Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

thepurplepixie

Chanie your shed looks great.  I am trying to motivate DH to get rid of some of his rubbish, it fills the shed, the double garage, his study, the loft and I only keep it out of the rest of the house by endless nagging.  He has finally realised that all this "stuff" isn't adding anything positive to his life but that doesn't mean it is easy to sort out.  I have sold £12k worth of it on Ebay in the last year and probably another £12k to go if I can get him to sort it.  Sometimes I daydream about a very big skip and to hell with the £12k.
We have a a fairly cool day in the south west, it was pleasant this morning as it was sunny with a lovely breeze but this afternoon has been cloudy but to be honest I prefer that to the extreme heat.
DD and I have decided we need to lose some weight we have put on in lockdown, I'm looking at losing 4lbs and she says she wants to lose 7 lbs so we are going to encourage each other with that.  I don't think mine is down to my food intake changing, it is just too much sitting about during lockdown but of course it is easier to put it on than to lose it so I just plan to cut out the "treats" and move more.  I've never been on a diet so will be interesting to see if I can shift it.  I just want my trousers to feel a bit more comfortable, nothing drastic.
The lockdown is so hard and it does seem awful to do it just as Eid is starting, it is like cancelling Christmas as 9 pm on Christmas Eve.  I keep thinking of people who were expecting to go for a big meal with friends/family and are now at home alone with beans on toast.  Also horrible for weddings, Boris announcing at lunchtime on Friday that wedding receptions are off is a bit of a blow for couples marrying tomorrow.  Such a shame, I wonder if waiting till Sunday for the changes would have been possible,  I suppose it would cost lives but I do feel sorry for people.
My toe is looking alot better, the swelling is going down so it doesn't look as bent.  I'm planning a relaxing weekend, no GC to care for so a nice walk on the beach first thing and then a relaxing day.  I've got shopping due from Sainsburys soon so I suppose I better go and make some space in the cupboard and think about what we are going to eat tonight, I feel very unmotivated.
LL well done with the overpayments, just be careful of paying too much and getting hit with a penalty if you are on a deal.  My bank used to be really good if I did it on the phone and would tell me if I was going over what I was allowed to pay.  I always thought it was odd to be penalised for being a good payer but I suppose there is some logic in there somewhere.

maman

Glad to hear your toe is improving pixie. 🙂
Like you, I'd never been on a diet in my life until I tried Slimming World 10 years ago. I'd gradually gained through a change in lifestyle and decided enough was enough. Check out their website. SW is a healthy eating programme with a balance of carbs, lean protein and lots of fruit and vegetables and limited treats. 🙂
I weighed myself for the first time since lockdown today and I've gained a pound in more than 4 months. Very pleased with that. 😁
My DH has loads of 'stuff' too and, like yours, it's expensive mostly antiquarian books and maps. The maps aren't too bad for space although the framed ones are on almost every wall. The books are everywhere though. Shelves are full but they're also piled on the floor in the study and music room. ☹️

sheilavw

Yes it was short notice Maman, Sugarbaby, its my Daughter and son in law, and Grandson that were coming , we will have to see if things change. Your Grandson sounds like he was was spoilt and loved his gifts from you! so pleased that you had a lovely day.

You do right to throw some money at the mortgage LL,  savings earning nothing at the moment

thepurplepixie

Maman my husband's collection is eclectic, I'd probably cope better with maps and books.  I'm not sure if it is worth joining anything for 4 lbs but if it won't move I'll have a look.  I go very gaunt if my weight drops much which isn't a good look so I don't want to lose any more.   You've done well in lockdown, everyone I know seems to have put on weight.

maman

No, definitely not worth joining for a few pounds pixie. The website has sample 7 day menus which might be worth looking at.

helensbiggestfan

Good Morning Lovely Ladies. 

Well it hit 35 here yesterday and I have to say I found it gruelling.  Of course we ended up with a storm but it has definitely freshened the air.  Thankfully it's set to be around 22 today. That will do me.

The house is an absolute tip this mornjng.  No idea why but it has to be said I can be a Messy Nessie at times so this weekend will be a mix of house fabbing and gardening, avoiding busy shops and congested roads. Just take it slow and easy.  

Delighted to report that a week into my diet, sorry healthy eating😂 I have lost 4lbs. I am dead chuffed.  Only 19.5 to go.!!!   I'll do it.  I feel motivated, I have got my mojo back. And of course cutting out grains means my tummy is much happier.  My aim is to reach my desired target weight by Christmas.  I make that 20 weeks so I think that should be doable.  

Anyway my plan for week 3 of Operation Sensational at 70 is to up my game wIth skin care.  I dont know why but my skin is both dry and congested at the same time with a cluster of milia On one of my cheeks. I have started using Acnecide, which contains 5% benzoyl peroxide.  I use it on my back from time to time with brilliant results but I have never used it on my face before so I will use it sparingly until I see how my skin reacts.  

Will do a couple of diy facials and mild skin peels this week. Means being extra careful in the sun of course.  Also need to address general dryness on legs, arms, so I will ensure I drink plenty of water. 

