Frump to Fab 2017 - A Whole New World

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LL - thanks for your earlier tips on how to experiment and discover your own style. At 56, better late than never! Interesting observations on your cruise about youth/vitality and an enquiring mind. As regards dating, heard a quote the other day 'I'd rather be with a man who taught me something than a man who bought me something'...

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

Unfortunately, my cold symptoms have got worse since last Monday and my chest is now very tight, my throat is absolutely raw and my nose all stuffy and blocked. I have had to phone my Manager and my Supervisor earlier to inform them that I was not fit for work. As we are just coming out of 2 non working weeks, they will not be happy, but physically I am just not capable of doing my job at the moment. I am still taking my flu medication, Benylin for chesty coughs and Strepsils. I had not expected to have any symptoms a week later. The cough is so much worse and can set my heart to some strange rhythm, which is still alarming for me. I just need to continue with the flu medication, plenty of fluids and rest and hope that I am fully recovered soon!

My 2 sisters R and H who live in Birmingham, were visiting London, so we went for a night of dancing in the pub on Saturday. I dosed myself up and took 4 painkillers so I could enjoy the night out with them. I had to do a lot more sit down dancing than standing up dancing, but I managed to have a good evening. At a later point in the evening, I did have to take 4 more painkillers as it was 4 hours after I had taken the 1st painkillers and my chest, my right arm and my right knee were just beginning to ache again. Wayne was there, so I did talk to him and dance with him. He bought drinks for me and my sisters, which really impressed my sisters, but did not surprise me. :beer:

My sister R was actually staying with me and my 2 children for the weekend. We also went to visit our brother who lives locally for a few hours on Saturday, then we came home had a rest in my case watching TV and my sister went to bed for a couple of hours. Then we both had a quick bath each, got our make up on, perfume on and our 'glad rags' on and my sister Hope picked us up in her minicab. The plan was that my sister H would drive us to and from the pub, but she changed her mind, as she wanted to drink alcohol on the night out. We got a night bus home, so it was a very cost effective night out for the 3 of us.

LL, as I was raised as a Christian, I will never get used to people who swear like a trooper. Even I, though will use the occasional swear word if I am pushed beyond all limits, but then I feel as if I have let myself down. I do find that neither sex sounds good when they use swear words. I can quite understand why John 1 finds this off putting in a woman. Wayne is not the 1st Jamaican man I have dated who has had to clean up their speech quick time, as I do find the liberal use of swear words quite offensive to hear in normal conversation.

The weather is a real bonus at the moment. I am really enjoying not having to have the central heating on all day and night and not having to wear lots of layers of clothing to keep warm.

I will be able to have a lazy, restful day, as I got all of the washing and drying completed yesterday as usual to start this week with everything clean and ready to wear because I was hoping I would be well enough to return to work today. I will catch up on some reading and I will also watch a couple of films that I had previously recorded today. There is always a silver lining to bouts of ill health.

maman

Sorry to hear that your cold has got worse sugarbaby. There seems to be a particular strain around this year with a long lasting cough. I did have a smile at your 'sitting down dancing'. You're incorrigible!:D

Flo61 wrote: »

.... heard a quote the other day 'I'd rather be with a man who taught me something than a man who bought me something'...

I like that. I had a similar discussion with my DH the other day. I know sugarbaby had a problem with Wayne always wanting to buy her things. I suppose some men take the 'provider' thing too far. My DH would find it hard to be a 'kept man' but I would feel the same in reverse so I understand that. What I find strange is people who say they find 'he makes me laugh' an attribute. I've never found that appealing. I like wit but not silly jokes or acting the clown. I think what attracts me is intellect. I like a thinking man.:)


I'm not anti swearing as such. I think it has its place whether that's in relating a story in context or in anger. What I dislike are people who punctuate every sentence with swear words. That's lazy, unnecessary and pathetic IMO. DH and I use public transport a fair bit around the city and I was saying the other day what a shame it is that we no longer have conductors on buses. There are too many people (usually young kids acting 'big') who swear loudly and make me shudder. I have been known to glare and tell them to stop but DH doesn't think that's a good idea.:D


Glad you're pleased with your hair LL. I think money spent on a good hairdo is really worthwhile. I'm thinking I might make an appointment for a blow dry next week. That'll be about half way between cuts and I could get any stray ends and my fringe trimmed to keep the shape.


I need to have another go at booking a massage with Groupon. I'm probably just being cynical but I feel that the online booking facility is being used to make it difficult to use the voucher. I've never had a problem with salons where you can just ring up and book like any other customer. There's hardly any availability showing. I left a message on her phone last week but no response. If I'm unsuccessful today I think I'll contact Groupon and complain. That's what I had to do last time this happened and they refunded my costs.


Its another glorious day here. I like autumn when it's like this.:)

chanie

sugar hope you feel better soon.

Maman the only time I ever had a spa day groupon, I really struggled with getting an appointment, despite me leaving lots of messages but they did respond once I complained to the venue directly (it was in a hotel, so I contacted reception).

