Frump to Fab 2019 - Here We Go Again

maman

It is a worry Humpty. DH has had good support from the GP but the pharmacy has been useless. Although they have all our contact details, they choose not to tell anyone (GP or patient) when they know an item is out of stock so you don’t know about the shortage until you turn up to collect prescription. Surely it would be logical to alert someone as soon as possible??;) Sadly, I think it’ll get worse as we get closer to 31st October.

It’s chaotic here today. Plasterer is in the bathroom so plumber has moved to the kitchen. As we live in an old house, we’re taking the opportunity to have some other pipework replaced including some (currently boxed in) in the kitchen and the supply pipe from the mains. I’ll be going out to do my weekly shop soon and I might stay out for a while!:D

Did anyone see the George Clarke ‘Old House, New Home’ programme last night? I got interested because he was featuring some Edwardian houses and giving them a sympathetic make over. It was good but the budgets were farcical. I suppose they feel that the average person can perhaps pick up a few ideas or treat it as property !!!!!!. There was a young couple on there last night who had been fortunate to inherit an enormous house in North London from her grandparents. They had a budget of £350 000 to spend on the makeover!!! :eek:
I could really get on my political soapbox but I’ll just say that austerity certainly isn’t affecting everyone equally and sadly those that are taking the decisions aren’t in the same boat as many others. In contrast, I listened to something this week about debt management charities that are helping people in dire straits because of the transfer to Universal Credit. I despair.:(

Oh dear, I am in a belligerent mood this morning.:D I am managing to get a little fabbing done. Other than Monday, I haven’t really needed to wear anything more than my ‘one mile ‘clothes but I have been keeping up with skincare etc. I’ve also kept the washing down and even done the ironing as I’ve been marooned in the kitchen at times.

It’s still dry here...at the moment.:)

lessonlearned

Good morning lovely ladies....

Sorry to hear all the woes about meds etc.

My sister is a pharmacy assistant for a well known high street chemist. They are all in despair at the situation. She lives in an area where there is a high percentage of elderly people and she says the staff know that people are suffering but absolutely powerless. They feel terrible and of course they get in the neck from both suppliers for pestering them and from customers for letting them down.

The branch does everything it can to source meds and goes over and beyond the call of duty, hand delivering meds to people they know are particularly vulnerable (over and above the proper home delivery service). Members of staff often "just drop by with meds" on their way from work. They don't get paid for this, not even a mileage allowance, but they do it for free, out of kindness and a sense of what is right.

As for the new style surgeries .....well they just don't work. You need continuity of care from someone who knows you, your background, your history, your current circumstances. Seeing a different doctor every time is pointless, it's a waste of time and resources, and it can be downright dangerous when things are overlooked.

I don't know the answer but it does seem that the NHS is in terminal decline. God only knows what the future holds. Getting old and sick is never an inviting prospect but right now it's a pretty bleak scenario.

All we can do is the utmost we can to stay fit and healthy. And then, if we can afford it, either take out medical insurance or maybe keep an emergency fund for if we ever have to "go private". Not ideal and I know it goes against some people's conscience but we all have to decide for ourselves. Im not going to get into that argument.

I have simple basic pmi that covers me for "serious issues". For the rest and the mundane stuff I pay as I go. Thankfully I'm still healthy but I realise that can change any time.

I notice that more and more GPS are offering private appts, both in real life and online for routine stuff. Not sure how that works. I have never used either service.

I will never know if it would have made any difference to the outcome of my husband's illness but I do know that chances were missed, mistakes were made and care was often patchy. I had to fight for everything. It was soul destroying.

I no longer dwell on it but sometimes, at the back of my mind, there is the inevitable "what if" questions but I have come to realise it's pointless to keep raking over the coals. In allowing my thoughts to stray into that kind of territory lies madness.

It's the 5th anniversary of his death tomorrow and that's all there is to it.

On a more cheerful note, I'm off to have my hair cut today. And even better the car repair was less than I had been quoted. £235 instead £350. Wahoo.

I celebrated last evening by lighting the chiminea and sitting out with a G&T.

Raining here - good for the garden. .

maddiemay

Good morning all, sunny here after rain in the night, bad weather due later.

Had a hectic week and now shattered, but lots of essential stuff done and some lovely socialising.

The weather has been warm, but not too hot so I have been wearing either my bright red per una jean style skinny trousers or fuchsia pink ones with appropriate tunics and statement necklaces. My hair is not quite as neat as I like, but have been rushed and not spent enough time styling it, thank goodness for a great cut though.

Usual Friday visit to market in town soon, It is about 15 minute walk and uphill, but will try and walk with my shopping trolley and back on the bus. It would be easier to bus there and walk back downhill, but my body needs the exertion:eek:

Have a great day whatever the weather throws at you.

silvasava

Morning All

Things are beginning to quieten down at home at the moment (dont tempt providence!) the kitchen is nearly finished & as I've gone for dark grey worktops I've decided on a bright eggy yellow to dress it. Just splashes - like my utensil pots and maybe some teatowels.
My DS2 is type 1 diabetic and a number of times recently he's asked me to pick up the balance of prescriptions that he's been owed. Sometimes they've changed the manufacturer but they dont seem to realise that this can have reactions even though on the face of it the drug is the same
I managed to get my hair cut yesterday and I've decided that the voucher DH gave me for my birthday will be used for a shellac pedicure and a facial which I'll try to do early next week. Ive spent enough time and energy on fabbing the house - its me time now!

Wednesday2000

I saw that Superdrug had a sale on a hair product I read about called Maui Moisture. Reduced from £9 to £6. I thought I would try them as they were much cheaper than the Aveda one I was going to try.

I bought the Agave and Bamboo conditioners as I read they had the best reviews.

