Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

sheilavw

Lovely sunflowers. I buy them in Aldi sometimes , only £2.75 opposed to £5 in M and S, they last ages too

chanie

Today’s project was sorting out the shed. Everything is piled in and it makes it difficult to get what we need without taking lots of stuff out.  We still need to fit our bikes in.

Here is what I have done so far.

I only chucked out a couple of small bags of rubbish.  We have decided to store the BBQ outside with a cover, so that will make more room for our bikes.
We had a couple of plastic boxes with stuff in that were too big for the wooden shelving unit, so I measured up and got a couple of smaller boxes from IKEA that would fit into the space.  The boxes can be stored outside as they are waterproof, so are prefect for the shed.  I still have more work to do, but the shed is looking so much better.

sheilavw

Well done Chanie. I had a bit of a shed tidy a few weeks ago and took some things to the tip when it reopened. It's going to be lovely here today. Our area comes under the new lock down , not again!

helensbiggestfan

Good morning lovely ladies.  

Brace yourselves ladies.  It's going to be a scorcher.  Unfortunately I have to go out this afternoon for my chiro app, otherwise I really wouldn't bother today. Fortunately she has air con.😁   Other than that I won't be doing much.  I know I shouldn't complain but I really don't like it when it's plus 30 and humid to boot. Thankfully it's only one day.   Blessed are those by the coast today.  

Anyway.........progress report on my mission to be Sensational at 70 😂🤣. 

Today will be my 6th chiro appt.  I'm feeling the difference already.  Yesterday I was able to stroll around the city with ease, no leg pain, very little lower back pain. 

Weight loss journey .........Lost 3.5 lbs in 6 days.  💃. 

Garden..........now on the second round of digging  and preparing the flower boarder.  Soil much easier to work now.  That clay breaker stuff is nothing short of miraculous.  This time I can actually dig properly rather than using hand tools to try and break up the big lumps of clay, unearth builders rubble and tree roots. No wonder nothing would grow. 😂.  I am applying  a second round of claybreaker as I rework each section, leaving it to work it's magic for the required 4 weeks.  It's still hard work but I'm following my 1hr a day rule so as not to break myself.  Then I can plant it up.  I have been nurturing baby shrubs in pots and they are doing well.  

House........on hold for now, concentrating on the garden and outside whilst the weather holds. 

Sad to say the news re Covid isn't looking that great is it. My intention over the next few days is to get organised and buy what paint and diy materials I need. Then at least I will have them to hand should we need to go into lockdown again. 

I have ordered a painting by numbers kit and I have candle making supplies, soap making stuff, fabric to reupholster my dining chairs.  Just need to stock up on books.  I have had a very spendy month and have probably doubled my food budget but that does include holiday treats and doing a couple of stock ups.  I think I'm pretty well sorted, maybe one more mini stock up, make sure the freezer is nice and full.   And then just ride out any further lockdowns.  Keep busy, stay cheerful and focussed and try not to sabotage my weight again.  

Chanie - well done on the shed tidy.  That's on my to do list before winter.  

 BTW. I didn't buy the posh dress and jacket......thought I'd wait and see if they reduce it.  If they do I'll buy it, if not I won't bother. They are overloaded with donations, they couldn't take my bag the other day so I'm betting they will reduce stock very quickly, especially summer clothes. The prices are often  quite high for saying it's a charity shop.  I think they chance their arm and then reduce items after a couple of weeks if they don't sell at the original asking price.  It's a war of nerves...... I've done it with a couple of their higher priced items now. I think there is a ceiling price here - even for designer or top names .... ....after all this isn't London or somewhere like York or Bath. 

Get me  I'm getting really thrifty in my old age.  The thing is yesterday I bought 2 sweaters, 2 tops and a dress all for £7. Good makes and in nice condition.  The dress looked as if it hadn't been worn. Much better. 😁.  

Watched a film about Jean "The Shrimp" Shrimpton and David Bailey the other day.  Brought back lots of happy memories of my misspent youth, a nice trip down memory lane,  

helensbiggestfan

Oh Sheila.....just caught your post.  Sorry to hear you have gone into lockdown already.  

sheilavw

yes East lancs area under lock down. It's been quiet here for new cases too. My Daughter, son in law , Grandson and animals were supposed to be coming up from Colchester around the 9th. They live in army accomodation and there is some messy work being done and it is better that they move out because she works from home the majority of the time. Who knows now?

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

Chanie, I too love sunflowers, their towering height amazes and fascinates me and I enjoy the rich colour of the flowers.  You have made a great job of organising and tidying the shed. You have been making great use of your time with house fabbing now that you are no longer employed. 

My younger son and daughter, my grandson, his girlfriend and I had an early 21st birthday celebration in my home. Although there were only 5 of us, it was more than enough, as I would feel anxious if I filled my living room with family members, so I kept it small and we all enjoyed ourselves and could forget all about the pandemic.  My grandson did feel really happy and he loved all of his presents even though more than half of them were from one of my local Poundland shops. 

Shelia sorry to hear that your area is in lockdown, also that it is likely this current local lockdown will prevent your son and his family coming to stay with you. 

I am really looking forward to the family party tomorrow, as so many members of my family will be there and I have not seen them for months.  As the weather is hot, the party can take place outside so that there is space to social distance if anyone wants to whilst we are all enjoying ourselves. I will be making an effort, even though once again, I am much fatter than I would prefer to be. My jewellery has all been cleaned, so that I can choose what pieces to wear tomorrow. I have 2 choices of outfits picked out and I will make the final decision tomorrow. I will then decide what matching shoes and handbag to wear with the chosen outfit.  Even though the party is for my great niece's 10th birthday, it will also be a party for the many adults who will be in attendance. 

helensbiggestfan

Just made an overpayment on my mortgage.  I Have set myself a target (another one😂🤣) to be mortgage free in 5 years.  A big ask, but hey, you have to aim high right.😉. 

I have been overpaying by £200 Month for For around 6 months now and so far have managed ok, reducing the term to 10 years if I can keep it up.  But I want to go even better and get that down to 5 years.  

I have got a better deal with my power provider saving £24 a month, plus I have decided to also throw my bank interest on my savings accounts at the mortgage too.  Savings rates are pitiful, not even keeping pace with inflation so i thought it might be better to just tackle the mortgage now whilst I can so I have more disposable income when I'm older and likely to need more. 

 Or I could splurge on exotic travel when Covid is history.  😂.  

chanie

Helen great progress.  Will be interested to keep up to date on your Sensational 70 plans as my MIL is the same age as you and will no doubt want to celebrate in style. D’s

maman

Lots of productive activity going on despite everything. You're doing well tackling the shed chanie. Good idea to stack things on shelving then you can see where everything is. 

The partial lockdown was very sudden sheila. It's thrown lots of people's plans into disarray. I feel so sorry for the people planning to celebrate Eid with their families. Many were left in limbo as family had already arrived last night when the government tweeted out their intentions. Imagine if there was a message on Christmas Eve at 9 p.m. that Christmas celebrations were cancelled. 

I did my  weekly shop today despite the heat. We needed bleach so I went into Poundstretcher (next door to Aldi). The price has shot up and there was very little available. One thing I did buy was some Woolite for black clothes. It was good value at £1.99 for a 1.3 litre? bottle. Not sure if you have a branch near you sugarbaby as I remember you recommending it some months ago.  Have a lovely time with your family tomorrow.