Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget.

mrs_slapshot

helensbiggestfan said:

I found two silver linings yesterday.......

Seeing ordinary people pulling together and helping one another, some footballers lending their hotels to the NHS, wealthy celebs and business people donating large sums of money.

Seeing satellite pictures of the earth with less air pollution.  There is a lesson there for all to see, a confirmation of what scientists have been trying to tell us for decades - that we need to clean up our act.  For now we are giving the Earth a much needed breathing space. Hopefully, when this is over and we gear up again, governments and big business will do more to ensure we all live more sustainable and "greener" lifestyles.  

We can get through this......If we self isolate and protect each other we will come out the other side and then we will have a golden opportunity to "reset".   

Afternoon everyone...aren't we living in strange times.  I am very fortunate to have a job where I can work from home, and they have confirmed no job losses....luckier than many and I am so grateful.  I have to admit that the COVID19 situation has properly got me down at times, especially when I read about the selfishness of some people, stripping supermarket shelves for no good reason.  Leaving our elderly, vulnerable people or emergency workers not able to get the supplies they need. 

However, as LL points out there are many acts of kindness also being seen, and so I am trying to ensure I see more of that news than anything else.  I am practicing social distancing, planning girly catchups by FaceTime or Skype, and lots and lots of TV watching and book reading.  I am also just about to do a list of action points for my blog; things I need to learn and do.  We have to make the most of the situation.  Unsurprisingly, my personal pension fund has plummeted in the last few weeks, which puts my 'early' retirement plans on hold for a while, and also my plan to move house.  I will just have to wait and see how this situation unfolds - I am terrible for worrying about things that are not in my control!   

Keep well everyone 

Edited to add - Davina is doing a month of her 'Own your goals' plan for free - no need to input your credit card details - https://ownyourgoalsdavina.com/

helensbiggestfan

Strange times indeed......lots of positives and RAKs though.  

Neighbours asking each other if they are ok, do they need shopping.....on my daily walks, people nodding and smiling.  

Well day 3 of the daily phone calls was lovely.  Each day phoning a different friend and having a natter and a laugh.  Lovely weather. - chilly wind but great to be out, you just had to keep moving.  Did a couple of hours in the garden. 

Just about to have a late lunch/early dinner,  resurrecting a dish I haven't cooked in years, part of my do something new or different each day.  

Going to relax with a nice film later and do a bit of a paperwork sort out, as part of my daily decluttering. 

Keeping busy. I am  actually enjoying this time to myself, being productive, catching up with stuff.  

It's all good.  X 

helensbiggestfan

good mornjng  my lovely friends.  

Happy Mothers Day to All - Whether you are a mum or not.😂

Take some time out to indulge and pamper yourselves.  A little bit of luxury and indulgence will see us through these grim times.  

I am spending another day in splendid isolation, not seeing my family in person but making do with the telephone.  It's fine, we can catch up in RL when this is over. And it will be over one day, nothing lasts forever.  Even plagues burn out in the end. We just have to ride it out.  

I am just about to have smoked salmon and scrambled eggs for brunch and I have a nice ribeye steak for dinner.  Its a beautifully day so I will potter in the garden.  This evening  I shall indulge myself with a nice long bubble bath and settle down with a nice film,  some posh nibbles, some chocolate and a mini bottle of Prosecco.  

If I can't be pampered then I will pamper myself. 😂🤣

have a fab day.  

helensbiggestfan

Good morning my lovely friends.  

Champagne moments yesterday.......this lovely weather.  After pottering about the garden I dug out the deckchair to eat my lunch "al fresco" and read a book, then fell asleep.  

Hopefully will get out there today.  I have crocuses and hyacinths, which smell wonderful, in full bloom. My magnolia tree, which I bought as a little sapling and have been nursing along for a couple of years, is covered in buds this year. Still not very tall yet but it's going to be very pretty.  

Small pleasures I know but lovely to see the gardens coming back to life. Spring is finally here and it definitely lifts the spirits.  

