Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

maddiemay

LL - same here, even if I thought I could manage to, I don't think OH would be at all impressed. LOL

As we are not likely to be doing much gallivanting around in our caravan and have no holidays booked for the next 4months+ I might be able to manage a couple more at 2 weekly intervals and then perhaps 1 a month for a little while. I have a lovely excercise book called Stretch and Relax which was recommended by my GP years ago (he had back trouble too), I might take it along and ask her to suggest some. She gave me one for the pain in my upper arms today. I would love to do Pilates again, but the only sessions I have found are too advanced or 1:1 and not affordable. I have tried on my own with a DVD, but need someone to keep an eye on my posture. I think I need to write a little routine on a card so that I do not forget half of my stretches::o

Your clothes shop sounds extremely frugal and very glam, you will look really good on your holiday.

maman

lessonlearned wrote: »

Glad to hear you enjoyed your massage went well and that you feel the benefits.

I love the sound of it too maddie. It's worth rejigging the finances for that and if you call it medical then it's not so extravagant.:)


We got another invitation to a dinner in December tonight so even more worthwhile buying a sparkly outfit:D.

chanie

maddie the massages sound lovely.

maman how was the gallery

ll that sparkly jacket should work well on your cruise (having never been on one, how I imagine a cruise to be)

I've kind of failed my first target already. I ended up going to work for the morning so I didn't get to do my 30 day shred. On the positives, I went into work in jeans and a tshirt and got a couple of complements on what I was wearing, one of which was from the office fashionista.

lessonlearned

Good mirning ladies

Well it's a filthy morning here andI had planned to go the MCArthur Glenn outlet but don't think I'll bother..

I will have a "Cook up" instead - I'll do some Bolognese mixture and some casseroles to stock up the freezer for DS2. Cant have him wasting away whilst im off gallivanting.

As you know I tend to be the head chauffeur, banker and accountant for my dad. Spent yesterday taking him into the city to finalise his banking arrangements - long story but we have had to change banks and set up a Poa etc - Thankfully all just about done now.

Anyhoo, as ive explained before he can be a tad difficult At times, however he can also be a sweetie when he wants. Yesterday I got a proper thank you plus a wedge of cash for "a bit of spending money for your holiday".

Honestly what can you do....

.I didn't want the money, it makes me feel uncomfortable. He has plenty of money and he can easily afford it but I really don't like accepting it but he would have been mortally offended if I had refused it. So to avoid a row I accepted it with a good grace........

Parents eh.......;)

He has been invited to Australia - he's desperate to go - despite being 90 next year. He has started dropping hints that he would like me to go with him. I just don't know what to think.

He is remarkably fit for his age, although he does have some health issues and takes a cocktail of drugs. I think he would be un-Insurable so the thought of a major health incident whilst out there doesn't bear thinking about. It's a huge responsibity, one that I am loathe to take on by myself if I'm honest.

I'll think about it later.....:rotfl:

I know we are not supposed to talk about medicine but I feel a little rant coming on.;)

Speaking of a cocktail of drugs..........

I had some friends over from Belguim recently - my age. We got to talking about life, death, health etc - as you do when you reach a certain age!!

They were astonished that I am totally drug free, whilst they both take meds for cholestrol and high blood pressure. They seemed to think I was the exception to the rule........saying that they didn't know anyone of our age who didn't take some form of prescribed meds.

What do you lot think.......

I look at my dads drugs and used to look at mums too and think that at least half of them were counter productive and could be eliminated. I know that most of them interact with each other and nearly all have unpleasant side effects, often leading to the need for further meds to mitigate those effects. :eek:

For example, My dad is currently using a cream, prescribed by his doctor for a leg ulcer which wont heal. The cream states quite clearly that it is not for long term use - he has been using it for years.........this cream causes the skin to become thinner over time.

