Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

helensbiggestfan

Good morning lovely ladies

We have had rain but no storms yet.....they are forecast for later today, so an at home today, maybe do a bit more some decluttering.  Have to say I'm glad it's cooler.  Much more conducive to getting things done.  

CandyGirl......glad to hear you got on so well with the neurologist. Hopefully you won't have to wait too long for your scans.  I know they aren't the nicest things but at least you should then be able to get a diagnosis.  Is it possible for them to give you a light sedative to help you relax.  

Not much news here......still feel very tired so aiming for a gentle day, just pottering about.  

have a lovely weekend.  

sashybo

Candygirl, have you had an MRI before? I had to have one when I was pregnant with DD and it's not the nicest experience but the staff were lovely and I had something to hold with a button on it and if I felt like I needed to come out I just had to press it. They were very insistent that I use the button as often as I needed to and that it wasn't a problem if I felt panicky and needed out, they would just restart and carry on from where they left off.

They also put my choice of radio station on through the headphones and would speak to me every so often to check I was ok. DH was also allowed to sit just beside the machine so that I knew he was there. I was very glad when it was over and I could get out though. 

Pennylane

helensbiggestfan said:

Yes I did think of U3A.   I do think I need to try and join a few clubs etc.  

I've just been browsing eBay....seen a couple of dresses so I might bid on those.  

I joined U3A to learn Spanish. I persevered for nearly a year but the group was very snobby. We met in various people’s homes and some just wanted to show off where they lived and what they had. we wasted nearly half the session “admiring” someone’s new sofa and curtains. I hate wasting time so decided to do it myself at home.  They were very set in their ways and when we, as a group, had to decide on a text book the most forceful one picked a very expensive but rubbish book which I pointed out had bad reviews.  They then ordered loads of them and as time went on realised it was an expensive mistake. I sold mine on Ebay and bought my own plus CD and taught myself at home. 

Wednesday2000

I was looking at the local U3A near to where I will be moving next year to the coast. Hmm, they all looked much older than me. I thought it would be retired people of any age, but I suppose I am quite young to be retired at 46. This is if everything goes to plan, although I don't know if the pandemic will greatly damage our early retirement plans!

I did look at the adult education courses too and think I will do a few of them. I'm going to have to get out to meet people as I won't know anyone in the area.

I am not sure if it is the double cleansing or the fact I am starting the cleansing with almond oil but my skin is definitely looking better.

I am so glad it has cooled down. I am going to have a hot bath and then go out for a walk. I will take an umbrella.

helensbiggestfan

Hi Pennylane....thanks for your comments.  I did wonder if some of the groups might be a bit "cliquey". I guess there's only one way to find out.  If I don't like it then I can walk away. Well done on learning Spanish at home,  

Got chatting to a neighbour yesterday and we were talking about pilates.  She said once the classes were up and running again locally did I fancy going with her.  So that would be nice. I must admit I've really struck lucky with the neighbours here, they are friendly without being intrusive and everyone seems to be genuinely neighbourly and concerned about others.  Most of them have lived here for decades......always a good sign.  

Anyway I'm definitely going to do more in the way of fitness, leisure, maybe even try a gym at some point when it's safe to do so. I've had a couple of nice phone calls from friends who are itching to meet up now that lockdown is starting to ease.   Hopefully life will gradually get back to some semblance of normal and we can all start getting out and about again.  See how it goes after the holiday.  I doubt that we will be going to restaurants, cinemas etc but we can visit each other's gardens and houses.  

Half the year gone already......and I haven't done half of what I set out to do this year in terms of socialising, going to classes and meet ups or joining groups, trying new activities.  It doesn't matter, it will happen in the fullness of time. On the plus side I have used lockdown productively and have made great progress with the house and garden.  It's all swings and roundabouts and I feel that I have achieved something.  

No thunderstorms or downpour, I think we have missed it.....we often do, we don't get much in the way of storms here, very rare. Just a nice steady gentle rain.....much better for the gardens because it actually sinks in rather than battering the plants and running off the soil surface and causing flooding.  Still pleasantly warm though, I've got all the windows open for some fresh air.  

maman

I'm another who's pleased it's cooler today.  

It's interesting what you said about U3A in your area Penny. I'm a bit put off by the meeting in people's homes too. The ones my friends run are larger and in church halls and libraries but not in my area. Personally Id prefer that sort of 'distance' to begin with  until I choose to get to know people better or not. The art group I belong to suits me fine. There are 100+ people in a large lecture theatre and I don't have to do more than pass the time of day with anyone who sits near me. A few of my friends (from dancing and other groups) go there too. Sometimes I see them and we chat, other times we just wave across the room. It's not that I'm anti social it's just that the subject matter is the higher priority for me. There are more intimate spin off groups (like day trips and meeting for meals) if I wanted to get involved but I choose not to. 

I'm not planning to do much today. I'm going to do a little bit of batch cooking for the freezer while I listen to the radio. I like radio or audio books as I find that television rarely grabs my full attention. It's became like radio with pictures so I just look up from my knitting or crossword when I hear something I can't 'imagine' IYSWIM. The Times is starting a new radio channel on Monday. It's meant to be a competitor to Radio 4 so I'll give it a try. I used to be a dedicated Radio 4 listener but now I pick and choose. There's been a lot of dumbing down so that in chasing a new audience they're losing the existing one. Also, they're losing many good presenters as the BBC can't compete financially with the commercial stations. It'll be interesting to see what happens though as many of the  commercial stations (and Facebook apparently) are losing revenue because of advertising drying up. 

