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

Ellsbel

Maddie, do let us know how you find your eye make up; I really need a rethink on mine - both colours and brands, and in particular I need an eye pencil with staying power, so any recommendations will be gratefully received.
Sound like you had a perfect weekend sugarbaby, and you were clearly looking fabulous - lovely to read:)
LL so sorry it's been tough for you lately; the dancing sounds like a great plan for some fun exercise - I think Maman has also mentioned that she goes dancing - I hope your back improves enough to allow you to try it out soon.
I could do with reigning in on my grocery shopping a bit too, I spend far too much on food!
I have also had a spendy month and haven't finished yet as I promised to take the boys to a designer outlet tomorrow to treat them to some "bits".
Have done a lot of visiting this Easter and there is a lot of chocolate in the house so I need to be extremely disciplined!
Not much other news here - I'm just slowly preparing a nice seafood based dinner, and later I'm going to watch Maigret - how exciting I am:rotfl::rotfl:

sugarbaby125

Hi LessonLearned I just go dancing at one of the pubs that I go to for Karaoke. They have a DJ for those nights until 12.30am. I have had back pain for more than 10 years after injuring my back in a fall at work. I find 2 paracetamol and 2 ibuprofen makes the most difference when I have acute back pain. Exercise of any kind really helps, so being a cleaner was really painful in the first 2 weeks, but then my back became more pliable, and I experienced less and less pain every day until I did not need any painkillers. All the dancing I do also strengthens my back as well. Losing weight has obviously helped and the more I lose the more beneficial it will be for my back. Laying still and resting my back never helped me, so I used to keep moving through the pain. When I stood still, my back used to start being painful within minutes, but that is no longer happening. I hope all of this information is of some use and shows you that eventually there can be light at the end of the tunnel with back pain.

Grief is a continuing cycle and you will always have times when you experience real low periods, but you have the inner strength to see yourself through these times in your life. I lost my Mum just over 3 years ago, yet sometimes grief is a physical pain. I find Mother's Day hard without the opportunity to spend it with her, treating her and seeing her smile. My Dad had died 2 years before my Mum. My first daughter died in the womb and what should have been my 5th child was a miscarriage. I have lost 2 sisters and a brother plus other relatives, so I am no stranger to grief. Whenever I need to grieve for someone I have lost, I do, but then I pick myself up and get on with my day, my week, my month. Time does make it less intense, but it does not always heal your grief.

lessonlearned

Thanks Sugarbaby.

I think of grief as being a bit like tsunamis. The first ones hit and knock you for six. Then gradually they get smaller and further apart.

I just ride them out as best I can.;)

Had a nice sleep this afternoon, feel a lot brighter. Then tackled some paperwork so a good productive day.

shandyclover

I've had a particularly low week. Not sure why, a few things adding up perhaps, I don't want to go into details but our family has had a series of setbacks, failures and real anxiety. At times it can all feel like you are never going to get a break and everyone else is going along merrily with their life. Easter Sunday we had arranged to visit relatives in the countryside. Something I was not really looking forward to as I know some of them are judging us for failures and setbacks. As it turned out it was a lovely day. Relatives help local farmers raise orphaned/rejected lambs. We got to feed some tiny ones. As I was watching my girls warm up the day old lambs in their jackets and feed them, we were told the next 24 hours was crucial for them but that they had high hopes as the lambs were up and around and fighting. It struck me how precious life is, and though overwhelming at times I thought of my relatives that have passed away in the last 12 mos, all of them would want me out embracing life rather than the cowering from it as had been doing. A resolution to bravely face the storm at the wheel rather than hiding below deck.

maddiemay

Good morning all, best wishes to all that are having difficulties at the moment, I hope that life is kinder soon:)x

Frosty and sunny here this morning:D, out for B12 injection this morning and then osteopath at lunchtime, the treatment is expensive, but starting to get some results I think:D

Fabbed up for a lovely lunch with some of the family on Sunday and I spent most of yesterday afternoon in my underwear (ooohh aaahh missus:rotfl:) trying on my summer clothes. 28 items of clothing, lots of beautiful linen and cotton off to the CS during my 2 trips out today. I had pangs of regret over 2 items which I find totally joyful to wear for special occasions, but on the whole feel much lighter that a) there will be more space and b) I have at last swallowed the frog and been through things. Some skirts that are on the big side are without waistbands and drop down onto the top of my hips so are now maxi length on me, that is joyful, my favourite length for summer.