In terms of swearing, SIL1 and MIL are terrible. They don’t even realise they are doing it half the time. OH and SIL2 don’t swear though. I get annoyed with MIL\SIL because they swear in front of our children and I don’t want them picking it up.

LaineyT

Get well wishes to Sugarbaby

Re swearing, have been known to use an expletive like most people but dislike to hear someone pepper their every day conversation with them, especially those who think using the awful 'C' word somehow makes them cool. The English language is wonderful and full of excellent alternatives to insult :rotfl:

maman

Yes, it's the thinking it makes them look cool that really gets to me too Lainey. To me they just appear ignorant and sad.


Although the mornings have been a bit chillier it's really still not really cold enough for jumpers here. This morning I went out with a Breton top under my short jacket and that was fine. Later I'm dancing and will get far too hot for a jumper so it's layers and take my cardigan off after the first couple of dances usually. And I don't feel the need for thick tights so I'll wear a long skirt.


I went into town yesterday briefly to make enquiries about a new phone and tablet. I think I've decided and will sort out soon.


While I was there I looked at shoes. As it's past sandal weather and getting a bit cold for ballet pumps I'm wearing a lot of my Skechers. They're fabulously comfortable but I could do with something a bit smarter so looked at Converse type. I'll probably just wait for a week or so then go into ankle boots but what do others wear as casual shoes with jeans and the like?

Floss

I wear Converse, (hi-tops with ankle socks and regular lace-ups with trainer socks), ankle boots and my black Uggs if it is really cold.

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

Thanks for your well wishes regarding my cold. I just can not seem to get rid of my sore throat, hacking cough and stuffy nose, no matter what over the counter medication I am using. I am now using honey and lemon for my throat as it is natural and it is really helping my sore throat to be less raw and painful.

As I am stuck at home, I had time to think about whether to continue my fight with Lambeth Council and I decided I only had about a 5% chance of them changing the decision, so I am not challenging the decision again. As so much time has already passed, it is only another 5 months before my Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support will be reassessed without the lump sum payment. We have to keep the belt pulled in as a family until then. My son at 17 years old and my daughter at 25 years old are very understanding of the financial constraints this whole situation has caused for us as a family, but it will soon be over.

I got a cheque from the company I previously held a child friendly, tax free savings account with yesterday. I closed the account earlier this year and they realised I was still owed £264.20. I am so relieved. I have been saving money each week to replace all of the money I have had to use from my savings to top up the rent and to pay in full the £560 of Council Tax they told me I owed after they reassessed my council tax support. This cheque will take my savings back up to £4,000 again. :j

I am now having a real battle with my employers about annualized pay. :eek: I found out from the General Manager, that when I was off ill, they went ahead and implemented annualized pay for everyone from July 2017, but decided to put my salary on hold until I had returned to work, so I missed out financially. I took legal advice on these issues and was assured that my employers should have informed me in writing that they intended to withhold my annualized pay for July, August and September 2017. I made a request in writing for my pay slips even if they disputed they owed me any salary and the pay slips showed a nil balance. I am owed Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support but without the pay slips, I have no proof that I was not receiving any salary for those months. This situation will hopefully be fully resolved soon. I can only live in hope!

maman

That's a very positive spin on the situation sugarbaby. So you're at home feeling rough but you've managed to rationalise all those financial hoops you're jumping through. You're a strong woman. I'm full of admiration.:)


I've had a good pampering session this morning including a defuzz. I'd let that slip a bit wearing jeans and long skirts.:o


Thanks for the Converse feedback floss. What you've said makes sense to me. It's about having suitable clothes for different occasions which LL advocates. I think this mild autumn has shown a gap where I need something heavier than sandals but lighter than boots that 's a bit smarter than just a functional walking shoe. I'll probably leave it until Spring now as I'm OK for boots (I think;)).


I'm glad to hear it's not only me and Groupon chanie. I've got online confirmation for an appointment on Friday that says (2 massages, 1 person'??? I've got Groupon on the case but in any event I'll turn up and explain in person. It's just that I don't want an argument with someone who's about to give me a massage. Not very conducive to a relaxing hour.


I've started to think a little about packing to go to Poland. We're only taking cabin luggage as it's for 6 days. It'll be easy with clothes but toiletries and make up is a bit more of a puzzle. What would be your '100% can't manage without' things to take?


It's still glorious and bright here. Considering it's November it will really shorten the winter.:)

Floss

Maman for me it's Boots strawberry lip balm, travel bottles of day & night cream, shampoo, conditioner, shower cream & body lotion that I know suit my hair & skin, and a small bottle of Aussie Miracle curl enhancer so I don't have to bother with a hair dryer. Makeup wise it is Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue, Perfecting Veil, powder blusher, bronze eyeliner pencil and 2 lippies - a nudey one from Mac and a deeper russet one from Bobbi Brown, but they are all in my daily makeup bag anyway. If I know we are going out then I might slip in an eyeshadow trio too.