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

lessonlearned

Well it never rains but it pours........

DS1 off today. He's just been called into work. The company he works for is in trouble and needs to restructure. 200 jobs to go.

There have been rumblings for a while and He had already applied for a couple of jobs last week.

Oh well no point fretting, Ke Sara and all that.

Ds2 is running him into work because of course he has no car. At least he has company on the way in, rather than hanging around waiting for a train and getting anxious. Time for a bit of brother bonding and support.

Will try and do something to focus on something else........

Ellsbel

LL so sorry
What an anxious morning for you all; sending positive thoughts your way x

maman

Ellsbel wrote: »

LL so sorry
What an anxious morning for you all; sending positive thoughts your way x

Same here LL. I'm hugely concerned about British industry (like we won't have any left unless government make a few decisions) hope DS1 doesn't end up as one of the casualties.

Ellsbel wrote: »

and I absolutely must chain myself to the ironing board for an hour to make a dent in the pile

I'll join you for an hour or two ellsbel.:) With being away last weekend, I seem to have a load of shirts in particular to get through.:( I must make a decision on car insurance too. Making comparisons is such a faff but needs must. Martin would never forgive me if I just went for automatic renewal:money:.


Forgot to say that I had a lovely compliment on my nails last week. A male friend that I'd been in a meeting with made a point of telling me how much he liked them later in the evening. I'm so pleased with the shellac after a long break but determined not to let them get weak like I did before. Perhaps a rest and painting them myself for a few weeks would help and I must get back to the cuticle oil too.


Miserable and wet here but I'm sure the ironing will cheer me up!:rotfl:

lessonlearned

I read somewhere recently that over the next 20 years 8 million jobs are going to be lost because of technological advances. Basically much of it will be white collar middle management.

God help the UK.

There is a chance DS1 may be OK for now because Both he and DIL work in research. Given that it is a company who deal in alternative energy then research is their core business. Without research, innovation and new products and knowledge then there is no point to the company. Close down the research dept and the comoany would be dead in 6 months anyway.

However as I said he's already started looking elsewhere.

Given the nature of the business - ie securing viable alternative and green energy for the future I would have thought maybe the government would take a look at some funding and investment. But then governments aren't exactly renowned for forward planning.

The U.K. Energy strategy is a shambles. Why governments think it's ok to buy our energy from places like Russia is beyond me, talk about High risk........ As for turning their back on steel production - well words fail me.

We will be defenceless.........

Let's just hand over the keys to Britain over to China and Russia and have done with it. :mad:

greenbee

A lot of the stuff about jobs being lost due to AI (artificial intelligence, NOT artificial insemination ) is hype. Although a lot of the boring repetitive stuff may be automated. One of the things I've been looking into is impact on career paths as some of the traditional 'entry level' roles for high-powered and highly-paid jobs (e.g. lawyers) are mostly admin which has already started to reduce (no more hours at the photocopier...). The good thing is that people will start to use their brains straight away, and the mind-numbingly boring stuff will go. The bad news is no one has yet thought how to restructure the career path.

LL - I work in research too. One of the things we did look into is whether AI would replace researchers and analysts... and as most of us have a vested interested in knowing the answer we looked very carefully. Research is one of the areas least likely to be affected. As for the energy policy stuff... I used to work in the energy sector and couldn't agree with you more...

lessonlearned

Yes hopefully, long term, AI will prove beneficial. I think its the transitional period which will prove difficult.

Anyway DS2 is back - DS1 and DIL will probably be tied up in meetings and briefings today so we wont know much more till later. We will pick them from the station and then Sort out the car ready for repairs tomorrow. So at least they will have the car back.

DIL has to go to Barcelona later in the week so I will make sure DS1 is ok and not left too much on his own to brood. Actually he's quite a positive person and doesn't panic but even so it's not nice, especially the month before you are due to get married.....;)

Not the best start to married life but at least no babies to worry about.

Anyway I'm looking forward to finally getting my face fixed and will be going all out to improve skin texture to enhance the results so I have begun a programme of home facials, serums, and extra moisturising.

If anyone wants to learn more the procedure it is PDO threading, essentially a mini lower face lift without surgery. So no cutting or knife work involved. The threads will dissolve after About 6 months and the effects should last between 2 to 3 years., so the procedure can be repeated as required.

So I will get a symmetrical face again and added benefit of improving my jaw line and a reduction in nasal Labial and marionette lines.

I told him I don't expect to look 30 again and that I want it to look natural and not "done" - definitely no "wind tunnel" effect. He said because there was no cutting or skin removal then there's no risk of that. Also because he wOnt be using Botox there's no risk of frozen face.

I am nervous but TBH the other option is full on reconstructive surgery which I really don't want because it would mean a general anaesthetic. It would be expensive and painful - removing the cancer in the first place was bad enough so I'm taking the cowards way out.

Just need to book my hair soon and then hopefully a new rejuvenated me.......

Weight still the same........must try harder, but at least my back pain is finally easing a bit.