It seems the Chancellor is trying to think up ideas for getting people to spend money. I believe lowering VAT might be a possibility but not yet. I honestly can't think of anything I want to rush out and spend money on. We're still dithering about what to do about having an extension/revamping the garden. We'll make a start by doing some clearing. I doubt what we spend on skips will keep the economy running though.

Wednesday2000

LL - I had a friend that really loved pilates when she tried it. I want to join some type of exercise club or group when this is over too. I know some women really like zumba but I don't know whether I would find that a bit intimidating as I am quite uncoordinated. I could always just try it once.

I just went for a 50 minute walk and listened to a podcast about the importance of movement for your mental and physical health. The psychologist was saying that even dancing in your kitchen counts as movement. I did 5 minutes on my trampoline when I got in as I was inspired. I couldn't do any more than that as I haven't done it for ages. Lol.

It started pouring down as soon as I got home so I was lucky on my walk. I'm going to make myself a healthy lunch and watch the rest of the podcast on YouTube.

candygirl

Thanks for the advice 're the MRI ladies.I'll deffo take a sedative if possible , am having palpitations just thinking about it 😯😯😂😂
I really need to start making plans too.This year has been a right off, so far for me, with COVID, n feeling generally rubbish .I might sign up for another online course soon.I did the TEFL one ages ago.There's a dog psychology one on offer, but not sure even that will sort Naughty Madam out 😂

helensbiggestfan

Good morning lovely ladies
What a climate we live in.😂  A 12 to 15 C temperature drop in less than two days. No wonder my body can't adapt and I seize up.  Oh well it's never boring.  Have been thinking about what clothes to pack....probably the usual British summer holiday standbys.....skimpy tops, sweaters and wellies.  Oh and take a hot water bottle too. 😉.  Be prepared.!!!  

helensbiggestfan

Candy. I was only thinking the other day that 2020 has been a bit of a write off in terms of my plans, goals and ambitions.  So many things have had to go on hold.  Still I think that, on the whole, we are mainly doing ok.  Yeah the odd blip where we lose focus and motivation but I think under the circumstances that is to be expected, it's hard to stay committed to something when there are no deadlines or end goals in sight.  It's easy to drift. 

I think many of us have had to "change horses" as it were and maybe shift our focus so that we can try to use lockdown productively or at least stay sane.  I have been fascinated by how people have been so creative with their time.  There are a lot of ideas buzzing around out there.  Still plenty of good energy around although I think it's fair to say that an awful lot of people are getting a tad fed up and restless now.  Only to be expected really. I think in a funny way partial lockdown is perhaps harder to cope with than total lockdown.  You get a slight taste of freedom so it's natural to want more.  

Its funny how I've changed some of my habits.  I have found that I'm watching less TV now than before lockdown. And yet you would think the reverse would be true.  I just can't be bothered with it.  I'm mainly watching a few films either on TV or using one of the providers such as Prime or Netflix.  One joy is that I'm rediscovering music.......I have been downloading music more  - currently listening to Roxy Music.....I'd forgotten how much I love them (so smooth and sexy).🤣.  And  now that I have run out of real books I'm using kindle via prime, lots of free books and my magazine fix.    I feel like I am actually getting my full monies worth out of Prime now,  

And, of course I have been gardening, doing some diy and sorting out stuff ready to declutter when the chazzers are ready. Plus I will be shortly be hiring a skip. And, at the risk of sounding a bit pretentious I have also been thinking a lot🤔😂, re-evaluating my life and deciding what I actually want, how do I see my future self  and I'm starting to formulate a master plan.  😉.  All will be revealed.......

So whilst much of our lives have had to go on hold I do feel that I have been expanding into other areas, developing new interests and rediscovering old ones. I certainly don't have any feelings of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and I have drawn that red velvet rope a closer.........taking care of my mental health and shutting out all the people and things which only serve to aggravate me or drag me down.  I've said a Fond Farewell to all the Negative Nellies and Moaning Minnies and all the energy vampires who I find emotionally draining.  And that includes the daily news, I just catch the headlines and that's about it. 

There is much in the world now to cause concern and so far 2020 has been exceptional, one shock after another....the usual war, pestilence and famine of course, but also fires, floods, locusts, the pandemic, racial unrest, civil disobedience.  And it's still only June. !!!  Who knows what's to come, certainly economic hardship for millions, and the long term health implications such as lung damage for some Covid survivors.  Who knows what else....My prediction, given the extremes we are seeing with the weather, is that  I am not ruling out the possibility of a harsh winter, with possible supply difficulties.  

So after the holiday my plans will include some extra winter prep.  Get the builders in to finish the outside jobs, stock up non perishables - food of course but also some additional form of heat and light and also paint and diy materials in case we have another lockdown or supplies become difficult again.  I have already started buying extra candles and tealights each week and fortunately I still have a good supply of coal and wood, I shouldnt need any more this winter.  I'm going to buy a portable calor gas stove that I can wheel to whenever it's needed.....I usually have one for emergencies but I got rid of the last one and haven't yet got round to replacing it so that's a must for my list.  Winter clothes wise I'm pretty much OK. In fact I've just ordered some socks today. 

Candy I think an online course is a great idea....isn't technology wonderful these days.,...you can learn anything you fancy on line now.  My boys are always consulting U tube videos if they want to learn stuff, cooking, diy, engineering problems, quantum physics .....you name it. Especially DS2 who has mild dyslexia and who often learns visually.  

And of course, MSE, which has saved my bacon more than once.  😉