I also got a concealer and a light brown eyeshadow.

Superdrug sent me a free travel size rosehip shampoo and conditioner which is great as I'm going away to stay in a hotel in October.

I tried the new makeup but it's typical as I had 8 hours sleep last night but I look really tired today.:eek: I need to catch up on the sleep I have missed this week.

I got an email about the final clearance sale at Debenhams so I might look at that now.

humptydumptybits wrote: »

I had 3 lots of blood tests last week for various reasons and you get no feedback, I called in and asked receptionist if the results were back, she looked it up and said, "Yes your results are normal, normal, normal, improving and improving so that sounds good." So that is all I know and yes it sounds positive but I don't know what is improving or what I can do to help. I know they are under pressure but I just feel adrift. I have a check up with nurse next week, they offer it every five years for over 60s, so I hope she might throw a bit of light on it all.

I always get a GP appointment to get blood test results as the receptionists always say it is fine and I don't trust them! I ask them for a copy to look at as well myself afterwards, clearly I don't trust my GPs much either.:rotfl:

maddiemay wrote: »

The weather has been warm, but not too hot so I have been wearing either my bright red per una jean style skinny trousers or fuchsia pink ones with appropriate tunics and statement necklaces.

Sounds very stylish!:A

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

For some reason my Arthritis has been causing me a lot of problems for the last few weeks.

I have taken it easier forsaking Karaoke and nights of dancing to just relax and get even more rest, but my pain levels have not improved, so I decided to resume my social life yesterday by going to the cinema. Thank goodness for painkillers.

I was forced to cancel my weekend in Birmingham at my sister H's home as both of my arms are too painful to cope with luggage. No refund on my train tickets as I bought the cheapest option which are non refundable, but only £19 down the drain.

lessonlearned

SUgarbaby.....sorry to hear that. Take it easy and look after yourself. I'm struggling too, however, I do find it best to keep moving, otherwise I completely seize. It's a balancing act isn't it between resting and not overdoing it and moving enough to try and stay flexible.

I went for acupuncture today. My knee is doing well, my doctor was really pleased with my progress. Losing almost 3 stones has definitely helped. Managed nearly 7k steps yesterday and 6k today with no ill effects, so definitely an improvement.

Unfortunately, like you Sugarbaby, my neck, right shoulder and right arm can get really sore and very stiff. Even getting dressed can hurt my arm sometimes. I can tell my movements are restricted, driving was really quite difficult today. My neck really ached, mind those back basins at the hairdressers don't help. I find them jolly uncomfortable and my neck always hurts for a couple of days afterwards.

He said it was postural and asked how much time I was spending on computers, how much typing etc. I said I was using an IPad and he said "there's your problem". I have heard of Ipad neck and problems with overuse of mobile phones so he could well be right.

So.....I think from now on I will be restricting my time on MSE and the length of my posts. See if there's any improvement. It's not that I don't love you all......:rotfl: but anything is worth a try.

Anyway, Pleased with my haircut and my chazzer bargain.

Bought a pure wool houndstooth tweed knife pleat skirt. (The cloth was Woven in Scotland) admittedly not high fashion, more the sort "county ladies" wear with their Barbour waxed jackets and their Hunter wellies to walk their dogs. :rotfl:

(I do actually have both the jacket and the wellies.....they do have their uses).

So nice to find pure wool and not a polyester mix. Paid the princely sum of £1.99. It looks like new. Googled it, Cotswold Collections, currently retailing at £129.

I love it, it's a beautifully crafted garment and it hangs beautifully. It will last for decades. As lovely as it is though I would never have paid full retail so I'm as pleased as punch with my bargainous posh skirt.

This sort of English Country Lady (and Gent too of course) look is currently very popular with Japanese and Chinese tourists. They go mad for our English Heritage style clothing.

And It's the one area of the clothing industry where we do still excel and where we can make good profits. Mainly from export of course. Not many Brits want to wear this sort of clothing any more, perhaps they think it's old fashioned and somewhat matronly.

I disagree. I think with the right accessories it can still look stylish. Both tartans and tweeds can vamped up to make good Street fashion. They need not be restricted to purely tramping through the heather. After all The Punks loved tartan and the Goths love tweeds.....

I actually love the Steam Punk style......maybe now I've lost weight I could flirt with it a little. Not the whole shebang of course, I don't want to look like mutton but maybe just tone it down a bit with a little nod in its direction.

Anyway I have commissioned the labourer to come back tomorrow for a couple of hours to help me out with some heavy work. I'm finally learning to delegate rather trying to be a hero and do everything myself.

Finally learning a bit of sense in my old age......

Maman I saw that George Clarke programme. I agree about the budgets. I just watch it for ideas I can copy.

I also like the £100k house series, where they build a house for £100k, excluding the land costs. I can't remember the presenters names, one is an architect called Piers something or other and the other guy is an interior designer. They are both very good and they have some brilliant cost saving ideas. Ok the build very rarely comes in on budget but often they aren't very far off. There was one lady (in Scotland) who only had £50k to build a house. They did it, it was small and simple but she was thrilled to bits. And as she said, she could always upgrade the interior and add a few luxury finishes when she had more money.

£350k for a refurbishment is an awful lot of money......

candygirl

SUGARBABY could it be the weather affecting your arthritis?
LL the jacket sounds ace.unfortunately I'm allergic to wool , it makes me itch like mad
Please don't limit your posts hun. It wouldn't be the same without You!You need a nice young male masseuse :rotfl:

lessonlearned

You can't beat a good soppy film or programme.

I'm currently rewatching Downton Abbey. I love it. The other night it was the death of Sybil, the younger daughter. I sobbed my socks off.

candygirl

Just watched Otherhood on Netflix, n really enjoyed it .Just what I needed tonight