Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget.

ancientmum

I had a hibernation day yesterday, hardly moved from the sofa, but I had just had a busy (champagne) weekend with lots of driving to visit family.   I went to bed early and slept for a good eight hours, so I must have needed it.  I've been more active today with a gym class, housework and walking over four miles to and from the gym and around town.  It's an outdoor volunteering day tomorrow, then an evening at the writing group so after dinner tonight from the freezer I'm  going to tidy up and then settle down in front of the tv with a cuppa and a piece of cake.  Stay safe everyone

helensbiggestfan

Hello my lovely friends....

Love reading about all your champagne moments.  What a fabulous film bargain at the library.  I too had a little weep at Judy. She was treated very badly by the Hollywood system.  Even when she was little more than a child they practically worked her to death. They treated her as a product, a cash cow to be milked for all she was worth.   No wonder she struggled so much in her private life.  

I watched Frost/Nixon the other night,  don't know why I didnt watch it before now. I thought it was brilliant. Even though I knew the outcome I was still riveted. Watching Frost let Nixon more or less hang himself was like watching a masterclass in interviewing technique. Even though a lot of people criticised Frost for being just a lightweight entertainer and not a proper journalist  he absolutely nailed it, gently luring Nixon into a false sense of security until he condemned himself out of his own mouth, no butting in or interjecting his own opinions, just letting Nixon crucify himself. 

Some of today's interviewers could learn a thing or two from Frost.  😉

The decorator starts the kitchen tomorrow. Wahoo.  As the kitchen will be out of bounds for the duration I have decided to get out from under his feet and have a "staycation". I shall get out and about every day and be a tourist in my own city, visit some galleries, the cinema, browse the shops and eat out in some of my favourite cafes and restaurants.

Hopefully there will be plenty of champagne moments along the way......

balabooberlies

Miss Elf
Libraries I think are life savers.  Lots of single and elderly people at the film.  I chatted to the lady next to me.  The experience was very warm and inclusive.

I only just discovered this library thinking that it belonged to the college it is attached to.  Lucky me it is a Public library and I can walk there.  'Cool' is a brilliant way to describe it especially in the OS/MSE sense.

LL.......... I am a great believer in staycations for many reasons.  Finance, won't kennel my Tiggy, FINANCE (did I mention That ?) and also find going out difficult some days.........  I do hope to go travelling one day but not whilst I have my Tiggy.  I know that this will sound crazy to many but I wouldn't leave a child in a strangers hands so why Tiggy.

Anyhow, hope you have a great time.  One thing for sure is that I know you will do it with style and grace.

To one and all, have a wonderful day.

Bala

X

candygirl

Hi Girlies
We're in full on hibernation mode today,  as it's still really windy n wet outside.Roll on Spring
I just missed the postman delivering a book I've ordered, the idiot has taken it back to the sorting office, which is a pita for me,  as it's up loads of stairs No idea why it didn't fit through the letterbox:(
The sad news about Caroline Flack , really hit me hard.Love Island is one of my guilty pleasures,  n She was a fantastic presenter,  but was sadly hounded relentlessly by the press 
Hope the decorating goes well LL, n enjoy the staycation x 

sugarbaby125

balabooberlies said:

Hello All

Forgot to tell you.  My local library shows a film once a month maximum 20 people.  It's an incredible £1.50 for members.

This month it was 'Judy' which I absolutely adored and would watch again.  Even cried a bit.  What was most amazing was that on offer was coffee, tea and biscuits.  And then as the film was about to start a small bowl of popcorn if wanted.  The experience blew me away with the abundance of goodies on top of the ever so low (but gratefully received) price.

I will let Miss Sugarbaby give you a synopsis if she sees it as she is oodles of times much better at it than me.

Bala

x
Bala, I actually watched the film Judy twice last year, as I found it such a brilliant film. Your point of view is just as valuable as mine, LL's, or any other ladies, so make sure you write your own review after watching any films 

sheilavw

Had a great few days in Krakow with my Daughter, very affordable. Visited Auscwitz/Birkenau which was sad and the salt mines. So much to do and see. Definitely want to return

helensbiggestfan

Hello my lovely friends.  

Sheila.....glad you enjoyed your trip to Krakow....I bet it's a fascinating place.  There are so many lovely cities in that part of the world. I intend to visit a few before I'm finished.  Well done on visiting the camps......tbh it's not something I could do.  I just couldn't cope.  

