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

Bitsy_Beans

Let me clarify.......I CAN'T do a headstand the idea is to learn to do one :eek: having done some practice (with the lurgy not a good idea) I can even get my feet off the floor :eek: methinks I may have been a bit ambitious here

WW I am in awe of your attempts :T

Pod good luck with the job hunting xx sounds like you are better off out of choir which is a crying shame but try and look at it as her loss xxx

LL you can only help those who are prepared to try and help themselves and if you're dad is going to be awkward there isn't much you can do xx

Carmen enjoy your busy weeks x

fedupandskint

Nothing too fab today with my achy foot. No idea what has happened so it looks like a week of my fab plan exercise.

Today's fab comment was about a jumper I wore for work in bright pink. I decided to wear it as it was a present but looked more workwear than weekendwear. Looked nice with a pencil skirt and waist belt.

Tomorrow's outfit is pink again - a shirt this time as it looks like it will be a warm day for a change

lessonlearned

Good morning everyone.

Had a bit of a restless night so feeling a bit slow this morning.Will need to get a wiggle on.....Today I'm going to have a bit of a catch up, going to make a start on that to do list, some house fabbing, some exercises and some me fabbing.

You're right Bitsy - I can't help my parents if they don't want to help themselves. After mulling things over half the night I have decided that I am going to stop fretting about them and start paying more attention to my own needs.

Sparkles - liking the sound of your outfits. I can't do pink but I do think it's good to experiment with colour. I've decided that lime green suits me - in small doses. I would never have guessed - it just goes to show we should always keep an open mind and be prepared to try new things.

Right time to start the day - it's a bit dull and grey here - hopefully the sun might break through later. I will definitely go for a walk later.

Have a great day y'all. :rotfl:

lizzie157

Bitsy- Let me clarify.......I CAN'T do a headstand the idea is to learn to do one :eek:

My yoga class is working towards the monkey pose (forward splits to you and me) so I know what you mean. I can't do a headstand or the splits but instructor says it's the working towards that counts. :rotfl:

PP- sorry about the choir and the job. Look after yourself you sound stressed. I'm guilty too of not taking my own advice.

LL- how frustrating for you that your efforts aren't appreciated, at least you've tried. Unfortunately I find the same with my parents they can be very stubborn!

I am feelng v. annoyed re DS3's apprenticeship again. He s still sat behind a computer doing nothing.:mad: He's received no instruction or learning whatsoever.:mad: I thought the purpose of these chemes was to come out with NVQ's and I'm so annoyed he's wasting his time rather than getting something out of it. I'm going to search out if there is any complaints procedure, obviously will have to wait until he has left for college. (he submitted an application at the weekend) This company will just replace him with another unfortunate teen and collect their government money whilst doing nothing to help them gain skills for future employment makes me so mad:mad::mad:.
Rant over.....

My skin s really dry and I can't seem to get rid of my eczema. It is particularly dry after bathng does anyone know of anything apart from aqueous cream I could use to wash with that is v. moisturising.

Right must get on.....

lessonlearned

Lizzie - I have been told that aqueous creams make matters worse - apparently they make the skin thinner over the long term.

I have been trying Oilatum in the bath, very greasy and unpleasant and at £8 a bottle not cheap. My problem isn't excema as such - apart from a couple of patches on my knees, just extremely dry and itchy skin, especially on my legs. For that reason I haven't approached my doctor, however, I understand that some doctors will prescribe Oilatum for excema.

Another thing you might try is oatmeal in the bath. Not as bad as it sounds.:rotfl: You just put some oatmeal into a pop sock and position it round the tap so that the water runs through. It really softens the water - makes it a milky white and it's quite soothing.

There is a range of creams, bath oils etc by Aveeno - the base they use is oatmeal so it's the same principle.

On my actual excema patches I use an over the counter steroid creadm HC45 for flare ups. If the excema is under control then I use vaseline or Sudocrem to keep the skin supple and stop it cracking.

For my dry skin I have gone back to good old home made oil concoctions. At the moment I am using grapeseed oil and lavender oil. The lavender is a mild antiseptic and also a very good muscle relaxant, so am using that on my arms , neck and shoulders too.

I mix up about 60 ml of grapeseed oil and 15 drops of lavender oil.
You can use most aromatherapy oils. In the summer if I want to deter mozzies then I use a citrus oil such as orange blossom or bergamot (both smell divine).

The only drawback with oils is they need a few minutes to sink in before you get dressed or they will mark your clothes. However, I find my parched thirsty skin does prefer an oil to a cream. Hope you find something that suits. I think it's largely trial and error.

Once the excema is under control I find the trick is to keep it well moisturised. Do you know what is triggering yours. I understand that certain foods can make matters worse and of course - our old friend - stress.

I'm sorry to hear your son is having no joy with his training scheme. I would definitely try and find out where to lodge a complaint. Unfortunately it won't help your son but it might improve things for the next intake.