The reason the leg ulcer won't heal is because dad takes warfarin. His skin is now so fragile it splits easily and because of the warfarin which thins the blood the blood won't clot properly and allow the ulcer to heal........it really is a vicious circle.

Now we all know that skin becomes more fragile and thinner with age so why on earth would you repeatedly prescribe a cream which causes skin to become thinner to someone in their 80s. A bottle of olive oil would be much better at keeping the skin supple.

At one point I noticed that dad was taking both warfarin and asprin.....prescribed by the GP. Now they both make the blood thinner and yes he needs that ........but not to take both at the same time ..........pure madness.

The problem is - like a lot of people my mum and dad, and now it appears also my friends, just take everything their GPs say as gospel.

The average GP knows very little about skin unless they have a specialist interest - my old GP did so was very quick to spot my skin cancer, I was very lucky. GPs know next to nothin about nutrition, they don't have time in their training to learn everything.

In all of their 7 years of Training they have only one half day of lectures on nutrition and.......wait for it........the lectures on nutrition are optional not mandatory........

Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, GORD, IBS etc as well as a range of inflammation based illnesses such as arthritis can be kept under control without expensive and potentially dangerous medication and all the unpleasant side effects.

My BIL has just had a confirmed diagnosis of gout - a form of arthritis. His GP doesn't want to prescribe meds (quite rightly so I think) and wants him to make dietry changes and lose about 3 stones. I quizzed my sister yesterday, BIL has not made any lifestyle changes since his diagnosis. He won't help himself. I feel so sorry for my sister because I know what lies ahead if he doesn't sort himself out now. He's only 50. If he doesn't get his act together now he will be in a wheelchair within 5 years.

This is exactly what my mum and dad did, they refused to make any lifestyle changes and went down the prescribed meds route.

I watched my mum suffer needlessly from the complications of Type 2 diabetes. The last few years of her life were truly awful. I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy.

My dad takes around 30 tablets a day - his stomach is wrecked. He probably has no stomach lining left. Not surprising he's grumpy, poor devil.

Please ladies, look after yourselves. Get fit, get healthy.

get fabbing.......

Ive said it before and I will say it again.......

Our thread is not just a vanity project - it's about taking care of ourselves so that we can be the best we can be.

Yes, It all starts with perfume........

throw In some good skin care routines, sort out your wardrobes so you look and feel good, eat well, take a few supplements to make sure you have enougn vitamins and nutrients to protect yourselves, get enough sleep and rest, a bit of daily exercise, deal with any stress that might be having an adverse effect on your health and wellbeing.

Listen to your bodies, they will tell you what they need.

And that old perennial........

Posture.:D

It's not just about lippy, hair dos and new shoes, although of course they do,have their place in our arsenal........

maddiemay

Great post LL.

I am so with you on the prescribed meds farce and with people not understanding or ceasing to be lazy minded and help themselves. I beat the doors of the nurse's station down every 8 weeks for my B12 injection (without it I would be dead (a slow and deteriorting process), I take the minimum amount that I can get away of pain killers, tailored to my expected activities for that day), but they will have to force feed me with statins and the like.

I take quite a lot of supplements and a few herbal remedies if needed, it is a bit of a minefield sorting out beneficial dosage and checking what is contra with what, but well worth the time and effort spent researching via books and the Internet iimho.

The proposed Australia trip does sound onerous, not sure that I would want to take it on by myself either, still a lot can happen in a few weeks/months and it may come to nothing. Re the spending money, I am not a parent, but I think that our parentals always like to feel that they can help/contribute to something however old we are. A few years ago, when I was living a long way from family, I received a cheque for £25 from my mum (she does not have much money at all), it was to pay for a massage as I had mentioned how much it was helping my poorly neck, it was a lovely thought and I will never forget how much pleasure it gave her to still be able to do something for her eldest offspring, even though I was just about to become a pensioner myself.

