Frump to Fab 2016 - Lets make it AWESOME!!!

3forholidays

LL So sad to read that your Dad is being difficult - it is very draining to spend time in the company of people with that attitude so do take care of yourself. My thoughts are with you and your family.

sugarbaby125

LL and Greenbee big hugs to you both at this sad time in your lives. The death or approaching death of a parent is always a hard journey for the children and other family, but it has to be borne. :grouphug::grouphug:

I went to the Battersea Arts Centre with my daughter last night for 'The London Stories'. This time we went to both performances back to back. We had such an interesting evening, but some of the storytellers personal stories were so harrowing, that once again it made me thankful to have my life even with all of it's many challenges. I will never forget listening to some of the migrants who wanted to share their London stories with us.

maman

Very quick post LL.


Glad you relaxed a bit last night. I had wine and chocolate, purely to be supportive you understand;).


If you like the style I can recommend Sainsbury's straight leg jeans. I had several pairs on my transition to skinnies and they were excellent. I've recommended them to my SIL and she likes them too. Worth a try.:)

lessonlearned

Sugarbaby.......you are so right, we are so blessed. I am not a person of faith but I do believe in the inherent beauty and good of the world.

I know I'm just an old hippie at heart......:rotfl:

But we here in the West are so lucky. I have travelled to many places in the world and seen real poverty first hand.....we have won life's lottery just by being born in the U.K.

I have tried repeatedly to get my dad to realise how fortunate he is. I talked to him the other day about gratitude but he doesn't want to know. He has such a huge chip on his shoulder, he would prefer to wallow in misery and self pity.

I have just ordered him "the Little Book Of Mindfulness". More than likely he will curl his lip in distain and toss it in the bin. :rotfl:

Sun is shining so I'm off out for a bit of retail therapy.:D

I have been browsing on Amazon.......always a bad idea .......I always spot something to buy. Anyway I've ordered some bits and pieces of jewellery for DiL and (Hopefully) future DIL.:rotfl: pretty little crystal necklace and earring sets. Nothing of any real value but just a bit of bling.

They probably won't be here for Christmas but I can put them on one side for birthdays or even just a nice little surprise gift.

Thanks for the heads up on straight leg jeans MAman. I'll take a look.

maddiemay

Lots of virtual hugs and positive thought winging their way through the ether. It is great to have this place to have a moan or a rant when necessary, I love how supportive everyone is to each other.:A

Really tired today after a lovely visit from family yesterday, poor dog is shattered as younges GS played with her for hours, even electing to stay here and not walk into town for the medieval fair with the others. Had a bit of a pamper morning, a very long foot soak, cut nails, will shortly have a late shower and face mask, then hopefully paint finger and toe nails. I am good at keeping my face well hydrated this cold weather, but having a bit o trouble with lips and fingernails, need to put up some post-it reminders I think.

Yummy HM chicken noodle soup for lunch, love my recently purchased soup maker:D:D

lessonlearned

Ooh can I ask what make of soup maker...I have been think g about getting one. I know you can do soup in a slow cooker but I thought a Soup maker might be less faff.

Managed to buy some almost black jeggings the same as my denim blue ones so pleased with those. I also had a good mooch round the gluten free stuff and then the baking isles. The range of gf and healthy alternatives has really improved this last few months and so much cheaper than the health shops too.

I now have a good range of wheat free flours so am going to have a practice this week.

Ellsbel

Greenbee, sorry to hear about your Dad. My thoughts go out to you and your family.
LL, retail therapy is always a failsafe remedy - I'm sure the jewellery sets will be much appreciated.
Sugarbaby, you have a lovely outlook on life - it's clear from your posts that you value every second:)
Maddie, sounds like you had a good day yesterday:) good to hear you're liking your soup maker; I'm considering asking for one for Christmas but am undecided as to how much I'd use it.
Another thanks for the tip on the jeans, Maman - I have two black pairs that need replacing. I guess you're at footie today - good luck to the team against the old boss!
We went to see Jools Holland and his band at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday, and last night I went with a friend to a show in our local theatre. Both nights were a lot of fun, and I was pleased to be able to wear a slim cut pair of trousers that were too tight to do up the last time I tried them:)
Having a lazy day today - just pottering and watching football on TV. Going to prep a chicken passata for dinner in a bit and cozy up with a glass of Red and a Movie later:)

chanie

ellabel congratulations on get to g into your slim cut trousers.
maddie I love chicken noodle soup.

We had quite a nice weekend. Ds was invited to am ice skating party so OH, DD and me decided to go as well. I haven't been on the ice in years, but we had a lot of fun. We also had family around to celebrate OHs birthday and a shopping trip so that he could choose his birthday present (he wanted a new coat).

maddiemay

The soup maker I have is a Morphy Richards 501014 Saute and Soup Maker - Brushed Stainless Steel, I bought it from aMaZon for about the price it is listed at now, the best deal at that time.

I make a batch every 2 or 3 days and get 6 bowls/standard mugfuls each time. There are some amazing recipes on a blog or available as e books by "Scottish Mum" as well as in the user guide that comes with it. Once I got more confident with it I started to adapt recipes a little or just throw some stuff in and hope:rotfl:, but every recipe has been a keeper and if left to my own devices my soups can become a bit samey ifkwim.

I read reviews of several before I purchased and with some it seemed that the steam produced caused some problems with the machine, I sit mine on a metal tray on top of the gas hob and run the extractor fan and all works great. Yes you still have to cut up the food to go in, but no stirring and best of all for me with painful hands and poor grip no soup up the walls from my poor efforts with the stick blender:rotfl::rotfl:

lessonlearned

Thanks for that Maddie. I'll definitely look into it in the new year.

Today I am going to reorganise the kitchen cupboards, do a stocktake, and just generally sort myself out. I've noticed some of the crockery is chipped and cracked and the cupboards are untidy again so I am to reorganise and declutter.

My bedroom is a tip too and there's a mountain of paperwork. I did make a bit of a start on the paperwork last night. So today it's time to roll up my sleeves and get stuck in.

Where does all this "stuff" come from, it's a never ending battle......:rotfl:

Dad had another blood transfusion yesterday. My sister said he looked really good afterwards so hopefully he might be going home soon.

I'm still going to keep my distance today.....and just be "me"

Well almost December. I'm a bit behind with my Christmas prep. I need to get cracking......