Frump to Fab 2017 - A Whole New World

indiepanda

maman wrote: »

Hope the cycling lesson went well indie?

Hello, yes, it was good thanks. Just round the local park, practicing doing things like emergency stops and looking over the shoulder for hazards ready to turn whilst trying to keep the bike going in a straight line. I think it will take some practice and more lessons before I am ready to venture out onto London's busy streets, but that's fine, I wasn't going to try doing the commute until I could safely get home in daylight as I think traffic + dark would be too scary for a first cycle.

I can already feel the saddle though... suspect am going to be sore tomorrow.

Had a good session with the nutritionist today - the plan she is going to have me on is going to be quite restrictive at first, but I need a blooming good kick start and what she is suggesting makes sense, even if the idea of going without alcohol for a whole month sounds a challenge. Not that I drink every day, but I can't recall the last time I went for a night out with friends and had none. Steering clear of dairy makes sense as I know I have an intolerance to that, and she is suggesting gluten too - which also makes sense as I know I am a bit sensitive to that - albeit less so than dairy.

Anyway, I am going to do everything I can to stick to this as I am tired of being half assed about getting healthy and just yoyo-ing around varying levels of fatness! I should get her notes from today later and the tailored food plan in a couple of days.

Right, better get on or I won't get any food made for the week ahead - need to sort out some soup tonight.

pink_poppy

LL, just delurking to say your new hair colour sounds lovely and to ask if you think you will have to make some changes to your wardrobe (the colours that suited you when your hair was white??). The reason I'm asking is I'm thinking about changing my hair colour from mid-brown (with grey!!) to a caramel colour. I've been thinking about doing this for years, so no rush to reply

lessonlearned

Pinkpoppy......you raise a very interesting point there about colours.

TBH I haven't had a good "trying on session" but I think you could well be right. I might need to rethink.

Colour is a funny thing ........I was alway "deep autumn" with auburn hair, so i suited autumn colours......think autumn leaves, sage and moss greens, mustards, reds, and heathery purples.

Then when my hair turned white I found jewel brights and winter colours worked well, especially turqouise, jade and some "warm" darker purples.

I have never been able to wear black or navy but thought I could wear mid and dark greys and French navy. However I recently saw some photos of myself in dark grey and it loooked awful with my white hair. I just looked really washed out. I also think Denim or Air Force type blues suit me better then navy.

The new caramel blonde has just a few copper highlights, the overall look is a bit like "strawberry blonde" so a passing nod to my old auburn, a sort of "paler" version of the old me. I'm hoping I can return to my old autumn colours but maybe I might need softer shades.

I recently bought some knitwear in teal, a deep moss green and deep mustard, all similar to the sort of colours that worked well when I was auburn. They seem to work with my new colour.

I find winter white and cream is better than white.

And of course any form of beige is an absolute no, no. :rotfl:

maman

lessonlearned wrote: »

And of course any form of beige is an absolute no, no. :rotfl:

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:


Interesting article in the paper this morning about Teresa May and her coming feature in American Vogue. The journalist (who has had the treatment herself from British Vogue) describes a team of stylists turning up with hairdressers, make up, jewellery and clothes you might not have considered for yourself. We are doing our own DIY version!:D


More dancing tonight. This is my new group in a bid to get in extra exercise and because the Monday group will soon stop, I think, as the teacher is very unwell. It's milder today so I think I might wear a heavy cotton White Stuff skirt with navy opaques and navy cardigan. I'll also be wearing light make up and generally feeling fab.;)


Need to make a chiropody appointment today. I think that's the last of my plan of 6 but I think I'll replace it.

lessonlearned

MAman......your dancing sounds wonderful. I am hoping this is going to be me in a couple of months. Just as soon as I can get a bIt fitter.

Met with dad's solicitor yesterday. Dad's estate is a bit more complicated that either my mums or my Late husband's and given that it has taken me over a week to wade my way through his papers I have decided to opt for the "enhanced representation package". Yes it costs more so not terribly MSE but it means that I can just hand everything over and forget about it all.

I know it sounds lazy but sometimes I really do think it's worth paying the professionals and letting them take the strain. I've had enough and the thought of dealing with it all a third time is just more than I can stand.

