Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

VJsmum

maman wrote: »

I'm delighted how I'm keeping up with my foot fabbing too. I'm being really good with foot cream and although I give them a cursory file before my shower there really isn't any hard skin.:)

Hi all, seem to have been MIA lately - just life getting in the way

Feet are my next focal point, mine are AWFUL :eek: cracked and flaking heels and, whisper, <<<<<a bunion>>>>> :eek: and double :eek::eek:

Can't do much about the latter - so unfair, I don't even wear heels - but am ped - egging and putting cream on twice a day to try to bring them into line. Hopefully before sandal weather.

I seem to be OK at controlling my weight now. A combination of "kind of" 5:2 and low wheat low sugar is keeping it in line. I don't need to lose anymore (first time i've said that for 20 years :T) so it is just ensuring it stays off. I say "kind of" as i don't really count the calories but am strict on one day (soup and veg curry usually) and for the other I stay "clean" (no meat no sugar, no alcohol, no grains) but don't worry so much about the cals.

Take care of yourselves - especially you LL

parsniphead

Evening everyone

My fanning has been carrying on but I have realised I have slipped with the weight loss. I was doing well and feeling much better for it so it starts again tomorrow. I have a greenhouse full of mad lettuce so a few healthy nibbles are available.

I also go on holiday to sunny Mablethorpe 8 weeks from today so it would be nice to go feeling a little better and healthier. I'm aiming for a steady 2lbs a week so hopefully I will be 16lbs lighter by then.

Right off to bed for some beauty sleep.

lessonlearned

sunny Mablethorpe,, love it. When I was a little girl I spent many a happy summer holiday in good old Skeggy.Skegness to the uninitiated.

So bracing::rotfl::rotfl

Well today I'm having an at home day, just pottering, tidying up, gardening etc. I'm dressed for comfort and practicality. Lol

Had a mooch round the chazza shops yesterday, picked up a white Per Una top £3 and a white ceramic open roasting dish for £1.

Other than that, no news. Still waiting to hear about the flat.

Im still Feeling a bit subdued and rather tired but I'm Doing OK. I'm "happy enough"

I can't really expect more just yet. sometimes I think this grief thing is a long haul but I guess you just have to ride it out.

I just need to find my mojo ...........;)

maman

lessonlearned wrote: »

I just need to find my mojo ...........;)

If I see it hanging around anywhere I'll let you know!:rotfl:


I'm doing fine on the fabbing front as far as pampering is concerned.


What is bothering me is that I seem to be able to waste whole days pottering. I hate it when I look back and all I've achieved is a bit of basic stuff around the house (laundry, cooking etc.). If I do something leisure wise like eat out with a friend or go to the cinema or theatre I feel a bit better but I am disappointed when I don't use my brain enough.


Most days recently all I seem to have done is read the paper. I am usually an avid follower of current affairs but (probably due to a surfeit of politics and disillusionment with politicians recently) even that isn't pleasing me. I find myself turning the radio off because the presenters irritate me. There are too many Paxo type wannabees who just end up being rude to people or interviews are carried out at such speed which leads to hackneyed sound bites instead of developing an argument.


So, today although I've put on some laundry and I'll do some ironing and cooking later I am determined to read something. I've got a book on painting/art history that I'm determined to plough my way through slowly so I can get a bit more out of browsing galleries when I have the chance.


Is it just me?;)

lessonlearned

No - it's very easy to just let the days drift by. Like you, I do,feel so much better when ive had a productive day.

Maman - what sort of things interest you. I see you are teaching yourself art appreciation, that's great - as you know I love arty stuff. I studied art history as part of my degree and loved it. I also did film studies, photography, fashion design, architectural design and interior design.

Whats your library like. Ours is great, they will order anything you ask for. And the librarians are a canny lot, once they know your preferences they often make suggestions. Could you join a book club.

Tbh I don't read a lot of fiction, although I love the classics I prefer to watch a film adaptation. (I intend to go and see Far From the Madding Crowd)

I used to read to buy the Daily Mail because my OH liked all the puzzles, sudoku and word games but at the weekend I used to treat myself to,the SundayTimes. It had several sections, culture, style and current affairs. They used to have a really good book review section and I used to,find titles that interested me and get the library to order them for me.

I know it sounds a bit heavy but I actually like to read history, economic theory, business books.,philosophy and psychology. Not everyone's cup of tea I know but I do like to keep in touch with the real world.

