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

lessonlearned

Good morning everyone

The title says it all.

My life is getting better all the time.

Today the sun is shining and there is a beautiful blue sky. As soon as there is a bit of heat I'm going into the garden to plant up some pots with spring flowering bulbs. I know it's a bit late but if I put them in a sunny spot they should be ok. And if there is one thing this house and garden has - it's sunny spots:D

First the bad news - my sister's poor dog had to be put down. Needless to say she's distraught. However, it's over. And on the positive side - she no longer has to agonise over what to do, whether or not to make the poor old boy endure painful treatment. The decision was taken out of her hands, the vet admitted it was utterly hopeless.

For me - well still got the worries over mum and dad of course but OH is doing well, responding to the new meds. He looks pale and is very tired but he's out of the woods - for now. He's in no pain. We've been lucky - again.

The Gods have been kind.

Did anyone see The Graham Norton show. If you missed it and get the chance to watch it on catch up, I urge you to do so.

The guests were Helen Mirren, the American comedy actor, Paul Rudd and some poor American actress who's name utterly escapes me.

I say poor, because although she was your classic young, blonde, pretty, leggy Hollywood movie star, she was totally eclipsed and outclassed by La Mirren, who it must be remembered is probably around 35 to 40 years older.

The American actress just didn't seem to have the same warmth or appeal that is so attractive in women like Mirren and which has nothing to do with youth or being pretty. She was too earnest (in that way that Americans can be sometimes) and despite her prettiness she was just bland and a bit boring.

Helen gave a master class in grown up glamour, style, charm, wit and sheer sex appeal. The actor Paul Rudd was totally smitten. You could see from his body language that he found her utterly irresistible. He eventually found an excuse to kiss her and he was like a dog with two tails.

Ladies - if, like me, you look in the mirror and despair, if sometimes you feel like an ancient and decrepit old crone, who is way past her sell-by date, despair ye not. Watch and learn from women like Helen Mirren, Rene Rousso, Sophie Loren etc even our dear old Joan Collins and Judi Dench.

As Shakespeare said of Cleopatra "Age cannot with her".

Style, charm and wit are ageless . There's hope for me yet. :rotfl:

whichwhydoIturn

Hewie so sorry to hear your sad news .
Hug and thoughts to you and your dad and family x

lizzie157

((hugs)) Hewie x

And to your sister LL I know some people don't understand but it can be v painfull losing a dog. Glad OH is doing better.

Am struggling with the eating DD2 has cookery at school this term and I have to sample the wares which isn't good for the waistline but am still continuing the fast days so hopefully won't do too much damage.

Nothing much else to report I'm managing to keep up with the fabbing -just. I'm really enjoying the feeling of peace meditation gives me, I've a feelng I'm going to need it as H has another medical with ATOS shortly. I'm also carrying on with the business planning am going to plan some ads and maybe a website this month and hopefully go for it in March and see what happens. I could have got going already but I want to do it properly and make it a sucess.
Sun's shinng here so off to enjoy it! Have a good weekend.

[Deleted User]

Morning All. Weighed myself this morning and thankfully seem to be back on track in moving towards a healthy weight again.

I had my first visit to the opera last night to see A Midsummer Night's Dream. I totally loved it. Today I am heading out for a walk to take advantage of the beautiful clear frosty day it is here and then will head for a swim and lounge around in the spa. The afternoon will be spent relaxing by the fire reading a good book. I am currently reading 'Tuesday's with Morrie' which is a hugely inspiring book. I will probably finish it today and start reading one of the fiction books I got for Christmas.

This is the most relaxing weekend I have planned since going back to work after Christmas. Having been ill at the start of this week and having to take time of work made me realise that I really do have to have some down time. I have been bringing so much work home with me for school every evening and weekend. I will still set aside some time for school work tomorrow but having today for myself feels great.

WelshWoofer

Allie - I know exactly what you mean about schoolwork - its never ending, I even dream about it!

LL - so sorry for your sister's dog, I absolutely dread the day it comes to my little poocher.

Have had a busy day so far - the woofer woke me up at 7.30 ( I think he thought I was late for work!) so we got up and went to a National Trust park for a good hour long walk and a look at the baby deer and the ducks. Good for the soul, just me and one or two joggers

Then it was a quick whizz around Tescos, a full clean of the house, bed changed and washed and bins sorted. Then I finally had a nice 30 min soak in the bath and feel nice and clean.

