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

mineallmine

:DA busy day here. Hubby and I tackled the loft. Found another 38 items for the declutter target. Mainly cardboard boxes of stuff gone long long ago. Feels good to see so much stuff going. Hoping and praying this will bring fresh karma my way.

Popped to the library, got some lovely new books. Lady at the library serving me said you always have such lovely books! I told her that I go onto Amazon to look round to see whats new then order it at the library. No point in buying them. I have an addiction with books, once I've bought them I find it hard to part with them!

:oSkin is definitely suffering with the extremes of cold and the drying heat of central heating. Must remember to put on my night cream tonight.
Got on ok with the Pantene shampoo. My hair hasn't been right since I used a L*zE shampoo on it. It just didn't agree with it at all. I think I need to stick to this shampoo for a while and stop messing around. My hair needs to recover. Must, must get it cut soon.

:A

lessonlearned

WW - I need to confess too.

I'm afraid I have also been rather lax this last few weeks. My excuse has been the house move but really it's not much of an excuse is it.

Mea culpa.

As you say I've found time to laze on the sofa when I could have been doing something far more productive.

What's even more crazy is that my lack of exercise has meant that my core muscles have become very weak. Today I nearly put my back out again and it's only due to lack of exercise.

All I was doing was planting those tulips - at least I got those done - I slipped on some slushy snow. I didn't fall because I "braced" myself automatically so as not to fall. That simple bracing movement caused my back muscles to freeze. Fortunately they are not completely locked but I have had to spend the afternoon and evening resting on that damned sofa again.

A simple bracing movement should not cause such a problem - it's my own stupid fault for not doing my yoga and core muscle exercises.

So just as soon as my back is a bit easier I will start exercising again.

In the meantime I did at least give myself a manicure and slather my feet with vaseline and put socks on. Better than nothing:o.

As for food - well let's just draw a veil over that one. I've been reading up my Hairy Bikers book and I start tomorrow.

I feel cross and angry with myself for letting myself down. I have only myself to blame. I'm just a bloated unhealthy heffalump:( and I need to get a grip.

Next week I will book that physio appt. My skin is dreadful too, so need to give myself a couple of facials next week.

The move is complete, the house is sorted, the paperwork under control - no more excuses...... I need to get cracking.

No-one can do it for me.;)

Rummer

Good Morning!

The cat decided that I had clearly slept enough and decided to wake me at 6am :eek: I wouldn't mind as much if she wasn't now sleeping soundly next to me :rotfl:

Well I have had a lovely couple of days and am feeling all the better for it. I have spent time with friends and family and let them take care of me and even spoil me a bit. It has been so nice taking a couple of days break from massive life decisions and endless worry and I now feel recharged, refreshed and ready to face what is coming next.

I have also made sure that my hair has been done and I have used a bit of makeup to perk up my winter complexion. Some new clothes (new to me and gifted) have also made me feel fabulous.

Not been doing too well with the healthy eating although I have reduced the unhealthy food, if that makes sense. So less chocolate has been eaten but not enough fruit consumed.

This week I am going to do some financial planning and aim to add an extra piece of fruit each day. Little steps in the right direction.

mineallmine

:A A good nights sleep. Dreamt Paul Hollywood told me to re organize my kitchen!

Just realised that my skin is probably reacting to a face mask I've been using so will bring another one out of my stores.

Need to do some paperwork today. Some washing. Watch the tennis. :j

WelshWoofer

LL - hope the back feels better today. I have a dodgy back that "goes" from time to time, its not fun.

Today is the first day of being "Me" again.:)
I didn't sleep brilliantly but kept forcing myself to go back to sleep and eventually probably slept for about 7 hours on and off. Just wish it was unbroken sleep. No point dwelling on it though, it will just make it worse.

So, I've weighed and 1.5lbs (maybe 2 if I stand differently on the scales) have crept back on :mad:. Have to nip it in the bud right now.
I'm just about to walk the dog and then I'm off swimming to stretch out my back and get sweaty (if thats possible in a pool!).
Only good food will pass my lips today too - planning a sandwich and fruit for lunch and a nice big salad with new potatoes for tea. Need some fruit and veg in me.

I have tons of schoolwork to do too - so thats the afternoon sorted out. Add in another 45 min dog walk and that's the day pretty much sorted.

I feel more positive today - sometimes I need a self styled telling off to get my head straight, particularly when life is busy.
So ladies, anyone with me? Starting today, no putting it off anymore - better food, more exercise and being nicer to yourself?

[Deleted User]

Thanks for your post WW. I can totally identify with what you are saying. I have been so tired over the past few weeks that I have done very little. This now seems to be in a cycle of feeling tired, flopping down in front of the TV and feeling even more tired the next day.

Today I had planned to go for a walk but it is raining really badly here and I was going to use that as an excuse not to head out. This is where it has to stop - I am just going to get myself wrapped up and head out.

I'm not sure if any of you follow Robin Sharma - he has written several books, all of which I find inspiring (well, the ones I have read) and I follow him on facebook and get regular emails from him.
Here is a link to some of his latest inspiration:
http://www.robinsharma.com/yabyy/what-richard-branson-told-me-about-goal-getting/?utm_source=rBranEm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=yabyy

Over the past few weeks he has been talking about making this year better and different than last year. For me this year I want it to be the year where I finally get a handle on my weight. So time to get that coat on and head out for my walk.

lessonlearned

WelshWoofer wrote: »

LL - hope the back feels better today. I have a dodgy back that "goes" from time to time, its not fun.