Lockdown is probably on the cards soon but we can do this.  As one of the memes currently going the rounds on FB puts it.  "Our parents were called to war, we are being called to the sofa and Netflix". 😉. 

Stay well and safe, keep busy and happy. 

phoebe1989seb

Same here yesterday, LL  Spent most of the day outside in the incredibly welcome sunshine, planting some of my many alliums, fritillarias (both of which I've been growing in pots), some more bergenia (to extend the clump planted two years ago) and my latest addition to the David Austin rose bed - Morning Mist, which I bought bare-rooted online last week having coveted it for a few years!

My live-in gardener/decorator also moved the huge Gunnera we put too close to the path the year before last and tackled more log chopping amongst other tasks 

Lunch in the 'orchard' (not as big/grand as it sounds!) and later on G&Ts on a bench overlooking our handiwork to the backdrop of the neighbouring field of bleating lambs/sheep..... heavenly 

Another beautiful sunny day today so - once my aching knees have recovered - I plan some more (gentle) digging/planting - there's a large clump of Trachystemon Orientalis that needs moving so I'll hopefully make a start on that, aided and abetted by my two four-legged helpers 

helensbiggestfan

Good morning my lovely friends. 

Day 1 of Lockdown. And I bet some of you might be wondering how on earth can we enjoy champagne moments at a time like this, and even, is it right that we even try. Isn't it a bit tasteless and crass when the world seems to be collapsing round our ears, when so many of us are worried about the safety, health and well being of our loved ones and the repercussions on the economy.  Some of you might even be fearful of getting sick yourselves.  

Some of you might think me frivolous. What am I wittering on about by talking about champagne moments at such a bleak and worrying time. You might think me shallow by continuing looking for fun and joy. Some people might think I'm just a vain hedonistic pleasure seeker. 😂. An airhead and a lightweight perhaps.  

I beg to disagree. I think it's essential we maintain our sense fun, even in the darkest of times.  My experience with grief and loss taught me to value the simple things in life and how to take pleasure, comfort and joy with the everyday.  How to smile in times of sorrow and how to laugh a little in the face of adversity.  I think it's essential to look for fun, laughter and pleasure. It will keep us sane amongst all the madness. I think it's vital  to indulge ourselves a little, doing things we enjoy, eating foods we like, raising the odd glass and may nibbling on some delicious chocolate. To treat ourselves to some flowers, burn a scented candle.  To put on some slap, fix our hair and wear something nice. To continue to live with style and elegance.  

So every day, even though I'm in quarantine, I shall dress up and show up. I shall take care of my appearance and up the self care to stay healthy. I will nourish my body with good food, sleep, rest, exercise and get out in the fresh air whenever I can.  

 I have not forgotten my challenge to "change my life". Ok some of the ideas I had regarding my social life, holidays will have to fall by the wayside, but that's not the end of the world.  

My word for this year was "Extraordinary". I wanted to lift my life a notch or two making every day extraordinary. I have not forgotten. 🤣. The challenge is still on but maybe the emphasis has shifted a little. So, I have come up with a new word to guide me through these challenging times. That word is "Reset".  Start thinking about how I can embrace our new reality and what comes after. 

I think  that when we come out of this crisis the world will be a different place and our lives will be changed forever.  I believe the world itself will need to "reset" so I'm taking this on board now, getting my head round it all.  

In the meantime I am going to enjoy the sunshine today, get out in my garden. Lunch will be alfresco, Mediterranean style. 😂

Good luck my friends. we can do this. 

Wednesday2000

helensbiggestfan said:

In the meantime I am going to enjoy the sunshine today, get out in my garden. Lunch will be alfresco, Mediterranean style. 😂

Why not.

It is beautiful weather here too. I'm so glad that this period of social distancing/self-isolation didn't happen as we were heading into winter. At least we have some sun at the moment.