Funeral arrangements are done, my sister is doing the final tweaking andmeeting the celebrant tonight, so at last I can just walk away from everything and get on with my own life. I feel like a huge burden has finally been lifted.

I went to Physio today. My poor body is a mass of aches and pains, and my muscles Are badly knotted, especially my shoulders and neck. my grip is weak and I keep dropping things so I have decided to up my treatments to twice a week for a few weeks.

She also advised not to do too much exercise, so just the usual Physio homework and then she suggested two or three ten minute walks a day then build up from there.

I should be able to manage that.

She actually gave me a very stern lecture about having punished my body for 10 years and about how I need to start putting myself first and being a bit more "selfish" :rotfl:

She's right though, I look in the mirror and I can see the ravages of stress on my face.

A good excuse for some nice facials.......:rotfl:

Disflop

LL - take that very good advice onboard - I was in a similar situation, caring for and sorting estates for 4 parents then dh over a similar period of time. All I can say is that I aged 20 years in that time! I was also given that advice, but I was so used to never having time for myself I felt guilty even considering it.
Take time for yourself and enjoy it.
Well done for handing the paperwork over to the professionals - you can't put a price on peace of mind.

lessonlearned

Disflop......how I can relate when you say you aged 20 years.

This is just how I feel! And if I'm absolutely honest it's what I see when I look in the mirror. Very depressing at times. I just hope that I can reverse some of the damage.

That's what this thread is all about. :rotfl:

TBH. I have had a bit of a battle with my sister today about using the solicitor. She wanted me to do it all but I cheerfully admit I've had enough and i have put my foot down. She has been texting me all day but I have remained firm and resolute.:D

In the end I said I would pay the fees myself if it was worrying her so much. I would too, anything for a quiet stress free life.

From now on that is my mantra. I will do whatever it takes to eliminate harmful stress from my life. If it means paying for help sometimes then so be it.

Stress is literally a killer, it ruins our health and destroys our looks.

Eustress is good.....it releases adrenaline and makes us feel good. Eustress from healthy challenges such as exercise and pushing ourselves to achieve good things and achieve our goals.

But it's when it turns into dis-stress that it becomes so harmful and damaging.

In the case of backing away from dealing with the nitty gritty of dad's estate, outsourcing something difficult, time consuming and stressful then it is exactly the right thing for me to do.

So in the future I will be delegating and outsourcing a lot more. As my late husband used to say "why have a dog and bark yourself" ...........lol.

Onwards and upwards.

maddiemay

LL - Well done for knowing what is best for you in that situation and sticking to your guns, it is so easy to let ourselves be pushed into something that is not good for us. Take care and treat your body and spirit to soothing/uplifting things, and the not so soothing, but beneficial physio of course.

greenbee

I've done the opposite LL - just sacked the solicitor as my dad's estate is pretty simple (will be more complicated when it comes to my mother, but in this case everything goes to her) and the amount of money they were suggesting charging was outrageous. An impression that was borne out by how quick they were to suggest a reduction in the fee when I said it wasn't competitive. I've worked out that I can deal with it myself, although it may take longer, and my brother and mother (also executors) have agreed.

Had to leave the house for work today (doesn't happen often!), so located a suit that's too heavy for regular use as it doesn't pack well - brown wool with pink dots - worn with a pink cashmere jumper, and multicoloured string of cultured pearls, pearl earrings, pink suede shoes (wore fluffy boots for driving), did my hair properly, and my makeup and wore perfume. I doubt my neighbours would have recognised me!

lessonlearned

Greenbee.....yes I did everything myself when mum died. It was very easy, just a straight forward "back to back" will. Same with my husband's estate.

I don't think you will have any problems. I think it's when the second person dies that it becomes a bit more complicated. Tbh I could do it if I put my mind to it. I'm just choosing not to. ........

I will try and leave everything in good order for the boys though when my time comes, but again I'm guessing probate will be required. I have actually set aside a drawer which contains everything they will need, poa, will, insurance policy etc, letter of instruction and guidance.

Your outfit sounds fab, especially the pink shoes.

Have just given myself a manicure. Just a simple clear varnish for now.