Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

helensbiggestfan

Good morning lovely ladies. 

Maman. Sounds like you had a "normal" day at last😁. I must admit I'm looking forward to the day when I can go out for something as innocuous as a cup of coffee.....my own coffee at home is great but it would be nice to sit in a cafe and watch the world go by.  😉. I am missing opportunities for people watching. Ha ha.  

Yes I do treat myself to a bunch of cut flowers from Aldi.....a little bit of luxury for around £2 or £3, although for the last few weeks I have been cutting flowers from my garden.  

Got a bit of a shock with my blood sugar levels the other day.  My own stupid fault. I had allowed too many carbs to creep back into my diet, so I'm just going to have to be more vigilant. I think it was partly due to not  being able to shop for fresh fruit and vegetables so easily or regularly but I've decided I am going to increase my shopping trips now. I have also put it an order for a veg box - thought I'd give it a try,   I have found a local dairy which delivers milk and dairy,  eggs, and fresh f&v. Not as cheap as Aldi of course but a useful addition.  

At the start of the pandemic I was unable to register for online grocery shopping but it seems like supermarkets are now taking on new customers again so I thought now would be a good time to get on their books. So far I've registered with the dairy and I'm going to look at finding a good butcher, as well as a couple of supermarkets.  Then over the next few weeks I shall replenish my stores of non perishables from Aldi. I still have enough for now but I am afraid I do think that a second wave is inevitable so I want to make sure I have everything in place.  Luckily I am ok for storage.  

my DS1 came round yesterday so I could help with childcare.  DIL stayed home to work and rest. We had planned for him to trim my hair but in the end he used the opportunity to catch up with some of his work.  My hair is looking rather straggly now but it can wait, it's not the end of the world. 

Quite a bit cooler here and we have a had a little bit of rain.  Good for the garden.😁

maman

I think the jury's still out on whether there will be a second wave although I'm aware (from NHS friends) that they are actively making contingency plans. It could happen due to the early easing of lockdown or it could just happen as a typical pattern of pandemics in the past although scientific opinion differs on that. Hopefully, if it does happen then we'll be further down the line of the test, track and trace, the app and other needed measures that aren't ready yet. 

I agree that doing some stocking up of non perishable goods is a good idea. That's not just in case of a second wave but also to alleviate the price rises that will no doubt happen.

We've spent a fruitless couple of hours this morning trying to book for our local National Trust property. Last week their telephone system was overwhelmed. This week they've handed it over to the online booking firm Eventbrite but their website couldn't handle the volume of bookings. Sadly, the lovely roses will be fading as the weeks go by. If it goes on much longer we might try for another property with more extensive grounds.

It's quite bright here but much cooler than previously. Last week LL, I found the queue at Aldi's quite good for people watching. It's the highlight of my week.

chanie

As my contract finishes next week, me and OH have been discussing small jobs I can do around the house, like hanging pictures and some minor paintwork.

Today, we shifted some furniture around in our living room.  Our rooms aren’t huge and we have chimney breasts to work around, so we are quite limited in what we could do, but we found a configuration that works.  It makes a nice change.

maman

It's surprising what you can do if you think it out chanie. I really fancied one of those L shaped sofas but the room shape wasn't suitable. Instead I have a large footstool in front of my usual sofa and it works just as well and gives an extra seat when needed. 😁
Are you planning any changes in colour schemes or just tidying up? 🙂

savingfortomorrow

I have been eating down the stock pile as some of the food dates need  to  be  eaten before August.  
If there is a second wave people will be more prepared psychologically  for  it. They will be more mindful  of  less toilet paper and more fresh stuff.  
I want to see the back of cupboards  and only if needed restock. It was good to know that supply chains remained solid. 

chanie

maman we aren’t decorating, just tidying up some areas of paintwork which have become grubby (normally areas which the children are normally found).   One job I want to do is paint the front door.  OH started sanding it down a few years ago but never finished.  It looks awful, but we just never got around to redoing it.

stf that’s a really good point about keeping an eye on expiry dates of your stockpile. 

maman

Thanks chanie. One task we planned to do before lockdown was replace the stair/hall carpet and possibly the sitting room as well. We'd avoided doing it earlier because the trades were up and down the stairs constantly when they did the bathroom (although they did cover the carpet with a massive roll of cling film ). We'll need to do some touching up of paintwork when that happens. It'll make a massive difference when you paint the front door. You'll notice it every time you come home. Kerb appeal!!

Only this week I found some tins of tomatoes in my storecupboard that were a few months out of date sft. I'd avoided using them because they were in a multipack and it always seemed easier to grab a single tin. I just didn't realise how long I'd been doing that!   Yesterday, there were no queues at all when I went to Aldi so I was in and out very quickly. As I had the time, I went to Home Bargains nearby and stocked up on various tins and jars. 

It's overcast but dry here. I'm just going to potter about today and listen to the radio while I'm doing that.

helensbiggestfan

Good afternoon lovely ladies....

I feel like I'm starting to get cabin fever. 😂.  This morning I decided I just had to get out of the house even though it was drizzling and cold.  I went to Aldi and did a stock up.  No queues, although they were starting to queue when I left so I timed it just right.  

I mentioned my blood sugar levels were climbing and I wasn't happy.....well I dug out my new diabetic receipe book which I hadn't even looked at and although I haven't tried any of the actual recipes I have read all the science bit and carefully studied the tips and advice.  So today when I went shopping I didn't buy any root vegetables at all. Although I knew potatoes were a no go area for me I hadn't realised that carrots, parsnips were equally just as problematic, same with tropical fruits......so I've stocked up on all manner of diabetic friendly foods. Luckily there is plenty of variety and seasonal fruit and veg around that I can eat so hopefully I can cobble together some nice meals.  

Alas eating this way is more expensive, there can be no filling up with grains and cheap root vegetables but what price do we put on health.........I do not want to follow in my mums footsteps so  I am determined to not just manage my diabetes but to completely reverse it.  

I have been following the principles outlined in the book for the last couple of days and already my blood sugar levels have improved and I have lost 3lbs. So it's definitely working.  

Treated myself to a bunch of lovely deep red roses, alas no smell but for £1.99 you can't have everything.  I also bought the Aldi hot cleansing cloth.  Apparently it's the same as the Liz Earl one but at £3.99 it's considerably cheaper.  Stocked up on a few tins and packets of coffee.  Going to buy a few extra bits each week.  Not been to B&M for a while, in fact I've only been to Aldi really for the last few weeks. I'm going to start visiting a few other supermarkets etc over the next couple of weeks.  See what I have missed.  😁.  

PS......It's a boy!!! 😁.  

Wednesday2000

I fell down the stairs yesterday. My slippers slipped from the top step and I fell all the way to the bottom as I was carrying stuff in my hands. I've got loads of bruises.

chanie

ll congratulations on DGS2.  When is your DSIL due?

wednesday ouch for your fall.  Sounds painful, hope you are resting up

maman I’m now planning a trip to Home Bargains because you have mentioned it!!