The rugby is on this afternoon so everything else will grind to a halt for a good few hours. Come on Wales:D
I'll get out for another walk later too - making the most of the fine weather.

Right, going to force myself to do an hour of marking and then it will all be abandoned for support of the homeland......:beer:

Carmen

Good afternoon ladies,

Twinnie, sorry to hear about your sisters' dog:( This always helps me when I have to say goodbye to one of my pets. http://rainbowsbridge.com/poem.htm

Good to hear your O/H has turned the corner and is recovering:)
Hoping all goes well with your parents, can be difficult!


WW, Wales are closing the gap....time running out!


Be back later.

Carmen xx

lessonlearned

Thanks for the poem.

Spoke a bit too soon OH still very frail, needing help to keep his lungs clear. Won't go into details but they have this machine.....
Poor devil.

I've come home for some rest. He's no longer in any danger - until the next time - he's just very pale and tired now. He's been fighting this for over a week now and he is plainly exhausted. If I'm not there he will sleep more, he tries to stay awake when I'm there. Right now it's sleep he needs.

I wheeled him into their conservatory and we held hands and watched the birds. I tried to engage him in doing a quizz but he wasn't really interested - most unlike him.

It's our 30th wedding anniversary on Monday and he is a bit upset that we can't "celebrate". He's far to ill to take him out or bring him home for the day, I'll have to rack my brains and find something nice for us to do.

His food intake is a bit limited, but I thought some nice food treats and maybe a nice new DVD.

Anyway today I have treated myself to some clay face masks. I feel a bit drab and my skin looks tired, it needs some deep cleansing - I'm afraid I've been a bit remiss lately.:D I also bought some serums from Aldi - cheap and cheerful but they've had some good reviews so thought I'd give them a whirl.

No harm in trying:D

Anyway time to cook dinner......

A very naughty juicy burger, with onion rings on the side:rotfl::rotfl:

mineallmine

LL - why not take a picnic to your OH? You could take a fizzy drink like Schloer (sp?). Take some nice picnic treats (cliche things like sausage rolls, pork pies) and and then a trifle. Take some nice napkins. Maybe even a rug to put over each of your legs. Hope you can think of something

mineallmine

Done a bit of personal fabbing. Trimmed my eyebrows with tiny scissors. Brushed the hair up/down/sideways and trimmed anything that was too long. All did a quick bit of tweezing. Looks much better.
Then put on a face mask (it's a Bliss Oxygen one, bought as part of a kit on offer ages ago). It's a bit harsh for my skin. So I've dug out another one to alternate with it.

House fabbing, decluttered about 40 items. Took lots to the charity shop. Really good to see some of it leaving the house. Overall don't miss anything that's gone. Got rid of 3 handbags that were not quite right, hence in the wardrobe unused.

Read a couple of books from the library. One was all about Laura Ashley, she rose from humble beginnings. I love using the library. I get to order books I'd normally buy and get to return them, minimising book clutter.

:A

lessonlearned

Thanks for that Mine.

I was thinking a picnic and yes he's quite partial to a bit of trifle.
He struggles now with food, has problems swallowing so it will have to be something soft. Perhaps pasta salad and some posh smoked salmon or something. I'll pop into M&S tomorrow - I'm sure they will have something nice.

Thanks everyone for all your good wishes for my sister. She is in such a state and I just don't know how to help her. She was having a tough time anyway, with money and job worries, and worrying about mum and dad. The dog was the final straw.

She is much more emotional than me, she really wears her heart on her sleeve and she has absolutely gone to pieces. Although I'm not physically strong I'm mentally and emotionally stronger - I guess I've always had to be.

I've always looked after her. I'm 11 years older and when she was a baby she nearly died from whooping cough. It left her with a very weak chest and she was often ill. When she was poorly I was the only person would could comfort her. I would sing to her and tell her stories until she slept. Songs and stories are not going to help with this one. Even her husband can't comfort her.

Life can be so hard sometimes. It is so hard to watch the ones you love suffer and be so helpless to do anything for them......

Ah well - tomorrow is another day.