I just did some exercise at home and then played fetch with my dog in the garden. Now I'm off for a bubble bath.

sheilavw

Well its been a gorgeous day here. Our school remains open to care for children who's parents are on the frontline, however only 38 yesterday and 12 today. Staff are on a rota, 1 week out of 4 and I am not in until 6/4. As a family we look after our Brother who has downs syndrome. He is easily bored and his gardening centre , clubs, swimming etc are all cancelled. So a little walk, accompanied by my daughters 2 dogs. He's not a fantastic walker so dug out my late Mum's wheelchair and we had a combination of walking a bit, and then riding a bit in local cemetery. We took a flask of hot chocolate, sat a while, walked a bit. Passed almost 2 hours on! As I posted recently on facebook I think that covid 19s made people realise how truly 'fragile'life is and how things can change. For us a family this came when MND entered our lives and we lost Mick, all our hopes, dreams and plans were cruelly destroyed. I went on to say how ashamed I was of selfish people had been in the last few days. Not only stockpiling but flaunting their 'stash' on Facebook. On the flip side I have seen generosity, from staff at my school, preparing and delivering food parcels and vouchers to our most needy. Also NHS staff, and their hard work. Strangers helping each other with food.  Tomorrow isnt guaranteed for anyone, its a gift, and thats why they call it the present. I truly wish I could turn the clock back to happier times with my lovely Husband. Take care of yourselves and each other and hopefully we will all

 come through this. Interestingly it will be a topic on the History curriculum in schools in years to come!

helensbiggestfan

Good Mornjng my lovely friends.....

Sheila.....lovely post.  You're right the current situation does underline just how fragile life can be, and perhaps how sometimes we can be complacent and take things for granted.  Yes, we will be in the history books.😉. 

I keep a journal and I'm going to incorporate  a diary about this.....my grandchildren might find it interesting one day.

Had a lovely day yesterday, really enjoyed the sunshine.  Hopefully the same today.

needmoney

helensbiggestfan said:

Good morning my lovely friends. 

Day 1 of Lockdown. And I bet some of you might be wondering how on earth can we enjoy champagne moments at a time like this, and even, is it right that we even try. Isn't it a bit tasteless and crass when the world seems to be collapsing round our ears, when so many of us are worried about the safety, health and well being of our loved ones and the repercussions on the economy.  Some of you might even be fearful of getting sick yourselves.  

Some of you might think me frivolous. What am I wittering on about by talking about champagne moments at such a bleak and worrying time. You might think me shallow by continuing looking for fun and joy. Some people might think I'm just a vain hedonistic pleasure seeker. 😂. An airhead and a lightweight perhaps.  

I beg to disagree. I think it's essential we maintain our sense fun, even in the darkest of times.  My experience with grief and loss taught me to value the simple things in life and how to take pleasure, comfort and joy with the everyday.  How to smile in times of sorrow and how to laugh a little in the face of adversity.  I think it's essential to look for fun, laughter and pleasure. It will keep us sane amongst all the madness. I think it's vital  to indulge ourselves a little, doing things we enjoy, eating foods we like, raising the odd glass and may nibbling on some delicious chocolate. To treat ourselves to some flowers, burn a scented candle.  To put on some slap, fix our hair and wear something nice. To continue to live with style and elegance.  

So every day, even though I'm in quarantine, I shall dress up and show up. I shall take care of my appearance and up the self care to stay healthy. I will nourish my body with good food, sleep, rest, exercise and get out in the fresh air whenever I can.  

 I have not forgotten my challenge to "change my life". Ok some of the ideas I had regarding my social life, holidays will have to fall by the wayside, but that's not the end of the world.  

My word for this year was "Extraordinary". I wanted to lift my life a notch or two making every day extraordinary. I have not forgotten. 🤣. The challenge is still on but maybe the emphasis has shifted a little. So, I have come up with a new word to guide me through these challenging times. That word is "Reset".  Start thinking about how I can embrace our new reality and what comes after. 

I think  that when we come out of this crisis the world will be a different place and our lives will be changed forever.  I believe the world itself will need to "reset" so I'm taking this on board now, getting my head round it all.  

In the meantime I am going to enjoy the sunshine today, get out in my garden. Lunch will be alfresco, Mediterranean style. 😂

Good luck my friends. we can do this. 

Lovely uplifting post -thank you.