Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

maman

helensbiggestfan said:

Fabbing might seem trivial in such circumstances but I do genuinely believe that self care is as important now as ever,  crucial for our mental and emotional well being as well as our physical selves.  

I think it's more important than ever for all sorts of reasons. Probably paramount is how much I value my virtual friends and we've been able to meet throughout which is fab!   We've always had an underlying mse theme on here too whether that's about bargains or DIY remedies so that's been useful when our normal shops and salons aren't available. Then there's the fact that we've always seen fabbing as being the best we can and keeping self esteem up and looking after yourself is essential now. I could go on and on. Fabbing is good for you!!  

I managed to get a NT slot at last. I suspect that the beautiful roses will be gone over by now but it will be good to go somewhere different. Timed tickets are released on Fridays for the coming week. We've failed the past two Friday mornings. As I'm a bit of a night owl, I tried to log on to the event booking site at midnight and managed to book at about 12.20!  

It's come over very dark here and I suspect we'll have heavy showers this afternoon (as we did yesterday). My highlight of the week is this afternoon: Queuing at Aldi!! I must plan which umbrella to take.

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies, 

I have not got to the stage when I have felt bored or frustrated with following the guidelines during lockdown. I am still very busy finding theatre productions online to watch. Devouring TV programmes old and new and reading lots of books. For the last 2 years when I was enjoying my busy social life, I did not have enough time for reading so in 2018 and 2019 I only read 22 books. I am currently on my 22nd book for 2020, so thanks to lockdown, I have far more time to enjoy a wide selection of new books that I own. 

I had made a vow not to buy any books this year, but in the end, I have been buying books after all. Firstly I used all of my money that I received for Mother's Day to buy all of the books on my wish list. I also went to 3 book readings/author signings early in 2020 and I got all 3 authors to write me a personalised birthday message in the copy of their books I purchased. Even though many of the local Poundland stores no longer stock many books, sometimes I get lucky and find some really interesting hardback books for sale for myself. 

I have refrained from any other kind of non essential spending though which is why I have been able to exceed my savings goal of £400 for a few months in 2020 already. I have been resisting the temptation of buying from eBay and enjoyed the pleasure of watching my savings rapidly growing. 

TFL is converting all of the buses in London back to fare paying buses, but still with protection for the bus drivers and other social distancing measures in place and it is a welcome change from my point of view. When all of the buses were free, they suddenly gained a lot more passengers, so that social distancing on the buses was almost impossible. Sometimes, I just let a bus go without boarding it, when I felt that there were too many passengers on the bus already. Under the new measures in place, every bus is only allowed to carry a maximum of 20 passengers and no standing is allowed on buses. 

My grandson and his girlfriend came to visit us at home yesterday. We had a lovely time, laughing and talking together. 

Wednesday2000

I was thinking that I hope that I can get away to the hotel in July and the virus doesn't prevent us. I wonder if the restaurants will be open then too. I could really do with a break for a couple of nights after being indoors so much.

I just went for a walk and listened to a Dr Chatterjee podcast as usual. He was interviewing someone talking about habits and why humans find it so difficult to stick to them. I just started his book when I got home as it is about doing three 5 minute habits a day to help improve your physical and mental health. It has a lot of helpful tips already. I am a big fan of his, obviously.  Feel Better in 5 - Dr Rangan Chatterjee

I wore my new white sparkly wedges with one of my maxi dresses and I put on silver hoops and a necklace and my sunglasses. It's very warm here. I had to wear my blue denim jacket though as I still have two huge bruises on my elbows from falling down the stairs!

maman

Oh dear. Hope the bruises go soon Wedesday.☹️
I can't remember all the details but I have read research about forming habits. I think it takes at least 3 weeks to form a habit but that would vary I suppose depending what it is you are working on. 
I've found that my best fabbing successes have been by working away at something until it's just part of my routine. That really applies to skin care, for example. 🙂
Glad to hear you're coping so well sugarbaby. You're an excellent example as pre lockdown you had a very social life with your karaoke, cinema and theatre going. It's a huge lifestyle change but you've embraced it. 👋👋👋
There's been very little in recent announcements that's changed how the lockdown is affecting me. We could go and visit family in their gardens but we haven't done so yet as it would mean a journey. My DD1 who lives close by has visited but we just chat from a distance at the end of the drive. What I'm missing most is being able to meet larger groups in restaurants or my dancing group. Then I'd like to be able to get my hair done. 
I'm hoping that we can go out for a meal in August for our wedding anniversary and maybe in September some sort of holiday even if it's a couple of nights in this country. It won't be much fun going anywhere though if restaurants and attractions are closed. But we can go to the zoo! 😁🤣

helensbiggestfan

Hello Lovely Ladies.   

I've had a very good day,  very productive.  Was up with the larks so went to Asda first thing, bought some plants, weed killer and lawn treatment stuff. The weather looks good for the next week or so, so I'm going to crack on with with trying to organise the garden a bit.  Managed to do some planting but it was hard work, the soil is heavy clay so even though the rain had softened it a bit it was still heavy going.  Rough on the knee🤣.  

Last evening we booked a cottage In the Peak District for 6 nights from 4th July. Apparently the first date that they are opening up again.  It looks a lovely place, pretty village just a hop from Chatsworth.  The cottage is quite big, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, large kitchen/living area, and a nice big garden.  It will be just DS1, DIL, GS and myself. We won't be eating out or visiting any pubs or attractions, maybe the odd beauty spot with a picnic.  Chatsworth gardens might be open and maybe the farm bit, definitely the farm shop for nice deli type foods.  Then in the evenings we can cook something nice, or maybe get the odd takeaway,  play board games or cards.  It will be a nice break. We can still be in our little Bubble.  😉.   I think it will do us all good to have a change of scene. It's only about 45 minutes from here, so nice and easy.  

We get to celebrate two birthdays whilst we are away.....mine and GS will be 2.  😁

maman

That's a great plan LL. Something lovely to look forward to. 🙂
DH and I could make provisional bookings but l'd need to check the rules to see if we could link with anyone else. We've obviously had the bonus of being together throughout lockdown but I think, at the moment, it's only single households (and single parents) who can meet up with others and stay over.

I think we will all be allowed to travel and stay over in this country next month to try and help the tourist industry. Just out of curiosity, is your booking refundable if it doesn't happen? 

maman

I meant to ask if anyone watched that fashion makeover programme that was on tv. I think it was Thursday evening. 🤔

savingfortomorrow

I tried on  a blouse I kept since 2010 and it is small and it fitted. I bought wide legged platazo trousers  and the size 12 fitted. I am amazed. Honestly I'm doing nothing  less exercise  but eating terribly  massive  amounts of fermented  foods. This morning for breakfast I had an egg white omelette  with 30 g of cheese and tomato and  cucumber.  I forgot  about  lunch and had left over chickpeas  curry for dinner.  

I'm currently baking some buttermilk  chicken  and raspberry oatmeal bake. 
I'm glad I kept  clothes as I'm having to replace items off Ebay now.  

savingfortomorrow

L L your holiday cottage sounds lovely.  It will because great break for you d and dil. Hopefully  things will improve  and you can get a few days out  

Sugar. Does your local library do borrow box as the app saves me a fortune. It allows really good  selection  of books  for free. 

sugarbaby125

maman said:

I meant to ask if anyone watched that fashion makeover programme that was on tv. I think it was Thursday evening. 🤔

Maman if you are referring to You Are What You Wear on BBC1, then I watched it and thought it was a well thought out concept for a makeover show and I found myself feeling emotional for the people who were chosen for a makeover, especially the woman who was a survivor of breast cancer.