Would a course of study interest you, have you looked at U3A or your local college or university. You can chose something "just for fun" without the pressure of exams.

You are not too old to take a second degree or a masters you know, if you are up for it.

I am contemplating going back to school myself. i like to be stretched and get my brain working. There are so many things that interest me.

I want to study complementary medicine, italian and Spanish, some simple carpentry and learn to play keyboards.

not all at once obviously but over the next couple of years. That should be enough to be going on with..

There are also several crafts I would like to learn, and I want to start sewing again. I want to dance and sing. Im thinking about joining a choir again.

I feel I can't really start anything major just yet, I think it would be better to settle into a new home first.

I think I'm finally starting to come out of my "grief cocoon". I'm feeling less numb and less brain fog. I'm finally beginning to think about what kind of future I want.

I definitely want to study, learn and experience new things, I want to travel and start having adventures.......

I have finally pushed my way through dads paperwork and whilst it will always be ongoing hopefully its under control now and won't take up too much of my time. It's a huge weight off my shoulders.

Ive still got to sort outvmy parentscottage, but I went up yesterday with Dad and made him tell me what he was prepared to part with. That alone was a major hurdle, it was like pulling teeth.::rotfl:

DS2 is off next week so we are going to do some bits and pieces here, then the following week I shall focus on my parents cottage and then hopefully I can start thinking about me.

I have been in a rut of late I know but it's time to haul myself out if it and start living. I can't turn back the clock, I can't bring my OH back, I need to move on.

My mums death followed so closely on the heels of my husbands death I never had a breathing space but it's time to put it all behind me and make a fresh start.

Clearing the cottage will be the last hurdle.

Susan1962

Hi all.

Found two new work skirts at the M & S outlet which had been moved into the clearance aisle - £35+ each down to £4.99! Plus a gorgeous Per Una top reduced to £6. Also some new bras as they had 20% off over the usual good price. Now I can be all lovely even underneatth the other stuff! LOL

maman

Susan1962 wrote: »

Hi all.

Found two new work skirts at the M & S outlet which had been moved into the clearance aisle - £35+ each down to £4.99! Plus a gorgeous Per Una top reduced to £6. Also some new bras as they had 20% off over the usual good price. Now I can be all lovely even underneatth the other stuff! LOL

Bargain!!:T


Thanks for you thoughtful post LL. Me having a moan seems to have helped you itemise all your own plans which sound great. Sounds like finishing the paperwork for your parents and having a plan for the cottage is also motivating. :A


The suggestions are helpful but certainly no more degrees! I already have my teaching degree and my Masters and between those I did an OU degree as well. The OU one was partly to broaden my knowledge as everything else was science and education. I thoroughly enjoyed Humanities and did a bit of art history in there. When I was reading about Giotto today I realised he seemed familiar!:rotfl:


I read the Times during the week and at weekends. I think what's got to me is that many of their normally high quality journalists with well reasoned arguments have really not been true to themselves in recent months because of toeing the party line. Sundays I'm finding the ridiculous prices for homes, clothes and holidays that they treat as normal an obscenity.


My French is passable but definitely heavier on vocabulary than grammar. I have got some books and tapes so maybe I could brush up on that too.


I think I'm just generally a bit down in the dumps but not for any reason I can put my finger on. Probably just that the sun which looked so promising last month has fizzled out. I love the summer and can't wait for it to start properly.


Thanks for 'listening'.:)

Rose_Wood

Evening All

I have just typed out a long post and then clicked the wrong button and lost it all - it's so annoying when I do that!


Sorry to hear some of you are feeling a little out of sorts - the weather definitely has an effect as sunshine seems to raise everyone's spirits.

Like you Maman and LL I enjoy keeping my brain busy. I did a Master's degree with the OU when my children were small as I found I needed to stretch my brain. When I was teaching I used to read up on all sorts as I planned lessons (as a Y6 Primary Teacher I covered a lot of subjects). I was trying to think how I keep my brain active now I no longer teach. I read a lot but mainly novels (some historical though) and tend to Google after reading anything that piques my interest. I also do that after watching films or items coming up on TV programmes. I enjoy quizzes and go with DS and DDiL plus friends once a month to a quiz night. In the past I have done Adult Education classes - over the years I've done French, Spanish, Portuguese, Bridge that I can remember and used to be a very active member of a local Dramatic Society. Nowadays I give history talks at work when we have visitors and have been asked to talk at various societies such as U3A - though I haven't said yes to any so far apart from a 10 minute after dinner talk at a local function in August:eek: My Mother is a keen U3A member and they have all sorts of interest groups that you can join.