Have a great day everyone, sun coming out after wet start and I must get fabbed up for my knitting group, lots of nattering and laughing, some knitting, but definitely no !!!!!ing, they are a great bunch:D

VJsmum

Hello all - been AWOL, overseas on business.

Came back with a dose of bronchitis - caused by terrible air pollution in Singapore. Frankly couldn't care if I never went there again. Just about starting to feel better today.

Took a capsule wardrobe with me - around 20 items for 2 weeks, still had things I didn't wear; one thing hit the bin as it got damaged and another is going to be donated in the next bag as it really doens't suit me. it all fitted into a cabin bag sized suitcase! Am loving the limited choice, on the whole I am dressing better. Go figure.

Totally agree with you LL on the pills for ills mentality. The number of people that have told me to go to the doctor with my chest (:cool: :rotfl:) when i know there's nothing they can do. I have self medicated with hot lemon and honey drinks (with added ginger, cloves, cinnamon) and paracetomol and good, wholesome foods. Mind on the plane back, they were handing out leaflets for SARS and I had 7 of the 10 symptoms :eek::rotfl:

My dad is the same with the ulcers - i have told him to try manuka honey, but the nurse says its too messy so she smothers it in the same cream that isn't doing any good. :mad: My dad doesn't even ask what he is taking all the tablets for - doesn't question the medics at all. drives me mad.

My colleague that i went away with is very overweight, and unhappy about it, yet every day I watched her drink copious amounts of orange juice (and alcohol) and eat cereals, toast, pastries, bread. even though she knew the reason for my weightloss was that i had given these things up. some people just don't want to see what is staring them in the face.

Now that i feel better, I can see that i acquired a bit of a tan - so not all bad....

maman

Enjoying the chat today - as always!


I agree about the meds LL. It's increasingly the same here but if they're anything like the French then maybe the Belgians are extra obsessed. Even quite small French villages seems to have a pharmacy. I'm another who's almost meds free. I have some medication for my back that I keep for when it's really bad but otherwise it's just the odd paracetamol. What gets to me is that certain of our friends and family are obsessed with talking about their ailments. I appreciate that some people have conditions that they have to take medication for but they don't have to make it their number one topic of conversation. Two lots of friends in particular make a big deal of taking medication at breakfast. I'd never do that if I had visitors.


My mam was the same with giving money. She always sent me a cheque for holiday spending despite DH and I having well paid jobs. I think it was partly because my two brothers had young families so when they went away they had to pay for their children long after we did and she liked to treat us all the same. I think you did right to accept graciously.


Not sure whether it was a typo as to whether your dad can/cannot get insurance for a trip. I'd agree with Maddie that a decision isn't needed yet so enjoy your holiday and see if he brings it up again. Will your dad be going to the wedding? That might be a bit of a practice run.


Sorry your Singapore trip wasn't as you'd perhaps hoped vjm but definite positives on the wardrobe, the healthy eating and the tan! I only went for a week but was delighted with how MK helped me pack cabin luggage brilliantly and I, too, took more than I wore mainly because weather was better than we could have hoped so didn't mind that the long sleeved tops, umbrella and waterproof jacket weren't needed:D. My SIL is a bit like your colleague in that she tells me she eats healthily and her overweight is down to an under active thyroid. I know she has that controlled through medication and it's the biscuits and cakes that do it. BUT last time I saw her (July) she'd been doing SW and had lost quite a bit. I'm seeing her again next week so hope she's had the willpower to stick with it despite the life threatening cold she tells me she's had!:rotfl:


Hardly fabbing going on just keeping up with the basics but I have walked down to the Post Office the last couple of mornings. It's less than a mile and a slope on the way back but I can feel it doing calves and thighs good. Off to football tonight so I'll have another brisk walk as we never take car into city centre if we can avoid it. Weather is glorious here and mild too:).

lessonlearned

VJ - sorry to hear about your chest.