Ellsbel

Used one of my nicer body lotions today as the lovely smell works as a pick me up when I'm a bit tired, as I am this morning for some reason!
It was really warm when I went out with the dog earlier but has cooled down a bit now.
May take another walk in a bit to the shops and back to the library - did go yesterday but nothing I got inspired me when I went to have a read last night!
It'll be a good bit of exercise if I leave the car at home.
But first ....operation ironing pile part 2

maman

Ellsbel wrote: »

But first ....operation ironing pile part 2

No Part 2 here. I saw it all off yesterday! You inspired me ellsbel.;) DH even thanked me for doing his laundry! Nothing new in that but I think he was just a bit taken aback by the pile of shirts.


I finished trying on the bikinis after my shower this morning. The size 12 bottoms fit fine so I'm pleased with that. Good incentive to stay slim for my holiday.:)


Do you read during the evening or in bed ellsbel? I've never really cracked reading during the day unless I'm ill or on holiday. Ashamed to say I have a book that I haven't finished since I was away in the autumn:o. What sort of things do you read?


Off to the theatre tonight. It's an Ayckbourn style comedy and we're meeting friends for a pub meal beforehand so plenty to get fabbed up for. I'm even contemplating a skirt!:eek:


I've booked a facial and massage for next week. It's a Groupon voucher so needed to take it before it expired. Tomorrow I'm planning a mooch in the city centre to see if any summer clothes inspire me. I'll soon need a new eye cream. My favourite is Clinique. Any other recommendations?

lessonlearned

Hello everyone.

Just having a five minute lunch break. Have been to aldi and done a stock up of healthy f@v, nuts, seeds - want to make my own wheat and grain free granola, both to sprinkle on yogurts and to make into snack bars.

Ds2 has decided that he wants to eat more healthily now that he's about to hit 30.......actually that makes my life a lot easier, because we can just eat the same same now but obviously He'll need larger portions and more snacks.

Hopefully if I'm not buying his usual pizzas, cakes and biscuits, crisps etc it will make things easier for me, they wont be in the cupboards calling to me when I'm feeling weak willed........:rotfl:

Quick news update on DS1 and DILs jobs.

Apparently even the research dept is to be reduced so everyone is to consider themselves at risk for the time bring.

Nothing is going to happen for at least two months because there will be a period of consultation before the first round of cuts. Then every one who does go will receive a guaranteed minimum of two months severance pay plus redundancy payments based on their years of service.

so....not as bad as everyone feared. Share prices had plummeted and I think everyone thought the timescale was days not months. It means they everyone will have at least the equivalent of four months salary if the axe falls as a minimum. . Ds1 has applied for two jobs last week and has had a telephone interview for one already and has been put forward for the next interview.

Maman - I shall be joining you (metaphorically) on your shopping trip tomorrow.. I have promised myself a little mooch.......and maybe lunch.

I did buy a lookalike suede jacket last week - in a mid brown with a "waterfall" front. Is the fabric called Micropore. Anyway it's manmade rather than real suede so a fraction of the cost but it feels like buttery soft suede and is very effective. And a snip at just £18. I didn't "need" a new jacket but I know I shall get a lot of wear out if it.

This morning I have managed to climb on to my elliptical trainer and actually use it for exercise rather than as a clothes horse......ta dah. Now the sun has come out I'm off for a little walk and then if it's warm enough I might sit out in the garden for half an hour before cooking a healthy dinner.

I'm going to do tray of drumsticks, some for dinner and then some to be eaten cold for lunches and supper - instead of crisps and sugary snacks......;)

Have started using a new serum called Salvere Pure Hyraulonic Acid. £18 I think from Amazon so not too bad. You are supposed to use it twice a day but I'm just starting once a day. So far so good, no adverse reactions. My skin feels nice and soft and looks refreshed. I i need sone new eye cream too so will try and pick some up tomorrow. I have some Boots Vouchers to use so might also look for a new lippy too.

Laters......

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,
I got back from Birmingham on Sunday after an eventful 6 days visiting family. As soon as I arrived at my sister's home in Birmingham last Tuesday I began to have flu like symptoms. It turned out to be a very bad cold. I only turned the corner on the Friday after lots of over the counter flu caplets. I had an enforced rest in the end. I could only go out dancing on the Saturday with my 2 sister's. We all had a good night and did not get home until 2.30am on Sunday. :j

I wore my black phase eight skirt with my M & S burgundy red embellished velour vest top and my black velour jacket with chiffon trim around the neckline and cuffs of the long sleeves. I wore my black patent leather Van Dal sling backs with the gold cut outs and my burgundy red leather handbag. I finished off my outfit with lots of gold jewellery and my gold plated Tissot watch. I only had on black mascara, brown eyeshadow and clear nail polish and clear lip gloss.

My sister Ruth introduced me to a male friend of hers and he took an instant shine to me and danced attendance on me throughout the whole night. He even wanted to take me on a date in London next month when he would be visiting London but I had to politely refuse. He was very complimentary which was a big ego boost, but I do not see the point of a long distance relationship, especially when I have a number of male admirers here in London.

In fact, I gave my phone number to one of my male admirers who had been chasing me for a few month's as I really want to start dating again. He phoned and sent multiple texts to me every day that I was in Birmingham and is still continuing to do so now that I am back in London. :T I am going to take it slow and hope it all works out for the both of us. We are going on our first date this week.

I could not exercise while I was in Birmingham because I was so ill, but I was so happy to find I had lost another 3 pounds in weight last week. I have now lost 1 stone 7 pounds so far. :j