I'm enjoying using my new Sports Watch - not only for my runs - but also for counting steps daily. I knew I walked a lot as I rarely drive anywhere if I can help it but my daily average so far is 17,000 per day . Today has been a quiet stay at home day - cooking and clearing a few cupboards - but I've done over 7,000 still and I'm tempted to go out for a walk just to make sure it goes over 10,000 so a definite incentive.

I threw out several pairs of tatty shoes today and intend to go through my drawers and wardrobe again getting rid of more stuff. I am trying to get out of the mind set of thinking - 'Ooh I might want that one day so had better keep it' when the reason I don't wear something is probably because it doesn't really feel right when I put it on.

I'm still working on trying to change one habit at a time food wise though I'm still not remembering to slow down my eating as much as I ought. I've implemented one though to keep calories down. I love milky coffee and although I make it with skimmed milk and have just an espresso sized cup each time, I still drink a lot of cups a day. The latest slight tweak is that I don't have my first one till DH makes it for me, which as he usually is up a couple of hours after me means I don't start too early. Instead I drink weak squash, water or (most recently) a cup of hot water with a slice of lemon.

My weight is still creeping down - very slowly but I am eating really well and don't feel as though I am dieting at all. I was quite a bit heavier about 3 years ago and lost a lot and most of it has stayed off but I want the stone I put back on off again. It was interesting though that I jumped on the scales with DGD who is 5 yesterday and together we only weighed 4lbs more than I did at my very heaviest (12 and a half stone). I can't imagine carrying her round all the time with me and yet effectively I was doing just that. No wonder I felt unfit. Hopefully, as the weight is coming off really slowly I will be able to keep it off this time.

Anyhow, I have probably waffled on enough by now. I wonder if I can tempt DH out for a walk if I suggest he goes and looks for a couple of geocaches - I am trying to encourage a vague interest he has in that into a bit of exercise!!

Rose

lessonlearned

Good morning all.

MAman - you are right. Thinking about your goals made me itemise mine. That was a really useful exercise, it helped me focus and snap out of the doldrums a bit, so thanks for that. I feel a lot perkier and more positive.

Ive found my mojo.:rotfl: or rather you found it for me.:D

Isn't this thread great. We share ideas and let off steam. It all helps to crystalize what we want out of life.

Whilst flicking through Netflix last I found a delightful American sit com called Grace and Frankie. It's premise is that two lawyers and business partners decide to come out having had a secret gay affair for over 20 years. They move into together and ditch their wives, who have nothing in common but, who for financial reasons, are forced into a house share. And what a house, a gorgeous beach house, slap bang next to the sea. I Would kill for a house like that. Lol

It's stars one of my favourite women of all time, Jane Fonda , also Lilly Tomlin, Martin Sheen and can't remember the other guy.Anyway it's a hoot, but it also says a lot of interesting things about love, relationships, friendship and of course getting older.;)

Fonda of course looks sensational and her wardrobe is wonderful. I just wish I had her fantastic luxurious hair.......;) instead of my baby fine. Never Mind it can't be helped.

Actually, I'm still loving my Judi Dench crop, .most of the highlights were cut out so I'm now completely "au naturelle" - it's quite a nice silvery white and now that my skin isn't quite so pale and wintery looking it looks just fine so it's saving me quite a bit of money on colour treatments.

I will probably start having it streaked again next winter though, when pure white hair makes me look rather washed out.

Right time for some breakfast and then get cracking.

lessonlearned

Rose - you are so brave giving talks. Public speaking is just beyond me. It reduces me to a quivering wreck. I do so admire people who can stand up and give a good speech. My husband was brilliant, always witty, entertaining and erudite. He was a born raconteur and always in great demand at business dinners, weddings and social gatherings where speeches were required.

It's an art form in itself.

Rose I shall be joining you in the wardrobe blitz this week........I'm finally ready to let go of the last of my husbands things and I'm going to get rid of all my winter clothes so next winter I can start afresh.

I'm going to be ruthless:rotfl: