gok moment!:rotfl:

The big problem is the money to buy new things - I really do need loads. Will have to rob a bank........

fedupandskint

The same happened to me this summer when my jeans that were once sooo tight were falling off even with a belt. I then realised everything I wanted to fit back into no longer fit because they were all way too large - must have only fit for about 2mths despite not fitting for at least 2yrs or more!

That's why I am such a low price bargain sale shopper these days and also make sure everything fits and continues to do so.