My father was part of the liberating army. I saw what it did to him to witness the horrors. Sometimes when he was "in drink" he would reveal what he had seen and experienced .........that's enough for me.  The stories were too graphic to repeat here.  

I can remember when my Belgian cousin married in the 70s he took us to meet his wife's to be people who lived in an area called Limberg, on the edge of the Ardennes.  When the townsfolk got to know my dad was visiting, the mayor practically rolled out red the carpet for him, even though he hadn't been stationed there.   Apparently the people there (just ordinary Belgians) were starving and near death themselves.  When the Allies, mainly British, saw the state the people were in, the soldiers shared their own personal rations. Their descendants hadn't forgotten and they made such a fuss of us, especially my dad of course.  He was terribly upset by it all. I guess it just bought back too many painful memories for him.  

Im glad they have not demolished the camps and I really admire anyone strong enough to stomach them but despite (or maybe because of) my family's involvement in the war - dad as a British soldier on active service and my mum as a member of the Resistance, I just can't visit them. Compared with some, my family got off relatively lightly.  Whilst life under the Occupation was undoubtably grim they were lucky in that they survived more or less intact, no deaths but they were all left with deep emotional scars.  And of course, my family were left practically destitute and hungry too, even though they were farmers and market gardeners.  But, as I say, they were some of the lucky ones. With time, patience and hard work they rebuilt.  

On a lighter note.......the decorator has made a good start. I went out for breakfast whilst he was here but unfortunately because he has had to use a very strong oil based stain block on the beams the paint fumes have really upset my tummy.  So just having a quiet morning to try and recover.......darnt stray too far from the bathroom.  Probably TMI 😂. I don't think he's coming today unless he pops in later this afternoon.  I will just stay out the way.  

Ive got the windows open and bowls of onions dotted around so hopefully the fumes will dissipate soon. Staying out of the kitchen as much as I can of course and keeping all the connecting doors closed but it's strong stuff and it really stinks.  Hey ho.  I just remind myself it's worth it and it will look fabulous.  

Big champagne moment yesterday....my SIL informs me that FIL has left the boys and I a small legacy.  Bless his heart, He was such a kind and generous man.   Although SIL did say not to get too excited, because 5 years of nursing home fees has made serious inroads into his capital.  

It really doesn't matter how much or how little it is, I'm just very touched by his thoughtful generosity.  It's one of those scenarios in life where it really is the thought that counts.  

Wednesday2000

I love my new milk frother! I made myself a matcha latte with Oatly barista milk just now.

I have been doing more decluttering and organising. I am working my way through my stuff putting things I don't need into a donation bag and putting things together that should go together. So far I have done my big chest of drawers, my wardrobe and two of the garden storage boxes. I am going to go through my husband's wardrobe later on.

I have got more Real Housewives to watch tonight and my new magazine to read as well. 

helensbiggestfan

Sounds like great progress Wednesday. Its feels good doesn't it to make headway on the clutter.  

I managed a tip run on Monday, a load of old chipboard and melamine shelving.  It was heavy so I just took my time, carrying a little bit at a time.  The top room is looking much better now, I'm starting to see the wood for the trees.  

The bulk of the rubbish, unwanted building materials etc is now in the shed so I can wait until the weather picks up before I tackle that little lot.  I could probably fill a chazzer bag again with clothes I don't need/want and I have got loads of books, DVDs and CDs that need weeding out a bit, some paintings and kitchenalia.  Just tackle it a bit at a time. I'm aiming to get it all done this year, hopefully sell some of the better bits if I can.  

I bought a fabulous coat yesterday, made by Lands End. Fantastic quality with a warm lining so super cosy.   I did dither a bit because I didnt really need it as such but it was such a bargain. Just £7. It's in a lovely buttery soft olive green leather, three quarter length.  It's actually a man's one so is a loose fit on me but it is perfect because it will go really well over some of my heavy knitwear and thick sweater dresses. I sometimes struggle with coats to wear with those because most of my coats are quite tailored and slim fitting.  I do have an olive green waxed jacket that I wear with thick knitwear sometimes but this is much smarter and altogether more elegant, even if it is a man's coat.  It will be perfect for my trip to Scotland for the funeral.  It's bound to be cold up there.  😉

Wednesday2000

helensbiggestfan said:

Sounds like great progress Wednesday. Its feels good doesn't it to make headway on the clutter.  

Yes, definitely.

I just dropped off my donation bags and I did buy a new dress and a jumper but I really liked both of them. Surprise they were both blue, lol.