Frump to Fab - Onwards and Upwards

sweetcheeks33

Sorry for being missing in action! Hope everyone is well and LL I hope you are being gentle with yourself as you need..

We have sold the flat it it is through... At a great loss but we no longer have the stress or worry hanging over our heads

Anyway I will stop back later but high fives and hugs to all... ( as someone else on here says.. I'll steal the phrase tonight!)
Take care all ...

lessonlearned

Happy Solstice Everyone

Well today is the big one, the shortest day so from here on the days will get longer and lighter. :j:j

The sun will return to the northern hemisphere on January 8th, but even before this we will gradually start to see a difference, weather permitting.

Well what can I say, but thank you Rummer for such kind words, and of course Maman and Sweetcheeeks too. It's nice to know I've touched a few lives but its also very true that I have drawn comfort from the kindness of you lovely lot.

I cannot tell a lie, I am finding the run up to Christmas rather a difficult and emotional time. I did expect this though because the pre Christmas build up was such a happy time for us. My OH really loved Christmas and threw himself into the preparations.

It's not just me though, the boys are subdued too, though of course being men, they are being very stoic and "manly" ....bless 'em.

I'm sure we'll all be fine, we will just be together and take it from there. Last night I had a good old weep and I daresay ive not finished yet.;) but hey, sometimes you just have to.

It looks like being one of those dark "nothing" days, the wind has dropped but it's very grey out there. I have to go out so shall wear my bright turquoise coat. I have had loads of compliments when I wear it, I think peiple just notice the bright colour.

I had a bright red coat which was too small for me, I have given it to my son's girlfriend. She looks lovely In it but I'm not sure she will wear it. I think she only took it to be polite and that it will live in the back of her wardrobe. She is a quiet girl and I think she feels she stands out too much when she wears it. Such a shame because it really suits her.

It's such a pity that so many people tend to wear such dark colours in winter.

The world needs colour.......

Hope you are all ok. It's gone very quiet on here. Hope you aren't all stressing yourselves out and running around like headless chickens. Don't forget to take a little time out for yourself.

Christmas is for us too.;)

See you all on the new thread in the next couple of days.....

lessonlearned

Sweetcheeks - glad to hear you've sold the flat - hope things go through smoothly. Sorry you had to take a loss but as you say at least you are free of the stress now.

I had to do the same with our property in Spain but I really don't regret it. Oddly enough one of my friends, also a widow has had to do the same. She lost her husband two years ago. They had a beautiful villa in Spain - he was a builder and their house was truly gorgeous. She has had to slash the price,but as it had been on the market for over two years she just bit the bullet.

Like me she knew she would never want to live in Spain without her husband and the house had become a millstone.

I did take a hit on our property, although fortunately it was mitigated by the exchange rates moving to our favour. I also had to sell our family home which was a a bit of a wrench. I still miss it but I shall find something next year. I am sure everything will come right in the end.

My sister always jokes that I could turn a prison cell In to a little palace.

I hope this doesn't sound too cocky but I look around DS2s little house and I'm very pleased with how it's turned out. It looks stylish and it is warm and cosy now.

I have decided I need another wardrobe so that is on order and will be delivered between Christmas and New Year and then after that we will sort out the small bedroom and turn it into a proper study.

I still need to paint all the doors and architraves and there are still a few outside jobs to finish but it's "home" now.

I can live here quite happily now and start househunting soon. One thing is for sure I will never live on a building site again. I'm just too old....I need my creature comforts....:rotfl:

Ooh the sun is breaking through, that's better.

lessonlearned

Maman - I've just finished drying my hair so thought Id talk about hair....

I have baby fine hair and, unfortunately, it has got a lot thinner so I try everything to add volume. I agree with sectioning it off, and then drying hair from the bottom upwards. It does make a huge difference.

Another trick that a hairdresser taught me. Before you style your hair hold your head upside down ifyswim and bring all the hair forward, then part dry your hair from underneath whilst agitating and lifting the roots with your fingers. This will give your hair some root lift and again add volume.

Of course for root lift you can't beat a little bit of old fashioned backcombing:rotfl:

Another trick I use sometimes if my blow dry isn't up to scratch....I have some Velcro rollers, in various sizes depending on the length of my hair. Pop those in onto dry hair, and then a squirt of hair spray. Leave in for 10 minutes and voila, nice fuller looking hair. It won't curl the hair but will just give it a lift. That was a tip from Joan Collin's book. I know she wears wigs now but luckily I'm not at that stage.

I did wonder about trying some of those special hair and skin vitamins. There is one called Nourikin which is supposed to be good for thin hair but it's not cheap.

I've tried some of the volumising mousses but don't really like them, they just make my hair feel sticky and greasy.

Well this morning I've had a good old pamper session, hair, eyebrows, face mask, manicure and pedicure, and a good slathering.

Going to nip out for a little walk to the shops, a quick snack, then cook a nice dinner for DS2 and I. Then dress the tree and watch the Apprentice......

And there's another day gone.

maman

Thanks for the hair tips LL. I tend to let my hair dry as much as possible naturally before using a dryer/hot brush. My hair tends to dryness so I think that helps. Also I've had highlights for years and that seems to give a bit more body. It could be coincidence but my hair is thicker since I've been focusing on healthy eating. When I was eating badly and very stressed it was much thinner. Maybe it's just I have more time to style it!;)


I'd say it's very normal for you to be feeling as you are. It's OK to feel, it's human. Go with it.:)


All decorating done here. I did most of it on Friday, including the tree, and put the wreath on the front door today. I've also done the ironing including my table linen for Christmas Day. We have a lovely, Art Deco table so I don't use a cloth just lace table mats and napkins.


So glad you have the need of another wardrobe, that's a good sign! Turquoise coat sounds very cheery. I got rid of my red one as it was too big but I do wear lots of bright scarves.


Christmas is just going to happen here. No big deal, just nice food, 4 of us on Christmas Day, maybe a few walks and then all over until next year. Reading about your DS's house I'm starting to feel energised about sorting our house out. It's starting to look very shabby but it's mainly just painting that's needed and a bit of shopping for bits and pieces. I can paint and DH can turn his hand to most things but if he/we don't have time then we'll just have to buy someone in. I have almost firmed up ideas for the sitting room and dining room but I need to be sure of paint colours. I'm going to go for brilliant white paintwork for the reflected light. I think that might be harsh on walls but I want a 'white' that's not yellowy.


I'll be popping back regularly, see you all soon.:)

Bitsy_Beans

Evening everyone

Yuletide blessings from me :D

Managed to shift the tonsillitis without having to resort to drugs but it sort of turned into a lingering virus affecting my glands and throat. Nothing is sore but it's taking forever to shift completely.
Anyway I am ready for Christmas, presents wrapped, braving a food shop at 7am tomorrow. After a couple of errands to run tomorrow I am looking forward to some pottering at home, bit of baking and quality time with the kids.

Been staying on top of the basics. Need to treat myself to manicure and pedicure tomorrow and apply some polish. That's about it. Nothing really exciting

LL have the Christmas you can all cope with. No point forcing the festivities if you're really not in the mood. Have a hug xxx

Maman I always blow dry my hair in sections if I have the time. Def makes a huge difference.

Hugs and high fives all round

newthrift

Hugs to those in need/wanting and :T for all the good stuff!!

I have been reading but not posted. Going for my eyebrows done at last tomorrow and then having gel polish done too Not much fabbing happened over here past the norm as time just hasn't allowed.
Have a vague idea for the fitness classes/plans next year and have had some thoughts on food too!

Rummer

Just wondering when our new thread will start?

lessonlearned

New thread duly posted.......