Frump to Fab 2017 - A Whole New World

maman

I like the sound of your outfit too greenbee , all very co-ordinated.

I think even the recommended walking sounds good LLand, in time, you'll get to do more.

I've been an executor twice and both times did it myself. I needed to go to probate for my mother but it was very easy, a bit like a big balance sheet. That being said, I think you're wise to leave it to professionals LL. You've been so drained in recent years, you need a rest not more work.

greenbee

I need to apply for probate, but given that the solicitor would need me to provide most of the answers to the questions I might as well cut out the (expensive) middle man.

So this week I need to get the relevant valuations, work out how many certified copies of the Will I need (neighbour will do them) and the create a checklist and start working through it.

Red dress arrived in the post today in 2 sizes. One too big, one leaving nothing to the imagination. Need to make a decision... I think I should try to get myself back on track so I fit into the smaller one decently

lessonlearned

The dress I ordered for dad's funeral arrived. It fits but it makes me look like a baby elephant. :rotfl: oh well it will have to do. Maybe some magic pants will help.

Tackling the weight really is becoming a matter of urgency now.:eek:
I'm fed up of feeling and looking "plump". Ok fat.:o

On the plus side, my stress levels and sleep have improved and my tummy feels a lot better. I have now been able to stop taking the IBS meds. so good progress there.

Today I need to give the house a bit of blitz but first I'm going to have nice soak in the bath to loosen up. Must admit feel a lot better after my Physio yesterday so a bath to warm up and then back to the yoga stretches.

The weather is not great but I will wrap up and go for a walk.

Bit by bit........

Disflop

Baby Steps LL. You have made a good start, just by recognising you and your health and wellbeing are important.
Over the last couple of years I have managed to undo some of the ravages of 10 years of stress and strain. Gradually, as I adapted and accepted everything that had happened I started to relax more and had a few facials, changed skincare routines etc etc.
Unexpectedly meeting my now dh has had the most impact on all aspects of my life - falling in love again gives its own sparkle!

lessonlearned

There's nothing like falling and being in love for adding a bit of sparkle.......its a wonderful feeling.

I doubt that I shall be that lucky again. But never say never;)

I shall be happy enough just rebuilding my life, buying a little house, having holidays and adventures, trying new hobbies, going back to ones I had to let slide, meeting new people, making new friends, re-engaging with neglected friends.

I have my first big holiday in May so I want to get in good shape for that. I have got nearly 4 months so I should make some decent headway by then.

I got a real shock the other day. I tried to get into the loft. I managed but it was quite a struggle and I didn't feel happy doing it. I used to be able to shin up the ladder like a mountain goat.!!

Currently Kittie has plonked himself on my knee, it's lovely sitting here having a cuddle but I really need to get cracking and start the day. He's not going to like having to move.:rotfl:

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

LL good for you that you resisted the pressure your sister was putting on you to sort out your Father's affairs on your own. It is much better for you and all concerned that you have just provided all of the paperwork to the professionals and have left them to get on with it, for a fee. Losing a parent is incredibly stressful and if you can relieve yourself of any of the stress, then you should always allow yourself to take a step back.

LL can I suggest that you return the dress you have bought for the funeral and find one that will really flatter your figure and make you pleased with your reflection in the mirror. It will give you more confidence and it really does make a difference on the day of the funeral.

I did all of the arrangements for my Mother's wake, and did all of the other practical things to do with clearing her belongings from the Care Home she lived in and all of her paperwork. It was a very labour intensive task and the most stressful part was trying to get all of my living siblings to make a financial contribution to her wake. It involved lots of phone calls and texts to all of my siblings and in the end I still came up short. So in the end, I pawned a lot of my solid gold jewellery to raise the rest of the funds needed. ( I manged to retrieve it all about 6 months later). Thankfully another sister did all of the funeral arrangements. in fact she was very insistent.

It is still difficult to know that I will never be able to touch and talk to my Mother again, just over 4 years after her death. Yet, there are times when I make more effort with myself and in accepting opportunities to have a happy, fulfilled life, because I know how proud my Mother would be. When she was alive, she was proud of my singing ability, and loved to hear about me going to Karaoke and on night's out dancing my legs off.

Even last night, when I was tempted to give Karaoke a miss, I did not give in to this feeling. I had a wash, put on a nice outfit and light makeup of black mascara and brown eye shadow, then I layered my perfume with the matching body lotion and body powder. I really enjoyed my night out at Karaoke and it was well worth going back out on a very cold night.

lessonlearned

Sugarbaby......thanks for that. Isnt it nice we can share stuff like this. It's like a virtual coffee morning.

I'm glad you managed to sort out everything and get your jewellery back. Being the older sensible sibling sucks at times.:rotfl:

Don't get me wrong I love my sister dearly and I am not angry with her. I Just dont think she realises how utterly exhausted I feel and couldn't understand why her normal practical capable big sister was behaving so oddly and willing to spend money on outside help. I think she is just so used to me rolling up my sleeves and getting stuck in myself.

My sister is very Belgian, wears her heart on her sleeve, cries easily and "emotes" all over the place. My son says I'm more "English", more reserved and restrained, tending to bottle things up and maintain the old stiff upper lip.

Of course all this emotion has to escape somewhere and I think that's why I get so exhausted, feel so washed out and why I get fibromyalgia and IBS flare ups.

Anyway this time offloading some of the tasks will help. I feel less stressed already.

Yes I miss my mum too.......other than my husband she was the one person who really "got" me so having lost both of them I do feel a bit isolated at times. My boys are great but I don't feel I should lean on them too much, and anyway they are just young "blokes". :rotfl:

I do have some fab friends in RL who are very supportive but again I prefer not to impose on them if I can avoid it.

I must admit your karoake sounds such fun. It seems to give you a lot of joy and pleasure. You are right it's good to be open to accepting opportunities and new experiences.

That's all part of my master plan. Just need to sort myself out a bit first.

You have a point about the dress. I think I will keep it though because it's a lovely dress and it will look fab when I've lost a bit of weight. I might see if I can pick up something else. There's over a week to go.
I might strike lucky in the charity shops or the sales.

This morning I gave myself a pedicure and a face mask. Doing just a bit of fabbing each day. I'm also working my way through my bedroom, wardrobe done and now just tackling a couple of drawers at a time. Getting there.

Just about to clean the oven......:eek: one of my least favourite jobs but I always feel smug and virtuous when it's done. :rotfl:

AlwaysAllie

Haven't managed to post for a couple of days due to long working days and general laziness. Have enjoyed catching up with everyone's news though.

Have just about maintained the earrings and perfume applications, did wear make up both times I went out.

A little disappointed with my foot peel - 8days in and they're a bit flaky in places but nowhere near the zombie feet I expected. Will have to start with the files again.

Bought some colour shampoo for my hair, really to try to get some shine into it, triedvarious conditioners and other products to no avail.

AA

ali-t

It can take up to 2.5 weeks to get the full peel. Be patient! Are you soaking your feet in hot water every night?

AlwaysAllie

ali-t wrote: »

It can take up to 2.5 weeks to get the full peel. Be patient! Are you soaking your feet in hot water every night?

Thank you. Yes I have a bath every night so they're getting a good soak. I'm only impatient because the packet said 4-7 days.

AA