Pixie......wow making £12k on eBay is amazing.  Whilst your husbands hoarding tendencies might be a bit annoying at least it's not just any old rubbish, it sounds like he was quite discerning.😂. 

Right off to start the day......

have a great week end y'all.

sheilavw

morning ladies, up early and down to gym, 40 lengths done, that's me until Monday!

yes, a very hot one yesterday, turned cloudy here around 5pm ish but stayed warm

Enjoy your Saturday everyone

thepurplepixie

LL £12k was nice but discerning I'm not sure, some of it probably and some just luck and some just junk.  I finally got through to him that his beloved stuff was likely to end up in a skip when he died as none of us know anything about it.  I think it made him realise he had to make it manageable so a vast amount had to go as either rubbish, charity shop or selling it and then the next job will be to catalogue what is left.  He is very proud that two of the things he rescued from a car boot sale, probably paid a pound or two, are now in museums with a 4 figure sum in our bank account.  He is actually very skilled at certain things e.g. early electronics that you or I would happily bin he will recognise as a "first" that needs a few wires soldering and a good clean and it becomes valuable and maybe a museum piece.  I don't mind him collecting and obviously it has been profitable but I don't want it to be something like a tv horror show where you can't move in the house and have to sleep in a chair and believe me he would have it like that given half a chance.  I have to be the voice of reason which isn't always appreciated.
I need to book an appointment for the tip next week as he has a few bin bags ready to go.

helensbiggestfan

 My husband and I used to dabble in antiques. It was lovely, we enjoyed it immensely. not only was it a nice little sideline But it was something we loved doing together.  It started out as doing a few car boots to find a little extra for UK holidays when the boys were small and we were skint and it just grew from there.  

Problem is.....where do you keep your "stock". 😂. As you say it does rather take over and if you're not careful your home can end up like Steptoes yard. 

As he got sicker we had to give it up. And tbh running stalls and doing antique fairs is a two person job so that is why I gradually got rid of everything.   The only things I have left that take up room are Crown Derby And Royal Worcester.  I have decided to use most of it and so just have one box in the loft now.  The boys arent interested so I'll probably just take it to the auction house at some point.  I don't think it's hugely valuable. 

the rest is mainly jewellery.....that's my "old age" insurance fund. 😂🤣. Again the boys arent really interested so I'll keep the best to gift to the DILs and my grandsons future wives and girlfriends and at some point will probably just flog the rest, maybe blow it on a bucket list adventure.😁.  

My father was a dreadful hoarder.......bits of manky old chipboard, rusty bent nails and screws you name it.....all kept because "it might come in useful". I had to clear his house before he died because he went into sheltered accommodation.  It was truly awful, he was in floods of tears because I was disposing of his "treasures".  He was so angry with me, called me all the names under the sun.  He was still angry the day he died, he never really forgave me "for tossing his life away". 

My youngest son and I had to go in when he wasn't there.  We couldn't hire a skip because dad would have gone ballistic at seeing his things in a skip, so we had to do several tip runs.  Luckily DS had a large Volvo estate at the time.  I had to lie on so many occasions telling him I had given things to friends or charity shops to try and cushion the blow.  It was truly horrendous.  I was the bad daughter and got the blame. 

I don't think he had a hoarding disorder as such, it's just that he was born in 1926 and had vivid memories of hard times in the depression, WW2 and the post war years of austerity and he abhorred what he saw as waste.  The problem is things can often deteriorate or die in storage so that they become worthless and useless anyway.  

After that I vowed that I would not put my sons through such an ordeal so that is why I am now so strict, getting rid of as much as I can and not letting it pile up.  I don't know though. You think you're about done, and then you find more.  I sometimes feel like Canute, fruitlessly attempting  to turn back the waves of "stuff". Hopefully it will make things easier, for me as I age and for my family when I'm gone.  

Anyway,  I had a good look in the shed and I think I can get away with buying a hippo bag rather than hiring a skip, with maybe just one tip run for things like paint and anything hazardous.  It would be a lot cheaper.  I'm going to get started next week.  We also have a scrap metal guy who calls round our neighbourhood.  I think I have his card somewhere so that would be a help.  

It's all coming together...... 

thepurplepixie

Antiques and art and the like would be a bit more attractive than the stuff my husband is interested in, it's either toys from the 40s and 50s or various phases of electronics, early record players, tape players, computer stuff, honestly all looks like old tat but of course it is actually history and so much just gets thrown because who wants one of the earliest home computers when there have been so many upgrades and improvements in the last 50 years which of course means some of his stuff is quite rare, hence the museum interest.  It goes for so many things, cameras, video recorders and even DVD's are on the way out.
I am the opposite of a hoarder, not sure what that would be but DH would call it a thrower outer.  Apart from photographs, which I have boxes of, I could pack and go in an hour.  I think maybe I was a refugee in a previous life.  I don't have sentimental ties to things and if it isn't being used then I am happy to get rid.  Funny how different we all are.
The situation with your father is so sad, I know it would break my husband's heart to see that happen which is why I want him to have some control of it and yes he hangs onto everything just in case.  It has taken him till now, in his 70s, to realise that it isn't bringing any joy and knowing you have at least three thingamyigs somewhere it is no use if you can't find them when you need them.
Good luck with the shed.