One of the reasons I hate long hauls flights is that you get to breathe recirculated air, with everyone's bugs and germs.....:eek: so as well As the air pollution in Singapore you would have also had the air con to contend with, so it's not surprising your chest is bad. You are doing all the right things though so hopefully will feel better soon.

Maman - no I don't think he would get medical insurance.

Mum and dad visited us in Spain in 2005, spending just a week with us. He was quoted £250 so he didn't bother, just making do with the E111. I told him I wouldn't pay for his body to be sent back if he died out there. He said that was ok so I just played along with him.

However, 0z is a completely different kettle of fish.....if he got sick it would be a suffocate with a pillow job ..:rotfl:

plus of course I really do hate long distance flights.

I would have to break the journey and spend a few days knocking round the Far East somewhere - maybe not Singapore......;) and he wouldn't want to do that. There's no way I could fly for 23 hours, not even business class and certainly not cattle class.

I think I'm going to decline. I am happy to take him to Belguim but not Australia. My sister and her Kiwi husband are well overdue a trip Down Under so they can do the honours. Then at least there would be two of them.

Actually I have a niece in Tasmania who is getting married in 2017 - no dates yet - so I may look at some way of getting there, maybe a super long cruise with an extended stop off in Australia. Then I could do some "Island Hopping" taking in both NZ and Tasmania.

There are several World Cruise options where you can either just take a couple of segments and then fly back or wait for another ship to come along and resume your journey.

I reckon going by ship and breaking up the journey would probably take me about a year but then I never did have a Gap year.:rotfl:

Apparently it's now quite the done thing for Seniors to go on gap years. It's just most tend not to back pack but prefer a bit of comfort.

I had a friend who had two daughters, one in Australia and one in Canada. Every two years she would buy a cheap round the world air ticket and go travelling, visiting her daughters, but stopping off at various places along the way. She has done most of the Far East, the Philippines, Hawaii, America and Canada, just taking her time.

It's all food for thought.

I keep thinking about all the places I would love to visit. I think I will be developing a severe case of wanderlust at this rate.

As Del Boy would say "The world is my lobster"........why not. One day I will be old and decrepit so I'm going to do some travelling now before the nursing home beckons:eek:

Dad will be going to the UK wedding but not the church blessing in Barcelona.

Well done on the walking MAman. It's stopped raining now so I'm just off for a stroll.

chanie

I'm loving all the talk about holidays and travelling. I've always wanted to travel but didn't when I was younger as I've always had other priorities. I don't regret my choices but I'm looking forward to travelling when I retire.

I managed to do my 30 day shred today. I had set my alarm for 6am, but I was really tired so I slept through. I did it after I'd taken dd to nursery whilst ds pottered around. I also managed to body brush. I'm not sure what I'm going to do tomorrow as I've decided not yo take dd to nursery and its impossible to do much with a 3 year old.

In other news, I did my henna today, but I can't see the colour as its supposed to be subtle. It has really conditioned it though.

I also popped to the body shop and bought a nice lip gloss in their sale for £2. I'd recommend a look if you are passing by. They don't have loads,but you may pick up a bargain.

parsniphead

I used to post on here for a short time earlier this year....or was it the end of last! Anyway I wandered off and would like to come back.

I turned 45 at the start of the week and feel very dowdy at the moment. Looking down and seeing the baggy BHS jeans makes me feel old. Where on earth did they come from.

Joking aside I do need to sort myself out. I do no exercise and I'm three stone overweight. I'm going to start the 30 Day Shread again and also start running again.

My hair needs a cut. It's meant to be a short pixie cut but its not as I'm three months overdue a cut. :eek:

I'm lucky really as well here people in the past week couldn't believe my age. The all thought I was in my mid thirties, so with a bit of looking after I could look OK.

Trouble is I get sidetracked. I need motivation and this is such a nice, friendly thread (unlike some I have been savaged on recently for having an opinion on my own job). You have to laugh.

Please can I come back.