I'm afraid some of these schemes are utterly useless. The participants either sit around doing nothing or are used as little better than slave labour.

verynewmoneysaver

I understand where you're coming from with your parents LL. I had months of worry with my Dad. I did manage to get him into Abbeyfields sheltered housing when he moved from Herefordshire but he always said it would only be temporary, and made everyone's life a misery until he was moved. I ended up having to move him at 96 years out into a bungalow with my poorly mother aged 88years. Unfortunately he was only there two months before he was taken ill. Mum is now there on her own and wants to remain there though she is very poorly. But in the end I suppose they have to do what they want even though we know it's not in their best interest.

podperson

Morning all,

WW - I am in awe of managing 3-4 seconds on a headstand :rotfl:I'm with you Bitsy, wouldn't even be able to get my feet up!

Sparkles - hope the foot is better, do you think maybe you've overdone something? Outfits sound nice, I need to try more colour I think. I had a nice teal jersey top I got around Christmas, which is a colour I don't normally wear but quite liked it - wore it twice and got a hole in it so I took it back, none left as it had been in the sale so ended up with a black and white jumper instead

LL - completely right hun, you can't help your parents if they aren't willing to be helped - and you have enough on your plate as it is without wasting your time and energy on trying to force them to realise what's best for them.

Lizzie - how frustrating about DS, I really don't know how people can get away with things like that :mad: OH has really bad eczema and he has e45/oilatum that come in an actual bath oil which helps him a bit. As LL says though the bath tends to need a wipe over afterwards as it does cling a bit - I tend to take showers and can always tell when he's been using it as I do a wee slide over it :rotfl:

Anyway, choir is now official. Went to drop off some dvds for the other choir last night and ended up telling someone there I wasn't going back - so of course it was all around by the end of the night and I got an email from her :rotfl:She was actually quite nice about it - would have rather preferred she was still being a b1tch then I would have been annoyed at her rather than a bit sad. Ah well, these things happen I suppose - shall have to find something else to destress me during the week!

I finally got round to buying a scales again - and it's really not good news Definately need to get back on the wagon big time! I was quite good yesterday, gave in to a couple of biccies in the evening but at least it wasn't the full packet Think I should have still been within my calorie goal. Going to get a meal plan sorted out and back on the exercise. Please feel free to kick me, I definately need it!

maman

verynewmoneysaver wrote: »

But in the end I suppose they have to do what they want even though we know it's not in their best interest.

Have been following your trials and tribulations with your parents LL and sadly, vnms is absolutely right. You've given advice and offered help but it's not what they want. All you can do is sit tight, say nothing, visit when you can and wait for them to approach you.

Things sound a bit tough for you at the moment pod. I'm sure you'll find something to replace choir but better still a new job so that you don't need to destress! What sort of thing are you hoping for?

Lizzie, I'd definitely find out about how to 'shop' this dreadful employer. As far as I'm concerned it's all a government front to be seen to be doing something about youth unemployment. It made me laugh when they 'discovered' apprenticeships! The trouble is they haven't found the good ones like used to exist just sourced out a moneymaking scheme for some shady characters.:mad:

Ventured into the city centre today. I had an appointment so did some mooching in the shops for some fabbing ideas.

I bought myself some new Sketchers shoes. They're to replace a pair I've had for years which have seen better days. They're not the most elegant (a bit like Mary-Jane school shoes;)) but amazing for walking. I've worn mine on so many city breaks and days out. I'm not really a trainer person so these are a good substitute when you're going to be on your feet a long time, uneven surfaces etc.

I called into John Lewis and hovered at the Benefit counter. They made my eyes up with one of their eye shadow palettes. I have to say I don't think they look better for it. I find that too much shadow seems to find wrinkles I never even knew I had!:rotfl:Still it was a pleasant exerience and I just bought the 'One Hot Minute' (bronzer) that I'd gone in for.

Nothing else really inspired me. I'm off to a conference soon and need a mixture of smart casual and things to wear to restaurants in the evenings. I am prepared to buy if necessary but I've decided to do a sort of 'capsule wardrobe' from what I have and just buy if there are gaps. I've pruned and tidied my wardrobe several times and I have a range of clothes but I'm dreadful for wearing 'old favourites'. Must try harder!

Still doing well with the healthy eating. Still lazy with the exercise:o. We have a lovely, sunny day here but I'm told it's a one day only special offer.;)

Back soon.

fedupandskint

The weather today was certainly not fab here.

Fabness today was prepping food for tomorrow, a bit of extra walking around uni as resting my foot before it gets checked out tomorrow and wrapping mum's present and card up ready for Sunday

Meeting with my tutor went well - time for me to strike out on my own and there is a great deal left to do. We had a good talk about some major work that I need to do. Well, its onwards and upwards with it and 6mths to go till it's finished

lessonlearned

Well - I'm feeling really smug and virtuous. :rotfl:

I went for a walk and went double the distance I did yesterday. A lot of steep hills and I did huff and puff a bit but pleased to say I did it - plus 2.25 kms on the bike.

So............. in just over a week I've gone from a short 5 min walk to 20 mins and from 1km on the bike up to 2.25. Now it might not seem much in the grand scheme of things but it's quite a leap for me.

And......I finally finished my tax claim form.:rotfl: I've been procrastinating for weeks.

So all in all - a productive day.

PS Even managed a facial, a manicure and did my best to give myself a neck and shoulder massage - not easy!!!