Next excercise is to find something from wardrobe to wear to family wedding at the weekend, this wedding was postponed from last August and the lovely dress that I bought to wear then is firmly in the CS bag, sadly it would cost too much to alter.

lessonlearned

Ah Maddie. What a shame about the dress you bought for the wedding and can't wear.

I know you have some unwanted weight loss due to health problems. Is it possible you might regain weight at some point if your condition were to improve. Is it worth hanging on to a couple of favourites. Iknow that it goes against all good decluttering principles but if something really gives you joy........

Could the fabric be repurposed.........cushions, table runner etc.....depends in the fabric I know. Seems a shame to part with something you really love.

I feel a little brighter this morning, back to my more usual positive self.......Thankfully I'm blessed with a naturally optimistic life view so my low points don't usually last long. Mind the bright sunshine streaming through the window probably helps, although I don't think it's very warm.

A gentle day planned, a slightly longer walk - going to try and walk a bit further each day. Got quite a pile of paperwork to do so will crack on with that.

Have a good day.

maddiemay

LL _ so pleased that you are feeling brighter today.

I have kept quite a few things that are a little too big, but cannot wear atm as I do hope that I will regain some weight, but the rest were unworn last summer too and they will be better giving joy to other ladies. One of the things that I was sad about is a pair of cream silk Kaliko trousers, they were so glamorous and comfortable too, but I am reconciled now. Soon I am going to dig out all that I have kept again, sort into outfits and perhaps photograph on my tablet so that I can know if there are any gaps and perhaps stop me from buying any duplicates:o

I should "come out" and declare that I had far too many clothes for my retired lifestyle, lots were work wear, thankfully not boring blue or black dress/suit/jacket, but more individual.:D:D If I need cruise wear again I am sure that I can have fun shopping the CS's.

I sneaked in a navy/cream striped long sleeve T from my CS this morning so not all bad:)

lessonlearned

Well I'll "come out" too.......

I do like clothes and my idea of a minimalist wardrobe wouldnt match any proper definition of minimalism......:rotfl:

You are right about cruise wear - you can pick up beautiful evening wear for pennies.

Speaking of cruises.........no I've not booked another one but I've been having second thoughts about Cyprus (and that was before thus mornings problems). I might cancel and go on a cruise instead.

I did find cruising is perfect for solo travellers. I'm not sure that 28 days in a hotel will be right for me, especially if it's mainly couples. I'm wondering if I might feel isolated and bored. If I'm just going to sit and read or watch tv of an evening then I may as well stay at home. No fun sitting in an hotel bar by yourself - did enough of that when I was Corporate Woman.

I will mull it over. I've only paid £75 deposit so far so won't be too badly out of pocket if I cancel soon.

There are plenty of cruise deals around and there are still loads of places I have not seen yet. I've been to Cyprus twice so I'm not missing anything new.....

I think I've pretty much talked myself out of it.:rotfl:

Floss

LL you may be able to transfer your deposit to a cruise?

maddiemay

LL- you are obviously my cyber twin:rotfl: I couldn't even guess at how many cashmere jumpers I have (2 large drawers full), but I never bought more than one per winter new from the sales, all the rest came from CS or charity shops. BTW I think I might be related to Imelda Marcos too. LOL

Cruise sounds ideal for you, have only been on one so far, there were lots of singles. People to chat with at meal times, shows to watch, sometimes interesting talks, lots of places to sit and read (or just people watch). I think it would be much more satisfying for you.:)