Today is the first day of being "Me" again.:)

I feel more positive today - sometimes I need a self styled telling off to get my head straight, particularly when life is busy.
So ladies, anyone with me? Starting today, no putting it off anymore - better food, more exercise and being nicer to yourself?

Yep - count me in :rotfl: I too feel a lot more positive this morning.

It's back to the drawing board, I too have given myself a stern talking to;)

Going to have a soak and try and loosen my back, give myself a facial, get dolled up and then go and see OH. Will prep the veg for dinner before I go and will have a healthy brunch so hopefully won't be tempted to grab anything naughty.

The rain has washed most of the snow away so the side roads are finally easier to navigate. The sun is shining too - bonus.

I've got a busy week next week, but I will definitely make time for some much needed physio. On Tuesday I have to help my parents have a meeting with their solicitors to sort out their affairs.

I am very concerned about my father. My sister rang to say that apparently he has got through 2 bottles of brandy in a week. The stress of caring for mum is clearly too much - but he won't have it.

We need to intervene - but lord knows how we are going to do it. If I suggest anything - then it's WWIII. However, before very much longer mum is going to have to go into care but how on earth we get dad to see this is beyond me.

On Friday my poor OH has to have a lumbar puncture again.:(

This time I let the nursing home make all the arrangements because I just cannot do the transfers any more. They have ordered an ambulance for him - not ideal because it will mean a lot of hanging around, but at least it will save my back.

I'm finally learning to delegate and save myself some grief. I can still travel with him and be there for him.

I've also managed to find a dentist who is prepared to do domicillary visits. That was an eye-opener:rotfl: Talk about perseverance pays off. Finding someone was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Of course the one I found does not accept our Denplan....So will just have to cancel OH's Denplan and pay as we go.:eek: Of course there appears to be no NHS dental provision for people in nursing homes who cannot get to a surgery......

At least he can get some treatment now.

I just keep chipping away....Progress is being made:rotfl:

I just need to make sure that I can now start to make progress for me too.

I'm also concerned about my sister. Her poor doggy is very poorly and may need to be put to sleep. Her finances are dire and she has so far borne the brunt of trying to help mum and dad. Just as my situation improves slightly she is starting to really struggle. The situation with the dog is the final straw for her.

At least now that I live nearer to my sister and my parents I can help out a bit more and be more supportive.

Ah well - that's life. Time for that soak and some breakfast.

Hope you all have a good day.

WelshWoofer

LL - sorry to hear about your family problems. Just remember you can't do everything and take time for yourself too - women aren't good at that.:(
Allie - thanks for the link, I'll have a look at it in a minute.

Well, I've been swimming and did a mile (64 lengths) in 32 mins - not bad considering I've not been for a while. I really enjoy it once I'm there - its just making the effort to go.

Just about to settle down with the books :eek: Will take the dog out for a good walk later to stretch the legs again, 30 mins done this morning but the big walk is yet to come. At least its not raining here (yet).

lizzie157

WelshWoofer wrote: »

I've had a sulk all afternoon, given myself a bit of a talking to and got a grip!
I haven't been looking after myself very well for the past week or two and it feels like it. The poor weather has meant shorter dog walks, hardly any running and an excuse to not do very much. I was reading an article about exercise and it said if you have time to watch tv you have time to exercise. I have been incredibly busy with work but have managed a flop on the sofa from time to time too so I've really been kidding myself.
I know I need a rest every now and then (I forget that I'm 41 sometimes and not 25) but I now realise that being lazy has made me feel worse.
I done only the bare minimum in the way of fabbing too - blowdried hair and makeup on but no real care taken of me. Not drinking enough water, eating poor food and not enough sleep are also taking their toll.

So it stops now!

Tonight I have had a nice long bath, done a full moisturise and gradual tanning lotion (feeling very pale, dry and yukky), filed my nails and done a face scrub and cracked open a new tub of rich night cream (bought by mum as an Xmas pressie but still in the drawer).
I'm determined to do some exercise tomorrow - if the weather is ok I'll run, if not its swimming. Exercise really does make me feel better, physically and emotionally and does help me sleep. So why am I being so lazy!!!:o If I'm honest with myself its nearly 2 weeks since I did anything that got me out of breath - that's putting me in danger of slipping back into the bad old habits that I desperately worked hard to break.

Work won't get any better in the next few weeks so I'll just have to manage time better.
That's my rant over with - if you see me moping about kick me hard up the bum please!!

Me too WW I've been doing the basics but the eating has slipped a bit, I need to get back on top of it before raiding the biscuit tin becomes a habit! Didn't sleep too well last night either so slept in til 9.30 which is unusual for me, was worrying about the dog - she went for another dog she's normally ok with and as she's not v. good with most dogs it's worried me that she's becoming worse which obviously i don't really want. Still if that's the case I'll deal with it she's worth it.

LL - sorry to hear your family are struggling. There always seems to be something to worry about doesn't there.

Anyway am off to give myself that talking to tomorrow's another day.

floss2

lessonlearned wrote: »

...I've also managed to find a dentist who is prepared to do domicillary visits. That was an eye-opener:rotfl: Talk about perseverance pays off. Finding someone was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Of course the one I found does not accept our Denplan....So will just have to cancel OH's Denplan and pay as we go.:eek: Of course there appears to be no NHS dental provision for people in nursing homes who cannot get to a surgery..........

LL, I just joined Simply Health, its the new name for the old Hospital Saturday fund. They allow you to claim varying amounts back for dental, chiro, osteo, chiropody treatments, plus glasses / lenses and other stuff. Maybe worth looking into? I was dubious, but I checked them out and I can alter my level or cancel at any time with just 30 days notice, so when I'm in "profit" I can drop to a lower payment